Christmas Eve

Here I sit. My legs almost worn to little nubs and my poor head swimming. I have finished all my prep and am now drinking DiSaronno and ice...yummy Happy Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!!!

Last Orders!

It's nearly time for the big fella in the red suit to come down your chimney, or wherever he might be able to gain his yearly entry!
Last orders at Uniquely Gifted.
I have worked my poor fingers to the bone making up gifts and bags for customers and really must say a huge thank you to Break for selling my stuff and doing such a very good job of it.
What a strange year. I started in one job, left that and also set up my own small business. I don't quite know how that happened but here we are.
Thanks to all my customers and Merry Christmas to you all and a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Charity and Me!

I know, I know. Before you say anything let me explain that I'm older, wiser and considerably more ethically minded than I was once upon a long time ago.

I popped into the local Neighbourhood Office way back in June to see if they were doing any fundraising and if so could I donate some of my work. It turned out that they don't do fundraising but that they would give me a table at their Summer Fayre.
Along I went with all my work in bags and boxes and the manager saw my Wedding Cake Towel Bale and ordered one. The treasurer ordered Cupcake socks for his partners Father's party. I filled both of these orders and thought no more of it.

A few weeks ago I got an email from The treasurers partner who, as it happened, worked at a Charity called Break. She was asking me if I'd like to become involved with them and be promoted by them in return for a small donation.

Too good to be true? Not at all! It's all in the process of being set up and I am donating 10% of sales to the Charity.

I cannot believe my good fortune and their kind offer.

Thank you Break. I hope for a long and prosperous journey together.

Christmas Looms

I have done my last Christmas Fayre for this year and now I'm settling in to finish my orders and get on with my own things.

 I feel as though I haven't started towards my own family's Christmas but when I checked last night I found I have actually got lots organised.
I'll be going into Seasonal Meltdown soon. Watch out for flying fabric, ribbon and various children!

Birthday Girl!

Well, yesterday was my 56th birthday. 56! how did that happen!! I was 12 last time I looked in the mirror and now my Grand Mother looks back at me when I chance a quick glance!
I have lovely friends and family. I had a beautiful pendant bearing the paw prints of my two precious dogs Bertie and Summer.
I also had, amongst other things, areally pretty pair of tiny scissors great for cotton cutting or unpicking (which I seem to do a lot of) and not1 but 2 sewing work boxes.

Thank you to everyone. I am a lucky bird!

More Neglect

I'm beginning to feel like an absent parent. I always seem to have so much to do and I never get done the jobs which I need to keep on top of; in this case, my blog!
I did a lovely Christmas Fayre last night at The Lacon Arms in Hemsby. It was to help take local disabled kids on a 2 week holiday to Florida. Lots of good feeling about.
Today I got my birthday present early. I had my 2 dogs paw prints made into a double pendant in silver. I have them forever now.

I also got round to re-zipping a bag which just wasn't quite right. It's fine now and ready to go to it's new home. Oh, and I made a pouch for a mobile phone as a Christmas gift and I am rather pleased with it especially as its in a lovely Alexander Henry fabric. Got some pretty Amy Butler coming next. Can't wait!

Busy Bee!

I've neglected my blog lately and for this I apologise. I can only say that I have been rushed off my feet!

I have so many Craft and Christmas Fayres this month that its hard to keep track of where I am and what I'm doing next.

Been busy making too. Bags, Name Banners and towelling gifts coming out of my ears. Roll on Christmas then I can have a rest.

Pre-Christmas Rush

Well, it's clear that it's nearly Christmas. I haven't stopped for days.

I have to make 8 padded name banners, a couple of towelling things and 2 bags. Loving it though because I had doubts it would ever get going. (self doubt creeping in again)

 

Here's the first of the name banners cut and ready to sew. I'm rather pleased with it so far.

I must also get on with my own Christmas things to. Decorations for 2 friends and a bag for my Mum. 

That sewing maching is calling again. Must go.

Bags of Style!

Well, this is what I've been up to. Making a bag for a friend to give as a gift and making modern and stylish Tree Decorations for Christmas. I'm all sewn out now so I'm off to bed.

Revisiting Bucket Bag Madness!

Love them or hate them, I have another order for one. 
Yes, another order for my 1950s style bucket bag. (I must get some Oil Cloth and give it a trial run using that.) It's a great bag and is so roomy. It makes an excellent tote bag! But for now...It is definitely bedtime! 

What a grey day!

It's cold and dull outside and I am struggling with the idea of going to buy more fabric or bundling up with a coffee and watching nonsense on the tv. No, no! I must resist and begin my new orders. I wanted to start selling and I got certainly got my wish!

Christmas orders are coming in and I'm now beginning to see referals and repeat orders too. Oh, and I finally got onto the Norwich circuit of Craft Fayres!

Well, this wont bring home the bacon. I'm off to get fabric and zips. See you later. Oh and if you get a chance, take a look at http://bella-cupcakes.co.uk for beautiful cupcakes made in heaven...well, Caister anyway!

Name Bunting

Here they are. Finally finished and all ready to send to their new home.

I am really pleased with these and can't wait to hear feedback.

Autumn Fayre

I am in the process of making commissioned Christmas decorations, Girls Name Bunting and getting ready for a Craft Fayre in Norwich (I've been trying to get on the Norwich circuit for some time) 

I am surrounded by nappies, toys, facecloths, soaps, fabric and sequins in my attempt to keep all my plates spinning!

Come and see me at 

The Autumn Fayre

St Matthews Church

Telegraph Lane West

Thorpe Hamlet

Norwich

NR1 4JL

Saturday 15th October

11am-3pm

I'll be organised by then!

See you there

More Christmas Crackers

This one is the result of a 'middle of the night' brainwave!

Are you spending Christmas without a special loved one. Perhaps they live far away or are no longer with you.
Why not have their photograph made into a Patchwork Christmas Tree Bauble. All you need to do is choose your colour scheme and email your chosen photo to me and for £2.50 + p&p of 75p you will receive a lovely stylised tree bauble. 

Email your chosen photograph to  jackie.rawlins@yahoo.co.uk. You can pay using paypal using this email too.

Christmas Crackers!

Oh my goodness it's only 88 days until Christmas so I thought I'd better get stuck in. 

I have started by making tree decorations. Charming baubles made from felt, sequins and ribbons. £1.75 each or 4 for £6.00

also, these sweet Mini Tree Decorations. Set of 4 for £4.00

and finally, these lovely wall hangings 12 inches long and 3.5 inches wide. £2.50 each

That's it (for now) stay tuned.

Dog Day Afternoon

I couldn't believe how lovely the weather was today, being the end of September and all. so I grabbed the dogs, put their leads on and made a dash for it just in case it turned into the usual 'Great Yarmouth in September' climate!

Why, oh why do dogs - especially mine - manage to find every pile of 'you know what' that lazy dog owners leave laying about and roll lovingly in it until they are good and marinated? Then, just when I think it can't get any worse Bert goes and tangles himself up in Summer's lead while having a whizz only to spinkle everyone standing near him generously!

I love my dogs dearly but I do wish they were a little more polite!

Melancholy, bags and teenagers!

I woke up this morning feeling a little melancholy. Today would have been my husbands 53rd birthday. Happy birthday Steve, wherever you are.

On a lighter note. I have finished a really lovely book bag using some lovely Union Jack style fabric. It will shortly be off to Southampton University with its new owner. My sadness is that I don't think that I can get any more of that fabric.

I have been relegated to my room as my son Ryan has taken over the lounge with his friends for a session of XBox and  C.O.D play. Who said they get better when they get older? Not in my house they don't!

I suppose I could start another bag...

Answer to my Question!

I took my fruity bucket bag out today when I went to lunch with my good friend. I was stopped by a woman who apologised for staring but said how much she liked my bag and where did I get it from! I didn't need asking twice to tell her that I make them myself and she could get one online! I was gobsmacked to say the least but extremely proud of myself!

Fruity!

I have finished another bag. Not too sure about this one though. I may have to keep it for myself as it may not be everyones taste. 

What do you reckon?

Bucket Bag Madness!

You know how it is.  You find something you love and then you do it to death! Well that's where I am at the moment.  I made a lovely bucket bag, loved the pattern so much and have now cut out several.  Each one in different fabric but all very jolly. 

Do you think this makes me a conveyer belt? I feel abit like one at the minute so I'm having a break for a while but there's a little voice in the corner which is calling to me "finish me please." I wish it would stop for just half an hour because I'm begining to feel guilty for ignoring it!..."it's ok my lovely. I'm coming"

Flag Themed Fabric

 This is one piece of material from which I shall make a bag. Sadly, it's not large enough to make the front and rear of the back so it would have to have a contrasting rear and lining.

This is one of two pieces of fabric which would make a good sized bag. 

Both designs are 100% cotton and when padded, lined and interfaced will make

strong and  beautiful bags.

Gorleston Charity Gala

I'm absolutely shattered. It's been a busy but brilliant weekend selling and networking at the Gorleston Charity Gala.

I couldn't believe how many people complained that they weren't the only stalls of their type. Asda and Tesco sell similar stuff but one doesn't close because the other is open. Nothing wrong with a bit of competition. I always think the problem is the way they view their own place in the market!

Oh well, I'm not complaining as I am happy, tired and just a little healthier from all that FRESH AIR!

Gala! What Gala?

'Well, that's the first I've heard of it' was my response when my son phoned at 10.30am and asked 'are you doing the Charity Gala at the weekend?'

I rang up the very nice man from the charity (Sunshine Days - for palliative care) and organised a pitch from which to peddle my wares, went shopping for extra things to top up my stock levels and cut out 18 hearts for wall hangings, pinned them and made another Wedding Cake Towel Set all before 3pm. 

It's now 10.18pm. I've been to work, come home and started sewing yet again. My poor neighbours! I really need to sleep now but I know that my sewing projects will be calling to me all night so I might just as well sort them out!

That will teach me not to take my foot off the pedal when I think I have a bit off breathing space. Oh, hang on, I can hear the grindstone calling once more...

Come in Self Doubt and Make Yourself at Home!

I get along really well for three or four days and then, without any fair warning, self doubt walks in uninvited and parks his backside squarely in the middle of my day!

I love everything I do for 'Uniquely Gifted' and then I look at other businesses and think my stuff looks like the work of some poor relation!

Am I really doing this? Is this what people want? Why can't I get people to buy my stuff?

Then someone comes along and takes me firmly by the shoulders and shakes me 'til my guts are ready to  drop out and Self Doubt finally clears off! The voice of reason then says

"People do buy your stuff you stupid woman! Now stop wallowing and get on with it!!"

...and relax!

Bank Holiday Fun

I didn't completely idle the day away (although that is what I had planned). I sat at my table and worked my little brain as hard as it's been worked for some considerable length of time and just look what I came up with!

 It's a Can Cosy. Keeps cold drinks cold and stops your hands from sticking to freezing cans. It really should be on a soft drink can as that's what it's aimed at but unfortunately the only kind of can in my fridge has alcohol in it! Oh, and I couldn't resist putting an embarrassing photo of my two sons, who are now grown up, in the picture pocket! That's what I call pay back!

I also made this...

It is a Bag Tidy. A useful and pretty bag to hang in the kitchen, or a cupboard, a workshop or even in the caravan. A place to keep all your plastic carrier bags so that you are doing your bit for recycling.

Cooking the Books

Why is it that whenever I decide to sit down to do any kind of mathematics or number work I become a dribbling, snivelling mess.  "I can't do it" I cry as I'm lying face down on the ground kicking my legs and pounding the floor with clenched fists!

This bookkeeping malarchy is a ridiculous invention. So ridiculous in fact, that the word is even contentious. Two Ks or one? Who cares! Someone come and do my books for me, I've had enough!

Thetford Food Festival

I spent the day at Thetford Food Festival. What a lovely day and what lovely people.

Some of Norfolks finest food was on offer and I am happy to say that I didn't let the side down. I tried it all. Worn out now so I'm going to make pasta and settle on the sofa! See you tomorrow folks then I can really figure out how to use this blog site!!

Under Way

Well, now I have got the full set. Facebook, Twitter and Blog. I tried to resist the temptation but what's a girl to do? So many pages on the internet and so little time. 

I really should be getting to bed. It's stupid oclock and I have to meet my friend, Bella Cupcakes (The Cupcake Queen of Great Yarmouth) in the morning. We're off to Thetford to sell her lovely cakes. Looking forward to that. So here it is. My first blog. Painless and brainless I know but it may improve!