Is it nearly Christmas Yet? lol

Well its getting to that time of year.  The summer has sadly disappeared and the chill of the autumn mornings can be felt in the air and then the clocks change this weekend I think, never really sure to be honest, now do they go back or forward? hmmmm.  

I'm now in Christmas mode and making decorations and some reindeer, tree decorations and I'm going to start some bunting soon.  I must do some for myself although not sure whether I will have time this year.  

There are lots of exciting things going on at Oodles Towers at the moment and I have a feeling next year will be a good year with lots of new opportunities both workwise and homewise, can't really say at the moment but I'm sure I'll be writing it here when things happen and hopefully I'll be going to a few shows.  Haven't been to any this year and I have missed them so much.

The two little terrors are keeping me on my toes and my heart in my mouth. Their latest tricks being walking the curtain rails, sitting on the top of open doors, sliding down my stair bannister (don't ask) lol.  Gismo seems to have a fettish for shopping bags and rubbish bags?  which she has to inspect before any can be moved and smokey has a fetish for wool and material which can make crafting a little tricky.  Many a day I will be walking around the house and suddenly come across a ball of wool.  Gizmo does like to help me read my knitting patterns by sitting at the side of my book deckchair reading through her eyelids zzzzzzz while smokey likes to help me sew my beads on my baby sets (he actually picks them up in their little bag and runs off with them in his mouth with me chasing which is his idea of helping lol).

It amazes me how time flies and how life changes suddenly, soon it will be halloween, bonfire night and then my birthday.  Its the big 50 this year still feel 25 on the inside but on the outside I'm decomposing lol, hair colours now out of a bottle and everything else is going south.  I still have my own teeth though lol.  I think its only about 10 weeks to Christmas.  Its going to be a really quiet one this year as most of my family aren't here anymore.  We usually went down to Berkshire to my mother-in-laws but she passed away suddenly earlier this year so I know it will be a hard time for hubby, especially as it used to be her birthday on Christmas eve too.  Still I'll try and take his mind off things with plenty of food goodies.  I think a bit of home baking is called for.  Home made mince pies, cakes, big turkey dinner mmmmm lovely.  Mouths watering already and theres also the terrible tv to look forward to ha ha.

On no I'm going to have to go now as the kitties are attacking my keyboard, yes they also love computing ........  See you soon. x

Caroline

Sew .....

Sew..... much has happened since last year and its been a bit of a toughy start to the year hence my quietness here. I was very poorly with cellulitis which started in January and I had to have copious amounts of antibiotics before they got it under control.  I was really quite ill but am glad to say I am well on the mend now and my crafting kept me going when I was stuck in the house on bed rest.  Anyway I'm now back to normal as hubby says I'm moaning again lol.  Apparently when I'm really ill I go quiet!

I thought I would post some random pictures and round up some things I was doing.  I went to see Stuart Hilliard at The Black Sheep he was opening their sewing department. I forgot all about the pictures until I was going through my computer.  He is a lovely man and had time to talk individually to all us girls that turned up.  No men sewers there unfortunately just edgy looking husbands trying to hide their credit cards.

The best thing that has happened this year though is that my hubby and I have finally heard the pitter and patter of tiny feet...................   yes two furbabies in the form of kittens.  Smokey and gizmo (originally splodge but changed to gizmo as shes abit of a gremlin lol).  

WARNING gratuitous cute kitty photos to follow.

I've also found some crafting piccies of knits and sewing that I had done but not posted which I came across too.

See you soon.

 Caroline xx

New knitwear and felty things.....

So at least it has not been a year since I last posted so I am improving just.  I've been busy knitting baby sets once again and also been hard at work making felt christmas decorations.  

I didn't use to sew in felt but I discovered it watching the old create and craft channel and tried it and find it very therapeutic and enjoyable plus the felt doesn't fray which is always a bonus.  I've done mainly santa stockings and snowmen at the moment but am going to be doing gingerbread people and xmas trees later today.

I've also be doing lavender houses in all different colour combinations.  I love making these little houses with their windows and doors and I fill them with polyester stuffing and some french lavender.  They smell lovely.

I've also been busy sewing up the knitted sets I have been doing too.  I don't know about any of you knitters out there but I just hate the sewing up bit.  It seems to take so long and I am a bit particular so is sometimes fiddly but its a job that has to be done.  

I have these sets up for sale at the moment.  If you are ever interested in anything I blog about please feel free to contact me on facebook at www.facebook.com/oodlesofstitches and I will be only too glad to help.  I have four sets for sale at the moment and another four to sew up along with finishing my xmas felt deccies so its all go as they say. 

Once I've finished sewing up then I will be starting on some machine sewing.  Still haven't taken piccies of my machine yet but I will ..... eventually lol.  I want to design a craft bag that has loads of pockets for bits and bobs plus is square so can store lots of material or wool etc., but something that stands up on its own but you can fold down so that it can be washed as it will be made of cotton material and will have handles.  I have an idea but am working on the design, might take a while though, I just want it to be useful.

I was watching Debbie Shore on Create and Craft the other week and she has a new book out Half Yard Home.  Its a great book with lots of useful items in.  As it was my birthday the other week I decided to buy a little birthday pressie to myself so bought one and it was signed by Debbie too.  I also have her book Half Yard Heaven which I love too.  Great for ideas and a lovely book just for pleasure to read.  I love Debbies books and she does lots of tutorials on You Tube. You don't have to follow complicated patterns.  Its mainly measuring squares etc.  and she explains everything in plain english and not complicated sewing terms that I may know what they are but not what they are called if you know what I mean.

So thinking towards Christmas is my next thing I guess.  I suppose its on everyone's mind now as the Xmas adverts are on tv etc.  I can't put up my tree this year as I don't have room at the moment as the front room is also my work room temporarily but then there are only adults in the house so we aren't so bothered.  I think xmas is more for the kids anyway but still am looking forward to it.  All the movies and the boring tv lol.  Lovely xmas dinner and choccies and mince pies and cakes.  Ooops think I've just put on weight thinking about it.  Don't know what to get hubby this year, he's so difficult to buy for and my mum in law so will have to get my thinking hat on.

So until next time tatty bye.

Caroline. x

Five Years Of Blogging

Well its been five years of blogging and I'm still no better at being a regular blogist lol.  In fact its been nearly a year this time so I have severely repremanded myself, all wrists are slapped and I've written hundreds of lines and grounded myself lol.  

Life has changed so much since this time last year, some of it good and some of it bad.  Don't want to dwell on the bad too much as I'm sure you are here to have a good read and not to get depressed but will only say both hubby and I lost our evening jobs four months ago due to change in management and they just wanted new staff so even though we had been there six years we were called into the office one night and within ten minutes both of us were out of a job!.  I've never been treated so badly in my life, we were officially made redundant but funny enough they were interviewing the same night!  We took it to Citizens Advice but were told it would cost about £1,200 to take them to a tribunal with no guarantee of winning and well we just didn't have the money so that was it.  It seems this day and age part-time employees have no rights.  So after reverting into myself, lots of crying etc. and licking wounds I have now come out fighting.  Well you have to don't you when you have a mortgage and bills to pay.  Unfortunately I don't qualify for any state help apparently because I don't have children and I'm married.  Was told to live off hubbys day job earnings which aren't much. 30 years of paying taxes and when I need help I don't get any, so I've decided to go full time into my knitting and sewing business.  I guess its time to sink or swim!.  (Stands down from soap box).  So after my bit of a rant lol I promise that I will be all sweetness and light and back to my craftiness.  

Luckily at the end of last year I bought a sewing machine must have been having premonition I'd need it.  Its a Singer brilliance and does 80 stitches, needle threader, all dancing and singing makes the toast etc!.  I've only ever had a simple sewing machine before and when I started to make cushion covers for the craft market it took me only a short time to sew but ages to thread as it didn't have a threader and the old eyesight is going.  I was putting so much in the swear box that hubby suggested why didn't I buy a new one so I did. I bought it from Create and Craft as it allowed me to pay in four payments with no interest so it made it doable for me.  I've also bought some patchwork templates, cutting board, rotary cutter,  rulers etc so am ready to splurge into my sewing.  I haven't actually used my machine yet so I'm going to let you know how I get on.  I've bought a sewing table off evil bay which has drawers and a cupboard for the machine itself.  Looks like a 1970s job but it does the job.  Also bought loads of material from same site that a sewing shop was getting rid of.  £10 the lot and it included 3 rolls of fabric and a bag of bits and bobs which when sorted turned into 5 storage boxes of material.  I reckon there are a couple of hundred pounds worth of material in there.  So I'm all set up and raring to go.  

I've not been to any of the knitting or stitching shows this year as budgeting is tight and I've also had to get rid of my website as it was too costly but I have had a real rethink and am now going to be selling on facebook, etsy, ebay, and www.stallandcraftcollective.co.uk. a new website not just for buying but also useful if you are looking for events to for visitors and stallholders.  I've been working like a mad woman knitting baby sets and hand sewing felt lavender houses and there are a few other things I'm going to be doing over the next few weeks including craft bags so will keep everyone informed.  

The only other thing that I did will off air as they say was my tax form.  Kept putting it off but finally did it online about a week before the deadline.  It was really quite easy in the end.  I just filled it in where needed (didn't take a lot as hadn't done much) and it told me I owed no tax yippee and that was it job done so not so scared this year.  Although I need note to self not to leave it to the last minute lol.  

So If you have got this far thank you for persevering and to those that haven't I'm sure are having a nice nap by now lol.  I have a knack of putting people to sleep.  Sorry no pictures at the moment but will be adding some of my sewing machine and my makes etc. as and when.  So I'll leave you for now with lots of good news hopefully in the future and I will make sure its the near future as I don't want to have to ground myself again lol.

See you soon.  Caroline xx

How Long?

So when I saw the date of April for my last post that's exactly what I thought.  How Long?.  I've been so neglectful about my blog I'm surprised its even talking to me lol.  Lots has been happening since and I've been to a few shows of  late.  Such a lot I can't remember everything but here goes.  I've been to a few shows one being the British Wool Weekend in Harrogate earlier this year.  It was a lovely show with sheep shearing and producers and sellers of British Wool.  I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for anyone going next year.  It was a bit quiet but that made it ideal for talking to stand holders and for looking at the stands although I think the sellers would have preferred it a bit busier.  There were also some alpacas there too and the are had plenty of cafe seating and toilet facilities.  Great day out.  Here are a few piccies.

The kit I bought above was from juey who has been on Create and Craft.  Its for a rosie bunny which I've just finished knitting and am in the process of finishing up so piccies of the bunny will follow in my next post.  Hopefully you wont have to wait another half year lol.

I've also been to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Manchester's Event City at the beginning of September.  Actually I won the tickets to the show which was brilliant and saved me loads so the show was a plus as a start and its only down the road from me.  This show is always busy and was a good show too.  Lots of temptation as usual an a bought a few bits and bobs - well its rude not to isn't it.  I also met Corrine Lapierre (sorry if I've spelt it wrong) from Create and Craft too.  She was showing her felt figures and was showing us how to sew one of  her bird kits up.  A lovely lady and I much enjoyed the talk.  So here's some piccies of Manchester.  Would well recommend this show to as its has lots of different crafts, cross stitch, card making, knitting, jewellery etc. Good mix.

Now I don't want you all thinking all I ever do is go to knitting and hobbycraft shows but I also went to Yarndale in Skipton this year too.  It was the first one and was at the end of  September.  It was extremely busy and I mean extremely busy but very enjoyable and had a great mix of  companies both small and large from independents to Laxtons Mills and Rowan and Lucy from the blog Attic 24 was there as she was part of the group that organised the show.  It was such a lovely day.  Hubby and I took a picnic and sat in the sunshine drinking out of wine glasses (pop lol) as we were driving and had our lunch.  A great day and I will definitely be going to this one next year and a decent entry price too of £5 only.  Parking was a bit difficult as I don't think it would be so busy and the food queues were horrendous but we had come prepared so were ok.  And as usual I just had to try some of the goodies.  I bought some drops alpaca ooh scrumptious and soft to the touch and some pure wool, some lovely handmade buttons, some 4mm Knit Pro Needles - love these etc.  I put etc. as I went a little mad but not as mad as I could have.  Advice if you think  of going next year take out a bank loan or remortgage first lol.  I could have spent thousands.  There were also some angora rabbits there and some more alpacas who were getting quite verbal.  Not quite sure what they were saying but I think it was somewhere along the lines of  go away lol.  

So I think thats enough of the shows for now.  I am thinking of going to Harrogate Knitting show at the end of  November but it is rather expensive entry is £15 on the day which makes it £30 for me and hubby plus petrol so may have to think about that one although it is near my birthday and is usually a really good show too.  

On the actual knitting front I haven't stopped.  I've been doing some commissions and trying out some designs for kits which I will show and will then go on the website.  As you are probably all yawning by now I will bid you farewell till next time.  Hopefully my time will improve in between posts well surely it cant get any worse?

See you soon.

Caroline xx

Getting Ready For My Next Market

Well what an eventful few weeks its been.  First of all I have been on holiday from my part-time job for the last two weeks.  I had a long list of jobs to do starting with the garden which went a bit       off track when it snowed so I looked to the jobs indoors instead.  Can't say I really got much done but hey ho I have enjoyed my rest.

On the car front my poor car is terminal I think.  She's been off the road for a couple of years due to lack of funds but after having a tax rebate, yes I repeat a TAX REBATE as I had overpaid too much tax 3 years ago, I decided to try and put her back on the road.  Well she was towed into the garage last week and they had a look.  My hubby received the phone call just as I was about to go out on Friday evening to say she was not looking too well.  The conversation started like this - "Hello I'm phoning about your car, its er it needs quite a bit doing to it shall I go down the list?"  Never a good sign.  Anyway by the time he had stopped going down the list it was probably easier to say what didn't need doing.  So I now have to make a decision do I take it of the road permanently or do I pay "loads a money".  Still deliberating.........  Needless to say I had a few drinks on Friday night to try and obliterate the bill amount from my head and it did go away until I came around this morning.....

On a better note I am now getting back to my knitting as I have another market in two weeks.  Lots to do again.  A few more items have been done and a couple to finish off.  I'm a bit more organised this time as I know what I'm going into so not as much panic me thinks or is that hopes.  The market is on April 21st and I'm hoping that the weather is a little kinder than last month.

Talking of craft fairs I saw one advertised on Facebook which was local to me so I went along, mainly to support the local crafters and to have a look in case I wanted to do a fair next time.  It was a lovely well organised fair by Craft Fairs UK who have a Facebook page.  There were about 20 stalls or so with a good variety of really high standard crafts.  I did buy a little something and if it wasn't for the ah hm car situation I would have bought a little more (hand crafted chocolate bars with fudge slices in the chocolate, say no more).  Anyway after the craft fair it was time for shopping but it was a lovely way to start the day and the sun was shining so it  did perk me up a little.  Can't beat a bit of sunshine.

I was looking in my local free newspaper this week on page three I was surprised and excited to see a half page story on a local knitting group which I didn't even know existed.  They are doing a charity bid of a mile of knitted mice.  They are asking for people to make knitted mice and send to them so that they can be made into a mile which is going to be measured in October at Altrincham Football Club.  This is in aid of the Alzheimer's Society.  The mice are then going to be sold towards the charity.  You can also be sponsored for each mouse you knit too.  They also have a facebook page called 'Mile of Mice'.  Please if you have any spare wool and time go along and have a look.  There is the pattern on the page and where to send the mice too.  Apparently they have heard from as far away as down south and also a few from abroad offering to help.  I'm going to be doing a few myself inbetween business knitting as I'd like to do a bit for charity so watch this space for my mousy update.

Enough babbling I think for the moment and back to my knitting I think oh and still more decluttering to do!  Where does it all come from lol!

Caroline xxxxx

How it Went.....

Well needless to say I didn't get everything done (including piccies sorry) although it didn't matter in the end because the stall was a little smaller than I thought.  I was up all night on the Saturday night mainly finishing off sewing up things and sewing cushion covers.  Most of my time was spent trying to thread the needle - say no more!

I did manage however to sort out my insurance with CMTIA who insured me there and then over the phone.  Pretty lucky really as I didn't end up doing it until late Friday afternoon.  I have since received my certificate and letter so thats all in order.  

The market didn't start until 11am on the Sunday so having finished about 9.15am that morning lol hubby and I packed up the car with everything we had and I went with the attitude well I've done as much as I can and what I haven't been able to do I will take next month.

When we arrived people were already setting up stalls.  We walked up the aisles and found our 'pitch' which was handy as it was near the market cafe and near the music dj.  I then blew a sigh of relief as the stall was smaller than I had thought so as I didn't have as much stuff as I wanted it turned out ok. I had to do a bit of a rethink as there wasn't enough room for the dolls and the suitcases so I chose the suitcases in the end and decided to just put the knitted items at the front which turned out ok.

It was just gone 11am when I had finished and people were starting to walk around the market.  It was a cold day and a little quiet probably because of the weather but I did manage to sell some items and made a profit and also more importantly for me people took some of my cards.  Just starting out I consider it more of getting my name out there and if I sell and make a profit all the better but I was prepared just in case I sold nothing.

Anyway all in all it was a lovely day, if a bit cold.  I managed to speak to some of the stallholders and there were some lovely stalls there and items, the music was great and I thoroughly enjoyed my hot cup of tea and round of toast from the market cafe.  I am there for the next three markets at least and hope to do many more.

Before we knew it, it was 3.30pm and it was time to leave.  It didn't take long to pack up and load the car and then we were back home unpacking.  I am hoping to upload my website in the next few days with the stock I have left including the cushions but for the last few days I have been having a rest and haven't knitted for about 3 days now although starting to get the jitters as I can't leave my stix alone for too long.  

Heres a picture of me hiding behind my stall at the market, smiling despite the cold.

Well next week its back to knitting.  For the rest of the week and weekend I'm decluttering in the house.  That probably means quite a few trips to the tip.  I'd just like to know where it all comes from, you declutter and then the next year it needs doing again.  

Another bit of good news is that my car is booked in at the garage.   Its been off the road for a couple of years so hopefully if it doesn't cost too much to get back on the road I might have my wheels back again in a couple of weeks.  Will have to let you know how it goes on.... Fingers and everything else crossed on that one.  You have to with cars don't you.

See you soon.

Caroline

Altrincham Vintage/Craft Market 17th March 2013

Well its all go at Oodles Towers.  Only six days to go to the Altrincham Vintage/Craft Market on Sunday 17th March.  If you are in the area please come along to support all the traders they really do need your support.  I have been there as a visitor in the past and its is a friendly and busy market with a great atmosphere and lots of lovely trinkets to buy both handmade, vintage and food products too.

I'm a little behind (actually quite a lot lol) due to illness and of course things always take longer than expected and life does throw the occasional curve ball too so I still have some rabbits to knit and mice and a few cushion covers to sew but I'm sure it will all come good in the end so no pressure there then lol.  I did resort to asking hubby and his friends if they could knit me some bunny rabbits in their lunch hours lol.  Can you imagine 4 men knitting in a steel factory?  The answer was a polite NO lol.  Still I tried lol.

I have lots of sewing up to do and attaching beads and buttons as you can see from the piccies below but will post more as they are finished so people will have an idea of what I will be selling.

I've also been spending time sorting out what the stall will look like which takes a while too.  I always use cream tablecloths good quality thick ones to cover the stall itself and I am using three collapsible baskets which when turned upside down become stands with cream tablecloths to cover them. 

I will also be selling some wool and needles and ribbons and buttons so wanted some wicker baskets to put them in to make them look nice.  I went to Dunelm Mill the other week and had a look at some baskets but wasn't sure and then all of a sudden I spotted something in the corner of my eye and fell in love.  They were small suitcases which are material covered cream with flowers on.  They look vintagy if thats a word and bearing in mind its a vintage/craft market I thought they would be just right.  They look wonderful and when I do a mock up of the stall later this week I will post the piccie.  One is slightly larger than the other which I will put the wool in the other is slightly smaller for the ribbons, buttons, needles etc.  I also bought two little boxes made out of the same pattern which I think I will be using as small stands on the stall for sitting toys on, probably my rabbits and mice.  So please keep coming back this week as there will be updates (probably in a more panicky mode as the weeks goes on).  Oh yes and I need to sort out my insurance - left it a bit late but you are insured as soon as you pay so hoping that will be ok.

Last but not least if I have time I want to knit some more baby animal hats and some bunting with Oodles Of Stitches on.  Looking at what I have to do I don't think I will be sleeping or eating much this week!

See you soon.

Caroline xxxx