Epic Shop Window Displays in Brighton ♥

...one day, I will have a shop amongst these!

x *dreams* x

Visual Merchandising...Shop Window

I've been busy lately creating and making things using a range of new products that we're now stocking after the Craft Show we attended at the NEC in Feb. Items are now finally hitting the shop, so what better way to display it than to feature it in the window.

Just in time for Easter, I've been making little pom pom chicks from scratch, using just yellow pom poms, scraps of orange felt, and little googly eyes. Look out for them in the upcoming pics. They're all over the display.

Another item I'm super pleased with is my "Keep Calm and Cross Stitch" cross stitch. This is a little design I made up on some graph paper, so we don't stock it, but I thought it was an awesomely fashionable way to tempt people into dabbling with a bit of cross stitch. Plus, I got to use some epic red aida, to show off the new colour range.

Enjoy the images :)

Check out the cute appliqué tote bags:

We also have some scrummy handmade cupcake pin cushions and fruit slice purses in stock:

A little old lady knits us tons of baby garments to sell in store. What better way of letting the customer know than to have them all on display for all to see.

We've also had a bunch of new dress fabrics arrived in store. There's some beautiful florals, like the one I've dressed the mannequin in:

Happy Easter!

The Joy of Working

At work a few weeks back, an old lady came in asking for a beginners knitting kit for her granddaughter. We didn't have any in stock, but I told her I'd arrange something for her. That night, I went home and whipped up this rather cute bag, of which I filled with knitting goodies.

A few weeks later, the lady comes back in, with a red envelop with "Leanne" scrawled on in the most deliciously cute handwriting. Opening it, I found this inside:

And that kind of thing makes my job an absolute pleasure :)

Window Dressing

28/03/2011

Today, I wanted to create something fun, floral and suitable for spring, and not forgetting, something for Mothering Sunday. With this in mind, I created two youthful looks, one with a slightly maturer feel, hopefully for a lucky yummy mummy :)

These were potential outfit choices:

Until I came across these pretties:

The floral dress works so well under this cute denim dress, and teamed with these pink and white stripy pumps:

Nautical + 50s skirt + wicker wedges + spotty bag = proof you can make an epic outfit from a tiny charity shop:

For the accessories sector of my window, I had to think "Potential Mother's Day Gifts". The first thing that comes to mind are flowers, so I just needed to think out an outside of the box way of displaying them. I came across these gorgeous huge, spotty mugs, which make epic plant pots:

Everything mum could want on Mother's day - Tea in bed, flowers, a loving card and an awesome new(ish) bag:

If you're a mommy, Happy Mother's Day on Sunday :)

Morning Delights

Oh I do love how these are the contents of my bag after Saturday night...



...just a couple of rocks, a surplus of tiny smarties, a few maoam and a hair clip. Casual.

Shop Window

BEFORE:


Dull, drab and boring. Not at all eye-catching.

AFTER:


A wonderful mix of vibrant magentas and pastel mint greens, perfect for a pretty spring wardrobe ♥

Tie Dye Crazy

Lately, I have begun an absolutely mental obsession with tie dying everything! It all began with helping Thomas Key tie dye a bunch of tote bags ready to be screen printed over the top with some of his awesome illustrations.

I should have taken some "before" pictures, but I forgot, so I will just have to paint a picture for you instead...the tee below began life as plain old boring white before I scrunched it, tied it up and then soaked it in cold water dye. Four hours, a good rinse and hang dry later, this was the outcome! Awesome.




This tee was made in a different way. He came into the world in the form of a navy blue top before I reversed dyed it. This is a similar process to tie dying, except you use bleach instead of dye. I then proceeded to cut into it to make the tassels and WAH LA - an epic and totally individual top!




If you love this, and want one, give me a holler and I will sort one out for you with the exchange of a few coins :)

email: leanne_d44@hotmail.com
title message: "Tie Dye Top"

x

Kaleidoscope

That's what happens when you take a photo through a Kaleidoscope.

Peg Dolly Dress Ideas

INGREDIENTS:

• One Peg Dolly Kit from www.pecanpie.bigcartel.com click here to take a peek!
• PVA glue
• Thread
• Sewing needle
• Scissors
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Dress makers pins
• Colouring pens

Once you've got the goods, follow these simple pictorial instructions. Remember, if you are a child, please get the help from an adult :)


Pick a couple of your favourite fabrics from the pack, as well as a wooly wig and some lovely ribbon:

Cut a circle from one of the fabrics, and a smaller circle in the centre big enough to fit around the Peg Dolly's waist. This will become the Dolly's skirt. Then, cut off five flower buds from the ribbon:

Using thread and a needle, hand stitch the flower buds onto the circle (you can glue these on if you prefer, but remember to wait until the glue is dry before you go on to the next stage with the skirt):

In order for the skirt to fit snuggly around the Dolly's waist, it is vital to tack around the inner circle:

Next, we begin to make the Dolly's top using the second piece of chosen fabric. Cut out a square roughly 7x7cm. This should be wide enough to go around the Dolly:

Once you've cut the square, fold it in half:

Then you can decorate it with another piece of pretty ribbon. I have chosen this ribbon to edge the top of the top!

Using a sewing machine, stitch the ribbon along the fold. (You can hand stitch or glue this on if you prefer):

Now we have the beginnings of a top and a skirt:

...but this Dolly wants dressing! So, fold the "top" around the Dolly, with the decorative bits facing down. Pin the edges together with enough room to remove the Dolly with ease:

Using the sewing machine, or with a simple hand-stitch, sew the two edges together to create a tube:

Now we have a completed top, and an almost complete skirt:

Slip the top on the Dolly. Below you can see how it should look from the back and the front:

Then slip the Dolly's skirt over her top, and pull the tacking tight so it fits her waist perfectly. Hand stitch the skirt to the top to create a all-in-one dress:

Using the third piece of ribbon in the kit, tie around the waist and fix into a bow:

Using your colouring pens, draw on a pretty face, then using PVA glue, stick down her wooly wig:

Introducing your beautiful new friend, Peg Dolly:

There are lots of things you can make your dolls with in the various kits, here are some more I have made:

Enjoy!! ♥