Soft and Cute

All of you would know that I've been working away making a crochet teddy bear for a sick friend, but I've also had this cute little project just sitting there, looking at me every day in my office. Yesterday I gave in, I started working on this cute little project and before I knew it, I was hooked!
In case some of you are wondering, the cute little project was a little felt soft toy, an elephant to be exact and she is the sweetest little thing I have created in a long time, even though my stitching is a little messy.
The little pack came with a printed template, simple instructions, a picture of the finished product plus all the materials needed.

Such a great way to break up all the crochet and brush up on my hand sewing skills. Might just have to have a look and see what else is available to make :-)
Happy creating :-)

Teddy Bear Gift

A midst all the latest hard work of updating and keeping the website running, I do find time to be a little crafty and creative myself. Lately it has involved crochet, which I find a little easier than knitting, mostly because I can put the work down somewhere and not have to worry about which stitch or row I was up to.

This is the lovely crochet bear I am currently working on, it has been growing far more slowly than I had hoped, it was intended as a birthday gift for a very good friend, but their birthday has passed now so I hope to get it finished asap as this friend has terminal cancer and I thought it would be a lovely teddy to snuggle with, cuddle or just hold on days when she is in hospital or at home.

I've just about got one arm finished, hoping to get the other arm and both legs done soon *fingers crossed* there has just been so much to do elsewhere that it has gobbled up my time. Now that things are running more smoothly again I will be back into it and hope to have this arm completed this weekend, and a limb completed each week after if I can :-)

Stay tuned for more updates :-)

Behind Squnches Craft Network

Hi, hello, hope you are well.

I thought to write up a little about my business Squnches Craft Network, there is a bit of a write up on the About page of our website, but I thought to make this one a little more personal.

I'm Sarah, the founder and director of Squnches Craft Network which was created after my organisation skills got the better of me one day, I discovered a need for an Australian craft directory that wouldn't charge through the roof for business listings. Many craft businesses are small and run from home by WAHM (Work at home Mums), charging through the roof would be pointless as the whole aim of the website is to help craft businesses, big and small, to get word out about their wonderful creations, and to make it easier to source supplies.

At the time I was between jobs, over qualified for some and lacking enough experience at others, that was when a friend suggested doing a small business course to help make this website dream a reality. I couldn't think of a reason why not, it would polish my skills and give me the assistance and confidence needed to run a business.

Now I'm not all about business, I have dabbled in quite a few crafts myself, bead work, candle making, knitting, crochet, drawing just to name a few. I find this really helpful when connecting with many businesses and sharing ideas because quite often I've been there myself or I'll have a go at creating something and share it. Angie sends in some wonderful creations when she gets a chance, sewing, crochet and knitting these days, and my helpful fiance has become more and more interested in shopping for craft supplies, not something I ever expected but having him there makes shopping much more fun.

The website itself is coming along well and I have big plans for it, we did hit quite a few hurdles early on in the development stage with costs and a lack of communication, so I took the big leap and went it alone and haven't looked back since.

I can safely say Squnches Craft Network is owned and run by a proud and creative Aussie, for Aussies. If you haven't already had a look, please head over to www.squnchescraftnetwork.com.au or you can follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Squnches or Twitter, @Squnches_C_N

Cheers for taking the time to read my post.

Sarah Fowler
Founding Director of Squnches Craft Network