May days

May days have been filled with preparing for the next Reetsweet Designer/Maker Fair at Leeds Corn Exchange on Saturday June 2nd, and also making Jubilee and London inspired purses and totes exclusively for The Bowery, who are running a Best of British exhibition throughout the Summer. Take a peep at this link:
http://www.thebowery.org/best_of_british.html
My trip to London last month came just at the right time to provide me with a bit of inspiration! 
Here are some of my latest May makes:

I was recently asked to make a clutch bag for a very soon-to-be-bride, which was a whole new direction for me! Thankfully the bride-to-be was thrilled so maybe Gingerbread Cupcake will branch out into wedding related clutches - who knows! Here is the finished product.

In other news, I went to a fantastic course recently - Printmaking for paper and textile products run by Helen Entwistle A.K.A Memo Illustration, where I turned one of my latest Summery designs into a screenprinted tote. I couldn't help but applique some fabric onto it though, and added a couple of upcycled buttons for good measure. I'd love to take what I learned further, and design and print my own fabric to then make into purses etc, but maybe that will happen when there are more hours in the day! Here is a close up of the Tote I made on the course:

There will be plenty more summer holiday inspired items coming shortly, to be unveiled at Reetsweet. I just cannot wait for Summer!!!!!!!!!!


Bye for now.
GC xx

April already!

Hello blog, I'm sorry for my recent neglect of you. I don't know where the time goes! I can't believe its April already and how random is the weather? Last week summer dresses and sandals, this week back to big jumpers and winter boots. Bizarre!
So anyway, here are a few of my recent makes. Lots of custom made orders coming in at the mo!

I'm pleased to say that my next craft event will be the fantastic Reetsweet on the 2nd June at The Corn Exchange in Leeds


So, I'm now turning my attention to some lovely new summery designs for this! And as it's the day of the Queen's Jubilee, I think it would be rude not to make some kind of Jubilee inspired bags and purses so watch this space! I'm going to London at the weekend so will get lots of Royal inspiration I'm sure!


I'd also like to say thank you to Rubie Magpie (http://rubiemagpie.blogspot.co.uk) who recently nominated me the Leibster Blog Award which i'm very grateful for, thank you very much! I'm still new to this whole blogging thing so I'm both surprised and delighted that somebody has a) read my witterings on b) liked it enough to nominate me!

The origins of the Liebster blog are somewhat unclear, however the general consensus is the German award meaning nearest and dearest is awarded to up and coming blogs with less than 200 followers in order to showcase these blogs.

The rules are:

♥  Choose 5 blogs with less than 200 followers to award the Liebster Blog Award.

♥  Say 'Thank You' the the blogger that gave you the by linking back to their blog.
♥  List the 5 blogs you nominate and link back to their blogs.


It took me ages to choose, but here are my five favourite, most inspiring blogs! These ladies rock! 


1) http://me-melou.blogspot.co.uk/  - I LOVE this ladies' patterns and prints
2) http://www.jessicahogarth.com/blog/ - very talented and really lovely with it
3) http://hello-freckles.blogspot.co.uk/ - 'Bear Hug' is most definitely on my wish list!
4) http://katiealmondceramics.blogspot.co.uk/ - I want one of everything Katie makes!
5) http://ragbutton.blogspot.co.uk/ - Heather is a superb textile artist. I love her work

So please take a look. I'm sure you'll love them too!


Be back soon!
GC xx

Spring has almost sprung!

Since I last blogged (!) life has been a bit hectic! There has been a rolling rota of illness in the household, and in between sleepless nights, calpol doses and snotty handkerchiefs, I've been busy making for the Bowery, birthday gifts and Mothers Day presents (see below!)

I sent my first international order to Ohio, U.S.A. and it was received well so really chuffed!

And, yey!! My folksy shop is now up and running http://folksy.com/shops/GingerbreadCupcake

I've listed a few items on there for now - more to follow shortly!

Last week, I made a 'one off' Cat Tote for a fellow crafty lady

I've also been applying for craft fairs later on in the year so I hope to be able to release Gingerbread Cupcake tour dates soon!

Last, but by no means least, to my fantastic new logo, which is all thanks to the lovely Helen Entwistle! (www.hellomemo.com). Love it! thanks soooooo much Helen. You are most fabulous.

Next week = bunting, peg bags and phone cosies!!! (and hopefully more sleep, and less Calpol!)

GC xxx

Valentines week

Well, on Saturday I did my first Reetsweet at the Leeds Corn Exchange. It was a great day and I met some very lovely people there. I was alongside some very talented artists and designer/makers, and I have my eye on many a gorgeous treat. 
I collected my really lovely screenprinted sign from Helen Memo on Friday ready for the fair, and I'm soooooo delighted with it. Thanks Helen! 

This week, I'll be making for the Bowery and will also be shipping my first International order to the USA.  I'm also working on some new designs so will be back soon with a few pics of work in progress. 
Bye for now! 

New makes!

The temperature has definitely taken a dip with all the lovely snow so I thought I'd make a little something to keep your phones cosy! These will be on sale at Reetsweet a week today (11th Feb) at Leeds Corn Exchange, then in a couple of weeks time on Folksy. My online shop will hopefully be up and running by then. I've got a very lovely lady named Helen Entwistle from Memo (www.hellomemo.com), a freelance illustrator and screen printer, designing my logo and shop banner, so I can't wait to reveal it! 
I've spent many an hour this week in my little sewing room creating for the Valentines Fair. I'm obsessed with birds and bird prints at the moment, so there is definitely a feathered feel to my newest designs.  Here's a sneak peak of my new bird purses

Last week I finally paid a visit to the Fent shop in Skipton with my good pal and fellow fabric addict. It's amazing! I was in Liberty fabric heaven! Lots of fat quarters to be snapped up there. One of my all time favourite Liberty fabrics is Strawberry Thief 
http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/ALL-FABRICS/Strawberry-Thief-C-Liberty-Fabric/53
Funnily enough, you may spot a bird or two in this fabric!
My lovely friend also gave me a very lovely book for my birthday, The Liberty Book of Home Sewing. It's full of gorgeous Liberty Prints and has given me lots of inspiration for new makes. Thanks Jen!
Hope to see you at Leeds Corn Exchange on the 11th Feb!

Jumping on the blog bandwagon!

Hello!

Welcome to my new blog! Thank you for visiting my site.

Things are coming along nicely for Gingerbread Cupcake! I began designing and making textiles early last year, initially for friends, but then things became more official when I took part in the Headingley Arts Trail in November 2011. I showcased my work, alongside 79 other very talented artists and designer-makers, which was fantastic.  

I am very proud to be a supplier to the Bowery in Headingley, Leeds. This is where it all started for Gingerbread Cupcake. You can buy a select range of my products here.

  

I'm currently featured on their website. Have a wee look at this link and have a further browse at their website. http://www.thebowery.org/masterclasses.html

They have so many fantastic courses to offer - something might take your fancy and give you the creative bug. It worked for me!!! (You can also get a pretty gorgeous coffee and a cake there!!!)

Next month I will be taking part in the Reetsweet Valentines Fair on February 11th for the first time, which I really can't wait for. So in between being a very busy Mummy to my two children, I'm currently making like mad for this! Check out their blog: http://reetsweet.blogspot.com/ 

And watch this space for my shop appearing on Folksy!!!!

Bye for now, y'all xxx