Too Busy To Blog, But I'm Back !

Well, well, well I hear you say......muddy puddle who? ..........where's she been ?

Ok lets get the grovel out the way first, I cant quite believe I've gone from doing a good few posts a week to this sad state of affairs nearly one post a month. Apologies to any of you who have missed me and even bigger apologies to all of your blogging I've ignored but I have just been 'too busy to blog'. An extra special sorry must go to Maria at Me & Ma for me not making Crafty Sunday for the last 3 weeks I do intend to come back x

So then onto the month of July, its been a busy one for me on all levels. When I looked at the calender in about June I could see all the family plans filling up the empty boxes but wasn't quite expecting being busy with work as well. I've so much to tell you dont really know where to start and doubt I'll get it in the right order so bear with me..........

The start of the month was Gala time here in Bromyard, a local agricultural show with all the other trimmings thrown in. Its on for a weekend just up the road and we go every year, it becomes a bit monotonous as its all the same stuff but it just has to be done ! There are animals, tractors, classic cars etc, food, an arena full of events, tat stalls, a fun fair etc etc. All the local schools enter the various classes which this year involved my 6 yr old making a dinosaur from recycled materials. We enjoyed a great family day out which was topped off with Phoebe winning second place!!!guess she must have my creative bug.

On the work front I have hit a few milestones.........my first international order was a biggy and being contacted by a shop who wanted to stock my products was another !!! I was contacted by a friend of my sister in law via facebook in Australia. She ordered a memory box as a baby gift that I made & sent on her behalf.

I took the shop up on their offer and am really chuffed to be selling my things in The Butterfly Rooms, in Saltaire. Its a beautiful looking shop only wish it was nearer so I could see it for real, do have a mooch around there website.

I had a few special orders in the early part of the month one was a for a little girls first birthday, which was fine but it came with a special request.......no hearts... Aahh. I soon realised my range was far too hearty so tried my hand to flowers, really pleased with the result and already have an order for more !

Do you remember my sample letter for the Scottish Heather themed wedding ? well I got the order so now have til the end of August to paint this little lot the same !

Phew, what else has happened......if you're still with me thanks, there's more.........

On a family level its been full on for the whole month....School had an open day, a sports day, a production of Hansel & Gretal, an end of term assembly etc all of which mummy had to attend..... Nursery had a leavers paery, a parents evening & practice days at school for September..... I started a course about 'Scrapbook & Altered Books'. From that I have just started a journal about the last 6 years of mine & my kids lives at the family centre where I have hung out for nursery & toddler groups etc. They want it to be used as evidence for ofstead....My little boy turned 4 which involved planning a party and it has turned me into an emotional wreck as it means he starts school in September, I'm not sure I'm ready for my last one to go....my sister in law got married last weekend........and we go to spain on sunday.

Going back to the wedding my creative contribution was a request from the bride for a large box for the guests to place cards & vouchers in & my daughter requested I make the bride a trinket box. I made them both in the colourscheme to co-ordinate with the day and decoupaged the invite pattern onto both of them.

Going back to school, end of term of course involved pressies for teachers so with a bit of designing from my daughter we adapted these.......

to make this ............

Finally (as I'm sure you are begging me to shut up) is my latest make. The customer saw a plaque on tv in Katie Prices house and wanted one. I didn't just want to copy it as it wouldn't be me if it didn't have hearts & dots so this is what I came up with......

She's really pleased and today I have I got an order for another one !

Ok thats me done, that was July, think I am ready for that holiday on Saturday !! One last thing WELCOME new followers, so nice of you to join me, you must be wondering if I was actually gonna post anything as its been so long. We'll I'm back and promise I'll stay xxx

A Bunch of Talented Folk

I've been doing a bit of shopping just lately from the sites and Folksy shops of fellow crafters that I have met through face book and blogging.

What a bunch of amazing women we have here in blog land....Not only do we all do the boring jobs women get lumbered with, some of us raise kids, we all run a home, some hold down other jobs, we do craft fairs and still we keep on making & creating !!!! As if thats not enough we then find the time to share our beautiful handmade goodies with the world via FB and Blog land !!! Now thats what I call multi tasking.

I have found such talented women who create yummy things that I am sooo pleased with I just have to share them with you.

This cute bag and set of hair clips is for a little girl who's 6, I just know she'll love them, they are by Emily Pickle, pls check out her blog where she has links to her shops etc.

This little lot I didn't actually purchase but won on a giveaway. They are from Beki at Bekimarie's, her heart brooch range is lovely and check out the sunglasses case, its a new product she's just done.

This Lizard made from a sock is the work of Michelle at Socklings. Its for a friends little boy for his birthday, the problem I have is my son is 4 next week and thinks its for him ! Her website has all sorts of socky creatures.

I have ordered a frame along the lines of this one for a friends son who was one in April. I never got round to posting him a pressie but we are meeting up at a wedding in a few weeks so Claire at Ceebees Handmade is doing me a Rory one. Claire is a friend and is newish to blog land, she started out making cards and is now branching out into frames and brooches !

Please check out all their blogs, keep on making & have a great weekend !

Crafty Sunday

Is it really sunday again ? these weeks are going far too quick lately. Its been another busy bee week here which is why I've only had time for 1 blog post since last sundays. I am really sorry if I have been ignoring your posts and not leaving comments but I will make more of an effort this week.

Yet again I have left it till the last minute with photos only being taken earlier this evening. This was far too late in the day so sorry if they are a bit dark.

Makes this week have all been about orders.........

A very pink hanger & heart for a little girls new bedroom.

A potential wedding commission, its a Scottish themed wedding with heather in lilac & white. They have requested wooden free standing letters that spell out Just Married, this is just a sample I've done for them so fingers crossed I may get the order.

Finally 2 baby memory boxes, for a Bella & a Joshua. They are quite similar in cream with the spots and the child's birth details written inside the lid. My signature on these is the saying I came up with which I write all round the rim, it seems to get an oohh every time...

"first photo, first curl and baby things so tiny and small and magical moments to remember before you grew so tall xxx"

"From for the Wilde"

For a few weeks now on here and on my face book page I have hinted at "my new on line venture", well today I can proudly announce it to you all .............

Today 'From the Wilde' a new website was launched by Ellie Wilde which showcases the work of some very talented British artists, designers, makers & illustrators. Ellie has worked extremely hard to build the on line shop and find the people and products to fill it.

I am very proud to be joining her and the other artists/makers and have everything crossed for a big success !!!

There are some wonderful products on the site which suit all tastes and budgets so be sure to take a good look through all the product collections. For now here's a few pieces to entice you..................