Merry Christmas!

The Window Display at the moment! 

Christmas is coming

The windows are festive

My Elf has been busy helping in the workshop and made me some wonderful hats. The alterations keep on coming in. 

Lessons

Well this evening we had lesson two of our six week course. Pattern reading and taking measurements. Then adjusting patterns to fit. The time flew by!

I have been working hard for the last two months in the new shop, and the second hand clothing section is beginning to look good. Although people are still getting to know that I am there.

I have had over 280 alterations in to do. It's been non stop since I opened. I am thrilled with how well things are going. 

My New Logo

Finally my Logo is ready! 

Update on the Shop!

It's been a very busy time working in my shop! From alterations, creations, and Pre-loved clothing to sewing workshops. 

It's been a very good start, I couldn't have asked for a better start.

I have not had a single day go by at work without alterations to do since day 1.

It's been amazing.

I am in the position now that I have taken on a part time help. Not with the sewing but with taking in the jobs, keeping the shop tidy, and stocked and handling the cash etc so that I can keep on sewing! 

Caught at work

Caught working in my little shop. 

Cath Kidston Wallpaper

This weekend we used my two rolls of Cath Kidston Vintage Cars wall paper to pretty up the shop. I'm really pleased with the result.

The first week at the shop has been amazing. I really couldn't have asked for a better week. Long may it continue. 

The shop window

Today I received the Silver sewing Machines advertising paraphernalia to use in the shop. it has been a really exciting time setting up, and I have been open for a week now. 

I have had alterations in through the door every day, and haven't had time to stop. There has been great interest and the Workshops have started to be booked aswell. 

I am thrilled with the start. Onwards and upwards. 

Mooloos is Open For Business

Well I have done it!

I opened the shop yesterday, and I have had a great response, and plenty of jobs through the door already.! 

I hope the well wishers and all those who Enquired about lessons will soon be customers, and those who already put their faith in me will be returning soon!

I will take new photos for all to see over the weekend. It's just been so busy that I haven't had a moment yet. 

free desk

The landlord has given me a big desk, so that's set up in the shop, so I can sit in the shop and start to sew now. 

Can't open yet though as insurance doesn't start until 1st. 

Workshop Tables

Today we went to ikea and found two tables in the bargain basement. Saving me £200! Actually saved me all of it, as they were bought as a gift! Result. 

The Shop is coming along nicely!

I have the keys early, and have been spending a little time each day down at the shop getting it in ship shape condition ready to open in September

The top picture is the frontage. Although yesterday we sanded it down and re painted it.

I set up my Makes that I have had lying around at home. 

The middle floor is a small space, but has slats for retail, and a loo and changing room.

The top floor was being used as an office, but is now empty, and waiting for me to put in some desks. That is where the classes will be held. 

I hope to open around 5th September. 

My Own Shop

While I have been Abscent a while, so much has been going on. I have decided to take on the lease of a small shop to be able to expand what I do. 

I have so many plans, I just hope that I get it right! 

it is a small shop based in Brackley, the sweet shop and Baguette shop are to one side, and a shop/space that is a sort of community space that changes a lot. 

There is a Tea Room a few doors down. 

Recycled Creations

Yesterday I was having a good roll of production, being inspired by a box full of scarves, that had come in.

So a medley of pictures for you to view. 

This was a skirt and a pair of lace up jeans

this plain vest top has been appliquéd with sea shells, from a scarf. 

The picture doesn't do it much justice, but this scarf turned the mini skirt into a handkerchief point skirt.

These trousers had arrived as cut offs and a long thin scarf just gave them a new twist.

This top of a pair of jeans, has been enhanced with the skirt from the bottom of another dress.

this was a two tone jersey scarf, as is the next one. Although my dummy is a size 10, so this was a bit stretched. It's more of an 8 really. But the seams are slightly less in the next one, so it's more of a 10.

What do you think of my things today? 

Gardens instead of Sewing Machines

Today with the help of BF, I now have a little veg patch near to the house.

With my £6 spend at the garden centre last weekend, we now have peas, beans, celery, parsley and mint. 

I also did the lawn. No mean feat with 160ft of garden. 

They are here!

My shelves with high cutting surface is here! So excited over a few shelves! 

But they are the first real sign of my vision of a work room coming to life. 

The room and shelves will need painting really. So it's ready for me to fill. I know if I just put the stuff back in the room ( to get it out of my bedroom), I will probably never get around to it otherwise.

Purpose Built Shelving

The shelves in mock up, that are coming to my work room tomorrow. 

Can you see they have a cutting table too! That will fold down, when not in use. 

So excited. 

alternative use for one of my bags!

I

This little lady's photo was sent to me, from the Mum of the latest Thermal Cooking Bag to arrive at its new home. 

what a great picture! 

Although we don't advise leaving a child in the bag as the draw string could be a health hazard! 

And no you don't cook the baby. 

There have been a few men asking how you cook the bag in the oven!

Sorry guys, what you do is put your dinner on the stove, bring the food up to a rolling boil for 5-10 mins, to make sure pan and it's contents are boiling, then you take it off of the hob, nestle the pan in the bag, put the pad ontop and pull the string tight. 

Then you leave the pan for as long as necessary, depending on your contents, so rice about 40 mins, a beef casserole about 6 hours! 

 It really couldn't be easier to do. The added bonus of no more fuel costs, no having to leave something plugged in when you go out, and the food won't burn or dry out, as it would gently start to cool first. 

Why not pop over to my website, or Facebook Page, www.mooloos.co.uk

Facebook.com/Maryclaremakes and see about getting one made for you! 

Or if your a sewer get the pattern for a few pounds from  Elaine at www. Mortgagefreeinthree.com

Join the revolution and save fuel, cut your carbon omissions and have cheap and tasy meals cooked for pennies! 

black and white Thermal Bag

Another Large cooking Bag, made and posted out to a customer in Southampton. 

I am happy to be helping people to a cleaner greener way of cooking, to be recycling fabrics, and to be able to earn some much needed funds at the same time. 

It does take quite a few hours to make, and it's a good job that I have a bag less vaccum so I can easily gather together all the escaping polystyrene balls!

It is rather a messy job.

I am hoping to start making extra bags ready to sell, to put on my website, but there has been a delay as I have been ill this week.

Today's make

another thermal bag is now safely in the hands of the post office. Off to its new owner in Sourhampton

Changes too my Blog

For the few who have followed me, you will be aware that my blogging is pretty basic. A picture here and there, and a few lines. 

Well although my life is on my Mooloo threads on MSE, I don't tend to use my blog for the same sort of thing. Leaving the blog just for some sewing.

I'm hoping to learn a bit more about blog posts, and how to get followers etc etc, and I am going to try and change my limited knowledge on the subject.

As you may know - I have a very hectic life, dealing with my family, and raising my granddaughter, and it has been quite a roller coaster over the last 7 years. 

With a good 5 of those years being ill as well.

My health seems to be on an even keel now, and I am able to work part time for myself, and improve our income status.

Oh I have dreams of making a proper business out of my sewing, and to teach others to sew as well. 

I have dreams to run workshops, and to show others how to upcycle things and make fun fashion. 

But I also need to learn how to get people interested, and learn what contents will interest, etc

How to photograph my work better, and how to learn marketing etc. 

Which is going to be a huge learning curve for me as it's one thing to hide behind a sewing machine, and just sew, too running a business.

So anyway my blog may start to show a few chances as I teach myself these things. 

At the moment I am making Thermal Cooking Bags, and these are on my Facebook.com/Maryclaremakes 

Another social media outlet for me to grasp. 

So look out for changes, and hopefully I can get this blogging lark sorted! 

and meanwhile here is a picture of some of the children in Zimbabwe when they received the pillowcase bags I made! Well these were a duvet, but they were based on the same! 

thermal Bags Galore!

Today saw another lovely pink Thermal Cooking Bag off to its new home! And two more bags are now on order! 

Black and white theme for one. My choice for the other. It's getting exciting. 

Thermal Cooking Bags in Pink and Purple

This evening two orders were confirmed. So I found a pretty duvet, from my stash to use the fabric and cut out two bags. Both sewn, 1 finished, and 1 just left to fill.

thermal Bag -design 2

Today I experimented with another Thermal Bag. Following a different design. Hope you like it. 

I am selling them on my Facebook Page. 

latest Thermal Cooking Bag

This is today's new addition, to the Thermal Cooking Bags.

Turquoise, yellows, being the predominant colourings of beautiful autumn leaves.

Washable by hand. 

Recycled, fabrics. But a new cord. 

Adding to my stash

Now to wonder what I can make. Definitely some vintage clothes! 

Today I bought a job lot of fabric - all vintage fabrics £30 got me masses!

thermal Cooking Bags

Mooloos Makes, has finished the latest order of the Thermal Cooking Bags, this is one a but larger then the last one, made for customers specific pot. 

Sewing Lessons

Yesterday evening I held another private sewing lesson. Client was using a New Look Pattern. Dispite being a very experienced dressmaker, even I found the order of instructions out of sinc! If I had to read it several times to make sense of it, how is a novice supposed too?? 

On the plus side I was able to work it out and give advice and demonstrations as needed. 

I would suggest always reading a pattern through before commencing work, always transfer all pattern markings, and if necessary, make notes as to the order of work if you think it would be easier to shuffle some stages about! 

frozen Outfits for the grand children.

At the moment the flavour of the month is the new Disney film Frozen. But have you seen the shortage of costumes?

Well I'm trying to make some for the grandchildren. My prototype is currently on the way. Although I plan to change the shape of the bodice, to a v. And of course she needs a long flowing cape! I've purchased 10 metres of voile! Should be enough! 

Hopefully.

Thermal Cooking Bags

This week saw me launch a new Facebook Page, for my Thermal Cooking Bags. I am hoping to use them as a small product for my income stream for this year. what is a Thermal Cooking Bag you may ask. 

Well this bag is based on the traditional methods of Hay Box cookery. 

A slow cooker, with out the electricity if you will.

Several layers of fabric are sewn together, and padded out with polystyrene beads. 

Using a cooking pot, with two handles, (casserole dish that can go on the stove).

You start off your meal on the cooker top, bring the ingredients to a rolling boil for about 5 minutes. Then take off of the heat. Nestle in the Bag, close tight, by the draw string, and leave. No peaking! Leave for the required time, casseroles about 5-6 hours.

When you open it up, you have a beautifully cooked meal ready to serve.

The beauty of this is that there is no further fuel costs. No fire hazard of leaving the house with something plugged in. And if you are longer then expected it doesn't dry out, it will just gently start to cool.

Brilliant. 

There are some on sale called Wonderbags, selling for quite a considerable amount of money.