The birth of two shops. #Handmade #Folksy.

Today is about the two shops I have on Folksy and is a display of a variety of things from those shops.
My other shop, Great Green Ltd, has become sadly neglected with many items having become delisted. My aim this month is to restock it and give it the same love and care that UniquelyYours gets. That shop was the first one and was put in place to show my husband`s craftmanship. He designed and made lots of beautiful shelves and coatpegs for childrens rooms after making different ones for the grandchildren and their friends. We wanted to use something that was eco-friendly and discovered strawboard, which as the name suggests, is made entirely from compressed straw. All the shelves are made from strawboard, so there are no harmful chemicals, and they are eco-friendly. They are all painted with Eco-Paint as well, again, no harmful chemicals. After a while, for a change, he decided to have a go at woodturning, using the strawboard. He designed and made beautiful and unusual ornamental bowls that he painted with the eco-paint.
At the time being temporarily incapacitated and having a lot of time on my hands I returned to crocheting. So I made baby blankets to add to the shop after years of making them for children and grandchildren.
UniquelyYours came about as I branched out in to learning how to make different things. Unfortunately I don`t get on with patterns, I can never make head or tail of them, so everything is totally unique. Hence the name. I see some yarn and my brain goes into overdrive. Or I see something and think that would nicer if this or that was different. Very often I start with a basic idea and then it takes on a life of it`s own, growing into something entirely different.
We also got into painting after seeing so many beautiful pieces of art on Folksy. I had always wanted to paint and had just dabbled in drawing up till then. But seeing the beautiful ACEO`s, Art Cards Editions and Originals, on Folksy I wanted to have a go myself. I have surprised myself by how much I enjoy it. Once I start painting I just lose myself for a few hours, it`s wonderful.
We both really enjoy creating things and love seeing others take pleasure in our creations.

We like to make and create,
our creative urges we have to sate.
He gets out in the garage with his tools,
anyone who sees the creations drools.
Me I get busy with my crochet hook,
people often want to have a look.
I`ve crocheted while travelling
have to watch the yarn unravelling.
I crochet too in the car,
even when we don`t travel far.
Every spare minute, out it comes
rather be doing that than sums.
Spare time is allocated for painting at times,
thats when I`m not busy making up rhymes.
Sometimes we paint companionably together
then all is silence, not much blether.
Creating is what we love and do best
much better by far than any fest.
We do what we love and love what we do
designing and creating wonderful things for you!!
















The top half pictures are from great Green Ltd and the lower half from UniquelyYours, both on Folksy. I hope you like the selections today and enjoy having a browse. Click on the pics to go to the shop for a bigger picture and description of any item.
Thanks for visiting.

#Butterflies #FolksyFriday

Can you believe it`s Friday again already, where did that week go? So much got done, yet not enough, if you know what I mean. I always seem to be trying to do more and fit more crafting time in as well.
Todays Folksy Friday is butterflies, mainly because I love seeing them so much. Once you start looking it`s amazing how many you find. Although if I see a butterfly in any shape or form I always end up going back for a second or third look. I find them very tempting.
Had the grandchildren round for tea last night, not to eat them, but to feed them. We had lots of fun and laughs as usual. Am looking after the youngest tomorrow, I might take him on the bus to the main library in the city. It has got a great childrens room, I think he will love it. I`ve taken all the others there and they all loved it. It`s great when children love books and learn to read as they pick up so much more than they realise.
I am still working on the summer wrap I`m crocheting. All cotton and a lacy effect, a bit different to the usual wraps. I am pleased with the way it`s turning out. I also intend to do more in different colours and of course they will all be a bit different as it comes from my head not a pattern. One of these days I will remember to count stitches etc and write it all down. Maybe... one of these days....
If you wish to see a larger picture or a description just click on the relevant picture to go directly to the item in the shop. ENJOY!

Folksy Friday has come around
I`ll sneak mine in without a sound.
What shall I do today I wonder,
it certainly won`t be about thunder.
So many colours that I haven`t done
and just one colour can be fun.
What about flowers, on their own
or butterflies before they have flown.
I know I did both together before
how about them singly, for an encore?
It`s tricky though, which to do,
butterflies for me or flowers for you?
Though I really love flowers as well
I expect from my creations you can tell.
I love to crochet flowers so they can adorn
the wonderful creations that are born
from some yarn and my crochet hook
all very enjoyable in my book.
Something with butterflies makes me look twice
don`t know why, just that they look so nice.
I don`t have anything with butterflies on
maybe I`ll add a few when the blog is done.
Perhaps just two with flowers won`t be wrong,
I like to add something of mine along
side all the others here on display
for your delectation here today!!



Mum Bookmark by You Sew Should.. Cloisonne Butterfly Pendant Necklace by Pretty Beautiful Designs by Maria.

Blue butterfly resin pendant by Laura Faye Crafts. Another beautiful butterfly to adorn your pretty neck... by MummyBirdPretties.

Butterfly notecards (Manilla)- pack of four by gooseberrymoon. Hand Painted Personalised Mirror by Helen McCartney Designs.



Mixed Media Painting by slugsandsnails.

Birthday Card with exploding insert by DANDYCRAFTS. Cloisonne Butterfly Earrings with Swarovski Crystals by Putting on the Charms.

 Vintage Patterned Flower and Butterfly 3D Wall Art Decoration by 100 percent delicate.



Titanium butterfly pendant by Sian Bostwick Jewellery. Phone Case/ Holder/ Cover for iPhone and mor - Butterflies by BaggieAggie too.

 ACEO - set of 4 original painted illustrations by clootielugs.

Pearl and Butterfly Necklace by The Oak Tree.



Three ceramic butterflies gift boxed by Tait Gallery. Large Blue Butterfly Gift Box by Box of Delights.

Stitch Marker butterfly by Charmeray. Yellow Butterfly Veiled Small Fascinator by Imogen`s Imagination.

Mini Photo/Aceo Album - Butterfly by Lilly`s Night Garden. Butterfly fridge magnets by Mimsical Ceramics.

Well once again it all ened up much longer than I first intended. I also ran out of space to put something of mine, but never mind I`ll include todays listing in tomorrows blog. Hope you enjoyed the display of butterflies.
Thanks for visiting.

#Art, ACEO`s and more. #Handmade #Folksy

Decided to put art on here today as there are so many more people taking it up and producing wonderful pictures. Not just painting either, I`ve seen beautiful pieces of art with material and stitching being the main ingredients. How they do such detailed pieces amazes me.
Didn`t do much creative work yesterday as I was at my day job, I only work two days a week. I did do some crochet in my lunch hour and for a couple of hours while I watched T.V in the evening. I am busy experimenting with some different wraps for the summer. I have a half finished one in 100% cotton and a newly started one in Bamboo yarn, both very eco-friendly and being natural yarns, ideal for summer. I confess to having a hat half finished and one barely started, also in Bamboo, again these are for the summer. Just so many ideas popping into my head that as they gel I have to make a start on. Hence the reason I have so many projects on the go.

Yesterday was so very busy
I didn`t feel quite so fizzy.
Time out for lunch, I was ready to sleep,
from me they didn`t hear a peep.
Quickly ate and got down to work,
when it comes to crochet I don`t shirk.
My head keeps buzzing too often with a new idea
that every few minutes changes, then becomes clear.
If only I had more hands for making
I could croxhet while I`m baking.
Then I could paint and crochet too
creating lovely things for you.
Four pairs of arms would probably look strange
but it would give me a greater range.
I could do even more things all at once
although too many and I might become a dunce.
I could crochet two things and type
while painting and talking on skype.
I would meet myself coming back
and my creations just might lack.
each one needs my full attention
crochet needs just the right tension.
While I`m painting that absorbs me
and computing needs full attention, you see.
So a daft dream that did seem ideal
really isn`t that great after all, I feel.
I`ll make do with what I have after all
and with one thing at a time, stay on the ball.



ACEO Original Watercolour - Spring Tulips. Poppy Cornfield ACEO by Lynnwoodcrafts.

Postcard original art by Ema Hossein Design. ACEO Waiting to Dance by Shoogly Beads.

Postcard Art by GweddusArt. `Marmaduke` Cat ACEO by ACEO Addict.



Cottage by Handcrafted ACEO`s. ACEO ~ Spring Flowers ~ Daffodils by Ra Ra Bazaar.

ACEO by Moppsie Floppsie. ACEO - Cologne at Dusk by Boy in Park.

ACEO Original Painting Fantasy/Abstract by greenbea.



ACEO - Retro Lady by Audrey`s Art. ACEO, Carnation Original watercolour by Maxine Veronica Art.

ACEO - Together by SketchStitch. Shipwreck One by Paul Bailey`s original watercolour landscapes.

ACEO by PANTSANDPAPER. Blues by lilipopo at glass mountain.

Hope you like the art I have chosen today although we do seem to have more ACEO`s.
Thanks for visiting.