Fairies and Elves

Hey lovelies,

I've been having a bit of a blogging writers block recently, mainly I think because I wanted to up my blogging game this year... so immediately my mind goes blank!!

But I did want to share these gorgeous Fairies and Elves doors that a friend of ours made for the kids.

I'm so chuffed with them and the kids adore them. Simon (the lovely friend who made them) is hoping to set up an Etsy shop, so watch this space if you like the look of them.

Resolution #1 - Bloglovin

I've decided that 2015 is going to be the year I get my blogging act together.

To that end, I'm trying to be more pro-active with using Bloglovin.

If you click on the link below you can follow my blog through Bloglovin.

To be honest I'm not entirely sure where we go from there... but as I find out I will come back and update this post!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Recent Creations

Happy New Year!

I know, I'm a little late with the greeting, but I've been a little busy.

I had a flurry of orders over Christmas, which was lovely, but as I was taking a break from work, it meant when I came back to it this week, I had a full on timetable.

So I just wanted to share with you a couple of recent creations and then I'd best get back to it. Hoping to get a tutorial written up next week or the week after (Tax Return avoidance!)

George Pig Hand Puppet

Penguin Hand Puppet

Yoda Hand Puppet

Fiat 600 Hanging Ornaments

Felt Angel Christmas Tree Topper

VAT Rule Changes - VATMOSS and how it will affect Small Businesses

As some of you will already know the EU are changing the VAT (Value Added Tax) rules for Digital Products on the 1st January 2015.

This has proven to be a very complicated change, which means that instead of the VAT being dependent on where the seller is based, the VAT will now be charged at the local rate of the buyer. So if I am based in the UK and I sell to a customer in the UK, I would only charge VAT if my turnover was more than £81,000 (I wish!!) as that is the threshold for the UK. However some countries within the EU do not have a VAT threshold, so as soon as I make even 1 digital sale to someone in an EU country with no threshold (such as Spain or Sweden) I would have to pay VAT on that product.

Not only does this mean that I would be losing out on income, as some of all my EU sales would have to go to the VAT Man, but it is also unbelievably complicated in terms of filing a tax return, the amount of data that needs to be collected and stored about each sale and then there are the dispute issues, such as what if a customer lives in one EU country, but is travelling and makes a purchase whilst in another EU country?

HMRC does not have answers to these questions yet. The likes of Etsy & Craftsy do not have answers to these questions yet. It's nearly the end of December and time is running out to get answers.

SO.

I had decided that I would simply stop selling digital patterns on the 31st December 2014, which is a real shame as that was the direction I was trying to push my business towards. It would mean that I cannot grow my business in the way I want to.

However. I have just this morning discovered this from HMRC:

Examples of electronic supplies and whether or not they are ‘digital services’

Service	E-service?	Electronically supplied?	Covered by the new rules
Pdf document manually e-mailed by seller	Yes	No	No
Pdf document automatically e-mailed by seller’s system	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pdf document automatically downloaded from site	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stock photographs available for automatic download	Yes	Yes	Yes
Live webinar	No	No	No
On-line course consisting of pre-recorded videos and downloadable pdfs	Yes	Yes	Yes
On-line course consisting of pre-recorded videos and downloadable pdfs plus support from a live tutor	Yes	No	No
Individually commissioned content sent in digital form e.g. photographs, reports, medical results	Yes	No	No
Link to online content or download sent by manual e-mail	Yes	Yes	Yes

So this does mean that my Craftsy and Pattern Mart shops will have to close on the 31st December 2014 as they do not currently support anything other than automatic downloads.

But the good news is that you will still be able to purchase patterns from my Etsy shop as I will simply be removing the automatic download option and will email the pattern out, in PDF format after it has been purchased.

This means only a tiny bit more work for me, but luckily no increased cost for you or me! Yay!

It's not an ideal solution, but it is a workable solution for now.

If you want to read more about this subject, Rosie Slosek's Blog One Man Band Accounting is very informative and full of useful info and tips on how you can help make a difference.

Christmas Inspiration from Pinterest

Now, we all know how much I adore whiling away hours on Pinterest, looking up cool new things to make... and usually, like most people, I pin away and never actually find the time to make things!

But this year I promised myself it would be different... so when I found some fun and easy pins, I made time to make them too....

What do you think? I don't think I failed too badly ;-)

Source - Pinterest

My version

Source - Pinterest

My version, with more candy canes and a sack full of chocolate presents!

Source - Pinterest

My version (please excuse all the kids artwork - the mirror is in their playroom!)

I had so many others that I wanted to try out, like these:

Source - Pinterest

And this one:

Source - Pinterest

But as usual at this time of year, I have totally run out of time.

I'd love to see some of the creative things you've made for Christmas, especially if they were inspired by something you've seen on Pinterest!

Christmas VW Cuddly Campervan Giveaway... And the Winner Is.......!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Cuddly VW Christmas Camper Giveaway:

And the Winner is......

Well done Joanne :-D

I'm sorry that you couldn't all win, but I will do another giveaway in the New Year - maybe a sewing kit... watch this space!

Christmas VW Campervan Giveaway!!!

As I mentioned in my last post (somewhat belatedly!) I should have run this giveaway at the beginning of October :-/

Still... better late than never, right?!

Here's what's up for grabs - A Christmassy VW Cuddly Campervan!

I will post worldwide and the giveaway will run until the 3rd December (just in case someone from New Zealand wins as that is the last posting date for NZ from the UK!) and I would love as many shares & shout-outs as y'all can manage!

Here's the entry bit:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Confessions of a Craftaholic!

I have a confession.

It's not a life-altering, want to hang my head in shame kinda confession (I'm sorry - if that's what you were hoping for, there might be racier blogs for you than this one!)

It's an 'Ooops, I was planning something and I totally forgot all about it' kinda confession!

I have just passed, well actually Grace's Favours has just passed it's 3rd Birthday! Whoop!

Which means, the giveaway I was going to hold to celebrate my/our Birthday didn't happen.

Bums.

I wanted to do one on the scale of the other Giveaways I've held - like the Rainbow one or the Christmas Wreath one.

However, to make up for it... I thought I'd run an 'It's now the end of November, which means nearly Christmas Giveaway'!

Soooo.... how would you like to win A Merry Christmas Cuddly Campervan???

The giveaway post will go live within the next couple of hours... keep your eyes peeled!

Wordless Wednesday - Lettering Tutorials

Source - Wee Folk Studio

Source - Pinterest

Source - Better Homes & Gardens

Source - Pinterest

Christmas Crafty Tutorial Link Up

Yesterday I posted a Christmassy Tutorial - A Mini Teddy Bed as part of Laura (Lupin) Howards' Crafty Tutorial Link Up:

And today I've got the other bloggers' makes to show to you too.

If you click on the links below that will take you directly to the individual blogs with their tutorials.

Mini Teddy Bed - Grace's Favours
http://www.gracesfavours.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/how-to-make-mini-teddy-bed-free-tutorial.html

Shiny Reindeer Embroidered Hoop Art - Candyfloss Ramparts
http://www.candyflossramparts.com/free-pdf-pattern-shiny-reindeer-embroidered-hoop-art/

Teeny Tiny Snowman Pendant - i ManuFatti

http://imanufatti.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/crafty-christmas-tutorial-link-up.html

Nativity Bunting Tutorial - Hoogally

http://hoogally.com/2014/11/nativity-bunting-tutorial/

Floating Pompom Garland - RetroDelicious

http://www.retrodelicious.co.uk/2014/11/floating-pompom-garland.html

Printable Colouring-In Snowflake Labels - It's Organised

http://itsorganised.com/printable-colouring-in-snowflake-labels/

Blackwork Pleated Heart - Carina's Craftblog

http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/2014/11/tutorial-blackwork-pleated-heart.html

Patchwork Christmas Bauble - Made by Mrs M

http://madebymrsm.co.uk/2014/11/12/patchwork-christmas-bauble-tutorial/

Upcycled Jumper Christmas Stocking with Robin Appliqué - Halcyon Threads
http://halcyonthreads.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/tutorial-christmas-stocking-from.html

Felt Christmas Mouse Ornament - Molly & Mama

http://mollyandmama.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/sew-a-felt-christmas-mouse/

First Flake, Snowflake Ornament - Betz White

http://betzwhite.com/2014/11/first-flake-felt-ornament-tutorial.html#.VGRyNMnCnzQ

Gingerbread House Ornament - Shiny Happy World

http://www.shinyhappyworld.com/2014/11/gingerbread-free-felt-christmas-ornament-pattern.html

Mod Winter Table Runner - Tumus / Little Red Thread

http://tumus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/blog-hop-mod-winter-table-runner.html

Shabby Christmas Denim Heart - Cocojude 

http://cocojude.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/shabby-christmas-denim-heart-tutorial/

Fairy Lights Christmas Cake - Cupcakery
http://www.cupcakerys.com/2014/11/a-christmas-cake.html

Washi Tape & Button Christmas Card - The Lilac Linnet

http://www.thelilaclinnet.com/blog/washi-tape-and-button-christmas-card

Christmas Card String & Pegs - Fizzi Jayne Makes

http://fizzijaynemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/christmas-card-string-and-peg-tutorial.html

Felt Christmas Stocking - Vicky Myers Creations

http://vickymyerscreations.co.uk/tutorial-2/felt-christmas-stocking/

Felt Holiday Wreath - The Felt Store

http://thefeltstore.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/felt-christmas-wreath-tutorial.html

Penguin Pocket Friend or Ornament - Lulu & Celeste

http://luluandceleste.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/felt-penguin-ornament-or-toy-diy.html

Saint Nick Ornaments - Homemade at My Place

http://homemadeatmyplace.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/saint-nick-ornaments-for-2014-crafty.html

Retro Photo Christmas Cards - Bugs and Fishes

http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/how-to-retro-photo-christmas-cards.html

Modern Felt Advent Calendar - Hugs are Fun

http://hugsarefun.com/modern-felt-advent-calendar-tutorial/

Felt Christmas Ornaments - Marc's Treasure Basket

http://marcstreasurebasket.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/diy-felt-christmas-ornaments-from-marc.html

Hope you all enjoy all these fab tutorials - I'm off to check some out now with a cuppa - enjoy!

How To Make a Mini Teddy Bed - Free Tutorial

I know today should be Wordless Wednesday, but instead I've got a little Christmassy tutorial for you. Last year I took part in Laura's Christmas Tutorial Link Up and my submission was the Felt Gingerbread Man Gift Tag

Well, this year Laura's running another Christmas Link Up and this time round, I've created not one, but two makes!

The first, which is going to be in the Link Up is this Mini Teddy Bed:

You Will Need:

A mint tin (if you want to use the templates I've drawn, it'll need to be an Altoids Tin)
2 Pieces of Red Felt - 2.5" x 2"
1 Piece of Seasonal Material - slightly larger than your mint tin
1 Piece of white Fleece (or felt) - 3.5" x 3"
1 Piece of Ribbon - 4" long
White & Green Embroidery Threads
Small Piece of Wadding or Small Amount of Stuffing for the Pillow
Pinking Shears
Scissors & Pins

Instructions:

Either using the template provided, or by drawing round your tin, cut out the bottom sheet from your seasonal material, using pinking shears to prevent fraying - if you've drawn round the tin you will need to cut just inside the line to get a good fit.

Next cut out 2 pieces of red felt and if you are using wadding, cut out a smaller rectangle, so the wadding sits nicely in between the 2 pieces of felt.

Using 2 strands of white embroidery thread, back stitch round the pillow shape and tie off your thread neatly at the back. If you are using stuffing, make sure you leave a small hole for stuffing before you close up the pillow.

Cut out the blanket from the white fleece (or felt) and using 4 strands of green embroidery thread, add a decorative bit of running stitch, about 1/4" away from the edge.

Then add the ribbon, making sure you fold the edges over behind the blanket so the sides are near and sew onto the blanket using a running stitch. I have used white thread, but if your ribbon is another colour, use a matching thread.

And Viola! You have a Mini Teddy Bed! Yay!

Now all you need is a mini teddy for the bed.... like this one! I will be putting up another tutorial to show how to make the Mini Teddy next week, so don't forget to check back for it.

These Teddies in a Tin would make a GREAT stocking filler and my two munchkins LOVED theirs when they spotted them yesterday (so much for keeping them till Christmas!)

You can make the beds (and teddies) in any colours you like.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. Please feel free to make as many as you like for personal use, but please do not either sell the end product, or the pattern and if you do wish to refer to the tutorial, please do borrow a couple of photos, but please link back to this post somewhere too.

Happy Crafting!

Post-Halloween Post

I know it's a bit late and sadly things have been so crazy round here that I've been neglecting you guys.... but better late than never, right?!

Now, I love Halloween - I did a couple of fun tutorials last year and I was all set to do another one this year, but I kinda ran out of time... you'll see why below!

So for Halloween I had a request (the DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN - DURING HALF TERM!!) for my gorgeous boy to be an Owl. Eeek! Cue a panicked Mummy frantically sewing into the night and.... Ta Da!

Excuse the photos taken on my phone, early in the morning in my messy workshop!

Patrick had a friend over for Halloween Tea and we made them Bloody Fingers and Nasty Gnashers:

Apples, Peanut Butter and mini Marshmallows

Frankfurters, lots of ketchup & hot dog buns

 Whilst I decided to have a go at carving a VW Campervan into my pumpkin this year:

And Seren went to a party dressed as a Witch (thankfully no Mummy-help required with her costume!):

All in all a very happy and silly Halloween! Hope you had fun too - what did your little ones dress up as? I'd love to see some pics... especially if they had handmade elements to their costumes!

Wordless Wednesday (On Thursday!) - Penguins

Source - Wikipedia

Source - John Lewis Ad

Source - Fanpop

Source - Exposyour.com