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!

These boots were made for cuties!

Just wanted to show you these oh so cute booties that Annette and I have made recently for Village Green. Made using scraps, the Green shoes are made from a pattern downloaded from a site:

loasidellamaglia.etsy.com

The yellow crocheted slippers are taken from a book by Erica Knight, but can't remember which one off hand. I'll try and find it and add it to the page.

Busy Busy Bees

Spent the weekend in Deal, my favourite hideaway ( I have a 10 year plan to retire there!). Much relaxing and eating and drinking was the order of the day. I seriously did not want to come back and face the piles of work waiting for me. It was maybe a little silly to go away when I have Village Green coming up - but sometimes you just have to follow your heart.

Whilst having lunch in the Black Douglas, a quirky and lovely bistro type place, I found this lovely mosaic on a wall made from crockery. It has given me some ideas for my garden.

Rather unbelievably, I have recently and very tragically lost another friend, Laura, and it has taken my breath away. I am now determined to try and find time to relax as well as fit in all the hectic things that fill my day. I will stretch that 24 hours and make it longer...

Childrens Party

Saturday was incredibly busy with 8 ladies in to do 'Patchwork for Beginners' and then our very first childrens party in the afternoon. The party was a great success and the children made some brilliant sock creatures, as you can see. Sue and I really enjoyed it, although we both agreed we were very tired at the end of the day.

Later that evening we went to a 70's birthday party for Emma's 4oth. Don't ask me why but we decided to visit the pub first dressed in some very strange 70's attire. There just happened to be a load of rugby players in there, also celebrating a 40th. I haven't got any pictures to show you but someone thought we were 'fortune tellers'!!!!! I thought we looked very fetching, especially Sue in her 'Margot' wig. I must find some photos to post so you can see....

Beautiful bunting

Last night I had a 'winter preview' evening in the shop, which was well attended and a great success. Customers were able to see the new winter yarns, patterns and other bits and bobs, as well as receive a 10% discount on anything purchased. There was wine aflow and delicious nibbles, provided by Jen.....cor fanx blud!

Talking of mad, I mean Jen, Fridays always make me smile, even when the last few days have been particularly tough. Jen and her army of workers - Sue, Annette and Lilian - all helped me to put up the new bunting, (beautifully made by Ros, thanks Ros).

Suffice it to say the whole event was one big pant wetting laugh from start to finish. Nails were hammered into the wall with varying levels of skill and accuracy, tables were moved, bodies were precariously balanced and finally the bunting was up. Annette commented that if a man had been there they would have measured, marked, planned and levelled before putting the bunting up. All I can say is, good job we're not men, it wouldn't have been half as much fun.....

Fancy Nancy!

Last night marked the return of 'knit & natter' in its full glory and it was lovely to see the 'old' ladies as well as some new ladies. It made everything seem as if Autumn is here, although officially its not time yet. Everyone's attention has turned to their winter projects and ideas abound. New yarn is arriving in the shop and there are some fantastic new books with gorgeous patterns. There seems to be a real 40's revival as well as a 'folky' theme going on with some gorgeous tweedie yarns and lots of sludgy shades of green and taupe and grey. Yum!

Nancy brought with her an absolutely divine crocheted blanket that she has just finished. It was crocheted in 'granny square' rows and lookes really effective in a delicious colour palette, (which I think was mainly Rooster yarn). The edging is a real triumph and sets the whole blanket off.