Present for a creative person?

I know it's always difficult to find a present for a creative friend. Do you buy them something ready made, or would they prefer to receive something they can use to make something for themself? And if the second, how do you know you're buying something that will be useful for them?

With this dilemma in mind, and having listened to people coming to my stall and commenting on how they'd like to learn to make some of the things, I have put together some 'make your own corsages' kits for the coming round of Christmas craft fairs.

Each kit contains pretty much everything you need to make 2 corsages of your own - all materials, thread and even a needle. All the recipient needs to have is a pencil, mug/glass and a pair of scissors, all of which most people are likely to have easily to hand at home!

The colour of the fabric and buttons inside the pack vary from those pictured on the front but I have coordinated so that you do get contents that will match not clash (well, I think so anyway). And the price? £5 a kit, which I think is reasonable considering what you get for that.

They're currently for sale in my Folksy shop or on my stall at forthcoming fairs

Spectacular feathered cape!

It's not just me saying that this piece is fairly spectacular, it was seen by a few family members on Friday who all thought so as well!

I was commissioned by a customer who is a Shirley Bassey tribute to make a cape as similar as possible to the white cape she wore for her Electric Proms performance. Complete with feathers round the edge. And, quite a few metres of chiffon and several boas later, I'm please to say that the result is pretty good. But first, a few snaps of my workroom as the feathers were being attached!

The new boas trying to escape from the box they were delivered in...

Even my dressmaker's dummy was roped in to holding some feathers...

And it did feel like they were going to swallow the sewing machine at times...

But the end result was worth it (even if it was a bit difficult to photograph in full without someone to model it for me!)

Simple skirt

I finished a couple of bits last week but didn't have much time due to family visits to put photos up, so here is the first item: a simple 'a-line' cord skirt, with side zip and belt loops along the waistband, commissioned to match a pair of winter boots (what better reason than shoes?).

Although it looks simple it's still pleasing to know that it's exactly what was ordered...

...and now I'm wondering whether I want one for myself, especially as there is a lovely teal coloured needle cord in Fletchers at the moment!