A New Venture

Monday again, where does the week go? could do with a few more hours in the day and days in a week but that is not going to happen.

No crafting from me this week as managed to slice the top of my thumb off with a mandolin, so careful when slicing the veggies but not enough care taken when washing up, thumb bandaged so well and so huge to be useless and my right hand as well!!! So what have I been doing? reading, going through my journals of ideas just generally chillaxing, in some ways this down time has rejuvenated me to start afresh, have a few ideas whizzing round with a slight change of direction but no more... you will just have to wait and see as the story unfolds, like a butterfly emerging from the Chrysalis into I hope something wonderful.

Check out the fantastic blogs on Make Mine Pink for Show and Tell Monday

&

Handmade Monday with Wendy at 1st Unique Gifts

Wendy organises this every Sunday without fail, thank you Wendy.

Inspirativity Artisan and Spa Event
Saturday 14th May
Only 6 Days to go

To make the event a bit more fun we are having a best dressed stall competition voted for by the visitors with a prize of a bottle of wine and a certificate to display with pride.

Have a good week crafting everyone.

Caroline

A Crafting Week

Yet another week has gone by and here we are in May, soon be Christmas in July digging out all the red and green fabric and card stock planning for the winter season ahead.

Back to this week mad some fairy sachets with a dainty fairy charm filled with rose pot-pourri.



Been planning my stall for event which is now only 13 days away, as I am only using a small table to make more room for our stallholders wanted to plan positions etc in advance, so as not to panic on the day. May make a few tweeks on the day but in general quite happy with the look.

Don't forget to check out the other blogs for Show & Tell Monday on Make Mine Pink
&
Handmade Monday by Wendy of 1st Unique Gifts

Just reminding you about a new forum called The Craft Plaza started with the aim to bring crafters in business together, the main part is for general viewing and after 20 posts you can apply to be upgraded to a business membership, where we will be having business talks, marketing ideas and more. This is not so much a social forum but geared towards the small business crafter and to promote British craft to the public.

Have a good week everyone and hope you all enjoyed the wedding.

Fairy Wishes

Happy Easter Everyone

Hope by now not too many eggs have been eaten, must admit did not have one this year being very good now how long will that last? The hunts have been hunted and the weather is as glorious as it is here, wall to wall sunshine, perfect or as Pop Larkin would say 'Perfick'

Had a dilemma on what to hang the fairy houses and bags of last week's blog on my stall, had been looking for cherry blossom but not one to pass up on a bargain or two or even three found these sweet peas all 3 stems for the same price as 1 cherry blossom twig.

The vase another bargain meant as a candle holder but as no water required just too pretty to pass on. Whilst searching for these bargains another a wire tray with clear glass base perfect for all my scented sachets.

Finally to prove that I have been making two cards for my Fairy Wishes Collection:



The Inspirativity Artisan and Spa fair is now fully booked, two rooms full of crafters and therapists, menu planned signs done, cakes still to be baked but the day before and some fudge made, have also to enter the attic in search of my vintage 3 tier cake stands, where's Lee?

Enjoy the rest of your Easter break, not working apart from for myself of course do not get that return to work dread but I will be thinking of you whilst sipping coffee under the rose pergola.

Checkout out Show and Tell Monday with Make Mine Pink, thank you MB

& Wendy of 1st Unique Gifts, thank you Wendy

Have a great week be positive and live each day as if your last, appreciate what we have and grateful for all our friends both near and far.

Fairy Wishes

Fairy Houses

Doubling as a small treasure box, the lid lifts off to reveal a fully lined inner house to store small treasures or secrets, these are not toys but a decorative item. Mainly stitched by hand, not that the Fairies were around to help, dancing among the bluebells at the bottom of the garden.

Nor forgetting mini fairy bags drawn together with ribbon and a fairy charm as a guardian of the contents
Fairy Door Sachet

Scented with rose with Believe embroidered onto glitter frost fabric, edged and backed with Ballerina Fairy fabric

More Mono Chic: just added 2 elegant ladies to the black and white collection, with a hint of gold and gray, perfect for every occasion.

Finally the start of some give aways for our Artisan fair on the 14th May, organza rose pot pourri sachets tied with pink ribbon and embellished with a paper rose bud.



check out the blogs at 1st Unique Gifts
&
Make Mine Pink

A crafting week

What a beautiful week, spring has finally sprung the birds are happy and making a racket to prove the point, had to take a picture of our tulip magnolia the colours and shape speaks fairy houses to me so yes that is my task for this week the Fairy Tales collection.

Green Morning Fairy fabric made into an apple shaped decorative cushion, measures approx 7.5" X 8" and is filled with fibrefill and apple pot-pourri. I love the glitter in this fabric, takes me back to my childhood and the belief that fairies do live at the bottom of the garden.

This week fairy houses which are mini storage containers in disguise for treasures and secrets, all to be revealed next week.

A commission of a lime green, black and white craft tote but extra large and lined with black

Visited the Headley Park Hotel this morning with Jill, a wedding fair was being held within the hotel, a lady doing colour analysis was interested in our May event so we could have another potential for the therapy area, almost full now but still so much to do.


A thank you to Wendy of 1st Unique Gifts for another Handmade Monday
& not forgetting
the Pink Ladies and dear friends for Show and Tell Monday with Make Mine Pink

Mono Chic & more

Mono Chic Collection

I think of titles then plan around the title in this case Mono Chic, all black, white and gray maybe with a hint of silver or gold, elegant and timeless:

Rose embroidered and scented door sachets

Black rose patchwork handbag on a silver frame with chain shoulder strap

Getting to be my signature pieces, just love these little framed bags, this one has a dragonfly charm to compliment the shimmering fabric

A matching coin purse


Wild rose black and white silk necklace

A plethora of rose scented hearts


A Birthday card for a relative

Using the free disc of designs from Debbi Moore could not resist this beauty, shaped liked a shell with a detachable bookmark on the back.


A bought gift this year of machine embroidery threads, lazy I know but the cross stitch design I have been planning for the last 2 years is worked on black aida and my eyes ain't what they used to be....., hoping with the advent of lighter days to be able to complete for Christmas????

Another busy creative week planned, visiting Normandy Village Hall on Thursday with Jill to plan and allocate stall space for the 14th May, almost full and going to book the upstairs room for the spa treatments at the same time. Just under 6 weeks to go......

Check out the other blogs with Wendy at 1st Unique Gifts
&
Make Mine Pink - Show and Tell Monday

Mothering Sunday

3rd April Mother's Day in the UK

I lost my Mum in 2006 after a battle with Alzheimers I think of her every day and thankful to her for making me the woman I am today, independent and creative. Love you Mum>.

What better tribute than a poem by my favourite poet and friend, thank you Nancy your work inspires me, sometimes makes me sad, sometimes makes me laugh but the enjoyment I get from your work knows no bounds.

YOU ARE THERE

I reach for the phone and begin to call,
Then remember you're not there after all,

The news to share had gladdened me so
I had to call,
Just wanted you to know,

That holiday dish you alway made,
Received such marvelous accolades,

What was it you added or maybe changed,
When I'd make it,
It never tasted the same,

Although you're not here to talk to in person,
You're here in my heart everyday,
And I see you in your great-grand children's faces,
In gestures and things that they say,

Every special event,
Every joy,
Every pain,
I wish you were here to talk to again,

But you are there in every thought and prayer,
Dear Mother,
You're in my heart
Forever there


Nancy Ellen Crossland
©2008