The Red Spotty Mushroom

Friday, 1 February 2013

Decided to swap my blog over to a new provider so join me there where I will be posting a tutorial part 1 :)

http://shroomypix.wordpress.com

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

First post of 2013

So thought would restart my blog with a fresh theme of reviews, tutorials & bit less crafty more family :)

So I had a baby 12 weeks ago called Critter for the sake of the blog.

Critter is ill at the moment that heartbreaking time where you worry about a new baby as they cry and sleep through their day in discomfort so we've bought all we can to help him with his congestion so thought I would review the products out there because lets face it isn’t a lot!

Baby Critter was born with a snuffly nose as do a lot of babies born similar time appear to have so we decided to try saline for those extra snuffly times.

These mostly worked by making Critter sneeze which did help and are only safe product under 3 months old. We then saw another saline in different bottle which works by spraying the saline up his nose rather than dropping or squeezing it in.

This works even better although Critter hates it and cries every time. Its also rather temperamental and if the right pressure Isn’t used it doesn’t spray further upsetting Critter because have to do it again. Either that or we waste the spray by testing it before use. However it lasts a while & works.

Critters congestion has got worse though and he was approaching the critical 3 months where stronger medicines can be used. So we got snuffle babe with is a vapour rub. As he is under 3 months the recommendation was to put it on a tissue rather than him or on his vest. This worked a little more making it easier for him to breath of a night when he got worse. However since approaching 3 months we found it works better on the skin than a hanky or between clothes layers.

This had the added benefit of being fairly cheap too!

Friday he developed a cough and seemed to be unable to breathe without a lot of snot and rattling so pulled out the big guns Big Critters Tixylix vapour fan. Now Big Critter is 5 and I bought the fan about 4 years ago and had used my last box of refills the previous weeks for him.

The reason I like this fan is its portable being battery operated so can place wherever without being dependant on a plug & hoping vapours reach your bunged up child in bed. The other reason is it WORKS within matter of days we would be able to put it away for the next illness.

So with having no refills and it being late I put some Olbas oil drops on the used refill pad inside which seemed to help but not quite the same as the Tixylix.

Today off I go in search of the refills to find none!!!!! Worst moment when you can’t get what need. Came home & checked out Amazon to find none so did general Google search to find their discontinued!! Could cry by this point poor Baby Critter coughing away and I cant help!! So its back to the Olbas oil on the used pad.

After an eBay search I found one and offered full price for it if can have it tonight & sent in the morning desperation of a parents as its 99p start and im offering £11 plus postage :/ which is what would have been if still sold in shops.

I have seen review that calpol vapour fan refills fit the Tixylix and people rate the Calpol ones however others don’t so unsure what to think so haven’t ventured there.

Whilst out we did pick up some Karvol capsules seen as not much else was helping and so far my opinion is it smells funny we shall see how tonight goes.

Since typing above the ebay Tixylix fan is on way with 8 precious refills to be used sparingly I think!!!

As for Karvol I gave up because really so hate the smell we got for half price so not so bad will use eventually just not this week.

So if anything out there you rate let me know :)

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Third Newletter

Getting through these newsletters now not sure who reads them tho lol

So quick reminder of christmas orders

Christmas Orders will need to be ordered and paid for by 1^st- 14^th October. I will be providing 15-20 slots for orders which are available from now and dates range from mid September to end of October. If you reserve or gain a slot during September your order will need to be paid in full by 15^th September. If your slot is first half of October your order is to be paid in full by 1^stOctober and lastly if your slot is late October your full payment needs to be in by 14^th October however you will be advised of this at time of ordering.

If you wish to reserve a slot now I will need £1 deposit and full details of order. You can change order up until 15^th September after which time any extra additions will be added after all other orders are completed again will be advised at time. Once all slots are filled I will be able to inform those who may have missed out if theres any extra space.

Unfortunately due to time constraints this refers to any normal non chrismtas items ordered during this time.

For those unsure why im having this system and doing no orders during November and December is because im due another little boy o 23^rd November and my eldest son is 5 on the 16^th November so will be taking at least 3 months off. If I comeback will be big changes to page. There are now only about 10 slots left so grab whilst you can x

This weeks offer is on Bags :)

It will run from 23^{rd -}July 5^th August

All bags are now with 20% off including change bags, tote bags, back pack and pe bags. Postage on tote bags and pe bags is free rest normal charges apply sorry.

Change bags normally around £30-40 now: £24- £32

Tote bags normally small £7 big £10 now: £5.60 and £8

Back Packs normally start at £15 now: £12

Pe bags normally £12 or 2 for £20 now: £9.60 or 2 for £16

BARGAIN!!! any materials personalisation for free :)

Links to albums

Change and pram bags: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.194932040619877.42197.178990222214059&type=3

Back packs: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.204610969651984.44806.178990222214059&type=3

Tote bags: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?

set=a.186577744788640.40097.178990222214059&type=3

Pe/drawstring bags: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.186574248122323.40094.178990222214059&type=3

Multi purpose bag https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.186568238122924.40091.178990222214059&type=3

I also have one last offer and to first person to order and pay can get a spiderman cape (see albums) for £8 normally £12 with free postage xx

Monday, 16 July 2012

Week 2 - Newletter

So this is the 2nd newsletter of the month with a new offer :)

offer this week is on Pixie boots :) these can be used for decoration on a shelf perfect as an alternative christening, birthday or christmas present. they can also have string attached for putting on your christmas tree. the decorative ones come in a organza bag the tree ones wont sorry. these are not for wearing if wish same for wearing or different sized please ask but wont be included in offer.

They can be done in any colour combination of your choice and are decorated with a few pony beads and bells.

This offer will run from 16th July- 22nd July 10pm. This means ordering and full payment before this time to get offer. These will NOT include free postage sorry x

Heres link for Christmas album if you click the right arrow there is plenty of pictures of them :)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.251704854942595.54851.178990222214059&type=3

Offer prices are : £4 each or 2 for £6 or 4 for £10

Due to prices of material i have to insist if buy more than one pair you can't have them all different fabric during offer unless i have what you want in my stash already if pick 1-2 pairs has to be same fabric up to 4-6 pairs can be 2 fabrics or more than 6 can chose 3 :)

Unfortunately due to time constraints this refers to any normal non chrismtas items ordered during this time.

Sunday, 1 July 2012

July 2012

NEWSLETTER

Welcome to The Red Spotty Mushrooms verey first newsletter J

I will be posting this via my blog but if you want to sign up for regular emails when their available let me know through message tab on facebook wall (www.facebook.com/theredspottymushroom) or email me at shroomdesigns@hotmail.co.uk.

So the serious stuff first

IMPORTANT NEWS

Christmas Orders will need to be ordered and paid for by 1^st- 14^th October. I will be providing 15-20 slots for orders which are available from now and dates range from mid September to end of October. If you reserve or gain a slot during September your order will need to be paid in full by 15^th September. If your slot is first half of October your order is to be paid in full by 1^st October and lastly if your slot is late October your full payment needs to be in by 14^th October however you will be advised of this at time of ordering J

Unfortunately due to time constraints this refers to any normal non chrismtas items ordered during this time.

OFFERS

Im vowing from now (well started 2 weeks ago) until September to have a special offer a week there is also discounts on multiple items and early christmas ordering (before September 15^th)

Last weeks offer was 20% off all gift and keyring items and week before was £2 off all mini cushions. This weeks offer will run from Monday 2^nd July 9am till Sunday 15^th July midnight. Items need to be paid in full to gain the discount. And that offer is:

Superhero Capes normall £8 for one or £10 for 2 of same colour or £15 for 2 of different colours

now £5 for one or £7 for two of same colour or £10 for 2 of different colours

Superhero sets: cape, eye mask and arm cuffs normally £12 now £10

Reversible cape normally £15 now £10 any colours add extra £2 for mask and cuffs

And to help on top im offering these with FREE postage!!!!! Bargain perfect gift for Christmas and can be personalised for free also. These capes are unlined but can be done lined or reversible also included in offer and done in variety of sizes age 2-8 velcro or tie fastened.

heres the link https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.232225983557149.50821.178990222214059&type=3

Sorry it isn’t a very long one for first go but I hope to provide you with any helpful hints and tips I come across that are useless. Easy tutorials for you and your children. and even mini tutorials for fixing simple tears and lost buttons etc J

I hope to do short newsletters weekly due to wanting to do weekly offers and big once at least once a month J thanks for reading and would enjoy feedback good or bad

Thursday, 17 May 2012

I haven't had much time to create any more tutorials and i am by no means an author lol so thought i would leave you with some of my favourite tutorials before we head off camping tomorrow :) were off to a Buddhist festival were daddy does his thing and me and little one play and enjoy the rest well sort of ;) so i shall come back with some amazing pics for you to go wow over :) for now here's my top 10 tutorials:

1. I have made me and my son one of these each (obviously did mine slightly bigger) and its a fab easy tutorial and a great looking bag at end and only uses about metre of fabric so bargain too :) http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/08/back-to-school-free-let%E2%80%99s-go-backpack-pattern-tutorial/

2. This is lovely uses little fabric but looks cute when made and can be hand sewn would look fab in babies nursery too :) the link to pattern to print off is on right of page
http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/2008/05/16/bird-mobile/

3. This is another good value one to make uses up scraps and looks lush!
http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/10/tutorial-scrap-buster-fall-pillow.html

4. This is a cute one for the kids and they could even help you make it only small so again another one can use scraps for
http://thelongthread.com/?p=7370

5. This is a paper flower these might be bit harder and longer to do but look amazing and you will have fun trying :)
http://www.100layercake.com/blog/2011/07/22/diy-storybook-paper-roses/

6. I personally hate those beaded dummy clips but also my son was forever spitting his out so soother savers are fab so here's a fab one to make
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/10/october-14-pacifier-clip-tutorial-sophie-lili-giveaway/

7. This is another cheap one to make and PERFECT to make with the kids in those boring days leading up to Xmas when they moan
http://pepperbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/diy-snowflake-wreath.html

8. This is just cute no explanation needed just click :)
http://thelongthread.com/?p=173

9.Fab for Xmas for those little boys who want to be builder when grow up :)
http://2littlehooligans.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/big-boy-tool-belt-tutorial.html

10.Just cute and what my previous tutorial blog was partly based on along with many others
http://thelittlehousebythesea.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/toadstool-cottage-and-mushroom-house-%E2%80%93-free-pattern-and-tutorial/

So hope you enjoyed those would be amazing to see if anyone made anything from them :) x

Friday, 27 April 2012

I saw a tutorial for a fairy house online so decide so design my own and do a tutorial for it :)

First you need:
thick felt- i got some from eBay and is about 5-6 mm thick
thinner red and white felt
thread
thick strong needle
scissors
cardboard
stuffing
beads, buttons and other decorative items including felt scraps

Step one:
I cut out a circle approx the size i wanted the top part of my mushroom to be and cut it into 4. placed on the red felt and cut out as shown.

Step two:

Cut some white dots however you wish to decorate the top of your mushroom be sure to not sew any spots too close to the edge of the triangles so they don't get sewn into the seams or you can skip to next step then come back to do this step :)

Step three:
You can chose to do this step before previous :)

You need to now sew your quarters together i sewed them straight however later on realised you need sew on a slant so starting at outer edge about 10mm from edge sew to a point so end up with slanted line

Once all sewn should end up with slight pointy type dome :) Also note front centre why its good idea to sew spots on after this stage lol .

Step four

You now need to decide how raised you want your 'dome' the smaller the circle underneath the more raised up your dome will be but you may need to adjust your original seams so don't end up with a pointy lumpy dome.

I laid my dome as above pic shows and measure from one end to other to determined the diameter of my circle

I cut it out of felt and then again 1cm smaller out of thick card

Step five:

Next place dome on top and pin in place so cardboard is inside. because your cardboard is smaller you have a 1cm seam allowance meaning can use machine without fear of sewing through cardboard and breaking a needle. Sew all way around leaving a 10cm gap

Stuff with well stuffing!! so its nice and plump no baggy areas but don't overstuffed as the based will bulge and it wont sit straight :) Once you have stuffed enough close up using machine again

You have now done the top :)

Next is the house :)

Step one:

I started by deciding what height i wanted my house. my thick felt was 30cm square so decided to just roll it and that would be size albeit a tall house :) if you want smaller a craft knife would be neatest option for trimming

Step two :

Decorate your house i hand sewed a door, 2 windows and various other things including beaded flower vines

I also cut out felt flowers and laid it all on before sewing to ensure its how i wanted. if you look on right side the flower isn't as close to edge as left side this is to allow for sewing up house afterwards without losing the 'garden'

Step three:

Sew everything on you can also chose to stick them down to make it a bit quicker :)