The 3 Stooges (Pumpkins)!!

Here are my 3 little beauties for tomorrow night!!!

It was so much fun gouging out all the gooey, sloppy insides and seeds.
Happy Halloween!!!

I've been tagged!!!

I was tagged by Kristen of Shabby Vintage Mom. The rules are simple, when you get tagged you must:~

Link to the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules.
Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

OK so here goes:

1.When ever I have lasagne (even in restaurants) I cover it with vinegar, my boyfriend thinks its disgusting but I just love the taste of the bechamel sauce with the vinegar :)

2. I have the weird ability to make a owl 'hooting' sound if I place both of my thumbs side by side, cup my hands and then blow through the gap between my thumbs!!! Great party trick!!

3. I have a tattoo on my right hand, I've spent my whole life saying there's no way I'd ever get one and then changed my mind one day and had my own design put on the little finger side of my hand.

4. I had only been with my boyfriend 6 months before I upped sticks and moved 160 miles from my home town to move in with him........just had our 6 year anniversary. Awwwww!!!!

5. I love to make people laugh, even if that means I have to act my shoe size rather than the responsible adult I'm supposed to be!! ;)

6. When I was about 8, my step dad dressed me up for Comic Relief. If I remember rightly I was wearing tracksuit bottoms with robot boxer shorts over the top, a jumper with a t-shirt over, knitted gloves and woolly hat and my face painted like a demented clown!! (I know you still have that photo Mama.....and no that does not mean that you can show Chris the photo next time were up visiting!!!!) Another prime example of me acting the fool :)

You've been tagged!!!
Sarah from Paper and String
Jane from Picciolo
Rachel from Contented
PamperingBeki
Circles are forever
The Ordinary Housewife

Fairs and Charity

I have received notification this week that my application for a Christmas Craft Market was successful YEY!!! Its a full 3 days, bit of a marathon for me, but I am so looking forward to it. Its the weekend before Christmas so I will be feeling well in the festive mood by then.

Yes, that does mean that the 'To Do' list is ever growing!! I am so on a mission now to get everything sorted, I have even been discussing displays with Chris already......motivated to the max now! :)

And now for a nice warm feeling (to compo for the cold weather), I have been asked to donate some items to a charity called Marrow which is a branch of the Anthony Nolan Trust. This is a charity that is dedicated to saving the lives of people suffering from life threatening diseases such as Leukemia.
Marrow's aim is to raise money to help cover the costs of processing registrations of possible bone marrow donors.

This is definitely something close to my heart as my Step Dad was diagnosed with Leukemia when I was young, he went through a really tough time but I am so glad to say that after visiting the hospital for yearly check ups for the last 15 years he was officially discharged this year. So I couldn't think of a charity that I would like to help out more. I will post pics of my donations.

Frosty Mornings and Dark Nights.

How refreshing to see everything covered in frost this morning (apart from the bit where my fingers were numb from scraping the windscreen), it all looked so crisp and fresh. I probably wouldn't normally say that about Winter but because the weather has been so erratic this year its been hard to expect the normal seasonal weather.

Plus I think that in my mind I'm starting to think its nearly festive season YEY!!!

The only downside to this is the dark evenings, this means no photo opportunities for me during the week :( so I will have to keep the photography to the weekends.

I have been soooooo busy this week, outside of work I have managed to cut lots of pieces for bags, cosmetic pouches and purses. Not sure if you remember but I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I had a new project up my sleeve? Well I have also cut pieces for this and some other ***top secret*** projects, all will be revealed in due course :)

This too means that I can book some more time off for sewing!!!! ***big grin***

Sunday I spent most of the day tidying the garden and sorting out the hedge hog nest. I like to keep our garden really natural looking and bushy.....but some of the bushes were starting to get a little out of hand so it was time for a little trimming here and there. This also came in handy for re-building the nest. We used a thick piece of board to cover the hole the fox/animal made and then used the branches cut off an over grown bush to weave in and out of the ivy to disguise the board. Its not perfect but it looks pretty safe to me!!!

I'm starting to think that we wont see the baby hedgies until spring now that the cold weather is starting to creep in. Maybe it will be best for them to build up a really good weight and then come back. I want them to be as safe a possible.

Promo Packs- All boxed up.....

and ready to go!!!

Its the big hedge hog garden prep tomorrow :)

Promo Packs

Now that the house work is out of the way and the weather outside is not that great today I thought I'd get some craft jobs done. I've been putting some promo packs together to go into some promo totes that are being given out at a craft fair in London just before Christmas.

I've never done any promo packs before so I wasn't quite sure what to put in.....after a bit of thought I decided that in each little bag I would include one of my 'I ♥ Bagladee' badges, a moo card (which has my Etsy shop, website and blog details) a business card (which has direct contact info) and because I am such a fan of Haribo's a small bag of sweets.

I think they look quite sweet in their little organza pouches :)

Playing catch up

After a 'not so planned' weekend, I decided that I needed to step it up a little this week to get back on top of things.

First on the list was to complete and photograph these invitations that I made for a bagladee party being held at my Mam's house in November. I am hoping that my friend will also bring along some of the lovely jewellery that she makes to sell.......if you are reading this Kel you know I'm just going to keep bugging you about it!!!

I think they make quite fab photo's.

A newbie on the list is to finish the promo packs that I am making that will be added to some promo totes at a craft fair in London. More about that later.....

Hoping to leave a day at the weekend free to reconstruct the hedge hog nest, it will involve some thick ply wood which will protect it from anymore fox investigation. And we are almost certain that we saw Mrs. Hedge hog at the bottom of the garden last night :)

Almost forgot, I was also featured on a fab blog this week. Wear.my.colours interviewed me last month, they feature quite a lot of sellers of all sorts of crafts and even have their own shop on etsy.

If you'd like to read the feature and see lots more of other etsy sellers and crafters click here.

Hedge Hog Update

Just a very quick post to let you all know how the hedge hogs are getting on. I am very pleased to say that the female baby hedge hog who had fly strike was taken to the vets and treated successfully!!!! They were a little concerned about her yesterday as she was refusing to eat anything but after a little coaxing she's eating well.

I'm so pleased that helped get her to the vets in time :) and as for the male baby, well he's doing just great!! And the GREAT news is that as soon as they reach their target weight (whether that be before winter or Spring) they will be returning to our garden!! I cant wait, we are going to make the garden really secure before their return and fix the nest so that they will be safe.

Still no sign of Mrs. Hedge hog but the lady from the rescue place said she will be OK, just a little frightened to come back but said that there's every chance that she'll return to the nest. I've been out every night with the torch looking for her and leaving her some food, its disappearing but I cant be sure that cats aren't eating it?

Halloween WINNER!!!

Hi bloggers, I'm back to announce the winner of my Halloween Give Away.

I decided this time that I would use a random number generator. So (no technical method here) I printed off all the names and mixed them up in the felt bucket and whilst drawing them out one by one I wrote a number on the back. I then went to a random number generator site http://www.random.org/

and the winning number is:

5

which is:

Alexandra who wins these little goodies!!

The name of Alexandra's party would be 'Hell's home from home'......Congratulations Alexandra and once again thank you to all of you that entered.

Things on the 'sew fest' kind of got way laid due to the hedge hog crisis so I'm a little behind in the 'To Do's' but hoping to catch up this week.

Hedgehog update: Will be calling the rescue place tomorrow to find out how the babies are doing, and unfortunately I haven't seen Mrs. Hedgehog since Friday. I'm hoping that she has found somewhere safe to hide. I will still put food out for her in the hope that she returns to our garden.

Oh how sad :(

I have to write and tell you what happened today, I got up and went down stairs to open the blinds and feed the cats. As I was dishing up their breakfast I noticed something on the garden and thought to myself 'that looks like a hedgehog' and then as I was thinking surely not at this time of the day, I could see another one about a foot behind. They looked really small and I felt a pang of worry, so in my dressing gown and flip flops I trudged out into the garden. And I'm really sorry to say that the two little babies weren't alive.

I then had an awful flash back to the night before, I had gone out to fetch Oliver (one of my cats) when he was acting really strange. Pacing back and forth and refusing to come in I bent down to scoop him up. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something, as I looked over it sprinted round the corner of the house. I am assuming that it was a fox as I didn't get a good look at it. Thinking nothing more than Oli was frightened of the fox I brought him in and went to bed.

As I looked at the two little ones on the grass I felt sad and that had I'd looked in the garden I could have saved them. For some reason I thought I'd better check to see if there are any more, as I walked round the side of the house I saw that our ivy bush was almost destroyed and when I looked in further I saw the mummy hedge hog and what I believed to be a baby. She was quite friendly and came to the hole. I went straight back in the house frantically trying to find a number I could call to help them, knowing that if they stayed there tonight there was a chance the fox could come back.

After about 2 hours of calling various societies and the RSPCA I was told to get them into a box with a hot water bottle and another number to call. Getting the babies was easy (oh and I say babies as when I went back to check on her there were 2 not 1) they were calling out for her but she was too busy eating the cat food that I had put down. Once the babies were safely in the box and snuggled into the blanket and each other, I turned and the mother was going down the garden I followed and tried to get her but she disappeared through a gap in the fence. I gave up and called the number, the lady I spoke to at the rescue place was lovely she said that unusually hedge hogs were having a second litter this year due to the changing seasons but that they would not have survived the winter as they'd be too small. She said that she would take the babies in and that I should continue to feed the mother and just check that she's OK.

A 20 min car journey later and the baby hedgies were at the rescue place, the lady checked them out and said that one was a girl and the other a boy. Unfortunately the girl was wounded and had fly eggs in her wounds, this is really bad, and she said as long as she got all the eggs out and she saw a vet she would have a chance of surviving. The boy however was being really cheeky and helping himself to food.

I'm so pleased that I tried to save the little ones, but I'm so so sad that the other 2 didn't even stand a chance and I'm worried for the mother who is still out there!!!! I will do my best to make sure she is alright. I will keep you posted!!

Looking for the giveaway post click the image on the right side.

HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY!!

Whilst I am busying away sewing my little heart out I thought it would be nice to have a 'spooky Halloween give away', well maybe not so spooky but more fun!!

Up for grabs is this stamp kit, and some pumpkin shaped chocolates :)

Inside the kit:

6 wooden handle stamps (2 large square, 1 long oblong, 3 small square)

3 spooky coloured pencils (black, orange, green)

2 ink pads (one black, one orange)

And of course the chocolates!

Time to get those thinking caps on, to enter I would like you to leave a comment that if you were to hold a Halloween party what spooky name would you give it? Don't forget to leave a contact.

The winner will be drawn on Sunday 19th October so get those skates on you don't have much time to enter. I'm making this a quick one so I can get it in the post in time for you to receive it before Halloween (of course!) Make sure to tell all your blogging friends :)

Good Luck!!

Awwww shucks!!!! **blush**

Many thanks to Picciolo who gave me this award today, its the "Proximidade Award" or "Friendship Around the World Award" it highlights blogs that are special in some way and extends the hand of friendship around the world. All I had to do was choose eight of my favourite blogs (see below) and the recipients are asked to do the same.

Pamperingbeki

Circles are forever

Area thrifty one

Pink Poppy Craft Box

Paper, scissors....glue

Vicky Riley

ShereDesign

Inspired by Hand

There are so many more I wanted to nominate but since some of you (you know who you are!!) have already received the award from our great circle of blog friends I though I would create an even bigger circle.

Thanks Picciolo, I've never had an award before..........so I'd like the thank my Mom and Dad.......no only kidding!!

OK be sure to check back tomorrow to take part in my spooky Halloween Give Away! Woooooooooooooooo!!!!

Getting prepped!

Only 1 more day at work before my sew fest!!!! Whoopee, I cant wait. Last night I decided that instead of just getting to Thursday morning and wondering where to start I would have some kind of structure to my extended sewing weekend.

I started with a quick stock take and made of list of bags that needed to be replenished, but keeping it down to a minimum per style combo as I like to only make 5 or 6 of the same (it was already a big list by this point). Then I decided that I would have a little dabble with my new project (still under wraps) so I wrote a separate list for that.

Next on my list is a new set of cosmetic pouches and coin purses for which I bought some new fabric (sssshhhhh don't tell the other half, he already thinks I have a big enough collection) :)

And here it is, I bought these fat quarters from Nuno they have a lovely selection of Japanese fabrics and accessories. And me being me, cant resist any fabric websites!!!! I think I am addicted!

I am also going to be able to make use of my new cutting table.....I had to give in and buy one, sitting on the floor now kills me knees!! Well I'm just not as young as I used to be ;) I can hear my joints sighing with relief as I type.

I ♥ bagladee

I've been dying to show you these little 1 inch promo badges I had made, they arrived a couple of days ago but I wanted to take some good photos of them.

The idea is to give them to people at the craft fairs I'm doing to get some good advertising. Of course you will also get one of them if you purchase anything from my website or Etsy shop.

These little beauties came from an Etsy shop, I love to support crafters so I thought there'd be no better place to look. Minepress make some great promo items, they even do little custom Hershey's miniature candy and custom vegan lip balm which are very reasonably priced.

To Do Update: I have been working my way through my gigantic 'To Do' list and just when I thought that I was starting to gain control, I decided it was time for a new project! Not going to reveal anything just yet, but I can tell you that I've been working on the pattern for it already (Yes I know, I should be concentrating on mastering the current 'To Do' list rather than adding and creating a new one!)

I'm on countdown now to my two days off and long weekend of sewing, I cant wait!!

Here comes the bride V's meet the Skelly Bob!

What a lovely day today, we watched two of our friends tie the knot in a lovely country hotel. It was small and intimate but the place was full of character and very cosy. Typically English. After the ceremony we had drinks then it was into the dining room for the meal, the speeches were very entertaining with the odd gag thrown in here and there!

Since we got half way there and realised we'd forgotten the wedding present and had to go back for it, it was no surprise to me that when we got there I had forgotten the camera! DOH!!!

Not to worry though the photographer is a very good friend of Chris's so once we get a copy of the photo's I'll let you have a peek. Everyone was having a great time lots of great food and wine! Perfect.

And look what I managed to buy from the local supermarket!!!! Everyone I'd like you to meet Skelly Bob. I am such a child, I've been pestering Chris for weeks saying that I wanted to dress the house for Halloween this year. Last year I had cobwebs in the window and on the door outside and I placed a pumpkin, a rubber rat and some spiders on my door step. But I'd love to go all out this year.
This is the start, I'm going to get a little something this weekend and next to dress the house. Which also reminds me, I will be having a Halloween give away next week......so keep those eyes peeled for that!! I'm off now as me and Skelly Bob are going to have a nice cup of tea :)

He almost looks like he's doing some sort of spooky dance?

Update- 'To Do'

As promised here are some photo's of the second commissioned order, this time it was for a coin purse and a large cosmetic pouch. This commissioned order was slightly different to others I've previously had as I was able to choose the fabric for the customer.

I decided to go for a nice girly pink for the coin purse and the fabric I used for the cosmetic pouch was a new addition to my fabric box that I hadn't used yet.

Inside I chose bright blue for the pouch to contrast with the orange zip, and grey for the purse as I think pink and grey are a lovely combination.

And of course they wouldn't be complete without my trade mark bagladee touch of sparkle now would they? ;)

This is a birthday gift for someone so I hope they are pleased when they rip open the paper! I am off to a wedding on Saturday so I'm hoping to get some sewing in tomorrow so I can relax and enjoy the day. I'm so excited about my outfit, not a colour I would normally choose but its soooo pretty and I have some really fab shoes to go with it. Now for a bag.................. :)

I give in!!

OK that's it I give in, I went into work and first on my agenda for the day......write out a holiday request!! Its only for 2 days, but oh what joyful bliss to spend 2 days catching up on some well needed sleep then sewing until my little fingers cant sew no more! :)))
So that's Thursday and Friday next week all mine, a long weekend for me to do whatever I please.

Hurrah!!

Feeling the strain but upbeat...

I think all this full time working and trying to full time craft is slightly taking its toll on me. I've never felt this tired in a long time. But burning the candle at both ends what do I expect? Unusually though I do feel quite upbeat, maybe its the satisfaction of getting a lot of my jobs done and ticked off 'the list'.

And here is one of those jobs:

Commisioned bags, one with a shoulder strap and one without.

Inside, one has black lining and the other bright pink.

My re-order of my Moo cards and stickers came yesterday too, I was running a bit low so thought it be best to stock up.

Parcels for my commissioned order and Picciolo's give away prize were also packaged up last night all ready to be posted tomorrow. And I will post pictures tomorrow of the cosmetic pouch and coin purse that was part of the commissioned order.

Ciao for now :)

A very productive weekend....

To keep you updated on the 'To Do' list, I had managed as you can see from the previous post to finish 2 clutch bags and I also finished my 2 commissioned orders. Another 2 clutch bags, a cosmetic pouch and a coin purse.

Photo's of which I will show you tomorrow. Trying to keep the posts short and sweet so that I can get on with the rest of the things on my list. Don't worry I will be back to my jabbering old self once the list gets a bit smaller.

So tonight its:

Finish the clutch bag I started Sunday.
Package up the commissioned order to be posted tomorrow.
Package up Picciolo's give away prize to be posted tomorrow.
Print off invitations for Bagladee party to be held in November.

.....and then the boring bit.....

Finish my ironing before it turns into Mount Everest!!

See you all tomorrow for photo's galore ;)

One down lots to go.

Just a quick post this morning, at last I got a chance to take some photo's yesterday!!! Its only took me nearly a week to get some good lighting.....but here they are all finished. My favourite I have to say is the Hawaiian print. I will be naming them and adding them to the website at some point this weekend.

That's one job crossed off my 'To Do' list, lots more to go!!

We went to Goose Fair last night which is a local fair that is held every October in the city. There were lots of rides and plenty of food stalls and games. I couldn't resist bringing some candy floss, toffee apples and cinder toffee (honeycomb) home. It was quite cold last night but it was nice to get wrapped up in big coats, scarves and gloves.....Winter is only just round that corner.

Off to get some more jobs crossed off that very long list.....

And the winner is.....

A very, very big thank you to all of you who entered my give away, it was lovely to get to know you. I have visited all who have blogs and added them to my blog following list so I will be keeping in touch.

And there were lots of very interesting facts out there!! If you haven't read them you should go and have a look.

OK then on to the winner, drum roll please......dddddrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

And the winner is:

PICCIOLO

Who wrote: I'm Jane, a few years ago my husband and I went to Borneo on holiday and spent a couple of days with a headhunting tribe.

How cool is that!!

Picciolo makes hand sewn original fabric pieces of work and my are they pretty, I especially love her Christmas decorations and pouches.....go on why not pop on over and have a look.

Sorry for the late post today, the hours have just run away from me. Congratulations to Picciolo and thank you again for taking part. Be sure to watch out for my Halloween give away in a few weeks time I have another fantastic prize to win.

To do's, to do's, to do's

That's it.....that's my whole entire life planned out to the hour for at least the next 2 weeks!! :/

Is that a good thing? Who knows.......I will probably just get lost in the ether of to do lists and before you know it we'll be sailing through November.

OK still no photos!!! How frustrating.....I must leave work a little earlier tomorrow to see if I can catch some half decent light. Now is one of the times that I wish I had a better camera and some studio lighting. And with the dark nights drawing in I'm going to find it even more difficult!

My give away is now officially closed, so sorry if you missed out and many thanks if you have entered. I'm off to go and draw the winner, check back tomorrow for winner announcement!