Hi and welcome!

I'm Jo and I love to craft, sew, bake, drink coffee and write. That's why I started this blog. It fits perfectly with my craft business Pretty Simple Things which was born out of a love for creativity and a passion for a homemade home. I sell 'make your own' craft kits which contain everything you need, ready to make those finishing touches to your home as well as homemade decor.

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It's definitely been a fun afternoon... #PrettySimpleThings #cardmaking #youmakemesmile #youarebeautiful #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #stabilos http://ift.tt/1Jexbs6

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Having a fun creative afternoon! #creative #stabillos #cardmaking #dosomethingdifferent #PrettySimpleThings #leaves http://ift.tt/1I5ckV4

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I recommend ... Simply Sewing

A couple of months ago I excitedly instagramed this picture of the new Simply Sewing magazine which my husband had bought me for my birthday; he knows me well! Having since signed up for their great deal of 3 issues for £5 I am well and truly loving this magazine.

Over the last couple of months I have made their flower brooch and two-pattern-piece top; both of which were fabulously simple and had great instructions to follow. I have also made a hoop embroidery gift for a friends birthday - something I had never made before and which was inspired by the embroidery stitch page which features in every issue of the magazine.

Simply Sewing is bursting with projects to complete ... ones which use just two fat quarters, transformation projects that turn an item of clothing into something completely different, absolutely adorable clothes for kids and so much more. As well as that there are ‘good read’ articles; the latest issue sees them catching up with the Great British Sewing Bee Contestants - what sewing enthusiast doesn’t want to hear about that! And each issue comes with a free gift of something you can make which definitely sucks me in. That’s how I made the first issue’s flower brooch and my next project is set to be the third issue’s flower clutch bag.

Some things will be more your style than others. I loved the first free gift and wasn’t so bothered by the felt bag but it does give me a chance to practice something new and gain some new skills so either way it’s a win, win for me. And the various projects open my eyes to new ways of doing things.

There are often so many things that I want to sew that I’m paralysed with options and don’t end up getting anywhere. Simply Sewing has given me simple and achievable pieces that have inspired me to just get on and do. The instructions are really good quality as well, which I’m very impressed by as the quality of a lot of instructions was something I found frustrating when I was learning to sew. 

For the variety of projects, the clear instructions and the fun yet practical style of the magazine I would recommend it to people who already sew and people who are new to sewing; it covers so much whilst being friendly and not daunting!

If you weren’t to get it on offer, it is quite pricey at £5.99 an issue but you can tell it is written by people who love sewing. The fact you can get it on offer is a bonus and means that it will definitely be staying on my purchase list. And if you haven’t yet signed up you have no excuse as you can now get 5 issues for £5 - bargain!

The two-piece-pattern top in floral material!

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My admin head didn't want to work today so instead I made this... #PrettySimpleThings #top #floraltop #makeyourown http://ift.tt/1EwrPAP

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Social Media Success

Social media has become so important over the last few year - for small and big businesses alike. It’s a great way to engage with customers and also raise your profile. One of the challenges for me has been the amount of time it takes to do social media well. I’ve dibbed in and out of it over the last year but haven’t really made time to do it well.

Over the last couple of months I decided to dedicate more time to my social media presence and I’m already seeing the benefits. I’ve had 44 new Twitter followers in two months and 172 views of my Twitter profile. My Facebook likes have gone from 135 to 146 - which isn’t a huge amount but is a significant growth in comparison to some months!

I’ve also found a whole heap of really great crafters whose profiles link to new projects to try and show great tips! I’m also finding lots of lovely blogs to follow and sign up to. And a lot of like minded people who I can retweet, favourite and enjoy as they post pretty pictures and fill my Twitter feed with craft love!

Sometimes it can feel like a chore and sometimes I have loads to post but either way I’m definitely finding that it is making a difference in raising my profile in the craft circuit. Apps like Buffer help because it means I can schedule a few posts in advance to save me time when I’m off at my other job - check it out if you haven’t used it before.

Having new followers, more likes and retweets has boosted my social media confidence and also made me more keen to keep engaging. So I’ve just invested in this little beauty from Mollie Makes [one of the fantastic websites I’ve found!] to help me learn how I can keep improving.

I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome. And I’d love to hear from you, fellow business bloggers and crafters - what has worked for you? How have you made the best use of social media without it taking up all of your time?

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Found this gorgeous batik fabric in my collection today; hoping to make something inspired from it! #batik #fabric #craft #dressmaking #green #pink #blue #oriental #PrettySimpleThings http://ift.tt/1EjcCco

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My first experience of bondaweb looks like this; one very happy lady! #bunting #bondaweb #wedding #craft #makeyourown #homemade #polkadot #floral #PrettySimpleThings http://ift.tt/19BbDWP

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Pretty Simple Things: November - March

Eek, it’s been nearly six months since I last wrote a monthly update. Since then a lot of Christmas busyness has happened followed by some much needed down time. In the last few months I’ve been to numerous Christmas fairs and markets, drank copious amounts of coffee, tasted a variety of delicious Christmas goodies, assembled many many craft kits, travelled 6000 miles across the globe to Cambodia and hosted my first hen do craft activity.

The last few month in pictures

There’s been a lot of this...

and this ...

We made our very own homemade Christmas Tree and bought new display items to make the stall look as pretty as possible...

And, after a couple of months of down time and an incredible trip to Cambodia, I was back to business and excitedly enjoying the new Simply Sewing magazine. Here’s my first make...

In my next update I’ll hopefully be sharing some of my future plans and dreams for what’s next with Pretty Simple Things.

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Fun afternoon star felting! #felt #star #feltgarland #rainbowcolours #PrettySimpleThings http://ift.tt/19PTaa3

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VERY excited with my hen do craft delivery and special free gift from paper-and-string today! #felt #craft #PrettySimpleThings #hendo #craftset http://ift.tt/1IrWvap

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The beautiful brooch from @simplysewingmag #PrettySimpleThings #brooch #handsewing http://ift.tt/1G77QO1

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I enjoyed using this little pack from @simplysewingmag today to make a gorgeous and easy to make brooch...look out for the next picture. #SimplySewing #PrettySimpleThings #craft #sewing #brooch #handsewn http://ift.tt/1xW2aiX

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Hard at work with hen do prep and blogging in the PST office today. #PrettySimpleThings #hendo #officeday #blogging #craft http://ift.tt/1LNIglQ

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Enjoying some Sunday afternoon crafting #PrettySimpleThings #Easter #bunnygarland #felt #craft http://ift.tt/1Hk1AR5

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One very happy wife! #PrettySimpleThings #simplysewing #birthdaytreat #timetosew http://ift.tt/1FvMirD

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A small corner of my now organised craft room; all ready for being back to business tomorrow! #PrettySimpleThings #planningday #prettyspace http://ift.tt/1wRSbJB

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Pretty Simple Things Winter Market competition! One winner at today's market will get to take home the lovely Mr/Mrs Gingerbread... #competition #PrettySimpleThings #WinterMarket http://ift.tt/1FXsvjW