plump pudding

A bit of this and a bit of that

This is going to be random post as that just about sums up my day today. 

Yesterday started with a list of things to do as long as your arm.  Thankfully they all ticked off.  The main bulk of the list involves me trying to organise an Open Day at my house within the next few weeks.  The plan is to deliver flyers all round the village, and then invite everyone and his wife!  Nothing too grand then!

I have mocked up my flyer.  The only thing holding me back is the terrifying thought that I might organise everything and no one will come!  That I will have opened my house, made cakes and tea for nothing.  This is your cue as readers to massage my ego and tell me all your (succesful) tales of open houses, hints and tips.




On a more positive note, these needlecases and pincushions were packed up and now sit ready to be posted to Lapin and Me  tomorrow.

If you haven't read Cherry's post and also  post, why not pop over and have a read.  They are about the Anya Hindmarch alternative to the carrier bag that was all over national TV etc.  It turns out that they are made in China where the worker's conditions are more than a little dubious.  Now why isn't that a surprise?

It also ties in with Claire's   rant about people not valuing handcrafted items and being seduced by so called "designer" items.  I for one, am definitely all for buying British.

And the best thing is that when you buy a plump pudding item, you can be sure that the worker (me) enjoyed making it and has fabulous working conditions with all mod cons!

New Blogs on the Block

Ahem. Ladies and gentleman, I would like to introduce to you, two new blogs.

The first blog is written by a lovely lady called Claire.  I met her at the Country Living Spring Fair (I bet you thought you'd heard the last of that didn't you)?

She lives in London and is a children's clothes designer as well as making and designing many other scrumptious things.  Plus she has a cat called Kipper.

The link for her blog is:  Cloud Cuckoo Designs


The other new blog is by an equally lovely lady called Elizabeth.  She allowed me to take her crotcheted corsages with me to the CL Fair. 

Her blog link is: Making Good Use   and the good news is she also has opened an Etsy shop. 

Back on to a crafty theme, I was running low on my washing up liquid aprons.  That and I had to send out a few samples to a shop who is interested in them. 



Out came the scissors and a pile of binding and here are the results.




There are three different patterns of aprons.  The first is the blue and white check.  A classic look don't you think?

Next on the catwalk, we have a co-ordinating pink and white check.  They just never date do they?




And lastly but no means least, Laura Ashley "Clarissa" print




These are most certainly not your ready to wear collection.  Oh no, haute couture no less!  Which means that there are limited numbers of each.  You can get further details here .

Hello? Is anybody there?

Hello,

I am back from the off-line desert that was a kronky computer and the defective AOL software.  Hooray!  And the really sad thing was that I missed you all (and the computer of course)!  Cold turkey is so not a good look for me.

So no new photographs or exciting news to tell.  But after a day's work at the library I have two talking books to listen to - which should keep me going when I sort out my studio as it is in such a mess at the moment.

And the random photo?  It is one of my tote bags that will be for sale on the website.

Next week: normal service will be resumed!  Have a good weekend

Religious Overtones and Chaos

I think the title just about sums up today!  And when you see the photographs of my studio, you'll understand. 

I took a few hours off this morning as Stephen had to buy an inner tube to repair a puncture in his bicycle wheel.  We drove to Whitchurch and when he was getting the kit, I did the rounds of the charity shops.  Not incredibly sucessful, but I did find this print of Jesus of the Sacred Heart.

He needed nothing more than a quick wipe over and now looks over me out in the studio.  The print has a date of 1947 in the bottom right hand corner.

He joins the two other religious pictures that are out in the studio.

I bought these a few years ago at a local auction.  I think they were only about £1 for the two.

And sitting on the top of one is a vintage lead seagull that caught my eye in a box of bits from a charity shop.

10p.  Worth every penny.  His legs are two long pieces of lead which look as though they are meant to sit into something - what I don't know.

Just to show you that my studio isn't some kind of spotless and styled room, here is the proof

Just how I left it late last night.  I have an order to post out today for a lovely lady called Sue.  She has  ashop called Country Heritage in Lincolnshire.  I met her through the Country Living website forums.  Then before any more sewing can, be done I need to sort through the mess and tidy it up.

The rest of the studio is rapidly starting to fill up with boxes.

And the display unit.

I need to create some order out there today - which is where I am headed now.

Sensible Shoes

We had a busy weekend as the boys didn't go over my parents Sunday.  Saturday Stephen took them out for a bike ride through the village and the surrounding woods.  You wouldn't believe the state on them when they came back several hours later.  It was so bad, that I made them strip off outside the door and get straight into the shower!

Sunday we all went into Cardiff, had some lunch and went to the see GhostRider.  The boys chose to see this one, but I did think that Stephen would enjoy it as he likes films based on Marvel Comics.  I also enjoyed it, although Stephen didn't.  The only distraction for me was the really bad toupee/hairpiece that Nicholas Cage wore.  At least I think it was a hairpiece and the colour looked dyed.  Sorry to all those Nicholas fans!

I am the first to admit that I have a slight obsession with shoes.  I could wear a different pair every day for a month and still have more to choose from.  But I needed something sensible and comfortable for the CL Fair as I am going to be on my feet all day.

I spotted these gold pumps a few weeks ago and managed to resist. In the meantime I have convinced myself that these shoes are just what I need to see me through the Fair.  They'll go with anything as they're gold and being flat will be comfortable.  So, whilst Stephen and the boys were drooling over Playstation Games, I popped into Marks and Spencers and indulged myself.  I am such a sucker for gold shoes.  Pretty though aren't they?

You may be wondering about the random photograph of Maudie.  I took this today after she tried (once again) to get in on the photoshoot.  This is her deciding whether she ought to venture outside.  She is such a pampered girl that she isn't too keen on venturing outside, preferring to stay inside on someone's bed.

But before I go, I have discovered a new blog:

Ragged Roses.  Pop over and have a peek!

Interrupted!

I had such big plans for today.  The boys were in school early at breakfast club and catching the bus home after school.  This adds an extra hour and a half onto my day.  Not to be sniffed at.

Before we left for school Stephen asked whether I could smell gas - which I couldn't, so off we went.  I came back, made the obligatory cup of tea and went out to the studio to sew. 

After realising that I needed some lining fabric for my bags, I went back through the house, to get my handbag and keys.  Then I could smell gas and hear a hissing sound coming from the meter cupboard in the hall.  Of course, apart from not switching on lights etc, I had no idea what to do and couldn't get hold of Stephen who was in the gym.

What did I do?  What I always do - and pretend that there was nothing wrong, go outside, have a chat with the neighbour and off to get the fabric.  Admittedly, I was worrying about whether I should have locked Maudie out and whether I would come home to a pile of rubble!

Thankfully I came back to an intact house and opened all the windows and doors.  I still couldn't get hold of Stephen and was hurrying back to the relative safety of my studio when he arrived home and took charge.  Stephen managed to turn the gas off at the mains whilst I managed to phone the gas board.

They were pretty quick and were at the house within half an hour.  Of course, the first question I asked, was whether it was something we had done.  Nothing like taking the reponsibility on board!

The problem was that the meter was faulty.  British Gas have had a few problems with the meters, but ours was about the worst that they had seen.  The engineer also explained that this had only just gone wrong.  Ten minutes later, he had replaced the faulty part and was gone.  Apart from the relief of not having a gas leak, there was also the relief that there was no charge as it was a meter fault. 

I was such a waste of space.  Don't ever rely on me in a emergency as I just crumble.  To add insult to injury, Stephen opened the studio door quietly and shouted, "Bang"!  Did I jump?  Did I ever!  My heart was beating nine to the dozen.  I'll get him back the swine.

I did manged to make a start on some shoe bags with matching lavender hearts.  All the photographs today are Works in Progress.  My overlocker is at the repair shop as I managed to break the looper needle and we are waiting for a replacment.  Which means I have a huge pile of work ready to be overclocked: tissue holders, peg bags, cushions and shoe bags.  I just hope I get it back soon.

Have a good weekend everyone!

For Display Purposes Only

Before I launch into another monologue about the Country Living Spring Fair, I would like to wish you all a Happy St David's Day.  The boys went in wearing their rugby shirt and daffodils from our garden.  When the boys were younger they used to wear the traditional costume, but of course they are too big for that now.  But you can't let the day pass not celebrated.

Back to my main topic of conversation at the moment - the Country Living Fair.  What do you think of my display shelves?  Pretty nifty?  I found these at the car boot sale a few weekends ago and managed to fit them into the car (the legs/spindles unscrew). 

It has undergone a revamp.  Firstly it was painted an imitation wood - it was very dark and uninspiring.  Thankfully I had the paint already and after a coat of primer/undercoat and two top coats looks just how I envisaged it. 

Part of the revamp was to remove the curved wooden piece from the front, glue the remaining one in place and attach a wooden knob where the hole for the supporting piece of wood was.  This should make a great spot for hanging lavender hearts (or something of that ilk) that says to the CL Ladies Buy Me!  The remaining spindles looked very unfinished without the arch, so out came the trusty wooden knobs and they fit perfectly.  You'd never know that they weren't meant to be there.  Would You?  Tell me you wouldn't!

12 Days left until I leave and I can tell you I am panicking now.  Panicking about the fact that I may not have what people want to buy.  Panicking that people won't buy I'll have to come home with empty pockets and a full car.

We sorted out the accommodation yesterday.  My sister is coming up with me and I have found a B&B with twin beds and an en-suite.  It is supposed to be within walking distance where the Fair is held.  I am taking a hire car up to London and am planning on leaving it at the car park at the Business Design Centre for the duration.  There isn't parking at the B&B - only parking meters and I would imagine that is more expensive than the car park.

Here I am. asking for help again - you readers do a sterling job.  The car park costs for the entire week are astronomical, but I don't have much of a choice as I need to keep the car somewhere.  The CL Fair is located in Islington N1.  Does anyone have any suggestions of somewhere I can store the car for the 5 days that would work out at a slightly cheaper option?

I live in hope!

Thank You

Just a quick post today as we are having a family celebration for Keanan's birthday.

I wanted to thank everyone who responded to my invitation and apologise to those who contacted me, but I was unable to take your products.

Half Term Mayhem

It's half term this week plus Keanan's 9th birthday on Friday.  Today Ethan had his friend over for the day and the best thing was that I didn't see them all day - they were out playing.  They came in to let me know that they were back from the shop and they came in for lunch.  The rest of the time they were out playing or in the park.  It reminded me of when I was young and would be out all day, home for lunch and back out again.

We also managed to pop into Cardiff early this morning to get Keanan's birthday present: a keyboard.  He started piano lessons a few weeks ago on our old kronky piano.  It's not really up to scratch, but the tutor said it would be OK until his birthday.  As Keanan has just started we went for the cheaper end of the scale with a view to upgrading if he continues.    Which is what we have done for Ethan and his guitar lessons.

Keanan is such a fusser that after we took Ethan's friend home, we had to go to the barbers for him to get his number two haircut.  Why was there such a pressing need?  Because he wants to look good for his party on Friday.  He has already planned to wear the tracksuit that my parents are getting him and the choice of DVD will be Over the Hedge, a present from my sister.  He does like to be prepared!

My next task is to tidy up the studio which looks as though a bomb has exploded in it and find the fabric that I bought several weeks ago from e-Bay with the express purpose of making it into Keanan's party bags.  Easier said than done.

See the little knickers and vest set?  Aren't they the cutest?  I won these on e-Bay.  Destined for the shadow box.  They arrived this morning along with this beautiful toile.  Small scraps but usable for something.

Thanks to everybody who responded to yesterday's invitation.  I am looking though my e-mail and will get back to everyone!

But before I go, I have a plug for a new blog:

Love Oh My.  Pop over and meet Jess.

Ready to Paint

I was up late last night putting together a trade brochure to send out to some shops that I have in mind.  As funds are pretty low at the moment, I compiled it in Word and mailed it out.  I am such an early bird anything after 10.00pm and I get so tired the next day, but needs must and all that.

After a few hours work this morning I decided to treat myself and visit the Salvation Army charity shop in Penarth.  I love this type of charity shop as it isn't as up market as Oxfam.  The prices are lower and they have all manner of bits and bobs for sale.

I was on a mission as I had seen this Coalport type brooches when I was in there last week, but couldn't think of how to use them.  Reluctantly I left them.

It dawned on me that I could use them as embellishments for handbags that I intend to make and take with me to London.  Luckily they were still there and I bought the three.

Of course, I had to have a look around whilst I was in the shop.  Well, it would have been rude not to!

Vintage buttons

Vintage sewing patterns pulled from magazines

DVDs for my DVD player (which was a Christmas present from Stephen) out in my studio

Some more post arrived today.  I have to admit that I am getting rather panicky about spending money with nothing coming in yet!  These three peg boards are for my stall. 

Whilst I was looking on the website for these, I spotted wooden spools.  They were reduced (half price I think) so I managed to convince myself that they would be a good prop for my stall.

Painted white/cream with some fabric wrapped around the middle.    Whilst I have my paintbrush out with the primer, I need to paint this little wooden hanger and terracotta pot.

The plan is to paint the terracotta pot cream/white and make an arrangement with some silk roses that I found trawling the charity shops.  All for my stall.  Well, they do say the devil is in the detail.

Back to the treadmill for me.  Have a good weekend!