Deadline looms closer than we think

I thought September lasted a few more weeks, realising with a jolt today that it is October on Thursday. Why is October important? Well, that's the deadline for getting my stock into The Hope Emporium, our local craft store, full of pretty and unique things all handmade by locals.

I agreed on October with Jo and Jane from the shop at the end of August, it felt like eons away then, but now it is 3 days away, I want to get the stock in on Thursday morning, which means I only have half a day with an empty house (bar the cats and the odd chicken!). Looks like the evenings will be humming with the sound of the sewing machine for the next couple of days. I won't have much in there to start with but will build stock levels up each week. Things are coming along nicely!

I promised photos of what I'm making, I shall take some on Thursday and get them on here after that, maybe with some shots of my stuff in the shop. I am very exicted!! Better get back to it. For now though, here's a shot of the yummy fat quarters I hunted out recently.

When I found these I also discovered Amy Butler's fabric collection and drooled for quite a while, they are gorgeous! I was very temtped, but can't stretch the budget that far yet, but I did get a free pattern for the sweetest bug cushions, a butterfly and a ladybird which may well end up being made up for Christmas presents this year!!

I was accompanied by my 11 year old on the hunt and she is now planning a few projects of her own which is lovely and I'm really looking forward to seeing what she has in mind.

Half-hearted Gardening

Having attempted veg growing for a good few years now, I still never get it right, but even so got some fair results this year.

This week, as I have been concentrating on my sewing machine I forgot to do a food shop, to be very truthful I did a fabric shop instead! So by Tuesday we had run out of food and turned to the garden to supply tea for the family. Cringed at the thought of what would be weeds not food, but was pleasantly surprised by the results!

Not bad really... I grow nasturtiums because my youngest loves munching on the flowers while he waits for tea, which is handy really because they grow so very easily.

The carrots and parsnips went to make a lovely roast dinner with random bits of meat found lurking at the back of the freezer. I had a well fed and happy family!

New Beginnings

Ha! Me, a blogger.. who'd have thought it? I know I never did, but here I am. Why? To share in my excitement at prospects new for me and the family. My youngest, Freddie has begun nursery and so the time has come for me to think of my own future a little more.

I was self employed in the events industry for many years and throughout my eldest Kate's early years, but when Freddie arrived as quite a surprise I couldn't (or possibly wouldn't!) find the balance between working and mothering, so I closed the business and my long suffering other half  Paul went out to find work after being the stay at home dad for Kate (he did a great job and I have been trying to live up to his pretty exacting standards ever since!).

So here I find myself, having enjoyed Freddie's baby days, in that hole we all find ourselves in at one stage or other, staring into the void that is our future and finding my place in it.

I have decided to make stuff again, mainly from fabric, but other stuff aswell. All things I have done before for pleasure but now set myself the challenge of making the fruits of my labour profitable. I am in the lucky position of having a local outlet wanting to stock stuff, The HOPE Emporium,a newly opened craft shop in the market town of Bromyard entirley stocked from local craftspeople. As well as there always being a small craft fair going on somewhere relatively local that a few crafters get together to do. Its all ripe and ready to go, I just need to jump in with both feet and get stuff made and out there.

Having said that, I'll stop rambling for now and get on with making stuff. I'll let you know how it goes and get some pics of what I make over the next week.