New Year, New Start, New Business

Happy New Year everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful break from the normal hectic routine.
I have to apologise for not posting any pictures of my home decorated but the lighting has been so dull recently that the pictures never came out right.

It may be the Twelfth Night, but the wreath I made will stay fresh for another couple of months, it would be such a waste to throw it away so it will stay firmly on the front door until it starts to wilt. I took a course on wreath making last year so I will upload a tutorial on how you can achieve this look yourself later in the year.

I have some really exciting developments in progress. Firstly I have registered my company name Bluebells and Bunting Limited and the ball has really started to roll with that.
Secondly, over Christmas I decided to apply to a couple of webshops, giftwrappedandgorgeous.co.uk and notonthehighstreet.com.  Both of these stores really promote small UK based businesses which mainly produce handmade gifts and homewares.
Considering notonthehighstreet decline 95% of their applicants I wasn't expecting much, however after only a couple of days after applying I was delighted to see an email in my inbox from both companies saying that I they would love to feature me as a seller!
I of course now have a lot of figures to work out and a lot of thinking to do, but a lot of doors have now begun to open and it's so satisfying to hear people in the industry appreciate my work.

2012 will see the Queens Diamond Jubilee and I have already started on designs for this, keeping in the theme of quintessentially British. Will any of you in the UK or further afield be celebrating?

Ally

xxx

Cushion Love

One of my friends recently celebrated her 21st. Some friends and I wanted to give her something special, something that would remain timeless, and tie in with any colour scheme so she would be able to treasure it for a long time.

We decided that I would make her a selection of 3 cushions that were all individual but co-ordinating. I don't know any girl who doesn't like cushions. On the bed, on the sofa, even scattered in the garden.
I picked out a gorgeously soft beige cotton and a cream embroidery thread which I used to embroider my friends name, date of birth and 21. 

I added some small silver glass beads to make it a little more special, they glisten beautifully as they catch the light.

I also made the roses by hand from satin ribbon as I couldn't find what I wanted in the shop.

Since making these first 3 I have been inundated with requests for more. I have decided to make a LOVE cushion and have started selling this on my Etsy shop, shipping worldwide.  I am also offering a personalisation service, so if want to get someone's name or a special date embroidered I can do this.
Pop on over to my shop, or feel free to send me a message for more information.

  http://www.etsy.com/listing/88341335/love-cushion-cover-pillow

Ally 

xxx 

Sew Sew

I've been making my hearts and selling them on ebay for around a week now, and they appear to be gathering a bit more interest.

Love is All you Need

It's still extremely early days but I'm already looking forward to my next projects. I'm hoping that in the next couple of weeks I'll be getting a sewing machine, which will really help me move onto the next step. It will allow me to create a much larger variety of products and I will be able to execute them to a much higher standard.

My new heart design I have hand embroidered "love" onto and have plans to start taking orders for personalisations. I love the thought of embroidering peoples names, special dates, or words; and hopefully in the future take orders from couples for weddings favours, co-ordinating with their colour scheme.

Joy is not in things, it is in us

I have already spoken to a few event organisers about selling at country fairs and markets etc. so it's quite a hectic yet exciting time in my life.


I'd like to thank those that have started following me and left me messages, I really enjoy reading what you have to say and appreciate the kind words...

Ally 

xxx