Offers from Our Sponsors

Morning! I hope you're all well and managed to negoiate childcare dilemmas due to the strikes without too many problems.  Thankfully my chidlrens teachers have not gone on strike so they are all at school today.  I just wanted to quickly share some great one day offers from a couple of our blog sponsors.  (These are affiliate partners so I earn a tiny amount from each sale that is made by using the links on my blog, just being honest here!). 

 15% OFF entire Cath Kidston websiteTODAY ONLY
Use code XMAS

 25% OFF OnlineTODAY ONLYUse code MINCEPIES  

I have also created a page specifically to keep you updated with offers from our sponsors.  There are some great discounts in the run up to Christmas so be sure to check the Offers Page reguarly!

 

Happy shopping!

Zoe

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Independant Shops and the Rise of Handmade Products

Morning! I hope you are all well today and  I hope my friends further north don't suffer too much disruption today due to the heavy rain causing flooding.  Yesterday on Twitter I got involved with a chat started by Maryann of One Stop Pamper Shop about how the increase in sales of handmade goods is affecting the high street.  The main question being did we think that because more and more people are choosing to buy beautiful handmade products would this see a rise in independant retailers filling the empty shop fronts on our high streets? 

White Christmas Creamer from One Stop Pamper Shop

 Personally I think the trend to buy handcrafted goods is still very much on the rise and believe this can only be good for independent retailers.  The Telegraph and Mary Portas are championing independent shops at the moment in their 'Best Small Shops in Britain' awards, inviting us all to vote for our favourite local shops.  I know more and more high streets are becoming an eclectic mix of indie shops and the mainstay big retailers which can only be good for the creative industry.  Whilst some designer makers also hanker after owning their own beautiful shop stocked with their own and other designers products, there are also other people determined to stock handmade products in their shops.

Flouncy Clutch from Poppy Treffry

Without independent reatailers sharing handmade products in their high street stores it may seem that designer makers products are destined to the cyber shelves only.  However there are several creatives who have sucessfully taken the big retailer route and have also managed to keep their businesses relatively small and close to their homes.  Obviosuly Poppy Treffry is the perfect example of this as her products are stocked by many big businesses including Selfridges.  Yet Poppy also has a small shop close to her studio and she has kept her studio close to home, in Cornwall and Poppy still runs her own stand at Country Living Christmas Fair. 

Mummy Birthstone Necklace from Poppy Sparkles

Another thought shared yesterday in this discussion on twitter came from Viv, at Poppy Sparkles, that the popularity of crafting was also making people think more about their purchases.  After many years of a creating a throw away society I think the corner has been turned and more and more people actually want to know who made their new purchase or where it was made.  Could we be seeing people actually embracing handmade products?  Yes, I genuinely believe that the rise in popularity of crafting is making more people buy handmade.  We all know that we cannot make everything ourselves so as designer makers we look to other talented makers to buy the things we cannot make ourselves.  Then for the people who simply do not have time to make things but want to support British craft are looking to independent retailers to stock handmade goods.

What do you think? Will we see a rise in independent retailers on the high street stocking handmade goods?  Do you own an independent shop that sells handmade products? I would love to hear from you, in the comments below or email me zoeanddrew@btinternet.com

Hope you have a fab day!
Zoe
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Deck The Halls - Christmas Decorations in Our Etsy Shop

Morning! It's been a manic Monday here again, one day my children may understand the benefit of getting everything packed for school the night before.  Nevermind, that's what mums are for, nagging and getting everyone organised! So today is Cyber Monday which means there are some amazing offers to be had from the big stores and small businesses alike.  I've already seen plenty of tweets from Etsy & Not On The High Street sellers offering discounts today.  From now until midnight on Wednesday (30th) you can get free postage on everything in our Etsy shop, using the promotional code FREEPOSTNOV. 

Red & Green Paperchains

Penguin Paperchains

Penguin Paper Bunting

Red & green paper bunting will be added later today aswell as these cute Penguin invitations

Are you planning a Superhero party? These Superhero invitations & decorations are perfect!

Superhero Invites & Decorations

Our 'She Sells Seashells' paper bunting makes a great stocking filler for girls who like to decorate their bedrooms!

She Sell Seashells Paper Bunting

Are you offering a Cyber Monday promotion? Leave details in the comments or tweet me & I'm more than happy to share, well we all love a bargain don't we!

See you soon & hope your Monday is filled with orders

Zoe

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National Freelancers Day

Morning! Bit of  a chilly start, but at least it's not snowing yet, unlike this time last year.  Today is National Freelancers Day. It makes me think I should be having a nice leisurely day but of course that is not the case for most freelancers today. And to add to the constant juggling act of freelancing I have Kitty at home, feeling a bit tired and poorly with a nasty cold. 

I love the flexibility freelancing allows me but just as a small business owner always looks at making improvements I am always looking at how I can improve what I do and how I do it.  The new year is usually a time for reflection and making plans but I have already decided on four things I need to do next year to improve what I do and how I do it.

Coffee is an essential part of freelancing!

Ceramic Coffee Pot from Caroline McGrath

Firstly I need to book myself on to a fantastic new e-course run by Flourish.  I was so excited when Fiona let me know that she was starting a new branding e-course next Spring as I have desperately wanted to attend her workshops this year but the logistics of physically attending proved too much.  With Fiona as the course leader/mentor I just know this will be an amazing course, she is an amazingly inspiring lady, who I hope with this course will help me narrow down my ideas and finally get on track in 2012.

Oh how I dream of a beautiful workspace!

image source - Decor 8

Secondly I need to get registered on Holly Becker's Blogging Your Way e-course.  I read Holly's blog, Decor 8 everyday and again she is an incredibly inspiring lady.  Having read rave reviews and spoken to some people who have already completed the Blogging Your Way course I know it would be perfect for me and actually a necessity for what I do.

I should probably update my camera too!

Olympus Camera from John Lewis

Thirdly I need to buy Photoshop! Probably have to be Photoshop Elements due to cost but I need this and I must make sure I spend time learning to use it properly and not just buying it and being too afraid to try.

Cushion from Rachel Taylor Designs

Lastly I want to join Rachel Taylor's Surface Pattern e-course.  I long to get back to screen printing and think this course might be just the push I need.  However this will have to wait until later in 2012 as I will be very busy with the other two courses!

So I guess the benefit of National Freelancers Day for me is that I have stopped and thought about what I need to make me a better freelancer, to help me provide an even more professional service for my clients.  Now all I need to do is earn enough money to fund these improvements. Back to it then!!

Have a fab day everyone,

Zoe

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Christmas Kitchen - Vanilla Shortbread

There is something about freshly baked shortbread which feels distinctly in tune with Christmas.  I'm not sure whether it's the lovely smell which escapes from the kitchen and through the house, or maybe the thought of curling up in front of the fire with a couple of pieces and a hot drink.  This particular recipe has been a favorite in our house for a number of years and produces delicious results while still being simple to make.  We often make it as presents for the children's teachers at Christmas time, which makes a lovely gift, but the best bit is always eating it ourselves.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Ingredients

200g Chilled salted butter

325g Plain flour

125g Caster sugar (Golden preferably, but normal is just fine)

2 tsp Vanilla extract

2 large Egg yolks

This makes around 24 pieces of shortbread

1.  Chop the butter into small pieces and place in a large bowl with the flour.  Rub together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  You can use a food processor for this stage, but it doesn't take long with your hands.

2.  Add the remaining ingredients and mix into a dough.  I normally start this off with a knife and then get my hands in the bowl to make a nice pliable dough.

3.  Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a sausage shape, about 9 or 10 inches long, then wrap in clingfilm and place in the fridge to chill for an hour.  (You can freeze the dough at this stage for up to 6 weeks.  Thaw out at room temperature for about an hour before slicing).

4.  Preheat the oven to 180'C/160'C (fan)/Gas 4 and grease two large baking trays.  Remove the dough from the fridge and slice into 24 pieces, about 5mm thick, place them on the prepared trays and bake for 20 minutes, by which time the edges of the slices should be lightly golden.

5.  Cool on a rack, then dust lightly with icing sugar and enjoy.

If you don't finish the shortbread in a day, it should keep for about a week in an airtight container.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Drew

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Fabric Friday - Amy Butler New Collection - Lark

Morning! Friday again already? Bit of a mixed up day here today as my daughters have a day off from school as it's a PD Day (Professional Development for teachers) but I think it's just a special Christmas shopping day for the teachers really!  Anyway it's Friday and that means we can indulge in some fabric heaven here and I realised earlier this week that Amy Butler's new collection, Lark, had hit out shores and the virtual shelves of many fabric websites here in the UK.  You all know how much I love Amy Butler designs but I am going to admit I am now entirely convinced I like the new collection.  I'm not sure why and maybe it will grow on me.  Although I do like some of the designs just not all of them.

The Lark collection is split into two, Glamour and Dreamer, with the designs in the Dreamer collection are more preferable.  I usually love Amy's designs but feel maybe one reason I haven't automatically fallen in love with them is that the colour palette is bright and bold but my thoughts are for warm colours of winter.  Perhaps I will like Lark more in the Spring when I want an injection of colour?

I would love to know wat you think of the new Amy Butler collection.  Do you love or loathe it? 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Zoe

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Review & Giveaway - Sewing Class with Two Peas In A Pod

Morning! I hope this post finds you warm and well.  It's turned very chilly here, time to find my slippers to keep my toes warm whilst sat at my desk!  I am delighted today to review a new online sewing class with you, courtesy of Trish at Two Peas In A Pod.  Trish contacted me recently to ask if I would like to review her new tie front tote sewing class and of course I said yes.

I love the concept of an online sewing class but was concerned how it would work regarding the pattern.  However my concerns were soon eased by clear instructions from Trish on measurements for each piece required.  She even shares her own personal tips which makes it more personal and like you are attending an actual sewing class.  The sewing class for the tie front tote is split into three seperate lessons, which is perfect if you are short on time and like to work on a project in stages. 

Two Peas In Pod Patterns are available in their Etsy shop very soon.

The instructions are clear and concise and each class is accompanied with a video, again making it feel like a proper sewing class and not just you trying to work through creating a bag from a pattern.  Trish explains at the start of the class that yes there is actually rain in the first video and her cat even makes an appearance!  I love the fact that you can stop and start making your bag, watch the video over and over to check you are doigng it right. How many times have you longed for somebody to actually show you how to do something when following a pattern? I know I have often wished for some actual help on several occassions!  I really do think this might be the way forward in craft and sewing lessons and think the course is worth every penny. 

Available very soon in Two Peas in a Pod Etsy Shop

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Trish has very kindly offered two class registrations to give you the chance to enjoy her sewing class aswell.    Each winner will be provided with their own personal password to view the class.  Trish allows everyone using her tutorials from her sewing class to use the pattern to make bags to sell.  However the class content is copyrighted and you are not allowed to share your password with 50 of your closest friends!

To win this sewing class registration there are a number of things you can do to enter.

In order for your entry to count you must leave a comment below. Please leave a seperate comment for EACH action you take. 

• Visit Two Peas In A Pod and leave a comment below and tell me which of the Sprouts patterns you like most.
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.
• Tweet "I've entered the @trishpreston giveaway on @ZoeandDrew blog"

This giveaway is open to everyone, wherever you are in the world as it is an online class and will be open until midnight on Tuesday 29 November 2011.  The winners will be announced on Wednesday 29 November on this blog.

Good luck everyone!

Zoe
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