slow, slow and slower...

We spoke to a nice tiscali call centre person last night and thought our problem was fixed but nooooooo....

It is driving me crazy having intermittent internet access. I have new things to add to etsy but can't and also I seem to be unable to add any photos to my blog either.

On the bright side although I didn't win the Howies/Folksy competition they are sending all the shortlisted designers £30 in Howies vouchers which is nice as I really need a waterproof type coat as I can't push a pram and hold a brolly in the winter weather.

And it feels so cold at the moment. I've had the little lady modelling but I've had a long sleeve tee under her tops as I don't want her to catch a cold. I'm ordering American Apparel long sleeved baby tees for the winter range (doesn't that sound posh) as I'm struggling to find organic cotton ones.

At least the AA ones have been made under fair working conditions. I do wonder when I see baby items for sale on various 'craft' sites at such low prices - £3/$6 for a 'onesie' if the person selling them thinks about how they were made so cheaply. I have friends working for a few design companies who have visited Indian and Chinese textile factories and it isn't a pretty sight. Virtually no health and safety for a start.

Yes I do sometimes buy the the little cheap supermarket clothes but I always feel really guilty and try not to buy too much. I hate the idea of children's clothes made for us westerners by developing world children. Kids should be out playing and getting an education not slaving in some sweatshop.

Craft Friendly Southern Illinois

I was featured on Kat Eyez blog yesterday! http://craftfriendlyso-il.blogspot.com/ She found me on flickr and featured my tea towels, vintage fabric cushions and cards and used the pictures from the Brixton Craft Market on her blog.

I had a look at her lovely blog and flickr pics and found that she is pretty crafty herself and produces lovely applique work on baby clothes, baby booties, bags, coasters etc etc. This is one busy lady! Her items are beautiful and she chooses some fantastic fabrics to work with.

I love the way the internet connects all us crafters, artists and designers.

Carter's Steam Fair Today

No post last night as we were out gallavanting in Hoxton at lil sis's leaving do drinks which was a nice change for a friday night. I'd forgotten how many people go out for drinks after work on a friday.

Today we took the little lady to Priory Park in Crouch End to the Steam Fair. All the rides were lovely old fashioned affairs especially the fairground carousel. The little lady surprised us be being a bit of a speed freak! She loved the horse and also went on another ride with me that went really fast (I was a bit worried!) but she had a ball.

Tomorrow we have a yoga picnic on hampsted heath which I am hoping the weather holds for. I must also try and do a bit of sewing as I have some ideas for t shirts using some applique.

My latest etsy purchase

Is from Peppermint Designs. She is a fairly new etsy seller and I am her first etsy customer. Yay! I am sure though she will have many more sales as her purses are just lovely. http://www.peppermintdesigns.etsy.com/

I have bought a black one with an appliqued dove for myself (naughty, naughty). For my sis I went for a brown purse with an appliqued horse's head, horseshoe and star . She is starting her own PR company, Neon, and I wanted to buy her something nice to mark the occasion. My purse is lined with a floral liberty fabric. I haven't seen a picture of the fabric and I kind of like the idea of opening it and getting a nice surprise when I see which gorgeous fabric she has used.

They are made from leather too so should stand the test of time.

So I am staying true to my handmade pledge for this year! Oh apart from the bloomin' Nintendo DS Lite that I bought hubby for his birthday. Sadly I am becoming addicted to the blocks game which is a bit tetris like. Somehow I have managed to get the top score tee hee.