Monday 30 August 2010

Christmas comes early!


I've started work on what will be the first Christmas product batch of the year. I've been itching to start for ages and finally decided that as September was nearing it was time to get a move on. The picture above are the start of lots of Pom Trees. I've also got a few other bits of felt ready cut out, waiting to be sewn together for other cute little ornaments for this year. :)

Saturday 28 August 2010

Naming Contest - Winners!



You may remember I offered up a $5 voucher for the etsy shop if you could name my two new plushies. Well as there were only 3 entries I've decided to give all 3 of you a $5 voucher. :) So Emma, Hearthandmade and The Krafty Cupcake, do send me an email at: titchables(at)gmail(dot)com for a special code to use during checkout.

As much as I would like to call the fox "Sir Robert Foxington" it is a bit of a mouthful, though I did love the suggestion! I have decided to name him Mr Fox. He's friends with Mr Panda doncha know!

As for the squirrel, I did really like Cirral, so I'm going with that. Extra goodies will go into Hearthandmade's parcel for suggesting it!

Friday 27 August 2010

Magazine Feature!


I am thrilled to say that my frog fabric covered buttons are featured in the new issue of Sew Hip that came out today! They are featured in the "Things We Love" section of the magazine on page 14.


Here they are!! I'm so excited! August has been really overwhelming with all the good things that have been happening to my little business and it's really exciting knowing that more people are discovering Titchables. I've been in business very nearly a year and I'm really proud of what I've managed to achieve so far, thanks to you guys!

My little buttons are even on the contents page!!

If you would like your own froggy buttons, you can purchase them here on etsy or here on Titchables.co.uk! And I of course have lots of other cute sets available too!

Be looking for some brand new designs coming very soon, along with a tutorial on how to make them!!

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Gorjuss Art!


Gorjuss is a beautiful UK based shop featuring adorable original art by Suzanne. It has been in my favourites on etsy for quite some time and I often look through her lovely art longing to purchase one or two prints for my house but I am one for procrastination and have never been able to decide on anything.

I was saddened to hear that Suzanne has been ill for quite some time after having surgery on her spine and is not doing so great due to various complications. Sketches that used to take an hour are now taking weeks to complete which has had an effect on the family's income. You can read the full story here.

I know we can't do a great deal as a crafting community other than spread the word and share Suzanne's "gorjuss" artwork but I wanted to share some of her work in case you weren't familiar with it. I've now decided on a print that will look perfect in my little crafting space, the one above.

Here's some more favourites:



Monday 23 August 2010

*bounces*


What an exciting week it's been for me. First, my tea cup buttons were featured in a storque article on etsy and I've just found out they were also on the front page this afternoon!!

I've also been doing well sales wise the last week which I'm super thrilled about. It's been a quiet (albeit steady) few months, and I'm hoping things will really start kicking into high gear as people start to stay indoors and craft as well as people buying Christmas presents.

I've been taking a short breather from sewing and have started working on my very abandoned crocheted blanket again. I'd really like to finish it soon, or at least get it done for this winter!

Don't forget to enter my naming contest for my new fox and squirrel. I'm liking the suggestions so far but would love some more!!

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Naming Contest!

As you saw yesterday I have several new plushies made up, two of which - the fox and the squirrel - need names!



This is where I need your help! I am offering a $5 voucher for the etsy shop for each name. I will also throw in a few extras in your parcel when you use your voucher! All you have to do is leave your suggestion in a comment for the chance to win!

So get your thinking caps on and tell me what we should name these two cuties!

Contest ends 28th August, winners announced 29th August. :) Good luck!

Tuesday 17 August 2010

I have been sewing!


So to prove to you I've been doing a lot behind the scenes I thought I'd show you some of the brand new items I've been sewing over the past few weeks. I have been planning this big update for quite a long while and it has been wonderful to see all these new plushies come alive!


I've also been sewing up lots of these brooches. These went really well last time so I thought I'd do some more.

I am working hard on getting all these new items in the shops ASAP!

My projects now are focused mainly on Christmas. Yes, it's August but I really want to get prepared early this year. Last year was a very big experiment and the pom tree decorations that were so popular last year are going to make a comeback along with a few new items I've been designing - so I'm being a good girl and getting ahead of myself. We'll see how that goes!

Monday 16 August 2010

Oh Wow!


I'm chuffed to bits to say I'm featured (or rather the tea cup buttons above) in the new UK edition of The Storque on Etsy. It's a write up with the editor of Sew Hip magazine and you can check out here advise on some lovely craft supplies in this article: UK Edition: Stitchin' Style with Sew Hip Magazine.

Here's what Alice said about my shop: Titchables is one of my first stops when I'm looking for lovely things to go in the magazine, the fabric cover buttons in this shop are always cute and these teacup buttons simultaneously feed my addiction to tea. What a great combination.

*blushes*

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The etsy shop is being gradually updated with all the new ribbon and buttons, as well as new sets of deco tape (now sold in sets of 10!). I am also adding LOTS of new handmade goodies. Be on the lookout later in the week as I will be running a new competition for your chance to win a gift voucher to be used in the shop!

Tuesday 10 August 2010


I am so thrilled today to announce that the Titchables webshop relaunch is complete!! As you can see, it has under gone some major changes: new logo, new interface for shopping and best of all, lots of new craft supplies for you!

You can now set up your own account at the webshop which will save your details so if you are a frequent customer, this is ideal! I'm also hoping you'll agree that the layout is a lot easier to navigate and items are easier to find.

Here's some of the new products you'll find at the shop:



I also have 5 new colours in the spotty buttons! Purple, Hot Pink, Orange, Green and Yellow!

I really hope you like the new shop and I would love to hear your comments!

Monday 9 August 2010

I won something!


Occasionally while reading some of my favourite blogs, I get tempted to enter a giveaway or two. I don't have the best luck in the world but when I saw these books on offer at Super Cute Kawaii I couldn't resist!

They're a bit like the Where's Wally/Waldo books, and they really are super cute. My little cousin is visiting in a week and I'm hoping we'll have some fun with these (or if she doesn't, I certainly will!). :)

Saturday 7 August 2010

Vintage Books


I thought today I would show you my little collection of vintage books. I don't buy every one I see (obviously! Otherwise this pile would be huge) but I do pick up one's that either catch my eye (ie the cover is pretty), has pretty pictures inside or just has an interesting text. You can normally pick up some fantastic vintage books at car boot sales, which is where I got my last two (the one's in between the blue books). They were listed at £2 each, but the seller let me have them for £2 for the pair! They are really interesting, they are part 1 and 2 of a set of encyclopedia. It really is fun to see how differently things were done in the early 1900's.

As you can see I have a few "how to" guides, medical dictionaries (I really love these) and a few children's story books. I never look for anything specific, I just like picking up a new one every now and then to add to my collection!


The book above is my pride and joy. It belonged to my Grandmother and as the book is dated at 1938 I imagine she got it as a present. In fact there's an inscription inside saying "To Mavis Fletton, love Auntie Lizzie." My Grandad gave it to me when my Grandma died and I will treasure it forever. :)

Thursday 5 August 2010

A spot of felt cutting!


If you follow me on Twitter you will know that lately I've been working on a whole slew of new felt goodies. I've designed quite a few new plush which I'm really excited about, as well as new brooches and keyrings. The felt off cuts above are from a new range of keyrings which still need sewing up.

Speaking of which, I have quite a lot to sew at the moment and I've been doing it in the quiet moments in the day job. Unfortunately the last few shifts have been a bit busy as all the tourists have arrived in my little seaside getaway and won't leave me alone, heh.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

My favourite animal


I bet you can't guess what my favourite animal is from all that lot above? Hee!

I happened to notice Artbox, a fabulous Kawaii emporium based here in the UK, were having a 75% off sale and I just couldn't resist purchasing a few goodies for myself.

Lately, any money I've been making from the business has gone straight back into buying new stock so it was nice to treat myself. And these are mine, all mine! I bought a couple of plastic glasses, a cute bag, stickers, panda cards (which I'm going to put on the wall!), a couple of sketch books and mini memo pads (which, if you purchase from my shops, you will probably see gracing your parcels soon!).

What's your favourite animal?

Monday 2 August 2010

Website Revamp!

If you follow me on twitter you will know that I've been working on a revamp of my main web shop at titchables.co.uk. The site was previously (and still is) hosted with Mr Site, but I've found their web design structure difficult to deal with. It's a very restrictive set up so over the past couple of months I've been on the hunt for a new host, one that would give me the design tools that I really needed to make my shop a fun and unique place to go and shop.

I think I've found it with my new host (which I'll talk about more soon!). The shop is looking super cute right now and I love how everything looks now - it's just a lot more visual and cute and a lot more me!

I've also revamped my logo which I've been wanting to do for some time. :)

At the moment, I am just waiting on some technical issues to sort themselves out but I am hoping the new shop will be ready for you guys by the end of the week.

Oh! And with the new website launch there will also be lots of NEW supplies! I have been ordering lots of new grosgrain patterned ribbons and very very cute wooden buttons which I can't wait for you to see.

All in all, exciting times!!