Dec the Halls........tra la la la la

Good morning Blogland

Well Argos delivered on time, and the Christmas fair has been and gone.
It wasn't as well attended as we would have liked, the weather was awful, but we had fun. We gave away a few bibles and booklets, and all of the kids goody bags went (they had a nativity booklet, lolly, candy cane and stickers in them, really sweet). We're praying that all those who received any literature, will read it and have their eyes and hearts opened.

I am supposed to be cleaning and tidying right now ready for our sales at home tomorrow and Monday (definition of tidying; putting all the bags of fabric and paper out of public view!), It will get done eventually (hehehe)

We put our "ceiling" decorations up over the last 2 days. I haven't put out all the ornaments and candle holders yet, I don't want anyone to think they are for sale.!!??!!, but we'll do those as soon as the sales are finished.

I'm still waiting for Claudia to load the photos of the Christmas Fair onto the pooter, as soon as she does I'll post some. I didn't take my camera, should know better really.

Blessings

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Waiting for Argos

Hello and greetings to everyone in blogland !!!


I've been a bit on the busy side this last couple of weeks, getting things ready for the Christmas Fair this Saturday (and I still have lots to do) and doing Christmas card orders.
Here's a small selection of some of the cards that are part of an order of 100 (phew!!!)


They are a mixture of printed and stamped and this one.............

....................is one of my very favourite stamps. I have used it for myself so often that I'm in danger of sending people the same card year on year, so it was lovely to have the chance to use it for someone else. It's stamped onto gold pearlescent card and dusted with burgundy powdered food colour, then finished with a little matching chalk to set the powder. The food colour gives it a lovely, silky feel.

The last few days I've been decorating gift bags............



These are lovely paper bags, made from either recycled or sustainable sources. I can't be doing with the faff of making the bags from scratch, but buy them blank then decorate them with whatever takes my fancy. So there's ricrac, organza ribbon, lace, gingham and grosgrain ribbon, buttons, flowers, and a partridge in a pear tree (well maybe not but you get the idea).
I've tried to make them suitable for any occasion though there are a few that are Christmassy.

I'm sorry about the quality of the pics, they aren't as clear as I'd like. My camera is best used without the flash but the light wasn't as good as I hoped. The best place to take pics in my house is my bedroom, and I was constantly looking over my shoulder through the window.

I'm waiting for an Argos delivery, they say anytime between 7am and 6pm. It's not here yet.
I'll keep you informed, but I can't say what I've ordered, it's a secret sshhhhhh!!!!!!

Love and blessings

Elaine

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Memory Loss

Doesn't time fly !!! I hadn't realised I had neglected my blog for so long. Sometimes I just forget I've got a blog. Rubbish excuse I know, but I'd forget my head too if it wasn't attached !!!

The next few weeks are going to be sooooo busy too. Our lovely vicar is allowing us to hold the "Mustard Seed Gift Shop Christmas Craft Fair" in the church hall on the 24th November. I shall be working like mad replacing stock, and making new stock too. Thankfully I already have some Christmas goodies like these lovely pair

And other nice bits too, like this


So now it's a case of catching up with all the other things I need to make. I'm sure we'll be ready in time, but it's good to keep on my toes about these things.
Infact I tend to work much better with a deadline ahead of me.

So if I forget I have a blog again you know where I'll be........................

Blessings

Elaine xxx

ps. If anyone wants details of any goodies or where the craft fair is, just leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Another quick one

Not much to tell over the past week. I haven't been able to do much work, so I thought I'd knit some mittens. WRONG. Could I find my pattern? No is the simple answer. I'm sure I've seen it somewhere recently, but when I actually want it, it's nowhere.

How many things actually disappear into Nowhere?

If anyone can tell me where Nowhere is I'd be very grateful. I'm sure lots of people would be grateful.

Infact, I'd go as far as to say, that whoever is the first person to find out where Nowhere is they'd make alot of money.

Anyway, yesterday I bought a new pattern. It's not as comprehensive as my old one, but it will have to do for now.

Now then, where are my short knitting needles...............................................

Love and Hugs in Christ,

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New places

Just a quick post for now.

We've had a bit of a stressful week this week and I haven't been able to knuckled down to work, so I've been "surfing" instead.

I found (through various places and links) Joanna Sheen's online shop.

WOW. It's not a big place but it's well worth a visit. I have a couple of Joanna's CDRoms, which I love, so I had to give it a whirl and last night I placed an order.

I've put a link in "Places I'd like to be" because I know I'll be visiting often.

Love & blessings

Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pussy cat, pussy cat.....

Just a quicky for now, hoping to post more later or tomorrow (if I get chance to do some new photos in the yucky light we have today) When I was taking photos a few few days ago, I could resist a couple of my little helper
At first it's just the "shifty" look, because I'm disturbing her mid-morning nap between sleeps...........................................
..................................then it's the "if I look cute will you notice me" look....
................followed by.................................
................the "I'm so gorgeous you simply must tickle my belly" look.

Dizzy does love her attention!

Love and hugs in Christ

Elaine xxxxxxx

Busy time ahead

Hello folks out there in blogland.

We had quite a busy weekend with our homesale on Saturday. It's always a last minute rush transforming the house from a "factory" into a "shop", and now changing everything back again!

All of the stock that's kept in the loft is now back in the loft, so it won't be long until the dining table is covered with card and fabric and anything else I can fit on it!

Firstly, I want to make some shopping bags, just plain cotton or nylon carrier bags. I have several I've bought and they're so useful, but the shop I bought them from doesn't have any more. I've seen similar ones for sale in another shop, but they are a bit pricey compared to mine. So I thought "why not make some?" I've lots of fabric that needs using, and it seems a popular option nowadays to use re-usable bags rather than have a mountain of plastic freebies.

Talking of sewing, I made this last week
I made it directly from the pattern, just a trial run. She could do with a bit of tweaking but she's quite cute I think. She has a little "secret" pocket..............

....................in her body. Very useful.
The cushion she is sitting on I made a few weeks ago. My first attempt at patchwork applique ( in a very long time).

My daughter, Claudia, has been taking photos for the shop (how does the link thing work on here!!!! grrrr) when she has revamped the website I'll learn how to do the links (one day).

With love and hugs in Christ

Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxx