I love my craft space

Some would say its a messy craft space....but I think its perfect. Everything all out at once :D well I do like to multi task.
I know a few people that have this desk from IKEA the pull out section is great for that bit extra space. I have my table top ironing board on it here. As well as a big pile of fabric, interfacing templates and I am even reading Rachel's blog at the same time!!! Multi task Queen :D

Here's a peak at what I've been working on. Its the little bit of bling to go on the bags. I know you're prob thinking what is bling about felt, but bare with me on this one all will be revealed. Speaking of which there are some piles of fabric and felt need cutting so off I'm going.

Stash

Here are some photos of the stash I bought at the craft show Friday....

Ribbon for my promo cards, gorgeous teardrop crystals, stripey ribbon, figaro chain, spacer beads, head pins...

A lovely day...

Chris has gone to fetch a curry, there's a glass of Rose poured and I've had a lovely day. My friend Andrea and I went to the Sewing for Pleasure, fashion and stitching show at the Birmingham NEC. We had lunch before we went in and had a leisurely stroll around the show. There were some amazing exhibitions and lots of supplies stands. I managed to pick up some bits I needed for the trade fair finishing touches and for a right bargain I might add. Smiles all round.

Will be back tomorrow with a mix bag of photos.

How the heck did I become so organised???

Tonight I have been cutting some templates out for something sparkly to be added to the sample bags. Whilst I was doing this Chris was tweaking some photos for my promo items for the trade fair.....he loves doing stuff like that.

So far I seem to be coping almost too well with all the prep, that is until I get to the part that I've been putting off for ages and that is writing a Press Release!! Yikes. I have no idea what to write, even though I have scoured the Internet for tips and ideas......still not getting any inspiration :( Anyone out there got any experience of writing one?

I'm hoping to order some bits from Moo tomorrow, then there will be a mass production line to assemble my promo items. Don't worry I will be posting a pic of these so that you can see.

Oh and still looking for anyone that wants to join the Big Swap.

Oh dear....

Well I think from the response of the swap, its not looking too good :( sorry Bex (if you are reading, I will keep up my side of the agreement and send on to my swap nominee). Alex I think you were right in what you said on my last post. Maybe this kind of swap is not personal enough? Or is it too complicated? Do you prefer just to have a nominated swapper that you can get to know and who know you?

Maybe I will get round to organising my own swap after Easter something a little less complicated and fun? It was back to the day job today, Boo!!!! And it was eventful as ever......on the up side I did finish all of my samples at the weekend :D all that is left to do is my little additions to the bags and my paperwork (the less creative bit, but just as important).

Swap anyone?

I have just joined a very unusual swap today, its an international one and works in a very quirky kinda way.

Let me explain......you are given a list of 2 names and addresses,

No. 1: Mr X Address: No.4 Blogland Drive, Bloggersville. BL0 GS1

No. 2: Mr Y Address: No.1246 Postwriter Road, Follower. HTM L12

You make a handmade item for No.1 on the list, you then invite 6 more people to join the swap, sending an email to the 6 move the details of No.2 to the No.1 position and then add your details to the No.2 position. They will then make a handmade item for the No.1 and ask another 6 people to join the swap, again they will move the details of the No.2 to No.1 and add their details to No.2 forward the email on and so on and so on. Therefore you will only make one handmade item in return for a possible 36 items from all over the world. Pretty neat huh?

Since I have my 2 names and addresses, all I need is 6 people to take part (the only snag is that you have to be willing to post internationally), any one interested? If you are please leave me a comment below and I will get the details emailed to you. I think its rather fun that you don't have a clue what your swap parcel will be or where it will be coming from.....its also a great way of networking and meeting new bloggers :D winners all round then.

And then...

...rubbish title for a post I know but I really didn't know what to write. I feel exhausted tonight, I think its the events of this week catching up on me (felt a little teary earlier, well a lot, but its good to get it out, right?)

On the cheery side of things this is bag No.10 yippee!! Only 3 clutch bags to go and some lovely stitched flowers and I'm there. Not a lot to say tonight (yes I know shocking) so I'll leave it there.
Hugs to you all x

A little bit of progress....

...for both of us. Today we ate a late breakfast and whilst I got on with this bag, Chris decided he felt well enough to pick his car up and go visit a friend. Making sure he texted me updates that he was OK he returned early evening and I stopped cutting out fabric to make Chilli con Carne.

Thank you to all of you who left well wishes, they were passed on and received gratefully. There are so many lovely people out there in blogland, I really don't know how I ever coped without you all. :D

Now I know he's feeling better as he has stated he wants to re-model the kitchen.....hmmmm yes def feeling better!!! (think that can wait until he's feeling a bit more up to it)

p.s. only just realised how colour co-ordinated this bag is with my blog :D

Never again please....

Well the list has gone out of the window already, and I am a day behind plan. But its totally OK with me. Monday brought a very unexpected and scary day, which I hope will never happen again. I don't want to go into every detail as I'm sure Chris would rather I didn't.

Monday morning, enjoyed a lie in with a cup of tea. C went to the bank and was due at the doctors shortly after. I jumped in the shower and then dried my hair. I was then called by what I thought was Chris but it wasn't, it was the nurse from the surgery calling from his phone. He'd passed out and they were that concerned they'd called an ambulance. I rushed to the doctors and went in the ambulance. We spent all day in the hospital waiting for various tests and xrays to be done. And after words like, really slow arresting heart rate, pace maker and more tests we were allowed to take him home.

He is resting and not stressing (like he normally does) and has to go back for some more tests next week. Just pleased that he's home and OK. I have to admit I have pampered him profusely today, mainly out of sheer relief. Its amazing how you react in a crisis, I think I was running totally on adrenalin yesterday.......40 seconds and I was in the car and on my way.

He's apologised about 100 times that he took a day of my plan away.....as if I was even bothered about that. Sometimes I don't think he realises how important he is to me!!!

Very!! I'm off for a cuddle :D

Time off to prep

There has been a little bit of progress this weekend, a lot of relaxing and more list writing. This coming week I'm off work, I will be trying to finish off all my samples for the trade fair (as well as lots of other jobs too).

Here is another new creation, but I've decided not to reveal the finished bag, it will spoil it for the trade fair if I show you everything.

I have written a precise list of tasks to do each day this week, lets hope I stick to it!! Now I have the studio to work in it shouldn't be difficult to stay focused.

I treated myself to a Swedish massage on Friday, and I have to say its the first time in a long time that I've felt really relaxed. Bliss!

Ooooh look at what she's gone and done now!!!!

It started with reading a blog post, then a click, then signing in as draft.blogger.....this is what happens when bagladee (me) is left unsupervised with a computer and a new gadgety thing to play with (if you are confused as to what I'm waffling on about, its my blog layout).

Apparently there is this wonderful new beta version of blogger that lets you tinker with EVERYTHING!!!! Do they not know what I am capable of?!?!? An hour later and I had managed to jumble it all up, yes folks that's right. Followers was over here <----- links over there ------> and I was beginning to become very cross. Much later, I started to get the hang of things and it started looking like my blog again (well almost). Not knowing whether to switch it all back (if I can ever figure out how to do that?) I thought I'd throw it out to you and see what you thought?

So please feel free to leave your comments below......thanks very muchly :D

'THE' list

It was time to revisit the 'huge floor list' again. So armed with lots of paper, some pens and me sat in the middle I started to plan out my list. 30 minutes later and lots of scribbling I was starting to get somewhere.

Surprisingly there were a lot of things completed (from the previous list) which could be crossed off. I then used the 'huge list' to write a To Do list in my note book, I carry this everywhere with me which is a good reminder of what is next. There was a feeling of calm once I realised that 'THE' list was not actually as bad as I had been winding myself up to thinking it was.

There are still some samples to complete but I am over a third of the way there. Initial ideas for all my literature is complete just need to get onto Moo.com and get it ordered. Struggling to write a press release at the moment so if anyone has any tips or a good website I can look at I'd really appreciate it. I booked my hotel for the days of the trade fair last night, its a lovely chain of hotels and they have Wi-fi so I'll be set. All the display stuff Chris is taking care of.....he has all the details so I'm excited to see what he comes up with (obviously guided in the right (my) direction by me!!) :D

I think that just about covers everything.....so feeling calm and organised I'm off to tackle the next item on my list.

Dah dah dah dah

Here comes the bridal cushion, all soft and felty :D Sorry I couldn't help myself. Don't they look cute? All finished this afternoon and will be packaged up in the morning ready for the post office. These little cushions will be winging their way all the way to Illinois, USA (I know wow I cant believe it either!!) And it was lovely to have a short break from the samples......but now back to it.

Have a fab weekend xxx

A break from samples

To make 2 made to order cushions, I love making these cushions they are for a wedding gift and it always makes me a bit mushy the thought of getting married. Awwwwww :D

Nothing better than sitting with a cup of tea, the cat on my lap and my sewing tray beside me. Ahhhh the perfect way to end another stressful day (Oh sewing how I love thee!!) :D

Grrrrrrr!!!

Bad day at work + a cracked windscreen = need to scoff chocolates and drink wine!!!

See you tomorrow for happy thoughts :D