Jet Designs - Crafts & Books

Lampwork Necklace

A customer brought in some beads that she purchased from a friend of mine ( Christine - she is a fantastic lampwork artist).  She wanted me to make a necklace out of them - so we poured through some books and we decided on a design.  I made it up today - beautiful Lampwork encased florals with czech crystals and silver spacers.  It is quite simple - but with the large beautiful beads we did not want to much fuss.

So-Simple Baby Bib

Yes and it was so simple - easy on the brain and easy on the eye - crocheted it in record time - well for me (under a week) I used Bendigo Wool Mills - 4ply Cotton - Lovely range of colours

Pattern can be found here and on ravelry

Float away Crochet Scarf Finished

This morning I finally finished the scarf that I have been crocheting - I was going to leave of the ring detaisl on the end as when I started the scarf, I thought that they looked to hard - but by the time I had finished the project last night my confidence had built the the rings were so easy to do - I have woven in all the ends and now have a completed project that I am very proud of.

Next two crochet projects are to finished of a baby's bib that I will probably get done today and then start of a cardigan for Ella which is a much more complex task for me - but it is clothing that I would like to make so I might as well start and not put it off any longer.

Here is the link to the Free - Float away scarf pattern

I have got the day off from the shop today - but we had two shops broken into at our shopping centre last night - so I might have to go down just to check that everything is ok and secure for tonight - hopefully criminals aren't into craft books and knitting!!

Fly Birdie Fly

I found this fantastic little birdie pattern a couple of weeks ago on Spool Sewing Blog and I had a few hours free today at home to do some craft.  I am going to make a few more out of my Amy Butler Scraps and put them in my shop on display -   This project is a great way to use up those left overs - I think they would look great in Christmas colours and put them on your tree - I think I might just do that for the shop Christmas tree ( I think I better start now to get that task accomplished)

I have also been up to some machine embroidery today - I am embroidering little bibs and size one singlets - for a market day coming up in Ipswich soon.  There are some ladies trying to organise the "Handmade Expo" which they are hoping to hold once a month in a covered location and the first one is to be held in August - so if you live around the South East Queensland area and you are interested in selling your handmade wares just email me and I will pass you on the the ladies organising the event.

New Amy Butler Patterns in Store today

Hi - Just got my shipment of the new Amy Butler Patterns today - It feels like they have taken forever to get to me, but at last they are available here -

Two new patterns - the Birdie Sling Handbag and the Laptop Cover & MP3 Case

Also back in store is the Flea Market Bag - by Grand Revival Designs - it sold out totally in the US and they had to print more - has been a very popular pattern

All patterns are loaded on my website now

                                

Bucket Loads Of Books

Today I recieved two cartons of books - Mostly all New Releases to Australia - So I have been busily loading them on my website and adding them to my inventory - but I have wasted some time (or should I say it is staff training) by looking through the majority of them wishing I could add a few hours to my day so I could complete some of the projects.

Anyway - I though I would give you a sneak at what is new in store today - as I have no completed craft projects to show you.  If you click on the pictures it will give you the full description of the books.

Rosalie Quinlan's Book   "Gift" is nearly ready for release and I have these on pre order if anyone is interested email me.

A is for Apron - $24.95 ( I have been eagerly waiting this one - It looks fantastic) might have to steal one for me!!

Sew Pretty Homestyle - Not new - but I always sell out as soon as it comes in - $29.95 - Oh and she has a new Christmas one coming out soon - I have already pre-ordered it!!

Sweet Needle Felts - $24.95 - Really Cute Projects!!

Yarn Yarn and More Yarn - and I am not telling stories

For the Australians reading this you will understand the title ( Yarn - Aussie Slang - telling a story - usually a higly embellished one!)

Today I got mail - some 4ply cotton from Bendigo wool mills - I am planning to knit some facewashers and soapholders from it -

Also to let you know that from next month our store will be starting to stock yarn - I am going to be stocking some of the Naturally range from NZ - and hopefully some of the Nundle Wool Mill from Australia  so if there is anything particular that you are chasing let me know and I may be able to help you - I will send all over Australia and some overseas countries - and for Australian customers it is free postage for orders of $100 and over.

That is a big plug for the shop isn't it - I took a photo of the shop this morning the "Craft Book Side" - so you can see where I spend my days!!

Have a good weekend everyone - Craft ON!!!

Crafty Time Managment - Tania Style

Last night I found my time management skills.  I have a few projects on the go and because I am sooooo impatient I though I would do two things at once. 

I have been wanting to make a crochet roll for all my hooks - as this is a new craft I am into thanks to certain inspiring bloggers such as Lara - Thornberry - just from reading her site I have wanted to do some crochet - well I can certainly say that I am now finding heaps of projects that I want to do, but at the same time have to make sure they are in my capabilities as a beginner.  Also thanks to Lara's site I have joined Raverly - which has just kicked my addiction up a level as I am also learning knitting ( I have  ladies teaching both Knitting and Crochet at my shop - so advice is always around which is fantastic).

So last night as I was watching my new embroidery machine embellish the material that I am going to use for my crochet roll, I was crocheting my first project from Raverly - Float Away Scarf - I think I have made a couple of mistakes, but I am sure this is all part of the learining process - as long as it looks ok and keeps someones neck warm I will be happy with my attempt -

If you are into machine embroidery I found a fantastic site for designs at the most amazing prices - The Embroidery Library - This is where I got the designs for the paisley butterfly in the picture

This morning I decieded to make Ella (yes and me) some Chocolate Chip Biscuits - I must say they are from a packet mix - Ella wanted to help - and this is the first time she has licked the spoon - so I thought I wound capture the moment with a photo - when she was licking the spoon she said "Ohh Mummy I love this!"

Ella is turning three next Saturday and I have a picture of the Invitations  that I made on my Cricut Machine for her party - very cute - it will be a BBQ & Cupcake Affair!! - Can't Wait should be fun!!

Anyway there is one cookie left and I hear it calling my name - Jim is at work and Ella is having a nap - I will make the most of my ME time!!

Addictions

Well I must say that in the last couple of weeks I have really been doing alot of sewing - I can now see how addictive it can become -  But what is a girl to do when she has more than one addictive pursuit?

I am now officially addicted to

Lampwork Beading
Sewing
Crochet

How am I supposed to organise and divide my time and yes money between them?

I really don't have any answers - I think my shop is partly to blame as I have access daily to all the new craft books available - which is a nightmare - it really plays havoc with my brain cells!!

Anyway, I should really get to my post about what I did this weekend -

I have been looking around the forums and have seen alot of handbag organisers being made - so I wanted to do one as well - a bit of simple sewing was what I needed this weekend.

I found the tutorial here - but I might add that there is a bit of a mistake - when it says cut 1 from the fabric - you actually need 2 - one from the outside fabric and one from the inside fabric.

I added some ribbon so that I could tie it up so it stayed closed

Very simple to make and you can customise the divisions to your needs.

Baa Baa Sheep Beads

Last night I finished a set of beads that I really love - I love the colour and fun that these bead ooze.  I am going to list them on etsy tonight - I was going to make my bag in the second last post my first listing on etsy, but I think it is going to my sister in law for an upcoming birthday present.  So tonight I will be trying to work out my etsy shop - If anyone has any pointers let me know - I currently use ebay and oztion for my shop stuff - buy etsy is going to be for my creative outlet.