Studio Space!

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!

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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

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....

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'

1. New Logo CHECK!
2. Mini Moo Business Cards CHECK!
3. New Envelopes CHECK!
4. Dots & Spots Packing Tape On Order CHECK!
5. Moo Stickers On Order CHECK!
6. Clear Paint Palette for Customers CHECK!

Think thats all grown up enough????

I have a .com!!!

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

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

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 :(

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