Homeland

We Hello my lovelies, well what a lovely couple of days we've had. We had planned to travel up to Newcastle on Thursday but we needed to change our plans a little as Mr.B was recovering from an abscess on a tooth. We made it up north on Friday afternoon...boy was it cold :) lol I think I have been living down south too long! We met up with my Dad and had a mooch round the shops and the Christmas Market. 

The lights in Newcastle were so pretty and it was a comforting feeling walking around hearing warm Geordie accents...this is what I miss the most. Mine is ever so slightly diluted now, although some would disagree. We made the trip as 15 years ago we had our first date in Newcastle when I was still living up there. We even had our first kiss on the Millennium bridge. Awwwwww!

We also visited a favourite childhood memory of mine, Fenwicks Window. Every year they decorate their street facing Windows with some sort of theme, this year.....PADDINGTON BEAR!!! How adorable is he!

The Windows seemed so much smaller than I remembered as a child but still as magical. 

Then this morning we walked over the Millenium bridge and had breakfast in Pitcher and Piano. It was such a beautiful view sat overlooking the River Tyne and the Baltic Mill. It was bitterly cold but blue skies and sunshine. After coffee and pancakes we walked back over the bridge.

Now we are back home and unpacked....whirlwind visit indeed. Tomorrow I am ice skating with my lovely friend Mel, let's hope I don't fall on my ass! Then it will be all systems go....the last week of work and time to get prepping for Christmas Day. Food shopping, house cleaning and present wrapping.

Are you all ready for Santa? 

Emma xxx

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The last week has been so hectic....hectic in a good way though. One minute it was the middle of November and I was casually planning Christmas the all of a sudden it's the week before Christmas and I don't know where I'm at!

The tree is up, however I have to admit that it was actually up with no decorations for 2 days before I dressed it lol 

Mr.B was an absolute star for getting all the outside lights up before we had snow. He's a keeper that one, he knows how much I love the Christmas lights! 

But it's definitely starting to look like Christmas :)

All of my Christmas shopping is done and half are wrapped, I've written my food list for the next 2 weeks so I just need to get myself organised with that. One more week left at the day job and we have a trip to Newcastle planned for the weekend. 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend,

Emma xxx

Feeling festive

So this started off the feeling festive bug......

So then I listed all of these in my Etsy shop.....

Which then led to lots of little ginger cuties globe-trotting their little sugared socks off :D

Great mugs of cocoa

Now I know that Christmas is well and truly over but I couldn't let January go by without showing you these custom made Cocoa Mug Decorations.

You may remember that last year I made some custom gingerbread decorations for a lovely lady called Mary in Atlanta, the little 'girl' gingerbread men/women had bows on their heads and on the back of each decoration were her children's names. 

Mary asked me last year if I could design and make some Hot Cocoa Mug decorations, again with her children's name on the back. Well this is the finished project, I love how they turned out and the look fab hanging with the gingerbread fellas.

I wonder what Mary's theme will be this year???

Sewing journal...

 

Look what landed on my doormat this morning!

 

If you're an avid sewer/crafter and you love to write and sketch you're going to love this. This wire spiral bound journal is Rachel Goodchild's latest addition to her gorgeous online collection.

 

It has 70 pages (140 sides) of blank paper in a 100gsm weight, with an added lined separate sheet. and is 160mm x 220mm, so its a perfect size to just pop in your bag. The journal is printed on FSC recycled paper and comes wrapped in a cellophane bag.

 

And check this out!!! The page marker is a tape measure!!!!! *Squeals*

Now you cant tell me you don't just love, love, love it?

 

I love dressmaking and sewing and this journal is right up my street.

 

The drawings are so exquisite, from the pattern pieces to the needle and thread detailing.

 

I especially love the bobbin of thread on the back page.

 

At £8.00 this journal I think is a steal, and I cant wait to get my first list written down. If you would like to own one of these fab journals you can get your crafty mitts on one

 

here.

 

They'd make a fab stocking filler for Christmas too. I have a feeling I'll be adding a few more to my Christmas list.

Quickly, quickly...

 

If I'm not careful Mr. Bagladee will start getting jealous that I'm spending most evenings with 50 very dashing gingerbread men ;) they aren't just ordinary gingers Oh no, once they have their spectacles added they will be 'Theo' Gingerbread men.

 

Who knew that I would not get bored of making so many! In fact its actually made me want to make more. Which is a bloomin' good job as when these are finished I need to start on some more. A huge transition is coming soon and I'm racing through my To Do lists as quickly (but carefully) as I can to make way for a 2 week break. I feel excited, with butterflies in my tummy but extremely nervous at the same time. I think I'll feel a lot better once I can finally let you in on it. I actually feel now that I've built this all up to something spectacular and when I do tell all you will all say 'Huh is that it?' :)

Gingerbread Men for Theo Paphitis

I've been working on these little fella's for quite sometime, I wanted to make a little thankyou gift for Theo. It took me a while to decide what I would send and couldn't resist giving my Gingerbread men Theo style spectacles. Dont they look cute?

The glasses were made from jewellery wire, what do you think is there a likeness?? ;)

Theo received them yesterday and took them home to show his family and said he would be putting them on his tree. *Squeels* My gingerbread men are on Theo Paphitis' Christmas tree :D

 That has made my Christmas, I've had such a fantastic year, I never dreamed I'd take Bagladee this far. I've enjoyed every moment and its been so exciting. I really cant wait to see what 2012 has instore for me.

Merry Christmas Theo I hope these little fella's make you smile :D

Merry Christmas...

We've had a lazy morning of watching Santa Claus the Movie and eating croissants with orange juice and coffee. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas before the chaos starts :D

Lots to do this afternoon, no more crafting however that was all finished yesterday. Still presents to wrap and chores to be done, however they seem more fun and less chore like today.We have Christmas music on and the mulled wine will be making an appearance later on. Then it will be time to get ready to go out for a meal with C's family.

I don't know about you but I'm really looking forward to spending time with all the family, Christmas day with C's Mam, Dad and Grandad with lots of Turkey and trimmings and listening to C's Granddad's take on all the 'crap' TV (his words not mine) well he is 95 ;) And then we will be travelling up to my Mam and Dad's for Christmas with them just after Boxing Day. A good excuse for eating heartily and being merry, that's a little of what Christmas is about right.

Well this is me wishing you a very Merry Christmas and that you all take time to enjoy the company of your family and loved ones, they are whats most important and if you have them you have everything. And for those that cant be with us that they are here in our thoughts and hearts.

Merry Christmas,
Love
Emma xxx

Wrapping

Lots of this still to do. Recycled Christmas tags from previous years Christmas Cards look fab with a little bit of ribbon.

I'm still on making my last Christmas Gift and there is a mountain of ironing to battle through today and tomorrow. I'd like to say that I want to get it done and out of the way for Christmas but the truth is I wont have time to do it over Christmas so best get cracking. I have some mulled wine planned for this evening and maybe a Christmas film whilst I wrap presents.

Although it doesn't look very festive weather wise, at least we will all be able to visit loved ones over the Christmas period without being stranded or having to drive in hazardous conditions....something to be thankful for?

Christmas Tutorials

Whilst I am frantically trying to get through the last of my orders so that I can concentrate on preparing for Christmas, I thought I'd just pop in and remind you of these 3 great tutorials to make some fun felty things for Christmas. Napkin Poinsettia rings, Star decorations and Bow decorations. Really easy to make to add a little bit of 'homemade' to your Christmas.

The festive feeling seems to have subdued this week (think that maybe due to feeling ill) but I'm hoping to kick start it again tonight by having a sherry whilst I write out my Christmas cards :D Hope you're all having fun with your Christmas prep!!

Today I will be....

Here!!

I will be offering all current stock at a discount price, so if you're in the area why not pop by. I will certainly be partaking in the Mulled Wine and BBQ. Cant wait to get all festive and get the lights and Christmas tree on my stand, drink mulled wine and listen to the Brass band.....Oh yes and sell some things too :D

See you there!!!

(p.s. don't panic if you see my website is under construction, its only for today while I am at the market)

Hello my lovelies....

OK let me just sit down and take a deep breath in.........and out.

Whilst the dinner is in the oven and I'm sat with Gingerbread men, Houses and Angel kits on the floor in front of me (waiting to be put together) and 10 gingerbread men, 5 stuffed, 5 waiting to be stuffed I thought I'd spend some time here at my blog. Something which is becoming less and less, certainly not through choice but through necessity.

I miss being here and miss reading every ones lovely blogs but at the moment there just aren't enough hours in the day. If I thought that for one minute that all year round could be as busy as this I would most definitely be able to give up the day job and Bagladee myself til my hearts content (if that's possible).

The 'To Make' list is astronomical, normally I would be freaking out on a massive scale but surprisingly I am enjoying the buzz of taking multi tasking to the next level ;) that's how I like to think of it anyway. This week I've been making copious amounts of decorations, bless those Gingerbread mens cotton socks, who knew they would be this popular. The last time I counted I think I was at 74 completed gingers! Phew!

I have also been making a few clutch bags and a very special Changing/Baby bag for my cousin. To be honest its a while since I've used the changing bag pattern and felt a little intimidated by it when I laid it out on the fabric. As soon as I machined the first bit I was motoring my way through it. Just like riding a bike but with the exception of not falling off and grazing your knees :) See even us seasoned Bag makers can be put off by a unfamiliar pattern. The end result, it looks fab and its on its way up North in the post as I type.

Best go and dish up dinner, its been a long day and I'm starving.
See you soon....hugs x

Custom gingerbread peeps

As I write this I am hoping that this gang of gingerbread lovelies will have almost made it to their destination in the U.S.A.

A very lovely lady named Mary ((hello)) asked if I could make 5 custom gingerbread people decorations. 3 boys, 2 girls (that looked different to the boys) and with name embroidered on the backs.....

I have to say I had forgotten how much I enjoy hand sewing, I used to love doing cross stitch and tapestry when I was younger.

I took as many photos as I could before I wrapped them up to post. I love these gingerbread girls and boys the most. I love making things to order but there is just something extra special about custom orders, really personal.

They aren't listed in my Etsy shop but if you are interested in custom gingerbread boys or girls, drop me a line emma@bagladee.com they look fantastic on a Christmas tree.

Want to win one of these?

EDIT: Giveaway now closed

I thought it was about time I had a little giveaway to say thanks for being such lovely readers, there are one each of these kits up for grabs.

 There's the gingerbread man,

 the Christmas Angel......

....and the Gingerbread House kit.

Each kits contains full instructions with illustrations, templates and all the materials needed to make your very own felt Christmas decoration.

To enter simply leave a comment on this post.
Yep that's it, I will post internationally so anyone can enter outside the UK.
Only one entry per person.
The giveaway is open until Tuesday 1st November and the winners will be drawn on Tuesday evening.
Winners will be drawn at random.

I will also be taking entries from my Facebook book page for those no familiar with blogger (again only one entry per person, which ever page you enter the giveaway from).

Good luck!!

Make your own felt decoration kits

The kits are now available to buy here.

Happy Crafting ( ha ha best you thought I was going to say Christmas)!!

On their travels...

Edit: the kits are now available directly from my website here

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These little cutie pies are on their travels to far away destinations. The gingerbread gang and their house (although I do sometimes wonder how they all get through that tiny door??) are on their way to New Zealand. I wish I had have been able to hand deliver them as well as hand make them :( *sigh* well at least I know they'll enjoy their new home. They were so excited before they left ;)

And this cute set are winging their way to Australia....see I could have dropped these off on my way to New Zealand!!!

I'm amazed at how popular my decorations have been, I can remember last Christmas packing the 'ginger' felt away and feeling a little sad that it would be a long time before I would sew another again. But this year has passed over so quickly I barely noticed and before long I was sewing them by the dozen again :D

They are available to buy here and here. If you would like to make your own from my kits there are an Angel, Gingerbread man & Gingerbread house kits available to buy. I will be adding those to my website later on today. Links will be posted soon.

** the gingerbread man kits are very low on stock so be quick if you don't want to be disappointed**

Books and busy weekend

Phew!!! What a weekend. I am exhausted. Need another one to get over this one ;)

There has been sets of Christmas Decorations, Gingerbread men by the bucket load, more bags than you can throw a stick at and still the orders keeping coming in. So it makes the tiredness worth it :D

At last I got round to ordering some copies of my book from the publishers (I know I promised to do this quite sometime ago). I decided to add them to my website as signed copies so they are a little bit more special than the ones you can order direct from the publishers. I think they'd make fab Christmas gifts and would most likely fit nicely into a stocking ;) You can even have a personalised message, just make sure to add it in the comments on your order. You can get yours here.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Kits in the making

Thought you might like to see some 'in progress' photos of the kits. It felt strange at first with it being totally different from my normal crafty tasks but I thoroughly enjoyed chopping up bits of felt with my new rotary cutter and mat (see I even bought the right tools for the job) and the measuring and counting of ribbon, buttons and brads.

Then there was the task of making 60 little 'clouds' that's balls of stuffing really :D

I even enjoyed making 20 ribbon bows which I've pretty much got it down to a fine art now. Once all the copies of the instructions came back from the printers. C helped me fold them and slot into the already packed cello envelopes.

And then once the tops were folded and stuck down, they were all packed into a huge box and shipped off to Blooming Felt.

Don't forget to give me a shout if you want to pre-order any of them as the remaining kits will be returned to me this week. They'd make great stocking fillers.

At last!

The secret can now come out. For weeks now I have been working on a new side line venture called 'felt creations by Bagladee'. Well this is what it will be called for now, I'm sure there will be more tweaking as I go a long.

There are 3 Christmas kits in the series (so far) the very sought after Gingerbread Man...

The Christmas Angel....

And the new addition to the family Gingerbread house.

The kits contains all the materials, instructions and templates to make your very own decoration for your Christmas tree and they will be making their debut at The Knitting and Stitching Show @ Alexandra Palace. The show starts tomorrow (6th Oct) and ends on Sunday (9th Oct). They are kindly being showcased by the very lovely Sarah from Blooming Felt and she will be there will all her felty goodies on

Stand M13

so if you want to get your hands on them that's where you will find them. If you aren't able to make it to the show you can pre-order them with me so just leave me a comment or contact me at emma@bagladee.com

If they prove to be popular I am hoping to add to the series with different holiday themed kits. Let me know your thoughts on them. Always after a little bloggy feedback :)