I do like to be beside the seaside...

I've just come back from a stay in Suffolk and I wanted to share with you some seaside views! I love being by the sea whatever the weather and we certainly had it all this week, sun, rain and snow!

Southwold Pier

Views from the pier

This was the view from our lodge on Monday! Luckily we got there ok in the Blizzards

Knitting and Rag Doll making!

I just wanted to share with you what I've been making outside of my work making, starting with my latest knitting project! I've finished this just in time for the snow that's falling outside, a very warm short sleeved cardigan in beautiful Rowan Big Wool. The pattern is from one of the Rowan magazines and due to the fact that it was made all in one piece (LOTS of stitches!) I knitted it on circular needles. As a result I'm now converted to circulars, I found them so much lighter and easier to use than regular straight needles. Looking forward to wearing this!

Another project I've been working on is a Rag Doll for my Nieces first birthday later this week, made using a pattern from Mollie Makes magazine. I wanted to make her something special that hopefully she will want to keep, in the same way that I have kept special toys that I had when I was small.

 I've always used my sewing machine for experimental work with just the occasional bit of dress making, but I've made a resolution to use it more, so I thought a toy would be a good place to start! She is a true Rag Doll, being made from scraps of fabric that I already have, with the exception of her trousers, the fabric for which I couldn't resist and I bought from work (hopefully later in the year I'll make myself a dress in it). Working in an Art and Craft shop means I'm always inspired to make new things, and I've got a waiting list of things I want to make!

Lovely new Tweed!

I'm trying out some new colours for my Harris Tweed and recycled fabric brooches...

Beautiful off-cuts of Harris Tweed that I received last week!

I have so much fabric so I tend to try out various colour combinations before I get stitching! I'll keep you posted on the results. If there are particular colours you would like a brooch in, please get in touch!

More pieces now available on Folksy!

I've just added several new pieces to my Folksy shop, check them out here: http://folksy.com/shops/LouiseDawsonDesign

Each piece is an individual one off and remember that I am also more than happy to make pieces to commission, just send me a message via enquiries@louisedawsondesign.com I'd love to hear from you!

You can also find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LouiseDawsonDesign Look out for exclusive to Facebook competitions to win Louise Dawson Design pieces, coming soon!

Hand embellished ring £12
Find it on Folksy http://folksy.com/items/4103854-Embellished-felt-ring

All pieces come beautifully gift boxed!

Harris Tweed Brooches

It's been a frozen day in the studio today, but Cuckoo Farm does look especially magical in the snow, even if I do get very cold toes! Lots of tea has helped me through the chill today though and I've been making new pieces that I'm going to add to my Folksy shop- look out for the Harris Tweed brooches coming soon!

I've also just joined Pinterest so I'll be having fun learning how to use that, I'll keep you posted!

A belated Happy New Year! Thank you everyone who supported me last year by buying my work, reading my blog and giving me great advice. Here's to a successful and happy 2013 for you all.

 I'm looking forward to working towards some big goals with my work this year and I wanted to share with you the lovely new materials that I am starting to work with in the studio!

Treasure! A friend of mine has kindly given me her collection of lovely lace, buttons and fabrics
 which I can't wait to get started on!

Off cuts of Harris Tweed which I'm transforming into brooches

I've also been waiting to show you my first pieces knitted using double pointed needles! I used a pattern for Owl cable finger-less gloves from the beautiful Molly Makes magazine and I caught up with a good friend of mine this week to give them to her as a Christmas present! I found the double pointed needles a little fiddly at first, especially when the cable needle came into play (!) but I quickly got used to it and now I want to make a pair for myself and everyone I know!

Owl gloves!

I now sell my work online!

I just wanted to let you know that Louise Dawson Design jewellery is now available to buy online on folksy.com - I've got a couple of pieces available to start with, but keep an eye on it because I will be gradually adding more pieces. It's all very exciting! Each piece comes gift boxed too, which is ideal for Christmas!

Here are some new little knit and fabric brooches, these (and more) are available to buy at the Jessica Muir Gallery, Long Melford, Sudbury. Please remember, if I post images of things you would like, everything is available to buy and I am more than happy to make pieces to commission. Contact me at enquiries@louisedawsondesign.com