I think we'll have the words the colour of the sky today. After a few days of dismal weather in Watford, it was a beautiful sunny day today. A little bit cold after a frosty start (do I sound like a weather girl?) but it is almost December!
I was in a very happy frame of mind as the day started because my youngest son, who has severe learning difficulties, was the most communicative ever this morning. This and the sunshine got my day off to a good start!
So, I did lots of household "stuff", then donned my smart, recently made plaid jacket to attend a networking lunch. I know this blog is a form of "social networking", although it doesn't seem very sociable, but I mean actually meeting real people.
I wore this jacket to show off my sewing skills as I was going to be talking about all the hand made items I now sell and the sewing classes that I'm starting. I took some simpler sewing projects with me too!
It was a smaller meeting than I expected, but dynamic, none-the-less. I met a few people I knew and met some new people. I also found out a lot more about the businesses of some people like Paul Walling and the very helpful Jo Giles from Flea Magazine (watford.theflea.co.uk) in which I shall be advertising!
I talked to Martina and Ronnie from GKF Business School. Did you know we had a business school in Watford? Well, we do, and they might be adding sewing to their curriculum soon.
I met Linda who makes cakes (linda@filledwithlovecupcakes.org) and sampled her cakes. I met Cynthia who is a hypnotherapist (cmhypnotherapy.co.uk) but didn't sample her work.......this time.
"social networking" is all very well, but I still prefer to actually socialise and network. Does that make me very old fashioned?
I had my first foray into the "business networking" world for a few months this morning. I went along to the Biscotti meeting at the Mercure Hotel in Watford. At first I was disappointed that it seemed a bit quiet, but I soon remembered that it is not the number of people you meet at these meeting that count, but the quality of those people.
I was only there for about an hour and only spoke to a handful of people, but came away felling encouraged and with the possibility of a venue for sewing workshops. Although, as I typed that, I thought I can do sewing workshops anywhere!
This Christmas wreath is an example of a project than can easily be made in a workshop......or at a craft party. They were very popular at the Christmas Fair on Saturday, too.
They are a super simple textile project.......there isn't even any sewing involved. So, how about inviting a few friends round one evening before Christmas, to make one?
I'll bring everything you need, so all you need to do is put the kettle on, or heat the mulled wine!
It will cost £15 each, and you will all have a beautiful Christmas wreath to decorate your home.
This is what they look like in production!
After consultation with some crafty friends today, I've decided that my craft is of a superior quality. I'm not the only one who thinks this, nor am I the only one around here who produces high quality craft, however, I'm concerned that I may be a crafty snob.
What do you think? Is being a crafty snob a good thing? I expect my readers are a classy bunch anyway..........so shall we just be high class together and seek out the smarter craft venues together?
I hope this hasn't offended anyone! I can hardly afford to loose any readers!!
Short, thoughtful blog today..........back soon with more pictures!!
As it is the beginning of the festive season, I embarked on the Christmas Fair round today. There were at least 3 going on in out village today, but I was loyal to the church I usually attend and the little textile group that meets there on a Wednesday evening.
It was the first Christmas Craft Fair at Abbots Langley Baptist Church, at least the first for a very long time. Lots of people were involved, and the usual band of ladies made bacon butties (for which we are famous!), served homemade cakes and made teas and coffees. Very traditional and very welcome on such a dark, wet November afternoon.
So, many of the items you've seen on this blog recently, were unfolded, draped and displayed on our table. Many were wrapped in cellophane which always a little something to the presentation........even the "catnip mice" crocheted by Joanne looked classier in their cellophane gift wrapping!
Those mice were good sellers too.....I had a feeling that Christmas presents for their cats would be a priority to lots of people.
The Christmas wreaths that you can see in the picture were popular, and I sold the only scarf that was already reserved, so I'll have to make another one!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I know it's not a holiday that we all celebrate in the UK, but I understand that it's all about families getting back together and spending time together wherever possible.
Unexpectedly, I had a fun morning with one of my son's today!
We didn't have a turkey dinner, but we did have egg and bacon (well, he did) and a couple of cups of tea. The connection with all this family stuff and my "sewing" blog is this all in this picture...........
I'm not sure if it will encourage everyone to sew, or frighten them off, but this was Greg's verdict.........
On a prettier note.......I bought red fleece and Christmas prints today to make some exclusive, personalised Christmas stockings. Pictures very soon!!
Well......my aim today, was to design a poster/flyer about the sewing classes I'd like to start in the New Year. It's now nearly 4pm and that hasn't happened!
I have had an impromptu clear out and tidy up though, which feels very soothing. I have printed lots of flyers about bunting ready for various Christmas Fairs, not least of all, the one at Abbots Langley Baptist Church on Saturday 2-4pm. I will be there sharing a table with my lovely friend Joanne who is an expert crocheter and knitter. Joanne has crocheted many gorgeous item to sell, including cloche hats in all the local school colours! (They are much too pretty to be called beanie hats).
I have printed our little "Get Crafty with Jenny and Jo" flyer!!
So, or sew, what picture would I use to interest people in sewing lessons? Are people interested in sewing lessons? I've heard many a Mum complain that their children aren't taught to sew at school, but would the children come to sewing lessons? I know I can make the lessons interesting, but but how do I let them know that on a poster?
Maybe that's enough questions for you for now........here's pretty picture of some cushions I made a while ago. They are beautifully hand embroidered (though I say so myself!) andwere meant to be auctioned for a fabulous charity in Africa. So they are £50 (plus p&p) each and £10 from each cushion will go to the DBW charity.
There are only 5 of these cushions and the words on them are DREAM, LOVE, PLANS, LISTEN and FAITH.......I think they'll go quickly!!!
As on most Tuesday afternoons, I spent a lovely 2 hours with some lovely "beading" friends. We are a small group (so far) and don't really need any teaching now. In fact, the other ladies can bead at a rate of knots and know exactly what we have in our kit, and what I need to buy to replenish our stocks!
This is the bracelet I made last week......it is multicoloured, but in the "spring colours" that suit me best. People who have "had their colours done" will understand this the best!
If you live near us, you are welcome to join us on most Tuesdays at Abbots Langley Baptist Church at 12.30 for a cuppa, a chat and some beading. If you'd like to have a beading session at your own home, or you'd like me to start another group nearer you, please let me know.
I came across this massive patchwork project in my airing cupboard yesterday. How could I have forgotten it? I must have taken weeks to make! The quilt is nearly 8 feet square, but never found a bed to be it's home. When I move into my mansion, I sort that out!
Short blog today folks, due to this blogger not feeling great and needing all my energy to look after my son.
Back at full strength tomorrow!
OK, you can wear them as earrings if your ears happen to be a long way above your shoulders!
I was once given some huge, flashing reindeer earrings which went straight on the Christmas tree.
I designed these for a very special group of friends called STARS, who would like to try beading, but don't wear much jewellery. Of course, you can make them too. Just invite a few friends round, put the kettle on and let me entertain you all with my beading tips. I will bring everything you need to make something gorgeous.
This will work best for me in the Watford/Hemel/St. Albans area of Hertfordshire, England, but I'm not limiting myself. I don't mind if my business goes global!!
Just £15 each to acquire a new skill (which may become an obsession!) and a new accessory.
I can do sewing workshops too.
Following all my work on the peg doll kits, yesterday, I have already had some orders. The first was from a lovely friend in Suffolk, who saw the post on Facebook. They are for Christmas presents for her grand-daughters.......not she can possibly be old enough to have grand-daughters who can sew!
I have been confined to quarters with a poorly little boy this weekend, so had the chance to finish off some sewing projects while he slept. One of which was this "crazy patchwork" Christmas cushion. It's actually a cushion cover, so I put it on one of the cushions that live on my sofa for an instant Christmas look. A truly everlasting and unusually practical Christmas decoration!
You can have one too.......or a "crazy patchwork" cushion in any other colourway. The colour combinations are a bit of a surprise as they really are made with bits left over from all sorts of projects. My daughter, Josie, has one in purples and greens to match her JOSIE bunting.
Josie has a very amusing blog about University life, at www.josiejests@blogspot.com
Here, as they used to say on Blue Peter, is one I made earlier! I made her out of bright, cheerful, summery fabric as an example for a craft workshop last July. I thought the ladies would love the brightly coloured floral prints.
They did, but I had Christmas fabrics in the bag, too.......and they all made Christmas peg doll fairies in July!
At that workshop, I explained how to make the dolls and I had an example of each stage for the ladies to examine and learn from. Yesterday, I typed the instructions and today I drew some diagrams of the trickiest stages.
I've just assembled the kit to make one peg doll fairy in Christmas colours,put all the pieces in a cellophane bag, as you can see below........
My next task is to make a peg doll following my own instructions, to make sure it works!
The I need to speed up the assembly process significantly, then you can all buy them for presents for your friends and family or Christmas. A Christmas gift that gives you something to do Christmas afternoon........the girls will love it (and so will the sleepy grown-ups).
I would like to thank everyone who's read my blogs...........I'm not sure how many of you there are, or where you're from because the "stats" on here don't seem to make sense, but "hello", anyway. It would be lovely to hear from some of you on here, or via facebook or twitter.
Blogging while watching the newsreaders racing on Children in Need.........their times were very close!
Well, there's been more domesticity than sewing around here today, but I did complete some more boys' bunting.
Who do you know who needs their name in bunting? Baby boys and girls, and big boys and girls love to see their own names! Even Grandmas and Grandpas love it!
The bunting with letters is £2.50 per flag (you'll get a plain one each end free!) plus p&p
I've been writing instructions on how to make peg dolls, so peg doll kits will be available soon
I'll let you know when the kits are assembled and ready to send out.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
I've always enjoyed making things. In fact, I can get totally absorbed in making things, especially for my home or for my children. This was a good way for my parents to "keep me quiet" and it has been a good way to get the curtains made for my house and my children clothes (well, when they were little!).
I feel it is a skill we are loosing. How many of us are passing down sewing and knitting type skills to our children and grandchildren?
Now, this may not matter......clothes are much cheaper than they used to be.......and lots of people don't bother to mend them, anyway! However, for those that think it does matter, I am making a start at setting up those sewing lessons that I've been threatening to do for years.
I can teach any age, so don't think that if you'r reading this, you're too old! I have lots of small sewing project that I can teach as in a 2 hour "lesson"........or at a "craft party". I have projects suitable for children from 7, and for adults.
A craft party for adults can be in any home, or hall, and costs £15 each which includes all the materials. For children it's usually slightly less, but will always include all the materials.
These are the bags that the children made at sewing class this summer.......
These wreaths were made by some grown ups and look great in Christmas fabrics, too!
Today was meant to be all about sewing, but I got distracted by the sunshine and the state of my front garden! I spent a lovely hour in the garden, loving being able to move so freely after a summer of back surgery.........it's ok, I didn't overdo it!
I did get to Needlecraft in Hemel Hempstead to buy fabric to make bunting for boys, as you can see.......
The flags with the letters on are £2.50 each and I always put a plain one one on each end for free! Call 01923 44370 or email on jen.wren31@gmail.com to order your boy's bunting.
Or your Christmas bunting.......
MERRY CHRISTMAS is just £29.70 plus p&p
Just going to finish the three boys' names then I'm off to bed.................
Beautiful sunny Autumn morning here in Watford! I will be heading off all the way to Hemel Hempstead son to buy fabric for the boys' bunting I have orders for.
Before I go, I'll add a picture to my blog. As soon as I told my son, Greg, that I'd created a blog, he asked me to put up pictures of dresses I'd made.......so here they are.
This peachy coloured one is completely my own design............made up as I went along from my imagination. I could do the same for you!
Well, I said I'd be colourful, so here is the very beginning of a colourful blog...........
The picture is of the first seasonal bunting I made this winter. There will be many more pictures soon!
