Meet The Maker: Sally of Teddy Bears and Cardigans

Today's #MeetTheMaker interviewee is sharing an item that would make a great gift for crafters and non-crafters alike with it having multiple uses. Read on to to find out more about Sally Kent, the creator of this lovely crochet hook roll and the voice behind the blog Teddy Bears and Cardigans.

Sally, it is great to have you on the blog for #MeetTheMaker. What is normally your favourite way to catch up with a friend? 
It depends on which friend! Lunch or afternoon tea with one group of friends from work. Cocktails with another group of friends. We are very neighbourly where I live and in the summer right through to the first frosts, every Friday evening we gather at a bench in a neighbour’s garden with a small drink or two and put the world to rights. I love living here, they are a great bunch.

That sounds like a great community to live in Sally. I would certainly be up for afternoon tea too. It's no secret that I love a bit of cake ;-). Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I live in Cardiff, Wales. I was born in England and moved here when I was 19 with my husband. We lived on a small island in Greece for a year and have been married 42 years. I have 2 children. My son, who is the father to Bear and my daughter. I am a qualified nurse and was a theatre sister for 27 years when I took early retirement in May 2014. My husband had already taken early retirement and we had plans to sit in the sun and grow old together. My grandson was born in Oct 2014 and we started looking after him when his mum (also a blogger) returned to work in July 2015. I started my blog in the August to document his life with us. He is Bear and I am Cardigan.

Such a great name for a blog and even better when you know why! Can you tell us about the handmade item you are sharing with us?
It’s a crochet hook roll. I chose this because it is easy to adapt to hold knitting needles, makeup brushes, pencils. Anything like that and is very easy to make. It would make a fantastic gift.

I agree and I would love to make a couple of these for some people I know! How and when did you learn to sew?
My mother was very good at sewing and she taught me. When I was little it was cheaper to make clothes than buy them so we made lots of our own clothes. I have been sewing since I was old enough to hold a needle. This project is about cutting out accurately and sewing straight lines. If you can use a sewing machine then this is an easy project.

What inspires and motivates you? 
Blogging. I have met some lovely people through blogging. It makes me finish a project because I want to blog about it! I love reading other people’s blogs as they manage to do the most amazing crafts, have wonderful adventures, whilst juggling a family, and they are just normal people.

It is such a great community isn't it? The motivation to finish a project is the reason I started to blog! So where do you normally like to craft?
At the dining room table. It’s huge and has views over the garden.

What is your favourite craft?
Whatever project I’m doing at any given time! I like to dabble a bit but long term it would be sewing.

Where can we find you online?
I love twitter! You can follow me @BearandCardigan and on Instagram. I have a Facebook page but it is sadly neglected. I’m trying to get more involved but there never seems to be enough time  I’ve just started Google+  and I have dabbled with Vine.

Do you have any big plans for the next 12 months?
We have spent the last two years doing up the house, new kitchen, garage conversion and not had a proper holiday so this year it’s all about having a holiday. I haven’t booked it yet but it will probably be Spain or Greece.

Let's do a quick fire round to finish up!

Your favourite crafty tool? 
Rotary cutter and cutting mat.

Your crafting hero? 
My mother. She could do anything. She sewed, knitted, painted with watercolours, upcycled furniture, decorated, made model boats, dolls houses. I could go on!

You're working on a project, what is on in the background? 
If I’m knitting then it would be the TV, if sewing then usually nothing. I am happy to just sit and sew

Favourite dessert?
Anything with caramel

Crafting refreshments? 
Fruit tea

Your favourite handmade item?
My ensuite mirror. My husband made it from an old piece of mirror. He framed it and tiled it with the same mosaic glass tiles that are in the ensuite. Practical and pretty.

Your favourite place?
Greece

Three things that make you happy? 
Bear (my grandson), sunshine and being outside

Your biggest achievement?
At the moment it’s my blog. I’m a great starter of things. I get bored very quickly. I have 2 or 3 books I’m reading at any one time. I have at least 3 projects I haven’t finished so I am amazed that 6 months on I am still writing my blog!

Thank you so much for taking part in #MeetTheMaker Sally. It has been a pleasure!

Follow Mrs Crafty B

                

Get e-mail updates from Mrs Crafty B