Lovely followers and readers of this blog - I've now moved to my original blog (just to confuse you all) and have decided to combine all things crafty with all things that happen in my little corner of the world. Please come and join me (and follow if you so wish) - I'm here:
http://elliestreasures.blogspot.com/
Easter is a very important time in the Christian calendar but many others, believers or not, enjoy Easter time too. It is a time of new beginnings - bunnies, chicks, lambs and of course chocolate, whether it's in the form of an egg or not!
The shops are full of Easter eggs and other tempting goodies as are many of the online craft sites. If you're thinking of choosing a gift a little different and special this year there are many to choose from on the Folksy site.
I made some little white bunny brooches last year for my nephews who loved them so much that I decided to make a couple to sell at Ellie's Treasures. There's one left - free P&P too!
Little white bunny brooch at Ellie's Treasures
Here's a few other fabulous Easter goodies all available from Folksy. As always, click on the photo to go straight to the relevant shop.
Patchwork Butterfly
Jings Things
Pink Amaryllis
Mrs Moo Designs
The Cats Whiskers Jewellery
ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) or ATC (Artist Trading Card) have become very popular on Folksy lately. An ACEO/ATC can be any form of art (original, photographic or print, 2D or 3D) presented on card/paper strictly 3.5" x 2.5" in size. This website goes into more depth about them.
As there are quite a few for sale on Folksy, as well as very friendly daily forum post, I thought it would be nice to feature some of my favourites. My daughter, Katie, who absolutely loves horses and has been drawing horses for a number of years now, has decided to (once in a while) draw an ACEO to sell through Ellie's Treasures. I have to admit, I find it very difficult to actually put them up for sale as I always want to keep them for myself.
This is the first one she did, which has now been sold:
and this is her current one, which is still for sale:
She also drew a horse for my Mum for Mother's Day (I bought it from her lol) which I've posted snuggled in this little ACEO pouch that I made.
Now for some other beautiful ACEOs from Folksy (I must add it's taken me most of the evening to decide on these six - there's many, many more to choose from so please do have a browse on Folksy). As always, click on the photo to go directly to the relevant shop.
ema hossain design
Gweddus Art
Audrey's Art
pants and paper
Sprinkles
Cherry Tree
Mother's Day is fast approaching, but there's still time to find and purchase something a little different from the norm this year. Mum's are special, we all know that, so spending time sourcing that perfect pressie is time well spent.
I've chosen a few pretty things that caught my eye on Folksy for you to see - perhaps something here will help you decide on the perfect Mother's Day gift. The big "Mother's Day" button at the end will whisk you away to the whole Mother's Day collection on Folksy. Happy browsing.
I'll start with something from Ellie's Treasures, just to be cheeky!
A hand-sewn seven pocket fabric keepsake wallet, known as the Patchy Pockets. These wallets make wonderful little gifts. They are so versatile and as each one is entirely different, they're unique too. Ideal for storing small items in your handbag, car glove compartment or special little notes, photos and momentos from a memorable occasion.
Best Wishes Cards - cards are top of the list when looking for Mother's Day and this book style "M.U.M." ticks all the boxes.
Mia Design - a cute litttle lipstick holder - I just love cuppa on the front!
Fresh "n" Funky Cards - isn't this wonderful? Brings back memories of the kinds of notebooks I used to collect as a child.
Aruala - this stunning piece of jewellery would make a wonderful gift at any time of the year. Aruala's shop is full of lovely goodies.
The Cotton Potter - I think this mini vase wrap is brilliant and very pretty. It would really brighten up that little posy of flowers placed on the breakfast tray on Mother's Day morning.
February must have been "Patchy Pockets" month because my stock disappeared to happy homes during the last few weeks! Not to worry though, I've been busy sewing more and have, as always, enjoyed putting combinations of different tactile fabrics together, along with pretty accessories, to make new combinations.
This this my latest one. The fabrics used are a lovely bold patterned blue (which reminds me very much of a dress my Mum once had back in the 50s!), a shiny silver and an embossed cream. Mini buttons sewn onto pale olive ribbon decorate the front. I can't leave out the pretty blue leather flower - it's quite special because it is one from a pack of samples (of many colours together with leather leaves) that were sent to me by Artisan Leather, to use in my projects. Artisan Leather are based in South Devon and also sell on Folksy. If you have a browse through their website/shop page you'll see these little flowers on some of their gorgeous items to purchase, as well as in packs to buy to use yourself. My samples had three mini holes punched through each flower and leaf ready for me to use in sewing, but, as you'll see, you can also purchase them with a central hole which is ideal for jewellery making. I'll be using the mini leather flowers and leaves in some of my other projects too, so do keep an eye out.
This Patchy was one of my originals which, with it's rather plain denim, just wasn't selling. I decided to spruce it up with a front pocket and striking pink and red buttons and mini blue hearts, helping to make it more eye catching and quite wantable!
A nice big thank you to Uniquely Yours and Kokokelli blogs for nominating Ellie's Treasures for the Stylish Blogger Award. I've placed it on my Our Day blog, so I can keep them all together.
The little Woollie "Barry" that I made for my nephew was so well received that his brother decided he'd like one too, this time in pale green and to be named "Tiny". I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to package "Tiny" up in the hard cardboard business box that I'd been using for all my other Woollies. When I bought the batch of boxes from Hobbycraft I took all that were on their shelves (there weren't that many) and when I rang to ask if they had more they told me they no longer sold them. Internet searches didn't lead to much either, so I was extremely pleased to find that there were two of these boxes left at Hobbycraft when I decided to pay a visit, just to see for myself.
Katie makes the Woollie ponies and I put the rest of the package together. I think this one's very sweet, she has such a lovely face. I wonder if I'll get any more requests for Woollies - perhaps their friends will see them and make enquiries!
I recently purchased three packs of tibetan silver charms which I knew immediately could be used to make pretty brooches for the shop. I have fairies, curled up cats and toadstools. I think the toadstools are my favourites (I've always believed in fairies!) and I have loved using them. The first brooch I made I decided to keep, but have since made another which is now for sale in the shop (and pictured below). The blue felt used for the background is a gorgeous colour, very striking against the embroidery silk flowers. I hope I can find more of this colour felt as I only have scraps left which initially came from a recycling store.
Another toadstool brooch I made was for my daughter's friend as part of her birthday present. They are just the right size to accessorise handbags (which is where I've put mine), as well as scarves or clothing. This one has two different mauve hearts, deep purple front and back and lilac sandwiched between.
So, what's next for Ellie's Treasures? Well February has been kind for sales which means my shop is feeling a little low on goodies! I've started cutting out more Patchy Pockets to sew using some fabulous materials. I'm hoping to include a proper little coin purse into some of these new Patchies, just to update them a little. I'll see how I get on! Also, can't wait to use more of my new charms, certainly on brooches but perhaps also to decorate a couple of Patchies too.
It's that time of year folks when the little arrows of love are flying through the air. I'm surprised some health and safety person hasn't put a ban on Valentine's day, it must be pretty hair-raising dodging those cupid arrows on 14th February!
So, what are you going to buy this year for your secret admirer, partner or bestest mate? The supermarkets are full of the usual things - chocs, flowers and some mass-produced pink and red things. Chocs are always welcome I know (can't be doing without a box of chocs at any time), but how about treating your special person to something a little different this year?
The Folksy website has a special button to click that'll whizz you straight to all the lovely handmade goodies that have been tagged with the word "valentines". That makes it a lot easier to pick something special doesn't it? You don't even have to go over to the Folksy website, the big red Folksy heart is right here on my blog - look, it's there on the right hand side bar - click and off you go!
Before you leave though, you may want to see a couple of suggestions from Ellie's Treasures.
First, something traditional, unique and beautiful - for the lady. Write little messages to clip inside with the two mini wooden pegs provided, or you could clip something else wonderfully special inside.
Don't want to go over the top with hearts? How about this? A great little gift.
Last posting day 1st class is Friday 11th February or Saturday morning for those in a mega rush but at always, I can't guarantee Royal Mail's delivery schedule so perhaps it's best you order asap!
Here is "Master Barry", a little custom Woollie Pony just finished and mailed to my nephew who asked specifically for a Woollie named "Barry". My nephew has already bought "Icy" through Ellie's Treasures, and my sister had purchased "Raspberry", so I was quite surprised to get another Woollie request from him. Master Barry is particularly handsome I think. My daughter actually makes the ponies, I make all the other little bits and bobs that pop into the box, but it took her a couple of attempts to get Master Barry looking so lovely. As my nephew asked for a yellow Woollie she used a yellow wool which, once completed, made for a rather chuppy stead! She started again with a mix of two thin wools in lemon and beige and has produced, once again, a stunning little horse well deserving of his two rosettes.
Goodness, it's been a while since I blogged a lovely collection of Folksy goodies. I've found so many inspiring lovelies from fellow sellers this week so I thought I'd show them off for you. Just click on the photo(s) you love to go straight to the relevant shop. Enjoy!
Super cute tilly
LF Studio
The Doll House
JEWEL PALACE
Beeswax and Broomsticks
Helen Hallows
I've often bleeted on about my large collection of fabrics which are stored in huge bags, cupboards and under-bed draws. Well, just after Christmas I decided I needed to spice up my collection a little, having looked at the same old materials time and time again. I don't believe I've ever bought any material in my life, although I know I helped my mum choose some once when I was making a skirt at school!
I had a quick scoot around the supply shops on Folksy but didn't really find what I was looking for so headed to ebay and found this:
called "Early Bird Pop Flower" - a bit stunning don't you think? Anyway, I bought it and am extremely pleased with it.
Then ...
over this last weekend, my dear mother-in-law asked if I'd like to take off her hands a huge bundle of mixed fabrics (and wools) - oh boy they are all so gorgeous. Batiks, cottons, chiffons, silks in the most fabulous bright, bold and pretty patterns thinkable.
Here's piccies of some of my favourites; I can't wait to start using them:
The floral one is actually a 1970s child's long party dress - remember owning a few of these for special occasions? It brought back lots of memories.
The diamond cotton fabric is a lovely shade of jade. It's actually a top and it would be fun to try and alter it somehow to become a jockey top for Katie when she does cross-country!!
Remember the little Union Jack key rings I made for family members at Christmas time? Well, comments were very encouraging when I blogged about them, so I've made four to sell in my shop. The first two are already listed, both hand sewn from sturdy denim with a hessian centre and fabric sepia Union Flag. One's stitched with sunny yellow embroidery thread, the other in teal green (or blue, depending on how you see it of course!).
With a Royal Wedding looming this year (two actually I believe), why not celebrate all things Blighty by purchasing one of these to smarten up your bunch of keys?
which my dear sis bought for me as a present when my son Ben was born 11 1/2 years ago. It was a luxury to have such a fabulous box to hold all those wonderful baby bits and bobs in one place. Previously, for my daughter Katie, I'd used a large cardboard box. It was perfectly adequate for the job, but this one was far nicer and probably sturdier too. I told my sis that it wouldn't go to waste, and would always be used for something or other.
Well, that seems to have been the case. In it's 11 year life not only has it been used for storing nappies, but it's been a toy box for the car, an art box for the kids, a storage box for materials (before my collection grew out of hand), a collage bits and bobs box again for the kids, a grooming box for the horse and finally (and I have to add after a triple thorough clean), a box to hold all my sewing paraphernalia.
It was perfect for holding the horses's grooming kit, but after some slightly rough treatment from horse and continuous rough treatment from the resident dogs the lid decided to part company with the box. This was actually quite a sad moment for me as it has stood up to so much until then! Black duct tape did done a fabulous job of holding the two together, but it refused to keep any rain out and any stray dogs hoping for a quick nose inside! At Christmas, I receive a specially designed grooming box which doubles as a mounting block so this box needed a new home and boy did I know what it would be used for.
Now, it proudly holds a shoe box of ribbons, a box of buttons, two tin boxes of brooch catches and keyrings, another box of lovely charm gems and special buttons, a set of drawers containing beads of various sizes, glue, scissors, applicators and an assortment of current sewing makes that require finishing - all in one convenient place. No more hopping back to the work room to fetch this or that, I just lug this box and my actual sewing box to wherever I need to be. It's pretty darn heavy too, so it's also giving my arm muscles a good work out too every day!
I wonder what it'll be used for next?
The new diary that my hubby bought for me, is very dear to me. I've had a brief flick through the whole thing and marvelled at some of the drawings that are featured. There's so many wonderful crafters out there, and each day features a shop, website or blog to visit to see more of each crafter's work. The diary came uncovered and although you can download printable paper covers for it, I decided to sew a cover with pockets (naturally) to hold all the papers that usually stick out of the back of my filofax!
I've used a soft cotton blue check fleece as the basic cover. To be honest, if I was doing this again I'd either line it or go for a sturdier material. It's way too flimsy so I've had to link the edges inside to keep it all together! The pockets are from a lovely Christmas Rose patterned fabric, edged in coloured cotton stitching and a mini flower embellishment with little "made with love" heart linked to it. A chocolate brown and sky blue dotty ribbon along the binding finishes it all off.
Here it is:
the little hand sewn table pressies I made for my family. We all got together this last weekend for our Christmas celebration and I wrapped these and hid them next to the crackers on the table as an additional surprise!
Keyrings for the gentlemen.
Little brooches for the ladies.
Mini funny "Blobbols" for the children, each with a different name secured to the reverse.
A special two photo holder keyring for my sister as she's photo mad and I knew she'd love it to keep a couple of special photos close to hand!
The photo keyring is a new item that I'd like to sell at Ellie's Treasures but I can't guarantee when! It took me many weeks to get just right, hand cutting and sewing something so small is very fiddly, but very much worth it in the end.
Happy New Year to you all!
No longer available from my shop but willing to make as a custom to please get in touch if you'd like a hand made Woollie pony.
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