Finding Inspiration :: Sock Yarn ::

With The Crochet Sock Collection very very nearly ready for release, I thought your stashes may be in need of a little filling, so I scoured etsy for you and searched out some super delicious hand dyed yarns to share with you.

1. Six colour self-striping sock yarn Autumn Rainbow by Laughing Yaffle Yarn

2. Hand dyed sock yarn 4ply finger weight superwash BFL and bamboo 100g. Pairs in Ziggy by The Wool Kitchen

3. Garden Delight, 100 grams hand-dyed sock yarn, Merino / Nylon 75/25% by Zanetto Yarn

4. Blue Lagoon Rainbow, unique hand-dyed 75/25 merino nylon blend sock yarn by Mothy and the Squid

5. Hand-Dyed Yarn--Wool Sock Yarn--"African Grey Parrot" by Dodo Yarns

6. 4 ply Sock yarn Rainbow sherbet superwash merino 100g 425 meters by Kate Selene

7. Blue Faced Leicester and Silk 4 ply Fingering Sock Yarn by Cariad Fibre Art

Yes my eye seems to have been drawn to the oh so very bright, I blame the horrifically dreary weather!

Finding Inspiration :: Gifts for Toddlers ::

Happy Saturday to you!
Here are some of my favourite items for toddlers from UK etsy sellers for my gift guide series. My pockets are really starting to feel the pressure of discovering all these lovely etsy sellers whilst compiling these lists I can tell you!

Click the little pictures at the bottom to go directly to the listing, or click the big picture to see more gorgeous gifts from UK etsy sellers over on my pinterest board.

If you don't already have an etsy account, sign up here for a £5 gift voucher!

Finding Inspiration :: Gifts for Babies ::

As Christmas approaches, much quicker than I would like, obviously my thoughts are beginning to turn to all the shopping that needs to be done.  I had high hopes, as I do every year, of making all the gifts, but I think I forgot what having a newborn is actually like...

Every year I try my hardest to do all my shopping from independents, as someone who's usually in the same shoes as these folks, I know how precious each and every sale you make is. The best place to search out wonderfully unique and beautifully handcrafted gifts, in my opinion, is etsy, but it can be a bit overwhelming getting started in your searches. This is why I'm doing a series of fabulous gift ideas which can be purchased from etsy sellers in the UK, because it's also nice to shop 'local' and as Christmas draws closer shipping times from international sellers can become a little to close to the bone.

I'm starting the series with 'Gifts for Babies' (this list could also serve as a Christmas list for Effie!).

Click the little pictures at the bottom to go directly to listing, or click the big picture to see more gorgeous gifts from UK etsy sellers over on my pinterest board.

If you don't already have an etsy account, sign up here for a £5 gift voucher!

Win :: £15 to spend at Lilley.etsy.com

As you are probably aware by now, I shall soon be going on my maternity leave.  I have officially decided to shut up my shop when the summer holidays begin, so the closing date will be Sunday 20th July.  I figured this would give me time to spend with Milo over the holidays before the baby arrives (plus I am no where near to being ready to have a new baby join us!).

So until then I'm offering 30% off across my shop with the coupon code HELLOBABY I probably won't be reopening the shop until 2015 so if there's anything you want to get your hands on now is a great time to do so.

If you don't already have an etsy account, you can sign up using this link to get yourself a fabulous £5 credit to spend in any etsy store that accepts gift vouchers!

I'm also offering 1 lucky reader a chance to win £15 to spend in my shop, all you need to do is enter using the rafflecopter form below.  The competition will close next Sunday to allow the winner a week to spend their prize.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Planning Maternity Leave and a Sale ::

I'm starting to plan my maternity leave, though I have no date officially set in stone yet, I'm thinking probably end of July beginning of August to coincide with Milo's summer holidays.  We're going to be away a far bit during the holidays and I really wanted to have plenty of time to spend with Milo, enjoying each others company.  As any parent who works from home knows, I'm sure, trying to work when you have little ones around, never really goes as well as you might have hoped.

So I shall be closing up my little etsy shop in around 5-6 weeks, until then I'm offering 30% off across the store with coupon code HELLOBABY.  I'll most likely be away until well into 2015 so if you want to stock up on ninjas for christmas, lovehearts for valentines or buttons for your own crafty needs now's the time to do it!
Also if you're not already an etsy member, sign up using this link to get a £5 gift voucher!

I'll still be blogging and around social medias during that time, but I won't be doing any 'proper' work. My maternity leave allowance will take me up until May 2015, but I don't know how I'll feel about not working all that time, it's possible I'll come back early and my sister has mentioned minding my shop for a bit for me, maybe over the christmas season, but at the moment that all seems too far away in the future to think much about, especially whilst the important task of delivering a baby into the world awaits.

Gloucestershire Etsy Craft Party ::

I'm super excited about the etsy craft party taking place at By the Yard on Friday.  Hosted by my lovely friend Bex, in her wonderful shop, it will be a great event, especially as it also marks the 1 year anniversary of said shop.

Etsy craft parties will be taking place all over the world, celebrating handmade and the birth of etsy itself.

Here's what you can expect from the Cheltenham event (taken from the eventbrite page) ::

This year’s theme is all about transforming photographs into display-worthy works of art. We'll have lots of craft supplies available, from needle and thread to pens and pencils, for you to get creative with. Bring a photo of your own or grab one at our craft table, and get creative!While you're having fun with old photos, you'll be in great company with likeminded crafters, designer-makers and fun seekers. Plus you don't need to be an Etsy member, crafter or local to join in the fun - everyone is welcome!So pour yourself a drink and get your craft on. Do a spot of out-of-hours browsing in the By The Yard shop. Grab a prop and strike a pose at our photobooth. Cast an eye over our amazing raffle prizes and hold your lucky ticket tight!

If you're local to Cheltenham you should definitely pop along (they'll be cake!), you can get your tickets here.

Or you can find your own local etsy craft party here.

The pictures used in this post came from Bex's Instagram feed and give you an idea of some of the crafty fun that can be had on the day.