Brownies Little Mascot

The past few weeks have been a nightmare for the geek in me :(

It started when I realised that somehow certain keys on my keyboard weren't working. No biggie - buy a new keyboard right? Wrong... this (touching wood) is my third and final attempt to getting a functional keyboard. They were faulty or just plain rubbish.

Then for the past 2 weeks I have been limited to only a couple of hours of internet per week. Our connection is shocking and Sky says it's fine. When my computer tells me there is no connection and every check in the world doesn't work - it's not fine. If I hear 'Ok so if you could just click the router off, leave it for 5 minutes and then turn it back on again' one more time this week there will be reports on the news about how some 'innocent' call centre worker at Sky got straggled with a flexi cord.

We have an engineer coming out today... so my theory is the internet will now sort itself out of its own accord.

As a result, no blogging as I've had to use what time it did work doing the customer service side of the business.

Of course when things go wrong, that's when people want to buy your goodies right?

Business is business so I ain't gonna complain there.

I do have this guy to show you though. He is off to a new home in a few days. Apparently he is a gift for a Brown Owl over at a Brownies club (not sure which Brownies club but a Brownies club nonetheless). Just been asked to add a brown fringe to the scarf and he can fly to his new home.

I have quite a few other makes I would normally share with you... however I won't tempt fate with the internet right now!

I'll be back in a few days and show you some more goodies. Hopefully with a stable connection too! Hmmmmmmmmm....

Rustic Kitchen Wreath

So you may remember me posting this bad boy earlier this week...

Well here's its twin... ish... kinda... maybe...

The is the more rustic, natural feeling brother. Whadda ya think?

I'm thinking I love wreaths. There should be more wreaths. Wreaths for the whole year round. 

A wreath invasion perhaps?

The old fame

I never expected for the mini monster guys to go so well. Over Christmas I was having to churn out custom orders - which was fantastic. 

I started to experiment during the middle of last year with making them into plush toys but one thing lead to another and the patterns and furs got shoved into a bag and hidden from sight. I have been inspired to pull the bag out again to give them another go. My only concern is the eyes. I would love the get some good quality glass eyes but everywhere I look they seem to be really expensive. I guess I must have missed a trick somewhere so if you know a place that sells them at a reasonable price I would love to hear from you.

These bad boys are up for sale at the moment, and I have a collection of others half finished. I have started to do some more interesting designs now - including a cute pair as a Mr & Mrs. Just thought they would be fun to create :) I'll post the pics when I'm done.

Most of these have sold but yet they still breed.

Wicker Heart Wreath

Over the years wreath seem to have become more accepted to keep up through out the year. I have a lovely one hanging in my kitchen which I purchased from a garden centre a couple of years ago. It has autumn shades running through it and is basically cotton leaves on a wicker base. Very pretty!

With a bit of experimentation this bad boy was created. It's been kept nice and simple as I can't be doing with fussy designs. I think the wicker wreath should really be the focus rather than trying to hide it behind materials, buttons and lace. What do you think? A friend of mine suggested it had a Valentines feel to it. I guess it does but that was not my intention. However, I will be popping this into my Folksy and Etsy stores and we will see what happens. 

You're never too old to game!

I recently got into a conversation with one of the customers where I work. I currently work for a Self Storage company and this guy basically runs his own business. He sells those pre-printed phone cases for the iphone as well a selection of questionable tshirts. Anyways, to cut the story short we got to talking about what it is a do in my spare time so I explained about my slowly building empire of handmade goodies. I showed him some pictures and he was suitably impressed.

Now whom it was who started the craze again I shall never know - however thanks to the likes of arcade games and the original Nintendo I find myself often pushing out a number of retro game designs. He asked me for a phone sleeve which I am currently part way through making so I thought I would share with you the picture of what shall be on the front. Since then I have been asked for a couple of designs based on our retro buddies and as a result I guess they will be made up and stocked. Fine by me - I don't think you are ever too old to game ;)

The feature of the phone sleeve. Mario Mushrooms.

I need to source some fabric that will match the blue or the yellow/green, then I can get to making up the sleeve itself. Thankfully the guy is in no rush.

I'm on the look out for other retro designs. Any first gen gamers out there who would like to pop down there ideas for me?

Happy New Year!

I don't know about anyone else but I have a very good feeling about 2013. Last year was good, but this one is gonna ROCK!

I think even Garfield thinks so with that grin...

I completed my first piece of the year. Well I say completed, the hard work is done. Now it needs a cold wash, an iron and then I'm gonna frame it before putting it up for sale. Not for everyone I know, but I love the design of this little guy!

I have so many ideas for this year, including getting some actually branding sorted. One of those jobs that I kept putting off but considering my sales over the last couple of months I guess I can't ignore it any more. I would like to start running a regular feature too. A share of my favourite blogs to read - featuring links to my favourite posts, stores and items. Give something back to you guys! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be doing this in the first place. I have also decided to launch a newsletter. I hear some people have success and others aren't too happy with the results. If you have had any experience I would love to know about it, good or bad.

I have another couple of Cross Stitches I need to finish off so excuse me as I rush back down stairs. Besides I can smell the chicken in the oven and it's making my mouth water...

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

My letter to you this year is not about what I want for Christmas day.

I want to thank you for what turned out to be a quite successful 2012. If you could kindly give my fans, followers and readers something they want from their Christmas lists that will make me very happy. I have increased my sales base, worked out my plan and am starting to get my blog back on track. For this I am grateful.

I've been so good Santa that I've already drafted 5 posts ready to go for the New Year. I have no excuses now!

If you could make 2013 just as or more successful than this year I will be forever in you debt.

Love always,

Kat

P.S. Thank you one and all for your continued support. This is not my last post of the year but it seemed like the right time to share my thanks. In case you aren't around for Christmas day - MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours. May you all be blessed with good health and better fortune ;)