Monday, April 15, 2013

The best kind of feedback…

… is the repeat business of satisfied customers… I’m delighted by the number of happy stitchers and crafters who have returned to work with Homespun Living again and again.

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I contacted one of my most frequent repeat customers for a feedback quote for an article to be published in a local paper shortly, and was bowled over by her words… With her permission, I share with you her thoughts…

I signed up for Helen's 'Learn to Knit' class on a bit of a whim after seeing a poster in a local cafe. I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, which taught me all I needed to know to get started. I soon decided to move on to some more complicated patterns so I booked a few one-on-ones with Helen to further my skills. Since my first class last June I haven't stopped knitting, my favourite creations being a rainbow-coloured jumper for myself and two tiny Easter bunnies for my daughters.

Learning to knit has given me a much-needed creative outlet that I can fit around a very busy life as a Mum of two young children. I knit anywhere and everywhere, including on trains, in pubs, in bed, in traffic jams and once even at a pantomime (that was a bad idea - it turns out that knitting in the dark is asking for trouble). I find knitting relaxing, satisfying and exciting (it's basically a whole new wardrobe waiting to happen!) and I am hugely grateful to Helen for giving me the skills and confidence to get me started.

How lovely!

Homespun Living’s Birthday Party is this Saturday 20 April at the Courtyard Cafe in St Albans from 10-12pm. Be there or be square!

Friday, April 05, 2013

Stitching and Wishing for Spring…

Along with the rest of the UK, I’m waiting in vain for a glimpse of warm weather… I’m dressing far too spring-like and spend most days in a permanent shiver, showing off my spring wardrobe in spite of the wind, the frost and the SNOW outside. Tantrums abound.

I have enjoyed stitching for spring, though, even if it’s been far too cold to actually wear the items in question.

At least this one is not intended for wear until the autumn: an overly eager sailor cardigan for a baby not due until September – can you tell I’ve been waiting for this family to have a bump for a LONG TIME!?

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The epitome of Easter summed up in one dress for Tilly – albeit far too cold to wear for more than three minutes at a time… Vintage pattern, stripey fabric and cotton pique collar… With obligatory pockets on the bias to negate the need to match the pattern…

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And my latest homage to Toast in the form of John Kaldor viscose t-shirt with button placket back… paired with my denim trousers from Colette’s fabulous Juniper pattern… The outfit, I think, is elegant, classy, possibly a little too loose fitting and thus verging on unflattering… But still LOVING the look, despite my attempts at ‘wistful model-esque facial expressions….’

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The stitchers from Homespun Living's latest dressmaking course have also completed their first adult shift dress pattern – much to their delight!03-P110069604-P1100700 

What are you making at the moment?