Bunny Cushion!

The birthday party day has arrived and the present was finished with an hour to spare!

The pattern by Elizabeth Hartman was really easy to follow but the cutting out was quite intense because there are pretty small pieces of fabric!

I made the bottom of the bunnies face a little bit bigger so he has a nice chubby face.

Once I had finished the piecing I decided to not quilt the bunnies face apart from the nose and some whiskers. I then concentrated on the background. Into to this I quilted carrots and swirls. A bunny needs carrots after all!

The picture of the finished cushion is not great - no light here today!

I hope that the birtdhay boy loves it as much as I loved making it!

Handmade Christmas

As you may know, I started my creative journey as a bag maker - funky diva designs - which came to an end in July. It was a great journey, and I believe really strongly in the need to support independent makers in the UK. It is true that you are buying quality and something unique as well as supporting a local business.

So here are some of my favourites:

I have been a long time admirer Blueberry Park and all the simply gorgeous things Karen makes, but not actually bought anything. On Thursday I bought one of her fabulous Advent Calender kits for the boys and it arrived yesterday:

And I am not disappointed! It is a fabulous kit and I plan on making it up this weekend so we are all prepared for December!

Another shop I have long admired is Snapdragon:

I ordered the kids teachers presents from Jane in the Summer, as well as a camper van mug for a fabulous friend and they were simply gorgeous! I have a shopping list from Jane once I get paid for friends, so don't tell them!

A twitter friend, Charis Slade, is a design talent who knocks the socks off everything a big company produces!

I have been keenly watching her develop her feet range and I am saving my pennies to get one for us... we are like many families across the country, we have different surnames (2 marriages and 3 kids will do that). I am saving for a Our Family print to go on a wall I am planning to covering in photos in the kitchen...

I hope you take a look at all 3 of these talented designs, you will find gorgeous, handcrafted items make your family/friends smile!

Ok, so this may be a purely self indulgent blog post showcasing the gifts I want for Christmas..... if anyone is listening!

Not dreading September!

For the first time in 3 years I am looking forward to the Autumn!

Whilst running Funky Diva Designs I used to spend this time of year mentally preparing and buying in supplies for stock building.

The long haul for Christmas would be begin now - promoting, booking fairs and taking orders.

Every year I sat eyeballing September praying that I would get orders and that I would get those orders fulfilled!

2010 was a nightmare with snow preventing postal deliveries of supplies, 2011 was frantic with teaching and orders...

This year having shut Funky Diva to focus on teaching, I am breathing easy knowing that I no longer need to stress about those things!

Don't get me wrong, I have a frantic teaching schedule working in locations across the County right up to mid December. But the big difference is that I am not trying to juggle teaching, making and kids!

Once I pack up a class I am free to chill out with the boys until the prep for the next class is needed.

I will be introducing you to some fabulous hand crafted site for Christmas inspiration tho. So keep your eyes peeled for the blog posts and if you want to be included do drop me a line!