Sunday 27 December 2015

What's New for 2016 ?!? Snazzy New Arrivals Coming Very Soon!

Hey there! So while everyone else has been busy getting ready for Christmas in the background I have been creating new things for 2016!! It's all very exciting as I want to totally revamp Sarah's Simply Handmade - making more contemporary gifts for next year .......... I thought I would share a little preview with you ahead of the January launch ....



I wrote down 4 words & 4 categories on a blank piece of paper and started from there ....
  • GLAMOROUS                
  • SASSY
  • CUTE
  • SPARKLE
 ________________________________________________________

  • STATIONERY
  • GIFTS & ACCESSORIES
  • HOME DECOR & ACCESSORIES
  • CHILDREN'S GIFTS
I sort of have 5 categories really because I am still going to be making the beautiful handmade greeting cards as they always seem to be very popular. The plan is to keep a really tight but perfect limited series of products that all compliment one and other.

My first job was to completely change the fabrics I have been using - I am having a massive fabric clearance to sell all the Tilda shabby chic floral fabrics (for those of you that love Tilda fear not I have kept a few that will fit in with and compliment the new ranges). Essentially though I am going to be using 3 new types of fabric - felt, glitter & faux leather to create all the new pieces.

STATIONERY

You will know that I LOVE stationery! so it made sense to create my own little range to share with you! I have NOTEBOOKS covered in fabric & handmade mulberry paper in some pretty cool colours, some of these have my new 'sassy slogans' on them which I have digitally created myself using cool backgrounds, fonts with some of the most popular sayings. Also in the stationery range will be my new collection of PENCIL CASES in fabulous glitter fabric with little felt hearts on the front (who said stationery had to be dull?!?), handmade DECORATED PAPER CLIPS that can be also be used as planner accessories or bookmarks, MAGNETS with more of my 'sassy slogans', jotter pads covered in the beautiful mulberry paper & in little fabric wallets to pop in your handbag. I have also ordered in some pretty stationery accessories carefully picked to go with my handmade range including sets of PENCILS that I have had foil printed by another local UK based small business to my designs, some very PRETTY PENS in a variety of ink colours and of course you will need WASHI TAPE & STICKERS for your planners and notebooks.


ACCESSORIES & GIFTS

I'm sure this range will evolve but at the moment I have stuck to three items - fab new MAKE UP BAGS all made in the gorgeous new faux leather & glitter fabric with felt linings with felt lips on the front to decorate, little PURSES made in the same fabrics but with felt hrarts on the front and 2 different types of KEY RING - GLITTER & FELT HEARTS WITH CROWNS and some 'SASSY SLOGAN' KEY RINGS!! It really is going to be time to add some sparkle & glamour to your everyday life!!


HOME DECOR & ACCESSORIES

I have only just started to make the home decor range, but I'm aiming for CUTE with pretty little hanging ornaments for your home including HEARTS, OWLS & BIRDS. I'm also planning to make some cute and sparkly BUNTING to hang over mirrors, under shelves and over fireplaces etc. I will be making some longer GARLANDS that will add a lovely finishing touch to bedrooms, studies, craft rooms, children's rooms and living rooms. All of the new home range will be made using the glitter fabrics and felt plus I may add in some PAPER GARLANDS as well. Of course the MAGNETS will also fall in to the home range as well for use on fridges and memo boards etc,


CHILDREN'S GIFTS

I'm looking forwards to creating some super cuties for the kids but first I have to get everything CE tested if I'm going to make what I would like to make for you. I know so many crafters out there don't bother with the whole CE testing but if I'm going to do it I want to do it properly .... so at the moment I can't say too much except I have bought everything I need to start this collection I just need to check all the admin bits first but I promise you cute overload when I do!!

I know this is a big departure from my normal creative style but I feel the time is right to have a change. I have spent the last 3 years being true to the shabby chic / vintage style which I love so much but the reality is it just isn't as popular as it once was and as they say a change is as good as a rest!! A new year and new beginnings and I hope you will continue to follow and support me on my journey, I would love your feedback so do tell me what you think I'd love to hear from you .......


Sarah X








Friday 13 November 2015

Christmas Crafting at Sarah's Simply Handmade

Hey there !! - Wanna know how I made some of this year's Christmas Collection ....... !??! 

I have been putting together my Christmas 2015 collection -  Do you believe in the magic of Christmas ?!? These little 'I Believe' hanging decorations are one of my fave makes from the season.



At Christmastime more so than at other times of the year I enjoy letting my craft imagination go a little wild!  As well as a few items made at the helm of my trusty sewing machine I like to experiment and play with other crafts too ... I think it's good to change gear once in a while and it's got me thinking about how I might do things next year ...... (more on that in due course!) 

Well I don't care who you are, you certainly can't have Christmas without bunting! Every year I like to make a different style - and as my theme for this year's collection is 'Cute with a bit of Classic' I have tried to do both with this year's bunting .. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' .. I absolutely love that poem! 



Sometimes crafting is all about the little details & in this case the combination of a classic red gingham on rustic hessian flags with the addition of jingle bells to the end flags on the bunting completely finish it off perfectly to make sure it will look good in anyone's home.

Before I leave the sewing machine behind & show you some brand new Christmas crafts for me, I have combined sewing & word art with these adorable hanging decorations .. I've made a few all with different Christmas words on them! Of course I couldn't leave the comfort of my sewing maching without making traditional stockings too - this year I have been able to personalise them using felt initials on a backdrop of beautiful linen with fleece cuffs to make a really pretty magical looking stocking to hang up on Christmas Eve ...

Let's have a look at something different that anyone can do at home ...

I have been playing with polymer clay for the first time and was surprised at how easy it is to make really effective Christmas Decorations. All you need is a few cookie cutters, some lace doilies, some stamps, jingle bells, ribbon & a little imagination! 


Cute Factor!

You can't get much cuter than these .. I have adapted my regular best selling felt mice to have a Christmas feel and named them 'Jingle' as a special edition . For Christmas Eve you can't get any more magical than the Santa's Magic Key, I found these perfect little Santa style velvet pouches, created a Santa's Key poem layout & printed it out on to a label, attached a bronze key, jingle bell & ribbon to add that special touch! I also have 'Reindeer Food' available in the 'Christmas Shop' to make the perfect Christmas Eve Set.



This year I decided to test my hand sewing skills (I'll let you decide how successful that was!!) and made a collection of 6 different types of cute felt decorations to hang on the tree, these include Father Christmas himself, the Cheeky little Elves, Xmas puds, Snowmen baubles, little Reindeer & of course you can't have Christmas without the odd little gingerbread man making an appearance!


The trick I discovered with these was not to cut corners but think about how I was going to decorate them with buttons & stitching to ensure they weren't just 'another' felt decoration but something special.

Paper Crafts

I love having a play with paper crafting & combining it with other materials to come up with something original. I have made the cutest Peg Doll Doily Angels (below) to hang on the tree, these are very delicate, and have lovely little touches like the felt wings with a bit of glittery sparkle & little adhesive gems placed on the doilies of her dress so that they will sparkle from the lights on the Christmas tree. 


One day in hunting about in my craft room I found some old music sheets that I had left over from the confetti cones I was making during wedding season and put them aside to use for Christmas not entirely sure what I was actually going to do with them at the time. Finally I decided on these pretty musical tree decorations (above). I cut out a template and then glued two cut out sheets together to give them some added strength, punched a hole in the top for the ribbon to hang, added a jingle bell to give them a musical element & added glitter all around the edges to again catch the lights from the tree and bring some sparkle. I'm really pleased with the results and hope everyone's going to love these.

And Finally ....... Some Upcycling 

For those who are a bit 'Bah Humbug' over the festive season, I decided during the Summer to create these fun little jars of mints. Using kilner jars I had left over from another project I painted & sealed the lids in red paint, created little black labels for the top & front & filled the jars full of mint humbugs, and added some red gingham ribbon to add a touch of Christmas to the jars. I love results of these as I think they definitely make a fun gift / stocking filler for all the 'Bah Humbugs' out there! 

I hope you've enjoyed this little Christmas crafting blog, I can't share all my secrets of course but I hope it gives you an idea of some of the work that goes in to making these collections and the thoughts behind them. Maybe I've even given you some ideas to make some Christmas crafts of your own at home or if you're not a crafty type but love everything handmade you can find everything in the blog and whole lot more in my Christmas shop on the website

And Don't Forget .......... !

Enjoy & Ho! Ho! Ho! 

Sarah X

PS .. Is it too early for this? LOL 











Wednesday 2 September 2015

Take a Virtual Tour of My New Craft Room & Get some ideas for Your Hobby Room!

Afternoon! So having posted my 'craft room mood board blog' this is it! I've finally got mine together! Let's see how I got on and how close to my mood board I came?!?
I wanted to keep to a pastel pink, teal, cream, white colour palette with some rustic additions. The hardest part was getting the perfect storage solutions as my new craft room is quite teeny tiny - so I need to be organised in there to be able to keep it looking nice and tidy and lovely at all times!
I've tried to make sure every corner has pretty touches ...
Ths corner is dedicated to Tilda mainly .. with the drawers in the units filled with gorgeous Tilda fabrics, and using some of the fabulous Tilda fat quarter storage boxes and tins, I've managed to fit everything in perfectly .....beautiful Tilda Fat quarters, ribbons, buttons etc plus I've hidden odd bits away in the pretty tins so that none of the 'mess' is on show! You will also spot my trusty Big Shot which I love it's great for die cutting papers, felt and even gets through the Tilda fabrics if you send it back and forward a few times - perfect for applique details etc.
The corner to the left of my sewing table has all my everyday bits and bobs, pretty silk ribbons, and hidden in the Tilda tins and storage boxes are zips, charms, more themed ribbons, trimmings and more! In the unit drawers beside my workstation are all the practicals - glue guns, threads, things to make things in to (following that?!? ....... bags of lavender etc) and all my craft books. All hidden away keeping the overall look consistent and of course rather lovely and inspiring! Here's my workstation from another angle to get perspective of how all the everyday bits sit together and provide me with everything I need in easy reach while still looking nice!
I have an awkward space in my craft room too but by getting some clever storage units I have been able to hide away more bits and pieces and make good use of the space. I've added my little tree to the space that I take to craft fairs with some mini bunting displayed to add a little finishing touch!
So now for the fun bit all the pretty details that I have used - hopefully some of you reading this will find some inspiration with ideas for your own hobby rooms!

Ribbon Holders & Storage boxes and tins to hide all the messy bits leaving you with everything neat and tidy, looking good & easy to find ...
I had a couple of storage hampers and some pretty baskets - I have used the hampers to keep all the bits for my Big Shot - lots of dies etc + other felt pieces. All my felt rolls are easy to see in the basket with my little project basket hidden in to the crate.
 Here's that awkward corner I was mentioning! It really is a pain of a space but hopefully with these wicker units I've managed to utilise it to best advantage!
 Buttons & beads have been placed in sweetie jars and placed on these cute rustic heart shelves just above my sewing table for easy access & they also add some much needed colour to the walls! so pretty much practically perfect in every way!
 Tilda fat quarters, ribbons & lace are all kept neatly in some of the Tilda storage display boxes, and I found this super cute little sign that says 'Fairies sleep here' and I think the perfect place for them to get all cosy would be amongst the beautiful fat quarters! I bet they go to sleep with a smile on their face every night !!
 My lovely patchwork picture I made for myself ...... made from all of my fave Tilda fabrics so I can see them everyday for an inspired sigh!

Close up of the Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine - jolly decent of them to make it in colours that fit in perfectly with my craft room theme don't you think?!
 I always use the pin cushion sewing kit jar for my every day pin cushion it's so convenient to use. (Want one of your own? - check out the website!) It's filled with my beautiful Tilda pins in teal and pink hearts! You HAVE to have pretty pins it's the RULE! tee hee!
 Hidden amongst the pretty storage tins and boxes are odd themed ribbons, zips, trimmings etc - all the bits that get really messy now looking nice and tidy!
 Ribbons!! - My name is Sarah and I'm addicted to ribbons (if you hadn't noticed) !!
 Got lots of little small things? in these smaller tins are hidden away charms, key fobs, jump rings and all the little bits that get lost .... not any more!
 I love my Tilda ribbon holders ..... that is all! X
 I bought this memo board from Next ages ago and love it .... brings a touch of the rustic with the perfect amount of practical, once I get back in to full swing hopefully it will be refilled with all your orders as I work through them again!
 Of course my Tilda Sewing Box takes pride of place on my sewing table and to leave me with as much sewing place - only this and my sewing machine make it on to the actual sewing table!
 Co-ordinating tins, jars for all the little pretty bits of trimmings and lace...
 This picture appeared in one of Tilda's earlier books and I loved it so I had it blown up and made in to a poster, I've framed it in a plain wooden frame and added it as a little finishing touch to that awkward corner of mine!
 So that's it ....... I hope you like what I've done to the place and taken some ideas that you can use in your own hobby rooms along the way. All that's left to do is get back in there and back to work sewing my little heart out! And when I open the door this is what I will see - it really does bring a smile - little things keep me happy I'm afraid! LOL
 And once I'm sat down here with my faithful 'Brother' in front of me surrounded by loveliness I am sure it will help me make only beautiful and lovely things for all my customers!

Right ........ I better crack on then! thanks for taking a look around ......but now it's time to get making again ....... You can't keep me from sewing for too long ...... ! 

Sarah X

Monday 31 August 2015

Creating the Perfect Planner ......... Organise Your Life the Fun Way!

Planners are the the new craze coming over from America and it is pretty much a cross between scrapbooking and a filofax! Sounds perfect hey?!? Well I think so ... I have loved pretty stationery ever since I was a little girl always wanting funky pens, rubbers, notebooks etc and to be quite honest with you not much has changed! LOL

With my life now changing slightly I am going to have to juggle a part time job in marketing with my business 'Sarah's Simply Handmade' and that means being organised as we are about to go in to 'silly season' for us crafters leading up to Christmas so I have been looking at these planners for ages and I think I have found the perfect one for me! And here it is ......
Complete gorgeousness - right?? I found this amazing page on Facebook by 'Hearts by Emma' and pretty much landed in stationery heaven! So having spent an absurd amount of time on her Etsy page https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Heartsbyemma this beautiful little parcel of loveliness arrived in the post and today I have spent a wonderful couple of hours getting it ready to use!
If you are thinking about getting one here's what I have done to personalise mine and give it a little bit of Tilda magic too! Let's face it if I didn't add Tilda to my planner I don't think anyone would believe it was mine!

First up - gather all your goodies together, all the pretties and stickers you can think of, some Tilda papers, labels and embellishments, plus any extras - I needed contact sheets, to do lists and extra note paper in pretty pastel shades of course & some essential tools to help make it all happen! 
Start by organising your layout .... how you will use your diary/planner/organiser and don't forget to always add the 'smile' factor wherever you can! Most planners will come with a set of 'pretties' so it's up to you how you use them and embellish them. I wanted to smile every time I opened my planner so I cut to size the 'hello' velum that came with the planner and changed the original backing to one of my favourite Tilda designs ...
I then started putting in all the 'dashboards' (dividers) for all the categories I wanted in my planner beginning with the calender section. I want to feel inspired and motivated when I open my diary so I chose one of the velums that came with the planner, some Tilda paper cut to size, one of the pretty glitter crowns paper clips I also bought from 'Hearts by Emma'.
Next up the to do lists! There's bound to be plenty of those!! - the planner already has a main divider for this entitled 'Lists to Love' and some gorgeous papers for daily to do's etc but I needed an extra section to divide my two lives ...  Again I chose Tilda papers, one of the 'To Do' Stickers and a perfect quote card from my 'Hearts by Emma' bundle and because the Tilda papers are double sided I have 'fancied' up the back by adding a Winter Memories angel and some cute stickers I already had.

I'm sure I am going to need to write down lot of notes and ideas, the planner comes with a section called 'Write it Down', there's also another with beautiful papers for 'Memory Keeping'. Among these I have added an extra notes section. Using Tilda  papers, a delightful glittered pink crown paper clip (can paper clips be delghtful!??! ..... probably!) and another quote card saying 'Here's the Story' ..
Everyone needs good contacts in business and in life! Whether it be friends, family, business contacts, stockists, suppliers - you name it we need them all in our lives ..... but only good ones! which is why I have purposely added the perfect quote card at the beginning of my contacts dashboard that says 'Don't let anyone ever dull your sparkle' that way I won't let any dull people make it in to my contacts section! I also included a pretty rose paper clip, more Tilda papers and on the reverse one of the Tilda angel dolls with a 'truly happy' post it - all our contacts should make us truly happy - right? 

With all the main sections now having their own personalised features I was able to work my way through the planner adding some more fun bits. Most planners will come with a new month section for your diaries - the ones in my planner were already gold foiled with the month but then just a plain white sheet which obviously just isn't good enough for us crafty planner types so I have added a little bit of Tilda paper craft embellishment on to each one to liven them up and get me in the mood for the month ahead!

For emergencies I have a spare paper clip, a Tilda paper dashboard card, a birdcage post it note and notepaper all adding to the general prettiness! 


And the big question .... did it actually close when I had added all my bits ??? ............ of course it did! LOL with it's beautiful pale pink leather tassle winking out of the bottom and the wonderful little tag that says 'Be Yourself' and my pretty sparkly pen neatly placed in the pen holder! 
And that is it! All I need to do now is 'add my life' whether that will be quite as perfect as my beautiful planner is another thing ..... but you know what? ...... it's a new start & new beginning for me that starts on September 1st and I'm going to give it a good go! ............ if you want to create your own perfect planner here's a few links that you might find useful ...... Good luck, Happy Planning & Enjoy!

Sarah X

                                           https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Heartsbyemma


The Happy Planner: http://www.thehomemakery.co.uk/stationery/mambi-happy-planner
                                                      http://www.meandmybigideas.com/create365-thehappyplanner/


















Monday 17 August 2015

Get Creative with an Inspiring Quote or Two!

I've always been a fan of inspirational signs and have a few scattered around my home one of my fave's is this one merrily hanging from my lovely shabby chic sideboard ......'The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time' which is exactly how I can justify my little coffee break sat here sharing my favourite little quotes with you!


Of course this being a crafty blog & me being a big fan of sewing I have a few classics I love to use and share these on my social network pages from time to time. I think I do actually feel that 'My Soul is Fed with Needle & Thread' ~ sometimes I really do think I have a sewing addiction .......hey ho! 

and of course you can't actually be a sewing addict without having a bit of a fabric problem! For any of you that feel like it's your birthday or Christmas every time you 'have' to buy more fabric (or even look at it/ stroke it ..... feel free to add your own!!) or come across a print in just the perfect design, colour palette and texture this one's especially for you ... I am definitely guilty as charged !!


Also on my quest for the perfect crafty quotes I found these super cute vintage ones ..... I hope people know that when us crafters make something for someone we don't just put it together we do wish & wish that they are going to love it and know how much love has gone in to making it for them.


Clearly some of you out there don't just make for love but like me have turned your hobby into your own little business however big or small and so to us buying handmade is important otherwise we would be out of a job and just have a room full of stuff because we can't stop making things! I'm really tempted sometimes to print out this next little 'quote' and pop on my craft fair tables - I wonder if it would make customers stop and think why something costs what it does and how much of your time, effort, love & individual creativity has gone in to making each piece? Of course I don't display it for fear of driving people away but really we all should?!


Here's a few more that I use and are always are a quick fix for getting the message across:

I think that last one is particularly poignant - I wonder if people realise how much a metre of fabric actually costs? I blame the high street for buying in bulk and selling at crazy prices that stop customers realising how much these things we create actually cost! 

Since crafting I have met a lovely lady on Facebook called Annie who is the 'Queen of Quotes' and inspiration over at Birdcages and Butterflies (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Birdcages-Butterflies/296408816435?fref=ts) I love her style and she always seems to choose just the right words ...... if you're reading this and also use Facebook definitely pop over and say hello, like her page and enjoy seeing her inspirations and work come up in your newsfeed.


As crafters we all know how 'messy' the creative process can be sometimes with buttons, ribbon & goodness knows what else all strewn about in the craziness of creating just the perfect look and getting just the right 'addition' to make the perfect creation and so my next quote is always a fave and should be put out there at least once a week!

And when the family, the housework or some other lesser distraction is calling there's no other option but to shut the door and hide it all! ha ha! I'm sure we can all relate to this one! 

Ultimately though being inspired and creating things is a way of life, if the quotes have helped or made you smile that's good enough for me as after all 'Craftiness is Happiness' .............


Sarah X