The summer holidays have already started in this house. Sam and Noah broke up on Friday, Ruby has almost another 2 weeks to go. At the moment it doesn't seem too disruptive as the boys have gone to London to stay with my in-laws this week and since Matthew took them down yesterday morning, it is just me and The Rubester around these parts.

It is extremely rare for it just to be the 2 of us so we tried to have a real quality day yesterday. 

It started with a little glittery nail painting and it was even warm enough for us to expose them and show them off.

I then dragged Ruby out for a run (her on her bike)...actually I think we did that before the nails...would have made sense to anyway.

Cooped up in front of Murray-Federer for the next 4 hours made us need to go out for a breath of air and stretch our legs. (Didn't the boy do well? Was mightily impressed with his performance and made me quite warm to him.)

The day was so calm and relaxing doing a little bit of everything. 

It's not often I can say that about a weekend around these parts. We even managed quality bedtime with cuddles and reading thrown in...makes a pleasant change from being thrown into bed and lights out in haste at an attempt at a decentish time for the next week at school.

What's more I even managed to get some sewing in after lights out (hers not mine).

Not bad for a Sunday...

Just another Sunday

Yesterday was the first Artsmix event at the new venue The Loft. I have to say I was very excited about the event. I for one had never been involved in such a glamorous looking and potentially unique event. It's normally characterless school halls, drafty church halls, or worse still, cold, windy outdoors.

You have to admit that this is quite a venue. Have you ever done a craft event with chandeliers shining above you? A trendy bar and sofas a few steps away? A relaxing cafe down below? I wish I'd been a shopper and been enjoying all the facilities. There was even a gallery space in the room next door that I never quite made it to.

The downside to the day, although it didn't seem to bother me too much, was that people weren't quite ready to shop yet. There were endless positive comments about the day. 'Just what Leeds needs' 'So different' 'I'll be doing all my Christmas shopping here' (Do it now!) I did well enough. I got enough interest, enough sales to make me happy and I know potentially it's going to be a great place to showcase.

I was quite pleased with my stand. I'd decided the night before that I needed a banner. Yep, it was 7pm, we were due out at 8pm and I needed a banner. (It was completed at 6am that morning) You can just about see it going across the back at the top. There were certainly plenty of space and I did like the backdrop for extra room - although I'm not quite sure whether people really notice what's back there.

Another truely positive part of the day was being surrounded by so many talented, wonderful people. It was so inspiring. It was lovely to meet some great people and looking forward to us sharing this experience and getting to know each other more and more.

First up, Marianne. Marrianne's little stand was so cute. What a brilliant idea to use the dolls house. It looked gorgeous. As for her work - hate her - too clever. (you know I don't mean it Marianne x)

Liz, of Blue Shed Knits, was setting up opposite me and I knew I was going to be in for a treat with gorgeous eye candy to last me all day. Just check out that knitted bunting!

Another very talented lady, Helen Riddle of Riddles just across from me spent the day creating even more scrumptious pieces with her clever felting technic. It kept Ruby transfixed for hours. She cleverly makes some fun jewellery, brooches, cards, but my fave had to be her vegetable patch!

I would have been attracted to Ruby Rouge and her beautiful stand whatever her name would have been. Sarah and her man (sorry, I never got to know your name - next time) were so lovely and her jewellery looked exquisite on her beautiful display.

Final introduction must to go to the delightful Helena who was my first purchaser of the day, before I'd even brought all my boxes in! She spotted this little fella (who became my hit of the day all round) through one of the boxes and he consequently sat with a 'Sorry, I'm sold' sticker on his ear for the rest of the day. Helena is a very talented illustrator and makes some gorgeous felt creatures - and is a great person!

So how was your Sunday?