fabric confessions

I have a real problem with creating stock, I'm perfectly fine with custom orders, love them, but creating stock for my Etsy store or for craft fairs is a different matter and I've realised why. I don't like to use fabric! Its completely crazy to try and run a craft business if you don't like to use fabric and of course I DO like to use it, I love to make things, the problem is that once you have used that fabric to make something you cant use it again to make something else. Take for example the piece of Alexander Henry Futue-ella! I bought on Ebay well over three years ago, it was rare find at the time and I bought it to make a skirt, but what type of skirt, first I thought a straight skirt but then if I gained or lost weight I wouldn't be able to wear it, plus I have a tiny amount so I would probably have to find another coordinating fabric to go with it. Now I'm thinking something similar to the skirts made by Rooby using it as a contrasting band and then with an elasticated waist I wont have the fit issues, again I'm going to need a contrasting fabric.

It is super rare, once its cut its cut so there is some logic there but what about the fabric I bought from hobby craft? I can go back for more or find it on line! I have 3 meters of Amy Butler hidden on top of a wardrobe, it was on sale.....in 2009.
I've been making patchwork cushions, I bought a pack of charm squares which are lovely to work with but I realised they would be cheaper if I cut them myself but I couldn't, I couldn't get a yard of fabric and start cutting it into squares because what if I then thought of something that needed the full yard?
I know plenty of people who have huge fabric hoards and honestly I'm not like that (its not huge!) but Im sure those people just buy more than they use but they do use it. Or do they? is it actually a common problem to have fabric that you just cant bear to use? I feel kind of sad about it, I feel I'm refusing to give it the chance to become something, to release its true potential....perhaps I will make that skirt.

Week off

So I have nothing to put in the run and play pot this week, the challenge was to refashion a men's shirt. Well I had no ideas and no shirt so I didn't do it, that's probably the worst reason not to do it, having no ideas, the point is to stretch your creativity so I ought to have had a go but I'm not beating myself up over it. To be honest I'm having a bit of a confidence crisis and I think its triggered by thinking of next weeks challenge, to create your signature look. I think Ive lost track of what that is, I probably spend to much time on Pinterest and browsing pattern shops on Etsy that Ive lost sight of what is my "look".
That's a lot to think about, how do I want to move my business forward? Are kids clothes what I really want to do when there are so many amazing people out there doing it, can I really measure up to them? I guess the answer is I cant till I get back onto my own path. Next weeks challenge has to be all me and I'm worried I cant pull it off.

Anyway, what have I been doing instead? Well Ive been asked to do a Mothers day gift stall on the 3rd of March so Ive been thinking about that and putting some ideas together like these granny square cushion covers.

I'm also thinking aprons and then some smaller items, perhaps rose broaches and barrettes?


I'm also thinking about setting up another shop to sell the above, I will keep you posted on that one?

 

 



 

 

 

Valentine

So were already at week 4 on Project run and play and this weeks theme was valentines. Now valentines is not really something which we take a lot of notice off so I certainly didn't want to go too far with this one. I decided on separates and I had some special Hello Kitty fabric which has been kicking around for a couple of years waiting to become something, and seeing as it had hearts on it this was its chance. Ive been thinking for a while about selling twirly skirts so it was a good idea to get some extra practice making them!
The fabric wasn't very wide I think 90cm so I cut it in half and used two full widths. For the bottom tier  I had bought a roll of tulle (shipped from China) a while back to make tutus, Id never sewn it before but it was so easy, it even ruffled itself! stitched the ruffle to the bottom and elasticated waist. Done, quick simple and fabulous. (and with the elastic waist it fits me as a mini skirt! I wondered when we would get to start sharing clothes!)

For the top it was an easy little up cycle of a white v neck tshirt, the part that took the longest was deciding what song lyrics I was going to use...

I had to blow the dust off the embroidery machine, it hadn't been used in ages but now I'm full of ideas for custom Ts I think some will be heading into my Etsy shop . I also learnt the joy of Bonda web, how great is that stuff? And why didn't I know before now?
                                 I layered up my design ironed and zigzagged it all together.

I'm not sure why my top layer wrinkled like this? but it adds texture and detail so it worked out OK.

 

 

In from school and right out for a photo shoot, my star! At least its a bit warmer than the last time.

boys week

Its week 3 of Project run and play, boys week. Why is it so hard to make things for boys? Especially as they get older? I wanted to make something that was fun but also acceptable for a nearly 11 year old. I have just got the new burda vintage moderns book which has a men's shirt pattern and then 2 other variations including a jacket which was my first thought, then I realised there was a lot of alterations to make and a lining and it suddenly seemed a bit too much work!
I went back to the original Frank buttondown shirt pattern and removed the yoke from the back and adjusted the length, (though not enough) I was going to stick to the sleeves but again the cuffs seemed a bit tricky and time consuming plus it was all a bit wide and I suddenly decided to change direction and go for a short sleeved Hawaiian shirt (this was yesterday!) I used the collar from the book and after reading the instructions and looking at the diagrams many times (this book is not for beginners though I guess this is one of the most demanding patterns) I did a blooming good job of it!

the shirt still needs hemming, I'm going to use the overlocker to cut off the excess so I need Ozzy home before I can do that. I also forgot something very important when shirt making, BUTTONS, they tend to need quite few! Hence my project is not quite done but you get the idea

Next week is a valentines inspired outfit and I think its going to be Nixies turn again and there could be some crochet.

Snow go slow

We still have snow, enough to annoy but not enough to be trapped in the house. So I joined a new gym and had planned to start going this week but with the icy roads Ive still to get there, instead Ive been working on my week 3 of project run and play, boys week, I decided I was going to kill two sew along's with one item and I'm using a pattern from the new Burda sewing book which Ive scaled down to fit Oz and will post it up in the Burda comp. Its a version of the Frank button down shirt and to be Frank (sorry) its been a pain in the bum! I think partly its been due to my own confidence (or lack thereof ), the parts done look fab but Ive still got sleeves, which I'm doubting and thinking of chopping in half to make short sleeves and turn it into a more Hawaiian shirt style, probably more wearable for a 10 year old plus I miss out those pesky looking cuffs or is that just an excuse not to attempt them? Plus the Collar to get done and photographed and blogged and shared. I would wonder were the time went this week but I'm afraid Ive been the self crowned queen of procrastination. One thing I did do though was at last get a photo of the teddy ear hat, I think it only took me three months, now to just get it listed in the Etsy shop.

spots and stripes, project run and play week 2

So I was too late with week one (I still need buttons for the back of that party dress...and a hem....and the bodice sewn to the skirt!) and quite frankly week two is cutting it fine though that was down to finding camera batteries, they haven't turned up but I found some AA and the old camera so the photos are here but not fabulous, add to that the weather and our photo shoot was as long as Nixie could stand being dressed like this outside for. Lucky we got it done then as the snow is beginning to fall again theres a chance we could be snowed in tomorrow, well school might be out anyway which is what matters! (Oh and ignore my bins in the background, next week Im setting up the lights indoors)
So project run and play week 2 is spots and stripes I had an old tshirt (old for someone, Id been given it!) which I decided was a good starting point.

I cut off the arms and across the body under the arms

 





 

The body made the skirt and the arms made the arm warmers, I added a separate waist band to the skirt and a spotty button detail. On the arms I added elastic to both ends, made a button hole for a thumb loop and added lace to the cuffs.

 

I wish Id made more of a decision on the waist band, I had in mind to do a paper bag style then kind of did it half heatedly and it ended up just a wide waist which isn't all that flattering on someone so tiny and skinny, its also a lot longer than her usual skirts, I guess its just funny seeing her in something this long with out a Disney Princess tag on it! . I do love the gloves though, I tried to have her bunch them up a bit but what with the cold she kept pulling then up to cover as much bare skin as she could.

 

 

 

 



Just a bit behind!

Well I thought Project Run and play would give me focus but my week one party dress remix still isnt done! That therefore has been put to one side while I work on week 2 spots and stripes.  I had a striped top which I had been given but had a couple of little holes in the front and though that wouldnt normaly stop me from throwing it on when rushing to get out of the door on a morning I figured it could have a better use so it has been changed into a cute outfit for Nixie.

 I cut it across under the arms to create the base of the skirt and then removed the arms and added button holes for her thumbs elastic to the top and made arm warmers. I just need to tweek it a bit Im thinking ribbon and lace on the arm warmers to make them more fun and get some photos done.
Im allready planning next week which is boys week and have some amazing campervan fabric on the way and a pattern from my new Burda vintage book which I will need to scale down to fit a 10 year old.

Time gone and time to come

Its allmost the new year, a time for new starts, fresh ideas and inspiration. My resolutions so far and subject to editing (or abandonment!) To blog regularly, to keep my Etsy shops well stocked, to drop 20lbs (or so) and to start the vegetable garden that was a wash out last summer (I should have planted rice!).
Im looking forwards to following along with Project run and play this year, I discovered it to late last time but Im determined to at least do a few of the challenges, my brains allready ticking away on the party dress restyle.

This year has gone by in a whirl wind, as time seems to do the older you get. Delilah starting pre school, all 3 kids performing in the stage school show and Nixies first paycheck for extra work and the excitement of watching out for her in Eastenders (though we missed it and had to watch it on the iplayer).

Nixies star moment

 

Nixie and Delilah singing with the stage school choir

New branding

Finally decided to sort out my branding, I had the lovely swirly colours but they didn't really follow what I was doing so Ive had a change and now have my funky little skull.

He's going to need a name if anyone has and ideas?
As well as this Ive been working hard trying to fill up my Etsy and (not so hard) Folksy shops, wow its harder than you would think but I think I'm getting good at the photos at least.

The return

Well Hello, how are you? I'm making a tentative return to blogging this week, I know I should do it, I know its fun once I get going and I know it doesn't take half as long as I think it does so I'm giving it another go.
So lets start from scratch...or you can go back and read those old ramblings if you like, I cant remember whats in them so they could be full of all sorts of surprises and important info but they may well not be so don't worry.
Anyway, the new revamped Little Miscreants blog will be more of me than you get over at facebook. With peeks at new products and my working process and more about me and what goes on behind the scenes here and what we get up too basically its me me me some crochet some sewing some baking some kids and guinea pigs and some crazy hair colouring.

This weeks colour....daffodil

Goodbye Fluffy

I have just found Fluffy dead in the cage in the garden, goodbye little guy, you were much loved in the short time you were with us

Hammer House Homeware: Oh I do like to be....

My other blog, Leatherface has left Texas and is on tour with his chainsaw, were will he go today?
Hammer House Homeware: Oh I do like to be....:

My new babies

Scruffy

Fluffy

Nixie has been begging for about a year for a pet and we finaly caved in, well I did, Jay just went along with it with a look that said "if they dont get looked after its all your fault". So we now have Fluffy and Scruffy, they are so small and cute and seem to be settling in nicely. Delilah has been hand feeding them salad leaves this morning and they seemed quite happy, which makes them braver than me! Shes been so good with them, stroking them so gently. I remember Nixie being a little bit older than her and taking her to the farm were there was bunny stroking and her fake stroking them with her hand about an inch away from the actual rabbits.   

Treasury

My little crocheted knight helmet is in this fantastical treasury

christmas mobiles

Christmas 2006, Ozzy's first year at school and our first experience of the Christmas mobile contest, the school gives each class a festive icon which they have to use to make mobiles which are then judged. That first year we had "snowmen", we made them of felt. attached them to a plastic trifle container added a glitter ball ornament and flashing lights.......and we didn't win. That was the last time we entered the competition! This year is Nixie's first year at school and again we have the "Snowman" option , I was tempted to retrieve the origional masterpiece but after 4 years in the decoration box and its battery gone its not the same. So we started a new one, she designed it herself just a simple 3 circles decorated with felt and bits she found, then I decided to needle felt a carrot nose, looking good but she doesn't want help. Aha! what is Ozzy supposed to be making? "Stockings" he tels me, "I'm going to tie an old sock to a coat hanger". Well yes that would be fun, I comment, "or....we can needle felt some stocking shapes, build a 3 dimensional fireplace from card, use coloured tissue paper to make a fire and hang the stockings up...?" "I think I should put letters on the stockings to spell XMAS" he says "the ones that win always say XMAS"
Oh yes, another masterpiece of Christmas crafting will be submitted, and if we don't win? Well we wont be playing anymore.

Thinking of Christmas

I am finaly admiting it, its nearly Christmas. I have decided Im going to make an early start on it so perhaps when it arrives I will be totaly organised. I have made a start by doing half the washing up, well no point rushing!

once begun is half done

Is that Mary Poppins? I think so. Well yes I know that fact to be true but its the getting begun thats the hard bit, here I am full of plans and what will happen and how great things will be but each day getting started is not proving easy for me. I can blame it on the depression, I can blame it on feeling overwhelmed, on having three kids to look after, on the house being untidy, on if I just had this or that it would be easier but in truth it has to be something else thats blocking me, something inside me saying that untill I get started I havent failed, I havent messed up, everything is still possible cos I havent allowed myself the chance to fall flat on my face. I try to kid myself that Im doing something usefull, looking at fabrics on ebay, reading the Etsy posts and blogs, starting this blog when I havent even got my product ready to blog about!
I have the second of my business start up seminars on Saturday morning, looking at writting a business plan, now Im pritty sure I could have done this myself the number of hours I have spent on the net seeing what I need to put in it, printing off examples and blank forms but getting pen to paper, realy thinking about the questions of cost, expenses, first year expected turn over and my brain shuts down and decides more reading is what is required or theres something else to do or that its to late and Ive done enough for today. This procastination is getting me nowere fast. I know what I want from my business, I want to support my family, enable us to get our own home instead of paying someone elses morgage while living with a broken freezer and a shower that also waters the dining room table beneath every time we use it, I want it to give me a sense of purpose, to show myself and everyone else what Im capable of. Why then cant I make that start that I so desperately need and want?

All change here, new starts, new challenges

Here we are in September already and its back to school (thank you lord!) and my beautiful girl has settled in to "big" school brilliantly, as I knew she would even though she doubted it. She keeps telling me shes a bit shy but I'm not sure she knows what shy means as she talks for England and to anyone, the only problem she will have making friends is that she likes to be the boss and always knows best!

So my mornings are almost my own again, well another three years till Delilah goes to school but she sleeps most of the morning at the moment anyway so I can pretend Im by myself!