Christmas is almost upon us!

Wow! I knew it had been a long time since I was on here, but seriously didn't think it was over 2 months ago! Have had busyness in our home with overseas business travel for hubby, winter ills and other dramas that seem to happen one after the other.

All the while, I have been able to keep on doing some sewing. I showcased a few things at a local community centre exhibition for 2 weeks a little while ago. Apparently there was lots of feedback about the vintage animals, but sadly no sales came of it.

I ran a stall at our local primary school fair a couple of weekends ago and that was fun. Tiring, but enjoyable in the fact that about every 3rd person who came to my stall I knew! I sold over 10% of my total stock which was not too bad but I definitely would have preferred to sell more, particularly as I had put together 3 new lines of products aimed at pre-school/primary school aged kids - swimming togs bags, library book bags and childrens' aprons.
Check some of them out in my showcase pages - 'for the kids'.

I have also been busy knitting up a cute little monkey for a friends' baby. Super cute, but I am never making that pattern again! The instructions were sketchy at best (even for my avid knitter aunty) and it took several months off and on to make.
I have also been experimenting a bit more with felt craft, exploring brooches etc - basically gauging what people are interested in purchasing.

As always, if you see something you like in my pages, please feel free to contact me on: cpbeloved@gmail.com and I would be happy to correspond with you about making an order for you.

A busy week

Well, it's not quite the end of the week, but at the official end of it I will be at the in-laws in Tauranga and not likely to be on the computer for the whole weekend.
Loving the sunshine this week - the boys and I have been super busy in the garden planting out our 'direct-sow' root crops, some salad things and tidying up the supports for where our beans, peas and tomatoes are going to grow.

I have been taking a bit of time for myself this week and enjoying reading, trying out some new recipes I mulled over and generally not sewing like crazy every time I have a moment with no children around.
Having said that, I did try out a new design for some baby toys I'm planning to make - inspired by a design I saw in a boutique childrens' store awhile ago. First customer is a 2 day-old baby whom I am meeting tomorrow (hopefully).
I also cut out and began the initial sewing of 5 childrens' aprons - one of the new lines of products I am planning to release at an upcoming school fair.

I have also indulged this week in reading my Peppermint magazine for more than 5 mins at a time and found some excellent articles which further inspired me to check out the subjects' websites.
Take a look, there's some really interesting stuff there.
http://crafthope.com/
http://www.prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com/

Well, that's it for this week - tomorrow is coffee group and packing for a weekend at the farm for my mother-in-law's 60th birthday. I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone and meeting our new nephew.
Have an awesome weekend and let's hope the sun continues to stay for longer periods.

yay for spring!

So, it's been a week since I was on here.
What have I been doing, you ask. Enjoying this new season. Getting my garden sorted. Spending time with my lovely boys. Filling my house with boxes of seeds to germinate. Tidying up clutter. Catching up on chores/errands/administration stuff that slipped in the lead-up to my first craft fair.

How was it? Glad you asked. Pretty good. Only sold a few things and didn't quite make back my market stall fee but that's OK. It seemed most others were in the same boat.
I had fun though, and it's not nearly as scary as I thought so will be even more keen to sign up for more. Check out my display on the Fairs, Markets and other cool stuff page.

I am putting some stuff in to the Beachhaven Community centre exhibition this weekend and hopefully will get some sales from that.
Otherwise, I am planning for the new 'lines' of wares I'm preparing for the Willow Park school fair in November, finishing gifts for friends' babies (when they finally arrive) and enjoying the sunshine and spending time with my friends and family.

I also thought I would put some other things in my blog, not just craft-related. So check out my new pages:
Culinary crafting
Horticultural crafting

Be at Devonport Craft Market this weekend!

Completed stock. Check. Printed business cards and tags. Check. Organised husband to babysit. Check. Found and ironed the tablecloth. Check. Healthy case of nerves on embarking on my first-ever craft market. CHECK!
I am very, VERY excited about this weekend - selling for the first time at a craft market!
Also, quite nervous about the following, (plus a whole stack more): whether my display will look alright, whether anyone will like my things, what if I sell it all way before the end of the market (unlikely, but it COULD happen), eeek, working out how much change to give when the customer is standing right there etc, etc.

I'm feeling pretty good about the sheer amount of product stock I have put together and am planning to have a practice tomorrow putting together the display so I can fiddle with it and know how much time it takes.

Check the showcase pages for all my new stuff. And, if you live in the area, come along this Sunday.

I will be spending Monday recovering and planning a very lovely dinner for my husband seeing as he will be babysitting on Fathers' Day.
Have a great weekend,
Cherise ;-)

In a week's time...

I am feverishly sewing and planning for my first craft fair next weekend. Lots to do - finish off the last of my animals and toys, make some signs, get a float, let people know etc
It's going to be a busy week! Fortunately hubby's back from his business trip so I do get a bit of free time to sew etc without the boys hanging off my arm.
Will update more during the week including new stuff I'll be selling etc..
Have a great one!

Wahhhh! Just received word my application for a stall at the Devonport Craft Market has been accepted for Fathers' Day 5th September. And I have another spot at the Willow Park primary fair in November.
Thrilled and petrified. Better get sewing and planning. Will keep you posted on details closer to the time.

Rain, rain means some work done

With much rain and cold at the end of the week and over the weekend it was a little difficult to get out and about with the kids.
Which is a shame - I returned from Sydney to 2 very sick children, one wheezing so bad we needed an urgent trip to the doctors on 2 consecutive days to get different medication. He is on the mend now, thankfully. We could have done with some fresh air and exercise for (all of our) sanity's sake, but it was often too cold to take the boys out when they were so sick.

So we have done a lot of home stuff including drawing on greaseproof paper taped to the floor, lots of driving toy cars, baking, reading, jumping on the cushions, a trip to the library and today got out to the very wet playground for half an hour.

Meanwhile, I have put in an application to a local craft market which I am waiting to hear back about and have been accepted to have a stall at a school fair towards the end of the year. Very exciting, but another step in to the unknown. So, I started to put together a list of all the stock I might require and the end result is that... I have a lot of work to do.

I have, however, half completed the following:
-2 shoulder sling bags
- a Humpty doll
- a little mouse
Completed a large elephant which will be a donated prize for a local Plunket competition
+ designs afoot for a couple of new things

So, a good beginning to a new week. And I hope to receive communication about a few things.

Whirlwind trips

I had a quick trip to Sydney over the weekend - there and back in under 2.5 days to attend a funeral.
My husband did a sterling job of looking after our wee boys and I missed them all like crazy, I have only left them on 2 other occasions overnight and then I was still in the same city!

It was fantastic catching up with extended family and spending some lovely moments sharing memories with them. Unfortunately it was such a jam-packed time that there wasn't a lot of opportunity to explore but I dislike doing that in a rush anyway.
I did get to check out some lovely cafes and walked through Hyde Park a couple of times and saw a magnificent water feature down in Circular Quay.

The church where the funeral was held was a beautiful old Anglican stone one with exquisite stained-glass, mosaics and a gold-tiled dome. It was just incredible. And the service was pretty spectacular too, complete with choir, Greek/Latin requiem pieces and all the symbolism.

Well, back to my 'normal' life today complete with sick kids, ants in the pantry and rainy, cold weather. I am excited though to get back in to my crafting (I didn't take anything with me as there was no time to do it and I had carry-on luggage only so no knitting needles, hand sewing etc).
I have found a couple of patterns I haven't used yet, so will give them a go. They are all vintage (60's and 70's) era. How does a Humpty Dumpty doll, 'Greta Gonk' and mice sound?

Long time.... no write

Well. It's been a while since I got on here... more than a few dramas at home in the last few weeks. I have managed, however, to keep going with the sewing and have produced quite a raft of wee things.

I have had an absolute nightmare trying to format uploaded photos on to here so have resorted to making a separate page just showcasing what I've made, with no text. The layout is still not great, but the best I can do with limited time.
Check out all I've been making on the "Showcase...." pages.

Some of the items have been loaded on to Felt so feel free to have a browse and maybe purchase some!
Go to: http://www.felt.co.nz and look under belovedcraft for my listings.

I have also been working with my graphic designer (doesn't that sound flash) who has designed an amazing new logo for me so I am working hard on sourcing new labels for my wares.

As a side note, the toys are all named by what my eldest Reuben exclaims (most joyfully, I might add), whenever he sees a new one finished.
For example, there is an "elmunt", a "wabbit", a "oooohhh...the little birdies" mobile.
You get the picture, he LOVES animals and is a bit of a whiz kid when it comes to naming them.

Big weekend ahead.....

Well, not really. But big for a mum of two who doesn't get out (childless) very much.
Dinner tonight with my hubby to celebrate my birthday this week. Then helping with a friends baby shower Sunday. Monday, hubby goes to OZ for 4 and a half days.
I also need to make 50 frames for a bunch (30 or so) of bv preschoolers ready by Wed for them to cover in pasta and then I'll spray paint silver.
I've also got an 'elmunt' underway which I'd like to have completed early in the week. And I need to finish making my boys' waterproof overpants ready for creche Monday morning. Just the waistbands and the youngest one's straps to go.
Not a heap of work but when you consider it with all the other usual duties of home life (and factor in some sleeping time etc) there's not a lot of free time.

I got all inspired with my knitting this week and splashed out buying a pattern for myself for a wrap around cardi type garment that the byline says: "Make it once, wear it 12 ways". This is a bit misleading as when you look inside the pattern, there are actually only 6 ways to wear the garment but you have short or long. It will probably take 3 years or so to make but it will be a good challenge and fortunately it's a style that will not go out of fashion for a while.

In other news, I have secured a new email address specifically for be/loved, so if you have any queries please direct them to: cpbeloved@gmail.com
My graphic designer has almost completed the work on the new label so I hope to have that in hand soon with business cards, product labels and of course put it up on the blog profile.
Enjoy your weekend, it's been a lovely sunny week for the most part.

all ago...go

Short post as need to get on to my knitting.
Got some great advice from some retailers who really know their stuff - along the lines of what I had been thinking plus some more and overall it was really encouraging.
It has motivated me to keep building up my stock supplies as well as checking out possible sales options.
So, in the pipeline are some sweet little felt bird (and/or farm animal) mobiles, some more vintage-style soft toys and a couple of requests from some friends.

All the while continuing to plan and dream and source and design and....look after my boys.
Will keep you posted.

BUSY!

It's been a busy and hectic couple of weeks and I'm still recovering. We had our baby's first birthday party over the weekend (a little belated). It was immense fun but pretty full on with also organising both sides of our family accommodation and transportation and entertainment as they are all from out of town.
Everyone had a fab time, however, and the hired bubble machine and monkey cake hubby and I decorated were great hits.
So, still catching up on washing and putting things back in their rightful places etc.

But, have also had a reasonably productive time when I have got to the sewing machine. I flagged continuing the woollen chicks I was making - the fabric was fraying left, right and centre and was going to take a LOT of work to make it successful.
My aunty also found a neat pattern for a mobile which I have started to make up in felt.

I have also had a breakthrough with making my bags without having to top stitch to construct it! So excited, will finish the newest one off today and put up a photo.
In other news, it's been raining most days here so I'm busy trying to entertain two busy boys.

hit the Jackpot!

So, so excited. On a whim I cheekily asked my neighbour (who is an upholsterer) if I could take the remnants of fabric he has been throwing out of late off his hands.
An enthusiastic 'Yes, by all means!' followed, then he dug out bags and bags of stuff that is too small for him to use. He has given heaps away to playgroups and kindys etc but they are now inundated with the scraps so he's had to throw them out.
He also feels we waste so much so was very encouraging when I told him what I plan to do with the scraps and that as far as possible I want to use remnants rather than buying more new fabric.
I only took one bag out of 4 for now as only have such a tiny house to store it in.
First load is in the washing machine to clean it up from the (storage) dust.

Beautiful fabrics, rich textures, lovely colours and patterns and hardwearing (as it's upholstering fabric). Watch this space, there will soon be more stuff coming.
I am particularly excited about using some to make an autumnal-hued bag and some bright pink faux suede which I think will make a smashing elephant.

Slowly rolling...

I enjoyed watching 'You got mail' while I cut out the laminated soft toy patterns. I have selected 6 to begin work on and am very excited about the prospect.
Have also recieved a lot of support from friends leaving messages on facebook encouraging me to go for this.
Nice when it's not just family giving you big ups.
So, by the end of the weekend, hope to have completed 2 soft toys and have a second bag underway so I can try and crack my construction problems.
Methinks I need one of those rolling cutter things to cut the fabric.
Guess I might be taking a trip to Spotlight sometime.

Hot off the press (sewing machine that is)

Just completed my first bag for possible sale. It was an exercise in being meticulous to say the least. I wanted to note down how long it took to construct including ironing, sewing, cutting out etc so I can give an accurate time allotment to making them (and also make sure it's a fair price).

But, my goodness, some of the construction was a bit of a brain teaser! As I am putting a lining in the base as well as the sling handle, it's a bit tricky to work out how to put the two parts together and hide the seams. I attempted it twice and still ended up with some crooked/overlapping sewing on the inside of the bag (see photo below). So, I'm offering the bag at a discounted price of $25 because of the irregularities in the stitch quality on one seam. If you're interested in purchasing it, please contact me. Or if you want to place an order - I do have a selection of colours and fabric choices you can look over.

I'm excited though, first one out of the way and I know I can do it!! Hoping the motivation continues...

Time flies by...

So slack. Not updated since halfway through our holiday. Well, we made it back alive and more less sane. Great moments, but let's not pretend we can call a trip around the country with 2 boys under two and a half a relaxing holiday!
We have settled back at home which our oldest was extremely happy about - "Reuben's room, Reuben's toys!"
On the project front:
- lots of ideas for logo and brand etc which I hope to soon send to a very talented graphic design to work on
- almost finished Reuben's winter hat (completed Finn's in time to wear in chilly Queenstown)
- sorted my fabrics box ready to start projects and am halfway through sewing my first bag. Will be posting a photo once completed and welcome offers to buy, orders or feedback ;-)
BUT my big task (hanging over me which makes me stall day after day) is to make chutney with the masses of feijoas we have in buckets and all over the lawn. I have acquired jars from generous friends and just need to get stuck in. But I don't wanna!

I'm on the road...again.

A lovely Easter spent in Taradise, celebrated my dad's birthday (and his 50th summit climb of Mt Taranaki) and hung out with the family. I also managed to laminate all of Nana's patterns so they are sealed and ready to be used. My little chicks (see the page on Soft toys) were greatly appreciated.
All in all, a good time on the farm.

Then a day and a half in Tawa, Wellington to spend with more family. Entertainment was a train ride in to the city and dinner at a cousin's. Good times and the boys loved it.
And I went to Trash Palace. Could have bought so much but with 2 toddlers and their car seats, portacot, pram, 3 suitcases, 2 day bags and a husband we are a bit pushed for space. And I still have a lot of south island op-shops to check out.

Now in Christchurch for 1 night. Then on to Omarama. Then Queenstown, then Dunedin. Back to Wgtn. P.N., Taupo, Tauranga. Home to Akld.
CRAAAAAAZY road trip with 2 boys under 2.5yrs. Have had some hairy moments where I would have liked to go for a walk....on the side of the highway.
Master 2 has a new car seat which we have not travelled long distance with before. May be a bit uncomfortable (it's more upright than his old one) as on both trips from Akld to NP then NP to Wgtn he wasn't able to fall asleep and cried/grizzled most of the time.

With such a short time in each location and our days mostly consisting of: wakeup and get ready, drive for 3-4hrs. Check in. Boys nap while Dad has meetings. Play and explore. Dinner and boys in bed 7.30pm - I'm a bit pressed for time with the entertainment factor. But, I am going to try and go to at least one op-shop in each place and we will do one family activity too.
I thought I might put up a page of playgrounds we have visited and op-shops.
Stay tuned!

Inspired...

Just been to my first-ever Kraftbomb fair - to have a look, get inspired etc.
What a wealth of talent there is! I was a little intimidated to begin with regarding the amazing products and extremely gifted people until I reminded myself they have most likely been doing it for a while and have a lot of experience....in short, we all have to start somewhere.
I could have bought so much but limited myself to a beautiful brooch made by cheek pinchy.
It was so valuable though, to see how people present their stalls, package their products, signage, pricing, etc. I'm excited to get going on some items very soon.
I have completed 2.8 of my 3 recent products....I am yet to stitch up my youngest son's winter hat, will do that tonight hopefully or in front of "Grey's" on Tues.
Ohhhh brimming with ideas. Might need to make myself a new notebook to record it all.
Did I mention I LOVE stationary?

Lapsed...

I've been a tad busy with preparing for fundraising activities for our local Plunket branch (it's National appeal week) not to mention the many other various activities that go on in my day.
So, haven't got to the blog for a while.

I have been busy crafting, however, a woolly hat is nearly finished for my youngest son, I just need to put together a knitted corsage for a friend and am working through completing 9 felt chickens for family Easter gifts.
Will post photos of all once completed. I am also trying to use up the 25 or so labels I got printed a couple of years ago... they read: 'by cheriseolivia'. I'm not sure if it makes good business sense to have a different label on products - but I really, really abhor wastage. It makes me so cross when I see wasted resources thrown out just because the branding has changed. So, in my naivety and standing for principle I am giving out (to friends and family) products with my old label on them. Hope it doesn't kick me in the butt later.

I'm still waiting to laminate Nana's patterns before I can start using them. Laminators for borrowing purposes are hard to come by...I could go to a shop but that would require quite a lot of prep to ensure I had all the right pieces together. Much better I work through it at my own pace. So, am hoping I can acquire a laminator over Easter to sort out the patterns.

This weekend I plan to go to the Kraftbomb fair in Grey Lynn with some friends to see how it works, maybe get some inspiration and knowledge from people in the know and have a great, kid-free time.

And, very exciting, the boys and I are joining hubby for a whirlwind business trip/family holiday around the South Island after Easter. It will be very quick; just a night in each of the 4 locations but I'm so stoked to be road tripping and looking at the beautiful autumnal scenery, maybe checking out a few op-shops and crafty places.

What have I got myself in for?!?

Well, so much for keeping things on the down-low till I had my blog up and running and sorted etc.
People already want links to it to view!
So, though the site is half-finished and has no features to speak of as yet - I am alerting friends/family etc to take a look.

As for the handmade crafting, I've got a few ideas but am yet to begin on them... lots of prep needed first.
The phrase that keeps going through my head is 'Start small. Do it well'.
I had a peek at the soft toy patterns I inherited from my nana and can't wait to start working on some.
Most of them are at least 35-40yrs old. So my first step is to laminate them so I can preserve them and then to make cardboard duplicates.
Oh, and I'm thinking of using materials from garments sourced from op-shops. Referred to as 'up-cycling'.

So, am acting on the encouragement from friends and family who have appreciated my wares in seasons past.
Like I said, I'm a bit worried (but very VERY excited) about where all this might lead.

Getting started

Hi, and welcome to my new blog.
I've set this up as (hopefully) the beginning of exciting things to come.
I'm testing the waters on selling some of my craft wares and thought a blog might be a good start.
People (and potential customers) can get to know me and the stories behind what I make and who knows where it might lead.
So stay tuned....