COMPUTERS, RAIN AND STUFF

Hi everyone

Such a cold and grey day - just how I feel about my computer.  I have come to the conclusion that my relationship with my computer is rather similar to the Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor relationship.  I can't live with my computer and I can't live without it!

Thursday morning, bright and early, I got up and turned on my computer (it doesn't always get turned off every day) and discovered I had lost Google Chrome, Outlook and Microsoft Office!  In addition to this, I could not access any documents, downloads or pictures.  I tried numerous things: re-booting, putting an axe through it, etc, etc  and decided to set up System Restore.  Guess what?  I couldn't access the Control Panel.  Several hours, rude comments and numerous re-boots later, the situation is unchanged.  Friends and family have given me lots of  'this will work' ideas - sadly, none of them have.  Clearly a BIG gremlin has got in the computer's brain!  Just have to keep on trying to sort it out.

I hope you read Cory's Friday Guest Post on Getting Started with Polymer Clay.  It was really interesting and had lots of visits, so a very popular post.  Thank you Cory - looking forward to your next post.  I am really pleased with how the Friday Guest Blogger spot is going and hope you have enjoyed reading about dogs, holidays, handmade businesses, marketing and lots of other great topics.  Don't forget that if you would like to join the Friday Bloggers, please contact me on christmaspiecrafts@virginmedia.com

Most of this past week has been spent stomping up and down because of the computer or trying to fix it.  However, I made some of my card orders this week and although I photographed them, loading, cropping, etc has been painful, so I had to abandon that.  Instead of cards I am showing a Jubilee Fabric Wreath I made about 2 weeks ago.  I had intended taking it to the Weybridge event I attended last week, but wasn't happy with the back of the wreath, so spent some time on that this week (in between cursing the computer) and between laptop and my PC managed to get a fairly decent pic loaded.  Way back for Christmas 2011 I made a red and white fabric wreath (inspired by a tutorial from Ros of Ros Made Me - thank you Ros) and since then have made them in a variety of sizes and fabrics, as well as other fabric decorated items (these will all be displayed on my website in the not too distant future).  Needless to say, a great excuse to visit fabric shops.

Everywhere seems to have gone Jubilee made, so I thought it was about time I did too.  I am currently making bags for a Flower Show in Shalford on 19 May that my bags are attending (all on their lonesome) and think it might be a good idea to include some Jubilee ones too.

Thank you to everyone for your comments on last week's Sunday/Monday post where I debated/queried (briefly) the pros and cons of small events as opposed to big events.  Lots of people are happy with the smaller events they take part in, and this is great news.  The general feeling about larger events is because you get a very high footfall, you should do well.  I have always know in my heart of hearts that the bigger the event, the higher the footfall and subsequently (most of the time) sales should be good - I have therefore taken the plunge and committed myself to a 3-day event in November and I feel excited, frightened, a little sick and of course, will I have enough stock!  I will post some more details next Sunday/Monday and plan within the next week to ten days to have my website up and running with full event details.  Phew!  Need to go and sit down with a glass of something - not too early is it?

Rain!  How could I not have spent all of this post moaning about it?  I have had enough, my garden has had enough, my fish in their pond have had enough!  I know we need it, I really do, but it would be nice to have more than one day of dry weather please, so come on turn the tap off now.

It's that time of the week when you get to put your feet up and read some funny, interesting, inspiring and sometimes sad blog posts on Wendy's Handmade Monday  Blog.  While you are there, do check out the Handmade Harbour Blog as well - great reviews of fellow crafters and their work, plus thought (and comment) provoking posts.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend and finger crossed for some sunshine.  I will be back on Wednesday - hopefully with a working, fully functioning computer and I also hope by the to have caught up with Twitter and Facebook messages, posts, etc, Blogs and emails.

Jill