ICHF Show at Aintree Racecourse

A couple of weeks ago I won some tickets to the ICHF show at Aintree Racecourse.  The show was on Saturday so we travelled to Aintree.  I haven't been there before for a show so was quite excited.  On entering we were given complimentary tickets for the September show at The Event City opposite the Trafford Centre so was quite pleased.  As a knitter I was a little disappointed as there weren't many cross stitch or knitting stands it was mostly papercrafting and it was a little on the small side but I did find a couple of things that I really liked.  I did originally go to buy some Knit Pro needles size 4mm as I already have some 3mm and I really love them they are so light and the stitches don't fall off although they still slide along when knitting but unfortunately no-one was selling them but I did find some lovely ribbon by a company called meiflower it was satin but they also do organza at really good prices so bought about 10 reels of baby pinks and blues, lemons lilacs and white.  I had also been talking about buying a crystal nail file as the ones I have had in the past were a bit rubbish and tended to split my nails and hey presto there was a nail file stand with lovely crystal nail files, with lovely crystals on them and they also sold special hard cases for the files so treated myself.  There was a lovely handmade chocolate stand there too - say no more although I did manage to say no - just.  On the whole it was nice to get out and see the show but I am glad I hadn't paid as I would have been disappointed as a knitter.  I am wondering if all the knitting companies had decided to go to Wonderwool in Wales this weekend.  I am thinking of going next year although it is quite a distance but I would love to go - a goal me thinks. I'm still busy making the bunny all in one but should have it finished by the end of this week and once it has been sent to the customer I will post a piccie on here to show you.

See you soon.

Caroline.

Oodles of Stitches

Well I'm finally up and running as an official business - Oodles of Stitches. The website went live two days ago on 6th April so I will be filling out the tax forms to register as self employed. I have been looking around the web at craft fairs too and hope to be doing some but it will be later in the year I think as I need to desperately build my stock up and there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day as I do work part-time too.

On my first day (Friday) I received a commission for a white bunny suit all in one and was really happy my first official order. It just goes to show that using social media can get you orders. Its going to be for a very special little reborn doll so after receiving the order I went straight out to buy all the wool, buttons etc to make it. Instead of pink ears they have asked for blue and once finished and sent to my customer I will post a piccie on here. In the meantime heres a piccie of one I have done in the past.

Busy doing the tension squares at the moment and then will get stuck into knitting it. It is a labour of love and you do have to concentrate but it does look lovely every time. If you like the pattern I can't claim it as my own (I wish) but it belongs to a very clever lady Claire Topping at Babydollhandknitdesigns who has her own website for patterns and if you ever get stuck or can't see the wood for the trees as I did on one occasion is very helpful with the patterns. In my case I had obviously had a brunette moment as I had failed to read an instruction (happened to be important).

I was planning to do a lot of things this weekend but with the weather not being too good the gardening has had to wait as has the fence painting and the car boot but it has left plenty of time to start my first official Oodles of Stitches commission so happy in one respect.

Hope you are all having a lovely Easter and haven't eaten too many eggs and are feeling icky.

See you Soon.

Caroline.

Getting Ready

Hello everyone, busy getting ready for the website launch. I did say January but things changed and I decided to wait until April to start at the beginning of the tax year which gives me longer to knit more items etc. I did phone the tax people who said I could only register once my website was up and running live and I was actually trading so will be filling in the online forms when it goes live in April.

I am busy looking to do fairs at the moment both craft and also am thinking of trying to do a local vintage fair that includes craft stalls too. Its a busy market for the vintage fair so am looking into it and will let you know how I'm getting on.

I went to the Knitting and Craft Show at Event City the other week near the Trafford Centre. Although there were only a few knitting stalls it was a lovely show and busy. I found a lovely company who I may use to source my yarns from called woolyknit as they are a company who deal in british wool yarns.

I have also been busy having labels made for packaging, ordering tissue paper and am now looking at boxes for the babywear etc. to be packaged in and some bags. The colour theme I decided on what black and gold so labels are gold with black lettering the boxes I hope will be black with gold ribbon and the bags I hope will be black. Its all so very time consuming but amazing at what you find out and some places like to wool people do trade prices. I know this sounds silly but didn't even think of asking for trade prices it was only that I mentioned starting a business and what I was doing so first lesson I have learned is get your business head on when buying yarn not my old hobby head lol. I've also been buying books for my accounting and plenty of pens and probably will need lots of correction fluid for the mistakes lol!!. So all in all have been really busy. Finding that I have to prioritise time for paperwork, researching etc. and time for knitting and networking. I'm really enjoying setting everything up and although nervous can't wait for April to launch the website. Sometime inbetween all this I want to learn to crochet too. I will show some piccies soon of new items ready for the website in April when I have finished them off.

See you soon.

Happy Christmas and New Year

Hello I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. I had a quiet Christmas at home this year but have been very busy.

I decided a few weeks ago that I was going to take the plunge and set up a website finally and sell my hand crafted items online. I was going to do this before Christmas but have been so busy knitting and getting things ready like designing the website and taking photos etc. that it had to be put back so I have now decided to launch the website in APRIL 2012. If you have time please feel free to have a look I'm starting off small but will be adding items as and when they are finished. I am starting by selling hand knitted items for baby, children and adults and homewares like cushion covers etc. and I will also be sewing some material cushion covers and eventually I will be doing cross stitched items.

I will post here what its like to start a business so many people want to do it but never take the plunge and I decided that if I can help by writing about all the ups and downs then it may encourage others. At the moment I work part-time as an employee but as from APRIL 2012 I will have to register as self employed too. So once my website is live I will be informing the tax man that I have gone self-employed first and will let you know how I go on. Shaking with anticipation the words tax and man and forms fills me with dread but hey how hard can it be? otherwise there wouldn't be so many people out there trying it would there.

My website is going to be called Oodles of Stitches and can be found at www.oodlesofstitches.com. So I'm busy just finishing off my website before the big reveal (biting nails anxiously).

Early Happy New Year everyone.

Debbie Bliss

Last week I went to see Debbie Bliss who was doing a book signing at The Black Sheep Craft Barn in Warrington. As its not too far away from me I decided to go as I have never met her before. Its not often you get to meet people you see in the magazines and books and the people behind the wools and yarns.

What a lovely lady. She spoke to me for ages and described the yarns and had some samples to touch and look at and try on. As I am a larger size I thought as all us larger girls do well they look very nice but no thanks I won't try them on as I know you don't do it in my size. Anyway after some persuasion I tried on a 34 inch bust shrug and it fitted. Believe me I am a plus plus size so couldn't believe it and the shaping was great. Actually Debbie was explaining to me that although the sizes in the book say 34 bust etc. when you see the actual measurements you soon realise that the shrug although oversized on a 34 bust will fit a larger size but as a fitted garment.

Well there was no stopping me I was like a kid in a sweet shop by then trying on quite a few clothes, a couple of jumpers and cardigans all of which fitted and the shaping was great. I would probably need to go up one size in a couple but Debbie opened my eyes at looking at the patterns. She was so lovely to talk to and so was her daughter who was also with her. I ended up deciding to treat myself for once to a book to knit myself a jacket now just need to save up for the wool although not cheap is beautiful and will last and because of the shaping of the pattern if I do lose weight then it will just go back to being oversized well I say if don't hold your breath although I have lost 2 stone in the last few months. Not really trying it just disappeared somewhere along the line.

If you are ever in the area you should try going along to The Black Sheep Craft Barn in Warrington its a great place with wools, needles, accessories, cross stitch. Loads of yarns and I mean loads of yarns to cater for all pockets. The staff a lovely too. They usually doe some of the knitting and stitching exhibitions around the country so you may see them at these.

See you soon.

Knitted cushion cover

Hello I've been busy of late with life etc. so have been neglecting the blog a bit. I just wanted to show my first hand knitted cushion cover. It fastens at the back with poppers. I hadn't designed it this way but originally it was to be an envelope fasten at the back but when the pad went in it needed to be pulled together slightly and it was to late for buttonholes so I decided on the poppers design feature!! lol. The flowers I knitted are the pattern I gave earlier in my blog and look really nice and just give it a bit of dimension. I was really pleased so think I shall be designing a few more.

I have also knitted another dress set in a lovely lustre white colour and am knitting a dungaree set in a lovely blue colour with an intarsia monkey face on the front bib so will post piccies when I have finished it. Just the jumper that goes underneath to do.

I don't know whether you have been on this site before www.craftsuprint.com. It used to be a cardmaking site that sells decoupage etc. patterns to download but it now also does knitting, crochet and cross stitch patterns. They are great patterns some unusual scarf and necklaces as well as baby clothes and toys etc. I have only bought some baby patterns but there is loads to look at on the site and forums and games to.

I usually knit in acrylic wool. One reason is cost, the other being it is easily machine washable for babies but I have been looking at the lovely merino wools and am tempted although it would cost a lot more but the feel is absolutely lovely. I have been looking on the internet and have seen a site called www.yarns4less.com. The prices are really cheap so I think I will be doing a bit of shopping there too. Unfortunately it wasn't me who won the lottery of 162 million this week so I will have to wait until next pay day lol!!

I have also bought some knitting books while I have been away from blogland one being Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein. You can see it on Amazon. A truly amazine book. Great for blanket designing and ideas. It gives loads of squares and designs that you can do listing the pattern so you can change the colours etc. and mix and match.

I have also bought blankets and throws by Debbie Abrahams. I had seen the pattern for a seaside blanket on ebay and really loved it and found out by chance that it was from the book. There are lots of blanket styles and patterns. Once again a great book for looking and knitting blankets. I do believe there as been a second book so am saving up.

I've also been looking at lots of blogs again for inspiration. Probably spending too much time but hey it gives me a break. A nice cuppa a bit of chocolate and a lot of blog watching - I'm in heaven, sad I know but it makes me happy although to be honest anything including chocolate makes me happy. I am trying to - ah hem - lose some weight. I have to be fairI have lost about a stone and a half up to now but am struggling a bit at the moment not so much going of the rails but more of a train crash. Still I'm trying to get back to eating healthily tomorrow no diet just eating less and no rubbish - hmm does cake count if it is made out of wholesome ingredients? maybe not cue chicken and veg.

Oh and just before I go I am joining in handmade monday which is a list of bloggers who all join together so please pop along to have a look at all the lovely blogs. They are really great just click here:

http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog/2011/07/handmade-monday-25-and-gazebo-disaster/.

So ta ta for now hope you enjoy the piccies.

My latest creation

Well its been a while again. Its been a really busy time and I just haven't stopped knitting. First of all I have applied for four craft fairs this year, two I have been picked for and the other two I am just waiting to hear. I can't wait as I haven't done a craft fair before with my knitting. I hope it goes down well. Since I found out though I have been knitting like mad as it takes a while for the baby sets so although I have a few weeks it isn't really that much time. Still I will put the details of where they are nearer the time and will take some piccies and let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed.

Someone saw the bunny suit all in one that I had knitted and asked if I could knit them a suit but like a sleeping bag and not bunny ears but with bear ears and in a blue/grey colour. I finally found a good colour at a knitting shop which was like a goldmine once I had found it. It turns out that its run by the wife of one of the local market traders that I have known for years where I buy lots of my buttons. Anyway they wanted the pattern slightly different from the one they showed me on the internet so I had to alter, not done too much altering of a pattern before especially as this was all cabled but just crossed my fingers and got the calculator out!! Anyway it turned out ok and I was pleased that the button band did actually meet and the pattern matched on both sides. So heres a picture and the suit in question will soon be on its way to its new owner (who hasn't been born yet).

I am knitting more tea pot covers and cushion covers and lots more baby hats so the needles will be clicking late into the night for some time I think.

I was thinking of going to some car boots but every sunday it seems to rain. How does that work I wonder its nice through the week when you are working and then rains at the weekend when you are off. Still I could have gone to the X Factor auditions in manchester this weekend instead as it was raining but I didn't want to put the judges through the pain lol.

The gardens growing well now with lovely foxgloves that my husband has seeded and planted they are a treat. I'll have to take some pictures to show you. He's very proud of his plants a gardener in the making I think. I'm more a look at it gardener than a get stuck in gardener. I like to sit in the garden but not weed it lol!!

Well time to make lunch and do some cleaning and then back to knitting. Hubby is becoming a knitting widower I think.

See you soon.

Create and Craft and Knitting and Stitching Shows

Hello, I've been watching create and craft quite a bit lately. I used to watch it a lot when I did my cardmaking but when I gave this up as I wanted a change I stopped watching until I saw by chance that there was a sewing show on a few months back. This started me wanting to get my sewing machine out (from the dark depths of the boxroom) to make some cushion covers although I haven't finished them yet - keep meaning to but keep getting side tracked.

Anyway a few weeks ago I started seeing adverts saying that create and craft are doing knitting and stitching shows so have been watching quite a lot. Although I am quite an experienced knitter (too many years to mention) I do like to see the shows and have been watching hayley showing knitting kits and wools and patterns. The other day she was showing union jack cushions and this mornings show at 8am was with tea pot covers. They were lovely and even though I know patterns for tea pot covers these stitched patterns were so nice I was severely tempted. At the moment the post and packaging is free for sewing and knitting items on the shows until May 15th and also they are crediting your account with a £5 voucher if you buy any knitting and stitching items so maybe its worth a look on the website there are loads of things.

There have also been shows on called extreme knitting and crocheting with massive needles and crochet hooks so that you can do rugs and bedspreads and cushion covers using only a few rows and several strands of wool. Looks loads of fun and something I would love to try.

I saw a show the other week with Jane Greenoff for cross stitching which I also do and she was showing a computer program that you can make your own cross stitch patterns with. She also had some lovely kits but even I have to admit that I have more cross stitch kits to sew than I have years left!! so daren't buy anymore.

I also learnt yesterday that the knitting and stitching show that is usually on in September at the Gmex in Manchester is now moving the event centre which is opposite the Trafford Centre and I believe there is going to be free parking so I will definitely be going to that this year. I haven't been the last few years due to the traffic in manchester and the parking fees but this is nearer to me and I am thinking of perhaps shopping as Asda that week and while going past shout to hubby oh look theres a stitching show on can we have a quick look - a bit devious but hey needs must. By the way you can borrow my devious idea if you live locally - I don't mind just don't tell anyone where you got it from lol!!

I've also been knitting like crazy as I would like to sell at craft fairs etc. but don't have enough stock yet so am building it up. I've tried different things which in all the years I haven't knitted before. Believe it or not one was a scarf. I've also knitted my very first tea cosy and am at present knitting a cushion cover with flowers on. I've also just finished my second bunny all in one this time in brown with cable patterning. Hope you like the pictures.

The flowers on the tea pot are really easy to do

just cast on 80 stitches on 4.5mm needles and dk wool

knit one row,

purl one row,

3rd row knit two together all across row,

4th row is purl,

5th row is knit two together across row again,

6th row is purl,

7th row is knit two together across row (10 stitches)

then cast off purlwise.

Then all you do is roll the knitting with the knit side on the outside and sew at the bottom through the layers to keep in place. I've now started putting flowers on everything lol!!

I have also been sorting out some cottons on a cross stitch kit so will get to that too soon and will show some piccies when Ihave done a bit. That will be a work in progress.

Apparently there is a new magazine out next week called molly makes which is all about crafting, so I may try it to see what its like. If I buy I will let you know what I think. The price is £4.99 but then all the mags seem to be charging that nowadays. Its a shame they can't be a bit cheaper.

Anyway back to the knitting and the housework!

See you soon.

Craftchick

Hats, Hats, Hats

Hello

Well as promised I have piccies of my hats and a lilac baby set that I have been knitting recently. The patterns are from www.shifio.co.uk. The sizes that can be made are from 0-3 months right up to 1-2 years. There are also loads of baby patterns on this site to for knitting and crochet. The pattern was really easy to knit and the instructions were great. They were quick to knit up but instead of using buttons for eyes I decided to knit mine and sew them and I stuffed the ears to make them stand up easily too. I got so carried away that I have already knitted 6 of these hats!

Its handmade monday at http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog/2011/03/handmade-monday-9/ once again. I haven't done this for a couple of weeks as have been so busy finishing things off that I haven't had time for photographing. This week along with the list of crafters wendy also talks about the great british craft bazaar that has been on this weekend. I was hoping to go along myself to meet some crafters from the craft forum but unfortunately have spent the weekend still looking for a washing machine and a dryer. Washing by hand is bringing back nostalgic memories but to be honest I'd rather not be having them lol!! Anyway hope you enjoy looking at everyones blogs.

See you soon.

Craftchick.

Craft Fair at Brookside Garden Centre Stockport

Just over a week ago I saw that there was a craft fair on at Brookside Garden Centre in Stockport. As its not too far away I decided to go and have a look. I have been to this garden centre before and its great if you have children as there is a miniature railway that runs around the garden centre and its quite realistic with a bridge and a little set of crossings all really cute. I say its great for the children if you go but I did count more adults on the miniature train than children!! hmm reliving childhood. I was tempted myself but managed to contain myself although I may have a go next time lol!! There are a few piccies at the top of the train and a little signal box.

Anyway to the craft fair which is why I went in the first place. I have been thinking about selling my knitwear at maybe a craft fair which is why I went along as well as the fact that I love to see what crafters make. I don't have any pictures unfortunately but the crafts were varied and were absolutely lovely and also there were fudge and sweet tables. There was a lovely stall that sold wooden letters that you could use for bedroom doors and you could have any colour and combination made. There were a couple of knitting stalls one with baby clothes and one with knitted animals, there were jewellery stalls but believe it or not there were no card stalls. I was really surprised as I had originally gone there to buy a card and there are usually lots of card stalls. It was a lovely craft fair under a big marquee and looked well organised and there were plenty of people walking around so I hope the crafters made a few sales. All in all I was very impressed to may think about doing some in the future although it won't be quite yet as I'm now saving pennies as my dryer broke the other week and then the washing machine broke this week believe it or not and then had problems with my lights in the kitchen. Well they say it comes in threes so I hope thats my lot for a while lol!

I have also been busy knitting and have finished a lilac dress set with hat and stockings and have also been knitting some hats in the form of frog, pig, panda, puppy so will post piccies soon.

See you soon.

Craftchick.