Harry at school!

yes... there should have been photos. Here you go, lovelies! And I am impatient at the moment with the formatting so excuse the lack of flow.

Just look at what a big boy Harry is now! He is so excited about school, and has fitted in brilliantly. It really helps that he knows the teachers well already and feels quite at home.


And the other thing to share is this fantastic pudding feature in November Living etc . Already my favourite magazine delivery, it includes Donna Hay's recipes. Here are a few old standards including super simple chocolate self saucing pudding. You wouldn't believe that it actually works - make a batter, sprinkle over dry sugar and cocoa and cover with boiling water. It comes out of the oven a gooey, sticky revelation.

I had a great day on Saturday at Anna's Bumble Shopping Event. It was in a gorgeous town called Wing, near Leighton Buzzard. Anna invited her really lovely friends, opened her beautiful house and I sold a few bits. And ate cakes. Even having a really busy lead-upto the event, I feel quite at peace today having had so much positive feedback for my stall.

and a weekend round-up... part one

Not exactly quiet. I have thought a few times that maybe we try and cram a bit too much into the long weekends. And I am really feeling the pressure of being 28 weeks expecting at the moment!

Any way. First event was the craft fair in the beautiful village of Kimpton. Everyone seemed to be out (even in the not-so-good weather). The fair was set up in the school hall, a very sensible alternative to the field (!??). And the fabric buckets went really well. I need to get sewing again...

Here is my stall. And yes, I do need to iron that poppyart banner.

Sunday we headed to celtic harmony, as mentioned in an earlier blog post. It was fab. But freezing. Lots to do - a whistle made from sycamore, a rhythm stick, storytelling in the round house, a green man appearing from the woods and the winter witch captured. All the adventures of an iron age village. And some apple pressing! But very cold... did I mention that?

new items

finally. i have updated my website. here are some new things for the stalls on saturday and monday.

poppyart

i have the lovely linen satchels... great for holding the inevitable collections the boys seem to have. plus linen children's aprons.

i have ordered these items from shenzen in china. i went across on my last visit to my sister in hong kong and met up with the company and designed four items. to be honest, it was all a bit stressful! not from that end, more in terms of getting the stuff from felixstowe in the UK to here! and a bit more expensive than what i budgeted for! so while the unit cost is fine, and i knew the transporting costs from china, the charges in the uk were more than hefty.

anyway, i am adding an applique detail to the items, and am really pleased with the finished product. the quality is excellent - lovely linen, strong zip in the satchel. even a great towel-clip on the children's apron.

the ladies' apron is also lovely but my pregnant tummy doesn't do it justice at the moment and as it looks nothing on a coathanger... i need a model.

christmas stockings

o, I'm sure it's not too early!!

Certainly it's not to early to stock up ready for fairs and craft shows. Here is the beginning. I have 10 ready to go but am so pleased with the design, I will do lots more.

It's a chance to use some of the lovely fabric from fabricworm as posted earlier.

These ones are listed on folksy.

Harpers Shopping Day

What a lovely day, and well done to Amanda and co for all the organising. The stalls looked fabulous and there were lots of great products available. Once again, there was an interesting range, great for early Christmas presents.

I did get my capes ready on time. There are 3 left with a super 'S' on the back. And I have some blanks so please request an initial and a colour choice and I am happy to personalise.

I would have loved to have Harry modelling the cape again, but he is at nursery and childcare today.

I waited in vain for the phone to ring with all of those supply teaching offers!!??

I have been registered with a local agency for AGES but to be honest, they've been a bit crap. Doing supply in London was very different... I could pick and choose the days: if I'd had a big night out, I could sleep in and not worry. Oh well! Plenty to do around the house, sewing, cleaning, washing. (Not in that order, unfortunately).

Thursday at the Barn!

Here is a close-up of my fabulous vintage fabric apron. I picked up the fabric from the flea market, and fashioned a flattering deep-pleated half apron. The kitchen print is really effective, the colours just slightly faded. I have a petite small version plus a large one left. poppyart [http://www.poppyart.co.uk/product.php?id=48] to buy now, or see it at my next Fair.

There is a wonderful oak barn in Studham. It is a venue for weddings, and is nestled behind a brilliant farm shop called Harpers. Harpers has supplied us with huge hams over Christmas and new year (experimented with Jamie Oliver's Jerk recipe - a GREAT success). The service is excellent and it is perfect for pre-ordering Christmas meats.

Anyway, I am at a shopping event at the barn this Thursday 15th October. From 10.30 , there will be very good quality gifts ready for Christmas. I will be there with lots of fabric buckets (which are flying off the shelves - well tabletop...) and brooches as well as my favourite aprons, bibs and sacks. There is a coffee shop on site as well, and plenty of parking.

Come along!

http://www.oakbarnvenue.co.uk/contact.php

I have had a mad few days.

The Local Baby Show at Alban Arena went really well. I had heaps of interest and lots of purchases... enought to make it worthwile. I printed off flyers with a yummy Blackberry Cake recipe and also Local places for Families to visit... and they were all snatched up. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that people remember my site for gifts in the future.

The stall was resplendent with a HUGE banner I made (hanging on a wooden frame made by Keith and his Dad). We were all up until 2am getting ready for the day. Thanks you so much to my lovely hubby.

Now I have just checked folksy, to see that I am a Featured Seller whoo hoo! This is very exciting for me. They have chosen my fabric buckets to show as the main 2 photos and I have had a lot of interest in them... and a couple have sold already. This picture is one still in stock.

I am really pleased.