And the winner is ......

Drumroll ............................

NUMBER 9

This number was picked by http://www.random.org/, but unfortunately I couldn't copy & paste the result or do a screenshot to prove which number it chose - sorry.

So, congratulations to SIMONE who is "going to play with them" ! Simone, if you could please email me your address I'll get them sent straight out to you. Well done !

I have to say I did love reading all of your ideas of what you would use the shapes for - "hats for aliens" really made me laugh !

And in answer to ethel & edna's comment about how many shapes were in the boxes - well there were actually ..................................................... you'll have to wait until next time to find that out !

Thank you to all of you who take the time to read my blog and to those of you who entered the competition. If you're wanting to get your hands on some of the shapes, they're all listed on the website here - you can buy them individually, in sets of 30 circles

hearts

or flowers

and in complete sets of 90 just like the giveaway.

Following on the theme of what would you do with the shapes - last Christmas I had these

which were made from the large felt flowers and small felt circles,

all with brooch pins sewn onto the back. I sold them in my NOTHS shop, my website and at all of the Christmas Fairs that I did, for between £3.50 and £5.00 each.

I was constantly selling out - these brooches were my best seller. At a cost of 35p for the large flower, 18p for the small circle, 6p for a brooch pin, a bit of thread and your time - that's a making price of around 70p for each brooch. Not a bad return eh? Christmas is a coming ... get making girls !!

This weekend, I managed to get the Yo-Yo makers onto the site - they were delivered absolutely ages ago and I never got round to listing them - but they're now available for sale on my website.

I'm also running a SPECIAL OFFER for the rest of May - buy any needle felting kit and get a needle felting sponge / foam pad absolutely free. This is a good freebie because even though the kit contains everything you need to complete the project, it doesn't contain the sponge pad, so if you do decide to buy a kit ... maybe as a gift ... the recipient will get everything they need to complete the project, with you saving £2 into the bargain.

That's it for this week. I'll look forward to seeing you at the Blooming Felt website, with lots of felt shapes and brooch pins in your shopping carts !!

Sarah x

Eye Candy

When will I learn? Last year, I nearly bust a gut making stuff for Christmas Craft Fairs and my NOTHS shop. My NOTHS shop got so busy that I actually had to shut it for a short time because virtually everything was out of stock. Now, at that time, I didn't have my own website up and running, so all of my time was spent creating. This year (and this is where I should have learnt !), I'm still doing all the Christmas Fairs, I still have my NOTHS shop but I've also got my own website, an Etsy shop, a Folksy shop and a Dawanda shop. Because my website has been so busy lately I've spent all of my time fulfilling orders and not actually making anything of my own to sell at the Fairs and in my NOTHS shop. However, last weekend I did manage to make a few bits and bobs:

Gigantic Button Bookmarks

Spotty Button Bracelets

Fridge Magnets

And then today, I received these gorgeous goodies. I got these with the intention of putting them as exclusives in my NOTHS shop, but I'm sooooooo pleased with them that I'm going to take them to Saturday's Christmas Fair and see how they go. If they're popular, I'll then put them as exclusives in my NOTHS shop. What do you think?

Sorry !

Hiya

Sorry I've been very slow on the blogging front lately. It has been rather manic here and I'm struggling to keep up with everything - it seems like I've never been away - I think I need another holiday!!

First up - BA. Well, I called the lady back and it appears that you have to pay to be listed on their website and then people shop with you directly. Now, I know this would be an absolutely fantastic opportunity and I'm sure I would do well as they don't have anyone else selling goodies like mine, but I just can't afford to do it at the moment. Maybe next year.

I am manically busy getting stock together for the christmas shopping events I've got coming up. The first one is the Charity event on the 2nd November. I've got lists and lists and lists coming out of my ears of stuff I need to do and remember, but I don't seem to be getting any further forward. Added to that, my Not on the High Street shop has started gettng very busy as well, with lots of orders (I presuming people are thinking about Christmas).

My in-laws have been up this weekend because Sam's class had a special afternoon for Grandparents on Friday and all of the children put on a little show - sadly parents weren't allowed to go, but my Dad filmed it all and it was great. Sam sang his little heart out and I was so proud of him. When they go back to school after half-term they'll start rehersing the Nativity - now that I really can't wait to see !

Yesterday and today was spent in the garden in the glorious sunshine. I love this time of year, but it's blimmin hard work sorting the garden out and cutting everything back. I've planted 150 daffodil bulbs, 50 tulips and two half barrels full of pansies, ivy, cyclamons and loads of miniature bulbs. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to take photos, but will do and try to post them next time.

But I do have a picture of me chatting to Paul on the phone whilst outside that lovely craft shop in Mount Dora that I told you about last time ....

I also wanted to show you a fantastic book that I bought whilst I was away. If you're a crafty type like me and are wanting to turn your hobby into a career, you really should get a copy. Although it's aimed at the US market, a lot of it applies to everyone, so it's definitely worth a read.

Oh, and one more pic - these are the new brooches/pins I've been working on for the christmas shopping events. Fingers crossed they'll be good sellers.

See you soon.

Sarah x

At Last ...

.. the postman delivered the fantastic miniature stitchery kits and wool this morning. HOORAY - at last I can add them to my website, get on with needle felting the hair accessories I have been waiting to make for goodness knows how long, and do the monthly draw for one lucky mailing list subscriber to win one of the kits !!!


I've been frantically working on the website all evening trying to get everything loaded on, along with some new felted accessories I've been putting together over the last few evenings, and now the Mr Site server has decided to go slow and not upload anything. GRRRRRR


So, here is a pic of one of the lovely little kits I'll be adding to the site - they are going on at £6.50 which I think is great value as you get everything you need to complete the kit (apart from a needle).



I've also got some children's bug and bear kits - retailing at £6.00 each. These are suitable from age 3+, all you need is some PVA glue.



I just wanted to quickly show you as well my latest little creation - felt brooches / corsages. These will be for sale on my website at £4.00 each (great value me thinks !!) I also take commissions, so if you'd like one making up in any particular colours, do please email me at : mail@pictureitinstitches dot co dot uk (replacing the word dot with .) - sorry, I have to do it this way to reduce the amount of spam I've started getting.



Just a quick reminder - the draw to win one of the stitchery kits will take place this Saturday. You just need to subscribe to my website mailing list, which can be found on the "Welcome" page of my website, to be entered.



Until Saturday ..... xx