Ladies and monkeys and robots, oh my!

Okay I have a confession to make, one of my bad crafting habits is not finishing what I start. I often feel very excited about new ideas but run out of time. Then new ideas pop into my head and I end up moving onto a new project and thus the half finished things pile up! I guess it's partly the lack of time and the gaps between my studio/crafty hours (that sometimes just can't be helped) which are part of the problem. 

I had been thinking a lot recently about my crafting business, my brand and who I am as a designer/maker. I don't often take the time to do this but my work seemed to be somewhat all over the place.

However... it appears there is a theme. Ladies and monkeys and robots! Oh and flowers. Okay so not exactly a theme, but collections just unintentionally starting to form. 

I happened to be laying all of my work out in preparation for a craft fair (more about that soon). It's seems strange now but that was the first time that I have seen most of my products all together. I was secretly quite chuffed! And it all looked very me. It was encouraging to see that just making stuff that I love is sort of working. I don't think I need to over think my makes, I just need to enjoy the process.

Oh and this week I gave myself a stern talking to and finished off a whole load of nearly finished products. It felt good xxx

Weekend wonders.

It's all a bit quiet on the Away With The Clouds front just now. I am pre-occupied with the panto sewing which I'm enjoying, but I have to say I always look forward to getting back to my own stuff. It's proving quite tricky to stay focused and not start doodling new ideas. But then if I don't get my ideas down then my sieve of a memory just loses them! Must be an age thing. 

 I've been working on this wee skull cap/mask pattern for the panto and couldn't resist trying them out on my willing little models. They actually loved them so I might make more for the Christmas stockings in some different fabrics. What do you think? I might think about a few for the shop!

An interview with myself.

Hello, I'm sorry that I can't remember where I found this self questionaire. I saved the questions onto my computer some time ago,(probably more than a year ago). But feel free to copy them and have a go. It's nice to get a sense of where you are right now. x

Making: Costumes for panto 2014. Aladdin this year.

Cooking: Stews, it's that time of the year.

Drinking: Water, but also have a thing for peppermint tea just now.

Reading: Nothing, need a good recommendation! Any suggestions?

Wanting: More time for everything, family, work, play...

Looking: For ways to make some of my new ideas come to light.

Playing: With photo editing tools to try and improve my product pics.

Deciding: Whether or not to restock my Etsy shop.

Wishing: I could go on a shopping spree.

Enjoying: My new studio space. I'll tell you more about that soon!

Waiting: To finish panto costumes and work on all the new crafty ideas inside my head.

Liking: All the random bags people are now using for their shopping since the 5p bag charge came into force.

Wondering: If I'll ever make a decent income through craft.

Loving: The howling wind outside when I'm all cosy inside.

Pondering: What kind of gloves to by to save my freezing fingers when I do go outside.

Considering: Making Miss D a new scarf, but not sure if I have time. She could do with a new one just now.

Watching: A fair bit of BBC Alba. Hoping that some Gaelic sinks in.

Hoping: That I can keep my blog up to date this time.

Marvelling: At how much knowledge my little kids’ brains seem to be soaking up these days.

Needing: More time, time, time.

Smelling: Lots of naughty yummy food (that I'm trying to avoid) everywhere I go.

Wearing: Tights, it's also that time of the year now :)

Following: All my usual blogs

Noticing: How dark the days are now that the clocks have gone back.

Knowing: That there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Thinking: That I will need to start Christmas shopping quite soon, it's creeping up and I don't get much time to shop these days.

Feeling: Content

Admiring: How organised people can be with their social media, really, I am!

Sorting: The random piles of stuff accumulating around the house or at least I should be.

Buying: Some new bedding for Miss D once I find something nice.

Getting: My fashion groove back on. Finally feeling inspired again.

Bookmarking: Things to do with learning the mandolin, because I would like to.

Disliking: The lack of good TV in the evening although I could probably do without the distraction.

Opening: Bags of fabric waiting to be stitched up into costumes.

Giggling: At my kids, putting both legs in one leg hole and pretending to be mermaids, waddling around.

Feeling: Tired at the thought of how busy (but good) the next few weeks are going to be.

Snacking: On fruit, my attempt to be good in the run up to Christmas.

Coveting: A holiday in the sun it's been a few years now.

Wishing: I could be more confident sometimes.

Helping: Miss D to draw high heel shoes on her picture of a lady.

Hearing: The wind outside, it really is quite a gale.

Banana bread and Brooches.

I seem to be making at least one banana loaf a week at the moment. One minute my kids can't seem to get enough of bananas and the next they are repulsed by them. Not that I'm complaining mind, it's pretty tasty. The basic recipe is from River Cottage Baby and Toddler Cookbook , although I've started to use less oil than stated in recipe and a mix of wholemeal and white flower and it tastes just as good. I think next time I'll reduce the sugar too. It doesn't have masses of sugar, but as I'm making it(and eating it with the kids so often), a little less sugar wouldn't hurt. I'll let you know how that goes.

In crafty news, well I've been quite busy in the craft room again. I think I've got my mojo back, yay! Miss D is starting school after the summer break, little C has one year before nursery. So I guess I've been starting to think more about my work future. A lot of the work I produce can be quite labour intensive and so not very viable in terms of sales. I've never been great at compromising on what I love to make. But...I have a few new products in the pipe line which are a bit more lets say, produce-able which I still love. I'll tell you more about that soon!

Lady brooches, look!!! I love needle felting. I had always fancied having a go but never got around to buying a kit. Then I was randomly and very kindly given a starter kit by my Sister in law. Oh joy! I already had a decent stock of wool tops as I've hand felted in the past. Do you like them? They are not exactly quick to make, but so much fun. I love that they all have a certain personality. I'll definitely be making a few for the shop, so stay tuned.

There's more coming from the craft room soon. I'll be in touch. x