What a Monster Christmas!!

Well, Friday was an eventful day: off on the train to London to meet Gemma Johnson from Myfamilyclub and Madeline, for lunch at Lutyens. It was really interesting and good to hear that I'm not too far off the mark with my ideas on the future for the business. They also suggested I get my butt in gear and get a proper email so I've just set it up - you can now contact me at sam@checkformonsters.com. Additionally this week, Myfabrics.co.uk finally refunded my money for the overcharge they made to my credit card. I really don't want to stop using them as they have some amazing fabrics but their customer service and delivery has left a little bit of a sour taste. I do have a good contact there though so I'm hoping that helps in the future. We also got out offer accepted on a new house...so fingers crossed it goes through ok!! We've been pretty lucky with selling our house within a few days of it being on the market and I'm truly grateful for that. However, all of this have meant that I'm a touch behind with the orders and had to sneak in a few last minute orders to send off and now just have five more pairs of new pyjamas to make in time for Christmas Eve...it's lucky they're all for friends of mine so it's an excuse to have a good ol' catch up when I make a special delivery with them! Happy Christmas everyone!!

Going global! (well, almost!)

Yesterday I set up and got accepted for my first business account (go me!) but it wasn't my intention but merely circumstances needing me to as a payment received was made payable to the business and I didn't want to ask the lovely seller, based in Ireland, to have to resend it in my own name. I don't really know much about business accounts but I suppose it's something else I can learn.

Business is going well. Very busy until Christmas and then hopefully when things calm down I can work on lots of exciting new products!!

So much to do!

Well these past three months have been great! I've made lots and lots of things - unpicked a fair bit and have a whole head full of ideas that I can get sewn quick enough!

Thus far I think that the main focus for 'Check for Monsters' will be the bedding as this allows me to be far more creative and I just love seeing the end product. I've been in contact with a lot of suppliers for material and am getting together a pretty good list of suppliers. For anyone who's interested in UK fabric/material suppliers for the home crafter here's my list:

www.fabricland.co.uk - their website is, to put it politely, SHOCKING! However, they are really helpful over the phone and if you're lucky enough to live near a store then you can't really beat their prices. You cannot go and pick up from their Ringwood depot though - boo! (but it's understandable really). 

www.remnanthouse.co.uk - quick delivery and a good range of fairly priced materials. Can't say more than that except the search function on the website is poor and you have to look through a lot of pages to find what you're looking for e.g. brushed cotton brings up ALL the cottons.

www.myfabrics.co.uk - website is pretty poor to enable you to search but considering how many countries they ship to you can understand why BUT they can take FOREVER to ship and they may charge you wrong :/ not particularly impressed with these guys but I do now have a contact. It doesn't help that much though as they still seem to have messed up my orders from day 1. I did get a free pair of scissors and a credit voucher though. Their fabrics are lovely I must admit!

www.ecleticmaker.co.uk - lovely, lovely stuff and quick to send stuff out. I've only bought one thing so far though so will update more when I order again.

www.elephantinmyhandbag.co.uk - tons of beautiful fabric!!

I'll add and update as and when...feel free to add any other websites and I'll check them out; I'm always on the lookout for more suppliers.

Blog blog slog

I've got a few things on the horizon. Definitely who you know not what you know! Selina is thinking about blogging about me to help her blog and it will also be seen on the Little Pickles website so I'm really pleased about that. Fingers crossed good things will happen!

I must admit, I'm still getting quite a lot of 'what the hell am I doing this for?' moments. I know I can do it, but I'm just not sure I'm good enough. Only time will tell. I just want to make a sale and start getting some return on all the fabric I've bought!!

Is going social

I've got a Twitter account now - @check4monsters!

Today I had a conversation about a trade account for some lovely materials - let's just hope I can sell enough to warrant it. And find the time to make anything! Last night I could have made the duvet cover I was working on but then went and cut the border material wrong. How annoying! Luckily, every mistake is a learning experience and the material is pretty easy to come by. It's on order now so fingers crossed I might get it tomorrow!

Sew the seed

Today we planted the seed. We paid for the domain names (www.checkformonsters.com and www.checkformonsters.co.uk). The idea is this: to create toddler bedding and nightwear. Simple? I hope! I just need to dust off my old college files and remember how to sew and hope I can produce some lovely quality items that mummys and daddys and grandparents want to buy! Watch this space! I hope for lots of news and developments soon.