Good afternoon everyone. I hope you all had a good weekend. Thank you for the lovely comments once again. The clutter was swept to one side to take the photos, and you should see it now - back to our usual chaos. Just as well I took the photos when I did because we came back from a walk (on Daisybank Road - what a great name!) to find that the curtain pole had fallen down. The curtains have been up for about 3 years, and it is so spooky that the day I took a photo they came down - whilst we were out too. I can't even blame anyone. Not only that but the battery for the drill had worn down so we spent the evening feeling like we were in a goldfish bowl. We did light the fire though, so it did feel vaguely cosy. I love being cosy, and as I mentioned in one of my other posts, I love Autumn. We have many rituals in this family, and one of my favourites is to go for a walk and then come back home to a fire and this...
...a creased tablecloth and hot chocolate! We all have our own special hot chocolate mugs but Andy had coffee which wasn't so photogenic. I found a recipe for homemade marshmallows the other day which I may have to try. Has anyone done it? Is it easy?
I have spent today feeling sorry for myself and coughing and spluttering everywhere. I'm not a very patient person (no, really!) and I get frustrated with illness very easily. I'm not ill very often fortunately, and it is only a cold, but it is about time it packed its bags. I was meant to be doing a school visit today (I am chair of governors at the girls' school), but I thought they may not appreciate me spreading my germs around and disrupting lessons with my hacking cough, so I stayed in and sorted out my fabric instead.
Below are some photos of my studio. It was too messy to take photos of the other side of the room so I have kept it to my newly sorted fabric and desk. I found some treasures and am now inspired to get creating again. The blue thing on top of the shelf is a box I got for £1 at a car boot sale which holds all my beads and findings. It has loads of different compartments and is separated into colours. I love it because it is always organised and that is something that I am trying to emulate in the rest of my life. Without much luck.
The board between the bookcases was dumped outside a house down the road and I fell in love with the wallpaper on it. It obviously came from the back of a wardrobe and was really tatty, but I have resisted everyone's efforts to get rid of it, and it fits perfectly between the shelves so I am glad I kept it. Sorry about the lighting - it is in the basement and has halogen spots. The window is the other side of the room, hence the light issues.
I finished my first (hopefully of many) advent calenders for the year, and also whipped up a batch of teacup candles. They may go on my website, or I may save them for my stall. I have a few things coming up so need some stock for those as well as the website. I can't believe I am making stuff for Christmas but it does feel good to be a bit more organised than last year when I was up until 1 every night making stuff at the last minute. I am not very good at getting heaps of stock behind me, and tend to replace it as I sell it, which is not the best way to approach it.
I am also thinking about adding some thrifted vintage finds to my website and stalls this year to supplement the handmade stuff. Actually it is just an excuse to go shopping without being told off by Andy. We really do have heaps of stuff in this house, but I can't bear to let a bargain opportunity go to waste. At least if I am selling it too I can get away with it more often!
I am really enjoying my foray into the world of business. I am really excited about my website and have had some lovely feedback from both friends and strangers. It is really daunting going into this properly. I have tinkered about for years doing the odd fair and selling to friends but I decided earlier this year to get a business loan and do it professionally. (Actually it was either that or get a proper job, so I went with the fun stuff rather than the boring stuff!). If you haven't already please check it out at www.pinkgreencreations.com and let me know what you think.
Hope you've all had a good start to the week. I'm really enjoying reading all your blogs and am finding new ones every day. Please leave me a message if you haven't already so I can add you to my list - you can never have too many friends!
Bye for now,
Cathy X