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Sunday 1 July 2012

RAINING AGAIN? SURELY NOT.......

Hi everyone

Is it true what everyone says, that once you hit 21 the years rush by just a bit too fast?  21 was quite a few years ago for me, and I can truly say that the weeks/months/years do whizz by.  Is it because life is so busy or that I (like lots of people) set myself targets which I don't achieve and therefore feel time is rushing by?  A friend of mine completes a Tasks Done list each day - the main reason is to see what she has done with her day, but how nice it must be to be able to tick everything off as finished.

Still on days whizzing by, I left my count-down to Christmas clock on my blog and it caught my eye today and I was very surprised to see it is only 177 days to Christmas!  Best get a move on making Christmas cards and get the decorations down from the loft!

An interesting week at Wimbledon.  The first big surprise was seeing Venus Williams lose inthe first round, and an even bigger shock followed not too long after with the exit of Rafael Nadal.  We almost saw the last of Roger Federer as well - he teetered on the brink of going out in the first week.  This tournament never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat, does it?  So, who do you think will win the Men's and Women's Championships this year?  We have been lucky to go to Wimbledon Tennis Championships on a few occasions and even managed to get on to the Centre Court once.  One year we watched Bjorn Borg play on Court No 1, but I can't remember who he was playing (this getting older and memories disappearing thing is a nuisance!) but I do recall it was a great match.  It's a great game and I just wish we had more facilities and finance in this country to support and encourage it.

Have you read my Guest Post from Friday?  Alix Beech of Big Blue Bed wrote about becoming the person she is happy to be.  It proved a very popular post and I recommend you read it if you haven't had the chance to do so yet.  Thank you Alix - love the picture of you in the Snowy the Dog hat.

I know discussions about commenting on bloggs crop up in various places (and other blogs) quite frequently and it is interesting that a post can get many visitors but few comments.  I wonder why?  My guest posts receive an average of 90 visits for each post, but not all 90 visitors comment.  I am sure lots of people visit the post because they know the guest blogger, it may be because they are a regular follower of my blog, or they may have discovered the post by chance on the internet, Twitter, etc.  One interesting thing I discovered recently is that I have seen visitors have commented elsewhere (in forums mainly) about a guest blogger's post, but not on the actual post.  If you have enjoyed the guest post, it would be so great if you could leave a comment for the blogger - many of my guest bloggers do respond to the comments left for them so it's not just a case of blog and run.

I completed a quirky card order this week and yet again forgot to photograph it.  So much for my proposed check-list!  The card was for a cat-loving, blonde-haired, poolside lounger who liked to drink Rioja.  Trying to incorporate all of these was the usual challenge - I hope she likes her card.  A first for me, but I received an order for a Congratulations on your Divorce card - I know there are some cards out their bearing this salutation and perhaps I should make a few for stock when I make up this order.  It did make me think that I should carry a stock of perhaps blank cards (no greetings that is) and decorate them accordingly either for an order or at events.

I saw an advertisement recently that Moonpig are now offering video cards for Smart phones; it may be something they have been doing for a while.  How does a 'paper' card-maker compete?  This article from the Greetings Card Association makes interesting reading about the UK and their greetings cards 'habit' - hopefully the 'real' greetings card still  has plenty of life left in it.  I hope so as it is a major part of my business.

I thought I hadn't any makes to post for Handmade Monday this week - work-in-progress, etc - then I realised that this week I have spent a couple of evenings non-stop making my mini-cards.  I now have 2 ranges: 3" x 3" and 4" x 4".  Some time ago I purchased quite a few packets of paper flowers with the intention of doing flower-pot displays.  I did some but decided against adding it as a permanent range to my business.  I have lots left over and think they are ideal for decorating cards.  These are photographs of 3 of the larger style:




I had expected it to be a dry, occasionally sunny day today - sadly, it has been raining for about 2 hours.  1 July?  Perhaps I have looked at the wrong month on the calendar.  I can see Wimbledon tipping over into a third week.

Have a great week everyone, enjoy the other blogs taking part in Handmade Monday and while there do read Wendy's piece about Increasing Customer Confidence in your Small Craft Business - a great piece of work and lots of reminders about things that we tend to forget.  Do get in touch if you would like to join in my Friday Guest Blog spot (christmaspiecrafts@virginmedia.com).

Jill

54 comments:

  1. Off to have a read about greeting cards, so hard for any crafter at present.

    Don't get me started on blog comments!

    I like the flower cards,what do you mean Christmas? Mind you could almost have winter now and perhaps,come December we may have a heat wave, just so fed up with this rain.

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    1. Sorry, that C word is just not acceptable at the moment - although as you say I am sure the weather is grim and I am sure the sunshine clock has turned itself off.

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  2. What am I going to do with no centre tennis tonight, and only the EURO2012 finals for company? Bring on the second week of Wimbledon, only problem is - the weather!

    Your mini-cards are lovely. I think traditional paper cards will outlast video cards.

    It's interesting what you say about blog comments, though. WordPress has the Like button - perhaps us Bloggers should look at a widget like that?

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    1. I know Lesley and it is on two channels this evening! Why? someone said on my blog a few posts past that we need a like button, so will do some researching to see if it exists for Blogger.

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    2. I have added the reactions widget think that's what its called so visitors can tick what they think of my posts, you can edit it to have whatever reactions you want.

      As a big facebook user I find the lack of a like button on blogs very frustrating.

      D.xxx

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    3. Many thanks, Dawn, I will give that button a go.

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  3. Sometimes I think people don't really know what to say about a blog post- they don't think it's witty or engaging enough to just say that they enjoyed reading it perhaps?

    I like the third flower mini card best- the shape of the vase is lovely.

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    1. I think that's very true and yes, would be lovely for my guest bloggers if someone just said they had enjoyed the post. Glad you like my card - yes, I agree, I prefer the third one too.

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  4. I'm not a Wimbledon follower and have been fed up with all the sport on TV over the past weeks, but did end up watching the end of the Murray match last night which was very exciting! I've got my fingers in my ears going la-la-la over your use of the C word!

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    1. I promise I will not (try not to) mentioned that dread word again - for a while.

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  5. You're right about time going faster-look it's July already,where's the year gone?!You've reminded me that I haven't watched any Wimbledon yet-how did that happen?!

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    1. Probably too much football getting in the way - now we get the critics, re-runs of missed goals and the accusations.

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  6. I think the paper greeting card has a lot of life left in it yet, and yours are lovely.
    It seems very few people leave comments on blogs - I think we read much more than we respond! It's always lovely to get comments, though.

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    1. They certain still seem so popular - thank goodness.

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  7. I think craft of all kinds is having a hard time at the moment but with Tesco's selling greetings cards for 25p it is very hard to compete. I still maintain though that there are people out there who see the worth in handmade and will continue to buy them. Shhh about Christmas or I'll panic!

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    1. It's very hard to compete with supermarkets, isn't it?

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  8. Don't forget to put the sprouts on to boil now or they won't be ready for Christmas dinner!
    The flowerpot cards are lovely. The 3D effect is very clever.

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    1. Oh, yes, nearly forgot those. Good job you reminded me -:)

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  9. It's too soon to be thinking of Christmas! We still need to enjoy our mandatory 3 days of summer yet.

    Those mini-cards are just what we need to brighten our days during the recent crazy weather.

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    1. I know, I am sorry, but feels like the beginning of Autumn at the moment.

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  10. I love the flower cards and I love the idea of making some blank cards that you can personnalise later - a real selling point! I hope the rain clears up for you soon - we have seen some sunshine this week.

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    1. Looks like rain for most of the week -such a shame for people on holiday.

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  11. No comment about the no comments!
    Not everyone has a do da for seeing those video cards (me included!) so I think paper cards have a very long life yet.

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    1. It's a tricky topic. That's very true about the do da - so long live paper cards.

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  12. I think 'proper' cards will carry on for some time, particularly personaiised ones. We are a sentimental bunch really.
    I agree that the lack of a like button is frustrating. The other thing i think that puts people off is the security code, but thats not something that can necessarily be got round.

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    1. Looking into the like button that Dawn (above) mentioned.

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  13. 'tasks done' list is a great idea - far more satisfying than the 'to do' lists i always seem to be scribbling (and rarely completing!)

    love your flowery mini cards - great for summer! (yeah, i know - what Summer?!) x

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    1. Everything gets ticked off as finished - nothing left to carry over to the next day. That's my kind of list.

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  14. Enjoyable read as always, covering many subjects. We have actually had a gorgeous sunny weekend so are very lucky!It's a shame people dont comment if they have enjoyed the read as it's always lovely to get feed back and conversation.Your flower Cards are lovely, i agree a few blank ones would go well.

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    1. A sunny weekend? Can you email some of the sunshine to me please?

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  15. I actually used to make lists each day - more to remind me what I wanted to do that day as opposed to seeing what I did do! I think I'll get back to that as a lot of times by evening I'll remember something I had wanted to do/get but didn't! Love your little flower cards - it is so much better to get an actual card to hold rather than an virtual one. Have a good week Mich x

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    1. I know I should make lists, because I forget so many of the little things I need to do. Perhaps I should being one today.....

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  16. Your cards are really pretty, using these flowers was a great idea indeed. On another matter, I used to be obsessed with to do list. I was managing them with my iPhone, which got stolen a few weeks ago. Now I make a quick list each morning and find it far more rewarding because there is less stuff on it and I'm able to actually tick almost every item every day.

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    1. I am sorry about your phone - isn't it sad that some people have no scruples or conscience! I am glad you liked my cards - I love flowers, so it was nice to use these ones.

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  17. Thanks for dropping by ...LOVE that button below.You sound like a free spirit and your sewing is nothing to mutter about lol ...shout it out ...after all most out there cant sew.
    I too am soooooo fed up with rain ...did time go so quickly that i missed summer ?????

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    1. Raining today - let's hope summer isn't really happening until next year.

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  18. Love the mini cards, they're really cute. Think you're right about people reading and not posting comments - but maybe sometimes its because they aren't sure what to say? I think people do appreciate a proper card - its better having gifts that are tangible than something that "lives" online or in your phone - after all there's more excitement in opening a card!

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    1. Hopefully there is still a place for 'normal' cards

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  19. I think the little flower cards are very appealing. What's this about Christmas? You're the second person I've heard talking about Christmas!! I'm still waiting for summer! Lol :) Thanks for your comment on my post.

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    1. Will try not to mention Christmas too many times before December

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  20. such pretty daffodils, they are very dainty. Its been tipping it down here as well, very depressing

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  21. Love reading your post, my first time here, but I will be comming back. Interesting read about the greeting cards !

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    1. Welcome to Christmas Pie and many thanks for your comments.

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  22. The Christmas word seems to be cropping up a lot at the mo'. must be the autumn weather we're having. Do not pass summer, go directly to Autumn!

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    1. I know, I think it is this Christmas in July thingy.

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  23. Eeek that Christmas thing, best get some new fabric for it!
    Glad you are enjoying the tennis, I've been watching a bit this year, although I have to confess I watched more of the football (don't know why I bother!) I weill be watching most of the Olympics though.
    That daily checksheet is something I have attempted in the past but I only ever get half way!!! Sometimes though, like today for me, you can have a really unproductive day when you spend ages on one thing and the next (hopefully tomorrow) everything will all come together!x

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    1. The problem is that in our sort of businesses we have to start early, don;t we? By the time Christmas is here, we are making for summer!

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  24. How could anyone choose an e card or one that will be sent out from a company over yours. Your cards are beautiful and I know I'd be really happy seeing it displayed on my shelf. I wouldn't like it receive a card ordered on line that someone hasn't even bothered to sign their name in. Rant over :) Realized I always leave your blog till the last to read, I think it's because it's full of lots of different things. So I've become a fully fledged follower. Glad your enjoying the tennis, it's getting interesting with a lot of the top players going out. Have a lovely week. Ali x
    PS I also wonder about the number of people who visit blogs and don't comment.

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    1. I am glad you enjoy my blog - it';s great fun writing it as it feels like writing a letter to friends. Commenting is a funny thing in blog-land.

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  25. I haven't been watching any sport, I haven't followed any for ages so I don't know any of the names you mentioned!!
    I think paper cards are still a big thing and will be for a long time, I like any cards I get to sit for a while on a shelf for all to see, not on a computer or phone.
    Your 'ickle flowers in vases are sweet, I'm sure they will do well at fairs.

    Jan x

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    1. It's a catch-22 situation really - if the weather is bad I can sit and watch tennis, but then again if it is bad will any play take place? I agree - so nice to have cards you can leave out to admire for a while.

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  26. Your mini cards are gorgeous, I love the little flowers.
    It can't be that soon to Christmas!

    Sometimes I read blogs on my phone and it can be quite temperamental, sometimes it will let me comment and sometimes not.

    LH
    x

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    1. Some blogs have quirky habits of needing you to log in, some you can do via Twitter - and technology itself doesn't help! I'll try not to mention Christmas too much over the next few months.

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