Feeling my age

Regular readers of this little old blog will know that last week I went and saw Spandau Ballet at the O2 in London.

They were absolutely amazing and Amanda and I danced continually for the whole 2 hours that the guys were on stage.

I nearly cried when it finished - we had SUCH a good time and I wish I could go again - maybe next time ?!

The downside to being out late, dancing for 2 hours and drinking rather a lot of wine meant that I had a horrible hangover the next day. Not good when I had to get Sam to school (he left his schoolbag at home and we only realised this when we were over half way to school !). And I fear that my age had something to do with the fact that it took me almost a whole day to get over it and start feeling human again. I remember the days when I used to be out drinking and dancing until the early hours of the morning and then be up again 4 hours later and on a train going into my job in London, with very little sign of a headache or tiredness. Never mind - I'll just have to admit that I'm not as young as I used to be ... but still know how to have a good time !

I'm in the process of updating the "Special Offers" page on my website, so my next blog post will contain all the links and details of the products.

See you soon xx

Normal service has been resumed .....

for now !

I have finally managed to catch up with the backlog of orders that I had and am now panicking slightly that the postal strike will muck everything up !

Along with the orders from the show, everyone seems to be getting ready for the Christmas Craft Fairs, meaning the making season is well and truly upon us. Goodness knows when I'll have time to make my own stuff !

Every year I say that I'm going to make some felt ball garlands for our Christmas tree and every year I never get round to it. This year, I WILL make some. I'm also going to make some lovely decorations with the fantastic sculpted stars that I've got on the website. Once they're done I'll get some photos onto the blog.

Over the last couple of evenings I've been surfing the internet on the hunt for unique Christmas gifts (because I know I won't have time to make my own). As always, I get completely side-tracked and find all sorts of fantastic stuff that I just love, but that isn't really suitable as a Christmas gift (although I think some of them might find their way onto my own Christmas list !) I was amazed when I came across these

Finally, I have a use for all of those acorn cups that are laying in our garden ! I am definitely going to add these to my "making list" - I can just see them all piled up in a lovely bowl on the kitchen table. Will I get round to making them ? Who knows, but I'll definitely try.

Back to the website now and I forgot to say last time that the giant flad pad bookmarks are now back in stock, so if you were wanting some of these, you can order them now.

I've also got a new colourway in the BIG buttons - bright pink (they're lovely !) but are waiting for a brighter day to be photographed and added to the website - check back on these at these at the weekend if you're interested.

Now, if you came along to Ally Pally, you might have seen one of these hanging on the wall or around my friend Amanda's neck ?

It's my felt ball and button necklace kit. As a last minute thing I decided to make up some kits containing all of the components required to make up the necklace, in 4 different colourways. To my complete amazement I completely sold out of the kits !

As Sew Hip magazine did a bit of a photo shoot on these kits and the finished article, I thought I had better get a few more made up and onto the website (they'll be available for sale very soon). Hopefully they'll feature in next month's edition of the magazine and I might sell a few more !

In the kits you get an assortment of buttons, felt balls, maybe a couple of crocheted balls, or some pompoms, a sculpted heart, star or flower, some ribbon and some waxed cotton cord. All you need is a needle to thread them all together. I haven't included any instructions as I would like to think it's pretty self-explanatory, but if you do decide to purchase one or maybe a couple of these kits (perhaps as pressies), and need any help, just shout ! Fantastic value at £5.50 each and as before, in 4 different colourways - Cool (blues & purples), Autumn (browns/red/greens), Monochrome (back & white) and Citrus (lime green, purple, yellow).

I'm also working on a couple more kits which I'm hoping to add to the website in time for Christmas - so watch this space.

I'm also in the process of updating the Special Offers section of the website with a number of items that have been sitting around in boxes for far too long - they should be on at the weekend and then you'll be able to grab yourself a bargain with these special offer items as they won't be repeated !

And if that's not enough to keep me busy, I'm taking the afternoon and evening off tomorrow and am going to see SPANDAU BALLET !! I am SO excited, I can't tell you. Hopefully I'll be able to get some half decent pictures - we've got very good seats (which cost me an absolute bomb), but I don't care !! I've been listening to them in the car over the last couple of weeks and can't wait to see them live.

That's it for today - see you next time xx

Thank you !!!!

This is a very quick post as I'm absolutely snowed under (and completely exhausted) at the moment.

I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by my stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace last week (was it that long ago !!)

I was completely stunned by the amount of visitors I had and the most fantastic comments I received from everyone who visited me. I was thrilled that my little stand was so popular and have to apologise if you were unable to get into the stand to check out my goodies or were unable to speak to me. I know a number of you did visit and it was typical that you chose the moment to visit when I was actually in the loo !! I'm sorry !!

On the Thursday I didn't even manage to get off the stand all day - I didn't have a drink or anything to eat and the first time I looked at my watch after the show opened was at 4.45pm !!! They say that time flies when you're having fun and I had an absolute ball !!

As well as thanking all of my customers. I also want to say a huge thank you to a few other people:

Firstly my Dad who managed to organise a van at the very last minute as we realised that all of my stuff wasn't actually going to fit into the 2 cars. Also, for helping me to set up my stand on the Wednesday and then to dismantle it on Sunday.

Next, my Mum who very bravely came to my rescue on the Friday after I realised that I wasn't going to cope on my own and then came to help us pack up on Sunday.

Also, my very good friend Amanda who gave up her whole weekend to help me out on the stand - thank you so much Amanda - I couldn't have done it without you !

Kim from Worn & Washed Fabrics who had the stand next to me, was absolutely lovely and and got me drinks on a regular basis.

Bev, Tom and Nanna on the Knitting4fun stand who were really kind by keeping an eye on me and inviting me to dinner on the Thursday night.

And lastly my fantastic hubby who took time off work (even though he had some important deadlines to meet), so that he could look after Sam & Grace. Thanks P xxxx

I'm currently trying to process all of the orders that have come in as a result of the show and I apologise for the delay in getting your goodies to you - but I can promise you they will be worth the wait !

Next year's stand is already booked - it's a bigger stand and will be on a corner, so that should ease the flow of people in and out of my little shop and hopefully enable people who were unable to get into the stand this time, get in next time !!

A quick couple of website updates - remnant silk sari ribbon is back, the GIANT red & white spotty buttons are back in stock and the small 1cm red & white spotty buttons are FINALLY here - thank goodness for that !!!

Thank you all once again - normal service will be resumed very soon

Sarah xx