What a weekend!

It's been a bit of a mixed weekend. DH arrived home on Friday instead of Thursday, so it felt like a very long week. But I've been busy painting and getting new bits ready for craft fairs, so it's not been too bad. 

Saturday was a day for meeting up with family. DH's brother and his wife were visiting DH's mum, so we said we'd meet up with them. Only one slight drawback - I ended up with a migraine yesterday.  Not good. It meant that we left home later than planned as I tried to sleep off the migraine for as long as j could. And it also meant I probably wasn't much fun company as I wasn't feeling well. But we got through lunch, and I managed brief conversations, before we headed home and I went back to bed for a couple hours. 

Then today was another craft fair for me. I could really have done with sleeping in to recover from yesterday, but we headed out to see what I could sell. Unfortunately, with the awful weather and the knock-on effect from Black Friday, the craft fair was really quiet and I didn't sell much. But it's all experience and I quite enjoy being out and getting feedback from people about my stuff. I even set up a Christmas tree to hang some clay decorations on! 

So despite the foul weather and the lack of sales, it's not been a bad day really. 

I've finished off a couple of orders from friends, and while watching TV tonight I've had another order from my Etsy store - I haven't had an order for ages so it was so nice to get that - and I'm contemplating doing a three day craft fair at the end of January. 

Exciting times ahead! 

#crafts #handmade #craftfairs 

Birthday Treat

Well, I've finally used my birthday present from my mum. Yes, I know my birthday is in January, and it's now November, but somehow I just hadn't got round to booking anything. I had an Afternoon Tea Gift Experience to use at one of the venues on a list. 

I went to a lovely little tea shop with DD on Tuesday and had some fabulous food. This was my second attempt at going for afternoon tea with the voucher, the first attempt being a complete disaster.  I booked somewhere quite local a couple of weeks ago, to go with DH. We arrived a little bit early, sat down at the table, and were then told that they weren't able to serve any more afternoon teas as they'd run out. Their booking system hadn't allowed me to speak to anyone to explain what I wanted to book, and their online booking system hadn't given me an option either. Considering it was 2.10pm on a Sunday afternoon, we were quite shocked to learn that they'd run out of food! As you can imagine we were more than a bit annoyed and left within about 5 minutes. I have since complained to them (no reply received) and also informed the Gift Experience company, who have offered me a discount on another voucher. 

So, Tuesday I was keeping my fingers crossed that it would be OK. And what a fabulous little place! A bit out of the way but they couldn't have been nicer. We were a bit early, but that didn't matter. Out came the food .....

.....with unlimited cups of tea. Delicious! We couldn't eat it all between us, so we brought some home....

(Yes, that box contains a slab of red velvet cake which we have just consumed tonight). If you want to go somewhere with amazing cupcakes and a fabulous afternoon tea, go to 
www.airyfairycupcakes.co.uk

What a find!

Weekend away

I've got all out of sync with blogging over the last couple of weeks. With spending most of my spare time crafting or catching up on housework, I end up so tired at night. 

However, it's all going to be worth it when I take a lots of new wooden items to my next craft fair next weekend. Just as a taster, I finished these off today ......

......hanging 'Home Sweet Home' plaques. I think they've turned out quite well. 

I've spent most of today crafting (day off from the day job) catching up from having three days off. THREE DAYS!! Unheard off! All because we've had a weekend away visiting DH's daughter and partner in Winchester. We'd booked in to a pub just outside the city, called The Plough. And what a lovely place! A bit quirky (with a chair fastened to the wall to act as a shelf and hanging rail), but so nice. 

We didn't arrive until nearly 8pm because the traffic had been horrendous on the motorway. But DH had been in touch along the way and booked a table for us to eat. DH's daughter and partner came to join us which was lovely. We hadn't seen them since our holiday in Summer for DH's birthday, so it was good to catch up. 

After breakfast on Saturday we took Oscar for a walk across from the pub. Although it was dry and sunny it was so windy! 

We headed in to some woods and came across this across the path ....

This made us chuckle a bit as it was similar to our obstacle course of a walk in Scotland last year with DD! Admittedly, Saturday's tree wasn't as bad. But we had blue sky for the whole walk - lovely......

......and a bit of playing with the camera .....

We were only out about an hour, but it was good to get out in the (very) fresh air. 

We arranged to meet up with DH's daughter later on to look round the Christmas Market in Winchester. It only started a couple of days before we got there - all wooden chalets set up round the Cathedral. It was all very pretty and some fabulous crafts for sale. We left Oscar in the van and had a wander round then went for some lunch. Time to check on Oscar after lunch (there's no way we could take him round the market with him being so nervous of everything).  Then back to the market as it was all lit up and looking very pretty indeed .....

We all went back to DH's daughters for tea - Indian takeaway! Yummy! And then back to the pub for us. 

And then the long drive home yesterday. Thankfully it didn't take us as long, and DD was very pleased when we got back - she doesn't like being left on her own when it's dark at night as she finds it quite scary. 

And now back to the day job tomorrow, and Afternoon Tea with DD. There's a tale behind it, but I'll wait and see how it goes tomorrow before explaining.....

Monday madness

Another weekend been and gone. Another blur to look back and think' where did the time go?'. 

The weekend started off a little slowly for me. I went home from work early on Thursday as I wasn't feeling well, and ended up going to bed for a couple of hours. That's not like me at all. I'm hardly ever ill. I don't give in to feeling a bit under the weather. But I had to on Thursday. 

Friday morning I took DD to the train station. She was going to London for the weekend as a birthday treat from her boyfriend - off to see Matilda, the musical. Then I did the usual early morning shopping before my mum came round. She wanted a bit of help with her mobile phone as it didn't seem to be downloading any Apps. Solution? Turn it off and back on again, and guess what? It worked! So she now has a few more Apps to play with. 

Then I had a couple of hours to get some painting in before DH arrived home for tea. Then we were out (yes, just the two of us went out at night) to go and see Bill Bailey. He was so funny! I'd had my reservations about going as I thought he was a bit weird/wacko, but he's actually really, really funny. 

And then Saturday and Sunday have been spent crafting, shopping and baking. Well, you need a birthday cake on a birthday don't you? 

DD arrived home safely last night. Thankfully. After hearing about all the shootings in Paris, I was very glad when i saw her get off the train and get her home. So that's why there was no blog last night. It was just such a relief to have her home, on her birthday, and have her tell us how good her weekend had been - she's even been inside the Houses of Parliament and enjoyed it!

 

And today? Well, today has been all about painting. Lots of it. And stamping. And writing.  

And there's lots more still to make. 

Only mid week

Is it really only Wednesday? This week seems to be taking forever to get to the end of it. It's been really confusing with DH working away from Monday night instead of Tuesday. As he's normally away two nights, coming home on a Thursday, after two nights away it should be Friday tomorrow. But it's not. And DH is away another night, coming home as normal tomorrow, which is Thursday. Confused? So am I! 

So not only did DH go away on Monday night, we were told at line dancing on Monday night that our 'teacher' is finishing at the end of the year. After teaching line dancing for 20 years, she's decided that with her husband working away, and her working full-time, and having to rely on babysitters for her two children while she teaches at night, it's all got too much for her. I don't blame her really. But I will really miss her way of teaching. We don't even know if the class will carry on or not yet. Somebody may or may not take it on. Who knows what the new year holds for us. 

And then yesterday and today I've been busy with wood and clay, and my new toy - my dremel. I've nearly finished some clay tags ......

 

......and have drilled holes in some shapes to add memo clips and photo holders. I've also got some painting to do, of both wooden and clay shapes ....

So I've got quite a few bits coming together now. A lot of it needs sealing with the Matt varnish I use (when I get some more), so everything's lining up waiting to be finished. 

And it's still only Wednesday! I guess that's good. It means I'm getting loads done this week. 

All this on top of keeping an eye on Titch who hadn't really been eating properly for a few days. He's not looked well at all. I even went to the pet shop yesterday to buy a few different small tins of meat just to try and persuade him to eat! But, the last day or so he's had some food and doesn't seem to be quite so sneezy and wheezy. Fingers crossed he's on the mend now. 

Oh, and DD had a trip to Glasgow today as part of her training with work! She's fairly getting around with this new job! She seems to have had a good day, despite her reservations about going. She came home quite chirpy which was nice (even if some Scottish customers made a joke of her Lancashire accent).  

So, it's Thursday tomorrow. Finally. Then after this week I don't think I have a full week in my day job until January. I've managed to book odd days off over the next few weeks, and without realising it have booked at least one day a week! 

Oh, happy crafting days ahead! 

Deja vu

Ever felt like you've been there before? Feels familiar? Or have you dreamt it? It's been a bit like that this weekend. 

After surviving a night of fireworks, I had a ladies lunch on Friday. It was really good, with DD able to make it as she wasn't working, which was lovely. A quick trip to the supermarket on the way home, and then a trip to the vets with Titch. Poor thing had started sneezing and being quite wheezy so I thought I'd better get him checked out. 

Poor thing has cat flu. He's been looking really sorry for himself and sleeping more than normal for a few days, and not being his annoying self (so you know somethings not quite right).  So, we're now armed with 3 lots of medication, none of which he likes taking. So, aswell as Freddie's daily medication to keep on top of her cystitis, I've now got extra tablets and liquid for Titch! I'll need one of those daily tablet trays for them at this rate!! Hopefully it won't be long before he gets better. 

Then yesterday I had another craft fair. The weather was awful - lots of rain in the morning - but I did surprisingly well. It was really good. Two of my friends from work came in, which was lovely. And my mum came again, so we had quite a chat while she was there. 

The table next to mine was empty, so we were able to spread out a bit and put all my cards out for a change. It was my best craft fair so far. Fingers crossed for the remaining two before Christmas. 

And today has been a shopping and crafting day. No walking today as the weather has been too bad. And,  knowing I've two craft fairs to go, and knowing how close we are to Christmas, it's time to get things done that may be bought as gifts. I wouldn't say I'm panicking, but I'm very conscious of time now and how much I would like to get done in the next couple of weeks. I've had a painting afternoon, and intend to get quite a few things finished by next weekend ....these included.....

I know they probably don't look much at the moment, but with some wording and some ribbon I'm hoping they'll look good. 

And so another weekend flies by. Another full week at the day job ahead, along with a busy week painting, stamping, writing and keeping the house going. DH is away for an extra night this week so I'll be busy every night. 

Roll on next weekend - no craft fairs! 

Late update

I know. I've done it again and missed an update last night. I was doing so well with it all too! I have no excuses other than the increased crafting time - a bit like computer time where a quick 10 minutes rapidly becomes 2 hours. And that's on top of my normal jobs at home - the cooking, cleaning, washing, looking after the animals - you know the basic jobs you do to keep a home running. And the day job aswell, obviously. 

So, it's now Thursday, and I'm heading towards another busy weekend. Tomorrow I have a ladies lunch organised, and hopefully DD can make it as its her day off. Then I'll be finishing off some new bits to take to my next craft fair on Saturday. I was busy last night painting some more wooden shapes, but I'm not sure if they'll be finished in time. I hope so, but I don't want to rush them. They may have to go to the next craft fair at the end of the month. 

And then on Sunday we're hoping to go out walking. We haven't been out for quite a few weeks so I'm feeling ready to get out in the hills and get some fresh air. I love crafting, but I think it does us good to get out, away from everything, and have some chill time in some peace and quiet. I've no idea where we'll end up yet - it may be a last minute decision in Sunday morning depending on the weather! 

It's Bonfire night tonight, and with having the cats and Oscar we don't go out. It can get quite noisy where we live with fireworks going off, so we make sure we don't plan any nights out for a few days before and a few days after 5th, to make sure everyone is ok. I like fireworks, but I think we need to consider how our pets are while all this is going on. 

But for now, it's time to finish my homemade soup, read a bit of my book, and then carry on with the day job until 5pm before heading home. 

Another craft fair

Who knew it would get to November so quickly?!! It'll be Christmas before you blink at this rate! 

I've had such a busy few days. My 'short' week at work felt more like a really long week! Mainly because I was also trying to get quite a few more things made for the craft fair which was today. I think I spent more or less all Friday afternoon and early evening crafting, and then most of yesterday afternoon finishing things off. 

I couldn't do anything last night as we were off out - heading to Manchester to see the very funny Michael McIntyre. He was really good - even DD was laughing quite a lot!

But then after a late night last night after getting back from Manchester, it was an early start to the day as I headed off to another craft fair with DH. The venue was about 45 minutes away, so knowing it opened at 10am we had to get there in time to set up my table with everything.

It was fairly quiet all day, so I didn't sell a lot. But I had a lot of nice comments about things which is good. And I also asked about spaces at another craft fair coming up at the end of November, and managed to get the last space! Yay! Another chance to get out there and see what people think of what I make. It's lovely hearing people say that what I make is really nice (even if they don't always buy it) - gives me quite a boost to know that it's ok after all.

And tomorrow we head back to Monday, and the start of another week ...........

Have a fabulous week, whatever you do :)

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#handmade #crafts