How do you celebrate Christmas/holidays? What traditions do you have?

No I'm not back, yet... Fortunately my blogging Merygoround friends asked me this last month, so this is a forward post... naturally being Boxing Day I hope to have carefully winched myself into an almost upright position, with a box of indigestion tablets in one hand and the remote control in the other... ready to throw at the telly in another annual 'Can't believe there's nothing on the bloody telly again' ritual!

This year is somewhat different to normal, usually myself and my beloved D are saying 'goodbye' to one set of family to visit the other... Christmas is a traveling time for us, usually cross country! It's almost like staying in hotels you could say, only occasionally I am asked to help cook, tidy up, or keep the kids from tearing the place apart in an attempt to find their presents! Although normally an over excited Aunty Sara is tempted to join in and often gets us into trouble with someone far more mature and restrained that she!

Christmas is a time for family to me and I enjoy spending it with the people I love the most, whether it's over eating both Mum's fantastic Christmas dinner, playing games, walking off dinner or watching a movie... yes, Christmas day and Boxing day are lazy days for me... well, why not we've worked all year!

If we're lucky occasionally I slip out the back with D and we go for a quick drink with some friends around tea time... like us, most of our friends live quite far away from home now, so Christmas, like weddings are really the only time we get to catch up. So down to the pub and a long walk home reminiscing the old college days... when life was a little less responsible.

But as anyone who knows me will tell you, Christmas starts a lot earlier than the few weeks before... oh, yes... for me it starts the day after my birthday in mid-November... no idea why... just does! I get an urge to go see the Christmas decorations up in town and visit the Christmas shop in Selfridges and Liberty's. I also get ideas about making Christmassy food and like to play a Christmas CD now and again. Good job D doesn't work at home... I think I'd drive him as insane as I have many a work colleague... and don't tell me it's too early or I'll turn it up and call you a 'Humbug'!!

This year as I said will be quite different. Myself and the old man D have decided to stay home... so just the two of us, at home... will be a nice change (or maybe as we speak I've rather on purposely missed the telly with the remote and hit D square in the eyes out of sheer bloody boredom... would I?... no, no... would I? She questions... We'll see, I guess!). The last year has been very busy here, so a nice quite Christmas at home is just what we need. D will be happy I've got him a dinner plate size Yorkshire pudding to eat his Christmas dinner out of... not traditional I know, but the boy likes to eat (just can't figure out why he's like a rake though... they said age would get him... it hasn't yet... what age exactly, did you say? I'm still waiting!) I'll see if I can steady my hand on my belly long enough to take a picture... like Monty Python's Mr. Creosote, one 'waffer thin mint' across these lips should be just about all it will take to cause an explosion!

Then there are the presents... can't go mad this year, I'm sure everyone's in the same boat... so I've been thinking I might do a repeat of our very first Christmas day together and wrap up his Brussel sprouts individually and pop them into his stocking! Anyone who was a fan of the British TV comedy 'Bottom' will appreciate that!

So something a little different this year, but one thing will always remain the same... I want to laugh and laugh and laugh! That to me is the sign of a good Christmas!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS everyone... I hope you enjoy it in what ever form Christmas is Christmas to you!

;)
Sara xx
Visit my Main Website here
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This post was part of a blog Merry go Around, where I have got together with some friends to talk about a similar subject on the same day... a nice way to meet people!

Sara (me) from http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/
Ruth from http://insidetheartisan.blogspot.com/
Charlotte from http://fancypicnic.blogspot.com/
Lily from http://lilypangart.blogspot.com/
Marian from http://florcitasart.blogspot.com/
Fabs from http://www.freewebs.com/easterya
Anna from http://halfanacreblog.blogspot.com/
Agathe from http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/
Andreanna from http://blog.glamasaurus.com/

Blog Closed for Christmas!

It's that time again folks.... blogging must take a break until the New Year. This doesn't mean the shop's close over this period, so please visit each store for details.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Merino Supplies in Every Colour You Need!

Yes, here it is my new colour card...

If you would like a closer look then double click on the image... and remember all rights reserved, Copyright Sara's Texture Crafts 2008.

Visit the Sara's Texture Crafts's, Craft Store to get yours shipped worldwide with discounts!

Enjoy!!
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I hope this helps… Here's where to find related product... Sara's Texture Crafts.

Craft by Education

A lot of what I didn’t learn form my Mother, in terms of craft making I was trained in… that doesn’t mean I have a hundred and one qualifications! No, no instead I mean I put myself in an educational environment purposefully to seek new skills. Of course there was a lot along the way that I picked by myself, from books to tips from crafty friends and naturally plenty of hands-on experimentation. However, I do think that there is a lot to be said about learning in an educational environment though… in what ever form that is.

Places to try out on your search for a class;

1. Try speaking to your local craft shop owners… they may be teaching classes behind the scenes.
2. Try visiting larger craft events, often there are teachers on hand waiting to demonstrate new process and ideas on their stands, or ready to book you up for one of their master classes.
3. There are also on-line options too, either in the form of on-line video workshops, walkthrough download patterns to follow, or directories where you can find workshops in your area.

Here are some particularly good sites in the UK who list workshops;

http://craft-fair.co.uk/Learning.cfm
www.themakelounge.com
www.craftguerrilla.com

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This review can also be found at as part of my contributions on DIY City Magazine

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Artist Spotlight: Feephanie... and a Christmassy Day out!

Oh I adore Christmas, so what better way to spend a rainy November Sunday... than to go shopping at a Christmas Fair!

The lovely Stephanie of http://en.dawanda.com/shop/coccinelfe

sent me a ticket to go to the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair at the Business Design Centre in Islington (London).

That's me in the purple top and jeans... and yes that is a shopping bag you see... I told you I adore Christmas! There was no way a cold and rainy day was going to put me off either!!

The show was a fantastic mix of larger a smaller companies, both new and those more established. So it was great to see the rise of a few more handmade companies and especially to meet Stephanie and see her wonderful sugary, fairies up close.

This is the best shot I could get of Stephanie's stand... she was just too busy to get that perfect magazine spread photo, but as you can see it was very well laid out and had everyone going mad for her work. It was like a little cake store of fairies! Needless to say I came home with one, I found a cute little fairy flying around Stephanie's stand and with some help we caught it in a jar. She's a cheeky little fairy though... always poking her tongue out at me!


Want a fairy of your own? Why not catch one of Stephanie's new creations...


at http://en.dawanda.com/product/668242-Fee-petit-four

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Book Review: Quick Costumes For Kids, 30 Great Fancy Dress Ideas

Title: Quick Costumes For Kids: 30 Great Fancy Dress Ideas

Author: Deborah House

Publisher: Hamlyn

ISBN: 13-978-0-600-61484-5

ISBN: 10-0-600-61484-0

Price: £14.99

‘Quick and Easy costume-making’ was the headline that caught my eye in the introduction of this book, but it was the ‘Little Helpers Tips’ that really swung it for me…. What a great way to pass on sewing skills to your children by involving them in the processes of making their own costume.

Covering favourites such as Halloween, Christmas and Party themes, boys get to dress as wizards, skeletons, ghosts, Joseph or the 3 Wise men, a clown, a teddy bear or a rather cool robot, to name but a few. For the girls there is an equally large choice ranging from witches, to angels, rabbits to butterflies or a even a beautiful princess.

Deborah House gives us really clear, simple instructions and material lists with an idea of timescale as well as clever alternatives for tighter budgets or quick projects. The ‘Little Helpers’ tips, really allow parents to engage children in the task too, making quiet time for those bits that little fingers are too young to try… such as using the sewing machine.

I think that even the occasional machinist among us will appreciate this book , especially if you have imaginative children.

Overall 5 stars for a great book!!!

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This review can also be found at as part of my contributions on DIY City Magazine and The Textile Directory.

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Winter Wonderland... a few weeks ago in Hyde Park

D took me out for the day with the aim of getting a few more Christmas presents, when we got an invite from his brother and his girlfriend... would we like to meet them in Hyde Park... Winter Wonderland is on and they have a craft fair. Hell yes, my two favourite things rolled into one... Christmas and crafts!!

Here are our photos from the day...

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

'Can't stop D... off to shop!

Me and D! My god, it's cold!

'Oh, can't get near those!'

'But I can eat those!'

'Please Santa, I promise I have been good!'

'Ow, and I might go skating!'

'Maybe these are safer?'

Newsletter for Spinners!

I've just started a Newsletter for Spinners (the Welcome letter went out least week)... and so I though I should really invite you all, just in case you missed it!

To find out more visit my dedicated shop page at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Saras-Texture-Crafts/Spinning-Web-a-haven-for-Spinners.html

The Newsletter is free and comes once-monthly. To sign up all you need to do is visit my Craft shop page at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Saras-Texture-Crafts and scroll to the bottom. On the left hand column you will see a box for the newsletters, simply tick the correct box and press 'sign up'!

The next Newsletter will be issued in January.
See you soon,
Sara x

The Spinning Web

Something new... part of my Spring plan for learning is the Spinning Web. I've been very pleased with the progress of the Ashford products among my customers and have really enjoyed hearing about their latest carding and spinning projects... it's making me want to have a go.

So I decided to create a place where Spinners and Carders can come and share their love of what they do... and maybe who knows, I'll learn a bit more about their wonderful craft as I go.

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Spotlight: Sew Mad!

Now this is someone I have already mentioned here, so think of this as an updated spotlight!

Today I want to introduce you to Katrin of sew-mad.dawanda.com

Sara: Hi Katrin! Please tell me a bit about you and your background?

Katrin: I began crafting as a child and have never stopped since then. In my spare time I not only sew but also print, do papercrafts and just like to experiment a little with everything. A friend told me I reminded her of the mad hatter (a character from the book “Alice in wonderland”, which I love!) - never doing just one thing at a time, always changing places and always changing my mind.

Actually I don’t have what you might call a college background - I’ve never been trained in arts or crafts, so I am here by accident, if you like! Instead I studied literature and history. In other respects, I of course have a backgound - a loving and supporting husband and family who keep me going and who are always willing to give me feedback on my work, which helps a lot.

S: How did you get into arts and crafts then?

K: My whole family is crafty in some way, so it was clear that the “crafts-gene” would break through sooner or later. Some of my earliest childhood memories are silk-painting with my mom or woodworking with my father, and I can’t imagine an evening with my grandmother without hearing the click-click of her knitting needles… but sewing really got me when I was about nine and really needed some new clothes for my Barbie-doll. Soon I went from doll clothes to making some easy clothes for me and years later I started patchwork/quilting, got back to sewing clothes and some when started making handbags and knitting accessories. That’s where I am right now… addicted to fiber, patterns and color.

S: Do you sell your work?

K: Yes, I sell my work at DaWanda - a mostly European, but worldwide growing shopping community. You can reach my shop at sew-mad.dawanda.com

Occasionally I am also on small art fairs/craft fairs in my area and I also have a little (private) blog at sew-mad.blogspot.com

S: Where do you find your inspiration?

K: Inspiration can be everywhere if you are open to it.

Of course I take inspiration from other artist’s work, from galleries, museums and from magazines - no matter if vintage or modern. Sometimes a patterned fabric gives you an idea, sometimes it’s a look out of the window… Speaking of it, nature is always a great inspiration! Just take a walk out of town and you will see so many things that will make you think about … color combinations, patterns, textures and much more. And last but not least books are a great source. Fairytales hold a bunch of inspiration and so do classic novels or poems!

S: Tell me a bit about your latest collection of works.

K: Lately I am mainly sewing bags and custom knitting needle rolls in various sizes. It seems that knitters like them and I enjoy searching the right fabric combinations for my customers - and I am in fact proud that they are requested. I try to make beautiful, small items people can use and enjoy every day (like my credit card organizers) rather than big, artistic things. I also make sewing patterns (available in German and English) for my fellow sewers and I hope to be able to finish another one in time for Christmas crafting. It’s a lot of fun making a pattern and see what people make from it

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This review can also be found at as part of my contributions on DIY City Magazine

Learning Centre on Working with Felt Forum

I'm hard at work at the moment setting up a Learning Centre for my Working with Felt Community at http://workingwithfelt.ning.com. The centre will officially open at http://workingwithfelt.blogspot.com/ in Januray 2009, but in the meantime do bookmark the blog and keep your eyes open for more news.

If you are a feltmaker and wish to submit a tutorial, tip or project then please contact me, or keep an eye on the blog at http://workingwithfelt.blogspot.com/ where news of what I am looking for will be published soon.

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Dry, Needle Felting - Needle Gauge Choice

Understanding needle gauges can often be quite complicated... 'Is there a technical meaning?' people ask, but often recommending needles will depend not only on their technical details and your fibre choice, but also on the project you have in mind.

So let's start with the technical... traditionally the bigger the number, the finer the needle. So for example from the needles stocked in my Craft Shop, gauge 19 is the thickest, followed by 36, 38 and then finally 40 being the finest. There is also a very fine 'flexi' needle to consider, if you are a doll maker.

'What needle do I use for what fibre?'... Technically I would recommend;

19 gauge is for heavy/thick wool/fibres and felting heavy felt fabrics together. These are great to start off larger projects with, especially sculptures.
36 gauge is for mid thickness wool/fibres to a fine fibre (merino, shetland, norwegian, welsh etc...) and are a great all round needle to have in your needle felt kit.
38 gauge is for mid thickness wool/fibres to a fine fibres also (merino 64s, merino 56s, Blue Faced leicester, etc...).
40 gauge is for fine wool/fibres (soft merino, merino/silk blends, silks, plant fibres, angora, etc...).
Flexi needles are fine and great for applying small features or hair, especially for fabric dolls requiring small amounts of felt fibre.

However, you must consider your project. For example;

Small scale needle projects - I would recommend a 36 to start and use 40 to make your finer 'feature' details.
Big scale needle projects, including full felt dolls - I would recommend a 19 to start the inner construction, where you may choose to start with washed fleece and then a mixture of 36, 38 and 40 to proceed through the outer decorative, wrapping layers and sculpt the defining 'feature' details.
Wet and dry projects - I usually recommend a 36 needle, as these are less brittle in comparison to the finer ones so punching through the tougher wet layers shouldn't be too much problem. However, you may wish to try a 38 or 40 to finish.
Fabric and felt dolls - If your doll is mostly fabric and you wish to needle felt only hair and smaller features then I recommend a size 40 or a 'flexi' needle which are much finer still.

All of the felting needles you will buy have barbs on the usable length. These are to catch the wool fibres as you work and push them down into the felt you are creating. There are however, different blade shapes that will effect your needle choice for example there are two needle shapes in my current colletion; firstly is triangular and secondly is star. These shapes refer to the formation and number of the needle's blade edges.

The triangular blade is the most commonly used in needle felting and is good for all projects. This needle blade type is the one you are most likely to have as a standard in your collection. Why not check the needles you have? If you look at the end point on, you will be able to see if it is triangular or star shape.

Star blades are generally good for a faster finish (an extra blade edge with barbs makes it quicker). In my collection you will find I stock my;

19 gauge is triangular.
36 gauge is triangular.
38 gauge is a star shape.
40 gauge is triangular.

My reason for stocking my 38 gauge as a star blade, is purely because there really isn't that much difference in size between a 38 and 40 (my finest needle).

Essentially think start thick and end fine... that should help you and remember the thicker the needle you use the larger the hole it will leave, so go fine to finish if you don't want to see the punch marks!

Do please bear in mind though, that all of this is my opinion, you may find in practise that you prefer to use a different mixture of needles for different projects... this is not unusal, feltmakers always attack new projects in different ways. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your choices.

Still not sure which to choose? Why not try my mixed pack of needles?

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I hope this helps… Here's where to find related product... Sara's Texture Crafts.

If you find this guide useful please vote for it at Sara's eBay Reviews

Christmas Wreath Update!

Not got very far... been so busy with the shop, but here's where I'm at...

Unfortunately I think I've done the easy bit... the needlefelting a Merino and Shetland blend of fibres as my base... I'm going to have to pull my finger out if I am going to make Christmas!

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Join the Working with Felt Community!

What is the ‘Working with Felt’ Community?
Workingwithfelt.ning.com is a community for felt makers to learn and share new techniques, tips and resources, as well as showing off their own creations and to find workshops and classes in their area. It is completely free to join and already members include complete beginners, tutors, book authors and occasional artists.

Set up in mid April 2008, as part of Sara’s Texture Crafts at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/ members are already enjoying chatting to other felt enthusiasts on-line every day.

Each member joins for free and receives:
· A unique member page, including an area for a weblink and a blog to share your experiences with felt making, tutorials, tips and advice or mention events you have been to. Also space for your own pictures and tutorial videos.
· A forum for interaction with other members, from around the globe.
· An opportunity to list events that you will be visiting or showing at, including workshops.

I would love to see you there… Sara x

Spotlight: Magdalene Jewels

Today I want to introduce you to Pam of MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com




Sara: Please tell me a bit about you and your background.
Pam: I am the person behind “MagdaleneJewels”, Pamela Baker; although my kids and all their friends call me Pammy; on Etsy, I am know as Mags, MJ or Magdalene. Now about me personally, I have been single for many years, raising 3 children, Kelly, Keith and Ryan who now, as adults, have grown into their own person. My daughter Kelly has been married for 2 years, of which I have a few pictures from her wedding on Flickr. I have lived in Scarsdale, New York for my whole life (moving exactly one mile when I was married). I was raised by my grandparents, who were the nicest people, and were always accepting of anyone they met. I think that is where I get my easy going personality from, never judging anyone, accepting them for who they are.

S: How did you get into arts and crafts?

P: For as long as I can remember, I have always had a creative nature within. My first memory is of my little 6” high sewing machine, which I would create my own doll clothes. No pattern for me, I would just lay my doll whatever fabric I had (sometimes my Grandmother’s beautiful silk and lace blouses) and just cut away. To this day, I still do not know how to use a pattern. As I got older, I started embroidering, crocheting, knitting, and quilting; all of which I taught myself and still love to do. Actually, I didn’t start designing jewelry until about two years ago. Truthfully I didn’t even know what a crimping bead was; but somewhere in my mind it was something I wanted to attempt. The first time I walked into a bead shop and saw all the beautiful colors of crystals, I was hooked. My favorite shop, located in Nyack, NY, which is a 15 minute drive going across the Hudson River, not only has the most beautiful colors of crystals (ones I can’t find any where else), but Judy and Grace who run the shop, have both been my mentors. I use Swarovski Crystals for most of my pieces; I love the various reflections the crystals give off when gleaming in the sun.

S: Do you sell your work? What inspires you when making your jewelry?

P: Although I have a shop on Etsy: MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com, I primarily do a lot of custom orders, and craft shows. Recently, I started showing my work on YouTube; creating my own videos, which has also increased my custom orders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uM69mwGjq8 (don’t forget to turn the volume on!)

It is hard to explain where my inspiration’s come when designing one of my pieces. There are many days when I look at the beads sitting there, and just can’t decide what I should create. Then somewhere in my head I get a vision of something; colors and design all worked out for me. I immediately set to work creating the vision I have. As my children will tell you, it is not uncommon to find me at 4am sitting in bed beading away. At times I will also see a beautiful pendant on Etsy made by one of my friends there, and immediately know what I would create with that piece. Of course, I have to purchase the pendant first, and anxiously await to receive it so I can start working on what I have envisioned with that piece.

S: I know that you are a very passionate crafter, often highlighting other causes through your craft blog…why is this work so important to you?
P: For those of you who read my blog, MagdaleneJewelspjk.blogspot.com you will find my main passion, which is writing. Thanks to Sara, from Sara’s Crafts of Texture, I have had many articles published. I usually have to be totally passionate about what I am writing about. About 10 months ago, I started a quilting project called, “Tragedy and Triumph”. My main objective, which I have written about often, is to bring to light the Tragedy’s and Triumph’s which historically have affected so many of us in this generation. The quilt is made up of many quilted blocks contributed by Etsy quilter’s. They have designed a quilt square either commemorating something which may have touched them from their own personal experience, or something that may have affected all of us, whether “Tragic” or “Triumph”. I hope to have this project finished within a few weeks. I have also been quite involved along with another Estian, Diane Clancy, in bringing to everyone’s attention “The Orphan Act”. This is a Bill which Congress tried to pass this past April, which would affect almost every artist: painter, quilter, jewelry designer, photographer, etc. whose work they may put on the internet. If this Bill was passed into a Law, it would negate any of these artists to own their own work. Unless we buy “copyrights” to our own work, it becomes the property of anyone who chooses to copy or use it for their own purpose. After many petitions being circulated and many articles making people aware of this Bill, as of August 2008, “The Orphan Act” has been shelved.

S: Do you have any other interests?

P: In between all of this, I am also member of a local theater group as their costume designer, as well as having had a few small parts in some of their plays. One could say it is a family tradition. My mother joined this same theater group in the 1950’s. When my daughter joined about 8 years ago, as an actress and stage manager for many of their shows, it was only natural that I would follow their footsteps into the theater. One can kind of say that I have joined forces in my work, while designing the costumes, I have also designed jewelry pieces for some of the actresses to wear on stage.

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This review can also be found at as part of my contributions on DIY City Magazine

Sara x