'A happy, dreamy nursery... :)' by meganwsintdesign

Dot QUILT by PETUNIAS - vw r... PETUNIAS $106.00	Elephants in circus in black... Machookahandma... $65.00	Cloud Wall Shelf - Large ShopLittles $42.50
Child's scandinavian sof... Janefoster $27.00	The Raining Mister Elephant ... JAustinRyan $16.00	Baby Shoes, Toddler Slippers... WoolyBaby $48.00
Awesome Rain PRINT KathyPanton $15.00	You Are So Loved- 8x10 print thewheatfield $18.00	Mirror Bunting Large Half Ci... fluxglass $78.00
Luxurious Babys Elephant Gif... acraftyhen $21.50	Soft Sole Baby Shoes, Baby B... ParkerAndPosie $18.00	Uncharted Waters Waves Pictu... Mmim $17.00
Little Lion Man NiftyKidstuff $24.00	Linen Throw Pillow Cover, De... thehighfiberco $29.00	Ella, Valentine's Needle... MiloandBen $30.00
Modern Baby Blanket, Lattice... littlehipsquea... $44.80

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

I love this Etsy treasury that my Luxurious Elephant Gift Set has been included in. 

It's such a lovely cheery collection of handmade goodies, perfect for brightening up a dreary February day!

Popping Up In The Pop Up Design Shop

It's been a busy few weeks, but I'm pleased to be able to finally announce that you can now buy 'A Crafty Hen' items from the Pop Up Design Shop 
in The Brooks shopping centre, Winchester, from now until Christmas Eve.

Source: scribd.com via Jenny on Pinterest

The shop looks amazing, full of wonderful pieces and I feel very lucky to have some of my things in there. It's the first time I've been involved with a 'Pop Up Shop' but I think the concept of these shops is great. Such a good way to fill up empty high street shops. And Suzie the owner of the shop and of  Urban Bird is so passionate about showcasing what is out there that it's been a delight to dedicate the last couple of weeks to sewing stock for the shop.

I have sent a selection of baby bibs some new and some of my favourites. 
There is also a selection of my cushions and large cosy blankets.
I hope to get these into my web shop soon but it probably won't be until the New Year, as this year is quickly disappearing!

 Oh and Lavender Raindrops are on their way!

So please if you are in the area, do stop buy and have a browse.
I wish I could!

For the love of Organic....Part 1!

I've been slowly reopening my 'shops' back up after closing them for a while whilst we went on a camping trip, and as I've opened them up I've had a good look at them and it's made me question a couple of things. At the moment I have a folksy shop, an Etsy shop and a Bigcartel shop but I'm beginning to wonder where I'm going with a couple of them, more on this later though, as I think I have a lot of pondering over it first to do! The other thing I have noticed is how many of my items are now made using Organic cotton fabric, especially in my Etsy shop which has become the shop that I update the most and put my 'one off' items in.

Luxurious Baby Bib Set Bunting

The use of organic cotton has not particularly been a concious decision. I spend a lot of time browsing fabric sites and making notes on forth coming collections that I like and prints that suit my work and more and more I find that the ones I like tend to be organic. 

Luxurious Baby Burp Cloth Set Bunting

I am drawn towards nature and animal prints so its not surprising that the first collection I fell deeply in love with was Circa 52 by Monaluna for Birch fabric and especially their Woodland Party print. It came a firm favourite in my Etsy shop as well, selling well and I was so disappointed when I came to order more and found that it had all sold out! I have since managed to find and buy 1 yard! and have started to make one off bibs using it like the bib below and I hope to have the sets above back in stock before Christmas.

 Baby Bib Woodland Bunting

Luxurious Organic Baby Set Forest Animals

The second collection that I was drawn to was Ed Emberley's first fabric collection 'Happy Drawing' which was brought out my Cloud 9 fabrics. I love the quirky animals and his scribble print has become a firm favourite. From the moment I heard Cloud 9 were releasing this collection I knew I would like it as his 'How to draw' books are a favourite in our house with the kids and myself, they are just perfect for any parent who gets asked by their child
'Can you draw me a............"! 

 Lavender Raindrop

We own 3 of his books and have a fourth Ed Emberley's Drawing Book Of Halloween on it's way for my Halloween obsessed son! I love the drawings of the foxes, raccoons and elephants and what is so lovely with his 'Forest Friend' print is that you keep spotting animals that you hadn't noticed before.

Organic Baby Bib Grey Elephants

At the moment I have a selection of baby accessories made using Emberley's prints available in my shops with more on their way. Cloud 9 are also releasing Ed Emberley's 2nd collection 'Happy Drawing Too' in October, so I'm looking forward to seeing that. Cloud9 also have a lot of new fabric designers working with them with collections due out towards the end of the year. It seems to be a very exciting time in the 'Organic Cotton' world!

Part II of my 'For the love of Organic' coming very soon!

My weekend on Instagram!

As technology moves forward there are many times that I feel that my brain is still in rubber key spectrum era! I watch my 4 year old with amazement as he scrolls around on the computer and just seems so at ease with it, and its many uses. There are times when I am quite happy to sit back and watch the latest 'fad' pass me by without feeling the need to get involved or even to try and understand but then there are times when some things fascinate me and make me want to try and 'upgrade' my brain to learn to use them and Instagram is one of them. I've noticed photos taken using it have started to appear on many of the blogs that I follow and since putting it on my phone I've fallen for its charm and ease of putting filters on photos. It did take me a while to figure out how to transfer them onto here but thanks to the help from Lou at Little Green Shed I have discovered a way, so I apologise in advance but I think you will be seeing a lot more of  my filtered Instagram photos! 

So here is my Weekend on Instagram......

Friday ended with sunshine something we have lacked so far this summer so daisy chain making and eating watermelon with its sweet juices were enjoyed. 

And then there was the visit to the fish mongers which I'm pleased to say has become a family ritual on a Saturday and has encouraged the kids to eat and enjoy eating fish like this pollock topped with a parmesan breadcrumb crust. 

And then there was the arrival of scribble and some other prints from Ed Emberleys fabric collection 'Happy Drawing'. The prints are inspired from his Drawing Book of Animals, which was his first learn-to-draw book originally published in 1970 and still going strong today, and my oldest is such a fan of his 'Make a World' book that I couldn't resit buying his fabric's and have already listed some baby bibs and gift sets made using these quirky organic fabrics in my shops.

And then on Sunday we went for a walk on Gem Bridge an amazing bridge 24 metres high that crosses the valley and is such an amazing construction that even the youngest members of our 'walking' party couldn't help but be impressed! 

Not a bad weekend considering the rain that we are experiencing and it's even pouring down as I type.

So for those of you on Instagram I can be found here!
Oh and there is still time to enter Seamstar's  Summersville Giveaway on here where they are offering a bundle of fabric from Lucie Summers first collection all you need to do is leave a comment. Competition ends on Friday the 6th Good Luck! 

Animal Zoo

I've really enjoyed working on my latest commission not only is it made using one of my all time favourite boys prints but also because it was my son's teaching assistant who asked me to make it for her friend's baby.   

Now this teaching assistant has become very dear to us and to my son, who she has worked wonders with. Drawing him more and more out of his shell, knowing when to push him and knowing maybe more importantly when to stop! They have built up a lovely trusting relationship. She has helped him to actually enjoy school and even {pauses for breath} has helped to make him  

{drum roll please......} enjoy reading! 

Oh yes she has worked miracles!

 

 

This Baby Boys Set comprises of two bibs, a couple of burp cloths, a matching ribbon tag blanket and a small rectangle cushion which I based on this square cushion which was what the TA had originally seen at a school fair I attended a few weeks ago and goes to prove that sometimes these events are worth doing even if you don't sell much at the fair it can lead to other things!

Hello September, Hello New Stock!

I wasn't expecting to get much sewing done through the school holidays, maybe a little for myself, but not a lot for my shop. I started the holiday with finishing off commissions, lost the middle of the month to life in general and then somehow out of nowhere I have managed to grab little opportunities throughout the day to get ironing and cutting done which has then meant that I have got quite a bit of sewing done in the evening.

I have completed three new baby gift sets, each comprises of a matching bib, burp cloth and come nestled in a storage basket, which can be used for so many things. I adore making these and are pleased that they sell so well. The set above is made using Carolyn Gavin's Spring Street which is such a bright and cheerful print that is perfect for both boys and girls.

This farmyard set uses one of my favourite boys prints. I love the tractors with their smiley faces and the cute vegetables and teamed with the red gingham fabric I think it is adorable. And then I've finally got round to restocking this Girls Scandinavian Gift Set. The first time I listed it on Folksy it sold within a day so I have my fingers crossed that this one will do as well!

I have also made matching ribbon blankets, though I have listed them separately as they make for lovely presents whether on their own or bought with a matching gift set. 

 

All the gift sets and blankets are available in my a crafty hen shop and I will be listing the items on Folksy over the Next few days. 

Well if I can carry on at this medium pace I might just get ready for the few Christmas fairs I have planned! And as for the bit of sewing for myself, that never happened, though I did buy some gorgeous fabrics for myself, so I guess that is a start!!

Non Stop

I've been a wee bit quiet around here of late, but that doesn't mean I haven't got things to share with you, oh no quite the contrary, I just haven't had a moment to spare, every second I can find I've been busy sewing. I'm not complaining as the interest in 'a crafty hen' has been amazing, but I am looking forward to slowing down now that the summer holidays are upon us, and to take stock of how my little business is growing and where exactly I want to take it.

I had a great time at our pre-schools summer fair at the weekend. And I'm pleased that all the hard work and late nights were worth it. It's not just the making of the items that takes time, it's the little things like printing off labels, threading ribbon through them all, attaching them to the item that takes time. Then there is the display to work out and the props to find, all this equates to my OH having to cook of an evening and me still sorting it all out at midnight!! I'm beginning to realise that behind all good businesses there is a very supportive partner, in my case a very understanding, if a little neglected husband! Of course if I could convince my youngest to go back to having a nap in the day it wouldn't be so bad, but unfortunately nap time seems to definitely be a thing of the past so if I'm to continue at this pace it looks like I'll have to get use to late nights!

So I'm looking forward to catching up on some sleep over the holidays and hopefully once I have worked through the commissions I have, some family sewing. And then there are the blog posts I want to write and the camping trips to plan and the days out at the beach, I have a feeling that the next five weeks are going to zoom by!

Infectious Enthusiasm

Do you ever get caught up in other peoples enthusiasm and before you know it find yourself agreeing to things that if you had any sense you would say no to!

Well after phoning to enquire about putting my name down for a Christmas craft fair (yes, I really was thinking that far ahead!) I found myself signing up for a craft fair that was to happen in 2 weeks time. It wasn't until I was telling Mr D and a friend all about it and seeing the look of horror on their faces that the realisation of what I had agreed to started to dawn on me. How an earth was I going to be able to sew enough stock in 14 days to fill a 6ft table!!

Well let's just say a very helpful and patient husband helps and plenty of sleepless nights! It's quite surprising what you can achieve when focused and somewhat stressed! I don't recommend it though. Trying to create a stall worth of stock in such little time as well as looking after 3 young kids it's quite hard work!

But standing there on Saturday behind my stall and making my first sale which luckily wasn't my last, all the lack of sleep, nerves and stress seemed worth it. And to be quite honest I felt very proud of myself. I had a good morning though the fair went quiet in the afternoon, I think the warm sunshine probably had a lot to do with that. I had a very positive reaction from both buyers and other stall holders so the event has certainly not put me off doing another one.

 

 I now have some good stock which I can 'slowly' add to! I have been loading some of my new stock to my new on-line shop
a crafty hen where I will be selling items I make using new fabrics. But for now we have the Easter holidays to attend to, a house that needs spring cleaning due to hardly any house work having been done in the last two weeks and my mum coming to stay, so I best go and get the hoover out!

It must be the sunshine!

The weather over the last few days really has been magnificent.

Blue skies, a warmth in the sun, a smell about the air that is a sign that everything is beginning to wake up. Little by little there are true signs of spring, the birds are singing the spring bulbs are brightening the garden up and the seedlings are making good progress in the greenhouse. And as for me, 

I've been surrounding myself with 'spring' fabrics!

It's been a real joy to pick out this gorgeous orange and pink vintage floral print and match it up with other vintage and new fabrics. With the sun streaming through the window whilst I sew, creating this large drawstring bag has been a pleasure.

Both sides are different and are finished with a trim of velvet ribbon. 

It is fully lined with another summery vintage print and closes with a cream barley twist rope. It is a perfect size for keeping laundry in or even toys.

It is part of my slowly increasing 'Dotty Vintage' range in my Folksy shop . I have also added a set of two burp cloths also made out of this lovely range of cheerful fabrics.

These handy cloths match perfectly with my 'dotty vintage' bib making it a lovely idea for a gift.

Well that's me done!! 

I'm off to have a good night sleep as tomorrow we are digging over the allotment, a job that needs doing but is rather back breaking! At least it looks like we will be doing it in sunshine!

Enjoy :)