Cupcakes for Clara

Patience...

... is a virtue. So I am told. I'm not sure Clara would agree - in fact I know darn well that she wouldn't. But you, my dear friends are indeed virtuous, for the patience you have been forced to show is much appreciated. I on the other hand appear to be virtue-less.

So, after yet another absence - now at least you know why - I really want to say thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU everybody for your wonderful support and encouragement over the past few months.

And look who has fluttered into the shop...

This little sparrow is very pleased to be finally finished. He has been sitting on my desk without wings or a beak for at least six weeks. But now he is done, although he remains nameless because I just can't decide on what he is. Any ideas?

And... he is not the only new addition. Keepsies have landed!

There are eight of them all lined up in the shop waiting for precious and most special things to be kept inside them. Each one is different, fully lined, embroidered, and tagged with a cupcake. And they all come packaged in a handmade cotton bag (very eco-friendly!).

Have a lovely afternoon all, I am going to rest, and eat cherries, and watch my tummy because it looks as though there is an earthquake going on in there! (Although I'm fairly reassured that in actual fact it is just a wriggly baby.)

Keepsies

Keepsies \keep-see-s\ noun:
Lovely little pouches to keep your most special and precious things in.
-
'Aren't keepsies just marvelous for keeping your most special and precious little things in?'
'Oh yes, I just love keepsies.'

Do you remember all those weeks ago when I showed you this and left you guessing for far too long? Well, they are Keepsies. A new Cupcakes for Clara product. They will quite happily hold your mobile phone, digital camera, ipod, credit cards, money, lipstick, anything special and little.

There is going to be a whole range of keepsies. All handmade from wool felt and delicious printed cottons, with fun little embroidery in the Cupcakes for Clara style. A cute little button holds the flap down, and a cupcake label lets you know just exactly where it's from! They will even extend to larger versions soon, to hold your lovely books or notepads.

They aren't quite ready for selling just yet - I'd like to have quite a few made first - but if you are interested do let me know, and I'll send an advanced newsletter to anyone on the mailing list before they hit the store. If you don't receive newsletters but would like to please e-mail me and you'll be added.

p.s. a few extra pages have been added here and there if you fancy a browse... an about page, questions asked a lot, and other bits and bobs.

The Guardian

A belated but very happy Easter to you all. Of course, after another period of absence (explanation to follow soon), I am back! I can't help but think that if someone were to write a school report on me it would read 'could do better' and 'must spend more time concentrating in class'.

But enough nonsense, instead lets move to far more interesting things...

Did you happen to see the Guardian on Easter Saturday?

Cupcakes for Clara was published in it! In the new kids section called the Comic. A lovely feature on how to make finger puppets. And it was even on the cover...

I am excited beyond all belief! I mean the Guardian! And on Easter weekend too! I couldn't help but wonder how many little kids were making my finger puppets over Easter - it's amazing.

If you didn't see it, you can download the spread from the Guardian website here and then you can make your own little finger friends!

And here's what I'm doing at the moment... well, not right at this very moment because I'm typing right now, but maybe in a few moments, or a few moments after that, or a couple after that, but quite soon at least...

Little bird fatties! A robin and a newly designed sparrow.

Just a little reminder...

that if you would like anything from this wonderfully sweet establishment to arrive in time for christmas, please may you order by the end of tomorrow. Things may be a teensy bit delayed because I'm getting married in one week, and then I'll be away for a week. But I'll keep in touch and get as much sent outover the next few days as possible.

And as Clara reminded me, 'Weddings are far more important than christmas puddings, unless the pudding is actually for Clara, and then it is far more important than anything!'

Thank you so much x

Holidays are coming and so is a competition

Christmas is upon us folks and, I've finally managed to add my holiday range to my lovely shop. If you would like anything to arrive before Christmas please make sure you order before November 25th.

So before I show you what christmassy goodness I have made, let me tell you a little something... Clara has been up to a bit of her usual bossiness and has persuaded me to hold a competition. So, if you would like the chance of winning one of these...

... then please leave a comment on this post. Any comment will do, I won't be commentist. The competition will be open until November 17th, so get your entries in soon if you'd like your very own big fattie pudding for Christmas.

So, the shop, well there are quite a few things although not as many as I'd hoped. We have...

A few new cupcake keyrings

A cute little robin flattie for your tree, or chair!

Holiday bunting

A teeny pudding flattie for your teeny tree

and big fattie puddings for you big tree

And my favourite of all... Clara and Macy Holiday cards.

Clara is up to her old tricks and has wrapped up a special gift just for you...

Yep... you guessed it, she wrapped up Macy!
Cards are available on their own or as a set of two with a 'wrapped Macy' gift tag.

Clara has just sent out will very soon be sending out November newsletters, if her computer would work properly, so if you're a newbie here and you'd like to receive one... hello, thank you and send me an cupcakesforclara@yahoo.co.uk.

Good luck to all in the competition and a great big

THANK YOU LOTS

to everyone who has voted for the Clara and Macy snowman in the Softie Awards.

And just a quick note to my Dad, who may be reading, we love you and hope you get well as soon as possible, (he's in hospital with a very nasty gallbladder infection and stuck gallstones).

Have a lovely weekend everyone x

Vincent says 'plush you'

Look who's at Plush You! Vincent, Bonnie and Rupert are all exhibiting at Nancy as part of Plush You. They would love you to pop over and say hello. Of course they may be showing off their behinds when you get there.

Each cheeky little softie comes packaged up in a lovely cotton bag...

But if you like the look of these softies but can't make it to the Plush You exhibition, don't worry Vincent has found his way into the shop. I'm not sure how he got there because an octopus can't really walk, and my shop isn't of the underwater variety. Maybe he did a funny kind of hopping tentacle dance?!

He is a cutie, and I love him!

He's quite shy though so he'll need to be cuddled a lot. Oh, and his tentacles are moveable.

I've also added another very sweet cupcake keyring.

Vincent and his girly keyring can be found here

New products have landed

Lots of beautiful one-of-a-kind items have found their place in my shop today. There are...

Two 'I'm grumpy but I don't know why' tote bags, featuring your favourite little grumpster, Clara.

One 'Cup of tea and a cupcake' tote bag. Each bag features a lined front pocket, so you don't lose your purse or keys beneath all of your lovely shopping. Straps are long enough to sling over your shoulder, and each bag has a signature cupcake label.

Lovely hand-stitched cupcake keyrings to add a bit of prettiness to your keys. All one-of-a-kind made from fabric left-overs.

Pretty hand-stiched cupcake badges to wear anywhere.

And Bonnie. A very shy little kitten who isn't very keen on water.

But she does have a cute tail. And you can find her, and all of the other lovely things here.

Tomorrow...

Be sure to check it out! And if you don't already receive lovely little newsletters like this one, just let me know and start to fill your inbox with cuteness.

Aside from working on fun new products, I've been experimenting with an adventurous entry for the Holiday Softie Awards. What will it be I wonder?

And I've been thinking about cuteness, and how much I absolutely adore one particular song that Tom put on a new compilation he made for me. It really makes my heart melt. It's called I Like Giants by Kimya Dawson who you may know from the Mouldy Peaches. You can hear a bit of it here, I think.

Cupcake central!

Oh yes, the cupcakes have invaded!

I'm working on quite a few cupcakey things - aprons, keyrings, and cards. The three big aprons are part of a custom order for a cafe in NY. They will have straps to match the cafe's colours and little ribbons with the name on. I'm so excited to think that their staff will be wearing my aprons, it makes me want to buy a ticket and fly over there just to take a peek!

And these little cupcakes have just found their place in the shop.

Cotton striped or gingham cupcake keyrings: $8 / £4

There will be a whole variety soon, but for now it's pink goodness. And they are very limited because I'm only using fabric leftovers, so if you like it, go for it!

Bonjour Je m'appelle Albert

Bonjour!

Albert is possibly the cutest crocodile you will ever see. He's learning how to snap, but it's taking a while because he's ever so shy. He has quite big teeth but isn't so sure how to use them!

And he has the sweetest little tail! He makes me laugh so much... just the thought of a fat round crocodile is enough!

Albert is available in the shop now. £35 / $70

Lets just hope he doesn't eat Lucy first...

Little Lucy is heading to a lovely birthday boy this weekend, who is about to have his new room decorated in a soft Laura Ashley blue colour.

Don't worry Albert, Lucy will be safe!

And I've slightly changed my packaging bags, putting the cupcake label on the side rather than the front.