Knitted Owl Paper Weights!

The summer holidays are fully upon us! And I had forgotten just how much time kids take up! Not that I'm not enjoying it, it just hasn't left me a lot of time for blogging. So far we've had long morning snuggles, watched lots of movies, played football and had a fairly intense game of tiddlywinks! 

I did manage to find some "me time" on sunday though when I popped up to Manchester for a research group practical publishing was running. It was a question and answer type thing with them asking me and about 9 other women questions about our sewing, knitting and buying habits. I found it very interesting to hear what everyone had to say and the other ladies were really nice and as a bonus there were goody bags! [More on that another day]

Anyways today I've managed to find a quick ten minutes to write this whilst lil man sits and practises his reading! 

These are some knitted owl paper weights that I made for lil mans teachers at the end of the school year. Typically we don't do presents for teachers but lil man said he wanted to give them something. And by them he meant all FOUR of them! Yep as it turns out there are four teachers in reception class! 

So naturally I needed a present that was quick to make and didn't break the bank [as it goes these were free!!!!]

I used the same pattern as for my large knitted owl doorstops but I shrunk it down [I am thinking of writing that pattern up if anyone's interested?] then I just weighted the bottoms and chucked in some left over toy stuffing. 

Colours wise I decided only to use my scrap wool, I tried to make the colour combinations as interesting as possible. I think the colours turned out pretty cute. 

I used felt for the beaks, and buttons for the eyes, it actually worked out as a nice way of using up some of those spare pairs of buttons and odd buttons I have lying around.

So yeah that's it really, I hope his teachers like slightly odd stationary! In fact I even had to write on the label that they were in fact paper weights! Mainly so they wouldn't think I had given then some very little heavy owls! 

Anyway Lil man is already climbing up my leg telling me how bored he is of reading and how he wants to play ANOTHER game of tiddlywinks! 

Much Love

Frankie

p.s Hopefully normal blogging shall resume shortly! Wish me luck!

xxx    

Owl Print Box Pleat Skirt

First of all the quality of these pictures is just not good, please don't blame me... blame the muggy, awful weather we've been having. 

Anyway recently my sister and her lovely husband sent me some of this awesome owl print fabric because they saw it and thought of me!

Anyway when I first saw it I had to have a good think about what to make. I thought this might be a bit too twee for a skirt and I had almost convinced myself to make a full set of bags for when we go away. I was about one step off cutting out when I thought to myself, jeez Frankie don't be a massive bore! Just make a fricking owl print skirt for the days you want to pretend to be a 1940's housewife! 

So I did! [as it goes I had enough for a makeup bag as well!]

I used the box pleat skirt pattern from the 2nd Great British Sewing Bee book, and to be honest I was pleasantly surprised it's a pretty good fit straight out the bag and with only having three pattern pieces to trace its not overly mind numbing.

Its actually a pretty quick sew, and I think I'll make it again as I love the look!

 However!

I did encounter my biggest pet peeve. Side zips. 

eurgh side zips I just hate them, I really can't explain it more than that they just suck and make me feel wonky! So I'm going to alter the pattern for a back zip instead! 

I've already took an inch off the length, which is pretty standard for my short lil legs!

I''m not sure what type of fabric it is? Its not heavy enough to be upholstery fabric but its got sort of a canvas feel to it? It works nicely for this skirt though and it sewed up really nicely too. 

I always struggle to style lighter skirts but I think this top works pretty well. Actually that's a lie, I struggle to style anything lighter because I'm a messy person and I know Its inevitably going to stain.

I think the two box pleats at the front and back are pretty flattering for my shape. 

Construction wise there's not much to say, it went together pretty quickly. I didn't baste my pleats in I just pinned them. Its a lapped zip with a button tab. Although I think the pattern calls for a hook and bar but I thought it would be a nice opportunity to use one of my single buttons [sounds a bit like a personal ad doesn't it really, single button seeking fabric for fun, fashion and maybe more?] 

I stitched in the ditch the waistband down, its not perfect but its not awful so I won't be getting my seam ripper out. 

I didn't bother pattern matching but I did spend a long time trying to work out which way to use the fabric. I'm pretty sure I've got it the right way but the owls are pretty random so I'm not sure it matters.

And I whacked a lil label in right at the end!

I'm trying to put these in all my me made clothes, every time I iron I seem to be sewing one in!

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx 

Another pair of Baby Bibs

I made two sets of baby bibs, one on a blue colour-way and one in a pink colour-way for a gender reveal dinner with family.

Sadly i finished them and then wrapped them straight away so I haven't got any pictures of the pink ones. [which i guess means you know which colour the mommy and daddy are now in possession of] 

I used my self drafted pattern again and they only took about an hour and a half to make from start to finish including cutting and sewing and hand sewing the poppers on! I think on my next set I'm going to add a lil loop on and close with a loop and button instead of poppers. 

The backs are in the owl fabric from the craft cotton company. 

So yeah they went down really nicely I wrapped each set separately and put a pink button on the girls bib and a blue button on the boys bibs so I could tell the difference and then as soon as we found out BOOM! Present time! I felt pretty organised an awesome when I handed it over kind of like Bree Van De Kamp from desperate housewives.

She's awesome!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

Camping Cushions

I did a LOT of camping when I was younger, and I always had separate camping stuff, different towel, pjs, slippers, toothbrush, sleeping bag , blankets and pillows.

Which is why I made these cushions for my niece and nephew as a Christmas present. I don't know if they'll use them for camping but either way they are pretty cute.

I used a really simple patchwork square design, but I was sooooooo careful choosing my fabrics to make sure they were cohesive.

This is my nieces cushion, I went for really floral pretty fabrics and based my colour choices on the backing fabric I had already chosen.

This owl fabric is by the craft cotton company and its lush! This is the pink colour-way but each of the colour ways are really different and give a different vibe. I also added her initial on the back for a more personal touch. 

My nephews cushion was a bit harder he's becoming quite the young man now so I didn't want to pick fabrics that would translate as babyish in a few months. I kept it pretty simple using polka dots and ginghams in the hopes it would look okay. And I added a slate grey border to make it a bit manly if that makes sense. I actually had different fabrics picked but them I saw some Paul Smith shirts on pinterest which looked fun but grown up at the same time so I used them as my inspiration instead. 

I like that the spots are all different sizes.

I did back it in the owl fabric as well but in a dark blue colour way, I think the darker colour makes it seem more grown up and boyish.

Here they are together, I think they look really cute as a set, maybe I should have made one each for their mum and dad as well? Then they could take one of those over smiley pictures like you always in in camping advertisements. You know the ones where every single family member looks happy and refreshed and like there having the best time ever!!! Not like they've been sat in the car for three hours with bickering kids and full bladders.

And here's the fronts looking kinda matchy but individual as well.

One part of their gift down at least!

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx

P.S luckily for me I don't think they read my blog so I can post these before Christmas!!

10 things I wish I'd known/thought of before I started my own buisness

I went out last Friday and was very much surprised when my friend describes me as owning my own business. I very nearly spat my lemonade (I was driving) at him to be quite honest. And then I thought, well I make things and those people but those things, and if they want something making they ask me and I make it? And then I looked at my accounts book (back off mr tax man trust me it's nothing to write home about) and although I'm not rolling in it, I mean your not gonna see me driving a BMW any time soon but I am making money! Actual money! (Yet again mr tax man seriously! I'm not even close!)

So that's makes me I guess a albeit small  business owner.... I guess .... If you think about it. 

And well I kinda like it , I guess I just didn't realise how much work it would be running at one woman company! So here's my 10 things I wish I'd thought about!

Disclaimer: these are for purely comic value, trust me I am no Alan Sugar, for starters I'm much prettier! 

1• it will take over your life, I'm not joking! I once thought I might find the time to jog twice a week, my trainers are pristine! If you get my drift! Now I have to work by hierarchy! Little Knitwit, knitwits owls, boring household crap! 

2• it's all in the name! I spent months trying to think of a good name , and I'm glad I did! I use it for everything, email,twitter,Instagram,blog,etsy,Pinterest! Next on my list if Facebook! But to be honest that's a bit scary for me, becuase then more people that I actually know will know that this is what I'm actually doing! 

3• you will need support! From the ones who cheerlead to the ones who quietly praise you when you don't know, it's nice to have people around who say "hell yeah you can do this!" 

 

And if you can dress them in funny clothes? Even better! 

4• you don't have to spend money! 

See those? My little business cards? Printed by my mum on paper that's slightly thicker than normal! Do I want proper buisness cards? YEAH! Do I think they are cost effective now? NO! Do these home spun ones tell people the exact same information? Yerp they sure do! Don't be afraid to cut costs every now and again! 

5• don't be afraid to spend money! (See what I did there with four and five being opposites?)

Hands down the best desicion Ive made was to buy some cushion inserts and some embroidery hoops. They are both very popular items! Don't know why it took me so long to trust my instincts !

6• know your worth! Yes this means maths! I have lists of how long and what materials I use! So I know what everything costs! Stick to your prices! Yes some people might not be willing to pay £15 for a hand knitted owl! BUT I've sold a lot of them to people who are! Don't sell yourself short because a friend wants a bargain! 

7• be nice to customers! We are not talking automated service here! I mean we're not corporate! But a , please , thank you and a smile never hurt anyone! 

8• don't harass! It's very rare I share my blog posts on Facebook, instead I like to see other people sharing if they like what I've written! And I don't always share my makes either! Although if you follow me on Instagram you will find lots of pictures of what's going through my sewing machine! And the little guy who lives on top! 

9• keep up to date! Sometimes you'll be sat twiddling your thumbs and other times you'll have a list of orders! DONT PANIC! I like to work in order of what's come in. And I start immediately! No faffing around! Remember customers appreciate comunication! It gives them confidence in you! 

10• have fun! So it all goes west and nobody buys anything? Aww well hard luck! This is a once in a lifetime thing! Try and think of it as doing it becuase you love doing it! Not becuase you want to make money! Money is what keeps the corporate world spinning. Friendship, creativity, respect and heart is what keeps the small buisness world going! And remember if it's all getting to much just have a giggle, at yourself or at someone else, just let it go and enjoy your time! 

Much love! 

And good luck in the big bad world! 

Frankie! 

An official (small)(very small) business owner! 

Xxx

P.s it's official because a man at the pub said it! And those guys know everything! 

Woopsies

Okay so the plan was to show you the extra rows of awesome knitting that I did yesterday! That was until I realised I'd knitted ooooh about 25 - 30 rows from an entirely different pattern and had to rip it all back. Yeah that happened , honestly a little tear came out of my eye. But I'm back on track and armed with a post it so I know what I'm doing! 

I think the ticks are from my third possibly fourth attempt at this pattern and the writing on the post it, is from my first! 

Other than this I've been fixing one of my birthday presents, 

My lovely mummy and daddy brought this all the way back from Spain for me on the back of a motorbike, I snapped one of the ears off within 10 minutes of reviving him! (I then snapped the other one off but that's another story!) 

But I got out the super glue and he looks much happier now! 

Isn't he cute!?

Much love 

Frankie

Xxx

Arrrrrgggghhhh!!!

Okay so it's actually happening . The craft fair I've been working towards is tommorrow! And to put it bluntly , I'm pooing myself! 

I've been working flat out , sewing , knitting, reading craft fair tips, harassing family members (sorry netty and mum) and generally panicking! 

And knowing that d-day is upon us how do I feel? Well dear reader I feel like crawling into a bottle if jack Daniels! However instead I'm going to load my car with monster/owl hats , owl doorstops and the adorable cushions I finished only last night, we don't fly by the seat of our pants here we rocket by them! 

I'm going to end by saying , thank you to everyone who has urged me along! My momma and netty got being at the end of the phone (or the fabric scissors) more times than I can count , and for talking me off the ledge on a daily basis! To mr Knitwit for being patient with the mess! Ally for giving me no choice and forcing me to put myself out there! Nan and grandad for wool and woodwork galore ! Bestest Knitwit for choosing what colour I painted my nails (sometimes the simplest tasks need help) and for everyone else who has given words of encouragement! 

Whether I sink or swim it's been one hell of an experience!

Now just to let you know , if things go well I'll probably add to the wealth of internet knowledge and do my own craft fair post . If things go badly? I'm going to find the biggest box of thorn tons possible and eat myself happy! 

And rennet folks if you free tomorrow elworth Methodist church is having a craft fair starting at 10am and it's gonna be awesome!

Much love

Frankie

Xxx

Buzz Off

I cant remember the last time I did any proper drawing or illustration work. In fact I think the last time I picked up one of my fine liners it was to write down a doctors appointment. But ill been asked to do some sketches so here I am. Trying to find my groove, Trying to get comfy and trying desperately to get the worlds noisiest fly out of the room. Yes that's just my luck, I wait all day to get Little Knitwit off the sleep and before I know it something else is buzzing around me! Can't win.

 

 

There's a lot more work to be done on the piece as a whole, but I'm hoping I might find some time to do some more knitting today (I've got another hat on the go!)

 

In other news Mr Knitwit finally upgraded my phone. So if your not already following me on pinterest and twitter, get on it! And prepare yourself for a heck load of tweets and pins! I'm also now on instagram, and although the stupid technology wont let me add a button you can find me at knitwitsowls! On instagram you can expect adorable pictures of little Knitwit and adorable pictures of owls! Like this one!

 

 

According to little Knitwit they are mummy's babies and they are having a snuggle!

 

Right I'm off the brutally murder the worlds loudest fly.

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

xxx

I Can't Believe It!

My name is Frankie and I'm a stay at home mum,

 

But I do kind of like to think that there's something else that I 'do'. My name is Frankie and I knit adorable kitsch, kooky original and sickeningly sweet things and when I show people what I make the responses usually fall into one of three categories:

 

1. Oh it's adorable I want one! Please make me one!
2. Oh its lovely, hang on its how much!?
3. You don't sell those? Who buys them? Their awful! Surely they don't sell? 
4. The people who don't get it, but they respect it (Mr Knitwit falls quite solidly into this group)       

Now obviously response 1 is my favourite, usually I respond by blushing uncontrollably, to the point where I look like your nan after one to many sherry's at the family wedding.

 

Response 2 irks me a little. On the one hand, they like what I make, but on the other hand they don't think I'm worth the price. Which to be honest upsets me a little bit, if they don't think I'm worth the price, what about when I've given them as gifts? Are they worth less then as well? Well I've come to realise that these people are just ignorant of the amount of time and effort that goes into making something that's handmade. Sadly I don't knit like one of the shreddies Nannas, it does not take me an hour to whip up an owl, it takes a darn sight longer and that's on a good day. I sincerely hope that these people learn the joy of handing over something well made, original and handmade, or that at least their own family members don't spend hours knitting and sewing should the group 3's ever have a child of their own.

 

Now if group 2 irks me, group 3 sends me into a mild/less than mild rage! For starters please don't comment on my things like your some sort of fashionista and assume that everyone hates them and secondly pleas don't talk about them like that and especially in front of me, trust me I am under no delusions that what I make is everyone's cup of tea. But everything I make has a part of me in it. I give every make 100% and nothing leaves my house till I'm happy with it!

 

 

Which got me thinking (and yes that is burning you can smell) How many people are sat out there able to make things but suppressed by the group 3s of this world? How many Knitting Nanas and young people who can just 'use' a sewing machine people who draw and sketch but won't put themselves out there for fear of rejection?

 

A very wise teacher once told me, "you can call yourself an artist when you've sold your first painting"

 

Well World/internet/blog land/small group of people who return to my little space of the internet that's full of ramblings

 

My name is Frankie and I am an artist and crafter. I paint things and I sew and I knit the most sickeningly kitsch, sweet, adorable and darn right kooky things you can imagine! And they sell, sometimes they sell well, and sometimes I have lulls. But each of my customers is pleased and I always do my best so please don't rain on my parade!

 

And if you are a closet Knitter/sewer/painter BREAK FREE! Put yourself out there! As someone once said , "If you don't reach the moon you might just land on a star!"

 

In other news I made a scarf today (which I was going to blog about but this verbal stream came out instead!)

 

Much Love

 

And embrace your passions!

 

Frankie

 

xxx

 

 

It Is Done

It's still hot! I definitely think were edging into heat wave territory! Although taking Little Knitwit to run some errands in the city was not as much fun because of the heat!

 

Simply put this happened -

• Go to put fuel in car - very busy - fist fight and slanging match on forecourt. (not me! two other people)
• Got to Hanley - made wrong turning had to use another car park.
• Five minutes into shopping trip entire sole comes off my shoe (from out of nowhere!) - quick trip to Primark to find replacement shoes.
• get things we need to get.
• Go get lunch! Eat lunch.
• Little Knitwit decides to do a wee that would call for Noah to get the ark back out - clothes soaked - back to Primark for dry clothes - get dry clothes - Two escalators and a lift broken at Primark - hour long queue to get to ground floor using only working lift.
• Traffic on way home!

All I can say is it was an eventful day!

 

 

These are the new shoes. They were pretty comfy at the beginning but then my feet swelled up, the only shame is I know I could have done that pattern on an old pair!

 

But I did get home and set right to work finishing the beading on my Indian owl embroidery! And its done!

 

 

I tried not to over do it and I think I've succeeded, it is obviously not going to be a children's cushion its going to be the kind of cushion you display and ask people politely not to touch!

 

 

 

Definitely pleased with how it turned out! And I'm really enjoying doing the more textured work at the moment!

 

 

Before and after beading.

 

So all in all, not a terrible day today, although I didn't get to visit my favourite fabric shop in Hanley Abakan's. Although its probably a good job I couldn't find time because I'd still be there now!!!

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx  

 

P.S for those of you who are wondering, yes I'm blogging in my pants again! and I'm not the only one who does it! x

Ducks and Needle Books

I was a naughty blogger yesterday, I had a blog post ready to go (well I say ready, it was written in my head, it just wasn't down on paper/laptop), then disaster struck! I got a  migraine, the crippling, pain ridden kind. The kind that makes you wonder whether or not you would actually rather walk over hot coals than continue on with that particular kind of headache. Put bluntly yesterday my head felt like a ball of wool had exploded and become very tangled, and a 2 year old was trying to untangle it, with a sledgehammer, whilst listening to heavy metal, through a sub woofer.

 

But hallelujah! I'm feeling better, and have something new to show you!!!

 

 

I made these five cute needle books a while ago, but haven't seemed to get round to blogging about them, they've been on my to do list for a while and here they are.

 

 

Being that Little Knitwit is still, well a Little Knitwit. Needles, pins basically anything sharp is treated like a bomb. I actually count pins in and out, yes its that bad, one missing pin can result in two hours of me trawling the carpet on my hands and knees. And a proper good hovering! So this seems like the perfect solution, somewhere pretty I can keep sharp things (aside from my wit of course!)

 

 

The pink is my favourite I think. These are perfect stash buster projects, I used scraps of fabric and scraps of felt.

 

In other news, I also made CAKE! Yes CAKE deserves capitals. I really like CAKE!

 

 

I made this for a friends birthday, he gave Little Knitwit his favourite teddy (Donald duck). Hence the duck!

 

Luckily for me Mr Knitwit brought me a subscription to Disney sweets and treats for my birthday, (isn't he lovely) so I just used to moulds provided! And then iced it. And I managed not to eat all of the icing whilst icing it! (This is an achievement for me, I don't have so much as a sweet tooth as a sweet mouth....Oi! saucy!)

 

I'm definitely pleased with it, although it's not as much fun as crafting because it gets eaten afterwards. All that hard work gone in two mouthfuls.

 

Also quite excitingly, I've added another item to my Etsy shop! (Link can be found on the right hand side of this page) Does anyone remember the owl mobile I made during Pinterest fortnight? Well now its up for sale in my Etsy shop for the very reasonable £12.50!

 

 

 

So glad I feel better now! That's the worst thing about migraines , you can't do anything, no sewing, knitting or drawing. Even lying down in a dark room seems like hard work (not an ounce of drama in that statement at all!)

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx

Can Owls Be Couture?

I've been watching to much project runway. I recently realised that I can watch full length episodes on Youtube and I can watch them on the television in the living room. It's bliss! And I think that unconsciously became the inspiration for this project.

 In a few days its going to become a cute little cushion but for the moment it looks like this.

 

 

I think this is such a cute, chic, little owl! Can I use the word chic? Is chic a word that can be used to describe an owl?

 

 

Its got a lot of texture involved and everything is hand sewn, not a machine in site. The eyes are buttons and hand sewn beads. I love that its kind of got a vintage vibe as well, kind of like a 1920's flapper owl!

 

 

I used a lot of texture on it, there's vintage fabric, felt and vintage dolies (thanks to Momma Knitwit and here shopping skills!)

 

 

Metal rings and assorted lace!

 

 

And more beads!!!! You can never have to many beads! Even if I did nearly loose my entire box of beads on the floor.

 

 

Okay so I  know I'm biased but I LOVE it! It doesn't help that I have an unhealthy obsession with owls! But I just think it looks awesome! I'm having a super proud moment!

 

I can't wait to start something similar I'm loving the textured approach at the moment! Although it does kind of remind me of winter with all those layers.

 

By the way if anybody is looking to get rid of their dolies! I know someone who'd definitely be willing to take them off their hands, Wink Wink.

 

Much Love

 

And

 

MAKE IT WORK!

 

Frankie

 

xxx