Sleeping Beauty

It's a month to go to Ruby's 7th birthday. And having spent the whole year being 6 planning number 7, she's suddenly lost interest. I tell you, when the going gets tough...

Needless to say, I'm just revving up. Throughout the year we've planned swimming parties at the local aqua slide centre, bowling followed by fish and chips back home, a BBQ in the park and yet another bouncy slide/arty party back home. We've done the latter FOREVER and whilst I had in my head that we would do that again, yesterday I was hit by a bout of inspiration. So instead of our usual format of this...

and this...

followed of course by this...

Instead I've gone for something entirely different. I'll post more about it in the aftermath but my very clever friend Roz has come up with this gorgeous invitation which is perfect for the event.

I for one can't wait!

Roses are red...

..or white, or pink.

We are having the best weather at the moment. I'm not sure if it is due to last, but it certainly puts a big smile on my face before I even leave the house.

And then when I do leave the house, the first thing I am greeted by is this...

Oh the scent hits me first. Delicious. And then I notice the sun bouncing off the delicate pink petals.

And one of the best things about this huge rambling beauty (I've only snapped a smidgeon) is it enables me to do this...

So I can be surrounded by this delicate beauty inside and out. Long may it continue. Happy summer everyone.

Yeh or nay?

Sometimes I design something that has been sitting in my head. I guess like alot of you out there, images of ideas pop in to my head at all sorts of times. Sometimes they begin and don't actually make it out. Sometimes they sit there for ages and eventually do. And sometimes they are out before they've fully formulated at all. This is one such idea.


Last night I decided I wanted to do this design. I must have been thinking about it at some point, but before I was even conscious of that thought, here it was. Because I hadn't had time to think it through, when I saw it I wasn't sure how I felt about it.

The kids' response was the best confirmation I needed. They were fighting over who was having this one ('guys, this one is mine! I still have to photograph it!') and after they realised they couldn't they started to put in orders for actual shirt fabrics. 'can you do it in spots?', said one. 'I want checks' said the other. 'Can you put an 'S' on it?'

I guess it's a 'yeh'. Thanks kids!

New cards

I've been busily creating new children's card designs. I had a request for some for wholesale and they wanted more designs than I currently do. So thinking cap on and I've come up with these...

And then off course I had to come up with some for the boys...

And then these little fellas were itching to be released...

I'm hoping to come up with an even bigger range and take them 'out there'. I'm not sure if my confidence is up to that, though. Every time someone makes an enquiry about them and then actually orders, I can't quite believe that they are taking my 'hobby' out there into the serious world of retail. Maybe I'll just sit back and wait for people to contact me. Or just maybe, I might go forth and be proactive. We shall see. In the meantime, all will be available to buy here and here, just as soon as I have time to post them

CIPs (cards in progress)

Another busy day at the office (how I love my job!)

It started with several CIP WIPs



Some designs are ready for the shop floor.

And some are definitely still at the cutting room stage.

And all whilst aliens have invaded.

Fun at the Fair

I've been invited to take part in an Arts and Crafts Fair in Leeds on Sunday. I'm a little bit nervous because it's a regular event all full of talented craftspeople. I always feel a bit of a fraud in these surroundings, because everything I do is from a love of crafts rather than any artistic training.

Also, whenever I normally do fairs, it's as Blueberry Park i.e showcasing all my fantastic wares from the talented people that I represent. My own stuff is by the by. Trouble is this fair is to promote Leeds and Yorkshire based artisans. I have a few of those, but in order to make my stall look fuller, I'm having to fill it with my own items. That in itself is fine, but I don't normally hold a lot of stock of my own things, simply make to order.

So I am franticly in production mode this week in order to have enough stock to show. Today was Take-Away-Craft-Kits. I gave myself a target of 24 - 6 of each of 4 designs. And I managed it...

...almost. I ran out of ribbon for the last boxes. So now I need to fit in a trip to the suppliers.

Tomorrow on the agenda is cards...

Delivery Day

Don't you just love Delivery Day?

I've been waiting for this order for ages.Okay, it hasn't been that long but I am rather impatient when it comes to deliveries. I'll be the first to admit it. Once I have found something that I want for Blueberry Park, I want it right there and then. Don't try telling me it will be 4-6 weeks delivery time. I might self combust on hearing that. Obviously I can wait. And obviously I do wait. And obviously I do manage to put it to the back of my mind (almost), but when the delivery finally arrives I'm like a little girl having a birthday. And that's even when the postman rings the bell at 7am...on a Saturday...and I have to kick my husband out of bed to get it...even though I know it's for me... But when you are expecting this who would not be excited?

Delivery Day. Bring it on!

P.S. All available here, just as soon as I have it photographed and loaded. I know, I know. Just be patient!