Autumn Cards And Pumpkin Pin Cushion For Handmade Monday

Hi folks, i hope you're all having a fabulous summer, hasn't the weather been glorious in the UK, the wall to wall sunshine feels like it could go on forever... On the making side though my thoughts have already turned to Autumn... just incase it does decide to show up :) 

Pumpkin Pin Cushion

I had some sample swatches of my 'Autumn Naturally' fabrics to use up and i thought it might be fun to make some pumpkin pin cushions. So far i've made one using the three spotty fabrics...

I think its pretty cute and i'm definitely going to make more using some of the other fabrics. For now though i've had some fun photographing this one among some of the real squashes we have recently harvested from the allotment :)

I will be listing it for sale this week on my website, Etsy shop and other outlets.

*An aside for fellow crafters... I'm sure there are tutorials out there on how to make these but i'm one of those people that enjoys finding out for themselves if i have the time. As a result a rather ugly duckling version preceded this one as i tried to figure out the logistics... Its all part of the creative process though isn't it? What do you prefer, tutorial or trial and error when you're having a go at something new?

Autumn Cards

There was a little flurry of excitement at Free Spirit Designs HQ this week when a local shop agreed to take some of my notecards! I thought it was about time i had a go at getting some of my products in 'bricks and mortar' shops and this seemed like a gentle way to dip my toe in the water :)

I took in some of my Autumnal designs with the approaching change in season in mind and i've been getting them photographed in readiness for listing in my online outlets soon too. Here are a few of them... i look forward to hearing your thoughts!

As with all my cards they will be priced £1.99 (or £1.75 if you buy more than one).

That's all from me for this week. I'm looking forward to finding out what my fellow Handmade Mondayer's gave been up to... See you over at Handmade Harbour! x

Autumn Notecards And A Touch Of Christmas For Handmade Monday

I'm torn in two directions on the creative front at the moment. Christmassy requests are coming in now and i've made my first Christmassy sale of the year this week. I'm starting to feel inspired by all things festive and also have that familiar feeling that i should have started on my Christmas makes a lot earlier...

However, i love Autumn, its my favourite time of year and my passion for the season of 'mists and mellow fruitfulness' means i can't resist spending a little longer celebrating it in my creative work before fully committing to full on Christmasness. The result is that i've been very busy and have a mixed bag to share with you today :)

Autumn Greeting Cards

If you popped by my blog last week you might remember that i had just placed an order for some more greetings cards to be printed. Well, they arrived hot off the press from Moo midweek so i have a selection to show you today.

Autumn In Nature Cards

First is a set of three Autumn themed nature photograph cards (priced £5.25 and available now from my website and Etsy shop).

I had such happy moments capturing these images, i hope they come across as a celebration of the season.

Falling Leaves And Apples Cards

I have also picked a couple of my hand drawn Autumn designs to be printed onto cards - this set of two (priced £3.50 and available on Etsy and my website) features my falling leaves design and Autumn apples design. I love the warmth of the colours against the crisp white, i hope you do too :)

Old Oak Tree Card

This final card isn't specifically Autumn themed but it is nature themed. Its printed with a photograph i took a few weeks ago of a gorgeous old oak tree, full of character (its also available now on Etsy and my website, priced £1.85).

Is it me or does the hollowed out part at the bottom look like it could be a doorway?!  It reminds me of a book i loved as a child called 'The Far Away Tree' - anyone else read that one too? :)

'Carols For Cats' Christmas Cards

Okay, things are getting festive now... If you visited my blog last week you may recall i gave you a sneaky peak at the first of my Christmas card designs, 'Carols For Cats'. I'm really happy with how it looks printed up in card form and have so many more ideas for others i'd like to create if i can find the time from somewhere!

There are two versions of this card. This is the 'all singing all dancing' one...

...and this is a simplified one with more of a clean, fresh feel.

They aren't listed in my shops yet but do contact me if you'd like to put in an early order. They will be sold singly at £1.85 and also in packs of three for £5.25.

Love And Peace Hearts

And finally, in a bid to get organised for the Christmas rush i have been painting some of these pretty ceramic love and peace heart decorations - they were one of my most popular makes last year. Here they are on their way into the oven to bake the porcelain enamel paint hard...

...and here are some all ready for hanging on a tree.

I think they would work well at other times of year too though... what do you think?

They are priced £6.50 (which includes having a personalised message painted on the back) and available now from my website, Etsy shop and other outlets.

Phew! That's it from me for another week, i hope i haven't overloaded you! I wonder if anyone else over at Handmade Monday has gone up a gear for Christmas yet... i'm off to find out :)

Have a wonderful week! x