Exciting Deliveries

Yesterday started out crappy. My little man decided at 5.30 that it was time to get up. He came and got into bed with me (Paul is working away at the mo) and then proceeded to watch the clock radio and give me a running commentary everytime the minute changed. This continued until 6.15 when I could stand it no longer and decided that I might as well get up.

I then got absolutely soaked on the school run and had to sit for 45 with my little madam singing songs, playing musical instruments and marching around the village hall with wringing wet jeans.

Next, I needed to pay a supplier (on the other side of the world) by fax, for some goods that I'd ordered. Not good when you have absolutely no idea whether the tone you can hear on the fax machine is a dialling tone, a ringing tone or an engaged tone. I spent 15 minutes trying to send that damn fax and then just gave up. They'll have to wait until next week.

So, I needed a bit of cheering up, actually I needed a lot of cheering up. And that's exactly what I got when I opened this parcel :

How CUTE is that ??!!! How can you not smile when you see a sight like that? All of those lovely little smiley faces peering out of a box of tissue paper at you !

These gorgeous little smileys are a wholesale order I placed with Peggycrafts. Because I've been so busy with my own website, Folksy and Etsy shops, I just haven't had time to make stock for all the Christmas Fairs I've got coming up, so decided to cheat and buy some stock in. Trouble is, I don't think I can actually part with any of it !!! My little madam bagged a pink Mrs Flower for herself and I kept a set of the christmas decorations for myself. Then a friend came over and bagged another 2 Mrs Flowers and a set of christmas decorations. If they're going to be that popular I think Helen at Peggycrafts is going to be one busy lady ! Sadly I can't offer any of these for sale to you guys because they are for my Christmas Fairs, but if you fancy getting your hands on some for yourself, why not go to Peggycraft's website where you can buy all of these and lots more goodies. Thank you Helen !!!

Yesterday my parents came back from the USA bringing with them another wholesale order of Christmas Fair stock. I got this little lot from Neskat on Etsy. A beautiful selection of bookmarks.

Also yesterday, the postman bought me these supplies, which I shall hopefully be making some stock of my own with. We've got, giant paperclips, stud earrings, clip-on earrings, giant cover buttons, teeny cover buttons, medium size cover buttons, rings and blank bracelets.

The giant cover buttons are FAB. I'm going to turn them into fabric covered fridge magnets with this fantastic fabric I bought on ebay.

And, along with taking delivery of all of these goodies, I've been spending more money on stock and supplies. I stocked up on more copies of the Betz White book "Felt so Good". These should be delivered next week and then back on my website soon after. I've also found a new supplier for some gorgeous felt corsages and felt rings which are destined to become Blooming Felt Exclusives in my NOTHS shop. And, I've got more pegdoll kits, ladybird bag kits and felt jewellery kits coming which will be available for sale on my website very soon ! Also, a new delivery of felt balls will be with me during the first week of November.

I think that's it for now. This weekend I shall be mostly creating (I hope). It's half term next week so I doubt much will get done then and as my first fair is on 1st November, I need to get organised !!

Have a good weekend !

What do you do ...

... when the sun shines? Well, I'll tell you what I thought about doing and that was tackling the huge mountain of ironing that has been waiting to be done for what seems like forever and is quite likely to kill a small child should it fall over. But then I thought "what the hell - the sun's shining and I need to take some photos .... OF BUTTONS !!"

So that's what I did.

And this post contains pictures of all the new buttons that have been added to the website today and are now ready for you to get your little hands on.

ENJOY x

Where did last week go?

I can't believe it's over a week since I last posted. SORRY ! Where did last week go?? The days seem to be absolutely flying by at the moment and there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done that needs to be done.

The website has gone bonkers and I'm rapidly running out of stock, the new wireless printer that hubby very kindly bought me, has decided to get very tempremental and only work when it feels like it, my parents are away so I've had to change the hours I work at my part-time job to fit around Gracie being at nursery which means that Blooming Felt business gets sorted out anywhere between 8pm and midnight ! Once again, I must apologise if you've ordered from me last week and are yet to receive your goodies. They're on their way to you today !

However, I did find time on Saturday to visit the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in London. I've never been to that particular show before and was keen to visit as I have been thinking about taking a stand there at next year's event. I met some really lovely people and one of my most favourite suppliers was also there, so I had a good old chat with them and got up to date on lots of their new products - keep an eye on my website, because hopefully some of these products will be winging their way to me very soon.

I've also got a whole load of supplies on their way from the US - these supplies are for me to make up lots of goodies for the Christmas craft fairs that I'm booked to attend, although quite when I'm going to find the time to make up the goodies is anyone's guess !!

And back on the button theme (sorry if I'm boring you with buttons!) - I found these gorgeous gorgeous buttons at the show on Saturday. Now, whilst I do LOVE them, they're not really of the sort of quality that I like to buy. BUT they are very suited to children and the round purple one looks rather lovely as a brooch on my new lime green Boden coat !! So I might consider stocking a few on the website to see how they go.

Whilst out on my travels last week, I came across this magazine.

It's from the US, and I have spent a fair amount of time looking longingly at all the different studios in there (along with scouring flickr) and hoping that one day I might be lucky enough to have a studio of my very own where I can store all of my felt balls, buttons and ribbons that are packed away in giant boxes all over the house and where I can find things fairly easily rather than having to empty boxes out on the floor and where I can package up orders on a nice big table, rather than on my hands and knees on the living room floor !

And talking of ribbons ... I've started stocking a few on my website. At the moment, I have just spotty ribbons listed - side/saddle stitch ribbon is waiting to be photographed and should be on very soon and I've found another fantastic supplier of ribbon, so as soon as I know what I'm doing there, will be able to let you know.

That's it for now. Hope to be able to give you an update on my US supplies next week so you can get an idea of what I'll be making for the Christmas Fairs !

Byeeeeeee x

It's great ...

.... what being featured on the front page of etsy can do !!

I was very lucky to be featured, for the very first time, on the front page of etsy on Thursday night. Unfortunately it was in the middle of the night here in the UK, so I didn't actually see it. Someone contacted me (from Barbados) to tell me that my felt balls had been featured, but sadly I never got to see my 5 minutes of fame. But never mind, it resulted in a flurry of sales and over 60 people hearting me ! Thank you to whoever it was that added me to their treasury - I really do appreciate it.

Now, BUTTONS !! Carrying on with my latest obsession, take a look at these gorgeous gorgeous buttons that I am now stocking on my website. They measure 1.25 inches in diameter and come in sets of 3 (as shown). Each set costs £3. I've been glueing brooch pins onto the back and selling these at local craft fairs - they're going down a storm !! Buy them here

I've also got some of this lovely felt string now listed on the site - £3 will get you 3 metres of handmade felt string - use it as gift wrapping with some of my felt flowers on your pressies !! You can buy it here !

I've also been having a bit of a spend-up. Sadly not on me, well actually, thinking about it, yes I did treat myself to a bit of Boden - the most gorgeous lime green cord coat that I just want to stroke all the time - me thinks I'll have to put one of those lovely brooches on it ! But I digress - I've been having a bit of a Blooming Felt spend-up on etsy. I LOVE etsy. How is it that you can find just about everything you could ever want on that site?? I use etsy to buy a lot of my supplies. I wish I could support more UK stockists and sellers, but sadly here in the UK it seems really difficult to buy what I call "different" supplies. They seem to be so much more readily available in the USA, hence the reason why I use etsy so frequently. I've been really lucky to find some fantastic sellers on there - actually - I think all etsy sellers are fantastic because we all come from the same crafty mould !!

So today I spent an almost obscene amount of money on supplies which will be winging their way to me very soon. I can't wait to receive them because I'm now cranking up for all the Christmas Craft Fairs that I'm booked to attend. At yesterday's craft fair I was speaking to some of the older girls that attend Sam's school to find out what they thought would sell and what they would buy if they saw me at the various fairs. So now I've got lots of ideas for new stock that I will make specifically for the Christmas Fairs. On top of that, everyone else is obviously thinking the same thing because sales on my website have gone through the roof this last week with all manner of things being purchased - thank you if you are one of those people who has spent some of your hard earned cash on my little website.

On a completely separate note - has anyone ever attended the "Make-It" shows which are held in Farnborough and Bolton each year? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them.

Right - that's it from me for the mo - I'm off to look at etsy ...... AGAIN !!

Byeee xx

Buttons !

Life is slowly getting back to normal after last weekend's show (although the washing pile doesn't seem to be going down !) The website has been manically busy, as has my etsy shop, so I'm slowing trying to catch up on orders - if you've ordered from me within the last few days and have yet to receive your order - I do apologise, it will be on its way to you very soon. It's just little old me here trying to keep on top of everything Blooming Felt wise (oh, and organising my little madam's 3rd birthday which was yesterday - Happy Birthday Gracie !)

I've also opened a shop on Folksy, which is currently being loaded up with lots of goodies and am trying to get stock organised for Christmas Fairs that I'm booked to attend. I've got lots of ideas in mind, but finding time to actually make new items is proving just a little bit hard at the moment. I could do with an extra couple of hours in the day really !

So, as promised in previous posts, today I'm posting lots of pictures of buttons ! Yes, I've become obsessed with buttons.

All of these little lovelies are now for sale here and are slowing being added to my etsy shop.

I hate to see them go, because I just love looking at them but hey, I can always order some more !! These were all really popular at the show last week, so I'm sure you'll love them as much as me.

Also, felt flowers ! These are sooooo cute. Use them as brooches, make them into ponytail holders, use them as gift wrapping on pressies etc etc. A set of 6 costs just £3.50, so go on ... treat yourself !

Next time I'll show you some piccies of lots of other lovely things that I showcased last weekend and that will be for sale on the website shortly.

Wednesday is Sam's 6th birthday (where did those 6 years go ?!) so I won't be posting until after then.

Byeeee xx

From this .....

to this .....

to this !!!!!

I can't believe I actually managed to do it !! In less than 4 weeks I managed to go from thinking about possibly exhibiting at the January Stitch & Creative Crafts show, to actually exhibiting at the September one ! And I have to say I am VERY proud at what I managed ! I met SO many lovely lovely people who were all really complimentary about my little stand and spent a good few of their pennies on some of my goodies. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who took the time to stop by, admire, chat, and spend !! I loved every second of it.

I want to give a quick little wave to the following people who were so kind to me over the course of the 4 days that I spent at the show:

First of all - Pat & Tony Sims who owned the B&B I stayed at (a lovely little 200 year old cottage) - thank you for making me feel so welcome and at home !


Inga of Linen Me who had the most gorgeous stand next to me. Do check out her website, she has the most beautiful linen.

Jackie & Kim of Make the Moment Last, a lovely scrapbooking stand. Again, check out their website.

Sheila Jones who I know is a reader of this blog and took the time to come along and say hi on Saturday (as well as buying some goodies). Thank you also Sheila for mentioning me on your blog - I'll let you know about my next needle felting workshop !

Sally Furniss who popped by on Sunday and was so kind about my stand and who also took the time to email me on Sunday after the show - yes, I will also let you know about my next needle felting workshop.

Sandra of Gotta Craft who was one of my first customers on the Friday and very kindly left a comment on my previous blog post (make sure you get that blog going soon !!)

My very dear friend Amanda and her 2 little monkees who made the long journey round from Essex to come along and support me

My lovely Mum & Dad who came over late on Saturday afternoon to take me out for dinner and cheer me up a bit (I'd had a bit of a bad day)

My lovely lovely hubby and darling children who were always on the end of the phone supporting me


And last, but by no means least, Wendie Rhodes of Wild-Rhodes who is one of the kindest people that you will ever meet. Wendie was the lady who talked me into doing this particular show and gave me no end of wonderful advice and support both before and during the show. Thank you so much Wendie - I couldn't have done it without you !

So, to all of those above - thank you very very much. And to everyone else who I didn't manage to spend much time chatting to, but who took the time to come over and ooh and ahhh over my goodies and then spend some of their hard-earned pennies - THANK YOU !!


Do keep in touch everyone - I'd love to see pics of your various projects using the bits and bobs you bought from me !


Next time I'll give you a few more details of the actual show, but for now it's time for bed -I'm cream-crackered !

Sarah xxx

Winners ....

Could paper-and-string, picciolio and The Flour Loft please contact me and let me have your address details so I can send you your free tickets to the Stitch & Creative Crafts Show next week. I'd hate for you to miss out !! Thanks

I'm sure you can gather, this is a really really quick post. I'm drowning in a sea of felt balls and buttons and am in the final (I hope) stages of getting everything ready for next week. Finally everything was delivered and is now being bagged and tagged.

I'll try and post before the show with a picture of the amount of stuff I'm taking with me !! There's a LOT !!

Sarah x