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HELLO, AND WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

This is my little space in the world where I like to ramble on about what I've been making and other things I've been up to.

I do put a lot of hard work into everything I make so please do not use any content from this website without contacting me first.

You can email me at: claire[at]paynedesign[dot]co[dot]uk
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View Article  Competition Time...

I'm a horder and can never throw anything away, even the smallest piece of fabric could be useful one day! So, I thought I'd have a bit of a competition...whoever comes up with the best idea of something to make using this pile of scrap felt (30cm ruler for size reference!) will win a mystery prize!!! I'll get J to help me choose on saturday so get your thinking caps on.....then leave a comment on this post.

View Article  Somewhere over the Rainbow

After a weekend off I've been having a bit of a sew-fest. I got the next instalment in the weather series all blanket stitched, just one more to go then I can back them all and put them in the shop, so far we've had happy cloud, sad cloud and now rainbow...can you guess what is left? ;)

Also in the shop are a couple of new stick people brooches - I think I was having a mad moment last week and thought they would be a good idea(!), we'll have to wait and see. Speaking of my esty shop, ipod cases seem to have taken off a bit this week - I've sold 2 and had a query about another! Here are a few more things that will be added in the next day or so...

Pacman and a Mario Star. We're big fans of computer games in our house as J works in the industry. Ms Pacman has also been made this evening and will be photographed tomorrow. The Mario Star is a birthday present, but I'm not saying who for...just incase!! ;)

View Article  Weekend Catch-up

Our weekend was lovely. I took the weekend off from sewing to enjoy some quality time with hubby. We had a date - (book shopping and an early tea in Birmingham!) - on Saturday which was nice, I bought this book. We had trouble deciding whether to sit inside or out at the restaurant and decided on inside. A good decision really as 5 minutes after we sat down there was a massive downpour!

Sunday was a gorgeous sunny day so after I'd done the shopping we motored down the the 3 Counties show ground to have a mooch around the Malvern Spring Garden Show. Usually we go to Gardeners World Live at the NEC as it's the 3 miles away and the weekend after my birthday, I like to spend all my birthday money on pretty plants and useful garden gadgets, but we're busy this year so thought the Malvern Show would be a nice alternative. I didn't really buy much, J got a little acer which he is going to keep as a bonsai. There were some lovely plants but our garden needs a bit of work at the mo so thought we'd better leave it for now.

I'm back sewing this week. My top selling item in my Etsy Shop is this little tortuga brooch. I've sold 2 so far so making a few more to add. One today and another one later in the week. Over the weekend I've also sold a Tortoise ipod case so I've reached my 4 item target for this month. I can't believe how over-excited and obsessed I've got over my shop!!! No craft photos today but here are a few of our garden....and a little wooden duck orphan we rescued from Malvern - he now lives on our stairs window!

View Article  A Rude Awakening...

...okay, so not sooooo rude, but I was woken up by the postman! The only day I decide to have a lie in and I have a couple of parcels delivered - typical! Oh well, I got over it very quickly once I'd found my glasses and could actually see the parcels!

This little happy guy was on the front of one, so I knew what this was straight away! I managed to snap up this 'recycled packaging is happy packaging' original pieces of artwork from Rebecca's Etsy shop. Now all I need is a lovely frame to put it in! (and maybe take a better photo once I have!)

My second parcel was a big pile of fabric scraps from Heatherknitz. The greens are earmarked for a Christmas present (Christmas 2007!) that I haven't quite got around to making - but I think I'm ready to get started now. I hope you like these fabrics Ann?!?

I managed a little bit of sewing yesterday and made a prototype flower brooch, which then got approved by the girls at work. One of them said they'd like a pink one so I made that for her too after she'd chosen from my pinks! The weather is starting to brighten up here so I'm going to make a cup of tea and maybe start a bit of weeding in the garden before it gets too hot. Happy weekend! :)

View Article  As promised!

Here is what I made yesterday but forgot to photograph. 2 new fruity brooches that will be appearing in my etsy shop at some point before the weekend and an L plate keyring. I'm really pleased with how the orange and lemon have turned out!

I've now made a start on a few bigger projects and a bit of prototyping so I may post less often over the next week while I get them finished up. In the mean time I'm off to enjoy the rest of todays sunshine! :)

View Article  'Shroom Love

I've signed up for my first swap! I've had this tutorial bookmarked since I first saw it the other week and have been waiting for an excuse to make one when what do I see today but there is a toadstool swap! How exciting!

I did make a few things this afternoon but forgot to take photographs - instead we had the 1st BBQ of summer after I mowed the lawn! Photos tomorrow (of sewing projects, not BBQ) - OH!!! ALSO...I sold 2 brooches in my Etsy shop this morning! Last month (my first Etsy month) I sold 2 items. In May I'm aiming for 4 items so only have one more to go! The only trouble is since I've sold a few things I feel it fully justifies buying a few pretty things for me! Whoops! x

View Article  The sun has got his hat on...

...Typically, the weather is glorious once I'm back at work! BAH, so much for getting more seeds sewn over the bank holiday! To cheer myself up about being trapped in school with the heating still on (and all the windows wide open) and the temperature rising, I made a start on the second piece in my weather wall hanging, poor sad cloud :(

Last night I managed to knock up a few more of the flowery wrist pincushions and they are now in the shop. I have a few more pincushion ideas that I might make a start on this week. While I was pin-cushioning J finished off his latest little felt friend....BOB-OOM!

 I've done another to-list and seem to have about one million things I said I'd make for various friends/family, and another million of things I want to have a go at making! Selena - if you are reading this the PE bags are top of my list! hehe! Just thought I'd do a little post before I go to bed. Night all *wave*

View Article  May Bank Holiday

Today has been a nice relaxing day, no-where to go and no-one to see. Lots of time to get a few projects/orders done out of the way. After picking the boys up from the cattery I checked my email and was pleasantly surprised to have sold another brooch on Etsy! Here are a few photos...

Etsy Order ready to post

New flower gift tag set available in my etsy shop and a wrist pin cushion order for one of the girls at work.

I've also started knitting another chunky scarf ready for christmas and made an 18th birthday brooch for another girl at work. A productive day all round!

 

View Article  My best friends Wedding...

YAY! We're home again, and had a lovely weekend in York for Joy and Danny's wedding! Friday - family/friends meal. Saturday - THE WEDDING! Sunday - recovering, relaxing and getting home. The weather was perfect on the day, the name tags I made looked really good on Joy's homemade gingerbread men! I won't say too much more just give you a few photographs and wish Mr Danny and Mrs Joy all the happiness in the world! :)

Bedern Hall - Ceremony venue

Mr and Mrs!

Mrs Joy and Me

York Minster - for the photographs!

I always forget how much I like York in the spring. I have some lovely old photographs from when we were at university there (where J and I met!) with the minster behind some cherry blossom...I might have to see if I can find that now we have the scanner working again! The only trouble with York from spring to just after Christmas is the tourists ;)

I Promise I'll get a bit of crafting done tomorrow for a show and tell! Bye for now *wave*

View Article  Melons! Come get your juicy melons...

last night, while watching The Apprentice, I made a melon brooch and quite liked it. Today in my lunch break I made a couple of melon key rings. These are going to be added to my Etsy shop. Here is one of the key rings - the other is on my work keys to show off to everyone! The brooch is identical size - more photos on my Flickr. Speaking of the apprentice has anyone else seen Lego apprentice on youtube? Watch them all they're really funny! I'd buy a Lego apprentice set! :)

I won't be blogging 'til next week now as we're off up to York for Joy and Danny's wedding on Saturday - I'm chief bridesmaid/old maid(?!) and really looking forward to it. I love Joy and think she's great, her and Danny make a lovely couple! Jackie, if you don't manage to pop over I'll get J to take lots of photos to show you! xx