All change!

Hey! Long time no speak!! You may have noticed there's been a few changes since I last blogged (if you haven't then take a closer look lol)  You may recall I was getting ready to launch Adorable Little Extras, well I sat and pondered, got some advice, spoke to a lot of people and decided it was a bad idea.  If the logo and branding wasn't exciting me then how the heck was I going to get others excited about it?? So instead I decided to re-launch Miss Sweets Boutique!  I loved running it before and the challenges my lovely customers used to send my way, and heck with branding like this how could I not??

Excited doesn't cover it to be honest - I've been scouring my pattern books and files to decide what to bring to the store and I've got some fab things in the pipeline!  Of course, it wouldn't be Miss Sweets Boutique if I didn't offer my staple hair-flowers so I've been busy creating a few gems, including starting a range of budget hair-flowers.  

I'll also be offering my felt pill box hats (just waiting on a delivery!) and am pondering whether to bring back my fascinators, as seen here on the beautiful Missy Malone - what do you think?   If you'd like to take a peek at the store so far just pop over to http://www.misssweetsboutique.bigcartel.com 

While I'm re-stocking and making, I thought I'd run a little competition to win one of my very limited Rainbow Aloha! Hibiscus hair-flowers 

To be in with a chance of winning simply leave a comment below! You can earn extra chances to win by tweeting about my competition (if you're not following me just look for @Madame_Sweet) or by spreading the word on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MissSweetsBoutique), just let me know you've done it in the comments :) This competiton is open to everyone no matter where in the world so have fun and I'll pick the winner on Valentines day! 

Til then, happy crafting!

xx

Making Memories

Welcome back :) As it's only 4 weeks til Christmas I thought it appropriate to maybe do a Christmassy post, but I also wanted to do something on recycling.  
As some of you may know, I am a retired burlesque performer, as I still have some of my costume pieces I thought it may be nice to make something with one of my loved pieces to remind me of fond memories and bring a touch of glamour to Christmas.  And so, the feather wreath was born!  In its previous life it was used here and when I went to retrieve it from its bag it still smelled of the LUSH! glitter massage bar that I used to use which made me smile.
For the last couple of years I haven't been big on celebrating Christmas, complaining that its over commercialised and the pressure put on parents by advertisers to go into debt is mortifying but then I realised that I have skills! Christmas doesn't have to be about what you buy, its about creating memories!  To think, I used to do this before, when I used to spend hours sewing sequins on felt to create mini masterpieces (ok, in my eyes they are!) and so I am teaching my children that handmade = love 


And so, to the tutorial! For the feathery wreath you will need:

• 16" natural wreath (I got mine at Hobbycraft)
• 3 six foot feather boas in whatever colour you choose
• glass headed pins
• cling film
• ribbon
• battery powered LED lights

wrap your wreath in cling film (ok not a necessary step but I found it helped the pins to grip)

once wrapped, pin the end of your boa to the wreath and begin to wrap it around, pinning where necessary.  Continue to do this with all 3 boas.

Once all the boas are pinned in place, fluff up your feathers and make sure there are no gaps.

Tie the battery pack from your LED lights to the back of the wreath (I used blue ribbon so you can see it, you may want to use matching ribbon) then wind the lights around the wreath.  When you come to the end, tuck the wire under the boa to secure.  Fluff the feathers to conceal the wire.

Et voila! One light up feather wreath to add a touch of glamour to your decorations.  You can use contrasting ribbon to hang - once I have my trimmings up I will put a better picture up :)

Yes I realise the last picture isn't the best, so I promise when the wreath is 'en situ' I will take a fantabulous photo.  As always, if you're inspired to make something I'd love to see it or if you have a comment I'd love to hear it :)