Halloween

Happy Halloween! Hope you had a great day whatever you did and got more treats than tricks.

Just wanted to show off what Nick's been up to:

Cath Kidston

As it was a rare dry and bright Sunday today, me and Nick went for a mooch around Leeds. We both studied there and lived for for a few years after graduating before coming back to Sheffield so we like to go back from time to time and see how things have changed.

Well, one new addition to the city centre which pleased me greatly was the new Cath Kidston shop! I have very split feelings towards Cath Kidston. On the one hand I love everything about it - the patterns, the products, the vintage-ness, but on the other, I kind of think of her as the huge international brand that has taken the credit (and success) for the chintzy handmade movement and the many talented crafters out there who also design their own patterns and make equally, if not more, beautiful products. Hmm, maybe it's just sour grapes though.

I can't be that bitter though because I did end up putting quite a bit of cash into dear Ms Kidston's pockets with the purchase of some pretty fabric and paper.

I also managed to get a few snaps before one of the shop assistants came and told me off, so feast your eyes on this my loves:

Love these crates in their pretty coloured cubbyholes.

Lovely teacups.

Lots of gorgeous vintage furniture.

Yummy fabrics.

Loving this vintage frame wall.

Off to go play with the new fabric now. x

New

I have finally managed to get some of my new things made, photographed and listed so figured I should document this on here too. Of course, I was a couple of days later than the anticipated "re-launch" date was meant to happen but ah well.

So the new products that I'll be focusing on are a range bags, pouches, pencil cases and that kind of thing. So far I've not made too many but I'm really enjoying making them and getting new fabrics and ideas. It's really great and I'm having a lot of fun.

I'll still be making magnets and accessories, and probably some jewellery here and there so not a total abandonment of old ways.

So, this is what I've been up to:

Ahoy! pencil case - my favourite! I absolutely adore this fabric, and love the lining fabric too. And it has curved bottom corners - just like a boat!!

Pretty flowers pencil case - very girly. I saw this lace trim and had to have it, didn't know what I was going to do with it but it looked lovely with these fabrics so that worked out nicely.


Envelope pouch type thingy. Could be used for a variety of things I suppose but I thought make-up bag was a good idea.

Scotty zip pouch. Cute.

There's more coming, but I hope you like so far!

Off to put the heating on now. x

Changes

Paper Halo Designs will be going through some changes over the next few weeks. Nothing too exciting, though I'm quite excited by it. Just a slight shift of product.

I've decided that I'm not going to focus on jewellery anymore. Funny, considering I opened a bead shop. It's something that I do enjoy and that I'm sure I'll keep going back to but I think it's time to try something new and different and I'm very excited about it.

Nothing to really tell yet so I'll be back soon with more info and updates, and hopefully some photos!

No pics to post on this one so I'm going to just post some stuff I've been hearting this week:

"Northern Skies" - I am Kloot.

Beautiful photo by LolasRoom.

Looks just like Chowder! By TrafalgarSquare

Pretty shoes from Monsoon.

Yum.

Off to do some work now. x

DK General Store

Sorry for the lack of postage folks. I've been busy working on stuff for the shop and generally trying to get myself organised, as pledged. I had hoped that I would be posting more regularly but I am trying to spend less time on the computer, where I am distracted by pretty things and end up wasting many an hour that would otherwise be well spent doing other stuff.

Anyway, today I have allowed myself to be distracted so here I am. No real new news from me but I did find this amazing shop recently, DK General Store, on Etsy that sells all sorts of beautiful old stuff. I love old stuff so I'm having a hard time resisting but the fact that the postage from them in the USA to us in the UK is costly is both a good and a bad thing.

Some of my favourites:




Makes me hanker for the next car boot.

Off to see what other beauties catch my eye now. x

Car bootin'

I am loving the return of car boot season here in the grim north of dear Blighty. And in true spirit, the drizzly and dull August has not put us off one bit. I have been sacrificing my Sunday mornings snuggling in my warm cozy and very comfy bed and have been dragging myself through fields and cars to rummage around other people's junk.

I don't know that I have a particular aim when I head out for these things but I love all things retro and vintage and I especially love all things cheap and recycled. I have been collecting things for the shop and am always on the lookout for pretty vintage things to deck the place out. So here we have lots of nice cups and saucer sets that I've managed to get my mitts on:

And this really awesome Disney annual from 1981 (for 10p!!!!):




Off to make take afternoon tea now. x

Nina, Coco and Bess

A few newbies to introduce you to:

This is Nina.

Then we have Coco.

And last but not least, Bess.

These all happened in a phase of inspired, motivated, post-pledge activity which is nowhere to be found today so here I am blogging about it instead. Hopefully all I need is an evening of vegging out and crap TV and I'll be back on track tomorrow.

Pledge update: I tidied! The shop is now sporting a clutter-free counter for the first time since its opening back in January. The next step is to tidy the desk and bookcase and area behind it so I can get back to making. I said that I wouldn't make anything until the area was tidy. I don't think it could handle any more stuff as it is.

Anyway, you know where to go for these lovelies if you'd like them. I can't be bothered to link so just go over there (---->) and click on a shop link. :o) Sorry, that's not very pledgey of me is it?!

Off to make a half-arsed attempt at clearing my desk now. x