Saying Thank You

I was taught both at home and at school that you should always say Thank You for a gift or invitation. This does not seem to happen as often as it used to and can be confusing, thought I would copy a section on Thank You's from my Etiquette bible:

Thank-You Letters

As a general rule, a thank-you letter should always be handwritten and sent within a week to ten days of an event or receipt of a present.

THANK YOUS FOR PRESENTS

Thank-you letters are necessary to acknowledge presents given for Christmas, christenings, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. Refer to the present directly and include some details to personalise the tone of the letter.

Remember that in our digital age, a handwritten letter is always appreciated so, for maximum impact, make the effort to write promptly.

CHILDREN'S THANK YOUS

It is appropriate for parents to respond on behalf of their offspring before the child is able to write. The child should write their own, however, as soon as they can. Children should be encouraged to specifically refer to the present in the letter, and make a detailed comment about it ('Thank you for the teddy you gave me for my birthday. I have named him Edward'). An extra sentence of topical news about the child's life adds a personal touch ('For my birthday treat, I am going to the cinema with my friends').

Traditionally, children should always write a thank-you letter for presents, but it is becoming more permissible for children to say thank you in person if the giver is there when the present is actually opened. Much will depend on the expectations of particular families or individuals.

THANK YOUS AFTER AN EVENT

When thanking someone after an event, the form of the invitation signals the appropriate format of a thank you. Engraved invitation cards require a formal thank you letter. An at Home card suggests a short letter or note.

Traditionally addressed to the hostess, nowadays letters can be addressed to either the host, hostess or couple as appropriate.

A verbal, telephone or email invitation needs only a telephone call of thanks after the event; telephone and email are interchangeable if all parties use both frequently.

OTHER THANK YOUS

Thank-you letters should also be sent after being a guest in someone else's home, for example after staying for a weekend or Christmas.

Support during a key event or task - bereavement, wedding, reference for a job - should also be acknowledged with a brief letter of thanks.

Nowadays, however, email is generally acceptable for brief and informal thank yous.

I tend to use e note cards and cards from Jacquie Lawson but if I do not know an email will send a handmade Thank You card. The cost is minimal but know that I love to hear that my visitors enjoyed themselves or that gifts were well received. In a busy world does not take long to do and always make sure I have a stock of cards, stamps and envelopes ready to hand, that way takes approx 5 minutes to say Thank You and hopefully makes the host or gifter feel good about all their hard work and thought.

It's Christmas

The last fair has been done, stock packed away until next year. Notebooks being filled with ideas, making a start on Easter first and may do some cards for Valentines Day. I always think Valentines day gets forgotten as busy up to Christmas, then celebrating our own Festive season. After eating too much and cold outside get a case of the hibernations for January and work seems a distant activity. In a blink of an eye the 14th February and again not ready for Valentines day.

Plan of action: Valentines cards being made between Christmas and New Year, well that is the plan and you could say part of the 2014 resolution list. 

Now what happened to that list? did I do one? not sure. In other words if done, now a distant memory and long forgotten. Wonder how many others make resolution lists only for them to end up in the bin by late January. Will we stick to them this year?

Wishing my wonderful readers and their families a 

Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year

&

Another Christmas Fair

An all day event this time, up early car packed and off we go. The journey was good well only 7 miles so should be. The hall did not open until 9 which gave an hour to unload and set up, a bit rushed but we all managed by the skin of our teeth. Doors opened at 10.00 and we waited and waited for the rush to begin. By about midday had lost the will to live and the clock watching started. Am sure the time slowed down to an almost crawl as the last 3 hours lasted at least 6! One consolation sat next to the lovely Marion who makes come fabulous jewellery items, we chatted the time away and know without her would have been even worse. Some pic's of the day a bit lack lustre and it was a case that the stallholders and organisers out numbered the customers.

My battery lights failed as must have forgotten to check the batteries from last week but did remember the tealights.

Next week is my final event this year optimistic as back almost on home turf. Also the final date for posting from my website. Will still post orders but cannot guarantee delivery before Christmas. 

Changes - Individually Designed Jewellery

Happy shopping

Christmas Fair

Now I know there is always talk about only going to proper 'Craft Fairs' but the Christmas village fair I attended today and which I have been going to for over 30 years is very good. The village hall is picturesque, well decorated, happy Christmas songs playing, aroma of mince pies and bacon rolls and not to mention the friendly stallholders and customers alike. A typical Hampshire village where everyone knows everybody. Approx 20 stalls and I did very well, in fact very happy with my sales today. 

My stall, forgot the battery tea lights for the houses. Just typical but still sold one have already added the box to the stock for next weeks fair. Took the pic's on my new iphone and must admit am quite happy with the results, did miss the anti shake though and perhaps not as clear as the camera but mighty handy.

One thing I have learnt over the years is that prices need to be pitched right and this year my stall was full of goodies £5.00 and under. A few of my frame clutch bags for £10.00 of which I sold one. The best sellers where the Christmas Tree earrings for £4.00, maybe it was getting change for a fiver but sold all apart from 1 pair. Guess what I will be making this week. The mini bags also went down well.

Two beautiful Golden retrievers came round part way through the girl about 2.5 years and a boy puppy (almost as big as the girl) 13 weeks, missed mine and wondered what he was up to with DH and apparently this is the result:

Hope you have a happy creating week and will report on next weeks whole day in Alton.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

Okay I know a bit early yet but those of you that know me, know that I love Christmas with a passion. Starting with Midnight Mass, Christmas Trees, Tinsel and Glitter, delicious food and not forgetting family and friends. The song sung by Bing Crosby sums up Christmas for me, maybe old fashioned but in some ways think we all look back as to what Christmas means to us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S-IidmcSN8

Memories from our childhood, when times were simple and we believed in the magic. Mother baking Christmas Pies, the smell of the turkey wafting up the stairs at 4 o'clock in the morning. The anticipation in the opening of gifts, ripping wrapping paper with excitement to discover the goodies inside. Cinnamon, roasting chestnuts, mince meat and hopefully snow with icicles clinging to the roof tops. 

What are your memories and what new ones have you made as you have got a home of your own. DH and I have no children, apart from our fur baby Shiloh but we have made our own traditions, the decorations go up on the 1st of December without fail, followed by steaming hot chocolate with whipped cream, pure decadence but delicious. A Chinese for lunch (this is a favourite and easy to cook, courtesy of Marks and Spencers) followed by a good film in the afternoon. Think this year will be X Men Past and Present. The gifts will be ready and wrapped to add to the tree, last minute lists made of food to buy and anything missed. Finally breathe a sigh of relief as Christmas Eve arrives and all that can be done is done.

Okay apart from daydreaming have been making last week, Nordic Hearts a nod to DH's ancestry. Although not a lover of red, red does belong at Christmas time and these are simple but elegant in red and white.

Plans for this week? Tealight houses using the safer battery tealights.

Have a good week and enjoy

Wedding Fair

The car packed and today is the day rain clouds charging across the sky threatening showers any minute. Sat Nav at the ready and off we set. The journey was far easier than expected and arrived earlier than anticipated. Met By Elizabeth Dawson a lovely lady and made to feel very welcome. Thank you to all at All Saints Church Catherington for a well organised event.

Car unloaded and stall all set:

************

Wedding Invitation Creations and Lovely Lollies

Next door to me were two sisters making Wedding Invitations and personalised lollies

Noticed that they did a beautiful chandelier which complimented my silk chandelier frame purse, how wonderful to be able to match everything for a special day.

************

Elizabeth Greville of Cream Roses

Make up services for all occasions

************

Clare Rhodes of Indulge in Vintage

Vintage china to make any occasion special and teacup candles

************

RKdia for perfectly laid tables with the ideal menu's

************

Geoff and Val Davies with Gold Star Dancing

perfect for your first dance together.

************

Allenby Limousines

7 seater 1930's style Bradford

1930's style Beauford

Chrysler 300C Executive

Perfect cars to start and finish your day

************

Davina Aburrow of Chocolate Moments

Now who does not love chocolate

The fair ended at 2pm and even managed to get home by 3 and unload the car with no rain fall, more than I can say for now looking out the window. Plan to spend the rest of the evening with my feet up. TV is being controlled by DH and dog, they are both glued to the rugby. 

Come on England.

Tomorrow Christmas only 47 days left and my 'To Do' list is getting longer. I love the festive season and may have to put our decorations up on Thanksgiving to tie in with the Pink Ladies scattered across the US of A.

Have a good week, try to stay warm and hope all going well Jane at the NEC.

If you are going to the NEC tomorrow stop by Jane and Jan's stall for some delicious handmade gift ideas: Just Soaps

The final two

After all these weeks have finally finished the final two wedding/evening clutch bags, the theme butterflies.

Now for the sorting, stock list, price labels, props and all the other paraphernalia that goes to putting on a show at an event. Nearly take the kitchen sink but do draw a line at that.

Have to print off the photos to add to the look book but at this rate will be packed ready to load into the car by early next week, will leave until Friday though.

Now what next?............ CHRISTMAS now what is on my 'To Do List': Mini Bambi Vintage style Christmas Stockings, Nordic Hearts, Lace Snowflakes good grief this list will be getting out of control. Off to order some glitter felt.

Will post some photos of the wedding fair next Sunday, enjoy your week.

Wedding delights

Still working on the wedding theme and the 8th November is getting ever closer, will I be ready in time? well I jolly well have to be. One advantage of a wedding fair you generally take orders but do have some items for sale on the day.

This weeks makes:

Dragonflies and petal clutch bag

Mint silk, stippled, organza wing dragonflies, with pearl centred organza petals

Pansy Clutch Bag

Shown here in shades of white, so elegant

Slowed up a bit as trying to sort and empty the top attic, never sure why we put so much up there thinking 'just in case' 20 years later never looked at or used and still making the roof groan. The plan is that by next spring we will only be using the small attic, which is easier to get into. Boxes will hit the utility tip and things are only going to be kept that are actually wanted. Intend to check every year and if not used for a year, out it goes, think Lee and Shiloh are getting worried, could they be next?

Happy Autumnal week

Edwardian lace, petals and daisies

Continuing the wedding theme a few more samples which have also been added to The Wedding Boutique on my website.

Edwardian Silk Lace Clutch Bag

So pretty, love this design and the shell pink silk dupion

Lace Petal Necklace

Free standing lace design with petals with Swarovski centres and leaf, all tied with organza ribbons

Lace Daisy Necklace

Free standing lace design with a daisy and leaves, all tied with organza ribbons

All components of these designs have been stitched by my embroidery machine and the flowers hand stitched onto the lace.

Well Autumn is here the leaves are falling at a rate of knots but been to wet to go and clear them from the lawn, a perfect job for my DH when we get a dry day. 

Have a wonderful week, for me only 20 days until the wedding fair and have a list as long as my arm to make.