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.

Lindy's Loops Closed for Funshine

Everyone has to take a day off so Lindy's Loops closed for the day to participate in some fun.  The day started with the torture of my poor clarinet teacher, I just can't do flats, apparently I read in sharps.  I purchased some beautiful purple fabric to compliment this Berry Brolly Fabric watch out for the bag coming to my shop soon.

Next stop home to pick up my best buddy and then off to the toon for a wander in the afternoon sun.  First stop Ladbrokes to place a little wager on the Grand National.

Gateshead doesn't have a great selection of pubs these days, but the refurbished Central is wonderful it is a Flat Iron Building and provides such interesting rooms and now it has a roof terrace and although the view isn't what you would traditionally think of as spectacular it allows you the pleasure of Gateshead's old town hall and watching trains going in and out of town.

And in case you don't see any trains they have a model train in a glass case.  By the way look at the bridge behind the train it looks like the brickwork is starting to bow.

We made our favourite walk over the magnificent High Level Bridge

 to watch the Grand National and lucky for me I chose an each way bet as the only horse I picked that was placed came second, so I will have to make sure to collect my £6 or so winnings.

As always we headed off towards Ouseburn and on the way we stumbled upon a stray bus, all aboard the number 14 for Tottenham Court Road.

These guys look a little confused, they only hopped aboard the number 14 hoping to to go to Oxford Street!

We enjoyed some late afternoon sunshine outside the Cumberland Arms and in the garden of the Free Trade which has the best view of all.  As we set off for home we walked along the quayside and the party boats were out in force which meant that the blinking eye was blinking.

and I couldn't resist a little shot of the Baltic, before heading home.

What a nice day off.