I'm so excited to be taking part in Sew Mama Sew's Baby Shower event which starts on Monday and is sure to be both fun and full of great ideas. Visit the Sew Mama Sew blog for lots of wonderful giveaways and tutorials all centred on a baby shower theme. I'm not going to tell you what my gift is just yet, I just hope the winner loves it! Don't worry, I will happily post my giveaway gift overseas so entry is open to all :)
I had such a hard time choosing what to include in the giveaway, as it needed to be gender neutral and my orders from the trade shows had not yet started to arrive at the time I had to choose. But now they have started to arrive and, as always, I'm like a kid in a sweet shop.
When you place orders at the Trade Shows it can all be rather hurried as there is usually so much to see, so it's easy to, not exactly forget what you've ordered, but certainly remember what the products actually look and feel like in the flesh.
Like these oh so very soft cotton and snuggly baby blankets from Austria - both Livvy and I fell in love with these as soon as we saw them, the colours are so pretty and I love the fact that the back of the blankets have the same design but in the reverse colourway as seen in the cars one below - yes I photographed it straight out of the packet, hence the folded look but I've got to catch the natural light when I can :)
I went to look at a vacant shop recently, it would be an absolute dream come true for me to have a bricks and mortar store, particularly one close to where I live. I have spent many an hour drawing up ideas for how I would fit it out, what workshops I could offer there and loads of other ideas to make it work, which are all there, in my head and in my notebooks. But sadly, whilst the rent is fairly reasonable, the other outgoings and the cost of bringing the very outdated and scruffy interior, not to mention the outdoor loo, up to scratch are just too much for me at the moment so reality has to bite and I shall have to content myself with playing shops at home :)
I couldn't resist doing some very quick styling shots in Livvy's room, poor girl, she's always having her room taken over by me for my photography but it's the best room for natural light etc so she's used to it by now and is more than happy to offer her own opinion and ideas too! Plus she knows I'll have to tidy it up before I start so she's more than happy with that trade off!
Still, not taking the shop does mean I can get a little carried away at Anne Claire Petit's gorgeous stand at Top Drawer, not that I ever need an excuse to do that. That stock isn't due to arrive until later this month but I've added some items to my online shop as pre-orders as it is unlikely that I will be able to re-stock again in time for Christmas - their next delivery date is mid March so if you did have your eye on something you do need to get in quickly as I'm sure the fabulous reindeer and baby mobiles will sell out quickly as always.
I know it's often difficult to find as good a range of items for boys. So I was pleased to find these gorgeous brushed cotton gingham pj's with a cute car applique, although I know girls like cars too. These are a lovely quality and available in either red or blue. I love the fact that the company who make these is a Fair Trade company which also donates a percentage of sales to SOS Children's Villages, a charity which provides homes for orphaned and abandoned children.
I'll show you more items as they arrive but in the meantime, Livvy is away for the weekend so my studio beckons.
Hope to see you over at the Baby Shower :)
