Website Problems

Apologies to anyone who has been trying to access my website lately. I've been having a few issues with it. I was trying to update it when it randomly went down. I got it back up and running again, only for it to go back down less than 6 hours later! Again, I managed to get it back after deleting some plugins and attempted to update it for the third time. Third time lucky you say? Nope! It is now down for the third time within 3 weeks!

I'm not really sure what keeps gong wrong with it, but it seems to be very tempramental. I'm doing my best to sort it out and get my website up and running again (permanently!).

In the meantime feel free to visit my Notonthehighstreet shop or keep up to date by following my Twitter or like my Facebook page.

xxx

Embroidered & Stamped Tags

As promised, some embroidery.

This first one has a simple stitched pattern around the edge.

For the second, I thought I would attempt some text, it reads 'it's what's inside that counts'.

I must say being used to stitching on fabric and then switching to card completely throws me! With free machine embroidery, I find it takes some warming up anyway, without the change in medium. Perhaps this may have worked better with a normal sewing foot.

Anyway, these tags add a great personal touch to any present. And the best part? You could make matching stamped wrapping paper!

Here's a little extra little peek at the idea of DIY wrapping paper to get your stamping juices flowing...

Enjoy! xxx

Tutorial: Rubber Stamps

Apologies for the late delivery of this tutorial. I've had a hectic January, but as they say, better late than never!

I decided to start with a rubber stamp tutorial after a run in with a BBC journalist, who was in the process of writing her second craft book. She asked about me about stamping techniques, but I think I shared one too many of my rubber stamping secrets because she replied with, 'that will be in the second book'. SO, I am marking my territory before it is published to the world by a person with more money and contacts than creativity. Ain't that always the way!

Anyway, onwards and upwards-lets get stamping!

Once your design is cut stamp stamp stamp away!

Hope you enjoy the end result. Keep your eyes peeled for the embroidery element and stamping ideas coming soon!

xxxxx

January so far...

The start of January has been a bit of a mixed bag, with the sudden death of my gangster kitty Rocky, my birthday & a wonderful trip to Istanbul.

Rocky had to be put down after having his ears got severely infected (months after they were removed due to cancer) and being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He was the gangster cat of my neighbourhood, beating up cats, foxes and dogs alike! However at home, it was a different story. He was a big softey inside- loving nothing more than curling up on your lap, purring (and dribbling due to having few teeth left from fights) as you stroked him. I'm sure he is happy, purring and dribbling in kitty heaven. R.I.P Rocky xxx

Next came my (dreaded) 25th birthday. I had planned quite a few things in order to distract me from the number-gathering my friends at my house, clubbing, a visit to Top Drawer, pub food and finally Istanbul! And I'm happy to report it worked! Istanbul provided the long over due cultural injection I needed. The mosques were amazing, the food was amazing, the snow was amazing-it was all amazing!

Not much in the way of work has happened due to all of these events coming one after another, but I am now back, a year older (and supposedly wiser) with my batteries fully charged! I am ready to jump back onto the work wagon. Bring it on! :)

...And a haaappyyy new yeeear!

Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year and got everything they asked for from Mr Clause. Anyway, seeing as it is that time of resolutions 'n' all, you will be happy to hear that one of my (many) resolutions this year is to be a better blogger! *Horray* This means that I will be more dedicated to my blogging and put more time and thought into my posts.

Another thing I REEEAAAALLY want to start doing here are tutorials. As a dedicated crafter, and someone who likes to hop from one project to the next, this is the perfect way of doing this. But here is the small twist-I am going to try to incorporate my beloved machine embroidery into every project. Hopefully by the end of the year, I will have had lots of hybrid craft objects!

My first one will be coming at you this very month, so watch out for it! This may be the start of something beautiful :)

xxx

Merry Xmas To All!

With all of my Christmas fairs done and dusted, I thought I would post a stitched festive image to get the Christmas merriment going.

Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas! xxx

I'm officially on Not On The High Street!

I was lucky enough to be accepted onto Not On The High Street. I have been busy snapping away my wares. My house has the worst lighting, zero white/empty surfaces and just generally far too much junk that is necessary. Photography hell in other words! I was lucky enough to be able to use my work place-the lovely Sew Over It as my photographing environment. The shop has plenty of light, white walls & tables and best of all, it's is full of sewing props to help with the lifestyle photography element! Photography heaven!

I can officially announce that they photos are finally uploaded and live on the site. Whoopie! Take a look here and let me know what you think x