Reasons to be cheerful

Before Christmas I got an email asking if some of me stitch markers could be featured in a knitting magazine.  I did have to read the email a few times to believe the contents, then I snapped up the offer.
I was really excited but didn't tell many people, I also was asked to provide a high resolution photo to be used in the magazine.

Roll on Friday 17th January 2014 and the February issue of Let's Knit was published.  I couldn't wait until I finished my day job to buy a copy of the magazine so went to the shop in my lunch break.  I started flicking through the pages and there are some lovely patterns to add to my knitting to do list.  Not forgetting a lovely article from Rachel Coopey who designs some wonderful stuff, including socks, hats & cowls.

I then got to page 39 and there they were on a page titled "Reasons to be cheerful".

This when I kept singing in my head the Ian Dury & the Blockheads song of the same name.  This page has lots of beautiful things featured and I am very proud to be part of it.  I have also had some lovely feedback from friends and customers.

The above article is the 2nd time my stitch markers have been featured in a magazine.  Below was the first time in Let's Get Crafting.

My stitch markers are at the top of page

I am very grateful to have these opportunities to be featured in magazines and hope people will check out my website & Etsy store hopefully buy my wares.

Review of 2013

With regards to Poppybead it has been a quiet year.  Mainly down to health reasons and not being able to stand up or walk for too long.  I injured my medial collateral ligament in my knee and this has caused some tissue called the plica to flare and cause pain.

I have been doing other things that don't require my legs as much.  Firstly my website is live again and I am hosting it on a site that is easier to use, manage and adapt.  I am happy with the look of the website items can be bought through my Etsy shop.

98% of the photography is my own and I am learning all the time.  With that in mind I got involved with a photography project called Lost Stories which is part of a larger project called INSIDE OUT. Being involved with this project has been a steep learning curve when it comes to taking photos.  However I am very proud of my photos and hope my photography will lead to other things.  In the meantime you can see some of my shots on Flickr and Instagram.

I have been sewing a fair bit and this has given me a chance to create for myself and frequent a lovely new haberdashery in Birmingham.  Guthrie and Ghani is a family run business which brings something new to crafting in the West Midlands.  I have also found a wonderful yarn shop in North Birmingham called Sitting Knitting.  SK is a friendly environment for yarn lovers and they also have some great workshops lined up for 2014.  There are some other small businesses Stitch Solihull like I hope to visit in 2014.

I have also got presence on Pinterest and Tumblr, these have more personal aspects but Poppybead is part of me so I hope the creativity shine through.

My first ever bunting attempt.

After a passing comment at my day job about getting out the bunting I realised I have never made any bunting.
Then I was chatting at Saturday knits about fabric as well as quilting.  So I looked at what I already had and this was the outcome.

What do you think?

The fabric and bias binding was purchased from Guthrie & Ghani in Moseley.

Poppybead: My day out in the countryside

Poppybead: My day out in the countryside: I thought I would start this blog with a bit of history.  My friend Imogen who makes great gluten free cake introduced me to a group called...

My day out in the countryside

I thought I would start this blog with a bit of history.  My friend Imogen who makes great gluten free cake introduced me to a group called Handmade is Hot on Facebook.  This group has become a valuable resource in my journey through crafting as a business.  

After meeting other members of the group at my first craft fair,  I met some more members on my birthday. 
Sometimes it's easy to hide behind a computer and forget about interaction with others and possible customers.  Each time I have met other "hotties" everyone has been really nice and honest. 
I can't remember exactly when the discussion started but I wanted to join in with making a blanket for a picnic.   With all good intentions I started a crochet granny square blanket.  Over 6 months later the blanket hasn't grown much so I thought I sew one, that was an epic fail.  
I managed to find something I had already made and off I went to the countryside of Lichfield. 

You can see the house reflected in this picture.

I am very much a city girl and can't drive so don't get out to the countryside very often.  But yesterday I made the effort to go Hottie organised event at Curborough crafts and antiques centre.  With my hottie badge, blanket, picnic and camera off I went.  I took the cross city train line to Lichfield Trent Valley and thought maybe I should of got off the station before.  I was given a number for a taxi and I shared it with a lady called Kiki who was going to play the violin at a wedding, how random?

When I got to the venue I wanted to have my hair done in a vintage up do.  It's something I have never done before.  I really liked it and think I would do it again. 

There was loads to see and so I started exploring and taking 
pictures. So here is a link to my Flickr photostream

There was lots of Hottie badges around and I was really pleased to put some faces to names/wellies.  One conversation that sticks in my head was about social media.      I have got presence on Instagram and Pinterest as I thought they would be useful to my brand and I am rather addicted to Instagram.  House of Harrie Hattie if you want some help let me know.

I had a lovely day networking with other crafters, hotties and even ran into a colleague from my day job.  The music was great and the weather was fantastic.

I have got some inspiration and renewed motivation from going to this event.  Great job Lucy.

A crafty Saturday

Time is flying and here in the UK there was another public holiday.  I started my extended weekend with a visit to Saturday Knits, a new group who meet at Loco Lounge in Kings Heath.

I worked on my Camelile shawl until I got t a point where I need to concentrate on the lace edging. 

Then I went onto Moseley Arts Markets which runs alongside the Moseley Farmers market.

A dear friend was selling her wares & she kindly let take some pictures of her stall.  Karen of The Sheppard's Flock makes some beautiful dolls, decorations & bunting.

                     

May bank holiday 1

I thought would take a break from my knitting to blog over this bank holiday weekend.  I am still contemplating what to do regarding a website and am not much further forward.  I have however been working with different photographers to get a different look to the pieces I make.

I am not always good at asking for help but when this friend offered to take pictures I snapped his hand off.  Just like when another photographer friend from the the day job took amazing shots of my pieces.

These are two of my favourites shots from Saol Photography.  My other friend has put a different slant on my pieces.

I feel really blessed to know such talented and creative people who have the ability to my pieces look amazing.

I also have some things in the pipeline with these cufflinks which are made to order from my Etsy shop.