Good day for painting

Last week was half term. My lovely big sister, Sara, had the 3 children to stay for a couple of days, so that I could get some work done (I was equally lovely and had her 3 for 3 days over the summer). It was fantastic to get some work done, having had so many disruptive weeks even before we got to half term.

What it also meant was that once the children came back home, we were able to have some quality time.

Quality time for the boys meant being able to play on electrics for longer than normal. For electrics, read Play Station, DS Lites, TV, Computer. As I said - electrics.

For Ruby, however, my girlie kindred spirit, it meant time for painting. Ruby is happiest when we have time for any kind of crafting. Be it sewing, glueing various objects and copious amounts of glitter, learning to knit, getting out the paints.

So often in our mad word, essentially ruled by her brothers' busy schedules, she is told 'No, not now.' 'I have to get tea on.' 'We have to go take Samuel to Scouts.' 'We have to pick Noah up from footy.'
So, when she is told 'Okay, lets', she takes the bull by the horns and goes gung ho into paints. And when the fingers start to be applied with the aforementioned substance, I have to bite my lip and remind myself that this is what having kids is all about. And be grateful that what makes her happiest is spending time with me doing her favourite activity. Life doesn't get much better than that.

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Lazy Daisy Glass. The exciting thing about being tagged is finding out that people you didn't know have found you and read you - so thanks Kathryn. The worrying thing is finding 7 interesting things to tell you AND find 7 of you that I follow that haven't been tagged already. So apologies if you have - and apologies if it's not all that interesting :-)


Tagging means sticking to the following 7 rules:


1) Link to your tagger and list all these rules in your blog.

2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs

4) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog


I was tagged about a week ago (maybe more) and at first my head was spinning with what I was going to tell you. Then I left it to one side and have just come back to it and here are my 7 random things about me!


1) I completed the Leeds Half Marathon in September. Ok, so it's not a full marathon, but it was a personal achievement none-the-less and one I am immensely proud of. I also ran for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre on behalf of my auntie who died this summer after a 5 year battle with cancer. I raised over £2000 which I am even more proud of.

2) Claim to fame - I ball-girled for Martina Navratilova! I went to PE College at Brighton Poly, studying to be a teacher. We were based in Eastbourne and so used to be the ball girls for the pre Wimbledon Tournament at Devonshire Park. We even got to have a play on the beautiful grass.

3) I don't know why but I have always had a thing for Abraham Lincoln! I'm not really a history fan but this period of American history really fascinates me. And at some point I must have seen Gregory Peck in the film 'The Blue and The Grey' and it has stuck. What can I say? Weird!

4) Matryoshkas. I absolutely, completely, utterly LOVE Russian Dolls. I love illustrations of them. I adore them on fabric (hence my kits). Love making them in to cards, keyrings, brooches, magnets. It's an obsession. I can't help it.

5) I know we shouldn't have regrets in life. And generally I don't. But my biggest regret has to be not being able to afford to go skiing. It used to be the biggest love of my life. As I child I was lucky enough to go on endless school trips. As a young adult I was incredibly fortunate to study in Idaho, USA for a while, where we used to have skiing classes every week - EVERY WEEK! Then while I was a teacher I used to lead annual ski trips to Europe. Hard work - but so worth it to be in the mountains and on the slopes. Since being married and having children it is a no go. But one day...

6) Matthew and I took 7 months off after we got married to go travelling round the world. I missed out after Uni, feeling the pressure of having to get out to work, so when this opportunity came we weren't going to let it pass by. Those memories live with me daily.

7) And last, but certainly not least. I am addicted to hand cream. And lip salve! I have to have one of each wherever I am. So they are dotted around in all my bags, coat pockets, drawers, car. It would be awful to be in the wrong place and not have them :-)


Now to the tagging...


1) www.aquamarineart.blogspot.com

2) www.areathriftyone.blogspot.com

3) www.chezsucrechez.blogspot.com

4) www.spans-stitchin.blogspot.com

5) www.vintagepleasure.typepad.com

6) www.lobsterandswan.blogspot.com

7) www.cheekybeaks.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it ;-) x

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?

A change from Christmas

I HAD to go dress shopping today. Sometimes life is really really tough. Today was one of those days. Next month we are celebrating my nephew's Bar Mitzvah (a big deal for 13 year old Jewish boys) as well as my cousin's son's Bar Mitzvah. Consequently a girl needs dresses. Yes, not just a dress, but dresses.

Unfortunately the dress I had seen in Hobbs only had one in my size and that had a flaw in it. I was offered a discount, but how gorgeous would I look in a beautiful red dress (could only download a photo in black) with a diagonal pull across the front? Tempting as it was, I declined.

I trawled round Whistles...nothing. Jigsaw...nothing. Walked past Harvey Nics...well, maybe if I only needed one outfit. So I down scaled and did Zara. I didn't really want to, but the advantage of needing party dresses at this time of year, is that they are EVERYWHERE.

I picked out a lovely slate grey rouched short empire line dress. Tried it on. It fit. So I bought it.

Next stop Gap. I thought I might get fixed up for the day dress I needed. I decided on this, which is more fitted and much better in real life (honest). What's more it will look great over jeans. I have a big problem with buying things specifically for one occasion. Don't get me wrong, I would love to buy endless dresses for endless occasions, but the budget won't quite manage it so I have to think laterally.

Final need was the cousin's Bar Mitzvah party at The Hippodrome. Something hip for The Hip was definitely needed. I have a fab red SJP-esque skirt that needed a little sprucing up. It's had many an outing and I still love it, but it needed something fresh. Something new. And lots of jewellery to accessorize. Again, Gap obliged with this cute silk black top.

So out comes the red skirt - again. I'm hoping it will be hip enough.

And whilst I was shopping. Rule number 73... don't forget your asyers...'as you are going...' I thought this little black shirt would be quite useful this winter. No?

It will probably all go back tomorrow.

Shop Update

I'm not sure how I am managing to get anything done this week because Ruby and Noah are off school AGAIN for 2 days. But for some reason this is being my most productive week for ages - and it's still only Tuesday.


I wonder if it's that age old scenario of working best under pressure. I've loads of deadlines this week and even though I have very little time, it just HAS to get done. So it is! Okay, so the house is a mess, washing stays in the machine for days, but work is looking great.


I'm very aware that Christmas is round the corner and so have been very conscious about getting everything in the shop so all my lovely customers have something to buy. So today I managed to upload the christmas cards on to Blueberry Park as well as these lovely babies. I've been delighted that the delightful Kristen has let me be a stockist for her words-can-not-describe-how-gorgeous-these-beauties-are Matryoshka Making Kits. Go take a look and grab one while they are in stock, because honestly, with them being featured in Sew Hip too, they aren't going to be around for long.


Not only do they make a fantastic gift themselves, but you could be really creative and make some gorgeous christmas presents with them. Brooches, purses filled with dolls, magnets. Just let your imagine get carried away while gently stroking this beautiful fabric. Ok, maybe I'm getting a little bit obsessed now :-)


Also new in the shop is this fun Advent Stocking Calendar Kit. I realised this really had to get listed in the shop so you've all got time to make it before December 1st arrives. I think this will be a really fun thing for a family as a whole to do. How exciting will it be to see whose stocking it is that day? And what a gorgeous heirloom to get out year after year.


So, busy times, busy actions and still loads more exciting things to come. Don't worry...I'll keep you posted.

Even closer to Christmas

Finally my 2008 Christmas cards have had their finishing touches and are out in the market place.

I'm quite pleased with some of the quirky greetings that I've chosen this year. And hopefully they'll bring a few smiles and chuckles.

I'm not sure which is my favourite, although I am quite partial to Mr Penguin.

And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a bowl of Figgy Pudding.

Only time will tell which is your favourite though.

They are available here and here and very very soon here too.

Oh and here.

Ready for Christmas

This is what I have been working on for the Crafteroo Christmas Decoration Challenge. A Mini Stocking Advent Bunting. Mini felt stockings hooked onto a buttoned ribbon that are just big enough to hold a daily treat. Not so big that we are all going to be rolling our way to our Christmas Dinner.

It's such a great idea (the competition - not my entry!) and there are some fab interpretations? Everyone is getting all festive. We're probably going to be bored of Christmas before it even arrives :-)

Join in the fun and post an entry - there's a £20 Amazon Voucher up for grabs for the winner.