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Original poster

Weekly Challenge Thread (New one, can't find old one ????)

692 replies

Tillyboo · 11/10/2007 17:51

I don't know what's going on but this is the third post I've tried. If this fails I'm going to give up.

Anyway, I can't seem to find the old thread for some reason, my laptop is doing funny things so maybe it's at my end?

Anyway, I cannot see what you all have achieved so far this week but here is my blog with what I have done or you can have a peep in my profile but the pictures are quite diddy

OP posts:
Whizzz · 30/11/2007 16:26

not posted on here as basically I'm trying to get organised for school fair tomorrow. I have just got more of the yummy ocean jasper beads - everyone has commented on my bracelet & work have asked me to take in some stuff on Monday!
Am i going to have a last minute Christmas rush on ??!

Original poster
Tillyboo · 30/11/2007 22:11

GM & LK - I've been thinking about the product testing too because Notonthehighstreet have offered me a membership and I want to do things properly.

Does it give you any advice about the safety aspect etc. in the Craft Inc book ? I've found it on Amazon, is it worth investing in, looks v interesting and helpful.

I am sooooooo bunnied out at the moment but nearly there, just 4 more to go. But, I have just had another order for 4 more.

I've got the big Xmas Fayre at a posh school a week tomorrow so I need to make more stuff for that too. I'm knacky pooed .....

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lucykate · 30/11/2007 23:46

found some info about safety and selling handmade dolls/toys that might help

Gingermonkey · 01/12/2007 00:17

LK I've book marked that - it looks very useful. Thank you very much.

TB - no, the craft inc book doesn't have anything about kite marks (maybe because it's a US book?) It is a really good book though, some very helpful hints in it, and some which are probably not very useful as well, but interesting. I am dipping in and out of it at the mo, I need to give it a proper read at some point. Put it on your christmas list!

Well, another christmas fair tomorrow at another posh school, although after the one last week I am not holding my breath for it to be a success!!!! Apparently the school took 8 grand in profit from the fair. I think the bulk of that was on the crappy tombola next to me!!! It was rammed!!! The prize draw was AMAZING tho, there were huge plasma tellies, weekends away, a spa day - all sorts of things and not a box of quality street in sight! People were buying loads of tickets - my friend and I bought one each, ha ha ha!!! (and that was only because the kids were coming round selling them and they looked too scary to take no for an answer!) I saw a family with about 10 sheets, at £1 a ticket, and 5 tickets to a sheet. And I was highly amused when they didn't win a thing!!!! Wish me luck (I think I'll need it!) Only 3 more fairs to go before I can rest (and get started on christmas prezzies for family and friends!)
DH is on his way home now - he should be home around the time I wake up. I have actually missed him quite a bit, which has surprised me. I thought I'd relish the opportunity to sew all the time and eat rubbish food. Oh dear, I'm waffling. I think I'm excited to see what he's bought me

lucykate · 01/12/2007 08:08

that was my concern about the craft inc book, that it is aimed more at the american market, have been looking for something similar but a uk version. good luck gm, whizzz and anyone else who's craft fair'ing today!

Meridian · 01/12/2007 09:19

I have done a bit more painting, on my blog, but the image quality is horrible, I was going to do a bit more painting tonight but I just remebered I'm babysitting for a friend so need to try soemthing a bit more portable than that.

need to:

  • make dried orange and cinnamon stick ornaments for x-mas tree and gift tags
-find a pattern for a simple lace scarf -start knitting lace scarf -sort out all my paintings and get DH to take some proper pictures of them -not get distracted by x-mas shopping -fill the 3 little blan canvases I have and repaint two that I did last night but am not satisfied with. (probably will never be but thats another story) -a million other things but right now I need a coffee
thirdwisexmasmonkey · 01/12/2007 09:45

Good luck gingermonkey.
Can I just say I'm a v.lazy crafter but you are a very inspirational lot !!!

jeangenie · 01/12/2007 10:11

whizz - just the thing - thanks v much - have ordered her a millefiori 3 piece set plus two smaller kits and some earring findings - that should keep her busy for a while - any good book syou could recommend for a beginner?

everyone else, good luck at the craft fairs you brave lot, and good luck to everyone looking into kitemarks etc - must be very exciting to actually sell things you make

meridian - off to check out your blog now

(I haven't done anything since mitzy the cat and am coming down with a cold now, plan to try to make a loopy tea cosy for my best friend this w/e for Xmas but I have my dad visiting so it might be a challenge)

GreebosWhiskers · 01/12/2007 14:53

Well my fair was a complete flop

There was hardly anyone there apart from people actually connected to the church so by the time I paid my table fee I probably only took £20 at the most. On the bright side I now have no excuse for putting off starting up on Etsy since I've got loads of stock now.

GingerMonkey how do you find out about local craft fairs early enough to book a stall?

Whizzz · 01/12/2007 15:54

I did OK ! Predictably the things that sold were things £5 or under (bookmarks, mobile phone charms, earrings, memory wire bangles etc). I had a lot of nice comments on my gemstone stuff & lariats. At least it's cleared some of my stuff & made way for more beading
I'm also taking stuff into school on Monday!

Mt target is a couple of ocean jasper bracelets, make myself an ocean jasper necklace & I have also bought some yummy sparkly blue goldstone beads to play with !

I really want to get into sterling silver & gemstones........

GreebosWhiskers · 01/12/2007 18:06

I have a prize draw going to try to come up with a name for my Etsy shop as I am spectacularly rubbish at names.

This week's targets are;

Come up with an Etsy name & set up shop
The Marie Clair bag challenge

Also dh jokingly asked a while ago if I'd be able to make him an Old Gregg doll from the Mighty Boosh. I think I know more or less how I'm gonna do it & will start this week since I can only work on it during the day while he's at work & I want it ready for Christmas.

If anyone's wondering, this is what Noel Fielding looks like without the make-up - yum!

Merrydian · 01/12/2007 19:29

greebos- sorry your fair didn't go so well, but glad its pushed you into starting and etsy shop.... what sort of name do yu want for your shop? cute or nice.. will have a think about it for you.

whizzz- i have an utter weakness for sterling silver jewlry.. especial big chunky cut semiprecious stones... you really must do that..

thirdwisexmasmonkey · 01/12/2007 20:59

Greebos - I've just had a look at your blog and your stuff is gorgeous. I quite fancy having a go at crochet, I've never tried it before. I have a bit of a problem with knitting, I'm left handed and find it a bit of a struggle (although being left handed probably has nothing to do with it, it's just me , so wondered if I'd find crochet difficult.
Don't suppose you could recommend any books for beginners could you?

lucykate · 01/12/2007 21:24

oh no gw, craft fairs can be like that. i did a few after leaving college, thinking i could earn some money that way. at the last one, i didn't sell anything, so gave up on them.

on a brighter note, at least whizzz's day sounds more successful. and, as dh is way until tomorrow, i have had chance to blog about the book i'm in that has come out this week, here, so add it to all your christmas lists if you want a laugh

Whizzz · 01/12/2007 22:08

Merrydian ....will keep you posted

Gingermonkey · 02/12/2007 08:27

GW, I love the mighty boosh, they are so funny!!!! Well, my fair yesterday was a complete nightmare - £8 takings!!!!!!!!! It was full of tat. Lots of people were commenting on my things, but 2 people said it was too expensive (I muttered 'f-off then' under my breath!!!)
Only 2 more to go and then I can relax and stop doing them!!!!
GW I found out about my monthly one through another etsian, she emailed me and told me about it, because we both live locally. But I think there's a craft fair directory if you google it.

Well done Whizzz on your fair, and GW you didn't do better, but on the bright side - you did better than me!!!!!!!

Did anyone buy the guardian yesterday? There was a make your own christmas presents supplement, it was good.

SoupDragon · 02/12/2007 11:27

What a shame about the fairs. Have to say, at our school one I always feel sorry for the "quality" stallholders as they do lose out to tat. We're having a Christmas Shopping Evening this year which should be tat-free. Hopefully stallholders should do better.

I made a fleece bauble last week. It's based on those ones you make with cut out Christmas cards and a stapler!! It needs to be made out of a stiffer fabric though I think.

SoupDragon · 02/12/2007 11:28

working link

SoupDragon · 02/12/2007 11:28

I think my challenge this week should be to set up my blog properly...

Dingle · 02/12/2007 11:48

Love the bauble Soupy!!! ..and yes, get yourself working on that blog!

lucykate · 02/12/2007 12:52

moonstitches has started a group on the flickr website if anyone wants to post photos of the owls made from that owl tutorial, here

Merrydian · 02/12/2007 13:08

soupdragon- love the bauble. I need to work on my blog too, i did manage to write a drabble on my drabble blog but thats about it need to write up a brownie recipe, and obviously do some crafting... do you think cookies count as crafting? promised ds I'd make some cinnamon cookies later.

Nbg · 02/12/2007 16:39

Oooh you've all been busy!

LK, I just wanted to pick your brains about making a doll.
DD wants a fairy princess but there is a slight problem in that my sewing skills aren't marvellous.
Sooo I was thinking in cutting out a basic shape and making it out of felt.
Would I be better hand sewing it together or by machine?

Original poster
Tillyboo · 02/12/2007 22:59

Ooh, craft fairs, mixed feelings about them.

I've got my next one next Saturday and wonder whether I can be bothered to make any extra things. Hmm ... will ponder on that one. It's at a private school so I'm hoping for a decent outcome.

I've been so busy with my bunny and horse orders recently that I haven't had a chance to see what stock I have to take. I've got such a busy week this week that I'm having a mild panic that I haven't enough stuff to take.

Me thinks I've taken too much on

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lucykate · 02/12/2007 23:16

nbg, personally i would do it on a machine, sew slowly so it's easier to keep it straight. machine stitching will give a stronger seam. one thing i have become more aware of with everything i've made over the last 6 months is how much wear and tear any kind of toy has to endure, and am in the process of adapting everything i make so that they can withstand this better. the doll that is featured in the book has been in dd's room since it was photographed, and is looking pretty tatty now, although i prefer to call it 'much loved', than tatty