Neglected Blog! .... and something completely different!

I have been hopelessly neglecting this blog ....again! Lot's of things have been happening here in the wet and rainy Lake District, our summer came and then went, came again and really hasn't appeared back again at all! I'm working more at the little local sewing shop, also doing some sewing work for a friend's small business so everything else has had to be slotted in whenever I've had the energy and time.....which doesn't seem to be a lot at the moment! I seem to have a list a mile long to get done and ideas keep popping out of nowhere so really must get down to making more and soon.

However, I haven't been completely idle on the making front, there have been a few new hooked items, and a couple of commissions been completed .... 

British Road sign - slightly tongue in cheek cushions!

British Road Sign cushion.

Earlier this month my big sister got married, unfortunately we were unable to go but as a gift I tried something completely new and ended up loving the result....I know I said I was going to concentrate on hand-hooking this year but you know, things change!! These will be available in my Etsy shop very soon! .....

Cute eh?

Another one done for the sewing shop display..

These come in 8" rings, on natural calico and will be priced at £20 each, and they would be lovely keepsakes not only for weddings but births, christenings and anything else you can think of! I'm also looking into packaging for these to make them extra special (something like the top picture). Staying on the theme of embroidery hoops, there will also be some name door hangings coming up soon...watch this space! With a commission for a personalised hand-hooked cushion in the immediate pipeline, these may have to wait a short while...

How long??

I know it's been ages again since I updated my blog...so here goes....

I've had a few sales on Etsy now with two Union Jack cushions winging their way over to America which has been fantastic, it has meant however that I've had to make more of them!! The plan was to make a blue and a pink version but I only got as far as finishing the blue which is now in my Etsy shop.

Up to now these have been made from wool offcuts from a carpet manufacturer but I've hit the problem now that I'm running low on certain colours so I think the next few weeks will be spent searching for another source. I really want to try and make as much from recycled / upcycled products as possible but we shall see if this is at all possible.

The next plan of action is to make some 'tongue in cheek' road sign cushions.....watch this space!

Also, completely off topic but some of you may be interested (!) - our family have had a bit of a re-think about what we really want to be doing in the future recently and we have started a new blog about our journey to becoming more green, more self-sufficient, less in debt and less dependent on unhealthy foods!! Please come and join us as I'm getting a bit bored talking to myself at the moment!! Journey To The Green Dream 

You're Welcome!

The next little project is now complete and up in my Etsy shop... a nice framed Welcome sign. I hand-hooked this a little while ago and just couldn't figure out what to do with it but I think this works!!

Etsy Rookie!!

Yes, it's official, I'm now an Etsian too!! It's only taken me a few months to decide (!) and I'm sure everyone on my Facebook is fed up with my indecision but now....it's done!! Come and have a look and let me know what you think...be kind!! WoollyLakes Etsy Shop

Here is just a sneaky pick of the few items I have on there at the moment, this will be added to as I make more..

Focus...

It's been a long while since I last wrote my blog, there's been a lot going on here, hubby has been ill with an unknown illness which is now hopefully going to be sorted, I guess this and the uncertainty of money and timescales have made me have a rethink about life in general and my business as well. I've been floundering around for a while, doing a bit of this and a bit of that with no real idea of what was coming next, so decisions needed to be made! So... as my business name is WoollyLakes,  that is what I will be focusing on in the near future...not the Lakes bit although this may come into it at some stage (!?) just the Woolly bit!! Also I really wanted to go down the 'recycled' route, using recycled, upcycled and re-useable materials as much as possible. The main focus of the business will be items made from recycled woollen fabric (jumpers, sweater, scarves etc) and hand hooked pictures / items made from recycled wool and hessian. Most of the items will be made solely from  recycled materials but where that isn't possible I will try to use upcycled fabric from clothing etc.  

PHEW!!! So on that note here is some work in progress....the first project will be the 'Love Britain' range of hand hooked hearts, cushions and wall hangings.....

Made from Hessian feed sacks and wool offcuts from a carpet manufacturer.