It has been a while and a difficult time for a lot of people, but hopefully we are now through the worst.

Crafting has been a godsend and I have been busy with my Design Team work and have just had the great pleasure of working on a number of large projects using quilt templates designed by Lynne Goldsworthy for Crafters Companion, they will be released later this year.

I have also gone international.  Well I sold a Baby Quilt to a lady in California which was a huge surprise.

I have started helping out at our local Hospice Shop helping run our Ebay site which keeps me out of mischief.

Having spent a month working on the large project I have now decided it is time to get my act together, add more makes onto my website and Folksy, and seriously start to make my little business work for me.

Here is a picture of the quilt sold to the lady in America.

Thats all for now folks but more to come.

Stephen

2019 exciting times.

Well 2019 has proved to be a very exciting challenge for me.

Firstly the move has gone well and we are now situated in South Yorkshire although we are still surrounded by boxes.  Can I find my Crafty gear, not a lot.  I have managed to reprieve some of my stash but it may take a while to get all of it unboxed.

The new studio is not going to be started now until April time, waiting for the weather to improve before hacking the garage to death, however, when finished it will be fabulous of course.

The most exciting news is that I have been accepted on to the Soft Craft Design Team for Crafters Companion.  This means you may see some of my makes on TV or in magazines using their great quality products.  I can't wait to get started with them.  On top of this I have Craft Fairs booked for June and November so really need to get my act together to start making stuff to sell.  I suppose having a deadline is helpful in a way as it means I know I have to get on with making rather than sitting here looking at piles of boxes.

So no more sitting around, bring on the next box.

Stephen

Well it is the end of 2018 and so as we start the New Year I thought I would let everyone know that I have decided to close my Etsy shop as it is not producing the return that I would have liked.

I have now signed up with Folksy which is a better fit for me I believe.

We are gearing up for our move to South Yorkshire in mid January and looking forward to having a proper studio completed by March which means I will be able to produce more stock.

I have also agreed to attend the Craft and Gift Fairs at Elsecar Heritage Centre, near Barnsley in June and November so watch out for details as these will be added to the blog as we get nearer to the dates.

Happy New Year

Amish Folded Star Pot Stand

Hello crafty friends,

I haven't posted for a while but thought I would share this make with you.

I have been honoured to become a Hochanda Ambassador and so for my first blog post I created a stunning Amish Folded Star Pot Holder.  I have added a link to the Hochanda Blog that contains the instructions for making this.  It looks complicated but in fact is really easy to make and will look stunning no matter what colours you put together.

Amish Folded Star Project

I hope you will give it a go.

Stephen

It is that time of year

Yes it is that time of year when we have to get out the Christmas dies and start the makes for the big C.  It will be with is before we know it, so I thought I would share the first couple of cards I have made.

Both were created using the Tim Holts Tattered Poinsettia die and the coordinating embossing folder.  I have had them for quite a number of years so decided it would be good to get them out again as they hadn't seen the light of day for a while.  I also used the Creative Expressions paper cut die and Sue Wilson dies along with Tonic Craft Perfect card stock.

I will do a how to in a future blog in case anyone would like to give these a go. 

In the meantime I hope to have a bit of exciting news in the near future, under wraps at the moment, so watch this space.

Hugs

Stephen

Some of my makes

Well today I thought I would share with you some of my makes that have been completed and can be seen on my Etsy Shop @ www.etsy.com/shop/thelavenderattic

Hunters Star Cushion

Baby Quilt / Play Mat

Floral Star Lap Quilt

All are beautifully made and available to buy through Etsy.

I am in the throws of making Christmas furnishings (yes I know but it will be with us sooner than we think) so will blog those as they are completed.

Hello

This is the first time I have done a blog for the Lavender Attic so I should really explain who I am and what The Lavender Attic is.

My name is Stephen Cresswell, I have been a crafter for most of my life, and now having taken early retirement decided to put that experience into creating home decor, bespoke greetings cards and all things crafty for sale.

The name The Lavender Attic came around due to the fact that until I move home at the end of this year and have my own studio, all things are created up in the attic of my house and at the time of thinking about the company I was in the throws of making Lavender Hearts to sell at a charity fair for Cats Protection.

Yes I have two cats, Thomas and Peppa.  Thomas is now an old boy of 11 years and Peppa is a new recruit as a chum for Tommy who seems to think that she can help with all the sewing, typing and packing etc.

At present I am based in Kent but will be shortly moving back up to Yorkshire after a lot of years where I am hoping to return to my roots.

Once I have everything sorted more posts will appear including details of everything I have made and am in the process of making along with hopefully some interesting bits and pieces of inspiration and help for anyone out there who would like to take advantage of it.

Now for a cuppa.

Stephen