New November Knits From Schooner House

Hey guys, once again I've been busy knitting myself silly. On the upside though I've figured out how to make fingerless gloves. They're my greatest creation since the slipper socks!

Mustard Yellow Fingerless Gloves

I also made a grey pair as a custom order for a lady in my neighbourhood and I've also been making some new quote cards...

Though Lovers Be Lost, Love Shall Not

Isn't Life A Terrible Thing, Thank God?

I've finally created a Facebook page for my Etsy shop Schooner House so if you like what you see, pop over and check it out. I'm trying to spread the message that there are so many of us independent makers and creators out there who are pouring all our time and energy into these handmade creations. So please think of us as you do your Christmas shopping this year!

Oh and I've finally finished that embroidery that I was doing for our friend Joeley. At times I did feel like going down to the seas again....and walking straight into it! Haha nah, I am glad it's finished though. Can't wait to see it when it's been framed.

oxoxo

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New Makes: Hand Knitted Slipper Socks

Hello all! I have a rather woolly, self promoting post for you today!

As, dare I say it, Christmas is approaching, I've been knitting myself silly! My latest product are these cute as hell slipper socks. They're little toasty toe warmers and are so fun to make. I've been making them with a bar strap across the ankle which fastens with a lovely little button. I just think they're so cute!

I'm hoping at least some of you will think the same! They're prefect little stocking fillers that the non knitters out there could even pass off as your own so if you're interested in these kinds of things I'd be very grateful if you'd consider mine. You can pop over and check them out at Schooner House.

Blue Speckled Slipper Socks

Orange Alpaca Wool Slipper Socks

Brown Slipper Socks

I'm in the process of knitting a fourth pair in a cream wool which should be lovely. Also, don't forget I've also got a few pairs of actual socks in the shop.

When I've not been knitting I've been working on an embroidery I've been commissioned to do. It's of the poem Sea Fever by John Masefield and it's fairly large as she wanted all three verses doing. I've just got to finish the border and put the title in and it'll be done, just in time hopefully! Here's a pic of my progress so far.

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Life Lately: October '15

Wow, crikey it's been a while! Kind of dropped off the radar a bit there didn't I?! I realise there have been a fair few Project 365's that I've missed since being back from our holiday and instead of trying to back date them all I'm going to bundle them into a 'Life Lately' post - I've not done one of these since just before moving into our first flat!

We had a charity bike ride at work (something I had to recruit everyone for as the 'Great Place To Work' rep) and well only me, Nia and the manager from our store actually did it so that shows how persuasive I am. Oh well, there were loads more from other stores doing it and it ended up being a really fun ride. I could get into it.

I've been busy knitting socks and putting them in my Etsy shop. Even though it's October it's actually been quite warm recently but we're still definitely in knit season! Here are a few of them from Schooner House. Check them out, I'd love to hear what you think.

  

We had a Macmillan coffee morning at work the other week and it was glorious. It was only for us colleagues rather than for customers too so there was loads of cake for days!

The whole family was invited round to my brother's house recently for what ended up being one hell of a family day as you can see! These are all my brothers and cousins and their wives and kids.

Look what a kind person from our neighbourhood was giving away! We had to recruit some friends to help us move it, one woman with a van and after taking two doors completely out of their frames we finally got it in. It's a bit out of tune but hell, it sounds good to me. I've actually been writing a lot lately and have so far conjured up two songs that I'm actually really happy with. I think I'm gonna go and record them when they're ready. 

That's pretty much all I can remember of what's happened since we've been back from Italy. If you didn't see our holiday photo's they're here and here. Other than that we've both just been working. I'm currently the baker as our permanent baker is off having reconstructive knee surgery and to be honest I'd rather be him than have to deal with ravenous students during a bloody cookie promotion! It's chaos trying to keep up!

oxoxo

The Creative Directory: Prints N Patterns

 

PRINTS N PATTERNS

 

In a sentence:

Take an inherited vintage sewing machine, a love of striking fabrics and of course a hell of a lot of time and you get the handmade pouches and of Prints N Patterns.  

 

 

Sample the goods:



Red Chevron Herringbone Large Cosmetic Pouch

 



A pair of coin purses

Brita Sweden Foxes Fabric Pouch

    Seigaiha Indigo Print Pouch

Kokka Japanese Fabric Stamped Ellen Luckett Baker Pouch

Blue Elephants by Kokka Pencil Case

 My favourite:

Lined Paper Fabric Pencil Case

I really like this one because at first sight I thought it was just an unusual fabric made into a pouch but it's actually been machine embroidered to look like lined paper and then the message has been hand stitched on. How quirky! It's such a good idea and looks fab.


Why:
Yoke is from Singapore and like many of us, has sat down at her sewing machine and created something from nothing. That something ended up being these bright and brilliant pouches and bags. They're made with fabrics by different designers and are chosen for their bold and colourful patterns.
They've naturally become very popular and so she's been shipping them off all over the world. So hello independent maker, consider yourself supported!

 

 Where you can find her:

 

Etsy

Facebook

The Creative Directory: Fifi Sweetpea

 

Fifi Sweetpea

 

In a sentence:

'Happiness is handmade' in the form of crocheted bees, ladybirds, coasters and cacti!

 

 

Sample the goods:

Bumblebee Brooch

 

Cactus Pincushion

Ladybird Brooch

 

 

 

Set of 4 colourful coasters

Set of 4 pastel coasters

 

My Favourite:

 

Well apart from the bumblebee brooch (which is also available with non-googly eyes), it's got to be this little beauty...

 



 

Cactus brooch! I get compliments about it all the time, the most recent one being "Ooh I like your pickle!" Lol what? I suppose they're not that dissimilar! Like I've said before, this one isn't currently listed but she'd be more than happy to do a custom order if you'd like one.

She's also working on these cool hair clips at the moment.

 

 

Why:

I know too well since I've started making my embroideries how much time goes into something handmade like this. Something small and delicate takes time and patience and when you see the finished product of your efforts, it's amazing!

 

 

PS You can see my previous post on Fifi Sweetpea here.

 

 

 

Where you can find her:

Etsy

Twitter

Facebook

 

 

 

oxoxo

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas Wish List

1. This blouse, just wow. I have a clutch bag with the same pattern on.

2. Looove this clutch bag. Very chic and stylish. 

3. This dress is just asking for an outrageous beehive!

4. I found this shirt on Tumblr without a source. Ben searched high and low for me and although he couldn't find it he discovered that it's made by Tigresse. This would be such a good exploring outfit. 

5. I would love a set of Orla Kiely anything! This kitchen set is gorgeous.

6. I really like this illustration and there are more too. Check 'em out.

7. How cool are these trousers?!

8. Just this entire look.

9. How sweet is this mug. Unfortunately it's sold out but it's sold by Kibster and they have loads of other cool vintage homewares.

10. John Paul Miller the goldsmith. Unbelievable. There are so many more that are just as astounding too. I'd have any and all.

What's on your Christmas wish list this year?

oxoxo

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Snapshots from July 2014

Cute stickers, you'll be the death of me! I found the loveliest little kitchen stickers (along with a whole stack of others) plus a stamp. Now everyone will find my birthday cards to them even more insufferable, hah!

Stink bug! Found this little guy in the middle of the pavement and quickly proceeded to drop everything in pursuit of him. It was even harder to snap him in focus - he was fast!

Opened my Etsy shop Schooner House and finally put my cards up for sale. If I'd written a list of goals for this year, this would be a major one I could cross off now. I'm so happy to finally be sharing my work. Got some new designs going in soon too!

Now that's some gooood eatin'.

Also, I made a lemon meringue pie that was actually successful! I can't believe how good it was. It was the practise run for the one I'm gonna make for our anniversary gathering later this month.

My well known love of cacti seems to know no limits. The collection has grown with the latest one (a gift from mum) being the cutest, tiniest little thing. It's practically polka dotted!

Also new is the antique 'kakteen' print that got lost in the mail for 4 months.

And finally, my sister went on holiday to Tenerife which is apparently covered in them. "You'd have been in cactus heaven Charlotte." She brought us back some marmalade made from their fruit, prickly pears!

The heatwave we've had this month has been amazing, not like English weather at all. With all that's gone off in the city - The Tour De France, Tramlines festival etc - I've been outside a hell of a lot and my favourite post from this month is from one of those outdoors days:

A Mini Ramble

Hope you've all had a brill July too. If you want to see more you can follow me on instagram. 

oxoxo