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Sunday 23 September 2012

END OF A BUSY AND EXHAUSTING WEEK

Hi everyone

It's raining and apparently it is going to be soggy all day today, and on and off for most of this coming week. Yesterday was such a gorgeous day - the last day of warm sunshine this year?

This last week has been frantic - I feel exhausted and plan to take today off, well making cards, etc so less mad than last week.  I eventually finished the finals bits of the wedding stationery at 7.15 pm on Friday!  I had visions of handing out the Order of Service to the guests while still collating them, then on to the Reception Hotel to finish putting together the table plan!  A very close shave.  The  church service was lovely and both the bride and groom looked perfect.  The groom, best men (yes, 2) and ushers had waistcoats similar to the cream of the invitations and their button-holes were of a similar orange to the ribbon used.  The bridesmaids dresses were also a matching orange colour and the page-boys had waistcoats similar to those of the groom.  It was all very beautiful and a lot of hard work had gone into all of the arrangements.  True to tradition, and to the wedding stationery deadlines over the past few weeks, the bride was 10-minutes late - was I surprised?  Not at all.

Here is a photograph of the table plan when it was about to be 'stuck' down- not all tables had the same number of guests on, but the request was not to make the cards the same size as some would look a little empty.  It matches the design of both the invitations and order of service and I had a lovely message from the bride on Friday evening saying how pleased she was with everything I had done


Sadly, I had to leave while the register signing was taking place.  I was at an event in Pirbright and although a friend was covering for me, I had been away nearly 2 hours and felt it wasn't fair to be away any longer.  

The handmade event was very successful in the number of visitors - but I don't think it was successful for all stallholders.  I noticed that someone selling knitted toys (Postman Pat, etc) didn't do very well.  There were 4 stalls selling jewellery (too much competition?) and lucky for me only one other card-seller, whose cards were completely different to mine.  My mini-cards were a big success again - so the next few days will see me working hard to build up my stock.  I was very pleased that my friend, Linda, who covered for me while I was at the wedding, did very well with her cakes.  This was her first event and as anyone knows who has been at a craft event, not doing well at your first show is very disappointing and so de-motivating.  She sold lots of cup-cakes and took orders for her Christmas Cake (lots of tasty samples to try made it very popular).

It's Handmade Monday time so do nip over and check out the other blogs taking part.  Lots of gorgeous makes and great posts.  Don't forget that even if someone doesn't take part in Handmade Monday and you are normally a regular visitor to their blog, it's still nice to drop in and see how they are doing.

I hope lots of you Handmade Monday bloggers are going to take part in my World Card-Making Competition.  Make & Craft are sponsoring the competition and have generously donated three prizes.  Even if you are not normally a card-maker, why not join in?

The non-crafty stuff

Did you read Eva's latest guest blog post?  She certainly has a knack of making you want to immediately book up to go to the places she writes about.  Many thanks Eva, a great post and as always the photographs are lovely.  I hope you are enjoying your holiday in Budapest.

I attended a fund-raising dinner on Wednesday of last week.  Almost needless to say it was for cats - Woking Cats Protection.  The proceeds of the raffle raised £1,250 - a brilliant amount and one very generous person bid £250 for a 4-ball game of golf that was donated by Club where the dinner was held.

My two lovely foster kittens, Ash and Micro, left home last week - well my home that is.  They went to their new family on Thursday and I know they will have a very happy new life.  My temporary kitten-fostering has come to, what I hope it to be, a temporary end.  I was due to have two 'new' ones on Friday, but one has been homed and the other one has gone to a different fosterer.  So, the pen is empty, no more squeaking kittens calling for me, no water-bowl tipped up, no biscuits thrown around the place (on the plus side, no litter trays to empty!) - sad.

My pottery course began again last week and this time around I am doing the morning and afternoon sessions.  I spent last week working on pieces created last term and this week will begin creating a major project (or two) and finish off the 'left-overs' as they become 'cooked', etc.  It is good to be back with everyone, a really nice group and one new person this term, so I no longer feel like the 'new girl'.  I worked on a test piece to identify possible colours for the necklace and earrings I made last term; the firing may not be carried out for a week or so as there needs to be a reasonable number of pieces to ensure the kiln is full.  All great fun and I really enjoy myself.

Lots of catching up to do over the next few days: card-making, tweeting to people who have either tweeted me, RTd my blog posts, mentioned me, etc - I have been very neglectful recently (particular apologies to Dawn and Lesley).  I have three card orders to make - one of which is urgent (this is beginning to feel familiar), blog posts that I must comment on, and website work, and, and, and.....  

Have a good week everyone.  If you would like to be guest blogger or enter the card-making competition, please do get in touch: christmaspiecrafts@virginmedia.com.  I will be back on Wednesday with my usual mid-week post and don't forget to drop in on Friday to read my guest blogger's post.  How about joining in Caroline's UK Handmade Thursday blog hop? Have a look at the posts from last week's contributors and make a diary note to join in this week

Jill

42 comments:

  1. Take time to breathe, after last week think you could do with a well earned rest. I think the orange ribbon with e diamanté is so pretty and coming from me being a pastel gal that is something.

    Well done on your event think we are all going to feel the pinch this year form lack of spending

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    1. I think the decision to reduce the number of events I will do is the right one - lots of invitations to attend events,but holding firm to my plan.

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  2. So pleased that you have had such a busy, fun, successful week. Makes all the difference when you are doing something you love x.

    Were you able to advertise on the wedding stationery?

    Very interesting what you say about the stall holders at crafty events. Perhaps it should be down to the organisers to assess suitability/audience etc?

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    Replies
    1. Having organised an event (and taught the subject) it pays to vet the applications. From a quality and interest point of view - nice to actually see them in action prior to booking hem really.

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  3. Sounds frantic but you got there in the end! Well done on getting that done and attending an event to sell! x

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    1. It has been hectic and still feeling shattered - time to get back to making stock though

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  4. The craft fair sounds like a huge success for you and great you have a niche which makes you different to other stallholders.

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    1. I think it is because they are useful either as gift tags or greetings cards. Christmas, birthdays, have covered the whole lot.

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  5. ....and breathe!! Gosh you have had such a busy week, it's a wonder you're still standing! It' a great feeling when a fair goes well and your things are sold to people who appreciate them. Well done to your friend as well. Her cakes must have been extra scrummy!

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    1. I was really pleased for Linda and I know she enjoyed her first outing

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  6. Great news on the mini cards Jill and great to hear the orders are thick and fast! Sounds like another busy week for you.

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    1. Still have deadlines to meet, but mainly for November, so can ease up slightly

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  7. The table plan is great, very well balanced.

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    1. Thank you - I think the colours worked well together

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  8. I am so pleased that the wedding stationary went down well. You must be really pleased with yourself (if you have had time to stop and think about it at all!) I hope that you have a great week which is busy but allows you some time to relax!

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    1. I am pleased it all worked out in the end and am now looking forward to more wedding orders - with more time to prepare them in though :0)

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  9. Wow, I feel tired just reading about all your busy-ness! The orange is such a lovely colour and how satisfying to get such great feedback.
    Sad to say goodbye to the warm weather isn't it? Here's to next spring/summer. x

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    1. It was lovely to see how the ride had used it in decoration accents in the church as well as the attendants outfits

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  10. Hope you get to have a well deserved rest Jill...You've got me thinking that I need to be thinking about making mine, mmmmm I can almost smell it already!
    Have a good week.
    S x

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    1. I always plan to make mine early and very often that is as far as it gets - a plan

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  11. super big well done for getting all the wedding bits done on time! quite an achievement, i bet you are pleased it went so well :)

    well done too on the success with your cards at the craft event! it is disappointing when these things don't go well so i'm glad both you and your cake making friend did a good trade :) x

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    1. The hall was in the middle of a village, nearby was a pub and fun fair, so lots of audience already. Plus it was for a charity event and I think this helped with the footfall

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  12. I think you need a week off now!I like the wedding places arrangement.the orange looks great.Looking forward to seeing your pottery now the classes are back.

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    1. I was very pleased with the table plan - wasn't too sure to being with, but it ended up looking good.

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  13. Craft fairs are such hit and miss events - I've booked one at Camberley in November - have you ever done that one? Went to one at Hartley Wintney last week to see what it was like - quite busy but stalls were rather expensive.
    Linda

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    Replies
    1. Look forward to hearing how you get on. I haven;t attended an event in Camberley so far

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  14. Craft fairs are such hit and miss events - I've booked one at Camberley in November - have you ever done that one? Went to one at Hartley Wintney last week to see what it was like - quite busy but stalls were rather expensive.
    Linda

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  15. Craft fairs are such hit and miss events - I've booked one at Camberley in November - have you ever done that one? Went to one at Hartley Wintney last week to see what it was like - quite busy but stalls were rather expensive.
    Linda

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  16. Wow - what a busy bee you've been. Glad your craft fair was OK, so many folks seem to be disappointed with fairs these days.

    Will you be having more kittens soon? Hope so, I love a kitten photo blog-fix!

    Alison x

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    1. I hope to have more kittens soon - fingers crossed. They are so gorgeous

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  17. Sounds like you had a busy day! But how lovely to have been invited.
    Hope you have a great week

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    1. It was lovely of them, and I am so glad I was able to go

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  18. I love the tsble plan. I'd like to branch into wedding stationery but not sure how to go about it.

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    1. have a look at wedding stationery sites online to see what is popular and make up some designs and put them on your blog/website and see what happens

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  19. I'm glad to hear the wedding stationary got completed on time. The table plan looks lovely. Have a lovely week.
    Ali x

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  20. well, that sounds like a really busy week - must have been quite a challenge to finish all the wedding stationery ! Enjoy your day off - making cards..

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  21. Must be lovely to finish all the stationery - looks like you really had a busy week !

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  22. Yay for the kitties having forever homes! I'm glad your cards sold well.

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    Replies
    1. That's the best part of fostering, although I miss them very much

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  23. Your table planner looks great and youve been busy busy, Ive had a look threw your blog and youve got some fab creations, and thank you so much for leaving a comment on my blog. Aud x

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  24. You are one very busy lady! The cards are beautiful!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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