Exeter update
30/09/2014
Good morning everyone, how are you all today?
I am a little refreshed after the Exeter show, I do find them tiring – just getting old!
Did you see what my mean staff did to me on Wednesday?
They posted this on Facebook
They said I looked like Bubbles the penguin! Tut!
We had a visitor at Exeter, a trainee member of staff.
Mollie was so delighted she had a money belt “Ali it has money in it!”
She came to help us on Friday afternoon, but it was rather quiet, “Ali I want more customers”
Ummm Mollie we all want more customers, the sun was shining so I think everyone had gone home early.
So Mollie decided to go off swimming, I think several exhibitors would have been happy to join her.
She returned on Saturday afternoon and was delighted to see a full stand.
She soon got into the swing of counting 6 ribbons and only asking for £5.
She even had to fold over the top of the bags and tell the customers to enjoy their ribbons.
She truly charmed the customers.
The only small problem………………….
…….she was not keen on giving change.
”Why Ali?”
But we got there in the end.
Overall Exeter is a very pleasing show, great to see so many returning customers.
Although I did get asked if we were new…….this was our 18th year!
Have a great day.
Hello wednesday–Advent calendar
24/09/2014
Good morning, and what a wet morning here in Dorset.
We are all ready to load the exhibition stand onto the lorry (yes Rachie did complete the stand).
But there is no way we are getting the stand wet, we will just have to have another coffee!
As you know I have been making some more of the advent bunting, but decided to turn one of them into calendar.
What do you think?
If you want to see my calendar, it will be on display at Exeter, well if we have not been washed away!
Think I may have to go home and get my wellies, it is really raining hard.
Have a great week, will catch up with you soon.
Proper job
22/09/2014
Monday morning, a day Tony and I never thought would arrive.
It is the start of our Autumn show season, our last show was back in April.
Although we have worked in the warehouse, we sort of have flexible (very) hours!
So back to our proper job which means setting the alarm clock – I even had to remove the dust!
Wednesday morning we are off to Exeter – phew not that far for us.
Rachie has had 5 months to prepare the exhibition stand, is it ready to load onto the lorry?
Good question, one that she has avoided answering for the past week.
Anyone coming to see us in Exeter?
Show opens Thursday morning and closes Sunday.
25 -28 Stitch Sew and Hobbycrafts - Westpoint Exeter - Stand A18
We then move on to London. Alexandra Palace for a five day show.
October 8- 12 Knitting and Stitch Show - Alexandra Palace - London - Stand E34
Doors open on Wednesday and closes on Sunday.
Would anyone like to come and see us there?
We have 6 tickets to give away.
The first 6 emails to arrive in Tony’s inbox will get them. So go and email Tony NOW!
info@craftyibbons.com
Please only email him if you are free to come to the show - OCTOBER 8- 12 Knitting and Stitch Show
This is our show schedule
SEPTEMBER
25 -28 Stitch Sew and Hobbycrafts - Westpoint Exeter - Stand A18
OCTOBER
8- 12 Knitting and Stitch Show - Alexandra Palace - London - Stand E34
NOVEMBER
6 - 9 Hobbycrafts - NEC Birmingham
19 -23 Creation Savoir Faire - Porte De Versailles - Paris
28 - 30 Hobbycrafts - Simply Christmas - Excel – London
Hope to see some of you soon
Bunting workshop and Friday FREEBIE
19/09/2014
Good morning everyone.
Ok, OK, I know I said I would not make another one, but……..
…..technically I am not making one but…….
……..two!
That’s fifty ribbon pockets all at different stages, so it feels a bit like a production line.
But when finished I will have two more of these…..ooooh so that’s 75 prezzies just for me?!
Oooops, did I forget to tell you, I am not making them for anyone (sorry Janet, Mollie and Chester)…..just me.
As today is Friday, would anyone like a Friday FREEEBIE?
If so, then leave me a comment and you could win this.
A WANT IT ALL Christmas Past Vintage Collection of ribbons.
The winner of the last Friday FREEBIE is……
Leslie Dallison
Love the black and white set, so glad you persevered with those! The Penguins and Santa`s Helpers are super cute too! :-)
Congratulations Leslie, please email Bev bev.craftyribbons@gmail.com with your address and choice of ribbons.
Thank you to everyone that left me a message, it is always great to read them.
Got to go, time to start ironing those pockets flat.
Have a great weekend.
Hello wednesday–Mrs fix it
17/09/2014
Hello everyone – I am back!
I sort of left without saying anything, sorry.
I had dental treatment (two weeks ago today) and it was horrid and I felt very sorry for myself.
We decided to go to France for the weekend, to allow me to recover away from the office.
But…………….the weather was soooooo good – we decided to stay longer.
So here I am, rather behind on all my work – hay ho we had fun.
Mrs Fix it (aka me) was asked to repair Mollie’s ukulele case.
Somehow the stitching on the handles had come undone during the summer.
A perfect opportunity to add some ribbon during the repair.
I sewed the paw print ribbon to the web handle and shoulder strap. Then sewed them back to the fabric case.
It looks like Mollie was pleased with the result.
Have a great day.
Hello wednesday–Advent Bunting
03/09/2014
I think you are wonderful – thank you for such kind comments and emails about my new ribbons.
I do go through horrid moments when I believe that no one will buy my ribbon designs.
The first to order the NEW Vintage Christmas Past range was a lady in New Zealand and the second came from France.
I do have an awful habit of stalking the website after I have launched new ribbons – maybe I need to seek help.
But then Tony is always informing me I am beyond help!
So a massive thank you to everyone that has ordered our new ribbons.
Our DT girls and I have been playing with the ribbons for a few weeks, so do keep your eyes on all our other blogs and Facebook page,
to see what we are creating.
This is wednesday and it is Hello wednesday, so let me show you this.
before I show it to you, the answer is no.
No you can not have my sample, no I will not make one for Bev, Rachie, Sydney or Mollie.
BUT Sam has not asked for one………….………I jut may!
Advent Bunting using the wide Christmas tag ribbon as the pockets to hold the prezzies.
I do not normally say this about my creations – but this is wicked.
AND
I am going to keep this for myself!!
I used our wonderful French linen fabric to make the pockets, it teams up with the vintage script on the ribbons.
Bias binding - I made mine in one long length, but you could divide it into 2 or 3 sections.
(I am thinking of attaching it to our wooden staircase)
Advent number ribbon – you can not make it without this ribbon! I machined mine in place but you could hand stitch it or stick it.
Vintage Christmas Past Tag ribbon – I used all three designs, Santa, Nisse and Christmas and just mixed them up.
I have put everything together here if you want to make your own. It is not a kit, just the ribbons and the bias binding.
If you think it should be a kit, please do let me know.
While writing this post, I have decided to make another one………………
……but who for. Tee hee.
Have a great day
Vintage Christmas Past
01/09/2014
Hello everyone, an afternoon post from me.
Rather unusual - I am more of a morning blogger!
I launched the last of our new collection of Exclusive Christmas ribbons this morning.
(I have more on the drawing board but they have not made it to the factory yet)
I have been doing my normal teasing on Facebook over the weekend here
Did you see this…….
Two adorable cats playing with mistletoe.
The French reads – Together for Christmas xx
It is just one of the Christmas ribbons that make up this collection.
Vintage Christmas Past
Evoking memories from my childhood.
We have Santa’s that I remember
Happy smiling faces.
Vintage tag ribbon from Christmas’s past.
Christmas cards that look like Christmas cards!
These ribbons have been exquisitely printed.
The images have been set onto vintage script backing.
We have used black coffee print colour, slightly softer then true black – faded with age!
Please look at the collection here
I can not express the love and time that was spent on this collection.
This was the first range I designed, back when it was boiling hot and I could barely bring myself to sit under the tin roof of my office.
I struggled to get into the “Christmas spirit” this year, so Tony whisked me off for the weekend.
He took me to a Christmas village.
It was magical, massive Christmas Trees all highly decorated.
I must point out that Tony is NOT a Christmas person.
This village evoked such fond memories of both our childhoods, we were happy little children again.
Staring up at these huge trees, with enormous eyes – I have never seen Tony enjoy Christmas so much and it was JUNE!
I dedicate this range to Tony – I designed it for him.
But I hope you enjoy it as well.
Friday FREEBIE–Which one?
29/08/2014
Good morning everyone.
It is a fine dry day here in Dorset.
We have a lot going on this weekend, with the Dorset Steam Fair and the Bournemouth Air Show.
But the biggest event is…… I have added another NEW and Exclusive range to the website!
Even Santa needs helpers at Christmas Time
These Little Christmas Mice are helping as much as their little legs will allow.
Pulling the sleigh with the Christmas tree, putting the star on the top of the tree….
……and being a little mischievous………….
…...ringing the Christmas Bell…….
and filling Santa’s boots…..
…..naughty.
We have a couple of “little” Saying to complement the mice.
and
So what is your favourite Collection. Here is a little recap.
White Christmas
Advent Number Ribbon
Russian Dolls
Classic Christmas
Santa’s Moustache
Penguin Pals
Christmas Mice
Leave me a comment with your favourite range and it could be yours.
We will pick a winner next Friday.
Have a great weekend
Meet Bubbles
28/08/2014
Morning everyone, we have a new team member.
say hi to Bubbles.
Bubbles has the star role in our NEW and EXCLUSIVE range of ribbons.
Bubbles adores dressing up!!
and is always…..
or….
Go and have a look at Bubbles here
It is our Challenge Blogs 3rd Birthday today, Carol and the team have put on a super Birthday event, please pop over and say “Hi” here.
Have a great day
Hello wednesday–sock advent
27/08/2014
Good morning and how is everyone this morning.
It is bright and clear here in Dorset, so fingers crossed everyone will have a fantastic Dorset Steam Fair. Although the rumours spread down from the site last night that is was really muddy, so make sure you wear your wellies!
I have been teasing again, I put a pile of socks on Facebook on Monday – stating it was my next craft project.
Baby’s 1st Christmas Sock Advent Calendar.
I used our New and Exclusive Advent number ribbon here, baby’s 1st Christmas ribbon and small buttons.
You can buy the kit (without the socks) here at £2.50 it is a bargain.
The little socks I got from a high street store and a couple of free evenings sewing and it was completed.
We have also added two more NEW and EXCLUSIVE ranges to the website, sorry I forgot to tell you!
A stunning Classic Christmas in Black and White.
This was the range that I had to re-design because it looked “dirty”.
I am so glad I persevered with it, I took some of the detail out and changed the print method.
The ribbons are really quite stunning – find them here.
Today I added this ribbon to our collection
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I did have fun designing it.
Find Santa’s moustache here
I still have several ranges to photograph, our Design Team girls are eager for me to get all the ranges launched, so they can share their new creations.
I am working as fast as I can!
my basket