2 Days to Go!!

Hi Everyone, only two more shopping days left before Christmas!!    I braved the crowds to do my food shopping as I will be working right up until Saturday at 4.00p.m.  It was an absolute nightmare.  Shopping trolleys packed to the max were jamming up the aisles as I tried to weave my way through.  I had my list ready to score off what I wanted but it just became impossible.  Why does everyone buy so much food for 1 day!  All the stores will be open Boxing Day and I am sure it will be just as busy as ever. Shopping finished after what should have been a 45 minute task - it took 2 hours! I headed home.  Guess what I forgot the items for the stuffing!!! I will pop in and see Harold my local butcher, he will sort me out.

Then headed off to see Gemma at Pure to have my nails done.  Had a really relaxing time, a lovely coffee and my nails look divine.  She makes a fabulous job of them, so if you are thinking of spoiling yourself I would get down and book an appointment after the new year.

Tonight wrapping the last of the presents and sorting out my table decorations for Christmas day.  Then off to bed ready for another busy day in the store and if I have time my thank you cards for all the lovely "pressies" I have received but still to open on Christmas morning.  I am getting sooo excited now!  Just like a big kid.  Oh well so what it is fun.

Will speak to you all soon.

Una

Saturday 17th December

Well you saw it, used it and loved it!  Thank you to all of you who came out on such a cold wintry day to have a play with the new Layer Perfect Tool.  Both Diane and Sam were really impressed with all of you.  I was so pleased that Janet mastered it straight away. Clever girl!!  I am sure all of you who have ordered one will enjoy using it and will let you know as soon as they arrive in store.

Thank you also to Andrea for the lovely ring she gave me and Michelle arrived after lunch and gave me a beautiful Scarf, hand knitted by her mum.  I will take a photo of them both and let you see them next time.

Attached today is a photo of last Saturday's workshop as promised.

I am having a lazy day at home tomorrow in preparation for next weekend.  Only got food shopping to do this week as "pressies" are all bought now and wrapped thank goodness.

Some new spring papers have arrived and also the most gorgeous wedding 12 x 12 papers in greys and pinks. Love them all and will be suitable for cards as well as scrapping.

Speak soon
Una

12th December 2011

Hi Everyone,

Well this is the start of a new week and what an enjoyable one we have just left.  Can't believe it is less than 2 weeks to Christmas Day!!!  Saturday was our last workshop for this year and what a great time we had.  I do hope you all enjoyed making the little hanging ornament in the box and a lovely thank you card for all those fabulous presents your going to have under the Christmas Tree.  Claire really did us proud.

Thank you to everyone who brought goodies for us to eat.  Liz's Flapjacks were scrumptious, Mair's Rockies, Jerry's Mints and Claire's Gluten free Mince Pies were all great too.  In the afternoon we had Christmas Crackers from Michelle, Fruit Wine from Elizabeth (non alcoholic I must stress), Cheese Scones from Anne, Chocolate Eclairs and Mince Pies from Jean, and Jenny gave us all a lovely little handmade box with a chocolate bar inside.  What  lovely, lovely customers I have.  I love you all!!  Oh! I hope I have not missed anyone.  I do hope you all enjoyed my goodies too.

So what have we got to look forward to this Saturday.  Hurrah!  it is the launch of the "Layer Perfect Tool." Diane will be here to demonstrate her wonderful new product which will be available in the new year.  We are getting the opportunity to see it and order it first before the launch.  I think it is wonderful of her to bring it along and give us this sneak preview.  My name will be on the list for one definitely!!  This is something that I feel will be extremely useful for the majority of us.  The great thing about it, is it will fit into our craft bags to take along to workshops, and it comes in a pretty colour too. Wow!  Don't forget to pop along any time between 10.30a.m and 4.00p.m and watch Diane using it.   The kettle will be on and there is Mince Pies for a bit of munching!!!  I know it is a busy time just before Christmas, but I am sure you won't be disappointed and we can all have a good  natter.  Michelle Johnson is going to pop in too.

February classes are all open for booking as January workshops have very limited spaces left.  I will update the website with details and also put the cards and ornament from Saturday on too.  I actually forgot to bring them home today so smack my wrist - I will do it tomorrow evening. Sorry!

Hope you all have a great week and not too stressful.  The weather has turned horrible.  The wind is very strong out here and  I can see the trees swaying back and forward.  I do hope not too many come down over night.

Take care
Una

Tuesday 6th December

Had a really sad day today as I received news of the sudden death last Friday of a very talented crafter and really lovely lady.  Her name is Sarah Lawrence, owner of Crafty Notions.  Sarah is the author of a number of textile books and developed many great products for use in card making.  Most of you will know the Crafty Notions inks I have on sale in the store.  She also appeared  on TV so many of you will probably remember her from there.  She will be sadly missed by her family who I am sure are still very much in shock over her untimely death.  I have just worked on auto pilot today since I received the news as I really cannot believe it.  I will be saying a little prayer for her tonight.

I have managed to get a great recipe for Fudge which I just adore.  Will try and make some for the demo day on the 17th but can't promise, however if any of you want a copy let me know and I will run  one off for you.  Michelle is coming over as well so it will be great time for us all to catch up on her news too and also let her know her class has only one space left on the 21st January.  She says this is a great new product coming out and worth seeing the demo.

Take care and speak with you soon.
Una

Sunday 4th December

Sunday again and what a lovely day we have had.  We decided to go to Whitehall Garden Centre at Lacock today to check out their Christmas shop and pick up our Christmas tree.  What a lovely surprise to see an Ice Rink which brought back so many memories of when we used to go to Aviemore when the children were small.  We had some great times there over Christmas on the Ski slopes and also the Ice Rink.  The garden centre was very busy and we did enjoy our visit.  When we went through the Christmas shop all you could hear from people was ooh! aah! isn't this lovely, oh! we must get that!  Definitely no credit crunch there!  I am so glad Howard had his credit card with him!  Then Howard took me out to Frankie and Benny's for an early dinner to save me cooking, bless him!

Saturday's Parchment class was enjoyed by everyone and I must just show you a card given to me by Janet and Louise and also one from Chris and Shirley.  They are both really lovely cards and much appreciated.  Chris has broken her wrist so it won't be a very enjoyable Christmas for her.  We wish you a speedy recovery Chris and take the dog for a walk in future not the other way round!!!

I am busy making my cards now in between everything else. Hopefully I will manage to get most of them finished this week.  Otherwise it will be some pretty late nights coming on!

Claire dropped by on Saturday afternoon to show me what you will be making next Saturday.  You are going to love it!!!  She amazes me all the time and I feel so lucky to have her in the team.

Have a good week and speak with you soon.
Una

Hi everyone,

Sorry for late posting but the week just seems to have flown by.  I have been busy setting up the Christmas window for the Christmas light switch on Saturday.  It took me nearly 2 days to finish it.  I decided to make my own tree from some twigs in the garden just to be a bit different.  I always did this with the children when they were young as well as having a real tree.  It was always great fun putting it together then spraying snow on it.  They then used to hang baubles and little gifts on it.  I am also in the midst of making my Christmas cards so all in all I am keeping quite busy.  Hopefully tomorrow I will get some more made after my lovely walk.

Saturday is our last parchment craft  workshop and then the following week the last card making class for this year.  Saturday 17th is the demo day so don't forget as it should be very interesting. Next years diary is ready with 3 classes booked in and filling up quickly.  There are only 2 places left on the 21st with Michelle Johnson on her techniques class.

Hougie boards are back in stock so those of you with orders pending they are ready for collection.

The new FlexMarkers have arrived in now and available as singles.  The colours are wonderful and will be great additions to your ProMarkers.

Will speak with you soon as off to make a nice cup of coffee before I'm a Celebrity....  This is my daily fix at the moment!

Una

Workshop with Michelle Johnson

Hi everyone just a quick message for you all. Michelle has agreed to do a technique workshop on the 21st. January 2012.  She will be showing you her fabulous glue techniques.  I am letting you know now so you can get booked onto it.  There are 6 places in the morning session and 9 places in the afternoon.  To book  you will have to pay a £5 deposit to ensure your place. The reason I have to take a deposit is that 3 people did not turn up for her last workshop which meant another 3 people did not get the chance to come and Michelle still had to be paid.  There  are  3 people already booked on the morning session.  She then intends doing a second workshop nearer the end  of February with more of her wonderful techniques, but no date has yet been booked for that.

Louise and Janet, please let me know if you want to come as you unfortunately missed out on her last class.

Una 

Monday again and another week nearer Christmas.  It does get a bit more exciting when the first week of December arrives and for me a slight panic starts to set in, when I realise not much time to get cards finished, posted and Christmas presents wrapped.

Here is the photo of one of the cards and the reindeer from Saturday's class I promised to share with you.  I have copies of the workshop list available if anyone buys the products.  I know they really do  help.

All the new colour FlexMarkers are going to arrive by Friday at the latest and you will be able to buy them in singles.  As I love them I will be buying a few to use in the workshops and on my Christmas Cards I think!!

Oh! lovely Howard has brought my hot chocolate so better get off to bed.  Speak with you soon.

Una 

Great Weekend!

Oh! what a lovely day we had yesterday with Michelle Johnson.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the card making and the lovely Reindeer Die Cut. It's amazing what you can do with some foil, glitter and paint.  I will post the cards on the website tomorrow and also post one here for you to see.  The twelve days of christmas was fun too  even if we were a bit out of  tune!  She is coming back late January, (hopefully 21st) for a technique workshop so as soon as I have the confirmed date I will let you all know.

Today I had a much needed long lie, well 9.30a.m to be precise.  Howard and I intended going to Whitehall Garden Centre at Lacock to see their Christmas shop but because we were late we decided to stay nearer home and have some retail therapy.  I did get him his Christmas present which he is sooo! happy about.  Now it is just the rest of the family to think about.  I also picked up some ideas for my window display so must get started this week on it as it has to be ready for 3rd December,light switch on evening in Cricklade.

Wendy has brought in some lovely Rag Dolls she and Denise have made and they are so pretty.  I am going to photograph them tomorrow and put them on the web so people can see them.  My goodness I have many talented customers.

Off to watch Strictly now so speak with you later.

Una

Well this is nice! Here I am again with some chit chat!  Had a lovely day off today and had my nails done at the local beauty salon - Pure, in Cricklade.  It was so nice and my goodness they do look good.  Howard said "you could go on telly with those nails, I am impressed!!"  They have been given a gel overlay and should stay good for at least 3 weeks, then I am  having them done again for Christmas.

The Sizzix and Crafts Too orders have arrived and some more lovely gifts for Christmas so will spend tomorrow pricing them and putting them out on sale for Saturday.  Will also put aside all the special orders ready for pick up.

Looking forward to seeing you all for Michelle's workshop on Saturday, better get some Mince Pies in for our coffee break.

I finished Pam's birthday card so will be giving her it tomorrow after our Friday walking group, then she is off to London to see her friend for the weekend.  Here is a sneak peek of it, don't tell her!
I used a Hero Arts/Sizzix Framelits set, a Spellbinders Nestability and some Authentique 6x6 paper.

Speak with you soon.

Una