I'm back...with a new adventure!

Well...it's been a while! I've been a very busy girl over the last few months and am very pleased to announce that I have finally set up my own little online shop, where I will be selling various handmade bits and bobs... It's still early days but please go check it out: www.etsy.com/shop/GirlGotHeart

So far, one of my bestselling items has been my Stag Silhouette Cross Stitch Pattern - which is ideal for those who love the current heritage-inspired trend and old curiosity shop style decor, but maybe aren't so keen on having actual mounted taxidermy in their home! The finished product is also available to purchase for £38 here.

Stag Silhouette Cross Stitch Pattern - £3

Another bestseller is my Crystal Heart Necklace, which I have so far only sold via the GG<3 Facebook page, at a special price of £5 to friends, family and 'like'-ers of GG<3 based in the UK. The shrink plastic heart charm is cut-out by hand (scalpel skills!) before heating, shrinking and attaching onto a necklace with the addition of 3 sparkly Swarovski crystals in lilac and plum tones.

Crystal Heart Necklace

I'm taking one small step at a time, but I'm so glad I finally took the plunge and started selling - such a rewarding feeling when you find out someone likes your design enough to buy it! Thanks to all of my customers so far, and welcome to any potential new ones in future... 

Please follow @GirlGotHeart on Twitter and like GG<3 on Facebook for all of my latest designs, and even the occasional offer :) Thank you!

Checked Halterneck Dress

The snow outside has been a great excuse to spend this afternoon indoors finishing off a few creative projects, including this dress I started making last year. Checks are set to be on trend this summer and I've already got my fix!

I stitched on some quirky flower buttons that I found amongst the assortment of trims and fastenings in my Mum's sewing box - they add a cute personality which reminds me of Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) in the TV show 'New Girl'. 

All I need now is a colourful cardigan, a pair of matching pumps and some nice sunny weather... Roll on spring!

Slouchy Pom-Pom Beanie

A couple of Saturdays ago, I headed to Freeze Festival 2012 at Battersea Power Station to catch some exhilarating snowboarding action. The Big Air Competition was won by Brit snowboarder Billy Morgan which was a great way to see the day close. However, as I stood shivering in my jacket with my hood up, marvelling at all the talent before me and cheering along with the rest of the crowd, I actually felt a little left out. 

Why? Well, nearly everyone around me was wearing the most super-cool (and conveniently super-snug) woolly hats! THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! I know winter’s here and it’s cold outside but I've seen people wearing them indoors and even in clubs. These head-cosies are surely one of the must-have fashion accessories this fall – even better if they come with a pom-pom the size of a grapefruit attached to the end.

Sporty skate-snow brands like O’neill, Billabong (above) and Roxy have some great beanies in their Autumn 2012 ranges, although these retail for around £25 and as I've just spent all my pennies booking a week in the French Alps this January, I decided to knock 100% off the price and make my own. I say 100% off because I didn't even need to buy any new materials – small items like hats, especially multi-coloured striped variations, are brilliant for using up all those messy dregs of wool leftover from previous projects. So, below is the result of my crocheted slouchy pom-pom beanie!

Beta Fashion Signature Project

If you can spare a minute or two, PLEASE VOTE for my design here. Thanks!

 

 

Yesterday I entered the Beta Fashion Scarf Contest: a regular online competition where upcoming textile designers can enter to win a place for their design to be sold within Topshop. This month, the ‘Signature Project’ offers an open brief, where inspiration sources, together with style of print, are left entirely for each contestant to determine for themselves. The only regulated factor is that proportions must be kept to approximately a metre square.

 

I decided to submit a simple yet sophisticated floral print, predominantly in black and white. The fuschia-coloured shadow is intended to be neon, in order to provide a contemporary edge whilst simultaneously adding depth, originality and a relevance to current fashion trends.

 

Once again, please vote for 'Floral Radiance' on BetaFashion.com. Many many thanks!