Claire's Blog

{a little glimpse}

Claire — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:36:55 +0000

This week we’re clearing a little patch of garden for the girls to have a nice little play house. Just a few more plants to move then we can start digging it over!

A sketch, photo, or work in progress. A little glimpse into the way we work or what we’re working on. Keeping creative and sharing the goodness.

Yellow Moon Review

Claire — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:50:28 +0000

I know, I know! We got our latest box of goodies from Yellow Moon AGES ago. We opened the box straight away and even made our first things that same day!

So here we go. We got flower buttons, glitter glue, pom poms, butterfly foam stickers, British bird foam stickers, water colour paints and brushes, pastel papers AND plastic sewing needles. PHEW! what a lot of lovely stuff!

First up the flower buttons. I had a load of elastic left over from Mini’s birthday masks so immediately thought BUTTON BRACELETS! I could have done with using thinner elastic to thread through the holes as the smalls couldn’t quite manage it on their own.

I made one for both of the girls and myself! The girls nursery thought it was a great idea too so will be making them soon!

Pom poms, glue, googly eyes and a 2 year old and what do you have…

…easter chicks of course and a caterpillar!

I know I rave about foam stickers all. The. Time. But, you know, they’re really are great. Especially for younger small people and we wanted to make birthday cards. The British bird foam stickers were perfect for Grampy’s birthday cards. Look at that cheeky face!

Now after raving about foam stickers I have a new product to rave about. Water colour paints. They’re great. No really, they’re better than foam stickers for the almost 4 year old. She loves painting and I hate the mess that poster paints make. We usually save that sort of thing when there’s family visiting and lots of help on hand, or for sunny days when we can go out in the garden with rolls of lining paper and end up with footprints all over the patio! I’m getting side-tracked….These are the best thing ever! Nice little paints, good bright colours, compact, nice brushes too and only £2.50 for the paint tin. H loves them. We’ve been painting lots of birthday cards and pictures and she’s turning into quite the talented painter!

This is a picture of her (left) and one of her nursery teachers as a little leaving card.

I had a little go too! They’re nice to paint with and I really enjoyed it. We had them out again today for a little more card making. I think I’m going to have to order some more, not just for us but as presents for little friends too!

The pastel paper and glitter glues have been used for pretty drawings, many of which appear on our cupboard doors. As for the sewing needles, H has shown interest in sewing *happy dance* so I’m going to get some plastic canvas and let her loose on my wool stash!

***Disclaimer: All of these products were sent to us by Yellow Moon for review. Views and opinions are entirely my own***

A Winning Streak!

Claire — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:19:46 +0000

It all started a few weeks ago when I won some HAPPY POST from The Green Gables. Every Thursday over on facebook, Gabrielle gives the opportunity for one lucky person to receive a bundle of happy post; letter box karma!

I received this lovely little parcel, including one of their brand new letter writing sets! But what I really love is Gabrielle has a stationery club! Just imagine receiving a parcel of beautiful eco-stationery every month! I’d certainly have to write more letters (maybe to myself so I can keep them all!).

I also won one of Ruth’s lovely scrap packs from The Polished Button in her pre-launch-week-facebook-giveaways. You can get them from the website for a very reasonable £2.50 and there’s a choice of colour theme!

Finally, last week I only went and won this gorgeous bundle of stationery from Moobaacluck. I’m not showing one of the cards from the bundle here as it may be a wedding card and it may be being given at the end of the month!

Now I think I’m going to go and buy us a lottery ticket to see if this winning streak can continue a little longer!

{a little glimpse}

Claire — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:56:01 +0000

{patchwork doll bed set being made}

A sketch, photo, or work in progress. A little glimpse into the way we work or what we’re working on. Keeping creative and sharing the goodness.

New Things!

Claire — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:57:44 +0000

New birthday card colour combinations! £3 each.

*** NEW *** Colouring/arty carry set! I’m really proud of this!

I was asked by a friend to design something for her little girl to house an A5 sized pad/colouring book, a set of 12 colouring pencils and an extra little pocket for a drawing pencil. It’s something that has been on my own ‘must make’ list for a while now so having someone ask me for one was just the kick up the bottom I needed to actually get into pattern making mode.

Did I say how pleased I am with the finished product!?

This is V2.1. V1 didn’t have handles and wasn’t quite big enough for 13 little pockets. V2 had the handles but the flap was just a bit wrong on one side, not a HUGE adjustment but a necessary one to stop me knowing it wasn’t quite perfect. Some people say I’m too fussy! I wouldn’t want to expose you to an inferior product! The contents were supplied by the friend so I’m working on sourcing some good quality A5 pads and felt pens/pencils.

If anything takes your fancy you can email me: claire@paynedesign.co.uk

{a little glimpse}

Claire — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:43:14 +0000

{1-2-3-4-5 once I caught a fish alive}

A sketch, photo, or work in progress. A little glimpse into the way we work or what we’re working on. Keeping creative and sharing the goodness.

A lovely weekend :)

Claire — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:44:30 +0000

We’ve just got back from a nice weekend at the in-laws. It was the bank holiday here in the UK and, wait for it, we had GLORIOUS weather! Here’s a few snap shots…

Inspecting Grampy’s flowers.

East Somerset Railway.

On the train with their bears and homemade activity sheets. We had to spot a signal, a tunnel and a giraffe(!).

Playing after our picnic.

Obligatory park visit!

Hattie Approved

Claire — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:08:27 +0000

My top critics have been checking out this weeks finished personalised PE bags…

These are hot off the sewing machine and have now made it to their new homes.

I really can’t decide which of these fabrics I like best. Ann Kelle is one of my favourite designers when it comes to fun kids prints. I think I may be in love with them all!

even the really pink ones….!

Details on how to order yours can be found HERE

{a little glimpse}

Claire — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:30:36 +0000

{more gardening}

A sketch, photo, or work in progress. A little glimpse into the way we work or what we’re working on. Keeping creative and sharing the goodness.

Introducing: The Polished Button

Claire — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:27:30 +0000

The Polished Button, home of vintage inspired sewing, launches its website on May 1st.

Designed with the vintage loving sewer in mind, The Polished Button stocks everything from 1940′s style cotton prints to genuine 1960′s buttons and various sewing patterns evoking a sense of the past. Also home to some of the leading independent pattern designers such as Colette, Eliza M and Sewaholic, The Polished Button is a one stop shop for all the vintage stitcher’s needs.

{cute vintage vogue dress pattern}

Created by former costume designer and vintage clothing dealer Ruth Bagnall, the website targets a gap in the market for people who love both vintage and crafting. By sourcing the very best vintage and vintage inspired products, Ruth has been able to create a complete sewing experience.

{set 3 1930′s red floral buttons}

Ruth’s shop is a treasure trove of pretty vintage buttons, cute handmade fabric buttons, lace, ribbon and trims.

{handmade strawberry fabric covered buttons}

{blue and yellow floral print fabric, perfect for summer skirts?}

{Sewaholic ‘Crescent’ 1950′s style skirt}

Hoping to appeal to home sewers and crafters through to costume designers and historical re-enactors, The Polished Button strives to offer only the very best in vintage and vintage inspired products, with a constantly changing selection of genuine and unique items at affordable prices. Backed by years of experience and a passion for great customer service, The Polished Button looks forward to opening its doors on May 1st

{remnant craft pack}

Pop along over to Ruth’s shop and say hello! I’ve shown you a few pretty things from my wish list, now, what would you buy???

All photographs used with permission from www.thepolishedbutton.co.uk