Behind the Scenes at made by lolly : My favourite tools

So, these are my extra special favourite tools... The ones I use ALL THE TIME!

 

If you look closely, you'll notice that most of them are very well used, slightly battered and covered in glue. Although I love getting new equipment as much as the next crafter, somehow I don't feel that it truly belongs in my workroom until I've dropped it, lost it, found it and covered it in glue!

You'll also notice that most of them are pink.

To this day I have no idea why crafter's tools have to be pink.

I wrote a blog post about it 3 years ago. And it seems that nothing has changed...

My extra special favourite tools

So, what have we actually got here then?

What are the must have tools on a felt flower maker's desk?

TOP:

Steel Safety Ruler, Steel Ruler

MIDDLE:

Beacons Felt Glue, Hole Punches, Double Sided Tape Ruler, Fiskars Corner Punch

BOTTOM:
Fabric Scissors, Embroidery Scissors, Tweezers, Stitch Unpicker, Glue Spreader, Rotary Cutter

UNDERNEATH:

A3 Cutting Mat

And here we have some of my new favourite gadgets...

 

My new favourite tools

Fiskars Paper Trimmer, Bobbin Winder, Self Cover Button Tool

 

But what's on my wishlist...

I've just seen that Paper and String have just got in some 'Scalloped' Scissors. 

Just like Pinking Shears, but they cut scallops.

I really don't know why I need them... but I definitely DO need them!

Scallop Scissors from paper-and-string

I've also got a wireless all-in-one printer/scanner thingymebob on my list

I'm convinced that the ONLY* thing that's holding me back from having a perfectly organised and efficient administration system is the ability to print on demand from anywhere in the house.

*I'm obviously deluded. But it's gotta help, right?

I'd love to know what are your must-have tools, and what's on your wishlist.

Feel free to comment and link below!

Laura

And if you want to find out more about my favourite suppliers, why not visit
Behind the Scenes at made by lolly : My favourite suppliers

Behind the Scenes at made by lolly : My branding journey

Last month, Batman turned 75 - and apparently, in that time he has used over 30 different logos!

Later this month, on June 18th, made by lolly turns 4! And in that time has also had quite a few different logos and brand redesigns...

I'm not entirely sure whether this is a good thing or not (!) but I thought I might be fun to follow Batman's example and share some of the different fonts, logos and packaging designs I have used since 2010.

Back then - this was the best that I could do:

Please don't judge me. I was inexperienced. Massive learning curve ahead!

By November 2010, thankfully, I had decided it was time to get some professional help:

Designs by Bonnita Graphics

It looks like I continued to use variations on this design for quite a while -
as these leaflets from August 2011 show:

But by a year later, in August 2012 it's all change! The launch of my new website had caused me to rethink my style and to commission another re-brand! New colours, new font:

Designs by Bonnita Graphics

...And to redesign my product packaging

But that redesign didn't last too long!
By the Autumn of 2013 the style of my work had become much more bold and graphic, using strong colours and repeating patterns. I needed a clear and simple design as complement.

And then... We arrive at Spring 2014
I appear to be over my flirtation with 'bold' and 'graphic' and have started designing softer, more realistic looking felt flowers. I need my branding to reflect this.
So I introduce another new font:

New Business Cards:

...And for the first time ever, pre-printed product packaging!

And slightly 'tweaked' gift wrapping:

Phew, what a journey!
I don't know what you think  - but I feel my branding style has definitely improved since 2010!

If you liked this peek behind the scenes of made by lolly - stay tuned!
Over the next few weeks, as part of my birthday celebrations, I will be posting lots more info 
about who I am, what I do and how I do it...

You can find out about my tools, my favourite websites, and I may even show you a pic of what the workroom usually looks like!

I'll also be compiling an 'Ask me Anything' blog post to be published on our business birthday.
So... if you have a burning question that you'd like me to answer you can either:
a) Leave a comment on this blog post
b) Tweet me at @madebylolly 
c) leave a comment on my FB page
d) email me at madebylolly@hotmail.com
e) attempt to contact me using psychic powers...*

*If you definitely want your question answered I'd recommend using option a to d and not bothering with option e!

Easter Giveaway Time! Win a Craft Party Kit!

It's Easter Giveaway Time!

The Prize: 

Win a 'Craft Party - In a Box' craft kit worth £30! Makes up to 12 felt flower brooches, perfect to keep you (or the kids!) entertained during the holidays!

How to Enter:

Head over to my FB page and Like AND leave me a comment on the competition post pinned to the top of my page telling me what is your favourite colour! 

The competition closes tonight at 9pm so you'll need to hurry!
 

PLEASE DON'T TRY TO ENTER HERE, YOU MUST HEAD OVER TO MY FB PAGE FOR THIS COMPETITION! :-)

Terms and Conditions:

*To enter Like AND leave me a comment on the FB competition post
*One entry per person
*The Easter Giveaway will be drawn at 9pm on 16/04/2014 That's today so hurry!
*The winner will be picked by random generator and tagged in a FB post later that day. By entering you agree to allow me to post your name on my FB page if you win!
*The winner must message me with their address within 7 days
*You do not need to share the FB post to enter
*By entering the contest, you agree to a complete release of Facebook from any or all liability in connection with this contest.
*By entering you acknowledge that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook

#Project52 Weeks 6 - 13!

OK, OK I know I promised that I'd be blog writing more often because I had the excuse of sharing my weekly #Project52 activities with you....

Well - it turns out that I've been so busy working on the new made by lolly Spring Collection and so busy enjoying my #Project52 activities that I haven't found the time to get over here to tell you about any of it!

So here's a whistle-stop catch-up of the things I've been getting up to!

(I think we got as far as Week 5 - Cheese Making)

Week 6 

A trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park- and some very early snowdrops!

Week 7

My first Craft Fair of 2014!

Week 8

A trip to Ikea - including free cups of tea, a cooked breakfast and the cutest plasters ever!

Week 9

A Silver Clay workshop with Emma Mitchell

Week 10

 A TV Dinner Date to watch Fantastic Mr Fox

Week 11

A 100th Birthday Party for our piano - including chocolate kit-kat piano cake!

Week 12 

A trip to Millennium Gallery Craft Shop - Bought a Badge Making Kit!

Week 13 

Started to teach myself Italian using the Duolingo app!

And can you believe it - that brings us up to Week 13! 

I have completed the first quarter of my #Project 52 year!

And what a fabulous fun thirteen weeks it has been!

#Project52 - Week 5 - Cheese Making

Week 5 of #Project52 is another food based task!

(Don't be surprised if many of my tasks over the remainder of the year end up being food based!)

We were recently given a Big Cheese Making Kit so we could learn how to make our own mozzarella and ricotta. Cheese making is something I have always been fascinated by, but have never tried - so top marks to my sister-in-law for buying us this kit!

Let the cheese making adventures begin!

 I won't go into detail about how the cheese is made - as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who decides to have a go themselves, but suffice to say, it really does work, and as it says on the box -

'It's fast, simple and the results taste great!' 

Handmade mozzarella balls!

 The handmade mozzarella was added to a handmade pizza base, and with the help of a few bits of chicken and a handful of sliced olives, THE MOST DELICIOUS pizza EVER!  

was created and a new Saturday night tradition was born!

I can't wait till the Summer when the tomatoes and herbs are growing in my garden 

so I can make a pizza using only home-grown and handmade ingredients!

#Project52 - Week 3 and 4 - Taking Time Out

Working from home definitely has many positives but having the 'office' in your personal space can sometimes mean that you accidentally end up working for far longer each day than you should...

This is something that I am definitely guilty of, and this year I have decided to pay attention to my work/life balance a bit more. After all, I am the boss of me - and I say it's OK to cut myself some slack!

To this end, my 'tasks' for week 3 and 4 of #Project52 were to take some time out!

During week 3, me and the other half made the most of a mutual day-off and spent an arty, retro themed day in Sheffield. The day started at the end of the tram line in Hillsborough - at Cupola Gallery who were holding their annual 'Under the Bed' Sale (on until 1st Feb).

I couldn't resist snapping up a pair of linocut prints by Lyn Hodnett!

Cock and Hen enclosed in Ribba frames on my kitchen wall!

The rest of the day was spent tram and bus hopping across the retro haunts in the city, in the hope of finding a record player. Stops included the vintage, arts and craft emporium that is The Nichols Building in Shalesmoor, as well as the multi-various shops that Sheffield Antiques Quarter has to offer.

Alas, a record player was not forthcoming and so we went to The Rude Shipyard to drown our sorrows with a steaming mug of tea (there may well have been cake too!)*

*There most definitely was cake!

Week 4 of #Project52 was spent on holiday, visiting our families in Kent for a belated Christmas celebration.

There is nothing that perks up a cold, wet, miserable January better than re-visiting Christmas dinner. Sprouts, crackers, bad jokes, pigs in blankets, the works...

And it's even better when you get to do it twice! In two days!

Then on 'Boxing Day' there was a visit to picturesque Whitstable for pickled cockles, and a walk by the sea.

The only time the sun came out while we were on holiday!

All in all, a lovely relaxing couple of weeks.

I really think I could get into the habit of Taking Time Out! ;-)

#Project52 - Week 2 - Clear-Out the Garage

My challenge for Week 2 of my #Project52 was slightly less fun than my first week's challenge - and considerably less edible!

After 5 years of neglect it was time to... 'Clear-Out the Garage'

'Before' - Potential contender for H&S nightmare of the year!

Over the years a lot of items have been relegated to the garage as they no longer fit inside our little house or are no longer needed. Many of these items we have hung on to, intending to do a boot fair.

But guess what?

We never did one.

Didn't even get as far as booking a pitch!

So my challenge for this week was to fettle through the piles, throw away or recycle anything that was actually junk and sort out any saleable items to send to the charity shops (As we really are never going to get round to doing a boot fair!)

At the end of 3 hours I had managed to fill our rubbish bin, and our cardboard recycling bin.

More importantly I had 2 bags of clothing and 5 boxes of toys, games, books and household items that I could donate to the local charity!

But... I have a slight confession to make.

The day I chose to do the this challenge was very cold. And I'm afraid after 3 hours, the need for tea and biscuits defeated me. I left the building, closed the door, and haven't been back since...

However, even though Week 2 of #Project52 is a bit of a work in progress, I am still pleased with what I have achieved! A job I've been meaning to do for the last 3 years has now been started - and therefore seems much less daunting. The garage is no longer a contender for health and safety nightmare of the year. And to top it off I have a significant pile to donate to charity!

You'll just have to stay tuned for the 'After' photograph!