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.

Portsmouth Harbour

Visited Gunwharf yesterday (Tuesday) supposedly to do some shopping, came away with nothing in our bags but the weathr was beautiful and the sea air blew away the cobwebs. Thought I would take some pictures for you to hopefully enjoy our trip as well.

The Spinnaker Tower a 170metere visiotr attraction overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, you can go up to the top.



A view of the harbour from the shopping centre



The yellow ship is the Isle of Wight Ferry just about to depart



The sea is calm today and looks beautiful



And then onto Port Solent a small shopping Marina about 3 miles away, unfortunately the small gift shops that used to abound are now all closed, very sad just restaurants galore. Times have changed everywhere.



Must not forget the craft store, my basket was laden and had to stagger back across the wastes of the car park with my buys, lol.



Have a good week everyone and happy crafting.

A Chocolate Win

I won a blog give-away of Galaxy chocolate and cake bars, Yumm!!! at Lazy Daisy Glass blog, check out Kathryn's blog and website her dichoric glass jewellery and accessories are beautiful.

Needless to say the chocolate bar did not last long, hence just the wrapper but I am eeking out the cakes, maybe this afternoon as the weather is awful and these will be just the thing.

Thank you Kathryn for the win.

Show and Tell Monday

Another week and even nearer to putting up the Christmas Decorations on the 1st December, a big kid I know but nothing better than Christmas music on the stereo, a glass of wine some mince pies and decorating the house.

Still must not get carried away, a reasonably productive week and just to prove I have been working meet the mice twins, pink of course and a blue one for luck.



Left over fabric from a another project Mickey Mouse and garden bugs just lent themselves to a couple of tidy bags.



Finally knitted up some scarves, the brown mixture one was a wired yarn, looked like puffs of wool on a strand but different.



Started this project a few years ago 'The Colour Purple Quilt' for my sewing room sofa, now I am almost at the end of making for fairs and parties for this year, thought this should really be finished, a gift to my sewing room for all the pleasure it has given me.




Check out all the other MMP blogs for tales, inspiration and stories.

Show and Tell Monday by 'Barney'

Hello Pink Aunties, as my Mum has been super busy this week and a bit Ruffff! I thought I would have a go at this blogging malarky!. She also tweets (thought this was what the birds did, waking me up in the morning) and something odd called Facebook, does that mean faces have books?

Well Mum took some pic's of me on Thursday, I was on my best behaviour admittedly for a change but thought as I have been getting extra grub should try to oblige. The extra grub was got when I visited Uncle Mark (my Doctor, a very nice man) I sucked in my breath when I got on the scales and it looked as if I had lost weight, gave Mark a 'I am starved look', he is a sucker for my look and said I needed an extra meal, very tasty too and about time Dad always feeds those pesky fish, swimming in the tank, what do they do, nothing! Had thought they could be lunch but so minute would not even touch the sides, not even a snack.



This is me gazing lovingly at my Mum, also if I sit here get in the way of the remote control working, he! he!



Just checking to see if Dad has snucked a biccie without me looking.



No all clear and back to gazing at Mum, I do love her really, also checking she is not getting that pronged thing out to put through my coat, I am partial to keeping my fur and do not know what the fuss is about with it going on the carpet, think it adds texture.

Mum went and left me this week to go shopping, a bit miffed but lots of cuddles when she returned, so thought I had better show you what she bought, cannot see the use really, not edible no smell certainly not as useful as me!



Mum is off to some party on the 10th, with a load of Ladies buying, I think I should be allowed to go, they are having nibbles, I like nibbles and wine, quite partial to a tipple, but NO I have to stay home with the pesky fish, guarding the house, hmmmpf!! Even Dad is being allowed to go and I am far more useful than Dad.

Oops! my paw slipped and I posted on Saturday, I'm in trouble. Licks and Hugs Barney

Show and Tell Monday

A busy week and reasonably productive, the weather has not been good but this is the perfect weather to sew, tucked up inside my home warm and cosy, music in the background, just perfect.

Flower Pot Snowman



Scented Silk Flower Cones



Embroidered Flannels



Stitching mice this week both for Christmas and not and trying to sort through MIL's attic, dread to think what we may find, also going to have a go and beading baubles for the tree.

If you are an avid fan of Jane Austen check out the blog for the Writer in Residence, a taste of Hampshire Heritage.

A mini history lesson for my American Friends:

British Summer Time

I have mentioned about us turning our clocks back and I know may seem a bit odd but we have been changing our clocks forwards and backwards in the UK since 1916. It's all to do with saving the hours of daylight, and was started by a man called William Willett, a London builder, who lived in Petts Wood in Kent .

William Willett first proposed the idea of British Summer Time in 1907 in a pamphlet entitled 'The Waste of Daylight'. Willett had noticed that the summer mornings light was wasted while people slept, and that the time would be better utilised in the afternoon by putting the clocks forward. After campaigning for years the British Government finally adopted the system a year after Willett's death.

At 1 am (01:00) GMT on the last Sunday in March we move our clocks forward by one hour for the start of British Summer Time.

Summer time is from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October.

At 2 am (01:00) GMT on the last Sunday in October, clocks move back by one hour for the end of British Summer Time.

I hope this makes sense and is just one of of the odd things us Brits do over this side of the pond.

Check out the other blogs at Make Mine Pink for more Show and Tell's

Show and Tell Monday

Cold and chilly here this week but when the sun does come out it is beautiful. Heating on, casserole days, with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of a fire, just the sort of weather to catch up on some reading. Halt!! hold that thought these are my dreams because I have been stitching like mad, made two Christmas wall hangings this week then had to stop as got an order for 36 gym bags. The latter is guaranteed money so needs must.

Onto the wall hangings Santa and friend



followed by Frosty the snowman.



Had to buy a new phone this week and it is pink! just love it and being the big kid I am have got the 24 ctu ringtone on it, of course my sister had to have the same!



Gym bags finished and corded no this week, snowmen in flower post, scented cones, leaf and flower bracelets and anything else I have the time to make.

check out the other Make Mine Pink blogs for some wonderful show and tells.

Show and Tell Monday

A hectic week but with the dull weather on Saturday had a wonderful day creating:

Matinee jackets depicting a snowman, 'Let it Snow' and snowflakes on the back.



**Update the boy (blue) jacket has been sold already and have an order for a lemon one, will have to make some more of these.

Then on to 'Fairy Dream' tidy bags, with a pocket on the front.



Could not waste any fabric, just enough left to make a 'Fairy Dreams' rose scented sachet with a fairy charm.



On a roll now so off to do some more sewing this week, now what will that be?

Check out the MMP blogs from the pink creative Ladies

Show and Tell Monday

A gift for a gardening Friend

As most of you know I had planned to do a lion cub cross stitch design and make into a velvet backed cushion for my BFF, however, these cross stitch projects take a lot longer than anticipated. Then I had planned to do a machine embroidered wrap but no my machine thought differently and the threads pulled, so back to the drawing board, what to make, then DH came up with the idea of a gardening apron as Christine loves her garden and Volia!!



The main fabric is lilac cotton and the pockets a design that I had stashed away just perfect for this project, with all the flowers and seed packets. 2 side pockets and the large centre pocket is split into 3 with slight give in the outer pockets to accommodate tools etc.

The card is using one of the backing papers, image and the rose arch (printed onto acetate) from the Joanna Sheen 'Cottage Garden' collection.



Finally made some Christmas cards for my parties and fairs, still more to do but at least I have made a start.



Check out the other MMP blogs for Show and Tell Monday

Show and Tell Monday

Another week and this time I have made it and have got a Show and Tell together, wonders will never cease.

Swarovski jewellery and rose scented silk sachets on offer:





My favourite is the heart brown AB heart pendant or perhaps the leaf but the colour of pink is also a draw, hopeless I know, they would suit me for all moods really from elegant to hippy boho chic.

A plethora of silk rose scented sachets, here's hoping they do well and go to good homes.



A busy week ahead, my Sister has a needlework exhibition at the Godalming Museum in Surrey so will be going to support her one day.

Check out the other MMP blogs for this weeks Show ad Tell Monday.

Show and Tell Monday

110 days until Christmas, my favourite time of year and I just love to plan the festivities early. Have already made and wrapped 3 gifts ready, done the card for DH and MIL, so getting there.

This week I finally got down to making my outfit for the wedding on Saturday, kept to a tried and tested design and more so to keep it comfortable. This fabric is vintage as bought and stored in the 70's but love the blue print and felt it complimented my shoes perfectly.



This necklace was a moment waiting for DH to finish watching the cricket, have wanted a dangly style for ages so sat down and had a play.



My first attempt at a tiara, made with Swarskovski pearls and crystals, now I know what I am doing will be making some more along with some complimenting jewellery and other hair adornments.



Off to see my sister this week, she needs help with posting on ebay, also discussing ideas for the open house she is doing for me later in the year, my head is buzzing with ideas atm and want to do a lot of Christmas themes this year.

Check out the other blogs at MMP for some inspirational makes, finds and stories.