Fairysteps

Drip and the jumper...

2012-01-28T16:27:00.001Z

A new DRIP just added to the Etsy shop (link at the side bar)...

A picture just taken of my pile of jumper on one of the settees... its finished!!!! woo hoo! All there is left to do is sew on the sleeves and up the side seams and down to the cuff, stitch in a few ends and its ready to wear! Im very pleased because I only started it a month ago. I went for all one colour in the end and thought maybe I shall single crochet a strip of charcoal on each edge if needs be.

I am working on a new hat pattern next. Something Milly Molly Mandy might wear to a fairy festival...!

And this kept me awake last night because as soon as I saw them in my head I WANTED a pair for myself! These would be just perfect for Summer! Must make some...

And talking of shoes... I have to admit that this months orders have fair worn me out! I took on far too many and have a horrible feeling that if I leave the shop open as planned I shall get swamped, never to surface again... We shall see. I think in order to preserve what little sanity I have I may set a limit and see what happens once I open. I count myself very lucky that I am getting any orders at the moment. If Radio 4 is anything to go by the world is in financial meltdown and no one will ever spend a single penny ever again! Talk about doom and gloom mongering. What people need are fairy shoes to cheer themselves up and to lift their spirits!!!! Maybe I should email Radio 4 next week and let them know this! Could I keep up with the orders that this course of action would undoubtedly generate once the secret got out???

Best to keep a low profile...

Maybe I wont email them after all...

And so we end on a picture from the Fairysteps workshop...

Next week will see the January orders completed, photographed, packed and sent on their way. February first will see the next orders come in... I shall open the shop in the morning after my third cup of tea! But I wont be starting the Feb orders till Ive made a smidge of stock for the Etsy shop. Shelves are emptying and need re filling! Plus I havent made a CLEMMIE bag for sometime and her pattern is feeling ever so lonely! Im pining to make more purses and pen cases, not to mention Ive these stock shoes to finish...

Lots of social events happening next week too. And we start working on the spare room next week for Littlest. Theres a wall to cut out and panel, a window to line, the radiator to move and lots of painting to do... and maybe I should start another blanket for in there?

Im off to light the sitting room fire... its freezing!

Ren x

New shoes and a treasure in the post!

2012-01-25T07:52:00.002Z

Mr F bought me this lovely gift from a fellow Etsian at www.alisonmoore.co.uk

She is so clever and makes the prettiest jewellry from her island home on Orkney. This ring is silver with a green amber stone. Its very shimmery and quite magical! Thank you Alison! It sits perfectly with my wedding rings...

And lots of new shoes and boots so just a few pictures here...

And I must say Im rather enjoying the new vintage map background. A lucky find at the local scrapstore. A big pile from 1961 which presumably werent needed by the authorities anymore... but were needed by me...

Garnet eco tanned leather is such a scrummy diddly dumptious colour it never fails to make me smile... and mixed with the orange ribbons requested by the client, and a blackcurrant insole... they are indeed perfect!

A little army of pucks in garnet too...

More to come over the next few days!

Ren x

Peasblossom and pouches...

2012-01-24T13:14:00.003Z

Prior to being ribboned up ready...

PEASBLOSSOM by Fairysteps...

The new boots finally finished for the re opening of the shop! I think they look so much better with a rounded toe. AND I rather like the fact these can be ever so plain with the poppy removed. In fact, next time I need new boots Im having this style! This colour too...

And I even sneaked in a few pouches and a clutch purse too! No prizes for seeing what colours Ive been cutting for shoes! Lots of Garnet, Turquoise and Violet! Jet too, but I will be stitching those later this evening...

Pictures arent the best, but then neither is the weather! I used an old map and the sitting room window, not particularly clear but they will have to do. Its awful out there. Heavy rain, grey low clouds, windy, miserable, drab, relentless... need I say more!

Even making a pair of Lemondrop yellow LUNAs hasnt cheered me up. I rather think all of these late nights since Christmas are the biggest reason though. Middlest passed her bike test on Saturday and we bought her a scooter yesterday together with all the safety gear so sleep is in sight... no more taxi service at midnight for when her shifts end. She is so much safer on a motorbike than I was at her age! First thing I did was drive into a pile of tractor tyres... next incident was driving through town on the wrong side of the road... next was constantly stalling the engine because no one told me that you had to pull away in first gear (apparently this is OBVIOUS...????) so I had to keep pushing the bike to hills so I could bump start it... and the first time on the road, I put it on its stand on a slope and it fell over and broke off the clutch lever...

Yep... I never really took to motorbikes...

Hence, I am super proud that my two eldest offspring are on the road and far better at it than I ever was! My poor Mum must have been having kittens when she watched me ride off into the sunset...

Time for lunch and 3 cups of tea me thinks...

Ren x

p.s. First batch of 6 January orders in Garnet are all complete and awaiting their ribbons... Turquoise and lemondrops are finished and the Jet blacks are all but done. I hope to be sending out part of the January orders next week...

Busy bee...

2012-01-21T13:08:00.003Z

What a busy week its been! Mr F and I had our first proper test week of working together... it was wonderful and proved to be a good motivation to me! This dull weather is so depressing! Im longing for brighter days and warmth and long evenings...

The colours Ive been cutting have been cheerful though! Im happy to see a rhythm developing where I can have batches of shoes completed on a weekly basis!

And its because of this that we will be leaving the shoe shop open for orders from 1st February! Im so excited about this!!!! I know its been very frustrating for any of you who kept missing a space so Im hoping this will be better. Im expecting an initial flood and then hoping that it will gradually become a manageable trickle! As and when we feel the orders are more than we can manage to keep up with (only human and all that), we will temporarily close the shop for a few weeks until we have caught up again! Simple!!! It may not work BUT its worth a try!

And on the knitting front...

I am now on the last sleeve of my jumper which I started at Christmas. Its soft, plain and rather lovely! Im thinking of a double band of charcoal on the deep ribbed neck for a smidge of interest... we shall see!

Off to my aunties and uncles tonight with the family which is a treat, especially as I am hoping both of my cousins will be there too. Had a wonderful evening with best friend last night...

And in Fairysteps land today at this moment in time:

Mr F is plucking pheasants... Eldest is muck spreading... Middlest is taking her CBT test so we can buy her a motorbike for getting to work... and Littlest is making gingerbread men!

What shall I do?

Ren x

Last Sunday involved...

2012-01-15T11:59:00.000Z

Visiting a very pretty wood to watch people manically whizzing around on motorbikes... Heres Eldest on his rather special vintage bike which Mr F gave him (lucky boy...).

And we spotted lots of Wallace and Gromit style beauties which were being put through their paces...

And I have to admit that Ive always had mixed feelings about the whole trials bike issue. On the one hand they are polluting a beautiful wood and tearing up the ground and destroying god knows what BUT the flip side is that it is drawing many youngsters to the woods, possibly a place where many of them otherwise wouldnt visit. And maybe little seeds of wonder are being sown while they are there and they will notice how special the woods are and why we need to look after them too!

I spotted some treasures...

Ivy that was so old its stems were as thick as a small tree!

Sandwiches, Jam tarts and tea was administered and then off home we went...

This Sunday involves keeping warm, because its absolutely freezing... Also trying hard to recover from very little sleep due to Middlest having a party in our barn last night which seemed to involve most of Devon turning up... we hid in the house... and finally making plans for an enormously busy week at the worktable. Trying to get geared up for leaving the shoe shop open for opens from 1st February onwards. Bike ride later. Not much on then!!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!

Ren x

13th Etsy front page on Friday 13th!

2012-01-13T18:10:00.001Z

Cant believe the coincidence here! Ive had my 13th Etsy front page treasury feature today... on Friday the 13th...

And I passed the 500 sales mark! Im smiling... modestly...

Ren x

Did I mention I crochet?

2012-01-11T19:24:00.000Z

JULE in viscose and wool blend above.

Well what fun Ive had with my wool bag this past week! Playing each evening, guilt free in the knowledge that Ive been working each day, cycling as per resolution AND making sure there are fresh buns in the cake tin each day...

Even managed a new design based on my popular ESME hat... Im calling her BOBBLEBELL... For obvious reasons...

Finished another TILLY cowl too... this time in a monochrome tweed blend.

Incorporating my own hand dyed, handspun yarn has been a real bonus too!

Ive got miles of it in a myriad of colours...

Love this one in charcoal and red fire blend...

And this turned out rather nicely...

Its like a knitted transformer!

All of these treasures are in the Etsy shop here...

Last words:

Also cleaned workshop today, including my work table because I have LOADS of shoe orders to make for January! I mean loads! Glad to be back to it.

And as for the weather... today has been like a tonic. I swear Spring is trying to spring...

And a pair of wild doves have paired up and have been singing to me each morning outside my bedroom window. I cant think of a better way to wake up than to the sound of doves singing each other love sonnets...

Ren x

Realization stew... and birthday candles

2012-01-09T16:16:00.001Z

This is my little workshop timer... he's called angry egg, and he keeps me on the straight and narrow... and so... after the list of resolutions made in the last post, my poor empty head was stirred up good and proper. Sleepless nights of wondering how to juggle life this year floated around up there. And I had to face a few realizations. As I mentioned to best friend yesterday, if I was a light bulb I would probably be about half a watt...

I want to go back to some original plans I had several years ago. Dreams hatched on a Mid Summers Eve...

They did not involve piles of bags, piles of purses, piles of pen cases, 1000 etsy sales, splitting myself up to cover every imaginable angle that my business could take me on. Nope! They were quite simply to make unique footwear for unique people. And after much thought I have to admit that its where the largest part of my wages and job satisfaction for that matter, comes from, so its where I should be concentrating my efforts most. I have finally got to grips with making bespoke, Im happy with my designs. I think in reality the next step is to take the plunge and keep the shop open full time for customers and cut down on the accessories going into the Etsy shop.

I appreciate the support that Ive had from so many people and think maybe its time to focus on giving them what they want and specializing a smidge more. Im still going to make some items which have proved best sellers for me. This will still include occasional bags! And I hope more stock shoes too!

So Fairysteps has had a revamp! And the restyled Fairytale shoe collection has I hope been showcased rather better. In these days of doom and gloom a little escape from reality into a Fairytale world isnt a bad thing, and is something we would all benefit from!

And so I give you the new shop!

I'm still determined to grow those wings though...

Ren x

Resolution soup...

2012-01-07T15:01:00.000Z

Leek and Potato soup from a few nights ago, hot and steamy so the lens kept clouding over...

With Stilton and Caraway scones. And my huge 'Swamp rat stew' ladle that Mr F made me for last years birthday! Its funny because these savoury scones are equally as good with soup or jam.

And now to the resolution part of the post...

As my blog is my online diary or doings, and as fun for me to look back on as it is to actually write the entries in the present, I shall make my list of things to come. I can then look at them at the end of the year and see what I achieved (or didnt! ). Warning... this may be boring to read as its mainly meant for me!

2012 Aspirations (real and fantasy)...

Spend less time on the computer AND try where possible to only switch on after lunch or even better in the evenings.
Remind myself to smile more often... should take this for granted BUT as I get older I have noticed that I smile less... not good at all...
As so many of my hobbies, like knitting and reading, involve sitting on my bum I must get out more... try to cycle every day and aim to be able to cycle to friends house 3 miles away without needing an ambulance waiting for me at the other end...
Spend more time cooking on an open fire when the weather permits...
Garden more...
Decorate the spare room for Littlest and help her to move...
Then redecorate and shelf the new spare room for me!!! FILL IT WITH WOOL... Put my little armchair in there and my spare radio and HIDE in there sometimes with a tray of tea and Radio 4 and my knitting...
Buy black and white checked lino and put it down in the Bathroom.
Paint the bathroom white... sick of bright yellow... Its like washing inside a banana...
Aim to use at least 50% of my leather stocks by making lots and lots of bags...
Make a pair of boots with fairies on... plan to experiment with T shirt transfer paper and natural veg tan, touched up with metallic acrylics for the wings.
Grow proper feathered wings in white and fly out over the woods...
Reach 1000 sales on Etsy before 31st December next year.
Give more money to charity.
Make time to make myself new Quinces and a new pair of tall boots. There's a pair in my head called GATEKEEPER. They've been in there for 2 years and its time I let them out...
Do my accounts on a daily / monthly basis to save needing a week at the end of the tax year, not to mention at least 600 tea bags to get me through the week...
Aim to make at least 50 hats for the knitwear shop!
Aim to increase my button output for the knitwear shop and have at least 50 cards of buttons in stock at any given time...
Do my ironing monthly as opposed to seasonally... Im not joking... its that bad!
Experiment with chutney recipes more this coming Autumn.

Well... I think thats enough to be getting on with...

Ren x

On this day...

2012-01-06T13:45:00.003Z

I was born...

Mr F gave me a wonderful pure wool cardigan from www.woolovers.com which is so warm, I feel like Im wearing a Rayburn... Love it!!!

I have brightened it up with a corsage...

And I popped some pink stripe-ies on...

And played with wool this morning...

Deciding to marry my handspuns with my other yarns to use for making hats...

And so a little perusing of the pile began...

And a hat was made!

I had my birthday cake (lemon cake made by Littlest) at 11 oclock this morning... with 6 cups of tea... because if you cant be decadent and greedy on your own birthday, when can you?!

Last notes: The en masse POD bags have nearly killed me... thank heavens Im not working today! I start shoes next week...

Ren x

POD in the pipeline...

2012-01-03T20:55:00.000Z

Ive been rather busy over Christmas cutting new bags for the shop...

I have some very nice sandstone antiqued leather which Im hoping will prove popular. Its such a good base colour for making other colours pop!

Its been fun choosing leafy applique colours from among my leather rainbow...

Pod in Pacific blue, which may not be everyones cup of tea BUT its very jolly and uplifting mixed with other primaries on these grey wintery days!

Silky plum pearl with pink dragon contrast...

Thats the first three made and listed in the shop. I have 10 more POD bags to come this week and 3 JUDES all in similar colourways.

Is it ever going to stop raining?

Ren x

Post Christmas post...

2011-12-28T12:40:00.000Z

Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Ooops... forgot to re arrange my skirt for this one...

The tree peeping up from behind a settee... It was the top out of one that needed felling so was a very odd shape! Didnt like to cut one down specially though, just to throw it out after a week!

A blurry but atmospheric bauble...

A Father Christmas tealight holder from littlest...

A spotty teapot in red enamel from Mr F...

Tea rations and mugs from bestest friend (plus my favourite turkish delight... its all MINE)...

A new tea caddy from Eldest...

Pretty paintings from Middlest which I will have framed...

A small mountain of biscuits which will see us through to next Christmas...

And so many other lovely treasures.

And finally... best of all we saw each other.

Looking forward to the new year ahead and all that it may bring to us in Fairysteps Land.

p.s. I made myself a lovely scarf PLUS I started knitting a fudge coloured sloppy joe jumper. The back is completed and Im halfway up the front. Will try to get the front completed this evening and start the first sleeve tomorrow. O, and I finished the blanket I started last week. Which all means Ive spent far too much time sitting on my bum with my knitting bag!

Ren x

Pre Christmas Post...

2011-12-21T16:17:00.002Z

The crackers are made, the free range turkey ordered, the Christmas shop from Waitrose is coming tomorrow, the tree is cut, its the shortest day, Ive finished work for the time being and its feeling very much like Christmas here at home!

The kitchen is full of Christmas sights and smells...

My ancient pastry cutters are earning their keep with mince pie making...

I must make the Christmas cakes tomorrow when Middlest makes another batch of mince pies. I know its late for cake making, BUT Ive been so busy with work, Im thinking better late than never. Plus... we will be having 2 HUGE Christmas feasts this year, both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is due to the fact that Middlest has found a part time job serving at Bovey Castle over Christmas... and UNFORTUNATELY... Let me repeat that... UNFORTUNATELY they have put her down for a shift till 11 oclock at night on every single day, save for 2, of her school holiday from today onwards. This includes Christmas day, Boxing day and New years day. Horrid... She wont start work till 3 on Christmas Eve so we thought a pretend Christmas dinner would be just the job. I hope they pay her well!!!! Im very sad about all this BUT it is a fact of life as your family grows older...

Christmas wouldnt be Christmas without a mince pie picture to share! Its tradition on the Fairysteps blog now!

And my last makes of the year are a pile of 26 NIB pen cases! The meadow green isnt shown but is included in the batch.

I must try to do a blanket update before Christmas too! Well, its over and out for a day or two for the Fairy Shoemaker! I had a bad migraine on Monday and am still only firing on 2 cylinders so taking it a bit slow wont be a bad thing!

Its the shortest day today, and we all know what that means dont we chaps! Longer daylight hours are on the increase from herein! I love lighter nights! And... Snowdrops will be just around the corner...

Ren x

And the latest and maybe the last this year...

2011-12-17T11:32:00.000Z

FAE clutch in deep berry... such a pretty!

And a RUSBY in Pink Dragon, complete with non dragony leaf...

And another FAE... slightly different layered corsage colours...

And look... another! Because I just know everyone will love these on sight...

MEG in Pink Dragon and Violet... for BIG bag lovers out there...

GYPSY in Deep Berry with Ivy antiqued accents...

And finally WREN in Deep Berry, complete with feathered friend.

All are in the stock shop on Etsy!

And so I take my leave, my work table is clear, and Im away to my neglected Kitchen to make mince pies, etc...

Ren x

New in the shop...

2011-12-16T13:08:00.001Z

ALDER in what may be the last of my lovely pumpkin leather... sob...

Love this image. It sums up the weather here at the moment. Blizzard one minute, that doesnt settle, hail, sleet, rain, then sunshine!

Its residing in the stock shop over on Etsy (which is working really well, sigh of relief...).

DODIE clutch with a beauty of a rag tag...

A posy of purses. Lots of MERRY, MINNIE, JINKS, DRIP. All in the shop too!

Im getting there chaps! One pile of cut leather left to make up and my work table is clear! O and that small molehill of shoes to add the finishing touches to.

Crochet news: Blanket centre is complete and Ive started on the race around the edge...

A little tip to share: You know those wonderful Etsy Mini widgets we can snaffle to pop on our blogs and websites... and you know they only offer a layout of 5 rows. Which if you have many items in your shops is rather a stingy amount to have on display... I thought I would change the number on the code to more rows... and it worked! So the middle of my code looks like this... 'thumbnail',2,12,0, I changed the middle figure from 5 to 12. Just the job!

Ren x

Latest stock in the shop...

2011-12-13T13:35:00.001Z

Had lots of sparkly fun using my new silver leather! KISS in silver paired with petal pink... in the Etsy shop!

MINNIE looking pretty in pink too...

A new ELDER in jet black...

And another ELDER in Violet with Mulberry leaves...

All in the shop... talking of which... Im going back to keeping stock only in my Etsy shop (www.fairysteps.etsy.com) from now on and will be gradually switching my big cartel / website (www.fairysteps.co.uk) to bespoke only. This sorts out so much for me both time wise and space in the head wise! New year ahead, new ways, new paths, new ideas. Perfect!

Im rather tired today actually. It was a very late night after going to watch Seth Lakeman perform in Exeter. It was a wild night both weather wise and the performance! What a fiddle player... wish I could play just 1% as well as he can! Maybe one day if I persevere! I then had an accident at work this morning. I should report it really and maybe have a day off... but as Im my boss it wasnt going to stick! My mannequins wooden top flew off in the wind from the top step and smacked me in the head. Cripes it hurt, and I have a nice little egg there now! A spoon of sugar in the tea should do the trick...

We are supposed to be going Christmas shopping in Chagford tonight but as its sleeting, hailing golf balls, lashing rain and freezing out there Im having doubts... Bed is feeling jolly appealing though at the moment, by tonight its going to feel positively necessary.

Right, Im off to make a cup of tea and then hoover my kitchen. Im threading the sewing machine up then with buff thread ready for a pile of Merry purses and pouches, clutches and a pretty mulberry and pumpkin ALDER...

p.s. Did you notice my nice and tidy new blog layout?

Ren x

Sunday... continued. Edibles and welcomes...

2011-12-12T07:10:00.009Z

Welcome to my home... my kitchen door dressed for Christmas...

I cant tell you how long it took to cut out all of these letters! Here it is unstuck...

Littlest made us a special one for the Sitting Room wall...

And yesterdays teatime... the soup was spiced and thick and creamy and moreish in the extreme... You can just see the fruited malt loaves behind there... they rose up tall and light and ever so slightly sticky. All of the children will slice this and toast it and butter it to within an inch of its life tomorrow morning... and a whole loaf will be history. Good job I make 3 minimum in this house.

And this was the wedge of buttered bread which the Fairy Shoemaker ate for tea... This picture makes my kitchen appear quite magical... which of course... it is. Ive made magic in it for over 2 decades and I still love it...

Love to all, Ren x

Sunday in the kitchen...

2011-12-11T13:54:00.000Z

Im having a wonderfully yeasty Sunday so far...

I even invented a new fruit bread, but the proof will be in the tasting! Heres the hubble bubble moment when the liquid went in. It comprises of my standard bread recipe with 3 tablespoons of cinnamon added with a teaspoon of ground cloves, a good half pint of juicy raisins and half a jar of sticky malt. Plus I popped a good bit of milk in the liquid so its a bit of a milk dough too. The mixture is sticky, dark and smells like heaven only loaf shaped...

I made 6 x 2 Lb loaves of standard bread...

3 x 2 Lb loaves of the malt raisin bread...

1 x 3 Lb HUGE cottage loaf which is in the Rayburn cooking slowly and surely...

What a beautiful shot...

And littlest turned the last batch into a snowman just before we knocked it back...

This all took one hour... for the reward at the end, coupled with hot spiced soup to dip the buttered bread in... its no time at all!

Ren x

LACEWING a new bag... and blanket, etc

2011-12-09T18:28:00.003Z

LACEWING a new bag for Fairysteps! She is in the shop...

A few new MINNIES and several MERRY purses are now in the shop keeping her company...

And I started the next blanket yesterday. Im using up a stash of wonderful viscose yarn, called vintage. I have several colours and its quite weighty...

Im mixing them all up in giant granny squares and then edging and joining on the last round in a standard DK cotton in a wonderful soft neutral colour.

Plus a couple more ESME beret for the shop! I added a twirly whirly corsage on this one!

And pretty embroidery on this one with a contrast border. What fun!!!

And talking of shops... Im not happy with the flood of woollys in my Etsy shop. I just dont feel Etsy works like that, in fact I do believe that when people visit a shop they expect to see a particular item which sits nicely alongside the others in the shop. And Im not keen on all my leathergoods disappearing onto the second page... I know Im a fusspot!!

So I opened a second Fairysteps shop today, called...

Fairysteps Knitwear

and Ive had 2 sales already!!! Please do visit and show it a little love by hearting the shop if you like it! And the best bit is that I can knit a million hats a week now and flood the shop with them!

Im making a Christmas poster tomorrow, inspired by watching Victorian Farm Christmas on DVD yesterday evening while I tackled the new blanket. I will be blogging it...

Ren x

Whirly windy days...

2011-12-07T14:30:00.001Z

I can breathe...

Dreams made across the globe have been made real...

And an intense 5 weeks of work has ended with box upon box of treasure...

Wrapped in brown paper and ready to send...

Im ready to go at my own pace now on the tumbly down lane that leads to Christmas...

Away from the whirly winds behind me...

I will take my knitting bag with me...

And a tray of tea with my Christmas holly teapot steaming hot...

Fairysteps has had a wonderful year, despite the struggles of the world at large and my own personal ones, which have been my hardest ever...

And its all down to having such completely magical customers...

Im off to collapse in front of the sitting room fire with my littlest at my side, my knitting on my lap and a good film on the goggle box.

Life is good.

Ren x

And there's more...

2011-12-06T17:42:00.001Z

CLARA in Violet eco tan... and two posts in one day!

BUNTY in Jet black...

TITANIA in snuffed Oak...

EDITH in Jet black...

And we had a spot of Christmas decoration making today! Box of wool, pom pom kit and the need for pom pom bunting...

What fun! I had the idea in bed last night!

And please note, that the airing cupboard in the background HAS been painted at last!!! I was unsure of the blue at first but its growing on me day by day!

More boots and shoe pictures to share tomorrow! And Im happy to say that all orders for 2011 are complete and will be posted tomorrow!!! Welcome to my home... Christmas...

Ren x

Latest treasure and treasure to come...

2011-12-06T06:25:00.001Z

WIZARD in Holly green and Deep sea with Violet accents...

Would the phrase 'headless chicken' ring any bells in blogland at the moment? I have metamorphosized into a shoemaking one... in fact its just after 5 in the morning and I started work at 4...

HOMILY in conker brown...

QUINCE in Toffee ecotan...

All have been posted as they are bound for warmer climes and the last posting date for Australasia was in fact yesterday. Just in time! Last post for US and Canada is Friday, but I shall have those completed and packed by Wednesday along with the UK ones. I will then have completed all of the bespoke orders for 2011 and can breathe again!

It also means that I can start making this HUGE mountain of cut 'bits' currently residing on my work table into new stock for the shop! These will include the following:

6 new MERRY purses in various colours.

ELDER in Jet black.

ELDER in Violet.

A new style BIG handbag in Violet.

3 KISS clutches in silver and palest pink.

3 MINNIE in silver and palest pink.

ALDER in Pumpkin and Garnet.

DRIP in Garnet.

JINKS in Garnet.

2 MINNIE in Violet.

2 MINNIE in Mulberry and Pumpkin.

DOROTHY in Garnet.

3 KISS in Berry.

JUDE in Berry.

ELDER in Jade and Berry.

MEG in Pink Dragon and Violet.

RUSBY in Pink Dragon.

BOBBIN UK 7 in Jet black.

OPHELIA UK 7 in Pumpkin and Garnet.

PUCK UK 4 in Marmite.

CLARA UK 7 in faded Plum.

PUCK UK 8 in faded Plum.

HOMILY in UK 5 in Conker.

If I remember rightly thats the lot... there may be more and its so buried I cant see it! So the plan is to get this finished before Christmas, work table scrubbed and tidied ready for the new year ahead. I love putting new things into the shop so this is a real treat for me too! Its been so long since there has been waves of stock added and I have rather missed it to be honest (it always feels a bit like playing dolls houses to me). BUT having regular orders has been a blessing and I am grateful for that too.

Middlest made the first mince pies of the season last night which was a wonderful treat! Im looking forward to making my first batch very soon, along with a pasty baking session. Ive ordered a few DVDs as a Christmas treat so a sitting room picnic is on the cards I think! A huge pile of homemade pasties, cider, tea (for me), twinkly fairy lights and family, chutney and brown sauce and a jolly good film... bliss. Not forgetting my knitting of course...

And because I promised... the latest blanket! The Square... started back in August and finished in October I think it was. Its wonderfully warm and much appreciated by all on these chilly evenings when the fire hasnt been lit.

On the woolly front... Ive been very preoccupied with making hats of late but have to admit that I did have a good gander at some of my wool yesterday afternoon, and the word 'blanket' was definitely there in my head... Im thinking maybe Aran weight... and this time maybe giant granny squares, but some worked plain others multi striped so it gives the feeling of a sampler once joined. Might be interesting. I think I need some dark aran for this though to make the brights I have pop a bit more.

Im hoping to decorate the spare room before Christmas too. Littlest may move then as its much larger than her room. I will then have the smallest room as my new wool room / second workshop. I cant wait to get all of my wool stash together in one place instead of it being spread across the house like a snow drift. Plus having it all together will be a good opportunity to sort it all out and decide which yarns to keep and which to give to the charity shop for someone else to make use of. I have a small armchair for in there (space permitting) and with all of my knitting books, notebooks, etc its going to be a nice place to visit when I have the time!

Well its raining hard outside, the sky is still black as pitch, the house is silent and my feet are freezing... time for my second tray of tea! Hopefully our internet connection will be mended properly today. Its been running slower than a drunk slug for 2 weeks and driving me mad!!

Hope everyones Christmas preparations are going well!

Ren x

p.s. I have always replied to everyones comments I receive through blogger BUT much to my sadness my good friend pointed out that most people dont receive them. She then told me to look at the email address they are sent from in future. The ones marked noreply@... wont and never have received my carefully typed replies. Ive been doing this for years and never noticed. So Im so sorry for anyone who leaves comments and then felt let down that I never sent one back, or thanks for your kind words or support. Im afraid unless your account is set up to receive emails back (dont know how this happens, not even sure mine is either) I cant write back.

New treasures...

2011-12-03T11:55:00.000Z

I was lucky enough to be able to make a bespoke POD for a lovely customer...

A new SADIE for the shop in natural undyed yarns in Pure wool and Alpaca...

And the new larger CONNIE in the same soft wool...

Back to work!

Polish and Elbow grease...

2011-11-28T23:49:00.000Z

I spent ALL of Sunday afternoon cleaning and sorting, polishing, moving furniture, cussing, smiling, gazing, doubting and generally working jolly hard to get things tidy and ready for fairy lights and Christmas trees, etc...

Ive been reminded 50,000 times that its nearly December Mumma...

Ren x

Woolly wonders will never cease to delight me...

2011-11-27T14:47:00.001Z

Me with a look of Gnomish delight because Ive had soooo much fun making hat after hat after hat every evening this week!

The new colours look beautiful (special thanks to Lulu for helping me choose the colours)...

The INKCAP Gnome hat pattern has been perfected...

And every stripey mixture of goodness has been created in this luxurious Pure wool and Alpaca blend yarn. They remind me all of Cornishware pottery!

Ones trying to run away here...

Goodness... and this is the view from the top...

Ive even designed a few new bits! SADIE... which turned out so prettily...

TILLY, a big snugly cowl...

PATCH in a wonderful Rowan silk blend yarn, complete with ruffles and drapiness thats second to none.

JULIE (named for my dear Mum) because she always wanted scarves to cover her chest! This one fits the bill, easy to just pull over. Actually it reminds me of the old godets that women in the past would make to embellish their plainer dresses.

And last but not least VICTORIA who is small and neat and elegant and quite frankly, just what we all need for those days when we need something a little more feminine to finish things off!

Shoe pictures this coming week as I complete the orders for 2011! I am then devoting some much needed time to homeloving ready for Christmas jollies!

Ren x

There are Gnomes in the Woods...

2011-11-21T18:39:00.000Z

Well, great excitement in Fairysteps Land! The new load of wool arrived and in hoppy up and downy joy I decided to ignore food at lunchtime and start a hat instead! I need regular breaks inbetween sewing and stooping over leather hides and patterns on my worktable, so a few more short breaks saw my first INKCAP hat completed! This pure wool is like nothing else! Simply gorgeous. Its even an Eco yarn which ticks lots of boxes for me! I love the parchment colour as the base for the hats. Its timeless and will suit anyone. Other colours will include Cornish ware blue, and a pretty Jade green. I hope to have both other colourways completed tonight (late night coming up) so that I can photograph them tomorrow.

I even felt inspired to break into poetry over them...

And... I've decided, yet again, because I always do, and does it matter really, and no, it doesn't, as long as I'm smiling, and I'm making others smile too...

That I WILL carry on selling woolly things via Fairysteps. I AM leather and wool and I just cant split them! Ive tried, time and again, but we always come back to it! So Im thinking a few hats, cowls and gloves in the shop wouldnt be a bad addition.

Keeps me out of mischief in the evenings if Im knitting!

Ren x

Latest in the shop... Meg

2011-11-18T12:46:00.000Z

At last something new for the shop! Ive been busy stitching treasures alongside orders...

A couple of new clutches in my pretty bronze leather...

And O my... I do believe Rebecca will swoon when she opens her parcel and sees this beauty! I was told to find the most raggedy piece I could, and I did, and its so soft I think that possibly Silk worms living on a diet of Ivy leaves spun it while I was sleeping...

Ren x

The Charity Fair...

2011-11-15T08:37:00.001Z

Heres all my knitwear laid out for sale at the charity fair held at Christow on Saturday. I managed to raise £103 for Cancer research. It was fairly quiet but a good fair nonetheless. I do wish I had sold more though! Some of the stalls looked as if they had sold hardly a thing. I find this so sad at craft fairs. In fact its partly why I stopped doing them. Im not sure that many people go to buy really, and unless its a wealthy area many locals just wont be buying anyway! The mentality seems to be that its better to buy mass manufactured in a big town or city, which is odd because they would end up spending just as much!!! There we go though...

Littlest sold lots of paper bunting and paper mice and hair clips that she has been busy making for months!

Guess what we had for tea!

Back to work home here! All of the October orders have been posted and I am going full steam ahead on November orders and new stock for the shop (which is long overdue!).

Pictures soon!

The latest hatching...

2011-11-11T12:10:00.000Z

Snippets from the October Bespoke orders, which, I am happy to write are ready to pack and send off to their waiting feet...

Above QUINCE...

QUEENIE

PUCK

MUSTARDSEED

QUINCE

HOMILY

Last words:

I have already started cutting the November orders, of which I have far too many! Soooo... Im thinking I will have to make these in batches alongside stock for the shop. With this in mind Ive split all of the orders into categories based on the thread colour I will stitch them with. The first batch will be buff thread, so greens and tans first off. The black and purples, and by golly there were lots of purple orders this month! Everyone wanted the violet!

Final batch will be dark brown. I cant wait to get some new stock in the shop!

Back to packing these orders...

Ren x

Foggy apples and fireworks...

2011-11-07T19:25:00.000Z

My best beloveds footprints on my front porch...

And Ive decided to match my basket of pears and dress accordingly...

See... complete camouflage...

And I leave you with a little pile of MINNIE purses which Ive just popped in the shop!

Busy bee me... Ive spent a couple of hours today sorting out my bespoke section in the shop. Its been causing more than a few sleepless nights for me! I really thought I had cracked it on getting just the right amount of orders each month, BUT it appears not! Orders flooded in so fast I couldnt shut the listings down in time!

Lucky me really, because I appreciate the support that Fairysteps has from its loyal customers so much I cant tell you how much!!

So I came up with a cunning plan... (I know another one!) and decided that instead of listing each style as a separate listing and having 25 windows open on my laptop, I could in fact just list a few and alter the inventory accordingly. So heres what the new bespoke listings look like...

I know, its magic!!! So the next time I open bespoke I will not be flooded! Yippeeee!

Well, better get back to it chaps. Im busy cutting the November orders, whilst adding the finishing touchs to the October orders. I hope to be sending them this week! Mr F is rather busy with building his barn and is limited on time... so helping with the sole cutting is intermittent! Maybe tomorrow...

Night, night... Ren x

A day off to paint the world blue...

2011-11-05T21:17:00.000Z

After struggling to adjust to the clocks changing (I get worse every year with this) and a spell of insomnia AND a poorly little one... I took the day off today!

As you know Ive been knitting like a woman possessed of late... trying to make as many hats and scarves as I possibly can for a Christmas charity fair. I think Ive clocked up about 15 so far... I decided that my mannequin heads needed a revamp so using the airing cupboard paint (its called Dapple blue, isnt that a pretty name) I had a play! I had these pretty napkins in the cupboard too. I splashed on some paint and then carefully laid over the wet paint torn patches of napkin. It worked a treat! Rather wrinkly, rather patchy, rather unique... rather like me!

And to prove I wasnt just playing, I did actually finish painting the airing cupboard! Its a rather sombre colour, but, it will be perfect for my postcard collection. I will be doing an antiqued waxed finish over the top to age it down.

And finally a few new bits and bobs for the shop!

Im going to have a quiet Sunday doing...

a bit of knitting,

a bit of apple picking in the orchard,

a bit of clothes sorting,

a bit of ironing,

a bit of playing,

a bit of walking,

a bit of cooking,

a bit if housework,

a deal of smiling!

Followed by an evening in the woods with my family, eating stew and dumplings in front of the bonfire, watching brave men (Mr F and Grandpa) light the Catherine wheels and dreaming under starry skies of the apple pie and cream that will follow...

Ren x

Green Girl Studios...

2011-11-03T21:40:00.000Z

Im making a special pair of shoes for the very talented Cynthia Thornton of Green Girl Studios

All featured fairies and loveliness and all were quite breathtaking! The quality of the casting and the finish was simply perfect!!! I shall treasure them!

She has a Etsy shop too full of goodies!

Thank you Cynthia x

Halloween 2011... we were there...

2011-11-01T11:53:00.001Z

Yes... I am wearing a toad in my hat... as you do...

My favourite handbag, HETTIE made from my own handspun yarn was selected...

Amidst other suitable witchy clothing (bearing in mind I am a Woodland Witch...) and off Littlest and I flew to Castle Drogo for lunch and a pop round the grounds to do the Halloween trail... What fun!

Only Littlest carved a pumpkin this year... sigh... my elder two are weighed down with the demands of growing up and passed the offer of a pumpkin by... a sure sign of age...

We came home and prepared the feast... Hot pumpkin soup and chocolate eyeballs...

And finally, something nasty moved in front of the camera here, so my glowing kitchen table is nearly obliterated! Shock!!!! Horror!!! What can it be??? Is it a ghost, a ghoul, a monster?

Nope its Mr Fairysteps...

Hope you all had fun! Back to work for me. Bespoke opens at 5 pm, but how long will it take for the spaces to all be filled I wonder? Last month I could only stay open for 14 hours and even then I took too many orders! We shall see...

Ren x

Ladybirds and night skies...

2011-10-28T08:05:00.002+01:00

There has been a feeling of Ladybirds and deepest night in my workshop this week so far! Its been all red and blacks... I sneaked in this beautiful Post Office red CLEMMIE and just finished her yesterday. What a stunner. I shall cry when we part... part we must, and soon if Im any judge of beauty. Someone will snaffle her quickly Im sure...

DAPHNE was completed to be sent out to her new best friend...

And... I designed a new shoe style, again using the blackest black, with even blacker black velvet ribbon detailing front and back. She has been named BOBBIN and if she looks as good as I think she will, I will add her to the bespoke collection.

ALSO... 1st November open day for the bespoke category will be the last for this year! I will not be opening bespoke on 1st December! The workshop will be busy filling those empty stock shelves!!! We will reopen this category on 1st January!

Back to work, busy a stitching...

Ren x

Book learning...

2011-10-27T00:39:00.001+01:00

Ive been itching to have a go at bookmaking for so long. So, when there was a chance to go on a workshop hosted by the ever so talented bookmaker Nina Fenner I snapped it up!

The girls and I woke late and had about 10 minutes to grab 'bits' on the day of the workshop... BUT as Nina is actually my neighbour from about half a mile away down the hill, that was OK!

Everything was laid out ready for us to begin... Nina runs workshops on a regular basis so she really has this off to a fine art! Everything was super organised and super relaxed. Im guessing thats the sign of a good teacher though...

Middlest (look at those spotty nails she painted...) got stuck in... couldnt resist that one! We glued all day long...

Littlest kept up perfectly...

I brought buttons and lace...

One of the final stages...

A pile of treasures...

Tidied up after making the BIG books ready to make some small concertina books...

I used some recycled fabric from Ninas lovely Husband Vince's trousers for mine. Its OK he wasnt wearing them!

I cant tell you how proud we all were. The gilrs are already writing and drawing in their own books so I couldnt find them for pictures!

I highly recommend visiting one of Ninas workshops if you can! She has lots of updates of where they are held with dates etc on her website at www.ninafenner.co.uk

and... if you want to buy books made by a master, then you must visit her new Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/NinasHandmadeBooks where she hopes to have a thriving outlet! Each book is a unique work of art.

Ren x

Of footpaths, Cattle, Berries and Scones...

2011-10-25T23:52:00.001+01:00

As with many good walks we encountered many signposts on Sunday past...

We walked part of the Mariners way, a very ancient footpath that crosses Dartmoor...

Sometimes it was single file only...

We passed the very old (over a thousand years if memory serves me right) farmhouse at Westcoombe, where incidentally, my cousin lived many years ago. I have happy memories of staying here. Its a traditional Dartmoor longhouse where a passage splits the house in two with a door front and back. Animals were kept in one side and humans in the other. The footpath passes straight through this house! But the front door was closed and it looks like people now go around the building. I regret to say at this point, and apologies to the owners for me being quite so blunt... but I was sad to see it in such a mess. The rubbish everywhere was appalling.

Look at this spectacular bit of stone masonary at the end of the shippen. This is part of the original building from all those centuries ago when Monks would offer food and drink and more importantly shelter for travellers crossing the moor on the Mariners way...

We carried on up the steep hill to Kings Barrows, past the East Vitifer mine of which my Great Grandfather was foreman in the early 1900s. Seems strange to see the ruins now and to think that once it would have been a hive of industry and destruction...

We all took pictures of ever changing skies...

We passed the man made Dew Pond, dug by hand and lined with clay... how many decades ago I wonder?

Littlest stood in this gap and said she was crossing to visit the forbidden land of 'Wall' (of Stardust fame).

Some of the granite in these walls were huge, like gravestones almost...

Braving the blustery winds!

There are many herds of Highland cattle on the Moor now...

She was a beauty... She came and...

She went... Their babies lie on the warm tarmac of the roads, like huge caramel coloured hearth rugs...

Like all good Sundays it ended with a perfect tea of fruit cake (made with Mead) and scones and cream, buns, sandwiches and fondant fancies, and most importantly, cup after cup of hot Clipper tea!

Ren x

New Bespoke listings...

2011-10-24T15:25:00.000+01:00

Well, what a job getting the shop all tidied up for the next 1st of the month mayhem! Ive popped a BIG red B on all the bespoke items and even added a few new ones! Including the lovely DODIE bag...

It was a variation of DAPHNE but needed its own name I thought!

Other changes afoot:

Ive tidied my blog and gone back to my old 3 column Minima theme.
Ive been cracking on with my orders and think I will reach my target of completing them all before the end of the month! Thats 4 weeks early in the case of most of the footwear orders! Patting myself on the back as soon as Ive finished typing...
I am thinking of stopping my mailing list or changing it to a Monthly Newsletter instead of constant emails when I list new stock. I just dont have time and I do Facebook, tweet and blog new stock anyway so there are 3 avenues in place where customers can see updates already.

Winter seems to have stuck its foot firmly in the door here! Its been raining for about 12 hours and is blowing a gale out there. Thank heavens for warm workshops!

Ren x

Last hatching...

2011-10-21T21:48:00.000+01:00

Ive been so busy lately Ive hardly had time to think straight! But by jove Ive made some beauties AND more importantly I AM getting organised!

I am working through a huge pile of orders, which means that this new way of taking orders is working well...

The new HOOT was finished at last...

I even added them as custom as a special edition...

Everyone on the Facebook page went mad over these boots! I must say I was rather chuffed with how they turned out...

I split this months orders into 2 batches to make it easier to manage...

The first batch is complete and the second batch is all but cut and so...

Im ready to sew next week, although I may sneak in a little bit of stitching this weekend...

Ive got a pile of stock bags, pouches and purses cut too ready for the needle...

I might be able to make a few inbetween the shoes next week hopefully...

Its rather nice how the shoes all wait patiently for their ribbons...

More pictures of the next batch very soon!

Last words: (most unlikely phrase...)

I had a spell of insomnia and reworked my website. Again... I will be pleased for about 5 minutes!
Im waiting for decent pictures of my blanket to share...
Im churning out crocheted berets every evening ready for this charity fair...
Ive started painting the airing cupboard a colour called 'dapple blue', its really pretty, and really unfinished...
Im working tomorrow because I spent today at a friends house attending a bookbinding workshop that she ran for me and my girls. I cant tell you what fun it was! Blog post to follow on this! We all made wonderful books to bring home...
The weather has changed dramatically and I am wearing everything woolly I can find in my workshop in order not to freeze.

Happy weekend to all.

Ren x

A little bit of handwash...

2011-10-16T23:01:00.001+01:00

Its a poor excuse for a post but its all I have the energy for Im afraid!

I finally washed the finished latest blanket. Please pardon my poor, very old kitchen sink... I promise its very clean, but it is also very worn (rather like me at present). Mind you it was in a field being used as a drinking trough for many years so we can pardon it, can't we?

Its perfect for handwashing in though! Lots of room.

The blanket is drying on the Rayburn as we speak, and will be revealed this week!

A new weeks dawns tomorrow and I have ooodles to do...

Ren x

Chocolate and berry coated teal...

2011-10-14T06:40:00.001+01:00

Really liking teal and chocolate, berry and pink at the moment!

Its giving me a last pop of colour before the Winter sets in good and proper...

And Im enjoying my new homemade hair cut sooo much! Most days Im looking like a cross between Milly Molly Mandy and Winnie the Witch... which I suppose I am really... I just didnt notice it before! Did Winnie knit??? Did you notice my own Wilber under my feet in the picture up there, determinded to get into the limelight?

The weekend is plummeting towards us... again! Weve had a busy week here in Fairysteps Land. Mr F and I have been busy working through orders and Ive been so glad of the help. Not sure if 6ft 4" elves exist but I seem to have found one, so they must!

Littlest and I went to a Home Ed group get together in a park in Exeter this week which was very nice! She had lots of fun meeting some new people, and a couple of girls who were her age, which was even more of a bonus. I think we will go again soon.

Last notes:

I MUST wash the newly finished blanket to show you all...

I must use more pears...

I have to make more chutney this weekend (tomatoes are errupting from the greenhouse like a lava flow...)

Next week I shall start plastering pictures of finished orders over the world wide web...

Have a wonderful weekend to all.

Ren x

The magic of beasts...

2011-10-13T08:05:00.001+01:00

I took some pictures of the larger beasts of the family on Tuesday... Middlest having a birthday cuddle with Thumper...

Hazel looking like her usual white pepper teddy bear self...

A nostril...

Pipkin, pointing out that the view from her field is rather spectacular, and had we noticed?

And finally a swishy flick of movement as she moved away from all the camera pointing nonsense...

And Littlest with her stick that she was whittling all the while...

Ren x

Dabbling with Chutney...

2011-10-12T21:04:00.000+01:00

My Tomato and Onion Chutney was a great success...

I found a book that said that making up chutney recipes was easy...

You just follow the basic formula / spell of using 6 Lb vegetables and add 1 Lb sugar and 1 pint of vinegar with 1 tbsp salt...

So along with fresh mint, chilli flakes, root ginger, garlic, crushed coriander seeds, mustard powder, white pepper and a few spoons of cornflour... I did...

Luckily it turned out a treat!

Ren x

Playing with fairies...

2011-10-08T13:01:00.000+01:00

Middlest has taken on the Fairy Crown making department of Fairysteps... We went out into the garden this morning and took some fresh photos for the shop.

She is breathtakingly beautiful... One of the prettiest most magical creations ever to emerge from me. Beautiful both inside and out...

I have set up a special discount code in the shop for the crowns. BUY 2 get one free... Just to kick start her income! Its all going on Farrier fees for her loan horse, Thumper.

Fairy crowns are listed here...

She likes a challenge... See, she can even catch the Sun in her hands...

Ren x

A week past in pictures...

2011-10-08T09:37:00.002+01:00

I bought new socks with rosebuds on...

Littlest and I had a tiny tea party at the start of the week...

And a whopper near the end...

Lots of goodies...

Hot cheese and onion tarts... homegrown tomatoes...

Followed up with mini battenburgs and jam tarts and fondant fancies and jelly and cream...

A shy Granpa attended...

And middlest cut off my hair...

What a week!

Ren x

Bathed in bronze...

2011-10-07T18:50:00.000+01:00

Ive had a busy week using up the last of this Bronze leather. I made this pretty DULCIE with a smidge of pink organza added. What a superb evening bag for the coming Winter...

And shimmery fairies may well be drawn to this LULA... LOOK at the length of that rag tag flap! Its a rare one!

Poor Polly very nearly buckled under the weight of it all. But as ever she carried out her duties as chief Fairysteps model, quietly and efficiently...

And last but in no means least... CLEMMIE.

All will be in the shop tonight!

Have a good weekend all!

Ren x

Seaside...

2011-10-05T09:14:00.000+01:00

We went to the seaside on Sunday... to Bigbury on Sea.

We built the most enormous sandcastle which we named Castle Hearts Burgh...

We rock pooled and played catch, eat egg sandwiches and ice cream...

Watched the sun go down into the sea...

and wended our way home...

Ren x

Wardrobe snapshot and Im back...

2011-09-29T17:41:00.000+01:00

Well... what a job this whole telephone fault business has been... Im fair worn out with all the hassle its involved over the past 19 days. BUT I am happy to say that I no longer have to rudely barge in on my friends welcoming kitchen (although the tea and company are exceptional) and am now online at home. Yes... at home!!!!

Thank goodness we have bright red dresses to cheer ourselves up with when things get blue...

Ren x

Custom listings for shoes... the show case...

2011-09-28T09:12:00.001+01:00

Well there we go... Ive changed my mind again... What a fickle creature I am...

Having been manically cutting shoes left right and centre, I decided that actually I would probably be working less if I just opened up the custom items for a set amount of spaces. And... in my new Big Cartel shop I can actually do this. Before I couldnt do this, so I tended to get flooded with orders. Then after the flooding would be the flustering, then the flolloping... Goodness!!! What a vision!

Well lets try again shall we. Ive chosen styles that are my best sellers and also my favourites to make. The beaming from ear to ear when Ive finished them type of thing.

I shall be opening the custom items on:

1st October 2011 at teatime, 5 oclock G.M.T

The collection is shown above but you can also see the custom items on the website here.

Phone line is still broken and I have no internet connection (Im at my best friends, gatecrashing her connection). Its awful, not visiting my friend but the lack of connection!

Ren x

To share a pear...

2011-09-23T18:39:00.001+01:00

I think the picture sayes it all... our pear trees are dripping speckled green sweetness...

Green'ness, Owl'ness and Elfless...

2011-09-21T12:39:00.000+01:00

At last Ive started finishing a few new items to share. This first batch is all made using this wonderful Vintage green leather. Straight off those wonderful enamel bread bins from the 30s and 40s. Bestest friend bought me one a few Christmas's back, I love it so much x

Stock is running so low in the shop that my workshop shelves are emptying at an alarming rate! I shall be hoping to address this problem over the next few weeks! Starting now!

A few SNAP wallets in the same...

A JINKS vying for pride of place against this creeper leaf with all its flaming red, crispy edged glory. No competition there!

And my Elfless workshop showing signs of industry and chaos!

A little peek at the new HOOT shoes! I mean I ask you... how can you not love owls???

A snapshot of my thoughts... tumbling around in my partially empty head. It occurred to me that my work is somewhat like the branching stems of this leaf. After a long season some of the leaves fall away... I may be ready to let somethings go, like hair accessories and cuffs, belts and collars.

Well, back to the grindstone. My phone line has broken again giving me intermittent internet access so adding new stock over the next few days will be rather sporadic Im afraid!

Ive also got a new woolly project to share, but thats for later!

Ren x

A giant puffball OR did the Moon fall down?

2011-09-18T14:50:00.000+01:00

Last week my Father found a giant puffball which he proudly brought to my front door... We had never seen such a whopper! It caused quite a stir...

My porch Gnome was very interested and looked at it for hours...

It sparked a whole days learning for Littlest who based all of her days lessons on Puffball research, drawing, measuring and dissecting!! We thought it was BIG for us, but she discovered that the largest one ever found was 4 feet across and weighed in at over 50 Lbs... once we discovered this fact, our own puffballs seemingly record breaking size was somewhat diminished... poor thing!

I wondered if the Moon had fallen...

Ren x

An outing to the Bookmaker...

2011-09-14T06:51:00.002+01:00

Out across the Moor we went yesterday to visit a bookmaking friend who was taking part in the prestigious Devon open Studios 2011 event. We went through this gate and into the most beautiful studio belonging to an Artist called Stephie Reiss. She wasnt there for me to ask permission to photograph her Studio so I am afraid there are no pictures of the interior to share here, BUT there are pictures on Nina Fenner's blog here...

Littlest chose this little beauty. Made by the very talented Nina Fenner. A bookmaker who makes the most exquisite books! Hopefully she will soon be opening up a shop on Etsy so everyone will have access to her creations.

We also met a really lovely lady called Abigail North. I am afraid I didnt photograph her work because of the reason above... but she does have a website so you can have a look! Such muted colours... heaven!

I chose this A5 book as my new customer suggestions book!

Littlest took this image of her book... wonderful detail. Every page is a different colour.

And because there isnt a moment to lose... Ive started filling it up with suggestions already. Good grief, its almost being organised...

Mind you, I did say almost...

Ren x

Leather mountains, Honey, Babbity Bee and Fairies...

2011-09-13T11:45:00.001+01:00

Littlest found her tiny furry body and being Littlest... tenderly removed her to the 'collection'. This comprises of small corpses collected over many years. I must show you some day... Maybe nearer Halloween!

Mr F robbed... yes, robbed the Bees of one frame of honey. We feasted on Fresh homemade bread and very fresh honey on Sunday tea time...

I have spent part of this morning collecting all the leathers I will need for the next batch of shoes... Lots of yummy colours in here! Plums, Jade, Pink Dragon, Wild Oak, Chestnut, Snuffed Oak, Marmite and Garnet...

My workshop looks rather bright and inviting today so Im sharing a picture... So glad I moved into this part of the house!

Littlest brought me this leaf 2 days ago and I haven't stopped marveling at its beauty yet. Pure Autumn...

I hardly did any alterations to this picture. These are its true colours. Breathtaking... and look the top of the leaf is a perfect fairy crown isnt it...

Ive put it up in the window amongst my fairy row. Middlest made me this one from paper and sheeps wool and the one below has a foxglove petal skirt... very fashionable among Fairies... although, very last season now of course...

They watch me from the window and make sure Im working...

Ren x

Shall we have more?

2011-09-09T11:32:00.001+01:00

WIZARDS in the shop in Pansy and Lilac...

A few new a few old which I have re ribboned and photographed...

Love this colourway! I can see these on a customer who likes flowing black velvet, tattered lace and crumpled chiffon...

These Dotty shoes had a new photograph!

As did these Queenie with new ribbons. I think maybe the previous orange ribbons put people off because i had expected these to sell quickly! They look completely different now!

And new PUCKs in that pretty Jade leather with Caramel insoles and ribbons...

And a little 100% Vegan offering! QUEENIE in misty ink. Such a beautiful colour and luckily I had ribbons that matched perfectly!

And last but not least... I have popped the Fairy and Elf crowns back in the shop! I had so many requests for these.

Im happy to say that apart from the ironing (wonder why that got missed...) I did indeed do everything on my list from yesterday! Im now off down the hill to drink tea in my best friends cosy, welcoming kitchen where we frequently and consistently bemoan the time consuming properties of the internet and then immediately contradict ourselves by reminding each other how lucky we are to have it! I feel we probably aren't alone in this activity, and that it must happen in kitchens all across the globe!!!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Ren x

Fairy shoes and fairy cakes...

2011-09-08T14:17:00.002+01:00

Another busy day with new shoes for everyone!

Hopelessly in love with these CLARA... Thought of chocolate and rose fondant fancies whilst making them. Deepest chocolate brown and dusky pink, what a combination.

PUCK in violet with damask insoles, but alas I can never photograph this colour. I have no idea why but its always difficult to catch the intense purpleyness of it!

And finally the new COBWEB boot. A little something different for those quiet fairies among you....

Just look at that curvy back... it reminds me of a Victorian boot. I shall make more! Methinks black and some plain dark brown ones would go down well...

And so onto the Fairy cakes part...

Littlest and I filled the kitchen table with them yesterday afternoon. I had planned pink buttercream, being in a pinkish mood due to the skirt I was wearing, but alas I was out of red food colouring. We had pale green instead... It was quite a nice contrast with the raspberry sprinkles...

Mr F came home to hot tea and buns and altogether it was rather wonderful!

Last notes:

I must finish this last batch of shoes today ready to list tomorrow hopefully....
I must take all of the food out of the caravan cupboards so we can move it out of the yard...
I must put on a load of washing...
I must pick a bucket of plums...
I must iron some of my mountain of skirts and dresses as I am running out!
I must play rummy with littlest before teatime (we had a rummy tournament of 10 games yesterday... phew!).
I must stop writing lists...

Ren x

Colour my mood...

2011-09-07T12:49:00.002+01:00

Just had an interesting conversation with bestest friend about how colour affects mood. Ive always felt that what we wear, most notably what colour we wear each day can have a huge impact on our feelings. So with that in mind heres a little snapshot of me today...

Couldn't resist a few things from the Boden sale...

And from this strange perspective I look like a dolly with a giant head. Plus its spotting with rain and it makes me look like I have a bad case of dandruff... Which I dont, but I thought I ought to mention it...!

BUT with these cheerful colours on my person today, I am smiling and because of this I feel the need to do something smiley like making fairy cakes...

Ren x

Latest hatchlings...

2011-09-06T14:47:00.001+01:00

Well what a busy bee Ive been lately! Lots of new shoes to add over the coming week.

PUCK in UK 8 in toffee ecotan... here

MOTH in Conker brown in a UK 6 here...

Very woodzie ramblers these...

CLARA (dont you love tartan) in UK 7 here...

DORIS in Conker brown in UK 7 here...

QUINCE in UK 5 here...

Had fun with these!

I think there are about 7 more pairs to come, Im losing track of how many Ive made! I start cutting the next batch of bags this week and more pouches and purses too. In fact a few belts wouldnt go amiss... Ive already cut a rather nice CLEMMIE in antique bronze leather...

Its raining and cold and I am going to light my Rayburn...

Ren x

Mrs Diadem, poached eggs, blankets and pouches...

2011-09-05T15:43:00.001+01:00

Here are the new pouches. Two JINKS in Marmite Eco Tan in the shop here...

And whilst packing the tent away for the winter we found the prettiest Diadem spider. Look she has a lace doily on her back... She was as fat as a pea!

Here is the blurred 'get away' picture...

And look at those spinarets...

Beauty...

Perfect camouflage...

And I did indeed make bread and apple pie for tea. We had fresh eggs from the hens, poached in Mums egg poacher which she bought when she was first married way back in the 1960's. It has a red metallic lid and I love it! I borrowed it from Dad so the children could taste a little bit of nostalgia with me...

Nothing beats a good poached egg on buttered toast...

We helped Mr F with logs, again getting the shed filled up ready for the coming Winter. Im remembering all of that snow and piercing cold... We ended the evening by lighting the fire for the first time this season and watching Jane Eyre together, eating apple pie and toasting Marshmallows on the embers.

I carried on with my new blanket and am happy to say that it is growing nicely!

Awful picture but you get the idea! Its mainly Shetland wool so its oiled from a cone and will only fluff up once its been washed (fulled).

And the completed Dolly Mixture blanket....

With a little detail to finish!

Right Im off now to play Rummy with littlest, then finish the last episode of Jane Eyre (with crochet hook...) then cook tea...

Photographing new shoes tomorrow to list at midday.... cant wait to show everyone what Ive made!

Ren x

Did I mention plums?

2011-09-03T19:56:00.000+01:00

First there were Gages... buckets of them! Then the Opal plums, sweet as nectar, then Victorias and finally Damsons. The trees have been dripping...

And because its been so long since we have had any animal pictures...

Two of my three cats striking a pose...

And from a few weeks ago... The girls put the ponies onto a fresh area here at home to graze (we have pockets of grass between the woods). What they didnt realise though was that Pipkin would rather like rolling in the fire pit. She went a wonderful soot black all over except her face! What a mess!!!

Bearing in mind that the above picture shows her usual colouring you can see what a job Middlest had cleaning her up!

And finally, the latest addition on the equine front to Fairysteps Land. Meet Thumper! On loan from Middlest's Great Uncle. Thumper is a gentleman and much taller than Pipkin, so Middlest is chuffed as punch to have the challenge of a bigger horse. We appear to have 4 horses in residence now....

Last notes:

Had hoped to get shoes in the shop this weekend but failed! I have been working flat out though. It just takes so long, and I do love to a job well. It is a huge batch of 15 pairs though so I guess I shouldnt be too hard on myself really. I think it will be Tuesday though before I start listing them now.

Tomorrow I am making bread and apple pie. Going for a walk, and crocheting my latest blanket. Sunday here I come...

Have a good weekend all!

Ren x

MINNIE in poppy and lipstick...

2011-08-31T14:29:00.000+01:00

I give you MINNIE in poppy red and lipstick pink... I know that red and pink are supposed to clash... BUT... I LOVE the two together!! Always have!

I sneaked these in between the red shoes I am making at the moment. Purple wizard boots next so I may go and find a blackberry cardigan to pop on. Its so important to be colour co-ordinated to ones work, don't you know!

Minnie is in the shop here!

Ren x

Newest shoes are cut...

2011-08-24T17:08:00.000+01:00

Just to prove I am still making shoes, despite stopping custom orders, I thought a little glimpse of shoe mountain would be a good idea. There are 12 pairs here so far, all cut and ready to sew the uppers. They include: Puck, Moth, Clara, Queenie, Cobweb (new), Quince and Doris. In sizes 5, 6, 7 & 8.

All have been taken from my 'customer suggestions' book which I keep next to my laptop. I shall cut a few more and then I think that will be enough to be going on with.

Last notes:

The Dolly Mixture blanket is finished.

Ive started the next blanket. I decided on a giant granny square this time. Made purely in Shetland wool in all sorts of colours from my work bag. I havent made a giant granny square blanket since I was a girl of 18...

Mr F threatened to 'put me down' this morning if I didnt stop coughing... I think he may be calling the vet for me later...

Ren x

OOOdles of new stock in the shop...

2011-08-23T15:34:00.001+01:00

MINNIE is so comfortable to caress, to cuddle, to gently squish... its what makes leather such a wonderful material. Its tactile tendencies.

The new MINNIE purse. A shadow of the larger MERRY... I got carried away and made oodles of them. In the shop here...

Did you spot my lovely new stamp...

CLEMMIE in Toffee Crunch grained leather. Its been so cold today I had to photograph her with a smidge of tweed... This one has extra long handles too for shoulder tucking undering... in the shop here...

RUSBY in buttery Eco Tanned leather in TOFFEE is here...

And last but not least... KISS in Jade and Berry grained leathers. Arent they fun! Why take a boring clutch to a party when you can take one of these! Both are in the shop here...

Thats possibly all of the stock for this week chaps. I shall continue stitching and snipping ready for adding more goodies next week. Mainly in that rich berry leather shown in the last image. We are taking the brood plus their friends to a festival this weekend so from Thursday I will be packing the carrievan, loading food and cooking HUGE cheese and onion pies and tins full of buns and biscuits to take. The weather forecast is grim in the extreme... thunder, lightening, heavy rain, flooding, dropping temperatures, etc... BUT I am consoling myself that if we have hot water bottles, teapots and lots of good food we will survive the weekend...

Have a good week to all!

Ren x

Etsy front page feature...

2011-08-23T09:41:00.001+01:00

Thank you so much to Etsy user: movezerb who curated this treasury.

Ren x

SNAP and seeds...

2011-08-22T18:34:00.000+01:00

Finally something new for the shop... SNAP in toffee crunch is here...

And while Mr F was demolishing the old chicken shed I was marveling at the beauty and intricacy of conifer seeds.

Not to mention the stunning colour of them. I shall have to start sewing the jade leather tommorow so I get in sync with them!

Getting slowly better, thanks everyone for get well wishes.

Ren x

ELDER in conker...

2011-08-17T11:31:00.003+01:00

Just added to shop!

Can you blame anyone wanting this bundle of rich, earthy, buttery goodness!

Last notes:

Still battling with b****y cough. Its been a whole week now of a few hours sleep a night and coughing myself inside out. Ive lost half a stone this week! BUT never fear I will get better. Im on strict silence today.
Its raining heavily...
Im cutting new shoes today.
Current leathers on table are all very Autumnal shades. Berry, Toffee, Toffee Ripple (heaven), Jade... these are going to mix up rather nicely too.
Drafting a new purse pattern called MINNIE which will be a teeny version of MERRY.
Redrafting the SNAP wallet because its time for a revamp...
Drinking gallons of restorative tea to keep my fluids and spirits up!

Ren x

Clemmie in lipstick...

2011-08-11T15:32:00.002+01:00

Its all pink here at Fairysteps! My tribute to the Summer roses...

Meet CLEMMIE, she has just been added to the shop here...

Other news!

Working VERY slowly due to being up for 2 night coughing for England. Im playing with wool for therapy. Its got to help hasnt it! Next bag in the pipeline is a new style called SPILLER. Any Mary Norton fans will know that name! I think it suits him perfectly too, but you will have to decide when you see it...

Just ordered a new rubber stamp from the English Stamp company for Fairysteps. They are made in England and mounted on wooden handles so they feel lovely to use.

Thanks to Nina over at The owl and the pussycat for introducing me to www.weebly.com where I was able to make a free personal website for Ren Cuming. Highly recommended!

Ren x

Cough rehabilitation corner...

2011-08-10T18:26:00.001+01:00

I didnt get a wink of sleep last night so I had a day off work for some wallowing 'Cripes I feel grotty' time... This is where it took place...

I had all the essentials that a poorly wool obsessed woman would need...

I am so close to finishing the Dolly Mixture blanket and itching to start the next project. Although I do think that finishing some already started ones may be a better idea.

Projects currently on the go are as follows in order of importance (this is the bit where I frighten / depress myself at how much Ive started at once)...

Long cabled cardigan in pure wool swaledale for Littlest - Back completed, but does it still fit?

Brown Sparrow cardigan in Ethical twist, Camel and Lincoln green for me - Back completed.

LOVE blanket in double knit random - 1/6 th completed.

2 new scarves for the shop - completed but without buttons.

Jacobs wool chunky jacket for winter for me - Back completed.

There seems to be a trend here of finishing the back and then... well, then just finishing... maybe I could stitch all the backs together...

Tippet in arctic white called Snow Queen for the shop - half made.

O dear me! Better stop blogging and get knitting I think!

How many projects have you started???? Go on, make me feel better!

Ren x

Found something and lost something...

2011-08-09T21:06:00.000+01:00

Good news is that I found some treasures in the workshop today! I made this little beauty about 4 years ago based on a vintage lace brassiere that I have, circa 1920!

Its shocking because I completely forgot I even made it for the shop... I must list it tomorrow!

And what have I lost...

I appear to have contracted a throat infection from my offspring. Drat. And thats putting it mildly because they have been coughing... and coughing for weeks with this thing. Do I want to be coughing through sleepless nights for weeks? Nope, didnt think so! I fear my voice may go quite soon so I am being very frugal with my words and nodding a lot!

BUT I can still type, so you arent safe! Hope you are all well and enjoying these last bursts of Summer sunshine.

Ren x

Dotty blanket update...

2011-08-09T18:24:00.001+01:00

Remember when I started my DOT blanket all that time ago?

Well, I never did post a finished picture did I. I reckon its about time I did so.

She was based on my Summer Garden hexagon pattern, I did a very detailed tutorial for this. BUT I added one extra row on the hexagons this time to make them larger.

And the new DOLLY blanket (had to, because it reminded me of a bag of Dolly Mixtures...) sits very nicely alongside.

Its one oclock in the morning and Im keeping other half awake coughing so... Im off to carry on crocheting into the small hours!

Ren x

Cushion to blanket...

2011-08-08T18:21:00.001+01:00

Well...

Im afraid to say that I unpicked the cushions and decided on reflection that a blanket would be more useful. Also I do feel that the puff stitch will not wear well and will be inclined to catch and pull. Cushions are very 'throw about' and 'squish and squash' sort of objects so they will get a battering.

But all is not lost!

I joined them with the lovely bright pink with a crocheted join up down the centre of the two panels and 5 rows in all of trebles. I am now mimicking this 5 rows of pink around the outer edge. Next will be a complete round of apple green cluster stitch, then onto ivory trebles to reach the size I want the finished blanket to be. Final row has to be picot edge stitch OR scallops.

Should'nt be long now!

Ren x

New in the shop...

2011-08-05T17:01:00.000+01:00

More goodies in the shop...

BIBSY is here... www.fairysteps.co.uk/product/bibsy-1783

In all her green buttoned glory...

HOMILY will be going out to her new owner, my last custom order...

HOLLY in wild oak, UK 6... here

Perfect...

HOLLY in conker... UK 6... here

HOLLY in pink dragon... UK 6... here

That was fun wasnt it!!! More stock coming soon...

Ren x

A Cornish break...

2011-08-02T21:35:00.000+01:00

Then this would be the one...

I could quite happily set up shop here... alas, its not mine, but belongs to 'Wild Wood' in Bude, Cornwall. A coincidence because my fairy collection is also named WildWood. Great minds think alike...

Had to take the offspring to visit the Old Post Office at Tintagel. Its over 600 years old and is wonderful. I desperately wanted to light the fire in the main hall and brew up tea... There were masses of rag rugs which made me determined to get on with my own ruggy adventure...

The garden was very pretty in the rain...

In fact it rained for nearly all of our time away.

And for me...

The very best part of going away is the coming back.

Each time I leave my home it reminds me of how special it is, how vital it is and most importantly, how loved it is...

Glad to be back! It was just a few days but 'a change is as good as rest' as they say.

Back to work...

Ren x

Ready for the off..

2011-07-30T09:13:00.001+01:00

Well what a job its been...

But now my camping teapot and teabags have been loaded aboard I feel ready for the off... Mr F has since screwed a wooden strip across these shelves to keep the cups in place!

Here is a carrievan casualty... exhausted...

Beds are made, cushions didnt get finished but they are nearly there! We bought a drive away awning for the older children to sleep in. Its brilliant! Mr F has worked his socks off on this and I think needs a holiday to get over it!

I picked blueberries till it was so dark I couldnt see the blue of the berry and had to stop. I did manage to get a bucketful though. Must pop them in the freezer in a moment. Then its pack up food and last minute items, stare at maps for a little while (we dont even know where we are going...), and generally get ready for the off.

O... and decide what knitting bag Im taking... I think I may take cotton to crochet some bunting for the interior while Im away.

Back on Tuesday! Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine and fair skies.

Ren x

Caravan... getting there...

2011-07-27T18:36:00.000+01:00

Are we there yet???

No, but it wont be long...

Me and Middlest have been painting today...

Mr F has been working on this for about 6 days and has declared that it was never worth it... I have declared, hopefully it will be worth it... the panelling on the front window hole looks super.

All the remaining wood effect is now Summer yellow. WHY DO CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS GO TO SO MUCH TROUBLE MAKING INTERIORS SO UGLY?????? Masses of fake wood, plastic, glue and beige...

My little blue kitchen. The cooker works! Mr F tried it, so thats brilliant! We wont starve at least.

The electrics have all been ripped out but we left the plugs in, more holes to patch else and I think we all need a break from it. We have bought a drive away awning that sleeps 4 to extend the room and offer day space for very sunny or very wet days. Hopefully we plan to head to the coast with Kayaks, buckets and spades this weekend for a few days away.

I must order some red bobble trim for the curtains...

Ren x

Fairysteps on Etsy front page!!!

2011-07-26T09:39:00.001+01:00

Ive been picked as 'alternate picks' for the front page twice in the last 2 weeks... but today my pretty VERITY shoes made it to the front page... Woo Hoo!

Ren x

More Summer green...

2011-07-25T21:55:00.001+01:00

Just grabbed the last of the evening sun as it went down behind the meadow...

Only one more summer green bag to make, which is a BIBSY and all the green is gone...

Pink dragon MER and PAN purses... half a dozen pretties for you...

all in the shop here!

Last notes:

Im not doing very well at present, infact Im not firing on all cyclinders at all. I had yet another Migraine yesterday and spent another day in bed being sick and sore. This followed on from the last one on Friday... grrrrrrrrrr... go AWAY you horrible things.
It was so stuffy today but it was dry and Mr F has very nearly finished painting the outside of the Carrievan.
Ive nearly finished a really nice scarf for the knitwear section in the shop, I just need to make some nice leather buttons for it.
I am itching to watch the new Harry Potter... but am waiting for whole brood to all be in at the same time to actually go!
The flies have gone bonkers and apart from ground attack from the wood ants we now have air attack en force too...
Mr F put a bigger sprocket onto my Pashley Princess (clover) and she is so easy to pedal now I almost just have to sit there and let her do the work... tea party picnics will now be even less effort than before.
I can hardly see across my worktable, MUST clean up tomorrow.
Have started new regime for work where I DO NOT switch this life sucky box on till late morning / after lunch. So if I start work at 8 in the morning, which I usually do, I can have a good stint at the sewing machine for a couple of hours...
Thats the plan anyway...
Bearing in mind that I often make plans and often dont carry them out we shall have to see if it works or not...

Thats all for now! Hope to have some new shoes to show you next time!

Ren x

Im going to pretend its Summer...

2011-07-23T16:22:00.002+01:00

Always good to play...

Latest additions to the shop...

All are in the shop here...

Happy weekend to all...

Ren x