Little Helpers

Well, you didn't think I was going to be able to do all this on my own, now did you?!

My 5 year old, Phoebe, on the left, has already received a Headteacher's Award for her sewing prowess and she is now teaching her friends this skill!

Here they are sewing ribbons, beads and buttons onto fabric which I then made into little pretty bags. I know she will actually be of practical help in just a few years time but for now I am more than content with having my wee sewing buddy around when I am being creative.

Round-up on where I am with my venture into mini-entrepreneurship. Blog looks different. I wanted an outdoorsy feel but then bloggers who stumble across it would believe it to be about...camping! Hey no! The current backdrop is too busy but I spent too long getting there so will settle for that for now.

And I have a button to my Folksy shop! I need to now link this blog to my shop. Aaagghhh! I have had 45 unique visitors so far yet no sales. Two issues, methinks: photo quality - too amateurish - and perhaps price. Ignoring minimum wage, I still don't to be giving the things away! New camera and crack on with my new range including insulating lunch bags and water bottle slings, now my pack of insulating wadding has arrived from a little seller on ebay.

But I have also been looking at exams covering Personal Taxation just in case I need to do a proper job such as paraplanning once my current contract finishes. Oh, such an interesting dilemma...NOT!!!

 Been busy finding a decent home for my growing stash of fabric. Commandeered a shelf by removing the kid's books to their bedrooms. The puzzles will be my next victims. And I was fed up ferreting about behind the settee for my sewing machine so it is now in pride of place in the family room. Compromise all round. One day I will have a space of my own for my bits'n'bobs. Too late to sew tonight after Parent's Evening. A dose of 'Upstairs Downstairs' on the iPlayer and to bed with my Kindle.

Then it all starts again tomorrow.

Great news! I have set up my shop properly on Folksy. Bad news....how on earth do I install a button on this blog linking it to my virtual shop? I have tried and tried and the best I came up with was having it as a post. I want it in a fixed place as a funky button, not buried knee deep in my whitterings. Can anyone help?

And I forgot to say "Please leave your comments, warts and all!"  I will need a wee bit of encouragement and guidance throughout the course of this year otherwise I may feel the need to go and get a 'proper' job. Aaaaggghhhh! 

Great Start!

What a great start I've had in setting up my shop! As I had already registered as a buyer with Folksy, I simply set up my shop with my existing username of Kirsty (novel, I know). So my shop name was....Kirsty! Not Strictly Camping! Duh. I will never hit the little-big time this way. So I have been advised to delete the old shop and start again. As I had only listed three items and have composed all the blurb already, it shouldn't take too long to do.


On a brighter note, my wonderful husband finished work early enough to take the children to their swimming class giving me 1.5 hours uninterrupted time which I put to good use by preparing a water-bottle sling.

This little over-the-shoulder number will be great for anyone venturing out for a walk whilst on their camping or caravanning holiday, especially if they're blessed with some good weather and are rendered a little parched. I was also able to fit my fabulous new toy to my sewing machine - my freehand embroidery foot. I just love this and to think I was looking at replacing my wee Janome with a special embroidery machine when all I needed was a £10 foot.


I have read with the the children who are now all in bed and my aforementioned wonderful husband is cooking up something smelling delicious in the kitchen. I should be able to manage to draft a few more item descriptions before I am called to the table.

Just to show you what it's all about, here's one I made earlier!

Welcome to Strictly Camping

Welcome to Strictly Camping.

My mission for this blog is to plot my progress into the world of kitchen table-based cottage industries when my current job comes to an end later on this year. I will be squeezing this venture into my family-rich-time-poor lifestyle and I would love you to join me on my journey into micro-entrepreneurship.


I am a Mum to three delightful children under the age of 8 and I also work part-time in the financial services industry (boo). Making things, whether it’s sewing, crochet or cake decorating, has always been my release; my wind down.


I have finally decided to put my sewing skills to the test in a bid to replace my income when my contract concludes.


Here I will share my creations (well, I like them), inspirations (mainly from my hobbies and holidays), time management (rotten) and family life (terrific) as I try to juggle the lot and keep everyone around me at least a little bit content.


I am new to blogging and this has taken me an eternity already to set this up. Also we've spent the day with my Grandparents (combined age 197) and I am tired. And I have work tomorrow. And I haven't ironed the school uniform or made the packed lunches. And it's swimming after school but I'll try and stick in a photo or two tomorrow evening.


Last thing....who is actually going to read this thing??!!