Check ... them ... out !!!

More new goodies ..............

Buttons Galore

Tins of pins !!!

New colourway of Merino Wool - ANIMAL !!!!

and ... perfect for Easter ... a fab new needle felting Easter Bunnies Kit !

If you have trouble with the links not working by clicking on the pictures - you can find all of our new products here

See you soon xx

The builders are back

Why is nothing ever simple in our house ?

We decided to treat ourselves and put a woodburner into our living room. We currently have an open fire (it's a rather large fireplace!!)

and decided that open fires are far too messy and a bit dangerous, so a woodburner would be much more preferable. However, after doing lots of research and finally settling on the one we wanted, we went to a very reputable, local fireplace shop and got the guy to come round and check the chimney etc. He condemned it !!!

It turns out the previous owners had used cowboy builders to remove the old chimney stack (which used to be right in the middle of the room) and rebuild it, using a metal thing which runs from the top of the fireplace, up through the spare bedroom and the loft and then out through the roof.

Unfortunately, the cowboy builders had completely ignored all the regulations surrounding installing such a chimney. They had cut through the rafters of the house (and not put adequate replacement supports in place), along with not encasing the metal pipe thingy in a fireproof cage, and letting it rest against both the roof, the floorboards and the plasterboard chimney they constructed in the spare room. This was, of course, a complete fire hazard and it's a wonder the whole house didn't catch fire !!

So now, instead of just having a woodburner installed, which should be a simple job really, we have now had to have the entire metal chimney exposed (here it is in the spare room - please ignore horrible pine wardrobe with frou frou lampshade on top - this is not indicative of our house !!)

so that it can be fully encased in fire proof stuff (don't know the technical term!) and be actually moved away from all of the wooden joists etc. This has resulted in the sealant around the top of the chimney being dislodged which now means that the builders have to get onto our 250 year old roof to repair it all !!!

Why is nothing ever simple ??!!!

But at least my new camera arrived - YAY !! The above photos were taken with it, without me having read the instruction manual so I'm sure they can be improved on, but I'm very impressed so far. It's very clever because it just automatically adjusts itself to the lighting situation and subject !

Here is the original photo of my green spotty star buttons (as seen on the website)

and the new (trial) photo that I took just now. What a difference !!

I can't wait for the daylight tomorrow so that I can take pictures of all the lovely NEW STOCK that arrived today (and it looks like I'll have to take new photos of EVERYTHING now as the old photos are SO BAD !)

Watch this space

xx

We're getting there ...... slowly

At last, we have a "sort of" working kitchen. It has taken 3 very long weeks to get to this stage and sadly we're still not finished.

We are still waiting for the granite worktops which were finally templated on Thursday and have been lucky (!) to be told that we can actually have the original granite we picked - they managed to find some up North apparently. However, they need to get it down South from up North and then cut it and because there is a Bank Holiday weekend next weekend, we won't have our worktops until next Tuesday.

As you can see, I am having to make do with offcuts of wood as temporary work surfaces and haven't been able to put anything away in the cupboards and drawers because I am waiting for the lady from the kitchen company to come and clean them all. Please don't think I'm being all princessy here, but I was told by the kitchen company that once the kitchen was finished they would send a cleaning lady in to do it all for us (standard practice apparently). However, I've told the kitchen company that I can't wait until the worktops have been fitted in order for her to come and clean so she needs to come on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Otherwise, I shall be cleaning it all myself and billing them !!! (Update - it's Thursday and she didn't come - you can guess what's going to happen next !!)

The beautiful wood floor was finally laid last Thursday and the electrician finally turned up on Thursday evening and connected everything, so we could start to have proper meals again. Unfortunately we can't use the dishwasher because they haven't cut the kick-boards low enough and I can't actually open the dishwasher door !! But, I do have my beloved double butler sink which is doing the washing up job very nicely for the time being.

We were able to have pancakes for breakfast, courtesy of Betsy (I know, I should have taken a photo !) and also a proper roast lunch courtesy of Betsy's friend (known only as "the module" - no name as yet !!) Sadly, I had to turn Betsy off yesterday because the kitchen was like a furnace, so she will be fired up again once it turns cold and in the meantime we'll be using "the module" for our cooking.

So like I say, we're getting there ...... slowly (very slowly).

OK - enough moaning.

This last week has seen LOTS of deliveries. Quite a few for the Knitting & Stitching Show and quite a few which contained stock for the website. The additional 2 new ribbons I mentioned last time - Nelly the Elephant and Little Mermaid arrived and are now available to buy on the website.

I also took delivery of a new colour of JUMBO ric-rac - Jade (again, available on the website now)

And also 2 new colours of GIANT spotty buttons - purple and green (sorry - I need to take a decent picture of the green ones) - very funky !!!

Ally Pally is getting closer and closer and I'm still in a state of total chaos ! The bags for the new kits have yet to arrive, as do some of the final components, but I'm (fairly) confident that everything will be ready in time ... even if it means I have to work 24/7 from now until the show.

But until then, I have 2 birthday parties to get organised for my little monkeys, along with sewing copious amounts of name tags onto school uniform. I can't believe my little shadow will be going off to school the week after next. She's SO ready for it ... sadly, I'm not.

xx

Just a quickie !!

Hiya

OK - first, I need to let you know that Blooming Felt will be closed from Tuesday 13th July until Friday 30th July. The website will remain open and accepting orders, but nothing will be processed until Monday 2nd August - many apologies for any inconvenience this might cause.

Now, if you're not signed up to my newsletter (and if not ... why not ?) then you won't know about the new goodies that have been added to the site !

First of all we've got Fimo Dolly Mixture beads, cupcakes, lollies and pendants. I am SO excited about these ! My lovely neighbour has agreed to supply her fimo creations exclusively to Blooming Felt, so expect lots more designs to be added to the website in the future.

Next, 2 new designs of buttons - dalmation spot and chequerboard

We've also got elasticated charm bracelets (to hang those dolly mixtures from)

and finally, funky ceramic flower pendants.

A few more colours of 1mm thick beading elastic have also been added to the site.

I'm awaiting a VERY LARGE delivery of felt any day now, but sadly won't be able to get it loaded onto the website for a week or so. I'll let you know once everything has been updated though. It will mainly be 10x10 inch 4mm thick felt sheets and felt string, so if you're waiting for these, they are on their way !

That's it for now - see you soon

Sarah xx

Thank you !!!!

This is a very quick post as I'm absolutely snowed under (and completely exhausted) at the moment.

I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by my stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace last week (was it that long ago !!)

I was completely stunned by the amount of visitors I had and the most fantastic comments I received from everyone who visited me. I was thrilled that my little stand was so popular and have to apologise if you were unable to get into the stand to check out my goodies or were unable to speak to me. I know a number of you did visit and it was typical that you chose the moment to visit when I was actually in the loo !! I'm sorry !!

On the Thursday I didn't even manage to get off the stand all day - I didn't have a drink or anything to eat and the first time I looked at my watch after the show opened was at 4.45pm !!! They say that time flies when you're having fun and I had an absolute ball !!

As well as thanking all of my customers. I also want to say a huge thank you to a few other people:

Firstly my Dad who managed to organise a van at the very last minute as we realised that all of my stuff wasn't actually going to fit into the 2 cars. Also, for helping me to set up my stand on the Wednesday and then to dismantle it on Sunday.

Next, my Mum who very bravely came to my rescue on the Friday after I realised that I wasn't going to cope on my own and then came to help us pack up on Sunday.

Also, my very good friend Amanda who gave up her whole weekend to help me out on the stand - thank you so much Amanda - I couldn't have done it without you !

Kim from Worn & Washed Fabrics who had the stand next to me, was absolutely lovely and and got me drinks on a regular basis.

Bev, Tom and Nanna on the Knitting4fun stand who were really kind by keeping an eye on me and inviting me to dinner on the Thursday night.

And lastly my fantastic hubby who took time off work (even though he had some important deadlines to meet), so that he could look after Sam & Grace. Thanks P xxxx

I'm currently trying to process all of the orders that have come in as a result of the show and I apologise for the delay in getting your goodies to you - but I can promise you they will be worth the wait !

Next year's stand is already booked - it's a bigger stand and will be on a corner, so that should ease the flow of people in and out of my little shop and hopefully enable people who were unable to get into the stand this time, get in next time !!

A quick couple of website updates - remnant silk sari ribbon is back, the GIANT red & white spotty buttons are back in stock and the small 1cm red & white spotty buttons are FINALLY here - thank goodness for that !!!

Thank you all once again - normal service will be resumed very soon

Sarah xx

Seeing Spots !

Last week, one of my school mum friends came over to help me with getting organised for the Knitting & Stitching Show.

Her job was to count out and bag up buttons. And more buttons. And even more buttons ! If she wasn't seeing spots before, she certainly was by the time she had finished ! Thanks Alison - you did a fab job !!

My job was to stick little felt flowers onto the sample cards. I've decided to take a whole load of these with me to the show, just in case I run out of felt sheets and then people can see what they could have bought .... if they'd have been quicker !!

I've also spent my spare (!) time cutting out felt gift tags, which are now stored in colour order in my lovely baskets and will have the prices embroidered onto the corresponding shaped gift tag, which will hang from the handle of the basket. Hmmm - I think I might be getting a little carried away now ! But, sometimes it pays to give people ideas as to how they might actually use my goodies. Sadly, not everyone has the forsight to think how to use my goodies, so a gentle shove in the right direction usually does the job !

5000 leaflets have been printed (and re-folded by my parents and sister - thanks guys x - as the printers had folded them wrongly) and are sitting in boxes in the playroom (you see, it's starting to take over !) 2000 printed paper carrier bags are on their way to me. The chip & pin machine has been ordered. I'm still waiting for my huge felt delivery which should, fingers crossed, be here next week. Once that arrives I can start to bag up even more grab bags of felt balls, hearts, pebbles and the new addition to that range. Can't tell you what just yet - but watch out for my next blog post. More crochet flowers have been crocheted (thanks Carmen), price lists are done and are waiting to be printed, price tags are waiting to be typed up and printed, label tops are printed and have been cut out by my Father-in-Law whilst they were visiting this weekend - thanks Terry ! x. Felt stacks are cut and stacked and just need threading together with something and finishing off / securing with a button at either end ... you see, I am definitely getting carried away now and feel like I'm actually making more work for myself !!

Oooh, oooh. Another thing I just thought of .... check these out !!

Remember the little 15mm red spotty buttons that I sell (well, when I have them in stock that is. But sadly my supplier has been out of stock of the small red spotties for months ... literally). So how do these grab you instead?

GIANT red and white spotty buttons and GIANT navy and white spotty buttons - measuring a MASSIVE 55mm! £2.50 each - glue a brooch pin on the back - attach them to a lovely snuggly jumper or your winter coat and away you go ! Watch people's faces as they clock your funky new brooch !!

Also back in stock are the BIG ONE purple buttons, along with new BIG ONE lime green buttons and new BIG ONE blue buttons.

All of these buttons are now available on the website

Today was Sam's brithday party - we had all the boys from his class and his best friend Chloe to the party, and went here. It's a fab place and the kids (and their Dads !) all really enjoyed the zip wires, climbing walls and rope courses, followed by lunch in the secret nuclear bunker !!

One party down, one to go - Grace's party is next weekend so I'm off to put together party bags for her party next Saturday and then thread some of the felt stacks together! It's great being a working mum !!!

Sarah x

Seeing spots, stars, stripes ....

The new additions to my ever-growing button range

Spotty Heart Buttons


Spotty Star Buttons

Striped Buttons

Bigger Polka Dot / Spotty Buttons

I do still have a number of the pale lilac and sage green striped buttons that I started stocking long before I added the above to my range. They've all been organised into spotted, striped and checked buttons on the website here and are ready and waiting for you to buy and love !!

Today is ....

..... HAPPY ELF JOKE DAY !!

Yes, according to my 3 year old monkey, today is Happy Elf Joke Day and you need to walk around playing jokes and tricks on everyone all day ! Like the trick where you have a pretend packet of chewing gum and when you pull the chewing gum out, the little mouse trap thingy flies over and whacks your finger ... HARD ! Oh how we laughed (the first time). It's starting to wear a little bit thin now and my finger is rather sore. Roll on next Monday when half term is over !!

Now, I was being a complete numpty recently and ordered the wrong colour felt squares !

So - I've got twenty 10x10 inch darkish turquoise squares (I guess you'd call them aquamarine) in the 4mm thick range, which I don't really want (I stock the the lighter colour) and wondered if anyone could make use of them? They're listed here on my website and I'm only charging £1 a piece instead of the usual price of £2.25.

If you want to grab yourself a bargain, then be quick because when they're gone ... they're gone !!

And this is a little sneeky peek of the new buttons that will be making an appearance on my website very very soon

Have a very HAPPY ELF JOKE DAY EVERYONE !!

Sarah x

Hooray !

Hooray - the new battery came for my camera and it's all working ok again - photos will be further down in the post.

That was the hooray - the BOO is the fact that I came into the kitchen the other morning to find water pouring through one of the spotlights in the ceiling !! I then went into the lounge to find water coming through the roof of the bay and then saw water coming in under the back door ! The torrential rain that we had experienced through the night had done its worst and was trying to flood us out ! Fortunately, I had a number of buckets I could put under the drippy bits and they had to stay there until I'd done the school run ... still in the pouring rain. A very nice man came round when I got back and looked at it all and said that luckily (?) the flat roofs didn't need replacing, and it was the angle and sheer amount of rain that had found its way into little gaps where the roofs joined onto the main section of the house, and it would just need sealing. Thank goodness for that !!

So, to celebrate the fact that the camera is repaired and that our roofs aren't going to cost us a fortune, I decided to play with some buttons and get a few new mixes onto the website.

This time round I've got some lovely gingham buttons ! A perfect match to my spotty buttons and available to buy singley, in bags of 20, bags of 60 (1o of each colour)

and bags of 65 (mixed spotties and ginghams, which can be found in the button bags section on the website !)

I also managed to take a decent photo of my mixed button bags of flowers, hearts & squares. For some reason my website just did not like the original photo I took and wouldn't let me load it on- fortunately, it likes this one !
I've also added lots of colours of "Clown" buttons to the site. I've called them clown buttons because they look just like the buttons that a clown has down the front of his jacket. Available in loads of different colours and priced at 30p each, they're a great way to update your wardrobe (and I promise you won't look like a clown !!)

While I think of it, my SALE is still on. It was supposed to finish on the 10th January, and whilst the majority of the sale items have now been sold, I've decided to have a bit of a destash and put some of the supplies that have been hanging around at home in various drawers etc and are unlikely to be used anytime soon, onto the website for sale. All of it is new, unused and in it's original packaging, where applicable - so do check out the SALE section and see if you can grab yourself a bargain (give me a few days to get it all loaded on though !)

At the weekend I will hopefully be taking delivery of some lovely lovely LOVELY new supplies - I can't wait !! As soon as they arrive I shall be taking lots of photos and getting it all onto the website - so watch this space !

I'm also waiting for a complete restock of the handmade 100% wool felt sheets - the choice of colours will increase to 20 and they'll all match the colours of felt balls that you can buy individually on my site - I'll let you know once they're here.

Don't forget - I'm on the look-out for photos and tutorials of projects completed using your Blooming Felt purchases. They're starting to come in slowly (thank you to all of you that have sent photos in) and as soon as I've got enough, will start to post pictures here and get the "Customers Gallery" on my website up and running. You can email your photos to me.

See you next week !

Sarah x