Innocent when you dream

Normally the only rosettes I have anything to do are the ones I get showing my horse, but I've been dying for ages to have a go at making rosette ribbon brooches. Anyway, today I sat down with all the bits of ribbon I could find in the house and this is the result:

I'm pretty pleased if I do say so myself! I'll be listing them on Folksy for £2.50 for the large rosettes and £2 for the small ones, plus sets of three for £6. If you're interested in ordering them in particular colours or you want to buy them before they're listed, email me at made_with_love@rocketmail.com

I've recently been reading the collected Tom Waits interviews, Innocent When You Dream, and thinking how much I'd like to open up my own shop selling vintage and handmade goods. Probably not the best time economically to be taking that particular idea to the bank manager, though.

And for those who are wondering what's happening with the My Vintage Charms saga - they've refunded the cost of the items they sent that were wrong, but not the cost of my posting them back to them, which they promised they'd do. Seeing as now they're ignoring my emails I reckon it's a lost cause but for anyone who is thinking about buying from them, think twice - I have never experienced such rudeness and terrible customer service in my life.

That certainly won't happen when I open my shop! Sigh - back to dreaming I guess...

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How to make: Suffolk puffs

I love Suffolk puffs (also known as yo yo puffs in America). They're an easy way to make a pretty brooch, are a great embellishment for bags, an easy way to make a pretty scarf by stitching several together and have 101 other uses. Here are just a few ideas...

Headpiece with net and Suffolk puffs by Ark Designs

Christmas puff ball from Maximum Rabbit Designs

Bib necklace with Suffolk puffs from Pom Pom Emporium
The good news is, they genuinely could not be easier to make yourself. Here's how...
You will need: Fabric, thread, needle, scissors, plus embellishments such as cabochons, buttons, ribbon etc.
Step one:

Cut out a circle of fabric approximately twice as large as you would like your finished puff. Tie a knot in the end of your thread, stitch through the fabric a few times to secure, then sew running stitch around the edge of the circle.
Step two:

Gently pull the thread to bring the edges of the circle in together to the centre.
Step three:

Tightly stitch through the fabric in the c…

How to make: A book page brooch

A cute little book page brooch like this gives a literary edge to any outfit - and is really easy to make.

You will need: An old book page, thick card, varnish, craft glue, a brooch pin, superglue.
Step one:

Draw a circle around something the right size onto a piece of thick card and the book page - I used a corkscrew! Cut out carefully.
Step two:

Using the craft glue, stick the circles together. Make sure the glue goes right to the edge, but that it is not too wet or it will show through. Wipe away any excess before sticking together. Leave to dry.
Step three:
Once the glue has dried, apply several layers of varnish to both sides and the edge. You will need to do this over a period of time, allowing each layer to set.
Step four:

Once the varnish is dry, carefully glue a brooch pin to the back with the superglue. And voila! As easy as that!

10 things journalists wish PRs knew

A while ago I read a blog post via Comms2Point0 on Twitter, based on "things PRs wished journalists knew". Mostly it was whingeing about being asked to get quotes with three minutes notice, and I was rather incensed - for a start, if I worked in PR, thanks to my journalism background (which the author said did not necessarily make good PRs - I've never met a non-journo PR that's been any good I'm afraid) I would like to think I would be able to anticipate stories and have quotes ready. But maybe that's just me. Anyway, a rather tongue-in-cheek spat ensued, and at some point I promised to write a counter post on "things journalists wish PRs knew." So here it is...
1. Journalists work to tight deadlines, and if we have to spend all morning chasing you around for a one-line quote that should have been provided in your press release we'll remember and not bother in future.
2. London PRs in particular take note: Do not lump everything North of Birmingh…

Made With Love by Kat

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