Summer Blooms

At this time of year my brain (rather predictably) becomes filled with ideas for flowery things.

I'm working on a couple of new designs but I've also been digging out unfinished floral things from my in-progress box and playing around with some old designs. I've amassed quite a few pieces over the last couple of weeks:After taking lots of pics of those this afternoon (more photos coming soon!) I took a few snaps of my neighbours' roses in the name of design "research" (helping me think about shapes and colours) but really just to try and capture how amazing some of the big fat blooms are before they vanish for another year:

Time for a nice bit of cake...

Bit of a quiet day today after the fun of yesterday, as I've been feeling a bit under the weather. In true go-getting style I even fell asleep on the sofa in the middle of the afternoon! Classy.

Being asleep during the decent light rather nixed my plans to take snaps of some new pieces, so instead I'd like to take the chance to mention someone else's work... the awesome felt food creations of Ouissi aka British Cream Tea, whose cake obsession seems rather appropriate for my week of birthday treats!Working with felt myself and having made the odd felt biscuit and cake in my time I know just how much work goes into getting the details looking just right and I bow down to Ouissi's skill and patience... She's just launched some cute postcard sets featuring her work, including a cake-themed trio which would make for fab tea party invitations:You can find her work in her Etsy shop, or peek behind the scenes over at her blog.

10% off today! Hurrah!

My birthday week is going well - this sunshine feels almost like it has been laid on specially, all the sundresses being dug from the back of my wardrobe feel like the party dresses you wore on your birthdays as a kid, and there has been lots & lots of cake (my birthday cake this year = carrot cake muffins, yum yum).

And today, of course, I'm offering a special discount in all my shops (my website, Etsy, Folksy and DaWanda) for anyone who says HAPPY BIRTHDAY during checkout. This offer runs for today only, all qualifying orders will receive a 10% refund (excluding shipping) via Paypal and a free gift.

PS I have been playing Lisa Hannigan's album on repeat since Monday. It is quite lovely and deliciously summery. I think my boyfriend may be slightly regretting buying it for me now though, haha!

Birthday Giveaway: lots of lovely free things!

As it's my birthday this week, I thought it would be nice to have a super-special giveaway. So there's a whole bundle of felty goodness up for grabs for one lucky person...... a pink "I love tea" badge, a star rosette brooch, a lilac flower brooch, a fun necklace and a black moustache disguise (because everyone needs a moustache).

As always, I'm happy to ship internationally, so anyone can enter. Just leave a comment before midnight BST (British Summer Time) on Saturday 6th June on this post and I'll pick a winner at random on Sunday (7th June).

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and be sure to come back on Sunday to see if you got picked :)

Also TOMORROW I'm offering a special birthday discount in in all my shops! 10% off any order for 24 hours only! PLUS: a free gift will be sent with every discounted order.

The offer runs for the whole of tomorrow (June 3rd) - to qualify for the discount place an order in any of my shops and wish me Happy Birthday during Etsy or Paypal checkout and pay as normal, and I'll refund 10% of your order via Paypal (excludes shipping) and include a special gift in your parcel.