Shame on me!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have written on here! So much has happened! I'll fill you in.....
Back in June of 2011 I was lucky enough to be introduced to a lovely lady in my village. She has two little boys, one is in the same class as my daughter and the other is the same age as my youngest. She has a mad passion for all things vintage, does up old furniture and sews beautiful vintage aprons....how come I had never met her before??!!

One of Carrie's Vintage aprons

Anyway, since then Carrie and I have done a number of local vintage and craft fairs and then made the decision to launch our own event!
In January 2012 we began advertising our Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Fair. We have contacted lots of local businesses specialising in handmade items or flea market vintage goodies. We have hired a venue and hope to raise a lot of money from our raffle for little Blossom Burton who suffered a stroke as a result of the chicken pox virus at the age of 3. Please take a look at her fundraising page and help out if you can.
http://www.theblossomrosefund.com/

Marketing madness

I have neglected my little blog recently....time to get on!
I have recently discovered the joy of designing bags..... and I have decided that this is the main direction that LSB is going to take!
Everything from swimming bags to oil cloth changing bags...... drawstring bags to peg bags! You can never have too many bags!!
I have also recently started selling on Ebay..... a couple of sales in the first week, which I am pleased with. 

Retro messenger bag

Festival oilcloth bag

Scottie dog oilcloth messenger

 The website is still under construction but we had a meeting last week and things have been tweaked quite a bit and the launch date should be round the corner.
Have also got a meeting with a PR lady this week who is going to let me know about advertising in the local area. 
Once the website goes live I will start up a whole new marketing campaign!
Been busy creating again this week.... let me know what you think.

Cotton messenger

Anyway, really will try to update each week now!! Keep following for chances to win freebies!
And please pass on the BLOG links to your friends.
                                                                                       x x x 

April Already

I can't believe it's April already..... the last few months have just flown by and now the Easter holidays are upon us!

Over the last few months I have been busy getting ready for the Royal Wedding......lots of red/white/blue spot bunting so it is suitable for all occasions not just the Royal Wedding. Also been working on lots of felt/fleece brooches and hair bands which will be fabulous for the big day.

I've also been incredibly busy uploading products for the relaunch of Wow Thank You where I will have my own little LSB shop.

I am off to the theatre tomorrow with my fabulous mum.... We are going to see Calendar Girls. Yesterday had a lovely day out shopping with my eldest daughter and managed to squeeze in a girly lunch too..... Soooo, todays BLOG is dedicated to all things girly! Have a great week x x x

Beautiful print by Tinker Taylor Designs



Hanging plaque from My Little Loves



FOLKSY FRIDAY

Hi..... note to self..... must try hader to keep up to date with the blog!

So, today I have decided to join all my fellow 'crafters' and post a weekly blog on fabulous things I have found on the wonderful Folksy site.....so first I needed to think of a theme...

I've had a think back to events that have happened this week and things that have occupied my mind and I am going for 'Rule Brittania' for two reasons 1) I LOVE making my Union Jack cushions and have been busy with these this week and 2) Me and Mr Lockstock actually managed a 'date' last night and went off to the cinema to watch the fantastic 'King's Speech'

So here we go......!

http://www.folksy.com/items/1143001  

Lovely buttons by Kikichoo

http://www.folksy.com/items/823073

Union Jack Hearts Framed picture by the lovely Daisy Frames

http://www.folksy.com/items/1095429-Union-Jack-purse?shop=yes

Union Jack purse from Flowers in the Attic

And I do believe that http://www.folksy.com/shops/lockstock do a beautiful Union Jack cushion!!

Happy weekend x

Party Time!

Right..... I am going to get more organised with my blog! from now on I am going to aim to write at least once a week!

I have just been so busy recently..... which is all good obviously but it does mean that some things get neglected.....my blog is always out of date, my recycling is in a jumble, my pile of items to sell on ebay is stacking up and my children are probably behind on their dinner money...... but hey, I'm still enjoying it all!!

I have had a couple of parties this week where I was able to show lots of items I have been busy making.

The cushions are flying out and so are the chldren's aprons.

I have also been very busy with bunting..... especially personalised bunting .... for boys as well as girls. It's good to know we are not forgetting our little men!


And also some Christmas bunting!

I have also been mentioned on a blog!! My first time! So thank you so much to Unique Beaded Gems. And...as a result, I sold a lovely snowflake mouse Christmas card.

I have decided that I have been neglecting my Folksy shop so another note to self there! I'm also going to aim to start Folksy Friday.

So, the day has started.... the snow is on the ground..... husband up a mountain....the heating is on and it's a making day! Don't forget to catch up with me on Facebook
Have a great week x

Tuesday ramblings

Went into work today! real work... supply teaching in my old school....... Love the place but it reminded me of why I decided to open www.lockstockboutique.com!
Got myself up and dressed in reasonable time..... children all dressed (albeit in crazy clothes for Be Bright Day!)...dropped the eldest off at morning Netball, realised I needed diesel..... purse not in handbag....raced home...remembered purse was in bodywarmer.....couldn't find bodywarmer..... set off again munching on toast in the car.... Managed to get diesel on a random bank card I found in a pocket of my handbag.....8.45am husband phones to ask where middle child's coat is!!??  All before 9am.
Since opening Lock Stock Boutique my stressful days have taken on a different form...... can I manage to get all my orders done within my personal deadlines, have I ordered enough fabric? etc... all in the comfort of my own home..... no diesel required, no racing around to get to work on time, no trying to remember whether to pick the children up from after school clubs or a friend's house!  I LOVE being my own boss and I love the fact I can do it all in the comfort of my own home with a lovely cup of tea and the company of Phil and Holly!

If you're considering making a change...... go for it!!

Whoo hoo!! I'm back!!

So sorry! I have been incredibly busy.... It turns out that you have to make a business work by making lots of lovely stuff so that's exactly what I've been doing!
Where do I start????  My FB page is now a really good marketing tool... please make sure you take a look and sign up for updates!http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Lock-Stock-Boutique-fan-page/139110189438565

I've also just been featured in the fantastic Families Cambridgeshire magazine http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/Locations/Cambridgeshire/Local-magazine
Page 8 of the Nov / Dec issue. Thanks to the fabulous editor Sam Carr who happened to buy some items from me recently through Folksy.
New website is about to be launched.... watch this space!!

12 days and counting

Only 12 days left til my first big event in Ironbridge. 4000 people expected...... not quite sure how it is going to go. ..... Not even started thinking about my stand yet and how to decorate it.







Been busy busy busy making cards over the weekend, still need to finish embellishing and then packaging. My mum (aka Helper Number 1) went on holiday today so I may be calling on a few good friends over the next few days!






Today was an apron day. Lots of lovely reversible children's aprons being made. A few more of the fab Little Tiddler apron.

Little Tiddler apron

This time backed with a lovely Boden gingham fabric.









I especially love this Peter Pan fabric which I found on a recent internet trawl.

Peter Pan close up

I'm also REALLY pleased with my fabulous cotton tape labels from the lovely Fiona at craftedhome.
 
Pay her a visit at
www.crafted.folksy.com

Bunting on it's way!

Been really busy today.... my first official day of not being a teacher and being self employed!!! Clearly had to have a coffee break when my lovely sister in law came to visit but other than that I have worked flat out today. Hopefully will post some new pics of some lovely bunting tomorrow. Also, managed to find some fabulous business cards and labels etc for Lock Stock Boutique. AND found a lovely lady on Folksy who has made me some gorgeous new labels for my handmade textiles....... FAB FAB FAB!!!

Busy busy busy!

Hi, been away for a while as I have been busy networking on the computer finding lovely outlets for Lock Stock products.
I have been busy making some new cards and have have added some new photos on my facebook Lock Stock Boutique Fan Page. Take a look!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lock-Stock-Boutique-fan-page/139110189438565?ref=sgm

I especially love this owl card

And this new home card

Have also been busy making some vintage / retro bunting

Whilst looking for stockists I stumbled upon a lovely website : Pants and Paper. I know I'll be buying a lot of my Christmas presents from there this year! Take a look http://www.folksy.com/shops/pantsandpaper

I especially love these little purses

Russian doll tote bag

Holiday well and truly over, house still needs sorting out from a month away but Lock Stock Boutique is calling! Desperately need to start building up stock ready for my official opening on 10th September!

So tonight I have been working on this tote bag.

 It's a lovely lime green 100% cotton tote bag and I have lined it with some lovely vintage material I found on a recent trawl.

I then used the lovely Russian doll material from the fabulous Kokka team.

I'm going to give this one to a good friend of mine who suggested I made these. She is going to use it and abuse it to let me know how it stands up to everyday wear and wash. Once I'm satisfied that it is a tough cookie I will make them in shocking pink, lime green, turquoise and natural unbleached cotton.

Also, I'm trying to source some nice cotton woven tags to put inside my bags, on my bunting etc. Has anyone got any good links to contemporary designs. Have tried all the big companies and not too impressed.

I'm back!

Have had a fabulous time on holiday. Got a ferry from Dover to Calais then headed towards France's eastern side down to Champagne and camped for 4 days. Then off to Gex, little town near Geneva to friends of ours. Next stop, Swiss Alps.... 1600m up in the mountains..... fabulous..... children played all day in the woods, making dams, dens etc.

Had a day trip to Italy for a panini and  a glass of red! A lovely 26 degrees in Italy but snowing on the mountain pass!! Girls had a snow ball fight!

Then to the Auvergne via the Ardeche. finally up to the Loire..... canoed single handed under the beautiful arches of the chateau Chenonceaux!

Absolutely fab time! Now the hard work begins!!

Got my first major event at the end of September, please leave a comment as to what you think I should be making for it!!

Giveaway extended!

Hi, I have decided to extend the giveaway to allow more people the chance to comment!! Off on my hols now to France. Will update you on my exploits when I get back!! Got to be up in 3 hours...... best get to bed!!

Boys will be boys

I am the mother to two daughters and more recently a son. After 10 years of dolls, Littlest Pet Shops, Angelina Ballerina and the like I have now started scouring rummage sales for cars! Noah is acquiring quite a selection. Much to my husband's delight I discovered that a recent find was an old Starsky and Hutch car! ??
Well tonight I decided that after a busy day of making bespoke bunting I fancied playing about! Came up with this sweet little drawstring bag made from 100% cotton by Clarkeson and Clarkeson.

 Finished it up with a hand drawn car design onto red polka dot 100% cotton material and added some wheels and windows. I'm going to add some red buttons to the wheels but can't be bothered to hand sew at this time of night :S
Can see a market for these......soldiers, lego, marbles etc.
Watch out Folksy!!

Bunting giveaway!!

Ok, so this is how it goes!! I need to have at least 20 comments by different followers by the weekend before I go away!! If I get to the magic number, one follower will be picked at random and they will receive some lovely handmade bunting. To be in with a chance please just leave a comment on here by 9pm on Saturday  24th July. Good luck to you all x PS. Bunting may not be the one listed here!!

Seven miles down the Severn!

My husband took Phoebe (our middle one!) out on the river at the weekend. They loved it. Thought I would share some photos with you all. Please note that some of them are from Phoebe's viewpoint!!

Lovely fabric update!

Been buying fabric online today. Lots of japanese style imports coutesy of www.fabricworm.co.uk
Can't wait for mine to arrive now, Planning on lots of little coin purses.
Off to France on Monday for a month! Don't quite know where we are going yet but heading south east with our tent and aiming for the Ardeche with our new inflatable canoe!
Have a hard week left at work this week. My last week of officially being a teacher before i reform my life to be a textile / craft artist!
HELLPPPPP!!!

Yay! Folksy shop restocked!

Well I have finally got round to restocking my Folksy shop after having sold my only item last week!!! That left my shop empty! No cards as yet in my shop as finding it hard to photograph them. Will have to scan them instead.
So tonight, I have listed a fabulous child's apron and some bunting and hanging hearts etc.

Fingers crossed now then!
 By the way, keep trying to link directly to my Folksy shop but only lets me link to the Folksy Homepage so then you need to search for Lockstock.
Thanks. Let me know your thoughts x

What am I doing wrong????!

Help!! What am I doing wrong?? Why can't I seem to get my facebook details or my folksy details on my blog?? Everyone else seems to have them at the side of their blog. I have tried to add the on my dashboard but to no avail. Any help much appreciated!!

Hearts and bunting

Had a busy busy weekend. Had a fundraising event on Saturday morning.... a good excuse to get making. With the help of my lovely mother-in-law I managed to create a bundle of these gorgeous little hanging hearts. Each one is stuffed with a thin wadding and embellished with a button. I think they look fab..... even though I say so myself! Every house needs one!! Am aiming to restock my folksy shop this week so they will be on sale there very soon.

Also made some lovely jubilee style bunting for a friend of Chris's. He wants it to hang on his caravan in a few weeks time. I'll ask him to post a photo of it in action on here!

Just seen a lovely website called Dots and Spots. Take a look. They've got some lovely stuff!

http://www.dotsandspots.co.uk/

Have a great week!