Muddy Puddle Crafts

Dotty Followers

2012-02-21T21:28:00.001Z

(All Available on Joy)

I've had a little influx of new 'Followers' just lately and I wanted to just take a minute to say.....

Hi, Welcome & Thanks for Staying x

I'm sure some of you out there have a vision that I dress head to toe in Polka dots, I have to say I've thought about it.....but other than a few Dotty Scarves and a Polka Dot Sun Dress thats it.

I often think of you all too.... I doubt very much there's 180 Spotty Dressed Followers out there but I can dream!

....and the Award Goes To....

2012-02-17T21:54:00.001Z

This week I have kindly been awarded the Liebster Blog Award from Dinki Dots. I have to say I was a little surprised as my blog was very neglected last year. There's no excuse I just lost my way a little and never seemed to find the time to write a decent post. I wasn't sure how many of you out there I was actually reaching these days. So thank you Dinki for having faith in my blog, I'm now doing quite well with regular posts & I receiving this has given me even more reason to keep it up!

So onto the award.....

The Liebster Award is awarded to a 200 or less followers blog in the hope that it will bring new visitors and followers to their blog. If you are happy to accept the award the steps are:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.

Post the award button on your blog.

Pass the award on to 5 bloggers who inspire you.

Leave a comment on those blogs to let them know.

Like I say having been a bad blogger last year and being out of touch with some of you thinking of 5 has been a hard one. My first thoughts were my good old faithfuls that I have followed for sometime on here & on face book. I love their products, am inspired by their success and have even made the odd purchase or two! I straight away thought Sara At Kitty Eden, Becky at Dots & Spots, Kirsty at Sixty One A and The fish (not) at Crafty Fish, but these are all huge success's with huge quantity's of followers so are unable to receive the award.

So I have thought and I have come up with 3 that make me smile. They are right up my

street....fun, bright, fresh, colourful & a little quirky twist!

MOO BAA CLUCK

A fellow Mum and Fellow Painter of Wood and A Very Talented Illustrator

http://moobaacluck.blogspot.com/

THREE POTATO FOUR

An Art Teacher With an Amazing Imagination & Hair Probably Full Of Glitter!

http://sandy-chibichan.blogspot.com/

ARTWORK BY ANGIE

An Old Friend From Art College Days Who's Business Is Currently Taking Off Big Time!

http://artworkbyangie.blogspot.com/

Gabs, Sandy & Angie I do hope you accept the award, you all more than deserve it x

A Valentines Gift From Heaven!

2012-02-16T11:55:00.006Z

When I came down stairs on Valentines Day to find my hubby had left a little pile of pressies on the kitchen table I have to say I was surprised & flattered (a card would be pushing it some years!)

But when I got down to the opening that emotion turned to shock and elation, just look at this book......Orla Kiely, Pattern....... I say a book, its more than a book, its like a huge encyclopedia of beautifulness on every level.

The cover is a tactile texture, the pages are thick, smooth & glossy and the content, well I'll still be oohhing over the content in 10 years or so.

Stunning photography....

Perfect layout.....

and pure pattern every step of the way....

So I had a challenge on my hands having received a gift like that......I had planned on cooking a nice meal after the kids had gone to bed but I figured I'd best go the extra mile and add some little extra touches as my way of saying thank you.

Having consulted my 8 year old daughter we embarked on our mission (which she thought was great!). First she made a menu, then picked snowdrops from the garden, then helped me with the table.

(all this was hidden from view when he returned from work)

Then whilst he was in the shower she picked his clothes (with a little help from me swaying her off the idea of a tie!) and laid the menu & clothes out on the bed. I in the maentime created the table and began on the food.

The menu was...

Pate with Cheese Boule Toast

Cannelloni with Tomato & Mozzarella Salad

Chocolate Cheese Cake, Strawberries & Cream & A HEART SPARKLER!!

The whole thing went down very well and making that extra special effort even after 22 years together was well worth it xxx

Spotty Birthday

2012-02-12T22:33:00.003Z

My Daughter turns 8 this week and today was her little party. She was very specific with what she wanted and it was all very sophisticated & grown up. A friend of mine has a Pampering business & came round to pamper her & 4 friends. It was all very nice, so pink, so girly & so glittery. At times I was a little sad as I feel the days of a class full running round like nutters, doing pass the parcel & insisting on themed paper plates may be behind us.

She wanted the cakes to be pink, blue, spotty, girly & have hearts galore!

We had great fun making made lolly butterfly's for the party bags, an idea I got from Pinterest

She wanted 8 cup cakes rather than a big cake (that one will be on her actual birthday) so her friends could each take one home.

The pampering went down very well & she has gone to bed very glittery, very curly & very happy!

Bring On The Kids (part 1)

2012-02-05T19:30:00.006Z

For those oldies who follow my blog you'll be familiar with the projects I get asked to do at my children's school. Call it a good thing (because I love it) or a bad thing (because I give my time for free) I guess the requests will keep coming when I am mum with a creative business! The school is very small, we only have 65 ish pupils at the moment, so I love to help where I can. The best thing about getting to do what I do is their smiley faces and their enthusiasm. As we only have 3 classes it's also possible that every child can get involved and I don't think I've ever had a moaning one!

My first project back in 2009 was murals for the toilets

http://www.muddypuddlecrafts.blogspot.com/2009/10/master-pieces-are-finished.html

Then we painted the hall wall. The theme was the schools architecture and the memories of the pupils that were leaving for high school in 2010

http://www.muddypuddlecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/05/crafty-sunday_21.html

Then last year I painted a bench for a local competition

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.199849020051087.43672.115187628517227&type=3

This year its 6 OWL MURALS for the new changing rooms!

I am doing them over 6 afternoons (2 with each class) and ultimately 6 boards will be produced, 3 for each changing rooms. First to finish have been the big ones. The top class has 24 puplis mixed across years 4,5 & 6. Look what they produced, I'm very proud.....

On 2 3'x3' mdf boards I drew a rough outline of a Snowy Owl, a Barn Owl and a Tawny Owl. Other than helping them to mix colours I really did leave them to it!

The less artistic ones researched facts and wrote them on the boards, which look really good

Tomorrow & Tuesday I've got 20 year 2's & 3's, wish me luck!

One Week at A Time!

2012-01-22T22:19:00.002Z

Having flown round like a headless chicken during November & December I decided to start the year in a little more organised & structured way. With orders, Christmas shopping, school plays, concerts, hubby's 40th birthday & loosing our poorly dog Libby there were times before Christmas when I didn't know which way to turn.

I decided that had to change (at least for a while) in 2012. One really important aspect of Muddy Puddle is that it fits in around my children & family life. Knowing that half term & my daughters 8th birthday will be here before I even get used to writing 2012 I made a plan......

Week I - 9th - design, suss & make Valentines stock

Week 2 - 16th - design, suss & make a start on Mothers Day stock

Week 3 - 23rd - TAX RETURN from start to finish, with no excuses (boo) THEN start work on Owl Murals that I am doing during 6 afternoons over the next 3 weeks at my kids school

Well I've impressed myself (so far so good)...............taaaaa daaaaa!!!!

3 new designs added this year

3 card designs made, put in the shop & listed on the website!

Mothers Day Design 1

Mothers Day Design 2

Mothers Day Design 3

So onto this week....boring paperwork looms, booooooo, wish me luck :(

Oooh Knitwear!

2012-01-08T21:35:00.003Z

I'm not really a jumper kind of girl but today I am converted!

I much prefer the whole layering look and dress for comfort. Having items you can put on & take off is such an easy way to dress. Take today for example I'm wearing a vest, a top & a dress with leggins. Add to that a scarf which has been on & off all day and the cardi I threw in the car earlier but never wore & I'm sorted.

Now jumpers on the other hand are just jumpers, you cant throw much on top of them and what do you wear underneath in case they have to come off? But tonight I have flicked through my new NEXT Directory and they have a whole range that are right up my street. I want them all...hearts, stripes, spots, simple pattern I'm in heaven!

http://www.next.co.uk/

Goodbye Christmas

2012-01-04T23:23:00.001Z

With the tree taken down yesterday, the decorations boxed up safely for another year, homes found for new gifts & the kids back to school I guess thats it.

I LOVE Christmas but when its all done & dusted I always feel a little lost. I think its got something to do with the need to find a purpose....I thrive on planning, excitement, organising, arranging and December was certainly full of that. But other than having a major spring clean and doing the dreaded tax return I have nothing as such to do. So for now until I find my 2012 feet I'll keep pottering & slide showing my Christmas & London Photo Albums!

Happy New Year Guys x

Get Personal

2011-12-31T00:15:00.006Z

Merry Christmas Guys! hope you all had a good one and are still in the festive spirit? I had a great Christmas thanks and have at last been finding some time to edit my photos.

With the 25th well and truly behind us and all my personalised orders given out I can at last share a few of them with you. Judging by the amount of 'special' orders I had and the fact that I even ordered a few personalised pieces to give myself I get the feeling it may have been the year to get personal and give a gift that meant alot.

From teachers to babies to newly weds to grandparents to kids to men to women to friends to mums & dads and to even house names....I think I did them all....and I enjoyed creating each and everyone!

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Have a great New Year guys & I'll be back in 2012 x

A Gingham or A Gold Christmas?

2011-12-21T16:56:00.013Z

For those of you who know my 2011 Christams Collection you will be familliar with my Block Tree Decoration in greens & reds. These colours are very me and sum up everything christmas and are just the done thing at this time of year in my house. Wheteher it's buying paper & cards, wrapping presents, decorating the house, icing the cake or laying the table the theme in my house is a very traditional red, green & white. I struggle to get my head round purple at Christmas and find gold & Silver a bit old fashiomned & dare I say naff? I also dont do tinsel on my main tree, is that just being a spoil sport or are you with me?

When I was asked to make a Block Tree in Calamine, Cream, Gold & Black I was a little scared! It was explained to me how its resting place would be the contemporary & trendy flat of young couple. I was told about the black sofa, the stripped oak floors, the calamine walls & the cream accents and it all made sense. Working with such lack of colour and pizaz was really not me. However at the end I actually could invisage it in its minimal surroundings and was really pleased with it.

So what look are you, does your house have a theme?

I doubt you have a red & white santa made out of a log (by my daughter aged 3) but does the big red & white man put in an appearence in your home?

The look of these snowmen at the German Christmas Market make me feel all fussy inside & I wish I had a display full of them. And the minute I do my red & white fireplace I'm in the Christmas mood!

Now I associate garlands on fireplaces like this with the 80's and garden centres. Its someting that I'm sure looks ok in some modern houses but in my cottage above the wood burner, on the cast iron mantle? now thats just not right.

My red & white tree just about has room for this gold & lace angel me & the kids made at school last year but her wings are the nearest we get to tinsel on our tree.

Then there's this lantern, created by my daughter at school this year. Now you've gotta love kids & glitter creations but this really doesn't appeal to me, black for Christmas?

So how about you?

Autumn in The Sun!

2011-10-02T22:17:00.002+01:00

Today we enjoyed a family day out to the near by National Trust site Croft Castle. On any other 2nd of October I'd be prepared for all autumn eventualities & throw into the car a flask, the raincoats, the fleeces & the wellies. However today we left in short sleeves, with sun hats, bare feet, a picnic & plenty of cold drinks. I'm not complaining but what is that all about?

Its Summer....

Or is it Autumn....

Definitely Summer....

Hang on Autumn....

No Summer, thats a picnic....

but look ripe Autumn apples....

Ok leaves, Autumn it is....

but why are we dressed for Summer?

A Taste Of France

2011-09-02T21:31:00.003+01:00

Hi all, its been a while (sorry). I wont even go there with excuses this time but with all the things I have to share from the summer I hope to make up some ground & get this blog back on track. I have just cleared approx 500 photos from my memory card so I have no excuses to get posting!

You may be aware my parents live in France so we are lucky to enjoy many holidays there. I never tire of my passion for wondering around villages eyeing up the architecture and searching out interesting doors, windows and shutters. These are just a snip-it of this years favs, I'll leave my ramble there tonight as the photos say it all......Splendid!

Mirepoix

Rouen

Honfleur

Near Rouen

Buttons, Hearts & Pink Cake!

2011-06-08T09:47:00.005+01:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!

Yesterday was my birthday, the last one before the big 40 next year which is very scary!

It began with a girly meal out the night before, I spent the day just chilling out & painting in my studio, followed by tea & birthday cake with the kids after school then a nice evening in with the hubby & a few wines!

I dont want to boast but just had to share my wonderful pressies with you. It doesn't take much to get to know me and work out what I like, in fact you only need to read the side bar of this blog to see things I am passionate about. I think every single pressie had ME written all over it and for that & am truly grateful and a still a little excitable today!

BUTTONS!

HEARTS!

CATH K!

EMMA B!

COLOUR & PATTERN!

CERAMICS!

MUSICAL THEATRE TICKETS!

PINK CAKE!

In the Spotlight - Muddy Puddle Crafts

2011-05-26T22:43:00.001+01:00

Evening guys, the lovely Tracey over at Blueberry Barn has featured me on her blog!

Please go and check it out? dont stop at reading about me, its a lovley blog with loads of links, have fun x

In the Spotlight - Muddy Puddle Crafts

Juggling!

2011-04-13T13:08:00.002+01:00

I am all in a bit of a mess at the moment, maybe its the sun? maybe its April? I dont really know but life is a bit too manic. I'm not even that busy in Muddy Puddle land so I dont know what I'm on about, I only have a few orders here & there coming through. We have put our house on the market and are having a lot of interest, I think I am sub conciously focusing on that too much and have put life somewhat on hold. With viewers coming its a constant battle to tidy & shove things in cupboards & not start doing anything major just in case?

Thats it!

I dont seem to properly start or finish anything...I start it, put it away somewhere then I dont finish, in fact some days I have so much to do but dont want to get stuck in too much I dont even know what to do first. I tried yesterday to do so much but feel nothing actually got achieved. This is the job list I made myself last night to spur me on, its not all I have to do today...add to it the Pta cake sale, the washing, the ironing, the phoncalls etc, my ceramics class & you may be just about there. The kids break up tomorrow so thats even more jobs out the window as I enjoy the holidays with them. Grrrrr, thats it moan over, roll on May so I can put

this month behind me.

I took part in a 'Heart' swap back along with fellow bloggers and was paired with the lovely Beki. My gorgeous parcel of all things hearty arrived over a week ago, all wrapped in pink paper. I ripped it open, ooohhhed & aaahhhed and quickly stuffed it back in the envelope. You've guessed it, we had a viewer, so it was shoved in the under stairs cupboard. And there it stayed, how bad is that? so today its come back out, been photographed & oohhed & ahhed at and I have taken some time to give it all homes.

The sewn house hanging is perfect! I recently gave my loo/utility a makeover with this heart I won in a previous giveaway as the inspiration. I teamed it up with my house plaque I made at ceramics class, hey presto a spring fresh look was born. Well now it has been joined by Beki's masterpiece, perfect co ordination or what!

The gingham heart now lives in my conservatory where it matched with the sofa cushion! This was another gift from a fellow blogger, again perfect match! I am beginning to think you lot know me too well!

Anyway I'm off, things to do, another task crossed off my list! no doubt it will be May till I blog again, so toooodles x

Are Flowers & Chocolate Really Enough?

2011-03-26T21:19:00.002Z

With Mothering Sunday a week away and Easter Sunday just 3 weeks later I've been a busy bee lately running up some pretty hand painted goodies.

What do you normally give on Mothers Day?

Flowers? Lunch at the Pub? Smellies?

A plant and smellies are what I remember from my childhood. Dad would take my brother and I to town for a potted chrysanth from the fruit & veg shop and some talc & bubble bath from M&S! He normally gave mum the plant & my brother & I fought over the smellies!

Times seem to have changed, even Tesco had half an isle of what I can only call 'Tat' I noticed today. Basically anything mass produced that they could stick mum on was displayed along side the cards. Its a shame really because to me Mothers Day is time to give a well thought out little something that comes from the heart. The card you made at school with normally a daffodil on meant so much!

Then there's Easter, what does it mean to you?

Religion? Chocolate? Family Time? 2 Days off?

As a fairly non religious family it wasn't about going to Church for us. However looking back we did things quite traditionally. Fish was always for tea on Good Friday, we baked Easter Biscuits with Mum and she always made a Simnel Cake (which the kids refused to eat).

We also had a big family lunch not far off the scale of Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings & a special Chocolate themed desert.

I of course remember the eggs, but when I was little they were huge and I didn't get that many. Maybe 4, from M&D, grandparents and Auntie's.

How times change, it seems all its about now is eggs and how many you get

3 for 2 here, 3 for £5 there and only £1 everywhere.

Whats that all about? yes of course I buy them for my kids but only 1 £1 one and some mini ones to have a hunt.

What do you do to celebrate it? We also do an Easter Tree, buy the kids a decoration, make nest cakes, do some kind of craft activity and have some good old family fun.

xxx

and the WINNER is.........

2011-03-15T20:32:00.002Z

Here's how it panned out...............

2 entered via FB as blogger wouldn't let them leave a comment (Caroline & SJ Cupcakes)
44 comments were left on here, but 1 was duplicated so 43 on here
Thats 45 in total
I called upon my Muddy Puddle Mini's to choose the winner
Muddy Puddle Mini Daughter, 'pick a number between 0-4'........ she chose 3
Muddy Puddle Mini Son, 'pick a number between 0-9'................he chose 1
Winning comment is no. 31
The Crafty Trundler YOU ARE MY WINNER
I do believe thats YOU Sharon!!!!! please get in touch x

A huge thanks to all who entered and to all 1575 facebook fans and 150 blog followers who have decided to follow my progress. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it.......your support, comments, advice & always being there gives me a real buzz & keeps me motivated.

Thank you Jo xxx

Finishing Touches!

2011-03-14T18:04:00.002Z

We are in the process of putting our house on the market and I am having a ball! I know it wont last for long as soon the stress of viewings & fees & finance will set in but until then I'm having fun. I've put my Kirsty & Phil hat on & mixed in a bit of 'Changing Rooms' and am busy pottering from room to room adding little somethings to catch the eye of a buyer We are nearly there with the boring bits like filling in holes, tidying, de cluttering & re painting & now its finishing touches time. I am loving it, think I could actually do this as a job, maybe I should call up Lawrence and re invent Changing Rooms as Muddy Puddle Makeovers?

The downstairs loo now has a 'garden' theme going on......pretty bunting, a new room spray & tissue box, a new soap dispenser and a heart (courtesy of Oh Sew Lovelys Giveaway). The bathroom gets a Cath bar of soap that I had for Christmas & cant bear to open!

The hall now has a dinky oak table I found in a local junk shop and the plaque I made at ceramics class looks fab by the back door. I have made a feature of one of my hand bags rather than chucking it in the corner of my bedroom and the lounge gets a rug to cover the tired carpet (courtesy of John Lewis vouchers we had as a Christmas gift)

The driveway now has 3 little pots hanging on the garage to greet you, as does the front door. The conservatory has been treated to not only a new plant but a free pot too and the kitchen window sill now has a jasmine hoop which is just showing signs of flowering!

Hope it all helps, just need the fresh flowers on viewing days and hey presto, buyers I'm ready for you!

The Story of my Profile Pic & Giveaway!!

2011-03-08T18:48:00.005Z

Its been a while since my last post but just when I have 2 things to share with you I discover the timing of this post is mighty strange.....I have achieved 2 things today, 1500+ fans on my facebook page and the comeback of my 'Dotty Chunky Hearts'! I find it a bit weird that just as I share & celebrate a whopping amount of fans I also & write about a bunch of hearts that have played such an important role in growth of the business. And there's more.....this is my 100th post, now thats freaky!

Way back when when I first started Muddy Puddle I came across 11 small & 3 large papier mache hearts stuffed in the back of a box in a craft shop. Having only painted flat things I had to have them! The 3 large ones were painted up straight away and given to 2 friends and my daughter. The other 11 just got painted as and when depending on what colour paint pot I had open. Their colours weren't exactly planned they just happened. Each little one then traveled around with me from crafts fair to craft fair, they brightened up my stall no matter how I displayed them. They hung on branches at Easter time, the red one hung with the Christmas decs, the pastel ones sat with my pink & blue baby products & gradually they sold. I never intended to repeat them but as they summed up all things colourful & dotty I decided to use them as my online identity picture. Frequent comments came along straight away with oohh's and ahh's asking how to buy one. But with no supply of blank ones I turned the custom away.

Then last summer while on holiday in France I came across almost the exact same scenario. In a craft shop at the back of a shelf were 10 random hearts! They were the sameish size but wooden rather than papier mache. I of course bought them and turned them into these above. This picture has now become me! I have opted against using my logo to identify myself as these have served me so well!

So back in France last month I headed straight to the craft shop. They had them in but again had very low stocks. I bought a dozen which today became these 12 above! 7 of them were pre ordered and posted out today so that just leaves these.....

So with a giveaway to sort and a product to keep alive I call on your help. Each time I paint them I try to come up with a few new colour combos, the 5 above are all new.

139 blog followers + 1506 FB fans = 1645 of you.

So my giveaway prize to one of you is £16.45 worth of free Muddy Puddle products!!!

To enter please leave a comment telling me the colour combo you would like to see in the next batch of hearts!

Good luck, the winner will be chosen at random in 1 week x

Studio Space!

2011-02-25T21:09:00.002Z

There has been much talk lately on facebook about studios space. Fellow crafters have shared with us their 'sewing rooms', 'crafts rooms' & 'studio's'. I've seen converted attics, conservatory's, summer houses, spare rooms, even sheds. The location may vary but each one has had one thing in common....A SOLE PURPOSE, A ROOM ENTIRELY DEVOTED TO CRAFTING!!! As if thats not been enough each little room has then been given a personality to add comfort, inspiration & the wow factor! I've seen cushions, pictures, bunting, comfy chairs, shelves of colour coded fabric, rows of ribbon.....I could go on but it makes me green with envy!

Having moved from the end of my dining table to an actual desk some time ago I thought I had a 'studio'.......me now thinks not.......

I work in my hallway.....its quite a big space but its also a way to the lounge & kitchen, it has the front door & staircase in it & I share it with the dogs & the drying washing!!!

My little Ikea laptop desk is literally 2.5 ft x 1.5 ft but it does extend to kind of double its size!!!

Thats great but when I do that it prevents the door opening!!! The postman truly thinks I'm crazy but gets it now & just signals through the glass that my parcel is on the mat!

My tall Ikea drawers contain all my paints, tools, beads, buttons, papers etc & are a life saver.

I'm a bit of a tidy freak & love sorting my jars of beads & buttons!

I love the old chest under my desk that contains all my ribbons.

The final thing I love about it is the company!

I am still dreaming of a devoted room that I can keep messy & just shut the door on when I turn from crafter to mummy but until then at least its a SPACE to call my own x

Last Chance For LOVE xxx

2011-02-10T20:21:00.002Z

With only 3 days to go thought I'd best share my 2011 Valentines creations with you.

Have you sourced your little something yet to say what you need to say to your loved one on Monday morning?

What sums it for you?..... I love you, for keeps, be mine, we 2 are one, truly madly, kiss me quick, crazy in love ????

Guess tomorrow will be the last guaranteed posting today so why not pop over to Folksy to check out my shop and all the others on there selling that perfect romantic gift?

http://www.folksy.com/shops/MuddyPuddleCrafts

Its all coming together....

2011-02-09T23:24:00.003Z

In the madness of the Christmas rush I decided when the new year came and it was a little quieter I would.....

1. Get more organised

2. Get more professional

3. Get more consistent

All of these goals related to my look, my brand, my packaging and the overall impression my customer received.

Having coped with product stickers printed off my own pc using a bit of clip art for over 2 years now enough was enough.
Having wrapped goods for the last 2 years in random but lovely papers and used whatever enveplope I could find enough was enough.
Having never really had any business cards properly designed enough was enough.
Having made my logo some years ago that was now looking tired enough was enough.

So I've been a busy bee & here's why 'Its all coming together'

New Logo CHECK!
Mini Moo Business Cards CHECK!
New Envelopes CHECK!
Dots & Spots Packing Tape On Order CHECK!
Moo Stickers On Order CHECK!
Clear Paint Palette for Customers CHECK!

Think thats all grown up enough????

I have a .com!!!

2011-02-08T12:11:00.002Z

I was planning on doing a big proper post tonight but I am a little giddy and couldn't wait!!!! Dont worry it will be short & sweet......

This is my new product label, yummy yeah? take a close look at the text, do you see a web address?

I have a WEBSITE!!!!! hope you share my excitement ? ta ta till later Jo x

www.muddypuddlecrafts.com

Blog Award

2011-01-26T12:35:00.003Z

Well, well she's back! Yes I know its been nearly another month since I've been on here, I am becoming such a bad blogger. But I'm back with some lovely news.....I've been awarded The Liebster Blog Award!!!! What a lovely gesture from Angie at Artwork By Angie who has passed it on to me. Angie is fairly new to blogging but is doing a far better job than me and well deserves the award! She says my blog is " is a joyful place to be, guaranteed to make you smile! " well thats lovely just a shame I rarley blog to put those smiles on your face, sorry guys. I wont make the excuses this time because you've heard them all before but if I was to say life, tax return, orders, Fb, tweeting, kids..... you'll know where I'm coming from!

Thanks Angie x

So onto the good bit, who to pass it onto? I need to choose 4 that fit the criteria.......

it is given to crafty blogs which have less than 300 readers, to encourage more people to visit you and see your designs & makes, then you pass the award on to some more crafty blogs.

The Ramblings of an Everyday Mummy Becki only just qualifys as she has 296 followers but I love her blog as it does exactly what it says on the tin. She rambles on about day to day happenings, her kids, her crafts, her writing and her often crazy life!

Me And Ma by Maria is a great read, its an even mix of her cratfs of which there are loads, the growing up of her 4 children and the news from the latest blog club she has joined. She also set up Crafty Sunday which I took part in.

The Patchwork Heart now Heather keeps me on my toes when it comes to blogging. She is a regular blogger bombarding us with her makes, her life as a teacher, her crafty hints & tips and she is always willing to share & give advice.

Sew Justine Sew does just that, in fact she never stops sewing! I love her for admitting she's a fabricaholic and for sharing her photos of her ever growing fabric stash. She enters every blog comp going I love it when she reveals the contents of the never ending parcels that come through her door!

So there you have it 4 blogs all worthy of a read & given the thumbs up from me xxx

The 27 days of January

2011-01-05T19:57:00.002Z

There's nothing I like more than a finding a bargain in the sales! I'm never one to queue at the Next sale at 5 am but I always have a mooch around whats left in January. Have done rather well so far this year with some gorgeous reductions on the Cath Kidston website.

So if I buy in the sales guess its only right that I sell in the sales........ and thats where 'The 27 Days of January' comes in!

Every day from today until the end of the month I will be putting a bargain up for grabs on my facebook page. Most will have at least 25% off the price so be sure to keep an eye out. Todays item has already sold but there are 26 more to come including the 13 in the photo!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Muddy-Puddle-Crafts/115187628517227?v=wall

Done & Dusted :(

2011-01-03T18:29:00.002Z

For the first time in years I am wishing we could have another week of Christmas. I've been feeling a little sad today as the decorations have come down one by one. They are all packed safely away now so I guess that brings the festive period to an end.

Looking back its been a good final month of the year and a very busy one........

........a magical Christingle, a singing 6 yr old angel, a cute 4 yr old snowflake, stunning frosts, nativity & carol service, decorating the house, the yummy turkey, great presents, loads of snow, record orders, seeing family & friends, a few good partys, happy kids, days out, sale shopping.......I could go on......even the fact that 2 of us had flu and a head full of snot for 2 weeks even seems trivial when I remember the highs.

So until next year ...........xxx

Sewers Watch Out, Lol x

2011-01-01T21:00:00.003Z

Happy New Year guys!!!

Sorry I've not been on here much lately but I'm back and starting the year as I mean to go on with regular posts.......

As a teenager I tried my hand at sewing with my dear Nan and although I had a great interest in the finished article by my patience levels to reach the end result was never quite enough. I did what you call potter with sewing and even had a machine for my 18th birthday, but nothing really changed regarding my skills.....straight lines, flat seams, even stitching & consistent tension just wasn't me. I still have my old machine and it has travelled around with me from house to house often going straight from removal van into garage!

Well that was 2o years ago before I watched the episode of Kirsty's Homemade Home with 'free style machine embroidery'. I was amassed by it, scribbling on fabric, doodling with thread, make it up as you go along, messy means effective......this was right up my street!!!! So I began dropping hints to hubby about having one for Christmas.

Well lucky me he took the hint & bought me a rather nice & expensive Husqvarna one! It still makes me chuckle that he settled on this brand as they also make chainsaws so he figured they had good motors!! lol.

Anyway today armed with my Poppy Treffry book I had a play. In typical Jo style I flicked through the instructions, had a very quick practice, didn't really understand the tension bit but just went for it. To be more daring I took the foot off, dropped the feed dogs & doodled away.

Having mastered a heart shape I got on with a flower then AAAAHHHHHH a loud noise, a juddering and a massive jam of thread. The front looked kind of ok but this was the result on the reverse, oh dear.

But I dont give up.......2 broken needles later and needing to unscrew the plate to cut out an even larger jam of thread I produced this little house. Its only a start, its not finished & its far from perfect but I've had great fun!!!!

Think painting will remain my forte but you never know..... practice makes perfect! xxx

How Do You Display Yours ?

2010-11-24T23:04:00.003Z

I have been playing around a bit lately with new ways of displaying my stock. Its funny what you see on your travels or find laying around that makes you go oohh, that would do for that ? I have quite a large display in the shop I run, it is made up of an old table, fruit crates, a plank of wood, an old cutlery tray and an array of baskets. My cutlery tray is great, I have recently moved some pegs into it that were in basket & they are now flying out!

I am also discovering that certain things look great visually yet they mean the customer darn't touch the item. Some customers like to have a rummage, some like to see a price label so they dont need to turn the product over & some like to be served. I am now adding more & more little brown luggage labels with prices so they can see whats what without the need to ask.

I went on the move twice this last week & had great fun creating washing lines on my stalls !!!

This weeks find in my garage was an old baguette board. I've had it years & I used it about twice when we first got married & had friends round for bbq's ! It was perfect for displaying soaps on today, I think after this weeks fayre I may add it to my display at the shop for my mini plaques or trinket boxes ?

Its all a learning curve but I love it, the challenge of how to get the most out of a product is just great, I remember as a kid wanting to be a window dresser.....guess my dream is being lived except its with bits of random dotty wood !

Christmas !

2010-11-11T21:05:00.003Z

It occurred to me today whilst painting all things red & white that I haven't even found the time to share my Christmas creations with you. I am so busy concentrating on processing orders & prepping things for 3 Christmas fairs I dont know what day it is !

All I keep hearing & reading is how many days are NOT left til the big day....yikes its creeping up on us fast ! Personally we dont get festive at home until quite late in the day. Our family deadline to have the house all dec'ed up is my husbands birthday (16th). I did have a laugh this week when my hubby passed a house on his way home from work with Christmas lights in the window !!

I've kept things simple this year just sticking to red & white & mainly hearts. I ummed and ahhed over trees, stars. stockings, angels & just couldn't decide, so stuck to this. However I am already thinking next year where I may go bright & funky & a bit different !

All my creations are available to buy direct from me or by visiting From The Wildes Christmas shop, where loads more Christmas creations can be found !

Win £500 of handmade Goodies !!!!

2010-11-02T20:47:00.004Z

As you may know I sell some of my products on the fab website that is From the Wilde. In Ellie Wilde's own words the site is "an eclectic collection of some of Britain’s most exciting and contemporary designer makers, artists and illustrators" !! There are currently loads of great products on there and it really is worth while having a browse for your Christmas shopping.

Sounds good ? want to get some of it for free ? then keep reading !!!!!

This month From The Wilde have got together with the great on line magazine From Britain With Love , this site celebrates all things British and handmade. Each month they run a competition and for the whole of November some From the Wilde makers (including me) have donated prizes !! There are £500 worth of handmade lovelies up for grabs so get entering, good luck xxx

I've Been Kidnapped !!!!

2010-10-30T22:20:00.003+01:00

Well, well I here you all say......is that really her.....yes hi guys, its me & I'm back.

What can I say......nothing I guess but the truth which is my lack of blogging is totally & utterly bang out of order. I've just realised tomorrow is the last day of the month and I haven't done a single post this month, which is so bad. You may be curious to know why and where I have been ? well sit back & I'll explain the truth........

Facebook kidnapped me !!!

It was about a year ago when a few crafter/maker friends of mine gave me some advice, one had even been told it from the likes of Business Link & WIRE.........."you need to blog.....you need to facebook.......get on twitter......forget a website......raise your profile......create a fan base.... spread the word......start with blogging......then sell on line......its the way forward"

So I took the advice & began my journey into this mad & rather strange world of social networking. I'll be honest and say I didn't even know what a blog was, I thought facebook was for teenagers & twitter for celebrities, lol !!!!! I'm not even a great texter never mind an online cyber goer ! But I'll give anything a go, so I did. I regularly wrote posts on here, made time to read all your comings & goings & we together shared news & views. I loved it ! I found blogging a very inspirational & motivating tool. The sharing of work, trends & ideas really helped me. My dear hubby made frequent comments about my blogging & the amount of time I took reading, writing, commenting etc. I really found my confidence through blogging and was buzzing that my business was finding its feet. So one day I decided to go for it........I clicked that dangerous button

'join facebook' AAAHHHH!!!

And that was it, they had me, kidnapped & cuffed !! I set up a Muddy Puddle Crafts Page & was there. It is quick, it is easy, it is instant, it grips you, its non stop, fans appear from no where, orders start coming in & before you know it I'm a serial facebooker, lol !

No seriously guys thats how it is! I have been on here from time to time but never long enough to post. I have read your posts but often whilst waiting for my photos to up load on facebook, sorry. Then before I get the chance to leave a comment, there it is...... 'ping'.......there goes my phone & pc letting me know I've got a facebook notification.

Well enough rambling & time to stop this fiasco of neglecting blogging. I feel like my daughter about to take her girl guiding promise at Rainbows so here goes.......

"I promise that I will do my best to love blogging as much as facebook & not to neglect you and ensure I post at least once a week"

Thanks guys, see u next week, if not before, Jo xxx

ps if you see me on facebook please tell me to get on here & you'll be pleased to know for now I'll be giving twitter a miss !!!

Where Did the Summer Go ?

2010-09-25T22:02:00.004+01:00

It occurred to me today whilst flicking through my photos that I have yet to share my snaps of France with you. I went in August and have been back for nearly a month so with Autumn banging on the door thought I'd best get on with it !

You may be aware that my parents live there so I go quite frequently, they retired there 4 years ago and not long after my brother & his family joined them. They are all very settled with the kids (age 13, 11, 7 & 4) all fluent, my brother & sister in law sorted work wise & my parents enjoying their retirement in stunning chilled out surroundings. They live in the Languedoc region, about an hour south of Toulouse, an hour from the med and views of the Pyrennees from the house. Their nearest big towns are Carcassonne & Mirpoix, despite being to both of them probably 15 times in the last 4 years a visit wouldn't be a visit with out a trip to the famous Mirpoix Monday Market and the Medieval Cite of Carcassonne.

I took loads of pics this time but have just collaged my favourite ones for you.........

A day at the lake with the Pyrenees in the background !

The vines & melon fields that surround the house & are literally at the bottom of the garden. They pick the melons each night & we often popped to see the man (the village mayor in fact) to buy 4 for 5 euros freshly cut, bargain !

The wares on offer at the market, no I didn't try the mussels & yes I wish I had room for a basket in my suitcase x

Inside the Medieval Cite of Carcassonne.

Crafty Sunday

2010-09-19T21:37:00.002+01:00

Happy Sunday everyone, got a bit of a change for you this week. Thought I'd give you a break form Muddy Puddle Crafts makes and present ..................

Muddy Puddle Mini's

(my children x)

This week they have been busy creating at home for the annual Stoke Bliss Flower Show & Ploughing Match. For all you un countrified people out there its what happens around here in by part of the world........... basically a bunch of farmers get together in a field & mess around in the mud to discover who ploughs the best furrows......mean while their wives bake and flower arrange to see who's the best home-maker.......the oldies present their home grown veggies in the form of the longest runner bean & biggest marrow........and the kids get creative !!!!! It may seem a little strange but its fun for all the family and a good old fashioned British tradition. As a child I loved our local Flower Show (minus the ploughing) and was always keen to compete under the guidance of my dear Nan, borrowing her vases & oasis to do wee flower arrangements. The thrill of winning a certificate and the 20p prise money was the best feeling ever !!!

Anyway onto the creating..........

Age 4's "A Collage of Outside Materials".......he got SECOND PLACE !!!!!!

Age 4's "Decorate 3 Digestive Biscuits".......he got HIGHLY COMMENDED !!!!!!

Age 6's "Decorate the first letter of your name"..........she got FIRST PLACE !!!!

Age 6's " Make an Animal from Fruit & Veg".......this cute bug won nothing :(

But hey ho didn't they do well........so proud xxx

Oohh Aahh Fresh Flowers (is back)

2010-09-13T22:22:00.002+01:00

You may remember my quest some time ago to always keep fresh flowers in my newly refurbished kitchen.....I set myself a modest budget that wouldn't break the bank of around £3, decided to buy from random supermarkets and agreed to share them with you ! When I was a good blogger I would regulary share what was brightening up our home.....well our summer has been sooooo busy with so much time away we have had more jugs of "Uurr Dead Flowers" than "Oohh Aahh Fresh Flowers".

Well my quest is back on track as of this week....I have broken the rules already....but there is good reason.

My husband is currently working in America & has been away for nearly 3 weeks. I came home the other day to find this gorgeous bouquet had been delivered from him !!! It looked great then but as the days have gone by its got better & better, the smell is un believable and the pink lily's are really something. Hope you can smell them through your monitor ?

Crafty Sunday

2010-09-12T20:56:00.003+01:00

Good evening bloggers ! Is it really Crafty Sunday again ? this will be a quicky for me as I have a sofa full of ironing, got to clear the decks so we can actually sit down !

Well this has been my first week as a full time mummy with no kids to look after, my little boy started school :( Its been a week of mixed emotions, still cant believe that it both my babies are at school, what will I do with out them.... but on the other hand I can now have privileged 'me' time. I'm sure I'll adjust and get into my own little routine but think I'll be a be a bit lonely, its been sooo quiet. Anyway to keep my mind off the situation this week I've thrown myself into Muddy Puddle World & what progress I've made............

12 Shabby Key Rings, 6 Flower Necklaces, 2 Bookmarks, 3 Dotty key Rings, 6 Brooches, 10 Chunky Hearts, A family Key Hook & a Double Heart Door Hanger ! Phew.

Back by Popular Demand.....

2010-09-10T20:32:00.004+01:00

For those of you who have followed me from the start on here & on facebook my profile picture has remained the same 'dotty chunky hearts'. Despite all the progress I've made and all the new products I create I dont think I will never change it. You see these cute little things are dear to my heart............

Way back when when I started Muddy Puddle Crafts I had quite a small product range and was always on the look out for new ideas and new blanks to paint. On a trip to Hobby Craft I found 2 bags of blank papier mache hearts stuck in the back of a bargain bin so I bought them. After a bit of paint, some dotting, some varnish and some ribbon they were transformed into 'chunky hearts'. For weeks on end they travelled around with me from craft fair to craft fair and always cheered up my stall ! They sat in baskets, hung across my stall on a washing line and were dotted here there & everywhere. Gradually I sold them all and was gutted when I only had one left and couldn't get any more.

Then last month on holiday in France I went to the French version of Hobby Craft & found some very similar ones but in wooden !!! They were the same size, just perfect. But I had the same quantity problem, they only had 10. Of course I bought the lot and with a lot of thinking I've chosen my 10 favorite colour combinations............

Lime & Fuchsia because its so me, and the best combination EVER !

Red & Fuchsia because I just love the cheery clash it creates !

Baby Pink & White because its as pure as a new born baby !

Fuchsia & White because every little girl is just MAD about pink !

Baby Pink & Brown because it makes pink grown up & Sophisticatd !

Duck Blue & Brown because it reminds me of the seaside - sea, sand & driftwood !

Fuchsia & Aqua as its become my little girls favorite colours !

Aqua & Red because its just soooo Cath Kidston !

Purple & Pink because purple lovers do exist & I hate purple & lilac !

Yellow & Purple because they are the wackiest combination of complimentary colours !

These 10 limited edition little hearts are available to buy for £4.50 each plus 75p p&p.xxx

Crafty Sunday on Monday !

2010-09-06T10:55:00.003+01:00

As far as Muddy Puddle goes I am rushed off my feet at the moment, catching up, making orders, re stocking the shop, playing with new ideas & thinking Christmas. I am bit all over the place with a lot of half finished products that I hope will eventually come together so I can resume some sort of order ! There's nothing really of any substance to share this week so thought I'd share a more personal project with you......'scrap booking'

Cant remember if I've mentioned in the past I have been asked to compile a scrap book about my time (the last 6 years) as a mum at the local family centre I attend. The HOPE Family centre is where me & the kids have hung out for the last 6 years at various toddler groups, both my 2 went through pre school there and I have done many courses. Its a great place where both me & the kids have made some great friendships & I too have learnt new skills. Over the years while the kids were in creche I have done courses in sign language, spanish, gardening & web design to name but a few. The centre really impacts on family's lives and of course recently with The HOPE Emporium craft shop opening it has helped launch my craft business.

So I was given an old hardback book, told to rip out some pages, get out the glue & go for it !

I love the faded burgundy cover so much I have left most of it visible and personalised it with of course polka dots ! As the pages area bit battered I needed a way the strengthen the book for page turning so I have gone ribbon mad !

I have stuck, torn, written, drawn, collaged, painted, printed, its just great fun !

I have also been lent the cutest box of stamps which I am going mad with ! I am so excited by them I'm off on Amazon later to treat myself to my own set !

Its great fun and as well as my creative brain working overtime my writing brain has kicked in and there's no stopping me. Jotting down thoughts on such busy colourful pages is really helping me put pen to paper.

I am already thinking about doing another one when I have finished this one and would recommend all you creative types to try it !!!

Wedding Commission...Job Done !

2010-09-04T21:10:00.002+01:00

Firstly hello & welcome to my new followers, thanks for choosing to join me ! Secondly sorry to you all for not being around lately but the summer holidays have been manic ! During the last 6 weeks we have managed to pack in a weekend in Yorkshire at a family wedding, a week in Spain, numerous play dates & sleepovers and 10 days at my parents in France. Just keeping on top of life in general & the odd order has been time consuming enough so blogging had to go out the window. With only a day left til the kids go back to school thought I'd best make the time for a quick post.

Remember the sample letter I did for a wedding commission ? well I got the order and 11 letters later the order is complete. The brief was 'free standing letters spelling out Just Married in lilac, white, purple & Scottish heather'. I have mixed decoupage with my signature polka dots and I couldn't let an order go out without a heart on it so snuck a little one on the J and M. When laid out it is about 2 metres long so it should make a real statement at the reception

And the winner is..........

2010-08-16T20:42:00.003+01:00

The time is up and the draw has taken place

73 entered on my facebook page and 14 of you here on my blog.

I have used www.random.org to generate the winners who are.........

from here on my blog no 12 JEAN !!!!! and from facebook no 43 BETTY BLUNDELL and no 67 TRACEY HANLEY.

Congrats to Jean and thanks so much to all who entered and left such lovely comments xxx

Finally for those who are gutted, both my hearts & pegs are available to buy in my Folksy Shop !!!!

Crafty Sunday

2010-08-15T23:07:00.003+01:00

Phew, just made it !

Sorry I've not done this for weeks but the weekends have been filled with a holiday, busy times & a wedding.

As I am so late lets keep words to a minimum and get on with the photos of my makes......

its basically been all about 'hearts & homes'

hearts for girls

hearts for grown ups

a heart for 'Kasha'

and a home key hook plaque for 'The Savage Family'

thats me done, I wont be posting after wednesday as I'm off to France to visit my parents for 10 days, see you soon x

GIVEAWAY anyone ?

2010-08-12T18:20:00.002+01:00

A bit of a celebration is going on here in Muddy Puddle Crafts Land........I have reached another milestone......

100 followers here in my blog and 200 fans over on my facebook page !!!!!!!!!

So as promised I'm having a GIVEAWAY !!!!

A big thankyou to all my followers & fans, your support & comments keep me going and your orders are of course very nice too ! I asked my facebook fans what items of mine they like best and it seems 'Packs of 6 Pegs' & '3 Hanging Hearts' are very popular.

So I have decided to put a set of one of these up for grabs on here plus there's a set of both up for grabs on my facebook page........ thats 3 chances to win !!!

To enter please leave a comment with which you'd prefer & your colour choice, 1 winner will be picked at random on monday evening.....good luck !!

(to be in with a better chance you can also enter on facebook and see more photos of pegs & hearts)

Hola, what a holiday !

2010-08-09T22:53:00.003+01:00

Hola, I'm back, and what a great week away I've had !

Forget the typical Sun, Sea & Sand Spain

I've enjoyed Mountains, Markets & Melons near Malaga !

Just thought I'd share a few photos of my holiday with you, in case you didn't know us and another family have spent the last week in Spain. We rented a villa in the mountains just 45 mins inland from Malaga and what a breathtaking part of the country it was. We still got all the sunshine and could have opted for sea & sand just 30 mins down the road but we chose to mainly stay put and chill by the pool and take in the scenery.

Bliss.........

The track to the villa and the view ! wow !

The view got better on the driveway & pool terrace !

The yummy fresh, ripe fruit I lived off !

And I even got to see Polka dots at the market !

Too Busy To Blog, But I'm Back !

2010-07-28T17:58:00.009+01:00

Well, well, well I hear you say......muddy puddle who? ..........where's she been ?

Ok lets get the grovel out the way first, I cant quite believe I've gone from doing a good few posts a week to this sad state of affairs nearly one post a month. Apologies to any of you who have missed me and even bigger apologies to all of your blogging I've ignored but I have just been 'too busy to blog'. An extra special sorry must go to Maria at Me & Ma for me not making Crafty Sunday for the last 3 weeks I do intend to come back x

So then onto the month of July, its been a busy one for me on all levels. When I looked at the calender in about June I could see all the family plans filling up the empty boxes but wasn't quite expecting being busy with work as well. I've so much to tell you dont really know where to start and doubt I'll get it in the right order so bear with me..........

The start of the month was Gala time here in Bromyard, a local agricultural show with all the other trimmings thrown in. Its on for a weekend just up the road and we go every year, it becomes a bit monotonous as its all the same stuff but it just has to be done ! There are animals, tractors, classic cars etc, food, an arena full of events, tat stalls, a fun fair etc etc. All the local schools enter the various classes which this year involved my 6 yr old making a dinosaur from recycled materials. We enjoyed a great family day out which was topped off with Phoebe winning second place!!!guess she must have my creative bug.

On the work front I have hit a few milestones.........my first international order was a biggy and being contacted by a shop who wanted to stock my products was another !!! I was contacted by a friend of my sister in law via facebook in Australia. She ordered a memory box as a baby gift that I made & sent on her behalf.

I took the shop up on their offer and am really chuffed to be selling my things in The Butterfly Rooms, in Saltaire. Its a beautiful looking shop only wish it was nearer so I could see it for real, do have a mooch around there website.

I had a few special orders in the early part of the month one was a for a little girls first birthday, which was fine but it came with a special request.......no hearts... Aahh. I soon realised my range was far too hearty so tried my hand to flowers, really pleased with the result and already have an order for more !

Do you remember my sample letter for the Scottish Heather themed wedding ? well I got the order so now have til the end of August to paint this little lot the same !

Phew, what else has happened......if you're still with me thanks, there's more.........

On a family level its been full on for the whole month....School had an open day, a sports day, a production of Hansel & Gretal, an end of term assembly etc all of which mummy had to attend..... Nursery had a leavers paery, a parents evening & practice days at school for September..... I started a course about 'Scrapbook & Altered Books'. From that I have just started a journal about the last 6 years of mine & my kids lives at the family centre where I have hung out for nursery & toddler groups etc. They want it to be used as evidence for ofstead....My little boy turned 4 which involved planning a party and it has turned me into an emotional wreck as it means he starts school in September, I'm not sure I'm ready for my last one to go....my sister in law got married last weekend........and we go to spain on sunday.

Going back to the wedding my creative contribution was a request from the bride for a large box for the guests to place cards & vouchers in & my daughter requested I make the bride a trinket box. I made them both in the colourscheme to co-ordinate with the day and decoupaged the invite pattern onto both of them.

Going back to school, end of term of course involved pressies for teachers so with a bit of designing from my daughter we adapted these.......

to make this ............

Finally (as I'm sure you are begging me to shut up) is my latest make. The customer saw a plaque on tv in Katie Prices house and wanted one. I didn't just want to copy it as it wouldn't be me if it didn't have hearts & dots so this is what I came up with......

She's really pleased and today I have I got an order for another one !

Ok thats me done, that was July, think I am ready for that holiday on Saturday !! One last thing WELCOME new followers, so nice of you to join me, you must be wondering if I was actually gonna post anything as its been so long. We'll I'm back and promise I'll stay xxx

A Bunch of Talented Folk

2010-07-09T11:17:00.003+01:00

I've been doing a bit of shopping just lately from the sites and Folksy shops of fellow crafters that I have met through face book and blogging.

What a bunch of amazing women we have here in blog land....Not only do we all do the boring jobs women get lumbered with, some of us raise kids, we all run a home, some hold down other jobs, we do craft fairs and still we keep on making & creating !!!! As if thats not enough we then find the time to share our beautiful handmade goodies with the world via FB and Blog land !!! Now thats what I call multi tasking.

I have found such talented women who create yummy things that I am sooo pleased with I just have to share them with you.

This cute bag and set of hair clips is for a little girl who's 6, I just know she'll love them, they are by Emily Pickle, pls check out her blog where she has links to her shops etc.

This little lot I didn't actually purchase but won on a giveaway. They are from Beki at Bekimarie's, her heart brooch range is lovely and check out the sunglasses case, its a new product she's just done.

This Lizard made from a sock is the work of Michelle at Socklings. Its for a friends little boy for his birthday, the problem I have is my son is 4 next week and thinks its for him ! Her website has all sorts of socky creatures.

I have ordered a frame along the lines of this one for a friends son who was one in April. I never got round to posting him a pressie but we are meeting up at a wedding in a few weeks so Claire at Ceebees Handmade is doing me a Rory one. Claire is a friend and is newish to blog land, she started out making cards and is now branching out into frames and brooches !

Please check out all their blogs, keep on making & have a great weekend !

Crafty Sunday

2010-07-04T22:09:00.007+01:00

Is it really sunday again ? these weeks are going far too quick lately. Its been another busy bee week here which is why I've only had time for 1 blog post since last sundays. I am really sorry if I have been ignoring your posts and not leaving comments but I will make more of an effort this week.

Yet again I have left it till the last minute with photos only being taken earlier this evening. This was far too late in the day so sorry if they are a bit dark.

Makes this week have all been about orders.........

A very pink hanger & heart for a little girls new bedroom.

A potential wedding commission, its a Scottish themed wedding with heather in lilac & white. They have requested wooden free standing letters that spell out Just Married, this is just a sample I've done for them so fingers crossed I may get the order.

Finally 2 baby memory boxes, for a Bella & a Joshua. They are quite similar in cream with the spots and the child's birth details written inside the lid. My signature on these is the saying I came up with which I write all round the rim, it seems to get an oohh every time...

"first photo, first curl and baby things so tiny and small and magical moments to remember before you grew so tall xxx"

"From for the Wilde"

2010-07-01T14:14:00.009+01:00

For a few weeks now on here and on my face book page I have hinted at "my new on line venture", well today I can proudly announce it to you all .............

Today 'From the Wilde' a new website was launched by Ellie Wilde which showcases the work of some very talented British artists, designers, makers & illustrators. Ellie has worked extremely hard to build the on line shop and find the people and products to fill it.

I am very proud to be joining her and the other artists/makers and have everything crossed for a big success !!!

There are some wonderful products on the site which suit all tastes and budgets so be sure to take a good look through all the product collections. For now here's a few pieces to entice you..................

Crafty Sunday

2010-06-27T22:08:00.005+01:00

Evening all, sorry I nearly forgot, but better late than never!

I've been enjoying such a nice laid back weekend with the family, enjoying the sunshine, the garden, the weather and general pottering that I have only just thought about doing this (despite reading Maria's in my pj's this morning). As I am so late its more photos & less text if thats ok. Its been a busy, busy old week with orders to make & deadlines to meet........

Made plenty of these that turned into 'Strings of Hearts'

Made various 'Hanging Text Hearts' to suit all tastes.

More primitive hearts that turned into 'Magnets'

And finally, plaques, plaques & more plaques.

P.S I've also gained more followers this week, welcome and thankyou to you for stopping by, looking forward to getting to know you all :)

Knitting 4 Heroes

2010-06-26T20:37:00.005+01:00

Today I went to the Knitting 4 Heroes Exhibition in Hereford. It was a very impressive display with the pieces of work being donated by knitters across the country. The flag was of course the centre piece of the exhibition and the scale of it was sooo impressive.

If you knit please check out these links as the next project has already begun and they need 450 donated squares in greens to make a commemorative wreath.

http://muddypuddlecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/05/ahoy-calling-all-knitters-please.

http://knitting4heroes.blogspot.com

http://www.williamaldridgefoundation.org.uk/

Cath K Spending Spree !!

2010-06-24T21:21:00.002+01:00

Sorry I haven't blogged since Sunday but I'm having a half stressful/half exciting week , one minute I'm having a ball the next I'm tearing my hair out.

There simply aren't enough hours in the day, I am so busy with orders, prep for a market and prep for a new on line venture I have steam coming off my paint brush! Then there's the weather, I am finding it up lifting and pleasurable one minute then draining and tiring the next. On top of all of this the kids aren't sleeping with the heat and are up up some ridiculous hour and therefore turn into little monsters at teatime which makes life even harder.

ok sorry moan over, deep breath............

try to remember happy times...............

oh yeah that cuppa & cherry on top (as my 3 yr old calls them) I enjoyed earlier, bliss !!!!

You've guessed it my birthday money spends have arrived from Cath K

anyone for tea ? It tastes so much nicer out of this believe me

My handbag is looking really swish with this pencil case, gadget case for my camera and mirror !

There' that moment of bliss again, the perfect afternoon snack before the school run !

What do you think ? money well spent I say, just need a nice dotty cake stand to top my china off dont you think ?

Finally today on my way home from work I popped into the new dress agency shop in town for a child free browse, I spotted this..... think all my floral, shabby, vintage spends have influenced my taste this week because I am so not a blue girl but at £12 I just had to buy it !

Crafty Sunday

2010-06-20T20:39:00.008+01:00

Sunday again, where are the days going lately ? Cant believe its the longest day of the year today, that means its all down hill from now, I'm just starting to enjoy summer, slow down, autumn needs to wait a bit please.

Well then onto makes for this week, there's been loads. Alot of the usual to be honeset which I wont bore you with, I'm sure you've seen enough magnets sets, peg sets and name plaques from me lately. It seems there are alot of birthdays this month this week I've done a Lauren, a Kady, a Joshua and am just starting a Daisy & a Harsimran. Also done 2 coat hangers for a Jack & an Edward.

Had a fair this week so a pot of bookmarks and a good bunch of key rings were necessary as at £2 & £2.50 they always go down well.

Had a lovely order for a red & cream washing line which the design was kind of left up to me. I love orders like this as I can make it up as I go along with only a vague brief, really enjoyed doing this one, would love to see it in use in the ladies red kitchen !

Crafty makes over and on to today where I "MADE" my hubby very happy by "MAKING" him a lovely fathers day picnic. The kids and I surprised him by taking him on a posh picnic as my daughter called it ! Not a sandwich in sight, I put together pate, cheeses, baguette, salad, olives, fruit & a chocolate cake !!!! The sun shone and we had a great afternoon in the gorgeous Herefordshire countryside where the great food was followed by a nice leisurely walk.

Just want to add a big Welcome and Thanks to my new followers, I really do get a burst of excitement and motivation when another one of you clicks that button, so thankyou. When I can find a few more hours in the day this week I will be sure to pop over to your blogs and check them out. xxx

First Birthday Spends Purchase !!!!

2010-06-18T21:48:00.002+01:00

Meet my new baby.....I cant begin to tell you how excited I am about this purchase, allow me to explain. As you know I have £80 birthday money burning a huge hole in my pocket. I am still pondering on Cath K tea sets, cake stands, picnic mats, Emma B hearts, Greengate, cake tins and sooo much more but here is my first £20 gone and boy was it worth it !!!!

I decided I needed a new purse. I was very tempted to buy a Cath K large purse for £20 but decided no I really should support and buy handmade so I hit Folksy and all viewed all 290 ish very unique purses. I saw so many I liked and could easily have bought loads and set up a purse shop but then I found Natalie Farrell and my excitement started ! Her shop had coin purses & makeup bags listed but no large purses so I contacted her to see if I could commission one. I figured all my cards, coins, receipts and general junk would soon fill a big purse so I had the idea of a small coin purse to fit inside ? Natalie was very accommodating and asked what I liked and how I imagined it. I told her I liked green, pink, polka dots, buttons & funky florals left it to her......this is what she produced..........stunning, beautiful and so me, just perfect.

WOW WEE !!!!!!! if you feel like me please check out her shop xx

There'e Some Weird Folk in my Town......

2010-06-16T22:01:00.007+01:00

You may be aware that I live in Bromyard, Herefordshire, you have probably never heard of it or have any idea where it is ? We moved to the area 9 years ago after re locating to the Midlands and deciding that living in nice surroundings with cheaper house prices was more preferable than the big towns near the M5 and Birmingham. It meant enduring a 45 min commute but felt a slow pace life in a little town would be great. Its a pretty little market town set between the small cities of Hereford and Worcester (we're about 15 miles form each), we don't have any high street brand shops, no cinema or any of the usual bright lights that come with a big town but what we do have are Festivals ? We host a whole load of them throughout the year, there's a Marmalade Festival, a Poetry Festival, a Folk Festival, a Town Crier Festival and this last weekend a Scarecrow Festival ????? why I hear you cry, I'm afraid I don't know. As I said I'm not a local and will therefore never really understand the traditions of this country town but whatever Festival it is it always makes me smile ! I'll let you make up your mind .........

Last Friday Eve a a bunch of Scarecrows all with a Fairytale theme were paraded through the streets and then on Saturday they appeared dotted around the town, where they stayed until 5pm on Sunday and then just like that they were gone ? (until next year)

they were in the streets...........

in front gardens.........

by railings.........

at the bus depot........

on driveways..........

in more gardens.......

just about everywhere !!!! why ???? you tell me xxx

World Cup Fever !

2010-06-14T23:13:00.002+01:00

Today we had to change the shop window display from the Scarecrow Festival one we've had over the weekend (more of that later in the week, I live in a strange town ?) Now we could have done pastesl, brights, vintage, summery but I decided we really should give in and go with the flow and do a world cup display. Neither I or Jane, who runs the shop with me, are mega football fans but how can you not? So I went to check out the red & white stock we had and figured it was possible although some items are a bit pinky red but hey ho !

So I got out my sticky tape and card stash and set about flag making (couldn't resist adding the ribbon plain is so boring)

As we didn't actually have any St Georges products I made a quick St Georges heart and star. (perfect fathers day gift I figured)

and hey presto, rather good if I do say so myself, hope it brings the boys some luck Go England !

Crafty Sunday

2010-06-13T20:51:00.004+01:00

Hope you've all had a good week, its been a busy one for me and still is. I've had steam coming off my paint brush for the last few days. Got loads of orders to do, preparation for a fair next saturday and stock to produce for a weekly market I'm starting in 2 weeks. I dont actually have anything finished to show you but this is what my work areas have looked like the last 3 days.

This is the 'out the back area' at the shop, wooden shapes balanced all round the sink. From here I could still see into the shop, I managed to paint a bit and when a customer came in I'd pop out & serve !

This is my work area at home, I work in my hall next to my front door. I used to work on the dining room table but all became to much constantly clearing a space to eat. So I now have this funky little lap top desk from Ikea that has an extend-able bit which doubles its size. The space is great as I'm in no ones way, except the dogs whose beds are also in the hall oh yeah and as long as no one rings the door bell as they cant get in !

Once complete this lot will make 4x name plaques, 4x hanging hearts, 3x sets of magnets, 2x sets of hearts on a string, 2 x coat hangers, 3x sets of pegs, 8x bookmarks, 9x keyrings ! Gotta go my last coat of paint is dry, got dots to do xxx

Imagine, Create, Make x

2010-06-11T00:03:00.003+01:00

Do you recall my giveaway where one of my prizes was a mystery plaque handpainted for the winner ?

Well this is it and so far its the only one like it. As requested its all pinks and purples handpainted for Tracey at Sewn Up. Its the smallest size plaque I do, a baby at 7.5 cms square. I really love doing these they are so cute and look great hung on a door, drawer or little slice of wall.

I've been working on a "the loo" one today in cream and blue and it got me thinking.... Thought some of you crafty types out there would appreciate the creative theme of Tracey's and I would therefore like to offer them to you all at £5.00 and free P&P in the colour way of your choice.

Interested ?

Spoilt Rotten !

2010-06-09T13:59:00.004+01:00

As you may have read in earlier posts or my FB page it was my birthday on Monday. I had a great day and was spoilt rotten by my hubby & the kids. I also had lunch with 3 friends and they too gave me a lovely gift. At teatime we of course had cake and candles with the kids and this year they managed to pick a grown up cake rather than a chocolate caterpillar which would be their usual choice ! Thought you may like to see the goodies I received. They were all very me, there was pink, there were flowers, there were spots, there were hearts and there was jewelery.

I also was a very lucky girl and had £80!!! Now this has really got me thinking and I have been trawling round the Internet looking for how many "I've always wanted" things I can find for my money. I would normally go and spend it on clothes but not this year, I'm thinking of things I only dream about.........some handmade bits off folksy, some Greengate, a cake stand, some Cath Kidston tins, a tea set, new picnic bits for the summer, some Emma B bits to go with my mug, some Rice stuff .......I could go on and on so until I have decided I'll let you go x

GIVEAWAY interested ?

2010-06-07T10:20:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know there is a little GIVEAWAY on my facebook page with 8 prizes up for grabs !! Tempted ? then click the link, become a become a liker and leave a comment on the face book post.

As today is by birthday there's a bit of a theme, Good luck xxx

Crafty Sunday

2010-06-06T14:58:00.005+01:00

Welcome, its sharing day again, cant wait to see what you have all been up to but I'm afraid all I have for you is 2 half makes and 1 big excuse.

The excuse is really quite simple, 'half term'. School holidays just mess things up, can't really explain it but the lack of normality really gets to me........the greats have been a weekend away, meeting up with friends, the sunshine, the paddling pool, the odd bounce on the trampoline, the odd lie in, a bit of gardening and seeing the kids enjoying the garden. But the negatives have been the constant brother sister fighting, the nagging, the mess, the mountains of washing, the I'm so bored speech, the I'm so hungry groan, the MUM MUM MUMMY yelling through the house and the lack of structure. Don't get me wrong I love the kids, we've had fun and enjoyed the weather but as for me and making time it just hasn't happened. Am really looking forward to getting back to normality on Monday plus its also my birthday!!

(Oh no, just read that back, do I sound like a negative child hating control freak mummy or what ?)

My first make is the giveaway prize for Tracey at Sewn Up, only showing you a bit so I dont spoil the surprise, its very pink and very purple just like Tracy asked for. Sorry for the delay Tracey it should be with you by Wednesday.

My next make which is not a make at all really but worth blowing my own trumpet about. I've 'made' it into a magazine !!!!!!!!!! My key rings are featured in Creative Crafting magazine on pg 42 the Budget & luxury article for suggested fathers day gifts. I have to say I've never heard of it before, its an online mag but really well worth a read so why not check it out.

So that's me done this week, back to normal tomorrow and hopefully more makes for next sunday xxx

Thankyou Jim Jam xxx

2010-06-05T13:45:00.002+01:00

As you may well know I won the Jim Jam Sandwich giveaway last week which got me so excited. I never win anything and when it comes to pressies and parcels I really am like a kid at Christmas !! Well my parcel arrived and I am so pleased, thank you Gemma, all such lovely things. Now with the parcels contents being so pretty I felt it deserved a pretty photo shoot, so before hubby massacred the lawn today at 100 mph on his sit on mower I took a moment to photograph.

I think the pics say it all but I just want to add

thanks again Jim Jam for such a pretty, girly, pink, yummy,shabby parcel xxx

P.s sorry the thank you is so late in coming but with the kids at home and the sunshine I really have lost the plot and become totally dis functional this week. Roll on monday when normality can resume. I am planning on eating that cup cake biscuit as soon as I return fom the school run :)

and The Winner is ...........

2010-06-01T12:51:00.007+01:00

The deadline is here and all the entries are in .....

....they are written down

.....then neatly folded

......then played with

.....and finally selected !!

So thats it, courtesy of my 3 yr old son the winner is Sewn Up. A BIG thank you to all of you who took part I really have learnt alot from your colour choices. A even BIGGER thank you goes to my new followers who just keep on coming. I am finding it hard keeping up with you all but will get round to checking out all your blogs as soon as I have a free quiet evening.

And finally HUGE congratulations to Tracey at Sewn Up who has chosen pink and purple as her favorite colour combination. I will get painting your goodies in pink and purple combinations and get them to you asap.

Until the next time, Jo xxx

p.s Tracey please can you email me your address to muddypuddlecrafts@googlemail.com

p.p.s If you are gutted I have a little consolation for you, I have promised a giveaway on my facebook page when I get 50 fans, think I only need about 10 more so why not check it out !!!

Last Chance to enter my GIVEAWAY

2010-05-31T23:36:00.002+01:00

My giveaway will be drawn tomorrow so if you are up late tonight blogging please leave a comment to be entered, simply click the dotty sweets at the top right of my page, good luck :)

A Very Late Crafty Sunday, Sorry

2010-05-31T21:52:00.006+01:00

Well, what can I say other than sorry for being a day and a half late. I've been away for the BH weekend and figured I'd have internet access to up load all this yesterday but didn't so here we go. As I mentioned last week I was on mission this week to get loads made as its now half term which will mean very little making, well I succeeded and am really pleased with myself. As I am so late I wont blab on any more so here's my makes....

.....2 sets of Pegs.......

.....2 Sets of Magnets.....

.......2 Brooches.......

.......4 Cards........

........4 Necklaces.......

......A Baby Girl Heart........

......and 5 "Pretty as a Picture Doodle Sets".......

these are a new line for me, I bought the 5 magnetic flower pegs in France and have had no idea what to do with them. So a base coat, some decoupage, some spots, a button, 15 sheets of sugar paper, a pencil and pretty packaging and my kits aimed at little girls are born !

Its amazing what absent kids mean.........

2010-05-28T12:20:00.003+01:00

No kids this morning, look how much I've got done.........

ok they are all only half finished and need more work but I feel very productive. Will reveal finished things on crafty sunday xxx

Followers + Fans = Freebies !!!

2010-05-25T13:50:00.003+01:00

Just wanted to say a big welcome and thankyou to my new followers. Thanks for popping over to me and deciding to stay, I intend to check out all your blogs when I have the time one evening.

Also wanted to thank those of you who have entered my Giveway and remind those who haven't that you've only got a week left, I am finding your colour choices fascinating, why is green so popular ?

You may have also noticed that I have a link to facebook that has popped up on my sidebar. Yes I have at last got with it and set up an account. Please take a look and if you like what you see become a fan & spread the word !

As for future giveaways.... one is planned for when I get 50 face book fans and another on here if I ever reach 100 !!

(p.s hope you like the summery follower and fan pics dont you just love mooching about on google images !)

Crafty Sunday

2010-05-23T18:17:00.000+01:00

Well I'm afraid I've not much to show you this week, its all been a bit dis jointed and I've been far from my usual organised self. I normally make on Mondays & Friday when my son is at nursery and Thursdays when I'm in the shop. However Monday was taken up with delivering far too many parcels (have I mentioned I am a DHL home courier on Mondays and Tuesdays ?) and then painting with yr 6 at my daughters school. Friday was more painting at school, supermarket and preparing for the arrival of my parents from France for the weekend. And then came Thursday where I went to the shop armed with things to do but I forgot my paint brushes !!!

I have however between moments of family life managed to get this plaque finished that I started last week. I am using up letters at the moment before ordering another full alphabet on ebay. I've chosen red because this seems to be THE colour for kitchens at the mo.

My other make (if I can claim it as that) is the painting I have been doing at school. Not sure if you remember my post ages ago where I told you all how I had been asked by the Head to come up with some sort of mural on the school hall wall. I was going to do the project with the 16 year 6 leavers. I took photographs of the school which in places is very old with ornate Victorian chimney pots, tiles, railings, doors etc and asked them to combine the features with their memories of the school and its 'best bits'. They worked really hard on the designing and decided on an abstract montage in the schools burgundy and gold colour scheme. Its not quite finished yet but here's where we are up to.

From my photographic collage to ...............

So thats me done for another week, planning on doing loads this coming week as the one after is half term and

2 kids + 0 school + 0 routine = 0 making !!

P.s please see the post below this to enter my GIVEAWAY !!!!

My First Giveaway !!!!

2010-05-19T16:26:00.009+01:00

Well, well my first giveaway, how exciting ! When I first began blogging I decided that if I ever reached 50 followers I would have a giveaway. I figured it would be quite a milestone for me as it seems I was the only person in the 21st century to never have heard of blogging ! Anyway here we are so it brings me to thankyou's time......I cant thank you all enough for following me and my ramblings and leaving me your thoughts and comments. A big welcome for all the new followers who have popped up lately. Finally a special thankyou to Sana at Raggedy Revival who pushed me and taught me how to blog. Blogging has become such a motivational tool and I am constantly surprised and inspired by the lives of you lot out there, so thankyou.

Now for the good bit......it seems only right that my first giveaway is as spotty and dotty as I can make it. I have all sorts of polka dot bits and bobs for you so here's what you need to do to enter.... All my designs come in an array of colour combinations as I feel we each have a style combination that sums us up. Mine with out question is "Pink & Green", however despite being so not me I also have a thing about "Duck Blue and Brown". So whats yours ? There are loads in the pic at the top of the page but its important you choose wisely because I will make a set of goodies in the winners chosen colour. So leave a comment with your combination and the winner will be picked at random on JUNE 1ST giving you just under 2 weeks.

Up for grabs is a selection of dotty papers printed from my Repro Depot Pattern Books, some sweets for you to make dotty patterns with,a bundle of dotty ribbon, a set of spotty pegs, a dotty key ring, a mystery plaque made just for you, the latest Cath Kidston mag plus a few other dotty bits I need to find on my travels. Good luck, Jo xxx

Crafty Sunday

2010-05-16T19:49:00.006+01:00

Well welcome to my first Crafty Sunday, sorry Sunday is nearly over but I have so busy enjoying the weather and the garden that I sitting inside doing a post has been the last thing on my mind. Anyway onto this weeks creations, its been a productive week of little bits and bobs, quite pleased with how much I've got done actually.

A new line of painted dot and button necklaces. They are meant for children but I am quite liking them myself so not sure who will buy them but they are good fun.

7 more key rings to get my stock levels back up, I do have some in the shop but its the more subdued colours left so needed to do a batch of bright ones. Sorry some are without the ring but I'm waiting for them to come.

Finally a load of girls bookmarks again to get my stock levels back up, I'm also thinking I should really get some of these on Folksy.

Anyway thats my lot, please click on the crafty Sunday pic on my sidebar to cross over to Me & Ma where you can then check out all the others taking part.

P.S I have taken note that I've reached 50 followers !!! wow thankyou all !!! I will get my head together over the next few days and sort my first GIVEAWAY, all very exciting, watch this space xxx

Ahoy Calling All Knitters Please !!!

2010-05-13T20:52:00.003+01:00

Knitters out there your skills are needed for a very good cause.

I will get to the details shortly but first I have a little story to tell you about how I got to hear about it today, proving that it really is a small world.

On July 10th 2009 Riffleman William Aldridge was one of five soliders from 2nd Battalion the Riffles who lost his life in a series of I.E.D explosions whilst on foot patrol in Sangin Disrtrict of Helmand , Afghanistan...and he was one of the eight to perish within 24hrs. He still remains the youngest solider to be killed at just 47 days past his 18th birthday.

William was from my village, Bredenbury near Bromyard, Herefordshire. Although I only met William once his younger brother has been with my daughter through nursery and they are now in the same class at school. During the nursery and school runs I have therefore got to know his mum well.

So, on to today........ I was in the shop and received a flyer in the post, postmarked Bristol advertising a knitting event in Hereford. I duly placed it on the counter for all to see and thought no more of it until that was I discovered their blog. On seeing the profile name I put 2 and 2 together and worked out the flyer had been sent by William's Auntie. On contacting her I then discovered she had no idea who I was or that I knew the family. She was simply just targeting businesses for a bit of free advertising, what a small world.

Now this where you come in, Knitting 4 Heroes are raising money for Forces charity's and running events in memory of William. They have had knitters all over the country donating knitted squares to make a huge Union Jack as well as other donations of patriotic knitted goodies. They need all the help they can get and have just launched their latest challenge. So Please please check out their blog if you can help, they never turn away knitters and have tasks for all ablilitys. Their cause is so worthwhile, for more information also click http://www.williamaldridgefoundation.org.uk/

Job Done...latest orders all delivered

2010-05-12T21:33:00.002+01:00

Just thought I'd share with you my latest batch of orders. All done and delivered leaving me time to catch up on re stocking bits for The Hope Emporium Shop. I am concentrating on getting stock levels up at the moment before trying out a few new ideas I have. I love designing new things and am so tempted to crack on with them but I cant as I have a "To Do list" that I am determined to stick to. I know lists and schedules are a little bit anal but it has to be done, would you believe it if I told you that as I'm not going to make during the 6 weeks summer hols I am doing Christmas decorations in July!, yeah right I hear you say, I'll let you know if I stick to it, bets please?

A few plaques (thank goodness for the blue one as I am having a very pink time lately)

And a Baby Memory Box for a christening gift, perfect for keepsakes. The wording round the rim is something I came up with that I think makes it extra special "first photo, first curl and baby things so tiny and small and magical moments to remember before you grew so tall"

Flowers & Followers

2010-05-09T20:56:00.001+01:00

Its "Oohh Ahhh Fresh Flowers" time again in my kitchen, well they are actually a week old but I have waited until they are at their best before sharing them with you. I couldn't resist going back to lilys this week when I saw them for a bargain in Aldi at £3.49, well within my oohh ahh budget. However I was in for a big surprize, the label said "oriental lilys" which I have always known to have pink middles, so yellow was quite a shock ! I am a very pink girl but the colour doesn't bother me as they are fresh and summery and the smell is infectious.

Just wanted to take a minute to celebrate my latest followers and as I always do show a picture to resembles them. So welcome and thankyou to Sewn Up, Funky Monkey, Deb Thompson, Becki Marie, Emily Pickle and Blueberry Heart, I'll let you decide which style legs are most like yours ? I really do get excited by new followers as its great to know someone actually reads what I ramble on about. I also love it as it leads me to pop over to your blogs and have a mooch about and a good read and find loads more interesting blog people. So thankyou xxx

How did You Spend Your Friday Night Girls

2010-05-08T21:14:00.003+01:00

So what did you get up to last night ?

You'll never guess what I got up to

.........not a night in , not a night on the town.............

but a night in with the girls, wine, a packet of haribo and BUTTONS !!!!!

As you may know I sell my products locally in The Hope Emporium as well as volunteering to run the shop with my friend Jane. Hope is the charity which have set up the shop to support local mums back into work that fits in with family life. We sell work by many crafters and makers aswell as raising money for the Hope Family Centre Charity. In an effort to raise more money for Hope we had a idea.....

Buttons, Beads, Lace, Ribbon and anything creative="Craft bags"

So last night we got together with bags of donated bits, off cuts of ribbon, fabric scraps and all the bits we could all just about bear to part with and got bagging.

What a night, I had great fun!

We bundled ribbon

We bundled lace

We made vintage feel bags

We made girly bags

And we even made boys bags

And of course the wine and the bag of haribo made it extra good !

A Blustery Bank Holiday

2010-05-04T21:11:00.002+01:00

With Dexter having the sick bug last week I was keen to have a traditional bank holiday day out on May Day. Being stuck at home all week drove me mad, I got truly fed up of being couped up and was in need of some fresh air to blow away the bugs. I started using it as a bit of a bribe by friday, "if you feel get better and start eating again we may go out on monday" then to Phoebe "if your'e good we may have a day out on monday " how bad is that but it works with my kids and they even egg each other on "dont do that or we wont get a day out" etc, also it builds the excitment which I love to see!

We didn't go far only 3 miles through the lanes in fact to a local farm park which despite being on our doorstep we've only been to once before. We all had a fab day and even dodged the showers but it was very blustery. The kids loved it, we did all the animal feeding, had a tractor ride,went for a walk in the bluebell woods, had a go on the play area, held animals and even milked a cow ! I wont bore you with all the kid picys but thought you may like to see some of the wonderful Herefordshire countryside thats right on my door step, oh and the one of Stanley the bull having the biggest wee I have ever seen !

A Bit of Booty !

2010-05-02T22:11:00.002+01:00

With the hubby needing to go into work I decided at the last minute (probably about 2 hours too late) to take the kids to the car boot on route to the park. To be honest we were too late getting there and with the weather being a bit hit and miss it wasn't great but we had a bit of a mooch about and all got something out of it.

Dexter was made up with his 2008 ! (bless) Power Rangers Annual and Superman pencil case. Phoebe just loves her REAL GLASS heart pendant necklace and mobile phone case (for her non working , hubbys old mobile). And I got these.........(complete with the old box)

On closer inspection at home I discovered that some were also complete with contents. Lotions ? potions ? poisons ? god knows but I've still got a head ache from the fumes.

Anyway a good clean and twice through the dishwasher (lets hope it wasn't too toxic and I've poisoned us) they now look like this. Sitting pretty on my conservatory shelf, with the red wall behind them they look great. And at £4.50 what a bargain !

New Creations

2010-05-01T22:25:00.002+01:00

As promised this weeks creations to share with you, enjoy....

Happy Bank Holiday, here's hoping for sunshine xxx

So We Got the BUG ! great

2010-04-29T13:36:00.004+01:00

What a week........... my son Dexter has had a sick bug, great !

It came for a night, it went for a day, it came back for 12 hours, now fingers crossed its gone ?

My week has been........nursing, cuddling, cleaning, washing, nursing, cuddling, cleaning etc etc

I've washed my hands so many times they are like sand paper (ouch !)

I've sprayed the entire house with anti bac 20 times a day ( just to be sure x)

I've used a whole can of air freshener trying to get rid of the smell (am I paranoid ?)

The poor washing machine has never seen so much action (how un environmental)

The only consolation has been I've found time to do some making !!!!!!!!!!!

A coat of paint and some cuddles..........A coat of paint and hang the washing out..........A coat of paint and more cuddles..........a coat of paint and watch a film..........a coat of paint and clean.......etc

The result 6 stars, 7 hearts and 2 name plaques nearly complete !!!!!!!!!

Will give you the finished items soon, hope you dont catch it xxx

Coat Hangers

2010-04-26T21:34:00.002+01:00

Just thought I'd share with you an order I have just completed and some things I've just listed on Wow Thankyou. Haven't done many coat hangers for a while but I have a sign in the shop advertising them and get the odd order from time to time. Normally they are for birthday and christening pressies, this one is for Tilly's first birthday. I get told all the time "its got to be pink please" but not this time, apparently Tilly is often dressed quite wacky, colourful and bright and rarely in pink. This made a nice change doing a red one for a girl !

I have put 3 girls ones and 3 boys ones on Wow Thankyou, all different so hopefully appealing to all tastes ?

..........and The Award Goes To ............

2010-04-26T19:53:00.002+01:00

As I told you all in my previous post, last thursday I kindly accepted the 'I heart your blog' award from Sarah at Blueberry Patch. Thanks again its my first !! as I'm new to this I have linked back from Sarah's award to find the rules and here they are.

The Rules:

1.) Thank the person who nominated me

2.) Copy the award and place it on my blog

3.) Link to the person who nominated me

4.) Nominate 15 bloggers

5.) Post links to the 15 blogs I nominate

So I would like to pass it onto the following blogs, they are all really great, really interesting and a real inspiration. Please check them out, they are all worthy of it.........

Thankyou All its Means Alot !

2010-04-22T21:58:00.004+01:00

Well its not just the sun making me smile, I have had my first award passed on from Sarah at Blueberry Patch this means so much as its my first one :) Thanks Sarah you really deserved it too thanks for passing it on, it will look great at the top of my page.

Thanks and welcome to all my new followers who are represented in the pic below. Great to find you popping up on my blog this week and thanks for all your comments. Welcome Sarah, Mummy Boo Bear, Moody Cow Designs, Justine, Emma, Michelle, Vintage Bettys, Beautiful Dee's and Wendy Mcqueen. I'll let you decide which one of the nine you are in the picture !!

Too tired tonight to engage my brain into passing on the award but will sort it in the next few days, I have so much to read and so much to check out, all very exciting.

ttfn Jo x

Oooh Ahhh Fresh Flowers Part 3

2010-04-20T19:57:00.003+01:00

My quest for a kitchen with fresh flowers continues. The lilys lasted nearly 2 weeks and the scent was so strong it will be really missed. Popped to Co-Op for milk and spotted these. So pink, so green, so ME! Against my pea soup green walls they look so vivid, I just love them!!!

So sticking to my £3ish budget we have...... Chrysanthemums from Co-op for £3.00.

The Cath K Influence

2010-04-18T23:27:00.011+01:00

It occurred to me yesterday whilst pegging out my white wash (well whitey, pinky, bluey) that my 6 yr old daughter has caught Cath fever! After watching me paint polka dots and decoupage Cath Kidston papers and grow my Cath mug collection she has become a fan.

This time last year she would have chosen a rather bold collection of clothes branding all sorts of graphic images and text. High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Seaquins, Glitter prints, 80's influences and denim would have been high on her list and she would have been twisting my arm to let her own the lot. She did twist my arm on some of it and she wears what fits her but as for new things she is in the shabby, pretty, english rose zone.

This Easter hols we did a food shop in Asda and Sainsburys so I picked her up a few bits, I was amazed what she chose. The knickers on the line are a 5 pack from Asda forget the Disney ones she chose pretty, the rose pj's are also Asda (£6 I think what a bargain) and she thinks they are real Cath Kidston! Then in Sainsburys I got her 2 cheap £4 t shirts for playing in the garden, it had to be english rose and polka dots. The detailing on these lets face it cheap clothes are un real. The neck of each is even lined in a contrasting fabric making the shabby influence even stronger. The Joules t shirt was a birthday pressie, I only wish it was mine, again great detailing under the collar and the matching buttons.

Back to my opening comment a "white wash" god I sound like my mum does anyone still do a white wash? I dont as I said I do pinky, bluey, white ones. I remember my mum doing a boil wash and a line of crisp white bedding, tea towels and undies. Dont think that really happens does it ? Nearly everything is so colourful these days ?Do people still have pure white undies drawers ? Sorry I'm rambling so best stop but please let me know your thoughts .

Yeah Comments Please !!!

2010-04-17T21:22:00.004+01:00

I dont know why but my "add a comment" bit at the bottom of each post has disappeared lately and a few of you have contacted me via email & my Folksy shop to tell me the problem and leave me feedback.

I have kind of avoided solving it as the settings bit of my blog scares me to death and I kind of do things by accident when playing about. Well tonight I have put my "not at all techy" head on and been brave enough to fix it !!! Dont understand how or why but I followed some advice on a forum about backups ? templates ? html ? widgets ? and default ? (what the ?)and did what it said. With everything crossed I clicked it and hey presto !!!

Phew I need a cuppa and a biscuit now to recover. Shame I drunk all the wine with my BBQ tea, anyway its all fixed so in future comment away, thanks xxx

Thankyous and welcomes

2010-04-16T22:49:00.003+01:00

Just wanted to do a quick post to welcome this weeks seven new followers. Welcome to Muddy Puddle world and thanks for stopping by hope you enjoy my blog. Special thanks to Viv at Poppy Sparkles for featuring me on your Folksy Friday.

Now a post wouldn't be complete without a photo, just love this, have a good weekend xxx

New Products

2010-04-15T20:53:00.005+01:00

Despite telling my kids and myself that I would put my paint brushes away for the Easter holidays I have managed to get a few bits made. We have had a busy 2 weeks and the weather has meant great times playing outside, picnicing, visiting friends, going to the park etc nearly every day but I have really missed making.

So with last Saturday and today being my day to work in the Emporium I took my paints and between customers managed to get these pieces finished, which has been great!

These knobs are new product for me, something I've been meaning to do since buying them from B&Q in January! I've loved doing them, so colourful, so cheerful and refreshing and a nice change from painting flat plaques. I love decoupaging and think combined with my signature polka dots it looks so shabby!

These kitchen plaques get a good reaction every time I put them in the shop so have done 2 more to add to my area, I may also put some on Folksy ? Anyone woman who is the only female in the household or any mum of teenagers always have a laugh at these and cant resist buying one.

Oooh Ahhh Fresh Flowers Part 2

2010-04-12T22:07:00.005+01:00

As you may know I am on a quest to ensure my kitchen always has fresh flowers in it, by not breaking the bank. My newly revamped kitchen I feel deserves it so I pick up a cheap bunch of whatever at whatever supermarket I happen to be in and have decided to share it with you.

This week its Lilys from Aldi at £3.49, what a bargain, the smell from them cheers me up no end.

Also treated the kitchen wall to this beautiful willow twig heart that I picked up in a gift shop in the Mumbles over the Easter weekend. I tell my hubby I'm treating the kitchen and not me so his moaning about the amount of hearts I buy subsides a little!

Blog & Talent Spotting

2010-04-11T21:42:00.006+01:00

With the exception of last night when we had friends over for a BBQ I have been so bored the last few evenings I have been having a mooch about on blogger and folksy. Been checking out blogs and Folksy shops and feeling so inspired by all the talent that's out there. I have found 6 great new blogs to follow and you really should check them out if you haven't already found them!

This felt heart brooch is one of my fav things, Hearts (check) Pink (check) and buttons (check) its by Little Gem's World. She has lovely things in her shop and her blog led me to Emporium Tea Rooms. This is such an inspiring place, a tea rooms , a craft shop and a venue for art and craft courses for all ages. What a great facility for the community. If that was on my door step I'd have my son on the toddler courses, my daughter on the sewing courses and I'd be dreaming of teaching there and spending my wages in the shop! Another teacher at the Emporium is Sandy from Three Potato Four her work with the kids on the craft courses is great and very inspiring.

This pretty cup cake card is by Button Patch really simple yet effective cards, loads more designs worth having a look at.

Moobaacluck produce a colourful range of wood craft and I am so tempted to get one of these for my niece who is cat mad!

Jim Jam Sandwich produce great textiles and these little brooches are a great price, so cute and dinky, I want one.

My 6th and final blog is winnibriggshouse , she a great talker and makes me smile, and if the picture on her header is her studio at the bottom of her garden I want to move in with her!

Hope you take a look at these 6 blogs, they have kept me going these last few days, great inspiration girls xxx

New Plaques and New Follower!

2010-04-07T22:10:00.005+01:00

Been spending a bit of time getting a few new things together to add to my Folksy shop. I have decided on 3 plaques as I haven't done any plaques yet. There are so many of them out there but in saying that I've not seen any like these so I'll give it a go. I have decided to list things in 3's due to the layout of Folksy in organised rows of 3's. I think its the neatest way of doing things. (I am a bit of a straight and symmetry freak so bear with me). Too tired tonight to do the listings but they should be on by the end of the week. I am also in the process of putting a few bits on Wow Thankyou, has anyone tried this one ?

As well as introducing 3 new lines to you may I say thanks and welcome to Marie over at HeartFelt Handmade who has become my latest follower. Why not check her out, I love the fact that she sews the lot by hand and never use glue!

Easter Weekend Away!

2010-04-07T18:46:00.009+01:00

I had a few days away with the hubby & kids this weekend in Cardiff Bay. What a fab place, it has it all going on great architecture, good food, craft markets, exhibitions plus all the normal waterfront things like boat trips, ice cream and an old faithful carousel. We had a great time wondering about taking it all in visiting "Techniquest", "The Welsh Parliament Building" and "The Visitors Centre". The whole place is really well done and really quite trendy & cosmopolitan, not a tacky shop or amusement arcade in sight! As its only an hour along the M4 to the Gower we also had a day on the beach, in the sunshine, which was a bonus. I'd recommend it to anyone.

As well as enjoying the sights we also had fun with our new compact camera (Sony DSC H55) the one they advertise on tele with the sweeping panoramic feature. Its fab, you just stand, point and sweep around 180 degrees and voila a wide angle panoramic shot. We got a few funny looks doing it but the results are great!

Happy Easter To You All

2010-04-02T20:45:00.003+01:00

Happy Easter everyone, hope you have an enjoyable weekend and you get to see the Easter Bunny !

See you all next week x

Oooh Ahhh Fresh Flowers

2010-03-30T22:08:00.001+01:00

We spent a lot of time, effort and money last year having our kitchen re plastered & re jigged into a new layout. With it looking so nice I have decided over the last few months it deserves to have fresh flowers in it at all times. We are not talking anything extravagant just a £3 ish supermarket bunch added to my weekly shop. Believe it or not it is having such a positve impact on us, (my husband has barely noticed or commented) but my 3 yr old son loves helping me choose and my 6 yr old daughter takes a mega interest in each and every bloom! Each morning she is guessing which bud will come out next and is gutted when they start to droop and turn brown. With it cheering me up on a daily basis I thought I'd share them with you each week.

So here's this weeks, 2 bunches of Co-op daffs @ £1.20 each.........Spring is well and truly in my kitchen !

Welcome New Followers & Customers

2010-03-29T19:48:00.006+01:00

There's been quite a bit (for me) of on line activity here at Muddy Puddle Crafts in the last few days, just the boost I need. Welcome and thank you to my new followers and a huge thanks to Heather who has become my first Folksy customer!

Back in October I'd never even heard of blogging and was happy crafting away here on my own in Herefordshire. A friend of mine (Raggedy Revival) kept telling me "get blogging then get selling online its the way to go". So with her push and help I did and here we are. The Folksy shop is about 2 months too late but never mind I'm up and running now! Thanks to all of you who follow me and for all the inspiration I get from your blogs. I intend to keep plodding on and who knows whats next?

I enjoyed wrapping and packing up my first Folksy order for Heather today and as she's the first I've added an extra little gift, hope she likes them ?

Here's to more sales, keep on crafting everyone xxx

Easter Tree

2010-03-28T22:09:00.003+01:00

With a week to go and the sun shining (a bit) we decided to do our Easter Tree today. Me and the kids cut down a branch and brought it inside. As usual it looked small in the garden but once inside it was huge and we clearly needed a few more decorations. So begged by the kids I got out my craft bits and nicked some felt flowers from my daughters sewing kit and we got making. My 3 year old son was bored after 10 mins and only wanted to make green things but me and Phoebe has a great time. A bit of ribbon, some beads and the felt flowers and "voilà" 5 new decorations. We added them to my chick eggs made last year, my painted and collage eggs and the kids' tat' and it looked lovely. A fresh, bright, up lifting spring feeling is now in the house, just a shame they are forecasting SNOW this week !

10 Followers, WOW Double Figures!

2010-03-26T22:12:00.003Z

Reached a bit of a mile stone tonight, well a little one for all you with loads of followers, but a big one to me..........10............double figures !!!

Thankyou Carolyn from The Mosaic Garden xxx Have just checked you out and popped over to your Folksy shop, I am loving the makeup bag mirrors. For any of you who know me pink and hearts, so me, may just have to get saving for one of those!

Muddy Puddle Crafts

Dotty Followers

....and the Award Goes To....

A Valentines Gift From Heaven!

Spotty Birthday

Bring On The Kids (part 1)

One Week at A Time!

Oooh Knitwear!

Goodbye Christmas

Get Personal

A Gingham or A Gold Christmas?

Autumn in The Sun!

A Taste Of France

Buttons, Hearts & Pink Cake!

In the Spotlight - Muddy Puddle Crafts

Juggling!

Are Flowers & Chocolate Really Enough?

and the WINNER is.........

Finishing Touches!

The Story of my Profile Pic & Giveaway!!

Studio Space!

Last Chance For LOVE xxx

Its all coming together....

I have a .com!!!

Blog Award

The 27 days of January

Done & Dusted :(

Sewers Watch Out, Lol x

How Do You Display Yours ?

Christmas !

Win £500 of handmade Goodies !!!!

I've Been Kidnapped !!!!

Where Did the Summer Go ?

Crafty Sunday

Oohh Aahh Fresh Flowers (is back)

Crafty Sunday

Back by Popular Demand.....

Crafty Sunday on Monday !

Wedding Commission...Job Done !

And the winner is..........

The time is up and the draw has taken place

I have used www.random.org to generate the winners who are.........

from here on my blog no 12 JEAN !!!!! and from facebook no 43 BETTY BLUNDELL and no 67 TRACEY HANLEY.Congrats to Jean and thanks so much to all who entered and left such lovely comments xxxFinally for those who are gutted, both my hearts & pegs are available to buy in my Folksy Shop !!!!

Crafty Sunday

GIVEAWAY anyone ?

Hola, what a holiday !

Too Busy To Blog, But I'm Back !

A Bunch of Talented Folk

Crafty Sunday

"From for the Wilde"

Crafty Sunday

Knitting 4 Heroes

Cath K Spending Spree !!

Crafty Sunday

First Birthday Spends Purchase !!!!

There'e Some Weird Folk in my Town......

World Cup Fever !

Crafty Sunday

Imagine, Create, Make x

Spoilt Rotten !

GIVEAWAY interested ?

Crafty Sunday

Thankyou Jim Jam xxx

and The Winner is ...........

****Last Chance to enter my GIVEAWAY****

A Very Late Crafty Sunday, Sorry

Its amazing what absent kids mean.........

Followers + Fans = Freebies !!!

Crafty Sunday

My First Giveaway !!!!

Crafty Sunday

Ahoy Calling All Knitters Please !!!

Job Done...latest orders all delivered

Flowers & Followers

How did You Spend Your Friday Night Girls

A Blustery Bank Holiday

A Bit of Booty !

New Creations

So We Got the BUG ! great

Coat Hangers

from here on my blog no 12 JEAN !!!!! and from facebook no 43 BETTY BLUNDELL and no 67 TRACEY HANLEY.

Congrats to Jean and thanks so much to all who entered and left such lovely comments xxx

Finally for those who are gutted, both my hearts & pegs are available to buy in my Folksy Shop !!!!

Last Chance to enter my GIVEAWAY