Wedding Venue Embroidered Portrait

So it's been on the cards for a while.  Been in my mind sketching and scribbling how and when I was going to do it.  Finalising the details right until the last moment.

About a year ago I created a picture for my home of The Eiffel Tower, which held special memories.  

And I knew straight away that I wanted to create more.  I was busy with commissions at the time, so I had no time to develop my idea. 

So this year I scheduled some time to put pen to paper.

I announced on my Facebook Page that I was looking for a Tester - someone who was attending a Wedding and could capture the beautiful Venue in a photo.

The very lovely E.P. got in touch and once she had sent her photo I began to create. 

Completely stitched using a Free Machine Embroidery technique, I recreated the venue 'Hoath House' the best I could, capturing it's beauty and detail.

Adding the finishing touches, by Personalising the piece and then stretching onto a padded box canvas.

I hope you love it as much as I enjoyed creating it stitch by stitch.

To purchase your very own Wedding Keepsake, they are available here 

www.michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Speak to you soon

Michelle xx

My Crafty Business

This month (September) is the beginning of a new Season.  It's nearly Autumn, which comes, not only with new colours and a crispness in the air, but it is also the run up to the Season we call

CHRISTMAS!!

Oh yes, it is here, and for this Season, I have decided, that I need a bit of a fresh start.  I will be designing and creating some new Christmas Makes, recreating some of last years, but also I have set myself a Goal!  Oh yes, it's time for me not just to be the 'Sewing Lady' as I know many call me, but I now need to put on those 'Big Girl Pants' !

This is after all a business and well, I sometimes to be honest forget that, because I love to create so much.  Creating special Keepsakes for you and your loved ones to treasure, makes my work so special.  

I will also be continuing to work through my Waiting List, creating your Keepsake Bunnies, Quilts and Cushions, for you to treasure your memories, as always, but I need to get a little more 'smart' with my numbers - booo!

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a phobia against numbers and maths, but as a 'grown up' and a 'small business' I need to use them - booo again!!

Sooooo...... I signed up to do a little challenge.  

It's a 100 Day Challenge, and for it, I had to set a goal - and Achieve it!!

So I popped on my 'Big Girl Pants' and reviewed my previous years in business.

These were my findings:

•  I really enjoy, designing, sewing and creating
•  I really love my customers and appreciate their custom
•  I really love my family and appreciate the opportunity to work around my childrens needs

But..

• I haven't taken a proper wage for a few years and we can't afford for me to do this anymore
• My Commission Work, does not earn me enough to take a wage
• I have not reviewed my numbers regularly enough to be 'Business Wise'
• I forget all too easily that this is a business and not a hobby.  I may enjoy it, but I also need to feed my children and contribute to our household bills
• I can't continue, just putting all money earned straight back into the business for stock etc, I need to live and provide for my family - Properly!!!!!

Conclusion:  I NEED to feed my children, pay for their hobbies, and pay our household bills.  Unfortunately, money does not grow on trees, and I needed to set out a plan.

Who knows what I will achieve, and whether I will get there, but if I don't get smarter, I will have to rethink my whole business, so I have to achieve it.  I really hope you will continue to support me, as I really appreciate each and everyone of you

Achievements so far: Website, is now up and running and has lots of new Goodies listed.  Ranges include Christmas, Weddings and New Arrivals, with more to come soon too.

www.michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Etsy, is now link to this Blog, has some new additions, and is regularly being updated

www.etsy.com/michellecorbindesign

I also, have some new ideas and products in the planning stage, and with the help of 2 very good friends, I think they will be worth waiting for.

I'll keep you posted on my achievements.

Much Love

Michelle 

xxx

Wedding Fever

It's been a little while, since I last wrote.  But it has been a hive of activity though, with the School Holidays, and sewing on evenings - there has been no rest for the wicked, but it has been such fun.

Wedding Season, has been in full swing, and I have enjoyed creating some beautiful Bespoke Commissions, as gifts for the Bride and Groom on their Wedding Day.

 These, Handmade Personalised Wedding Hearts, have been created with a mix of Hand and Free-Motion Embroidery.

I love the colour choices, and the little bit of sparkle from the diamante.

See more hearts here

Introducing the New Horseshoe Design

I am super proud as to how this has turned out.  The brief was from the Brides Mum; a heart or a horseshoe, for a little Flower Girl to give to her Mummy on her Wedding Morning.  

Isn't that just a lovely thought?

I doodled a few sketches and came up with this Horseshoe/Heart combination.  It is very unique and can be adapted to suit any theme.  The colour scheme, you may notice, is the same as the heart above right.  This is because they were made to match.

On first completion

All finished and ready to gift

The beautiful Bride Sophie, holding both of her gifts

Next, was a slightly unusual brief for a Wedding Heart.

Apparently the Bride really loves Foxes and the Groom loves his many Trainers!!

So this commission was based with this in mind.  The Fox, Trainer and all of the wording has been Hand Embroidered, based on the colour scheme of the Wedding.

The Heart was slightly larger than usual, as Rebecca, has a collection of Hanging Hearts, and my customer wanted this one to stand out more.

Well I'm sure it does!

It was such a lovely piece to make

Also, my 7 year old daughter's teacher of this last year, and the teacher the year before, were getting married through the summer.  She loved both of them and loved being in their classes, and so wanted to make something for them.

She decided that as they were marrying in Italy, that she would draw a picture for them, and then asked if I would make it into a collage for them - how could I refuse?

She printed off the Castle that they were to be married in - in Italy - she then drew it alongside her teachers within a heart.  We chose the fabrics together and whilst I set to work sewing, she painted the frame to the colour she wanted.

Some beautiful Handmade Keepsakes to treasure, I hope you agree

Thank you for reading, I'd love to hear your comments
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Happy Stitching xx