Recycling scraps

Hi there,

The weekend was quite quiet in the shop, but then that is to be expected during half term. Friday was especially quiet because poor old Mad Jen has broken her ankle and is holed up indoors with a large cast on her leg. And no Jen tends to mean more restrained behaviour at Crochet Club. Never fear, she'll be back in action next week, because we've arranged to go and collect her - its just not the same without a dose of Jen.

On Saturday I decided to a) make a quilt, using a range of charm squares from the shop so that I could display it in the window and b) have a go at the recycled bunting idea, taken from that fab new mag Mollie Makes. The quilt is almost completed, and hopefully I'll have a pic to show you soon. The bunting was great fun to make, using scraps of fabric from the scrap box and looks lovely up on the wall. I'm going to have a go with the children at craft club on thursday because its so easy to do and so effective.

Happy Campers

Oh there is something so completely relaxing about camping. I know that there is all the faddle of packing and unpacking etc, but whilst there its just so relaxing and calm and everyone is chilled. Even if the weather is not so good. We've just come back from Kelling Heath, near Cromer in Norfolk and have had a great time. We've had rain, wind, sunshine and clouds, plenty of red wine, swimming and playing 'werewolf' ( a game that you should really have a go at!). And check out the party tent complete with bunting!

Oh, and Richard won the stone balancing competition on the beach, with a very impressive 11 stones!!!!

Friday fun

It's Friday - the end of half term and Ru and I are looking forward to a weekend camping in Norfolk. Well actually, its more glamping that we are in to. So we've packed the heater, hairdryer, bunting and tent carpet (yes, tent carpet!)

In the shop we've have the usual crochet club today, which as always is a good laugh. Sadly everyone is on a diet so the chocolate and oreo homebaked cake is coming camping with us! There was a mad rush on the new fat quarters, called Sherbet Pips, which came in from Moda. They come in a fab palette of red, pink, grey and white and have lovely nostalgic pics of dogs and children on them.

I finally managed to change the window which was still bedecked in a red, white and blue theme from the royal wedding. Thanks to Ros, who helped me to create a gorgeous window with lots of lovely baby knits and toys.

Early Retirement

Hi all

I'm sitting at the window looking out across the garden and the sun is shining down. A good time to catch up, thought I. Have had a busy week and lots of news to report. First and foremost I have finally retired from the world of teaching, which I'm hoping will have a significant impact on what goes on in the shop in future. The shop will be back to full time opening hours in June, after the half term holidays. Classes will be increased and hopefully we will be able to offer even more variety in what we do. All in all, despite the fact that things will be tight financially, I'm looking forward to this challenge and hope that with your continued support the shop will go from strength to strength.

In the shop we have had a rush on the new yarns from Katia - Ole and Ondas - the scarf ribbon yarns which appear to be ever popular. And we have had some really fabulous classes, making cushions and bags. So fabulous indeed that we have had squeals of delight and tears of excitement at some of the things that have been made. Honestly, it is so exciting to see someone make something that they didn't think they were capable of! Even Ru got in on the act and made a bag for her mate Esme's birthday....ah sweet!

Update @ Roses & Rue

Hi all

Sorry for not posting any updates for some time. Unfortunately I've not been too well, as some of you may know. But everything is looking rosier and we are almost there with the new website, thanks to my wonderful team of designers, who have provided invaluable expertise. We will be posting classes for the next term shortly so keep an eye on the website for details. You will also be able to book classes online when the new website goes live.

Speak Soon

Sharon x

Hi all, I know I keep promising to blog more frequently but at the moment I just don't seem to find the time to do anything other than work work work. Not that I'm complaining too much. The shop is quieter than I expected for the time of year, in terms of people buying yarn and fabric etc but then half term is always weird and things are very slow. That said, we seem to have orders coming out of our ears, for our 'made to order' service and are struggling to keep up. What I want to know is...why are people less keen to make things for themselves and more inclined to want 'made to order' stuff? Where's the satisfaction in that? Call me old fashioned, but isn't the idea of making things and being creative more exciting???? Or am I part of a dying breed?

Anyway, pleased to report that the Christmas Special Ideal Home mag has now been published and within the first week I have had several orders for the 'Easy Stocking Kit', as featured in the mag,which would appear to contradict what I have said above, I know. Maybe its a geographical thing. I've noticed that the orders have come from the Midlands, Home Counties and oop North generally. So is it that people in Leigh on Sea don't have the time? Or the inclination? Any ideas? Let me know what you think............ PS dont forget to get your copy of the mag, its great!

Catching Up

Hi all

So sorry that I haven't blogged for a while. Things have been more hectic than ever and I just haven't found the time to sit still and think. Just wanted to show you some pics taken from Village Green, which was a cold but fun day. We managed to raise some money for the orphanage and also we have had squares pouring in from all sorts of lovely people, for which we are very grateful. Jo and I are about to embark on a major sewing campaign, in order to have the blankets ready for mid October.

We are thinking ahead to Christmas which is actually only about 80 days away, apparently. Sue, Mad J, Pat and Annette are hard at it making lots of things for customers and for the Christmas Window display. I'm trying to do my bit but its proving difficult. We are also thinking about doing a Christmas Craft Fair at the Leigh Community Centre in November, although I haven't thought it through properly yet and I'm not sure I can squeeze too much more into a day.

Life in the in the shop is busy. Last week at Knit and Natter we had about twenty ladies turn up and what a job we had fitting everyone in. I had to borrow chairs from another shop and the noise levels could have sunk a ship. But it was great to see so many people enjoying each others company. Classes are busy - Sue, Jen and Jane are all hard at it and we are getting fantastic feedback from people who have done a class. We are also very busy with childrens parties, which Sue and I have been doing (with a little extra help from Jo on occasion).

This Friday we are all off to the Ally Pally for the Knit and Stitch exhibition. We are so excited, like kids about to be let loose in a sweet shop, and talk has been about what we are going to purchase etc. With 23 of us on the coach, I can only offer my apologies to anyone else who is on there with us, for the noise, which is a dead cert!