MOOLOO'S Muddling on into 2013

Savvy_sewing

Some bags and purses, the lavender bags as stock for cheaper gifts, possibly some patchwork cushions, not really sure if I can draft up some children's clothes like I used to do some 20 years ago. my main thing is that I need to use all my fabrics in stash before I buy anything else.. Which may make for a limited choice. I dont fancy just making one type of thing and getting bored of it. Perhaps different things for craft stalls then for a website. I have Moo Loo, on facebook that i set up to follow the MSE sewers that went on there from The Sewingroom thread. i am not sure it shouldnt be a personal account though but a business one. Further investigation needed I suppose.

The best thing to do I suppose is learn how to get good pictures and how to put them up via my various devices.my son seems to have commandeered my laptop these days. Uses it to run his music and chat with old mates on skype. his motivation is slipping for anything except his bLacksmithing on a weekend.

Twin1 is back from her holiday, and due to come over this evening. Haven't told DGD incase it doesn't happen.
Twin2 has used her phone running up massive bill for her sister trying to get a loan. premium rate phone numbers for god sake. Twin 2 has not been back intouch with me or been home. She has not engaged with her carer either.
I fear she will loose everything very soon and being led astray completely by her so called friends.
DS did go after a pub job locally but is on a list so he didnt sound too hopeful. Mind you I told him about it at lunchtime and he didnt go until 8ish last night. the youth of today exasperate me at times.

Savvy_sewing

Well I spoke too soon. I had a text message from twin2 asking for £30 as she was stuck in town, (this came via the girl from hells phone) I text that she had a bus pass and then decided to ring it. The girl answered and passed the phone over.Miracle of miracles they were home now¿ yes and I Am stupid.
I told her again that I don't have the money and that she should be at her home. I did ask if she had seen her sister and if she knew about her phone bill.She said that she did. But not how she would pay her back.
I told her she needed to go home before she looses it and became homeless and I reminded her that I wont have her here as I dont have the room, especially if I intend to relocate soon. ( another story).
Don't suppose it will have made any difference to her of course. worried but sticking to my guns.

whiteguineapig

maybe you could have a range of prices and products?
the cardigans on the nettles site that i looked at are very nice,
unfortunatly they cost more than my weeks wages (even saving up wouldn't be an option)

minimoneysaver

Mooloo, why don't you do a survey on here using the new post tools, to find out what people out there would buy. You have a LOT of followers who would love to put some input into your craft ideas. If you were to post it as a lift. Some of your options could be:
Patchwork cushions
Lavender bags (do people still use these?)
Children's clothes
etc...

Savvy_Sue

minimoneysaver wrote: »

Mooloo, why don't you do a survey on here using the new post tools, to find out what people out there would buy. You have a LOT of followers who would love to put some input into your craft ideas. If you were to post it as a lift. Some of your options could be:
Patchwork cushions
Lavender bags (do people still use these?)
Children's clothes
etc...

That could look a bit like advertising ... Mooloo would have to phrase her questions quite carefully!

minimoneysaver

Which homemade craft style products would you be most likely to purchase in the next 24 months?

I don't think if the question was worded in that format it would be advertising. It would also be good information for anyone else who may be considering starting up a craft business from home.

Savvy_sewing

Thanks for the input. Really appreciate it.
Its school holidays from today, although DGD is off sick, with a terrible cough, and now the sniffs.
I am struggling, had a bit of an upset somehow, and my neck, arm and face are up the spout again. I drove Twin1 back home, and on the way I suddenly felt absolutely awful. I have come home and taken a tramadol pain killer, (which I have managed to not use since December!). I am still in pain and it doesnt seem to have abated any of it.
I will have to cancel anything else for the day and alas that means the patchwork for the sofa that I am doing. (so near but yet so far at the moment.).
I have had to get my laptop off of DS as I really need to do a food order to be delivered. I am over my budget alas, but not as bad as I could have been, considering I have only done a little top up shopping since a delvery at the beginning of the month. So not too bad. I will have to add up the last few receipts to see how much I went over, but as I was trying to do it on only £100 for the month, then it was a tall order having DS come home.
DS has had to go to sign on, so I have given him the busfare, I just cannot face driving there and back now.
I got £5 back from twin1 yesterday when she came over, so at least she is trying to pay back some of the money she owes me, but she is aware that her sister has left her in a financial hole with the phonebill.
DGD is getting rather too attatched to the games on the Iphone, but as its keeping her busy at the moment, I am sorry to say that I have not really objected.
Did I tell you that twin2 had tried to get a lift out of her Dad when she was at the hospital with that girl the other day, but he said to her that with respect to my wishes, and priniciples he would happily give her a lift, but not the friend. She didnt get back to him.
Will she learn that she is loosing her help all around?
Yesterday I had a call from the Social workers, about twin1 and DGD. She came over straight from the call, to meet me, see the Guardianship order for herself, and to meet DGD.
DGD told her that she did colouring and watched films with her Mum, and that she liked going.
Anyway she is going to go back to her line manager and will be saying that they will not be going any further with thier case. That my decisions and the fact that I did the risk assessments etc was satisfactory, so it looks like if twin1 keeps the place tidy on the Fridays then DGD will be able to go to her Mums occassionally.
WE are aiming for this Friday, as she has been away for a couple of weeks, but I will be engaging with her and checking the flat before I do leave DGD there.
Now the typing has really pushed the arm so I am stopping. I want to be able to sew tomorrow and so must be careful with the arm.

floss2

Mooloo, it certainly sounds as though Twin1 is doing well and starting to get to grips with living with the support she has. I'm sure you are rightly very proud of her achievments.

~Chameleon~

whiteguineapig wrote: »

maybe you could have a range of prices and products?
the cardigans on the nettles site that i looked at are very nice,
unfortunatly they cost more than my weeks wages (even saving up wouldn't be an option)

But surely that is the market Mooloo should be aiming at so she produces fewer quality pieces for a price which will give her a decent standard of living? She has neither the energy nor the stamina to be knocking out cheap market quality goods en masses for pennies these days (no offence Mooloo )

Savvy_sewing

I certainly need to up the anti, and not do the peanut jobs. I was sitting working out the times etc that this sofa cover is taking me, and I am underpricing myself by 75%!
I should be working on an hourly rate, and I should really be charging at least £10 an hour. So really I should be charging nearer £200. But nevermind. this is a friend this time. I will gain the experience, or should I say, revisit the skills that I used years ago, and this will give me the confidence to get on and do others, if I want too.

My food order is coming on Friday morning. I will be in then as I am looking after DGD2 as well that day.
I think that I will have to have a re think about the budget, but with all the cleaning products etc as well the bill is £92. (But this is most of the supplies for the month, with the exception of fresh bread, milk and fruit/vegs. This usually come in around £15 a week, from my delivery. So I could reduce the costs if I have to by cancelling them and getting things more locally from the market or shops. We will see how the budget fairs.
Twin1 is really improving with the input, all I can say is Long may it continue. (although I doubt it will be that easy!).
Twin2 has not been intouch.
DS has been to sign on and is back home now. He has a job interview for a part time bar job here in the town this afternoon. So fingers crossed. If he gets enough hours then he will not have to sign on. That will save the bus fares every fortnight and will give him enough to tide him over until the apprenticeship for the blacksmithing is sorted. I am sure that it will be sorted, as he is improving and making some lovely things already. My fingers are crossed and looking for a better time ahead for him.
Biggest's new BF is going to buy her a new washing machine, as hers finally died a death last week. Luckily I didnt do her washing while it did. That went to my parents house, and DGD2's other granny. She still has a good relationship with her dispite the father being a nightmare. (why do men change into the biggest of idiots when they are the ones who broke up the relationship in the first place? its beyond me!).
Time to stop typing again. the arm has had enough. maybe a relaxed afternoon (if I can get that with dGD,) and read the kindle. Yeah for the kindle