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Sunday 15 July 2012

SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVING IS WET!

Hi everyone

Can I ask you to pop your head out of the window and tell me what that 'thing' in the sky is?  To me it looks like the sun but I have very few memories of that particular object to be able to state 'yes, it is the sun' with any confidence.  I am therefore asking for your advice.

Last week disappeared rather quickly and although I was working throughout the week (well most of it), I have very little in the finished items department to post on here.  I haven't even finished some of the things I was working on the previous week.  This butterfly behaviour has to stop!  I blame it on the weather or perhaps the saying time flies when you are having fun is true.

Thank you Sarah of Top Toy Box for your guest post on Friday - lovely ideas for the long summer break from school that is looming and as the weather is likely to be pretty unreliable, these may help lots of people who want some fun crafty things to do with their children.  Would you like to be a guest blogger here?  I would love you to join in, so get in touch if you would like some more information (christmaspiecrafts@virginmedia.com).

However, it has been a good news week for me really.  Two friends I had lunch with on Monday placed orders with me for earrings; then another friend ordered earrings and matching necklace.  I keep saying I am not intending going into the jewellery making business, but I am pleased to have orders.  In addition to that I had orders for a Ruby Wedding card and a card for someone who is running in the Olympic Torch Relay.  Even better was the call I received early in the week from someone who had seen my work and wanted me to make their wedding invitations!  There is a bit of a tale behind this, but it is exciting and a nice type of feedback about my work, and means the butterfly behaviour has got to stop.

We were supposed to be attending an open air event at Farnham Castle yesterday, but had to cancel our plans.  The friend whose birthday we were celebrating sprained her ankle and this meant walking through the mud would be rather difficult.  Not that we wish her anything other than a speedy recovery, but we were not too disappointed.  As you may know, the UK has had quite a bit of rain recently (British understatement) and the prospect of sitting in mud while being rained on was not something we were mad keen to do.  However, we had a meal with our friend yesterday evening - in the dry.  I tried to sell the tickets on Twitter and Facebook without any success - now who would not want to sit in a  muddy field??  But, never to be put off, a friend of mine organised a French Flea Market yesterday to raise funds for her church (yesterday was Bastille Day).  She asked me if I would like a table for my cards and as it was only a few miles away and a very reasonable stall price, I agreed.  The organisers were disappointed with the turnout, but given the weather I think they did very well - and so did I!  It is amazing how you can do well in the least likely of places.  I donated the tickets to the raffle and they were won by a really nice couple on the table next to me who have just started an up-cycling/re-cycling furniture business, so I was pleased the tickets went to a good home.

In addition to selling well on the day, I had a commission for 2 cards to be made there and then.  I always carry a stock of materials to make cards during the 'in-between times', so this was good and I also made some for stock, so will add these here for my Handmade Monday makes.  Plus, I was given a great idea for somewhere to sell my wreaths and once I have made some enquiries, I will tell all.





Don't forget to visit the other Handmade Monday blogs to see what goodies my fellow crafts-people have been making this week.

I know we all look at our Blog stats regularly, but do you ever carefully review the search strings people use that eventually lead them to your blog?  Some of mine this week made me wonder, scratch my head and smile (copied exactly, so apologies for the grammar and lack of capitalisation):

ear piercing invitation card
mr pie craft story english
one day when i caught in rain
2012 limb holiday craft faire

I will leave you to ponder these and wish you a great day in the sunshine.  I am off to make an ear-piercing invitation card as it must be needed. I will be back with my Wednesday witterings and look forward to chatting with you then

Jill

34 comments:

  1. Tee hee, love those search terms.

    What a mixed bag of a week you've had. Glad it's been dry today, though it's not too warm.

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    1. A dry day - amazing. Sadly heavy cloud meant we cluldn't see the end of the Airshow

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  2. I've had some very strange things apparently bringing people to Planet Penny, completely baffling! The weather has been a disaster for Craft fairs and village fetes, hasn't it? Hope you have a dryer week x

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    1. Yes, it has - such a shame when for lots of crafts, this is the best time of year for sales.

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  3. If people don't look they certainly will now! A good way to bring a smile to everyone's faces! I do like your cards as they are simple but effective with a good choice of colours. Look forward to the ear piercing invitation....

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    1. I think the ear-piercing card could be a big seller.

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  4. I never cease to be amazed by search terms and often wonder if they ever found what they were looking for! Lovely cards and definitely a very mixed week for you.

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    1. Some of them are hilarious and you do wonder about the person behind the search string

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  5. I love crazy search terms! I've had 'man wrapped in bandages' and 'roses in a graveyard', and my latest poetic little search term is 'gloomy raincloud above a person'!

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    1. Your search terms are hilarious - perhaps we should host a competition to see who gets the daffiest search.

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  6. I'm glad you did well at your last craft fair and I love the idea of you making cards on the day-they're lovely.

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    1. It is something I think I am going to promote at future events as I always make things during a fair, seems a good idea to do them to order.

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  7. Yep, I think you are right - the sun has been spotted in the UK these last two days, but don't worry they are talking about rain again tomorrow!
    I haven't looked at web stats for my blog, it looks like it may be an interesting experience
    Catherine x

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    1. The rain is back and seems to have washed away the sun - not sure when it will be let out again.

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  8. ha! those search terms are hilarious :)

    i'm glad you've been enjoying some sunny weather and that your unexpected craft event was such a success!

    your cards look fab and its great that you're getting so many orders, and for your jewellery too - well done! x

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    1. Sadly, back to normal summer weather today. Such a disappointing summer so far.

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  9. Sounds like you've had a really busy week! Congrats on all those orders and sales. Summer is just around the corner, apparantly...!

    Alison x

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    1. Apparently August might be pretty good - I hope so, the rust coloured skin doesn't look too good.

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  10. Such cute cards. It's been the same here in Manchester, Tennessee, USA. When it rains here, it storms. And it's been storming for a week now. I'm not complaining tho because we needed it badly. Visiting from Handmade Mondays.

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    1. Welcome Julie and many thanks for visiting my blog - look forward to blogging with you in the future.

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  11. Well done on your jewellery orders, why not incorporate pieces into cards for a Carte et en Cadeau. Cannot wait to see the wedding invitations, have a good week and yes that was the sun, strange creature in the sky wonder why does not come out more often!

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    1. That's a good idea - I keep telling myself I won't go into jewellery making fore my business, but seems like the choice has been taken away form me.

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  12. It was sunny first thing this morning at 6am, but it's raining now here in my part of Suffolk.
    It's a shame about missing your event but glad you enjoyed your 'last minute' fair.

    Jan x

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    1. Sunshine? Quick bottle it - or take a photograph and hang it in the sky.

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  13. rain , rain and more rain in Cheshire today .Love you card so cute

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  14. Congratulations on all those orders. Maybe you could make us some sunshine,he he. Your cards are lovely as ever. Have a crafty week, hopefully your buttlefly feeling has passed. Ali x

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  15. Glad you have got your order book filling up nicely. Can't help with the sun thing I'm afraid, not been seen in this neck of the woods. I think its been nicked myself and those clouds are all a big cover up!!! hugs Mrs A.

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    1. That's what happened! Someone zipped up the clouds while the sun had nipped in for a cup of tea.

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  16. 'Ear Piercing invitiation! Hmmm you never know they may be the next big thing!

    What a shame you missed your day out but on the up side a bonus you made some sales at the event. I love it when that happens at an event you least expect it too!

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    1. Clearly the next big think is ear piercing invitations!

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  17. Brilliant news on the commissions... love the animal cards, they are super... now if we could have a bit more sun, I would be so happy :)

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    1. I think we have earned a few days of warmth and non-stop sunshine.

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Thank you for your comment - it is always lovely to have feedback and I hope you enjoyed my post.