It's been a long time

Well I promised to blog more often and I didn't.  So a lot has been happening since my last post.

I was delighted to find that I had been featured in Simply Homemade magazine in a Folksy Finds feature.  As a result I had some contacts from new people interested in the things that I make.  It strange where you pop up and people put you in their blogs or pinboards or magazines and you don't even know about it.  All very exciting.

Speaking of Pinboards, I have tried to get to grips with Pintrest but find that for all it is full of beautiful things I don't have have the time to be browsing.  I don't know about you but I have to make sure that my virtual life doesn't take up more of my real life than it should.

In May I was asked to help with a really exciting project working for the stylist Krista to make 6 dresses for an all girl folk band called The Shee to be used for their new album which comes out in the autumn.  Well that was great pressure and great fun.  There was a problem with the fabric supplier and the fabric didn't arrive until Friday morning and the dresses had to be ready for a photo shoot on Monday. So a weekend of cutting, sewing, pressing. somehow it all came together and whilst the dresses needed some tweeking on the day we made it.  The girls were pleased with their dresses, they had each chosen their own individual style, so it was lovely to see how they reflected their individual personality.

Krista is a very talented lady who sings, designs, styles, organizes event,s the list is endless.  The band are fantastic bunch of girls, fun, pretty and very talented and they wore their dresses to a concert at The Sage on the Monday evening.  I am looking forward to seeing the official images and sharing them soon.  You can get   a sneak preview in the image here.  Also do listen to the band and go and see them if you can here is their Facebook page The Shee.

Every year since it started we have been going to Indietracks a fantastic festival in Derbyshire.  If you have never been you should go it is the high spot of my year.  This year we took Lindy's Loops on the road and it was a great success.

I had the opportunity to take part in a summer market by Durham Markets in the historic market square it was a lovely evening, despite the weather forecast and the Mayor and Mayoress even stopped by to say hello.  This is me looking like a proper market trader. Could you watch the stall for me a minute Mo?

Oh and that reminds me of another photo opportunity when Lindy's Loops took part in the Fashion Fringe event for Newcastle Fashion Week and I was snapped running up some last minute bunting for the Jubilee weekend.

I thought summer might be quiet and I would start sewing projects ready for Christmas, but with lots of local activity its been busy.

Coming up this month, I have been invited over to Rosewill Cottage on Saturday 4th August, that is in the lovely seaside town of Whitley Bay and I am taking part in the Made In Newcastle Summer Market, on 11th August, which will raise funds to support the development of a permanent space for  local artists, crafters and designers.  I do hope to see you there.

Have a great summer whatever you are doing.

Forgotten Blog

I wonder how many people start a blog and then it's left hanging there in cyberspace all alone with no followers.  Well that has certainly been me but I feel I have valid excuses, here are a few of them.


Sewing, helping others sew, Christmas, the day job, family ill health (we have fallen back in love with the marvellous NHS), grandparent duties, parent duties, general life stuff and a bit of fun too. 


Well I need to get back to blogging, reading others great efforts has made me want to get back to sharing how things are going in the world of Lindy's Loops.  


So how have things been going?  November and December was very busy with Christmas Markets and orders.  I know I need to prepare well in advance for this next year. In these difficult financial times people really are looking for something, different, well made and at a good price. I had my best two months trading ever.  

It's a lovely thought that people were opening up their gifts on Christmas day and they were hand made by me.  I know this went away to be a gift for someone, chosen with care and attention.


And I couldn't make enough of these baskets inspired by the traditional Cretan baskets I saw on my holiday in October.  

I have had lots of requests for bespoke items, alterations and after I made bunting and baskets for my grandson's christening, more orders for some of that.  Look out for some new lines coming in spring for parties, weddings and other celebratory events.


At my craft fairs I try to spend time chatting to people to find out what they like about the things I make and what they would like to see.  A chance conversation has led to me starting one to one tuition for sewing, knitting, crochet and other crafts.  I have been working with one lovely lady since January, I had a plan of what I thought I could teach her in terms of basic skills, zips, following patterns and making adjustments.  Well it has mushroomed, she is full of ideas and projects and is a very keen student.  


It is the most fun thing I have done in years and it is a delight to see someone growing in confidence and ability, within the short space of time she has progressed from simple cushion covers, to cutting patterns for her children and bringing together ideas to adapt patterns to the style of fashions she has spotted in magazines.  We both get twitchy if we can't fit in a sewing lesson!  My business lesson is don't be afraid to follow the opportunities and try out new ideas.  I fear that her husband thinks I have created a monster!  But he too is benefiting from her new found skills with PJs.


I use Folksy as my web shop and I know I have missed opportunities by not having all my goods up on my site.  I discovered I can set my shop to holiday mode so if I am out at a craft fair or market I can close the online shop for the day.  So now it is well stocked please take a look and let me know what you like and what you think you'd like to see more of and what could be better.


My day job is getting smaller, I am really lucky to work for an employer who needs to shrink its workforce but is looking for new and innovative ways to do that. No mass redundancies around here.  They have supported me to develop my business idea and allowed me to reduce my hours as business has picked up.  We both get something from the deal.  Who would have thought that much criticised Local Government was at the forefront of innovative ways to manage your workforce planning!


As a result of the day job getting smaller I get to spend more time with my lovely grandson and he too benefits from Grandma's Crafting skills.  


George's funky PJs

Oh yes and last but not least the dreaded tax return.  I went to a couple of HMRC courses and they made it sound quite straight forward.  If you keep good records it is straightforward, but I wouldn't say the actual return is easy.  I didn't leave it until the last minute and this time round I plan to do it in the summer.  Alternatively get some admin help and in the spirit of supporting small business there is a lovely lady here if you are in the London area who is great with admin and PA type work.  Cath English

Crafting music recommendations that have helped me through the last few months Cats On Fire.   If you get a chance go see them in February here.... London Pop Fest and support small independent music promoters.

Quarter 1 Report

It is hard to believe that it is almost three months since Lindy's Loops was launched into the world of commerce and craft.  It has been hectic but great fun. I have met some lovely fellow crafters both in the on-line world and out there in the crafting community.  It is amazing to see how many clever, talented folks are creating such fabulous things.  So Quarter 1 has been Inspirational.

My Folksy site has had a lot of visitors but no sales, although it has led to some contacts and orders for other items.  I have enjoyed making the bespoke things for those lovely customers, it is such a pleasure to make things that people appreciate.  It still feels a bit weird to catch a glimpse of someone carrying one of my bags. If there are things you would like to see in my folksy shop do let me know.  You can leave a message on the site or you can contact me through my facebook page page, or email me at Lindysloops@gmail.com.  So Quarter 2 has been Productive.

My business adviser would be proud of me as I have achieved my predicted turnover for the first quarter.  Although I am not sure Lord Sugar would be impressed with my empire as it is in £'s rather than thousands or millions!   So Quarter 1 has been Successful.

On Sunday I will be taking Lindy's Loops to a new venue, a super craft event at Seaburn in Sunderland run by the lovely people at Makers Markets. Come along if you can. So Quarter 1 is seeing Expansion.

I've had a little break from crafting over the last couple of weeks.  I enjoyed a little trip to the scary island of Tenerife and narrowly escaped being trapped by the ash cloud. That would have been a disaaaaaaaaaaster daaaaaaaarling as I would have missed my weekend break visiting the beautiful baby George.  No secrets to be revealed of this excursion owing to the imposing of a super injunction.

Both of my jaunts have filled my head with design ideas so after the weekend it will be time to get out the fabrics and scissors and threads.  Look out for some things for big people, some things for little people and some things for little big people and hopefully more new markets in new places.  So I survived Quarter 1 and am raring to move into Quarter 2.

I hope you like my quarterly company report, not sure the bank manager will be so impressed.

Special Delivery

This has been an exciting week on 11th May, our first grandchild, George Steven arrived.  Everyone has been lovely and so excited about it all. Mother, father and baby are all doing well and should be coming home tomorrow.

All this has meant Lindy's Loops has been distracted too.  I did manage to finish a Funky Purple Cord Bag to go with the top I made for the Make and Mend Fashion Show at the Star and Shadow on Sunday.  I can't wait to see the full outfit put together.  Do come along and support the local designers and crafters who will be there.

I deviated a little from my usual lines to re-cover our old Moses basket, which all 3 of the Chapmen chaps have slept in and now the new little one will be able to take a rest in it.  Not for long I think as he was quite a big chap, 8lb 15.5 oz!  His mammy likes beige and creams so I found some lovely beige polka dots which I think are quite becoming for a young chap.  It was a tricky task but I enjoyed it, but I don't think I will be taking orders.

I started knitting something for him a few months ago, but we didn't know then that it would be a boy, so I finished off the hat and shoes with some little blue teddy buttons.  The next project will be a little Winnie the Pooh sleep suit.

I think I can see an idea for new lines for Lindy's Loops, retro baby grows!.

Frills and Spills

It has been a busy old week, lots to cram in at the 'day job' in just 3 days but I could get used to that.  But more importantly Lindy's Loops has been busy catching up with orders for bags and getting things ready for the fashion show which is being organised by Make and Mend as part of Newcastle Fashion Week.

I enjoyed making a customised bag for Karen which is a Seaside Bag but this time it was a small bag, with a long strap, worn over the body.  Take a look at the bigger version over here .  Karen is a talented lady why don't you pop over here and see some of her work at ArtieD on Folksy.

I have a couple of dresses ready which you have seen in earlier blogs which will go to the fashion show but I have been working on an outfit which is inspired by Englebert Humperdinck and the fact that I have been singing Les Bicyclettes des Belsize  all week, (there is also this lovely version )  What would make me sing such a song?  I have booked a trip to that London and am staying in Belsize and intend to recreate the cycling in the lovely short film of the same name.

Anyway to outfits, I thought of all of the lovely frills and flounces, not least on Engelbert's shirts and so decided to make a top with a frilled front and flouncy sleeves.

It is a loose fitting top in cool cotton, lovely for hot London days.  It has darts in the front and back to give it a little more shape and structure and I have added a purple ribbon so if you are super slim you can pull it in with a lovely little bow to show off your figure.  If you prefer things more loose and flowing the ribbon isn't attached and you could just tie it in your hair.  The background is lilac and the print is purple and green circles and swirls.  What do you think?

For the fashion show I am suggesting teaming this up with a pair of purple velvet trousers. I am going to make a little purple bag with a draw string top and trim the lining with a little left over fabric from the dress.

So this week has had me humming favourite tunes from the 60's I love a little bit of Cilla and Lulu and of course Engelbert.

Oh yes, and at last I got to see Soul Boy, what great memories of Northern Soul Dancing in the Chelsea Cat in South Shields, our very own version of Wigan Casino.  I am wondering what inspiration that will provide me for dressmaking!

All good things must come to an end

I was looking forward to 11 days of working on lindysloops, relaxing, eating, drinking and generally having fun.  Where did the time go?

It went like this:  

Fulfilling orders for bags 

Working on some designs for the Make N Mend Your Style event on 15th May which is part of the Newcastle Fashion Week.  

Knitting a little more of the baby blanket that my son has asked me to make for his friend, it is a beautiful pattern of butterflies and triangles in purple and cream.

A couple of visits to our favourite drinking establishments in Ouseburn.

A bit of gardening, mine and my dad's garden.

Enjoying home baked bread and pizza courtesy of Chapman minor.

A bit of dancing and keep fit to keep the llb's at bay

Watching the Royal Wedding, wearing my best hat.

The kind folks at Our Local Crafts gave me a shout out on their blog which was really kind and as a result I seem to be gathering more followers on my facebook page.  That's how it went, and the sun shone and made it even more jolly.  There are so many reasons to be happy if you just look for them.

And so it must come to an end and normal life resumes well for 3 days at least.  We need the normal bits to make the other bits seem event better.

Looking forward to my next little break in 20 days time.

I hope your bank holiday weekends have been fun.

Not such a busy week

The trials of self employment this week.

1. Sewing machine total failure.  I had planned to buy a new one anyway so off I went to buy one, got it home and the light doesn't work.  No time to take it back until next week.

2.  Panic about having enough stock for the Craft Fair on Sunday and wondering if I better contact Fat Elvis to see if the has got anything I can sell.

3.  Craft Fair is cancelled the day before the event, not the organisers fault, problem with the venue.

4. On the upside managed to get a cancellation at the Make and Mend market at The Star and Shadow. This is a lovely venue for craft fairs and gigs.  Got a confirmation when I was still in bed on Sunday morning so a mad panic ensued to gather everything up and get there.

5.  Central Motorway closed, traffic jams on a Sunday morning and an interesting diversion around Newcastle.

6. The sun shone and as a result there were not a lot of people at the market, but I did get some interest and a very excited young lady loved my bags and upon purchase immediately emptied out her old one and started using it.

7.  I did get a lot of knitting done.

I don't think I will be giving up the day job just yet.

Here are a few not very good shots of my stall.