Handmade Monday 110

Happy Easter and Happy Handmade Monday, too!  Find out more about Handmade Monday here.

Has your Easter been filled with chocolate eggs and good food with family and friends, or with chickens and bunnies?  Mine has been about chickens...

how is it I can see those mealworms but not eat them?

We decided to add to our brood (of chickens, not children!!) and bought three young hens from a local farm on Thursday.  Only now am I beginning to relax - the poor new girls have been mercilessly bullied by three of our four older chickens (Sally, currently at the bottom of the pecking order, has decided her position is not worth fighting over).

the two at the front are youngsters 

the white one (Mary Jane) is the biggest bully of all 

(looks like she's getting ready for a hen-pecking session in this picture!)

They are all now beginning to eat side by side (albeit at a slight distance) but I still have to supervise bedtimes as the newbies get thrown out (rather loudly) if the coop door's still open.  They aren't yet fighting back, although they ganged up on one of the local cats today, so it looks like their confidence is increasing.

Meanwhile, you may remember I told you about the sofa clock being published again?  It's now featured in a rather lovely magazine called Handmade.

It's quite expensive (£7.99 - it always shocks me a little bit when a magazine costs more than a fiver!) but it is packed with projects which would probably justify the price if plenty of projects is what you are looking for (it has far more projects than many books I've seen).  It's jam-packed with ideas for the home - this is the home issue - and it's beautifully presented.  In fact, it's so gorgeous, I'm quite proud of my clock being a little part of it!

The little fabric-style borders you can see on the edge of the page (above) are featured throughout the magazine, but vary according to what "room" you are in.  This is the living room (above) - the kitchen pages have a cheery red gingham border!  I love it.

Regulars of Handmade Monday will know Sarah from Tilly Mint Boutique, who has set up an online fabric shop with her friend Maeri Howard from The Make and Do Studio.  They're both very lovely ladies (I'm privileged to have met them both in real life) and they tell us a bit about their new fabric shop here, over some virtual tea (and maybe there was some cake involved, too!) - do pop over for a read.

In between sorting out chicken squabbles and doing even more drawings and paintings...

line drawing and marker pen illustrations 

(these ones are earmarked for digital cardmaking printables)

... I'm hoping to put my feet up and enjoy some lovely inspiration from some gorgeous blogs.  You know what to do, so please ...

Designer Interview: Tilly Mint Boutique

Today's interview is with Sarah, from Tilly Mint Boutique.

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Hi Sarah - tell us about yourself!  I am Sarah Plant, otherwise known as Tilly Mint Boutique. You can find me on twitter as @tillymintboutiq , Facebook -www.Facebook.com/tillymintboutique and my blog - tillymintboutique.wordpress.com

What do you make?  I make a variety of things using my sewing machine, however more recently I have decided to narrow things down to 'things to put things in'! I love making kindle covers, which are my latest thing, but I also do iPad covers and bags too. There will also be some tea cosies appearing soon! I love freehand embroidery and have used it on some of my kindle and iPad covers. I keep to more unusual designs and fabrics and only make a small quantity of each design, therefore keeping my items more unique. 

How do you record your ideas?  I have Journal that goes everywhere with me! I jot down new ideas as soon as I can so I don't forget!

What tips do you have for motivating yourself?  Stick to one project at a time and finish it before starting the next!

Do you have any time management tips?  I like to do all of the cutting of my material in one go. I can then be more productive in my sewing, rather than stopping and starting all the time.

What’s your workspace like?  I use the dining table in the front room. We live in a small terrace house, therefore space is a bit difficult. I  convinced my husband that I needed more space than the spare room, so I have now taken over the dining room with all my fabric! I am very organised though so it is always neat and tidy!

Where can we find your designs for sale?

 www.folksy.com/shops/tillymintboutique 

I will also be using Etsty and Wow Thank You for selling very soon (under the name of Tilly Mint Boutique)

Thanks so much Sarah for agreeing to be interviewed.  It's always good to get a little insight into how other people work. I wish I could describe myself as neat and tidy too - but I can't!!


Make sure you pop over to Handmade Monday for a fab group of craft blog links!  You can even leave your own blog link too!