Wednesday 23 December 2015

Happy Christmas From Louise Dawson Design

I'm taking a break over Christmas but I will back to the blog in the new year with lots of new things to share. Thank you for reading and supporting my crafty endeavors this year, I appreciate it very much. I'd like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a great new year- see you in 2016!


Monday 21 December 2015

Pom Pom Present Toppers Gift Wrapping Idea

Christmas is just days away and I'm sure, like me, you are busy wrapping presents. Here is a quick and fun How To for Pom Pom present toppers to add a fun handmade touch to your gift wrapping...


1) Make your pom poms

I have a set of Rico pom pom makers which come in 4 sizes. I'd really recommend getting yourself some pom pom makers as they are a quick way to make pom poms and also guarantee they are the same size. Much quicker than the traditional method using cardboard rings and you can keep these forever, but use whatever method you prefer to make your pom poms




You could choose to stick to a colour scheme, or, as this is a great way to use up odd scraps of yarn, mix and match your pom pom colours for eclectic present toppers. I have chosen to make small, medium and large pom poms for my present toppers, but you could make them in any size you prefer

2) Attach the pom poms to your gifts

Either use strong double sided tape to stick the pom poms to your gifts, or, if you are decorating the gifts with ribbon, thread the pom poms together using a large eyed needle and spare yarn, loop the yarn around the ribbon and tie your pom poms to the ribbon


That's all there is to it! Wishing you lots of fun making pom poms and wrapping gifts. Merry Christmas!

Monday 14 December 2015

Sunday Upmarket

Last Sunday I was lucky enough to have a stand at the Sunday Upmarket on Brick Lane in London and today I wanted to share some photos from the day. It was such a lovely day, there were lots of people out Christmas shopping and a great festive feel- hi to you if you stopped for a chat!


I was really pleased with my table set up, although I am going to invest in some fabric to wrap around the stand in the future! 


Lots of other stallholders stopped by for a chat which was really lovely



I've sold some brooches to men recently and Mr Writer came along to help me very kindly modeled a brooch for me


New bookmark display cards


My button rings- Harris Tweed, knitted, denim and Tartan were popular



I love Yumchaa tea and I always seek them out when I visit Sunday Upmarket. The teas smell and taste amazing- the vanilla and raspberry is my favourite!


Next door to the Sunday Upmarket at The Old Truman Brewery, The London Artisan market was taking place and it was here that I spotted one of my favourite stands from the day. Find and Make create amazing bright and modern pieces for the home using salvaged, vintage and ethically sourced materials. Just my thing! I spoke to Angelique from Find and Make and she was super lovely- check out her website here and her Etsy Shop

I'd definitely like to go back to trade at the Sunday Upmarket and I would recommend it as a fab place to shop for unique finds and great food too!




Saturday 5 December 2015

Louise Dawson Design at Sunday Upmarket London, 6th December 10-5

I'm super excited to tell you that tomorrow, Sunday 6th December, you will find me at the Sunday Upmarket at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London. I've been wanting to take part in the Upmarket for a long time and I have been very busy making lots of new pieces for the day.  From handmade jewellery and gifts from Designer/Makers, to bespoke clothes, art and the best food stalls (it's going to be hard for me not to be tempted!) the Upmarket is a great place to soak up the atmosphere whilst Christmas shopping!  Find me on stand 24 from 10-5- if you're out and about in East London tomorrow come and say hello! Find out more about Upmarket here




Thursday 3 December 2015

On Instagram In November

Happy December! It's hard to believe that here we are at the end of the year already, this year really has wizzed by. Today I'm taking a look back at my Instagram photos from November...


I got into the festive spirit early in November when I took part in the Poppy's Place Winter Fair


Moody skies... November was a damp and blustery month


Spotted these giant pumpkins and squash on a visit to Hyde Hall, I love the bendy one at the back!


New tea favourite! This Bluebird Tea Co. Rhubarb and Custard Rooibos tea tastes every bit as good as it smells!


Turning 30,,, Cupcakes from my favourite local cake shop


The most beautiful birthday gift from some special friends- vintage 1930s bag. I absoloutely love it!
I love all things countryside and woodland and I'm collecting pieces for a woodland themed kitchen. My work colleagues surprised me for my birthday with this lovely Joules set




A lovely thoughtful gift from a good friend- I love this sentiment


A friend has recently had a baby boy so I thought that this would be the ideal opportunity to put my Fair Isle skills into practice on a larger scale, so I made him this Fair Isle beanie!


My niece is only three and a half but the Clangers are back and she's asked me to knit her Tiny Clanger, so that's my next knitting project lined up!

Despite the damp and gloom in November it was still nice to get out for walks. My favourite place to walk is along the river close to where I live


Preparing new work for craft fairs


Nelson doing his best to look innocent after waking me up before the alarm. He's been a bit poorly lately as he has a cyst in his eye, poor boy, but I'm pleased to say that he's now ben signed off by the vet, yay!


Trip to my favourite cafe with my sister and niece. My niece was fascinated by two ladies having afternoon tea and kept saying look at the pretty plates and tea pots- can I have them?!

I hope you all had a lovely November too. What did you get up to?