Show and Tell Monday

Valentines Day

What a week, the snow has been dreadful but on the plus side being marooned in the house has meant more time for crafting, in this case Valentines Cards. Not got as many done as I would have liked the fairies have been distracted trying to catch snowflakes to add glitter to their creations.
Tags and Cards, already posted to my website, gifts and more cards to follow:





This was the picture from DH's music room on Monday morning, not much different now, as said in Coffee Chat could add Happy Christmas and make next years Christmas Cards.



Have a good week, off to get those fairies moving and to make some special Victorian style Cards.
Don't forget to check out the other blogs for show and Tell Monday at Make Mine pink.

Show and Tell Monday

Happy New Year everyone and here's hoping this year is better than the last.

Card Order

Had the first order of 2010 for 5 cards from an old schoolfriend, all done but this is the point when I panic and have doubts have I interpreted her requirements correctly........ All packed and off to the Post Office today so will find out soon.

The first for her husband who loves Pandas:


Second for a Wedding Anniversary:



Third for her Dad's Birthday:



and finally the same card but one for a 50th and the other for a 70th:



check out all the other blogs at Make Mine Pink for a New Year roll call.

A beautiful Thank You received

Earlier on this year I worked on my first wedding along with stitching an Apache wedding blessing as a gift. Have just received this letter in the post, what can I say, it made all the time and effort worth while and this testimonial means the world to me, to know that I made a bride's day special:

'This comes with so much appreciation for the absolutely beautiful needle worked poem. We were amazed by your craftsmanship (once again) and the effort you put into such a special gift. As for beginning to thank you for all you did in terms of helping to prepare for our wedding ...... well where to even start? ...... All your work in everything you produced just showed how truly talented you are Caroline and just how much you put into every single thing you create. Everyone commented on the extra ordinary detail in each little treasure - from invitations, order of service, favours, baskets and little bags. Each thing was made with such care and attention. The horseshoe you created was stunning and I was delighted to walk down the aisle with in on my arm. Keep on with your crafting and don't give up even though times are hard. Hopefully you will be able to do more weddings and help create a magical day for another couple (many couples actually). Once again our wholehearted thanks for everything.'

Just receiving this has given me the boost that I needed to forge ahead in the New Year to believe that what I do is on track and that I can follow my dream and succeed.

A thank you does not cost anything (well maybe a card and stamp) but can make someones day. I always say thank you but in 2010 I am going to make sure that the recipient truly believes what I am saying and it is not just a reply given at that moment in time.

Have a very Happy New Year and Thank You for reading and showing an interest in my blog.

Caroline

Happy Christmas Everyone

Another year is over, the presents are wrapped, the larder is full, decorations up and even had some snow.

I love Christmas but also look forward to the New Year. The time between Christmas and New Year I feel is a time for reflection, planning with renewed energy and looking forward to in this case 2010, clearing the decks for a new adventure to ensure that I get the best out of the year to come. To turn your back on the bad things that may have happened in 2009 to reflect on the good and embrace what is to come, looking forward to the new crafting calender for new ideas and designs.

My last gift made for this year is a lap quilt for my Sister, sprinkled with a sewing theme, a dash of flowers and hint of chocolate to complete I hope a perfect quilting recipe. An extra stitch a 'Time to Stitch' mini quilt.



THE FOURTH PLINTH - NORTON FOLGATE

In Trafalgar Square in London are 4 plinths, back in the summer the fourth plinth statue of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park was removed for an event called 'One & Other' specially commissioned art works. One of the people to brave the plinth for an hour on Saturday 15th August at 18:00pm was my old boss Tim Andrews, he wanted to let people know about Parkinsons disease, how it had affected him and at the same time promote the latest album by Madness and I feel that I could not leave this year without praising him for what he did and put a link to his 1 hour of fame. I feel that the video clip says it all, please if you have time take a look.

On that note I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a successful New Year and remember to follow your dreams as without them the world would not be such a good place to be.

Networking to advance you business

On a forum today a discussion was started about craft fairs, as mentioned in my reply I use a lot of online directories, mots of which are free. As several have requested a list here it is:


Everywoman
Freeindex
Business Womens Cafe
Be Fabulous
Women on Top
Women Talking
Linkedin
Women Speak
All That Women Want
Mums Like You
Shop Handmade
Giant Potential
Netmums
Pink Martini
BT Tradespace

Some are based in the UK and some in the US but any form of advertising helps.

Show and Tell Monday

CHRISTMAS FAYRE

A beautiful day on Saturday, cold but wall to wall sunshine. A perfect morning for the Village Christmas Fayre and knew the dry weather would draw in the customers. The morning went well and there was a steady stream from 10:00am onwards, everyone packed up and went home happy at 1:00pm. Promised to take some pic's of my stall, bit of a fiasco this, packed the camera, yes! went to use it , message that the batteries needed changing, could not believe it, then found some batteries in the bottom of one of my packing bags, do not know how they got there must have been the battery fairy helping out. Could not get far enough away to do the whole stall, so had to take in two parts.



Came home and had an internet order waiting for the blue and white cafetiere appliqued cosy.

Had made these swarovski trees for ornaments but DS wanted a pair made up into earrings.



A busy, bust week to look forward to and not much time to stitch. check out the other MMP blogs for all the latest stories and shows.

Show and Tell Monday

Cupcakes and Confectionery

Another week and yet ever nearer to Christmas. gearing up to our local Christmas Fair on Saturday, leaving DH in charge of one overgrown naughty dog. Wanted a change this week and after the success of a cupcake theme at DS's open house have added some more cupcakes and confectionery to my portfolio. Cupcake bags and raspberry ripple sweet scented sachets, not forgetting some cupcake gift cards.



And just look at the weather, (from my sewing room window) this is forecast for the next few days. The ring necked doves are desperately trying to get some shelter in the trees, this is just 3 of them have just counted 21 including the other trees.



Have a good week everyone and don't forget to check out the other clogs at MMP.