Soooooo busy !

Hellooo !!

I'm so sorry I've been away for so long !! I've been trying to get this blog post done for almost 2 weeks, but it has been very busy here at BF these last couple of weeks. Half term got in the way a little bit (I'm not complaining, but when you've got orders coming out of your ears and 2 children wanting lots of attention it's not easy). I was also horribly sick last Monday with "the winter vomitting bug" - erghh, and we also laid my lovely Grandad to rest on Friday - thank goodness the sun came out and cheered us all up !

So, when none of the above were being dealt with, I was receiving lots of lovely deliveries, doing lots of website updating and chatting rather a lot on the phone and emailing backwards and forwards to a particular company. I don't want to tell you name of the company at the moment (it's not a very revealing name), but then you might go and Google them and find out why I have been speaking to them ! So, for the time being, my lips are sealed (probably for another couple of blog posts, but then all will be revealed in glorious technicolour (I hope !)

So, - first up are the deliveries:

3 fantastic new books !

The first is a lovely new book by Danish author Anne Cool. Entitled "Falling for Felt", this book features a whole host of felt projects, complete with beautiful step by step colour photos. Available exclusively at Blooming Felt !

Next is a just released book entitled "Button and Stitch". If you love your buttons (and let's face it, who doesn't ?!) but are bored with keeping them in their button stash tin looking pretty, then this book is for you. Lots of lovely projects to use your buttons on

And finally a new needle felting book featuring lots of great projects from bracelets and cards to figures and even a cup and saucer !

Next up are some tools ! If you liked the heart and flower shaped yo-yo makers, then you'll love the butterfly shaped yo-yo makers that are now available (available in 2 sizes).

Also, pom-pom makers. I've gone pom pom mad since I got these tools - save yourself the job of cutting out cardboard rings all the time and use these plastic templates, specifically designed to be reused over and over again to produce perfect pom-poms ! And finally on the tools front, I've added some rose molds to help you make perfect needle felted roses.

A couple of items for Easter now - polystyrene / styrofoam eggs available in 2 sizes. Perfect for needle felting directly on to so that you can make the most beautiful decorated eggs for your Easter tree. And also available are polystyrene / styrofoam wreaths - great for covering in ribbons, felt balls, paint, buttons, wool .... the list goes on. Send me your photos so that I can add them to my customer's gallery.

And finally, some new children's sewing kits. Produced by Stitch Club, these lovely kits will introduce children to sewing (suitable from age 7) and feature 2 projects - Cute Cupcakes and Love Hearts.

All of the new items above can be found in the "Just Arrived" section and also their own particular sections.

Remember me telling you about the new "Tutorials" section last time ? Well, it's up and running - the very first Blooming Felt tutorial is now available for you to print off ! We're aiming to add a new tutorial every month and the next one is already done, so keep an eye out in March for another lovely project. Photos of new tutorials will appear in the Tutorials section over on the right of this page.

Whilst you're checking out the new items, you might notice my all new singing and dancing website ! I'd love to know what you think !!

Last Sunday I braved the snow and did a quick (!) trip up to Birmingham for the annual craft trade fair that I always attend. I have to say that I didn't think it was quite as good (or as big) as in previous years, but that certainly didn't stop me finding 2 fantastic new suppliers - more news about them next time ! I also visited a few of my regular suppliers and checked out their new ranges .... oh wow - you are SO going to love the new stuff.

That's it for now - I'll be back next week with more exciting news (hopefully !)

Sarah xx

50 today !!!

Hiya


Well, this is my 50th post and I can't quite believe that I've managed to rack up that many. I have to say that I'm finding blogging quite addictive !

I've met so many lovely people through blogging - people I would probably never have met in the "real" world. So thank-you to all of you lovely people who read my blog on a regular basis and to all those of you who take the time to leave lovely comments, who I chat with via email and send me lovely pressies and that I count as friends. THANK YOU !!

So, hands up who wants to try and win a freebie??

Well, as a celebration of my 50th post I've decided to give away a freebie. BUT, I'm afraid you'll have to work for it !! I have decided to try and drum up some new business via Google Adwords (seeing as I can't get anywhere near the first couple of pages). But what I need some help with is keywords.

For those of you who don't know about Adwords, basically it's a pay-per-click system whereby I specify a maximum cost per click that I'm prepared to pay Google everytime someone types in one of my keywords and then clicks on my website link.

So, what I need you lovely lot to do is provide me with a list of keywords that you might type in if you were looking for my website (not Picture it in Stitches obviously) but anything you might type in if you were looking for something specific to do with my site. I've got a basic list, but it would be great to hear other ideas and suggestions. After all - lots of heads are always better than one !

Anyone that leaves a list of keywords for me (doesn't matter how many) will be entered into the draw and I'll pick a winner on Sunday evening. The lucky winner will receive a needle-felting set which will consist of either a purse or pencil case (your choice), a choice of 3 colours of felting wools (again, your choice), a felting pad and needle. So, if you fancy giving needle-felting a go (and I think everyone should try it !!) .... for FREE ... then you know what you need to do !

Can't wait to hear from you all.

Sarah x