So last week I said I was going to launch Suzical the online shop. Step one was tell people, and well - it works! I got a commission right off and a couple of other leads..

A colleague asked my to make an anniversary card for her husband - it was a tricky one, she asked for a picture of a mole. It turns out moles are mainly black fur(!) so I went for an out line.. Please excuse the cheesy line, I couldn’t resist!

I have also ordered mini moo cards to use as business cards and stickers because they’re fun!!

I am still weighing up the pros and cons of Google checkout vs. an Etsy store.

Google seems to have the better rate in terms of fees, but with the shop on my site I’d have to start drumming traffic up. Etsy has a ready made audience and it’s searchable by subject, but there’s lots of direct competition.. For set up Etsy is easier as the template is already there, but as my fiance who’s a web developer, will be building the google checkout - it’s not a deal breaker!

On the other hand with Google checkout I’d have freedom to design the layout how I prefer and any traffic I drum up to my store would be building the Suzical brand rather than Etsy’s..

Let me know what you have used and what (if anything) you’d do different??

I just received an email from Feruzan over at LimonVerde and was very excited to see her tatting - it’s a skill I’ve yet to learn from my Mum!!

Will stumbled upon the animation below over at Crafty Daisies, showing how a bobbin in a sewing machine works! Isn’t it hypnotic!!

I’ll be computerless and home alone for the next couple of days - so I should have lots to report when Duncan returns from his business trip..

I’m hesitant to announce this, in case I don’t quite pull it off, but I figure if I tell people I really have to stop dreaming and get on with things! So here goes - I’m planning on opening an online store in the next few weeks. I’ve been designing cards this weekend and am planning on making up some ipod socks tomorrow - so wish me luck!!

I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

I added the 100th blog to my big list of sewing blogs this week!

Check it out! I received the link direct from Rebecca of Miller Campbell Designs.

She’s an Appalachian artist and makes beautiful dolls, like the one pictured here - have a look at her gallery.

If you’re not on the list, do drop me a line and if you are on there check out my badges.

I met a good friend of mine for a cup of tea last night after work. We had a lovely half hour wondering round the foodhall at Fortnum and Mason Then tea and biscuits in the cafe and a browse around the big Waterstones near Picadilly circus and more excitingly she gave me a fab Christmas present:

buttons, which she got from the couture exhibition at the V&A, sewing related things to embellish with, some Christmas decorations and a Morrocan scarf..

A belated happy New Year!

The 9th of January and I’ve only just sat down to blog! There’s one New Year’s resolution I failed with already

My Big List of Sewing Blogs has grown to 96! It’s been great - people have started emailing with their blogs and putting my button on their site (Ta!) - it just has to be sewing related and active to get in, so if you think your blog fits the bill do leave a comment/send me an email!

The best part for me is exploring the new blogs, I particularly enjoyed finding Kimono Reincarnate and Travel, Fibre and Thread - who’s doing some great work on this month’s Take it Further Challenge. (I will be blogging my contribution to this month’s challenge over the weekend!)

I finished my first card of the year yesterday! It’s a birthday card for a friend who played Pitti-Sing in our production of the Mikado this summer:

Click on the thumbnail to read the line of music! I’m not sure how easy it would be to do without the thread showing through from the back - maybe it’s the material I used!?

Thanks Jo !