Festive Shopping - Visit Indigo Blue Designs

Hi

I am still here but I have been working hard at the day job and working equally hard on my Art textiles evening class.  Tonight I shall be handing my in first project for marking then I hope to get back to some blogging.

I also need to finish off my entry for the Chookyblue Christmas swap this coming half term break, which brings me on to online shopping.  I have been purchasing more from the Internet since taking on my evening class which generates homework.

 

So I thought I would be cheeky and put my webshop link here.  I will be honest that I have not promoted it in a very forceful way and I have had a sale on Etsy today, which I have all but given up with the site.  So I shall list a few now items ready for the festive season.

So here is the link:

www.indigo-stitched-designs.com

See if there is anything that could make an ideal one-off present or even a treat for yourself.

If you live in the UK I will accept a private cheque but it will have to clear before I sent anything, the same as you would for Ebay.

 

Has anyone finished their festive shopping already?

I have my cards ready to write but I will simply not do that until at least November so those going abroad will get there in time....but not before!

 

As I said I hope to be around more this coming week and to do my belated 5th Blogaversary giveaway which I clean forgot due to being up to my elbows in paint, sketchbook, fabric and threads.........bliss!

xx

Bag for all reasons.

I have been completing a few makes this past week and the sketchbook has been a bit more closed.

The above bag is made of fleece with hand cut applique flowers, stems and leaves plus hand stitched details with buttons to finish off.

The drawstring handles are made from 100% cotton cord.  The bag is not lined.  

This would make an ideal PE bag for school, it it washable at 40 degrees.  Turn it inside out to protect the design and buttons.  However, the best bit about fleece is that it does not need ironing if brought out of the machine and hung up.

This bag has been added to my website if you want to pop over and take a look.

There is more to post about over the coming week which will also be listed gradually.

Take care

xx

Winners of the Website Naming Comp

Back in January I ran a website naming competition.

I know it has been quite a while but due to being mucked around by ACM publishers who publish Sew Hip magazine plus other commitments it did take until April to really get going on it.

The website went live at the beginning of May and I decided on the name as a result of two people's suggestions who were fairly similar.

The final name is

Indigo-stitched Designs

and Lenna of Creative Lenna and Hayley of Gohandmade helped me to make my choice.

So if you could both send me an up to date mailing address I shall send you  both a prize.

Better late than never, sorry.

I am gradually adding items to the website which did take a while as I was having problems with my photos being too big.  I seem to have solved that for now.

  I have a big box of fat quarter fabric that I obtained which I hope will be of interest to you.  I think I shall be using some too.  I have also been adding some items to the Sample Sale section too which houses items that I make as examples for my classes or to try out one of my ideas.

I am also working on two PDF patterns with instructions and templates which can be bought  via email or you can purchase as a kit with materials, depending on what you have in your stash already.  I like to use up what I already have as well.  

Best be off as I am needed to help colour in a massive Mr Men drawing that Sophie has created.

If yo have been watching the Jubilee Celebrations you might like to add your location  etc on the previous post to see how far and wide we all are.

xx

Felt Book Cover - Indigo Stitched Designs

I have been waiting to list this felt book cover until the website was up and running.

It is a new design which includes hand cut felt, embroidery and brads to bring this design alive.

I love this green colour and use it quite a bit.

The cover is re-usable and will fit an A6 hard backed book.  I do have some spares which I shall be listing too.  Pop over and take a look at the other versions that I have listed.

www.indigo-stitched-designs.com

Happy Sunday.

xx

Japanese Kimono ribbon........So Cute

I have just added my first item to my web shop.  Most of what is there was added for me my the site designer, Piers.  I am new to Wordpress and to say that it has been sharp learning curve would not be an exaggeration.

It is a very cute grosgrain ribbon printed on one side.  I have yet to use some myself and I have so many ideas.  Sophie also has her eye on this as well.  I have not bought loads as I wanted to see what everyone thought of it.

The design is a good size.

I am not going to use this blog to plug everything like this but this is the first addition and I just love this ribbon.

I also wanted a bit of an escape as we have been doing a huge sort out of the garage, never a fun job and it is starting to get a bit cold out there.

xx

First web shop order!!!

I am really excited as I have just had my first web shop order come through for this lovely and unusual waxed ribbon tape.

Many thanks to Josie and I shall make sure that there is more than the quantity order as a thank you for being my first customer!

Have a good weekend.

xx

NEW Web Site Indigo Stitched Creations

ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Yipppeeee, my new web site is active.  You can now go and look at it and treat yourself or someone else.

www.indigo-stitched designs.

I decided on a Dot Com as I thought it would be picked up more easily by international customers and I have kept the "Indigo" theme  but added the "stitched" to make it clear what I do.

I have been ordering some supplies to go in sections of the web site and I have been making additional items to go in as well.

It will take time to evolve but I would like to be able to offer ideas as well so there will be some PDF down loadable patterns and instructions to use with supplies you already have or you can purchase them from me.

I would also like to appeal to younger crafters who are starting out and would like to buy small kits to try out a skill at prices that they can afford.  I do not intend to make my million with this web site and at the moment just paying for it upkeep and my invoices would be enough and then see where it goes.

The site is powered ny Word Press and I will confess that this is new to me and already I need to learn how to use a whole new site.  I have been using blogger for nearly 5 years so it is like starting all over again.

You do not have to buy anything but it would help me immensely if you could search for my site via google and click on it to help it rise up the rankings. I would be really grateful, thank you.

I will add a link to the top of this blog and discreetly post when any changes or additions have been made.

The postage and packaging is a minefield seeing as the prices have just been increased again.  My aim or crusade is to keep them as low as possible.  I have managed this on Etsy and my site is in pounds sterling.  The postage is a flat rate, the main packaging is new but I will recycle outer packaging where possible but your items will arrive clean and pristine.  I shall see how it goes over the coming months.

So please click click away to help get me up those google rankings.

Many thanks and I would be really interested in what you think or would like to see included or added as I enjoy the interactive aspect of blogging and I would like to keep that friendly atmosphere on my web site.  It is intended to have a link.

See you tomorrow.

xx

New Website...... nearly there

The website is nearly done, now just need to move items around and to add some goodies to create your own ideas.

I have some other projects that have not been featured on this blog  and the supplies will assist in the completion of those projects.

The new site will be called:

www.indigo-stitched-designs.com

My logo is there and a clean and easy layout.

Still some work to do but a prize for the comment left in January which helped me reach a decision on the name.

Back tomorrow with a post about my trip to the Tate Gallery in St Ives, Cornwall.

xx 

Birdie Book Cover OPAM 2012

Catching up with some items I made before I went away.  Gosh, is it really a week since we got back?  This is my latest Birdie Range felt book cover.  This time he has LEGS! (Or she if your prefer)

I wanted to add more hand stitched detail with this version.  This time chain stitch and running stitch.

A cheery little soul on a pink background. 

He would love a new home and will be added to the new website. 

Cheep! Cheep!

xx

Twittered Out!

I have hit a problem in my quest to set up my web site.  Whilst also getting an idea together before I email anyone, I have discovered that I can not access my Twitter account!

I know that you should not do this, but I did have the username and password written down but one does not work. I suspect it is the password.  So I asked to reset it and had to fathom out the weird verification codes which I struggle to see....with or without my glasses!

I was then asked for my phone number which I must have submitted when I signed up..........well I have tried out in my mobile AND my land line and it will not accept either of them.  

Yesterday I received an email from Twitter saying that they missed me because I had not twittered for a while...........well that is because I can not get in...can I?!

I can only think that I must have miss typed the number in the first place and not realised it.  So my twitter account will have to just sit there for a bit until I have a brainwave.  I was thinking about Facebook, I think my decision may have been made for me now.

Is Facebook easy to use and would you recommend setting up a page?

I am hoping that it will spread news of Indigo Blue. Absolutely none of my family are on Facebook, some of my friends are and then many bloggers are too.  So for me it would be for promotion mainly and an extension of this blog which I love writing and looking back on.

Website Name Competition

I have not forgotten this competition and I think that I have narrowed it down to three names.  All really good ideas too.  So thank you to the 16 of you who commented or emailed me.

I shall announce a winner once all is set up.

I am watching the new Winnie the Pooh DVD with Sophie and it is really good, especially Rabbit.  He is stuck down a pit and trying to get out and Piglet is no help at all, it really is funny.

Tomorrow I am off to get my new glasses, maybe it will help my spelling and typing on this blog...or maybe not.

Many thanks fofr the huge number of you who have visited this past week, I wish some of you would comment so that I can find you. 

Have a good weekend.

xx

Website Name Competition

Over the past year I have pondering about setting up a website.   I did dabble in this a few years ago. I have been considering whether to do a blogshop or a www website.  I have been spending the last few months investigating several options and tonight I have been looking at Create.

However, my question is......what shall I call it?

Shall I keep it Indigo Blue?  I have all of the stickers, labels etc as I have used this name since about 2008.

Shall I go for something else like "Stitched Creations" with a different colour scheme?

After all I do create items using a range of techniques such as the cushion above.

So here is what I thought we could do.

I was going to post a giveaway for my 4th blog anniversary last September but my Dad passed away then my 800th post but Tiger was very ill, plus work etc.  So I thought that now I could have a website site naming propsal Giveaway and do all three together.

All you need to do is leave a comment here with your suggestion.  Regulars will now what I make.  If you are not sure then there is a link to my Etsy shop (which could also do with a make over) and make a suggestion for a website name that suits what I make and feature on this blog and sell currently on Etsy.

You can enter as many times as you like but put a different suggstion in a different comment as the number generator will not recognise the number of suggestions you are making.

I will then use the number generator and pick a winner(s) and send a prize from my growing Giveaway Bag but it will be of a fabric-ribbon-magazine, useful lovely type of prize.

I will feature this tomorrow as I have just thought of this and not taken any pictures.

Anyone can take part.  You do not have to become a follower but it is an easy way to find the results post in your Dashboard to see if you have won.

So my creative friends get thinking and I am keen to see what you come up with.

Deadline for this is next Tuesday 31st January at midnight.

I shall post the prize pics tomorrow.  I also have some good news but I have to wait until tomorrow to tell you.

xx

Website shutdown??

I have had an email today telling me that my website is up for renewal and it will cost me approx £90.00 f0r the next 12 months. The initial set up cheap and I have not listed maybe as many items as I had hoped. I seemed to have craft fairs and I could not see the point in listing before I attended these. Problems with actually loading anything on some days, work and the list goes on. I have only sold 5 items and I am wondering if it is actually worth re-newing it, particularly in this financial climate that we are all experiencing. perhaps putting it all into Esty would be better or even trying an Ebay shop instead. Has anyone else been in a similar position or got any suggestions? I have worked hard on this website but perhaps I should cut my losses.

I was going to list the following items to try and stock the shop more.....

I think I will put them in Etsy instead. I was meant to have been taking part in a Christmas Fair in November but the date/time/venue details did not come through and it seemed to vanish. Nor is the Fair that we usually have at work.

The felt flower is a design that I came up with during the Summer whilst visiting my sister-in-law and I have been expanding on this to hopefully have a range of characters. The crochet brooches found their way into order boxes and giveaways so more were needed which I enjoyed making. The centre picture is a direct link to my City and Guilds and comes ready framed. The frame is a lovely brushed silver and I can not get hold of them anymore which is a pity. The theme is water, one that I really like creating to...

It is actually sunny outside so I am off to take some pictures to show you tomorrow and to give two hydrangeas a good prune before it is too late.

My Christmas Decoration Swap from Nannybird arrived on Friday and I am delighted with it. More on that when I have sorted all of the pictures out. Nan must has been crafting for days!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend, back tomorrow.

Any advice on the above would be greatly received and do not forget the giveaway on the previous post.

Take care all xx
PS: At long last I have just finished reading this...

Getting the hang of this.....

Listed first time, no hassle, swearing etc! (Big smile on face) Off to watch Strictly Come Dancing.

(Website)

Tutorial tomorrow.

Back to work too.

Take care

XX

At long last!!!

Yippee, I have finally succeeded in adding some items to my website. Indigo Blue There is a page where the correct title will not appear but at least everything else looks ok. Phew, because yesterday I had to upload a newer version of my internet provider and everything went completely wrong! I could not switch it on, then when it did it froze, then starting beeping at me and so on. Thought that I have mucked it up completely so do have a quick look and any advice or suggestions for items that you would like to see or would be useful to you to buy, then please let me now as I would be interested in all ideas. Much more will be added but every time I put it "under construction" it goes odd so I am going to leave it.

This is an example of what I have put on :

My own pin badges.

Will be a section on purses of different sizes etc.

Plus a range of craft related pin badges.

I think these would look great on a handmade card, especially if they are made detactable, it could then be truely personal for that crafty friend. I only have about 20 in all just to see how things go them I will get some more.

Eventually I want to offer a making up service or a UFO service where I finish the item for you if you are unable to etc. This is most likely to be soft furnishings or bags, but we shall see.

There are other ideas rattling around in my head (good job something is) and hopefully now I can move forward a little with it. This has been one of my aims for years then I changed tack for a while and started a family instead, and I if may say so Sophie is still the best thing I have made to date! Sorry, was that a bit corny? True though.

Well my eyes have just about had it and my other half has fallen asleep on the sofa, bless, so I think it is off to bed.

Bye

XX

P.S

I gave in to my 'only use my stash' promise for Sophie's quilt. I knew that I would need to get some fabric to make strips the separate the squares but Sophie spotted some lovely fabric (this girl has good taste) and wants to help a little with the making. She is going to come to my sewing group on Wednesday as there is no school the next day.

Website Up-date

I have little to report tonight except that I have decided to work on my website and make it accessible for people to look at until the weekend then put it 'under construction'.
take a look at the lovely and unusual computer mouse! Very tactile and lovely colour.

Google images
I am concerned that it has not progressed as quickly as I would have liked due to health probs which are now sorted out. If you have any thoughts, ideas etc I would love to hear them.

I do have this niffty felt purse that I made a couple of years ago and has been wrapped up carefully. I did make loads of these at one point, maybe it is time to revive it.
I use my crochet hook case so much that I am certainly going to make more and extend it for knitting needles.

I have nearly finished my knitted bag, just the handle to attach.
Enjoy the rest of the evening.
:-)

Website and Purses

Well.... due to prolonged ill health which is now sorted out, then Christmas, New Year, going back to work etc it sort of went on the back burner. I have been busy making things and looking for supplies to put on it and other services to offer, such as a making up service. So I have not given up on it at all.

Below are a couple of zipped purses that will be going on the website as well as others which I have yet to take pictures of:

This has been made from a crazy patchwork bag that I made and then changed my mind about it.

This zipped purse has been made from a good quality oil cloth apron. Both are fully lined and have a front pocket, fabric loop, split ring and canibarier clasp on it. (I think that is how you spell it.) Others have been made using many fabrics, one of my favourites is a zipped purse made from Kath Kidston fabric.

You may remember that this purse was made to go with my November entry on the U-handbag Amy Butler Bag competition. I have not entered since and I really must make up the next one. I have the pattern, just need the time.

I based all of these purses on a tutorial on U-handbag blog. The link is in the margin and it is really good, as is the whole blog and webshop.

I hope to have more photos of knitting and a felted bag that I think is in need of embellishment which I actually knitted and felted myself without damaging the bag or wrecking my washing machine!

First card sale on Ebay...

One of my handmade cards sold as a 'buy it now' on Ebay and until I have either fathomed out how to use E-junkie or set up my on website I shall list items on ebay. I have packaged it up nicely and I am really hopeing it does not get damaged in the post. It has Indigo Blue stickers etc on it as these handmade items are separate to other items listed. I have loads of cards, bags, book covers etc to list but I do find that aspect tedious and get distracted easily but this week I will do it even if it is just a few each evening.
My keyrings and button badges have transformed into these...

I intend to give these away with bigger orders (hopefully one day that may happen). I have already given some to friends who have had items made to find out what they thought and the feedback was positive but then they are trying to encourage me. I like the button badges and so does Sophie, who is after all my biggest fan.


I have also finished my charity squares and will send them off, I would have done more but I ran out of wool..

I really enjoyed doing these in the evening, little thought needed but doing something useful at the same time.
My exam marking is nearly done then it is report time so sewing will be confined to my sewing group on Wednesday this week and another evening presentation on Thursday... how long is it to Christmas? Getting everything done in time this year is going to be a bit tight me thinks...

More fabric book covers and fun with felt coming up..

Wet and Windy Week....

The weather has taken a turn for the worst and the darker evenings are definanately with us. Now, at this time of year when I get home from a long hard day all I want to do is... not a lot really even though part of me would very much like to sew, sew ,sew. Work is really rather taking over at the moment and I have just completed a presentation on my laptop, which I shall be giving tomorrow. So the never ending quilt has had to take a back seat, but I am determined to have it completed by half-term!! I have been asked to sell some of my hand made items at a Pamper Evening that we are holding at work next Friday and whatever is left will be put in the Etsy shop that I opened and then could not fill because of the above invite. I am going to take a collection of these...


Sophie is really looking forward to 'playing shops' for real lets hope someone helps us out with that bit and buys something!
I also have software to load so that I can set up my own website. That box has been sitting in my work room for over a month now and I am a little scared to do anything with it. I really want to set up a little business to channel my hobby and sewing into but.. well I think I shall bite the bullet, keep my fingers crossed and see what happens.

Last Saturday's visit to Sophie's first ballet lesson was successful, only watched to see what it was all about, but she wants to go again so watch this space. So I am now on the hunt for diddy bits of ballet clothes and an early rise on a Saturday morning. The joys of motherhood!

The postman brought another delivery from U-handbag with some supplies for me so that I can enter next months Amy Butler Challenge. Took a while to get here so I will have to get my skates on to make it. My own personal challenge is to use up some more of my stash. If you would like to now more about this challenge click on the u-handbag button which I managed to move into the margin this week.
Better get some beauty sleep. See you tomorrow.