Thank you

Yesterday's Crafty Bring and Buy was a great success. And a lot of fun.

Here's a few pictures we took early on in the sale.

beautiful tree decorations

100 pretty cakes donated by lovely Saffron of Fancy cake shop in Bedford

three gorgeous parcels like this, from the author herself

perhaps there is hope for my garden next year, as I snapped one up for myself

an example of some of the awesome sewing that had gone on

made by Pamela

and the most fabulous looking nails I have seen in a long time!

The idea had started from a tea time conversation with my girls. I had been telling them about the desperate times being faced by the people of the Philippines as a result of the typhoon there. Seeing their faces as they started to grasp what was happening and what it meant for children like them, I wanted to show them it was possible for them to help change things for people the other side of the world to them.

Having seen an example of the kind of emergency shelters and provisions charities were putting together to help the people of the Philippines made homeless by the typhoon, the girls started to understand how their money could actually help. They liked the fact that charities were even thinking about details such a including little packs of colouring materials for children. That said, they admitted they didn't really fancy living in a tent.

And, I will admit that, more than once over the last few weeks when one or more of them has complained about the food I have put in front of them, I have gently (or sometimes not so gently) reminded them about the children in the Philippines. (Oh dear. I really am now a parent and no longer young myself. But I am positive I am not the only parent in the land to get exasperated by the repeated rudeness and lack of appreciation of their young food critics.)

Back to the sale.

Yesterday was a breeze to organise because tons of people came forward when I floated the idea, and I feel proud of my home town. It was a reminder that human beings on the whole are kind and compassionate.

So, tonight's tea time conversation with my little girls will go something like this.

We raised more than enough (£735) for one of the tents and other basic survival equipment to help a couple of families trying to survive after their homes had been swept away by the enormous storm. It isn't enough to help everyone, but there will be lots of other people all over the world also trying to do things to help. People in general are kind and want to help each other. And, when you get an idea about how you want to do something you think will help other people, go for it. You can make a difference.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)

The night owl and the early bird

made by Sara

I am getting excited about tomorrow. And, I must remember to go to the cash point first, as the list of things I have spotted that have been donated that I would like to buy is increasing by the day. Like this angel and soldier, which have been lavished with hand stitched detailing, right down to the holly on the hat and the anchor tattoo on the arm of the angel. Simply brilliant.

They say the early bird catches the worm - just look at the reward for all those willing to get out of their beds early on a Saturday to come early to tomorrow's Bring and Buy. (Cue more excited Lola exclamations) 

painted by Kitty Dinners

made by Sam of Betsy Makes

My friend Anwyn came yesterday, and together we made these heart shaped tree decorations to sell at the Bring and Buy. They come in a range of textiles, from vintage paisley silk, upcycled wool and modern bright cotton prints. Fuelled by tea and chocolate brownies, the two of us stitched into the night, going at a speed undoubtedly slower due to all the gossiping we got done.

made by night owls

Plenty of people have promised to drop in throughout the day, armed with a hand crafted gift or two to donate, so there will hopefully be something to tempt buyers to come to Fancy whatever time they get out of bed at weekends. (I'm just jealous that, as a mum of young children, my days of lying in bed for hours on end on a Saturday are but a distant memory.)

Having checked the latest on the charity website, here is a reminder of why we are doing it:

• Typhoon Haiyan was 300 miles across when it struck the Philippines on 8th November and one of the most intense tropical storms in history.
• Millions of people have been affected, and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless.
• There are countless dead.
• Those who have survived now need urgent help including emergency shelter, clean water and food.
• The DEC has been working with lots of agencies already based in the different islands, making sure the money it receives goes to help the people who need it fast.
• 700,000 people have already been helped.

If you cannot come and join the fun tomorrow, but want to give, the Disasters Emergency Committee is an easy place to donate through.

Sneak peak of the Crafty Bring and Buy goodies...

hand made by Sarah

The media in the UK may well have moved on, but thousands of the people of the Philippines still face a desperate situation.

With only a few days until the Crafty Bring and Buy, I thought I would post some pictures of a few of the early donations I have received.

For any local readers, donations are welcome throughout the day - and so too of course are shoppers! Saffron, who owns the lovely cake shop (where the sale is taking place) is going to be baking extra cakes for the day, so there will be plenty of her famous chocolate brownies and other delicious things to eat whilst you browse.

I have to admit, I am seriously tempted by what has already come in, and, if this is a sign of what we have to look forward to, then (to quote a favourite children's book character) "Ooooo, I can't wait, I can't wait!!".

These hand knitted beauties were created by a lady called Steph. They are all super soft, and I will tell you now that one pair of hand warmers most definitely has my name on. Luckily, she has given several pairs...

My mum has been busy knitting and crafting too. Her hand knitted stockings will look stunning on an tree, and I for one plan to buy some (or maybe just grovel to her to make me a few once the sale has ended).

I have been busy making things too. Here are some potential stocking fillers for the little (or big) girls in your lives, maybe?

And a couple of bobble purses, of course.

They even have some chocolate coins hidden inside, just to get you in the festive mood. Heck, if buying one for a gift, you could even cheekily eat the coins yourself, and no one would ever know. (Or is it just me that would do that kind of thing?)

So, if you're in Bedford on Saturday, make sure you head to Fancy on Roff Avenue. And bring plenty of cash - every penny you spend will be donated straight to the DEC Philippines Appeal.

Please help us spread the word and drum up support by clicking the Facebook or Twitter share icon just beneath this post. Thank you my lovelies! x

A teatime conversation

For sale (money goes here)

Conversations at teatime can be a hit and miss affair in this house.

More often than not, they are punctuated with endless requests to `sit your bottom on your chair', `watch out, you are about to spill your drink', `don't eat your spaghetti with your fingers', and so on. I try my best to instil a civilised tell everyone something about your day and listen to each other nicely kind of approach, but to be honest, this often fails miserably. I have times where I sit at the table with my children, wishing I could send them to boarding school or some other institution that would provide them with all their meals, purely so I can escape the daily torment of trying to teach them to use table manners.

Yesterday, the free newspaper had arrived, and (probably trying to ignore what was going on around me) I had started reading it during the long wait between the end of my meal and them finishing theirs. The biggest girl asked what I was reading, and so I told her. And, as often happens when I stop nagging them and talk to them all like adults, they listened. They were silent as I explained how a local man was going to fly to the Philippines to go and help the people there who were affected by the typhoon. What is a typhoon, they wondered. Oh. Their faces fell as they started to grasp what it meant for the people living there.

And then I read on, and explained how another local charity will be collecting money in the town centre this weekend, and how that will go to help the people we had just talked about. The biggest girl immediately announced she would like to give fifty pence of her money. The middle girl followed suit. And the littlest big girl whimpered about not having her own purse. Once we had established that did not matter, she joined in too.

I kept on thinking about this after they had gone to bed. I want them to be aware of what is going on in the world, to be compassionate, but I do not want them overwhelmed by it all. I want them to grow up thinking they can make a difference. Fifty pence is a good start when you are seven.

As I was making fortune cookie clutch number two later that night, and thinking about how terribly pointless it felt in the light of the current situation in the Philippines. Bingo. I like making things. A lot of people tell me they like the things I make. Make some stuff to sell.

It didn't take even my sleep deprived brain long to work out that I do not have enough hours in the day to make loads of stuff so as to single handedly run some kind of pop up crafty shop where local people could all do their Christmas shopping.

So, this morning, I went to my favourite meeting place and bent the ear of my friend Gemma. And then, between us, we talked to Saffron, the owner of said office. She didn't take much persuading to jump on board either.

Here is the plan. A pop up crafty shop - a bring and buy affair - where all the talented crafty people of Bedford will (hopefully) turn up throughout the day (or in the days before) and generously donate one gorgeous creation. Shoppers and cake lovers will come in their crowds, crispy notes in hand, ready to exchange in return for something wonderfully unique and lovely to wrap and put under their Christmas tree. Every penny of the money people spend will be counted up and go straight to the DEC Typhoon Appeal. There was even talk of a live band, a raffle, and Saffron and her baking gurus getting in on the act, making cake eating a thing to be (even more) encouraged for her customers on the day of the sale. Such fun.

Here's the date for your diary if you are a local reader:

Crafty Bring and Buy Sale

Saturday 30th November 2013

9 am until 5 pm @ Fancy (Roff Avenue, Bedford)

Please, please, pretty please, leave a comment below if you are going to join in with this. That will ease my middle of the night worries that no one is going to turn up.

And, if you happen to be on Facebook or Twitter, please make my day by hitting the little icon at the bottom of this post and sharing it so we can spread the word without the need to fork out on expensive posters.

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

I go through phases with my sewing - the spring time seemed to be largely a phase of delightfully selfish clothes sewing. I am really enjoying wearing the results - even if handmade clothes do seem to require on average more ironing attention than my usual diet of t shirts and jeans. 

This last week or so, the sewing time I've had has been spent making Gathered Clutches. 

This current phase has been prompted by several things. Quite a few friends have got birthdays coming up soon. And, there are a couple of raffles I have been asked to provide donations for, too. And finally, Saffron at Fancy had been suggesting I put something into the gift cabinet she has in her cake shop, just to see what happens. 

All in all, it seemed like enough reason for me to make some clutches again. Although from time to time, I run a handbags course that these are included on, it has been a while since I have made a few myself.

Funnily enough, it was about this time last year that I made a big batch. Probably for the same friends. In fact, yes, most certainly for the same friends. Let's hope they don't mind getting another one, eh?

One reason I like making these little clutches so much is that you can finish one in an evening - so an instantly gratifying project. But, more than that, in sewing terms, they are a way of combining some of my favourite things.

Starting with fabrics.

Oh, the fun I had choosing fabrics ready for my little clutch making spree! A child in a sweetie shop, and all that.

As they don't use lots of fabric, these clutches are a great excuse for buying up several of the gorgeously dreamy prints you have been coveting from a distance - like the Joel Dewberry Aviary one used here for this trio.

Combining this with some of my other favourite things, such as, covered buttons, twisted rosettes and big floppy fabric flowers, and you can guarantee I will be singing my heart out a la Julie Andrews before too long.

And, girls (you know who you are), just in case you were wondering, no. These ones are not the ones you are getting for your birthdays. Those will be kept as a surprise. And, I am going to say it here, as I have a better chance of coming good on it then - I have just been given a new book on making handbags. Once I have finished my current phase of gathered clutches, I am going to challenge myself to make something completely different in time for next year's birthdays. There.

These ones are now in their new home at Fancy. I've often said to people the reason I don't make things to sell is two fold - time and, also, the fact I get a bigger sense of satisfaction out of teaching people to make things for themselves, rather than me making things for strangers. But, I've just found a third reason - I was surprisingly reluctant to leave my little creations in the gift cabinet! Bit daft, really.

I'll be popping in to check up on them soon...