100 not out !!

Yep - this is my 100th post !! I can't believe it - although, had I not been so lazy lately I would have reached it a whole lot sooner, but I'm here now !

Last week I received a lovely new shipment of hand painted ceramic buttons

A restock of some of my most popular sellers, but also a few new designs which I hope you'll love just as much as I do.

I've also just received this new book - a must for all would be felters and needle felters - £12.99 available for sale through my shop and I'll throw in a little bag of felt balls for free too on every purchase of this book and the "Felt so Good" book by Betz White.

Next week I'll hopefully be receiving a complete restock of felt balls, along with 40 (yes, 40) different colours of wool roving.

So, back to the 100th post - to celebrate I'm giving away this lovely, lovely bag/purse - handmade in Nepal and it's an exclusive too ! You won't see anyone else with one of these beauties (well, you'd better not !)

The bag/purse itself measures approximately 7.5" X 5" and the plaited wool handle measures aproximately 58" end to end, so it's perfect to be worn messenger style across your body. Completely made of 100% wool felt, and fully lined, the colour is what I'd call dark cerise (the first picture is the closest match colourwise)

So, if you'd like to be entered into the draw to win this bag, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, and on Sunday either my little man or little miss will draw a winner.

No excuses now - I know there are a LOT of lurkers on this blog - I've seen you all on my little map (bottom right of the blog), so this is your chance to make yourself known and be in with a chance of winning a lovely bag.

So get posting and I'll see you on Sunday

xx

A Flying Visit !

Sorry I haven't been around lately - my darling hubby took me to Rome for a child-free weekend last weekend and it was FAB !! Now don't get me wrong - I absolutely adore my children, of course I do, but sometimes, just sometimes, we all need a bit of adult me time and I am no exception. So as a little birthday treat to both of us (it's his 40th this year), he decided to book a weekend in Rome.

Having never been to Italy before, I was excited yet a little wary at the same time. I know no Italian whatsoever (apart from Latte, Cappuccino, Lamborghini and, of course, Prada !!) so was panicking slightly that we wouldn't have a clue what was going on and would be continually lost ! But of course, my panicking was a complete waste of time as most Italians can speak a little English and reading the menus in the restaurants was doddle - Lasagna, Penne Arrabiata, Pizza - etc etc. I even started to think I could actually speak Italian myself !!

But we had the most fantastic time - if you have never visited Rome before I can highly recommend it. I fell in love with the place - the history, the architecture, the people, the food, the shops - all of it was fantastic.

On Saturday we did a tour of the Vatican, St Peter's Basillica, the Cistine Chapel etc and was absolutely in awe of the beauty of the place. Now, I'm not a religious person by any stretch of the imagination, but visiting somewhere like that really makes you stop and think. After a lovely lunch at the Piazza Novona and an hour or so of people watching, we walked to the Pantheon and spent a little time in there and then wandered around the tiny little streets looking in shops and stopping for beer, wine and icecream (not all at the same time, I hasten to add). Well, they do say "When in Rome" !!

Sunday included a visit to the Colloseum in the morning - now, that place really is something else. It was actually quite spooky thinking about what had gone on there all those thousands of years ago and to hear from the tour guide how Gladiators would fight virtually all day either against other Gladiators or against the wild animals that had been shipped in specifically to please the Roman Emporers and their people. Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Camels, Zebras, Panthers - all of these animals were killed by Gladiators just to entertain the Romans. What a horrible thing to do, yet it's a part of history that will never ever be forgotten, certainly not by the Italians and certainly not whilst the Colloseum is standing, which it is likely to do so forever, bearing in mind how long it has already been there !

More lunch in an open-air cafe at the Pantheon (the weather was gorgeous by the way - 72 degrees on Saturday and 75 on Sunday), followed by a meander to the Trevi Fountain and then some serious shopping - sadly not in Prada, D&G, Gucci or any of the other mega expensive stores, but a 1950's style Audrey Hepburn dress was purchased in a lesser known store and that gorgeous dress is the dress I shall be wearing to the School Ball next month.

And then on Monday it was back to reality - chilly weather, food shopping, queuing for petrol. But seeing my gorgeous children's faces light up when my parents dropped them back home after school and nursery, is probably what I shall remember most about my grown-up weekend in Rome.

Ciao xxx

For Sale

Ok, as promised in my last post, I've had a good old look through my huge fabric pile and am putting the following fabric up for sale.

Every piece is priced per Fat Quarter (18 x 22"). Postage on every piece is £1 and £1.50 if you purchase 2 or more pieces (UK). If you're purchasing from overseas, please let me know and I can work out a shipping price for you.

But you'll need to be quick, because this is all I have and I won't be getting any more !

Just contact me if you want to buy any of the fabric and I will send you a paypal invoice.

Thanks and Happy Shopping !

Red & Blue cars Japanese fabric from Super Buzzy. 100% cotton
Price per FQ - £4.00

SOLD

Ballet Shoes/Slipper Fabric by Alexander Henry

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1

Navy & White floral fabric - Amy Butler style

Price per FQ - £2.00

Number available - 1

Bon Voyage - Ship Departure by Makower

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1

Gorgeous pink & purple girly fairy fabric - can't remember the name of the designer but the pattern is apparently quite hard to come by now

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available 1

Pinky/Mauve shabby chic floral fabric

Price per FQ - £2.00

Number available 1

Pinks & Mauves shabby chic floral fabric

Price per FQ - £2.00

Number available 1

Pink floral shabby chic fabric on a sage green background (sorry - it doesn't show up well in the pic)

Price per FQ - £2.00

Number available -1

Bright Green & Yellow Froggy Faces on a Turquoise background - 100% cotton Japanese fabric from Super Buzzy

Price per FQ - £4.00

SOLD

Alexander Henry girly fabric featuring handbags, sunglases, shoes, lipstick etc

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1

Alexander Henry Ballerina Fabric

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1

85% cotton / 15% Linen Japanese Fabric from Super Buzzy - small navy dots on a natural background

Price per FQ - £4.00

Number available - 1

Alexander Henry Handbags Fabric on a pale green background

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1

100% cotton Japanese Strawberry fabric from Super Buzzy

Price per FQ - £4.00

Number available - 1

Petit Fours Cakes Fabric by Timeless Treasures

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1

85% cotton / 15% linen Japenese Fabric from Super Buzzy - Large natural dots on a navy background

Price per FQ - £4.00

Number available - 1

Lovely stripey fabric by Alexander Henry

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1

Pale Blue check cotton fabric and a co-ordinating pale blue stripe fabric (for sale separately)

Price per FQ - £2.50

Number available - 1 of each design

A set of 4 FQ's purchased in the USA. 2 x bright prink & 2 x bright green - SOLD

And that's your lot !!!

Blooming Disaster !

Yes, that's what Sunday's Spring Fair was ... a "Blooming Disaster" !! And they had some cheek calling it a "Spring" Fair too - more like, "Middle of Winter" Fair ! It snowed, and snowed, and snowed, and, oh yes ... snowed a bit more !

Of course, all the snow put people off venturing out of their houses and into town and those that did brave the elements were on a mission - to get from A to B with no distractions or diversions in between. I stood there, from 9.30am until 4.30pm watching people going about their business, with their blinkers on and not even glancing at my table that I had lovingly spent over an hour setting up (ignore the big SALE stickers in the back - that was in River Island's window !!)

Thank goodness for one of my good friends who had battled her way into town with her little girl and very kindly came and bought lots and lots of things from me. If it hadn't been for her, I would have barely broken even.

It wasn't all bad though - a lady who was looking at my goodies started asking lots of questions about felt in general and said that she ran a Brownie Group and would place an order through the website for some supplies for the group. Then, on Monday I got an email from her asking if I would be interested in taking a table at a Pamper Evening that she was organising next week ! So, I can't complain about Sunday really.

But, I've got a question about pamper evenings, if anyone can help me out. I've never been to one but the name leads me to think that people will be pampering themselves with stuff like manicures, facials etc. If that's the case - what's the point of me being there? Or, does the word Pamper mean - treat yourself and buy something nice - in which case, count me in !!

Today has been the most gorgeous day (so far!), so I took the opportunity of spending 2 hours this morning playing with the children in the garden. Sam is back at school next week and it has been lovely having him at home, but we've started to run out of things to do now, so I'll be pleased when he goes back (and so will he I suspect, although quite what Grace will do without him, I really don't know !).

The blossom is on the trees, the flowers are starting to bloom and the grass is starting to throw itself out of the ground (which unfortunately means that the 3 hour stints of grass cutting will soon begin).

But in the meantime I'm having a bit of a sort out as my craft stash is turning into less of a stash and more of a mountain. So my next post will have lots of fabric for sale. As I've stopped doing the "Name in a Frames" the piles of fabric that I purchased are now surplus to requirements so I'll be selling them off. If you're interested, meet me here next time !!

Byeeee x

A Day Out

Today my good friend Amanda and I took our children to Woburn Safari Park. After a rather long car journey there, we finally reached the Park at around 11.30 and then spent the next 45 minutes or so trying to point out all the different animals to 4 VERY hungry children !! Soon, it all became a bit too much and we had to speed up a bit in the lion enclosure so as to get to the picnic area before WW3 broke out in the back of the car.

I think my fav animals we saw were the giraffes. There were 2 baby giraffes and what I'm presuming were the Mum & Dad were running after them across the park. They seem to be graceful yet clumsy all at once and the way they run makes them look like they're running in slow motion ! But they are extremely beautiful animals and my little lady was just SO excited at seeing them.

Before we left for the Safari Park the postman bought me this ....

A BEAUTIFUL money apron made for me by Sara of All About Eden. Thank you so much Sara - it's even better in the flesh and fits perfectly. I can't wait to wear it on Sunday at the Spring Fair.

And this is your last reminder - I will be in the High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford Town Centre on Sunday (this Sunday) from 9.30am until 4.30pm. Do please pop along and say Hi if you're close enough. I'm starting to panic slightly and need a bit of moral support (or maybe just rent a crowd so that lots of people will wonder what you're all looking at and come over and buy, buy, buy !)

Oh, and before I forget - Craft Business trade magazine contacted me earlier in the week and asked if I would be kind enough to do an interview with them about "Felting Trends". Of course, who I was to turn away the opportunity to see my name in lights. This is the link if you fancy a nosy.

Enjoy your weekend and I'll hopefully see some of you on Sunday.

Sarah x

Aches and Pains

This morning I did a 10 mile training walk for the Breast Cancer Moonwalk that I'm taking part in on 17th May. We just walked locally down country lanes (avoiding the rather large puddles) and up what is probably one of the steepest hills in Essex, North Hill. I was fine until I had to go up the hill and then I started to struggle. But, there won't be any hills like that on the actual event (more like lots of lovely shop windows to be looking in) so I'm not too worried that I found it a bit difficult. Don't forget, if you'd like to make a difference and help people with Breast Cancer, you can sponsor me (over there on the right).

I found out that Danbury runs a Farmer's and Craft market once a month in the village hall. They are on the look-out for new craft stall holders so I thought I'd check it out next Saturday before I decide whether to put my name down for a regular pitch. I've got the Spring Fair in the High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford next Sunday, and that's my first event of the year, so fingers crossed I will do well. I've been manically making felt ball bracelets and sewing labels onto all of the bags, pencil cases and purses that I'm going to take along. I've also been approached to take a stall at a family day in June at an independent school in Kent. I'm mulling this over at the moment as it's a bit of a hike for me and I'm worried that any profit I make will be spent on petrol getting to and from the event. But, once again, it would be a great marketing tool and would get my name out there.

This last week has been very busy on the website front. Lots of orders coming through and also wholesale enquiries. I've also opened a shop on the European equivalent to Etsy - Dawanda. No sales as yet, but I think it's probably the same as Etsy in that it takes a while to get going. But it's free to list so isn't costing me anything.

My felted moneybox also got a lovely mention on Cuteable this week - thank you Lynsey !!

I've got my second meeting with the Essex Enterprise Agency on Wednesday next week and have to present my Business Plan (well, if you can call it a Business Plan - more like a load of numbers jotted down on a bit of paper that means something to me, but probably not a lot to anyone else !!) The poor man is going to wonder what on earth I've been doing, but hey - I'm a creative person, not an accountant and I work in a total muddle. As long as I'm happy that's all that counts (well, that's what I think anyway!)

These lovely felt necklaces will be added to my website over the weekend - they're a new line so I'm a bit undecided (and nervous) as to whether they'll sell or not. I'd love to know what you think though !! Also, a new felt kit - Ladybird Bags

And if you haven't wasted enough time reading this blog, why don't you check out this little tool ? It tells you how much your blog is worth in money terms !! Why on earth you would want to know this, I really don't know !! I can't believe it would ever equate into real money but it's one of those little things that everyone likes to check out !!

See you soon xx

Happy Easter !!

Hope you're all having a great Easter despite the horrid weather !

This is what I saw when I looked out of the window this morning ...

Unfortunately though there is no sun and it's that wet sort of snow that doesn't really stick to anything, so is useless for making snowmen, much to the children's disgust !

Yesterday should have been our Easter Egg hunt but once again, rain stopped play (for a while). After last year's debacle of the squirrels and magpies running off with the lovely sparkly wrapped chocolate eggs, I decided to tie ribbons to the trees, fences and anything else I could find. When we realised the sun was shining we quickly dragged out the wellies and went out into the garden on a ribbon hunt rather than an Easter Egg hunt. Despite it being freezing cold, everyone had a great time and were rewarded with felt goodie bags (sorry, I forgot to take a photo before I dished them out !!)

This is our Easter Tree. It's sitting in our dining room and received lots of lovely comments from our friends yesterday. It also doubles up as a display stand for my craft fairs (minus the eggs of course) and will get another outing in a couple of weeks time when I do the Spring Fair in Chelmsford.

While I think of it, I've had a new shipment of goodies from Nepal. This time, hair bobbles (blue or pink) and a new design of felt balls (all of which have been hand embroidered). All of these are on the website. I've also got some lovely felt necklaces (which I haven't had time to load on yet). I'll let you know when they're on.

The next 4 weeks will be rather manic because school has now broken up and my little man doesn't go back until 16th April (groan). Fortunately my little lady is still in nursery for 2 days a week, but I shall be going like the clappers trying to get things ready for the Spring Fair on the 6th April. Last night was spent sewing Blooming Felt labels onto all of the bags, purses and pencil cases.

And I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of spring flowers in our garden (taken before the snow came !)

See you soon !!

Sarah x