Wednesday 18 May 2016

Newborn Baby

I absolutely love crocheting baby clothes! I have stock in my Etsy and Folksy shop but as I am looking for full time work I will need to sell these soon and may not have the time to remake more.
#crochet #handmade #newborn baby #babygifts. 


What do you think of this video?

I created using the app Quick on my iPhone and have to say I am impressed! 

Tuesday 26 April 2016



Hi Followers.
This morning I did not know how the weather was going to turn out! Yesterday we had all weathers! Today it feels like snow but still waiting. I was going to wash my car but decided to hibernate and design this poster for my next workshop! I love bum bags (fanny pack in America!). I have started to use mine more often. The other week when I did the charity event it was very useful! I had a place to stash money, plasters, pens, paper and my phone without the hassle of "carrying it"! I clipped it on round my waist and away I went! I then used it to go to our monthly Chapeltown Forum meeting. Sometimes I just cannot be bothered to fill my handbag up and chuck it on my shoulders. I carry unnecessary stuff around me every day and the only thing I actually need are my keys, purse and phone! So I thought I might start the 90's trend of bum bags and what better than making your own! 
All is needed for this workshop is a fat quarter of main fabric and a fat quarter of lining (which needs to be stiffer or alternatively iron some light weight interfacing). A 10" zip and cotton webbing, which is long enough to fit around the waist. There are different methods of making the strap up. Either use press studs or a buckle...

I just want to mention that Chloe had her birthday sleep over the other week and I enjoyed it! I made marshmallows and honeycomb, which went down a treat! It amazed me how the sugary syrup turned into white fluff! Just thought I'd share the photographs!







Tuesday 19 April 2016

Sheffield Helipad Appeal Fundraising Event

It has been a busy last few weeks! We raised a fantastic £627.77 last Saturday.
The success was down to our community, who come together to support a good cause. We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came to support us, our volunteers and to businesses who donated prizes for the raffle. It was also nice to see our customers from the Tea Room. Haybrooks, Chapeltown helped support our event by printing, distributing leaflets and producing banners, thank you.

Sarah and I visited the Helipad Appeal to present the cheque and had the opportunity to meet Duncan from Sheffield Hospital Charity and 2 nurses from the Major Trauma Centre (MTC). Our accident & emergency department at the Northern General became a MTC in April 2013 and serves a population of 1.8 million people, which covers South Yorkshire, parts of the Humber, Derbyshire and East Midlands. That is a lot of people! We saw the existing helipad (20 years old) and the new one, which will be launched in the Summer. Currently patients are transferred from the helicopter (when landed) into an ambulance then transported to the MTC. The new one is built much closer to the department (without the need of transfer via ambulance), saving time and allows the patient to receive specialist treatment quicker, which increases their chance of survival. From landing on the helipad they are a short trolley push away to the resuscitation room. The cost of this helipad (building and equipment) is approximately £2 million and more funds are needed. They are currently at 86% of their target.

Sarah and I have decided to do more events to raise money for the Helipad Appeal and support Sheffield Hospitals Charity. We will be organising an Autumn fair and continue with the Spring Fair next April. We have set up our own facebook page chapeltownfairforcharity to keep you updated. You can also go the Sheffield Helipad website to make donations.

Me on the right and Sarah second from left. 

I am currently organising another sewing workshop! A bumbag tutorial, I am intending bringing the bum bag craze back into fashion. I made one and wore it at the above charity event and it was very useful! It housed important stuff like pens, plasters, business cards, tent cards for the afternoon tea's tables, raffle tickets and most importantly my phone!
It was very easy to make! The hardest thing was deciding on the fabric but as always floral prints won! If you are interested in knowing how to make this bumbag please do let me know! craftingsparrow@gmail.com

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Chapeltown Charity Spring Fair

Only 3 more sleeps until it is our fundraiser event! We hope to raise lots of money for the Helipad Appeal, which statistically someone you know may need this valuable "pad" to save their life.
I will be working alongside my Mum be running the pop up tea room selling cakes and refreshments. We will also be serving afternoon tea to those who have already pre-booked.
I will be selling my handmade goodies; newborn baby booties, make up bags, shopping bags and more. Alongside my crafty makes will be more stall holders selling their creative makes as well as big names; Candle light and forever living products. I am looking forward to meeting everyone who are helping us and customers who will be supporting the event!
We have raffle prizes, tombolo and Fantastic top 3 prizes for those who attend on the day (these are the £1 entry fee). We are lucky to have great friends who are helping us on the day, so thank you friends! We are also very grateful to Haybrooks in Chapeltown who have helped us in producing leaflets, posters and banners and even distributed these leaflets in our local area!









Some of my products! Crochet baby booties, crochet baby cardigan, crochet flower brooches and hair slides. Also make up bags and shopping tote bags! 
These will also be available to purchase from my online shop 

Saturday 26 March 2016

Handmade gifts

I have opened an online shop with Etsy. I still have Folksy but not made any sales and it's difficult to get promoted so I thought I'd reopen my Etsy shop. Here is a collection of what you can find to purchase!

Friday 25 March 2016

Great British Sewing Bee Countdown

Is anyone else on countdown to Great British Sewing Bee? I absolutely love this programme! I think it is great that sewing is becoming "The" thing to learn now. I belonged to that generation where sewing and house craft disappeared in the curriculum. My Mum enjoyed this subject at school and now my daughter has decided she wants to do textiles for GCSE. I learnt to do dressmaking when pregnant and expanded my knowledge through trial and error, Mum's input and lots of books later. The first item I made when I first received my sewing machine was a maternity skirt! I then made nappy sacks and cute things for the nursery.

Great British Sewing bee has inspired me to push myself... to make something new. I have made lots of things that failed the first time round but excelled the second time! I never give up. There are a number of reasons why it failed the first time round. Maybe the fabric choice? Too tired? Trying too hard. Never give up!

Well I have been busy sewing shopping tote bags and make up bags. I have lots of fabric in my stash. Just like my wool stash! The wool stash is going down quite nice but the fabric not so. A metre of fabric can actually go a very long way!! Even a bundle of fat quarters can go a long way if you use it wisely. My Etsy shop has new stock!
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MariElizabethx?ref=hdr_shop_menu





I have been busy sewing and crocheting new stock for our charity event that I have organised with my twin sister, Sarah. We are raising money for Sheffield Helipad Appeal. On the day we have a pop up tea room, lots of stalls selling nice goodies and raffle prizes! Look at the poster for more details.
If you are about on the 9th April come and say hi, pop in the Scout Hut on Burncross Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield! 


Monday 29 February 2016

Mother's Day 6th March

Mother's Day is fast approaching! I have a lovely collection of handmade items that are ready to send now! I can also bespoke items to colour preference and design. Check out my lovely items some are available via Folsky or direct to me by emailing me on marie@marielizabeth.co.uk



My website www.marielizabeth.co.uk
https://folksy.com/shops/Craftingsparrow