tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65561487341041862432024-03-14T04:17:26.876-07:00CHRISTMAS PIE CRAFTSA Blog about the life of a crafts person who designs and creates beautiful items, including greetings cards, decorated gift bags and scented candles. If that's not enough to keep me occupied, I also arrange craft fairs in Surrey under the name of A Fair to Remember to showcase the work of the many talented makers there are in my part of the world.
Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.comBlogger382125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-63307350380310466762017-10-20T06:36:00.003-07:002017-10-21T09:35:59.266-07:00A BREAK BEFORE THE MADNESS OF CHRISTMAS CRAFTING EVENTSHello everyone<br />
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I am so sorry to mention the word 'Christmas', but as we know the shops start promoting it once August Bank Holiday has bitten the dust and in the craft world, we start making for it just after the last one.<br />
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Plans are going well for the Christmas Pie Crafts & Gifts shop in The Village Guildford. Despite looking forward to it, I feel nervous as there is so much to arrange: my stock, promotion, a sign for the shop, staff rota, tables, chairs, display material and everything else we will need. I hope it will be very successful for all of us and it will certainly be a challenge.<br />
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However, we took a few days out of the crazy world of Christmas Pie Crafts and went to Alderney. We love the Channel Islands and although we had been to Alderney many years ago, we couldn't really remember much about it. The weather wasn't too bad, but we did experience the very strange low dust cloud and bright orange sun on Monday that everyone in the UK seemed to share. It is a very quiet island and we assume the tourist season finishes quite early as many restaurants were closed, our hotel had very few guests and some of the trips we had been hoping to do had finished in September. The beaches are beautiful and so clean and here are some photographs of the island:<br />
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Braye Beach - we stayed in the Braye Beach Hotel</div>
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How clean and well looked after the beaches are</div>
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You can see from the sky and waves in this one that the weather was a little grim</div>
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The view from our hotel room</div>
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We had spent some time recently listening the the local radio, Quay FM, and it was nice to put 'faces 'to names and places. We arrived home to thick fog and the news of more bad weather to come, but it was a lovely break and we will certainly go back again, but plan to do so in the summer when sea trips to the smaller islands are available.<br />
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It's now back to making, organising, making and more organising. Four events and the Christmas shop to plan for mean some pretty intensive weeks in the run-up to Christmas.<br />
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Have a great weekend everyone and I will 'see' you soon.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-50943565381150501152017-09-13T02:45:00.000-07:002017-09-18T03:56:16.920-07:00A WISLEY WANDER<div style="text-align: justify;">
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We survived last night's wind and rain - everything in the garden remained where it should be. I had visions of getting up this morning to find the new pebble area have been 'moved' to the other side of the garden. It is still very windy, but the sun is shining and it is warm, so it's rather nice to be outside.</div>
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A friend and I went to Wisley yesterday for a wander around the Sculpture Trail and we saw some weird and wonderful pieces. We do pottery together and feel confident we can add our work next year - as if. One item that we both wanted to take home with us was not part of the Sculpture Trail - the gorgeous dandelion heads. Really beautiful work and if you live near to Wisley, you must make sure you see this sculpture (as well as all of the others):</div>
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As my life is full of cats and my friend is a fellow cat-lover, we were both pleased to find a statue of one:</div>
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In typical cat pose - asleep.<br />
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My new pebble area is going to be home to a range of small grasses and I bought some in the Wisley Plant shop yesterday and placed an order for some more when I got home. Arriving tomorrow, and I will leave them in their pots and put them in various places before I plant them to make sure the area looks how I want it to. Pics to follow when all the work has been completed.<br />
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It's back to work now and and plans for my Christmas shop are moving forward - I have two of my A Fair to Remember stallholders joining me and I am planning to ask another two. It's important that I have a variety of work in the shop and there is method in my madness, I will need cover for the times when two people are a must and/or I cannot be there. Exciting times, but a lot of work as I am approaching my autumn /winter events, making stock for them and my shop and organising everything the shop needs. Roll on January - sorry, didn't mean that really.<br />
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Have a great week everyone, enjoy what is left of summer and hope you haven;t suffered from the wind, rain and other weather horrors being thrown at the world at the moment.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-67195898451556525682017-09-08T07:56:00.002-07:002017-09-08T07:57:35.609-07:00EXCITING TIMES<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello everyone</div>
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It's been holiday time here - well holiday time for Richard. I have been fitting my holiday time in and around work things. </div>
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It has been a great two weeks with time spent in France, going to the cinema, lazing, catching up with friends, 'heavy duty' gardening (laying 100 cwt of Glasgow Pebbles) and yesterday we went to Bletchley Park; a place we had promised ourselves to visit on several occasions and really glad we got around to it at last. As it says in the guidebook 'it is where the World War Two Code-breakers broke seemingly impenetrable codes and ciphers and where the world's first electronic computers were installed and operated'. We were able to take photographs of displays and other pieces in the huts and this is one of a 'sculpture' of Alan Turing produced in pieces of slate. An amazing piece of work that must have taken an incredibly long time to create.</div>
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I have been working hard on producing new stock for the events I am taking part in and to add, as soon as time permits, to my website. However, my 'exciting times' is all about me renting a shop for the four week period up to Christmas Eve. My shop will be in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VillageGford/" target="_blank">VillageGford</a> complex in Guildford town centre. </div>
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If you follow me on Facebook, you will have seen that I have been sharing and liking a lot of the posts for this venture. In addition to a wide variety of shops, there is also a bar and several eateries and nearly every day sees activities for children and their families. This, according to my family and friends, is a crazy and mad thing to do, but I love a challenge. A friend is helping out the the pre-opening work and will also have some of her work in the shop (and sharing the 'shop assistant' role with me). I also have two of my regular stallholders taking part - and I am planning on asking a couple of others to join in too. There will be special opening-day offers as well as other offers during December, so keep an eye on the Christmas Pie Crafts <a href="https://www.christmaspiecrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">website</a> and this blog.</div>
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Later today we will be celebrating the birthday of one of our neighbours - he is 89 and has much more energy than I do.</div>
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Have a great weekend everyone.</div>
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Jill</div>
Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-82922599557955444852017-08-20T07:15:00.002-07:002017-08-25T02:12:25.818-07:00MOVING ON UPHi everyone<br />
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I know, the title of my post is from a song - I can't remember which one, but does seem to reflect what I am doing. I am building up, moving on and improving my Christmas Pie Crafts business. Sadly, it has taken a back-seat to my event organisation and it shouldn't have done so because, to me, it is just as important. I have begun work on improving/re-designing my website, which had been abandoned and neglected. It is still a work-in-progress, but I am really pleased with the background I have found, which took hours or searching on the internet to locate something that really appealed to me. I have changed my business colours from purple and green to fuchsia-pink and lime-green, with a hint of black (well some black lace for my table top at events). Have a look and let me know what you think: <a href="https://www.christmaspiecrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">Christmas Pie Crafts</a><br />
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Like lots of people who run a small-crafting-business, I do have doubts about what I am doing. Will <br />
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it sell, if it does if I make another one will that sell too, why doesn't it sell? Does it look similar to someone else's? Will it be copied? Sadly, all of these things do happen and do go through one's mind, but it doesn't mean we have to give up and throw in the towel. If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again - I do hear and read many negative comments about being in business and feel sure that if Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg had abandoned their ideas on day two, life would be incredibly different for all of us now. <br />
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I am trying to find a way of using my website background (which I have also used for my business cards and my Facebook banner) as my blog background. It is an image and didn't come with the code that Blogger seems to need, but I shall keep in trying to find a way to use it<br />
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Got it! Just remembered the song <b>is</b> called Movin' On Up and while all of the words do not really relate to what I am doing, one line does: Movin' on up, nothin' can stop me<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span><br />
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So, it's time to move on up to my work space and get some stock made. I think I am behind with what I should have ready by now so the next few weeks are going to be slog, slog and more slog.<br />
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Have a great week everyone - fingers crossed the Bank Holiday is a very sunny and warm one.<br />
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Jill<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-67115173643907121142017-07-13T03:41:00.001-07:002017-07-14T02:30:12.600-07:00REFLECTING ON THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2017 AND A BIT OF 2016 CATCH-UP BECAUSE I MISSED IT :0)Hi everyone<br />
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Just when you thought I had given up blogging here I am.<br />
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Just back from a much-needed holiday in Jersey and feeling refreshed and ready to go, I thought 'I must produce a blog post' - only to find that I had two sitting in the draft folder that I had written towards the end of 2016 and earlier this year. The problem is I write my blog posts, leave them for a day or two to 'mature' and as has proved fatal, forget them! However, I think a few holiday snaps are needed here following our visit to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Zoo:<br />
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No, the seagull isn't an endangered species, he just wanted to join us for lunch one day.<br />
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It has been a busy year so far: a knee operation followed by events up to the end of May, then the million and one things we all do and then seem to forget about. I am still doing my much-loved pottery course, but now realise that there are certain things I know I cannot make. I tried to make a hedgehog and sadly it looked more like an armadillo and I then turned it into a wall planter - believe me when I say it is best not to ask why or how.<br />
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A Fair to Remember events are on a summer break, although 'the office' is still maned daily and emails, marketing, website, publicity, etc are still being dealt with. I know summer will disappear and our first Autumn/Winter event will be upon us very soon. I have often been 'told' that between events I probably don't have a lot to do and this seems to be a popular misconception. Since becoming an event organiser I have acquired a lot of respect for anyone who organises events. Yes, I am still critical because I can see where improvements could be made to ensure a good event for both stallholders and customers, but I also know the amount of 'hidden' work that goes on before the day of the event.<br />
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I watched an episode of the Hotel Inspector the other day and was interested to see that a Vintage Fair being held at the hotel Alex Polizzi was helping to improve had a footfall of 60. If Alex Polizzi's presence cannot encourage a high footfall, what hope is there for the rest of us.<br />
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Not quite a blog post covering everything that I have done since my last post, but I am back on the blogging trail - I hope.<br />
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Have a great week everyone - I will try to blog again very soon.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-90525688005759161872016-11-13T06:12:00.001-08:002016-11-13T06:12:19.937-08:00IZZY, WHIZZY, LET'S GET BUSYHello everyone<br />
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I am notorious for leaving everything until the last minute. I have somehow managed to create a wonderfully organised personality, which is quite untrue. I tell myself that my best work is produced 'last minute' but I know that is incorrect, because often it is thrown together in a very unprofessional way. However, I would like to assure anyone who has purchased work from me or taken (and taking) part in my events that where they are concerned, I am very organised. Disorganisation happens when I arrive home and shut the door on the world! Then chaos reigns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAfQORXhtZTWrgY61aEF_Xrg9UZhK741HmzzXOKjb8s_Zn2rKE0aaIeTDYt3b-blcmNqtbzVPRXuBrG-O7KF4-IXdvGS7E6LtAOyueD1F29zO5uUXJT1fZv0qjkdl_wZVPeR_XFYPl1oo/s1600/busybee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAfQORXhtZTWrgY61aEF_Xrg9UZhK741HmzzXOKjb8s_Zn2rKE0aaIeTDYt3b-blcmNqtbzVPRXuBrG-O7KF4-IXdvGS7E6LtAOyueD1F29zO5uUXJT1fZv0qjkdl_wZVPeR_XFYPl1oo/s1600/busybee.jpg" /></a>The reason for the title of my post is that life is hectic at the moment and the days/weeks are not long enough. A long time ago, I posted the question on here asking can I organise craft fairs and still take part in craft fairs organised by others; the questions still remains completely unanswered and having taken part in two fairs recently as a seller, I am still unsure. The silly thing is that I excuse my self forgetting to take things to a craft fair on the basis that I am too busy! Er, yes, so is everyone else. I forget that I owe it to the organiser to do the very best I can by dressing my stall attractively, having a nice range of work to sell, following their terms & conditions and giving myself over to enjoying my time spent at the event (and all the time worrying about the million and one things I have not done). Oh dear.<br />
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I took part in a craft fair in North Camp, Farnborough yesterday. The weather was atrocious and this affected footfall, which was low. However, the event was well organised, I met lots of lovely stallholders and I was pleased with my sales - I covered all costs and made a profit so left the event as a happy bunny. A couple of pics of bags sold at yesterday's event:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlixAdjmUAhY9-Ir7B8gG1cu7Kz-372mp_sT7cFiXh1E3W6r6vQBsC4qfjgwJSiJK8ClcrISPh6GIAehNArL9rjqDFwWu09jnOVwl9RGk32N72CIgomQzTQeG3MnYWnBhH_S_03PL3whBI/s1600/1756_1_catch-jumble-sale-feb-2014_thb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlixAdjmUAhY9-Ir7B8gG1cu7Kz-372mp_sT7cFiXh1E3W6r6vQBsC4qfjgwJSiJK8ClcrISPh6GIAehNArL9rjqDFwWu09jnOVwl9RGk32N72CIgomQzTQeG3MnYWnBhH_S_03PL3whBI/s1600/1756_1_catch-jumble-sale-feb-2014_thb.jpg" /></a>My only niggles were my left and right side stallholders - lovely people, but...... If terms & conditions say don't put boxes, shelves, items, etc in the gap between tables, why do some stallholders think it includes 'but you can if you want to' on their information sheet? To my left was a very big space, which was great because I moved my table several times to escape the ever-growing pile of display material the stallholders on my right were adding to the gap! I placed one of my bags on the door to my left only to have the daughter of the stallholder plonk herself down in front of it and lean on it - despite there being a very large space to park her backside elsewhere! How unfair of me I can hear people say, but come on we are all there to display and sell our work, enjoy the company of others and look back on a successful event - not have annoying memories. As I said, lots of lovely stallholders, but just a plea for some to remember they are not the only ones in the room.<br />
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When I take part in fairs, I take along work to do because even at busy events, there can be time to catch up on making. I was able to complete a bit of work yesterday, but also had the time to look around me with my organiser's hat on; someone recently suggested I email photographs of a good stall set-up to my stallholders. I have seen some really well set-up stalls, ones that look beautiful and others that look as though the stallholder walked into the room, threw their things onto the table and left. One yesterday was a good example (or rather bad example). No table cover and all storage boxes on display under their table; the table top display was poor too. Why? A table cover can be a bed-sheet - clean and ironed it can look very smart. I suppose this is a little niggle about sellers who complain that they haven't sold anything, nobody went to their stall, etc, etc - come on you lot, you are a shop as far as the world is concerned so if you want to sell, please dress your 'shop window', lay out your goods beautifully and don't have all your boxes, bags, etc on show. It makes such a big difference and your fellow stallholders will like it too. Don't let event visitors remember you for the wrong reason.<br />
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I digress, I was supposed to be explaining why the post is called Izzy, Whizzy, Let's Get Busy because I must get busy. A two-day event in two weeks time at the Medicine Garden in Cobham followed by my final event of the year as the organiser, closely followed by a hospital admission to have my knee sorted out. An early Christmas present? Fingers crossed. In between these are lots of Christmas lunches and evenings out with friends and family and getting ready for Christmas at home - mobility will be limited so I will be able to get Richard to do all of the preparation and shopping. As if.<br />
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Have a good week everyone - see you soon.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-15681048062595017262016-11-08T04:12:00.001-08:002016-11-08T04:12:42.992-08:00ON A COLD AND FROSTY MORNINGHello everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXe7gz25hAxiFTcikRB35w7Qp-dX88nkNXQh_hYAoDjghT1iTQsyb25kwNUhvLFBQfr_gz3tnYFUFPmdqbwShiCH_mPEJ-CkYOixhyOE4qf_3C5FKKWEjZvZ_JPC6S3o93qcW1mPD2MWT/s1600/cartoon-snowflake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXe7gz25hAxiFTcikRB35w7Qp-dX88nkNXQh_hYAoDjghT1iTQsyb25kwNUhvLFBQfr_gz3tnYFUFPmdqbwShiCH_mPEJ-CkYOixhyOE4qf_3C5FKKWEjZvZ_JPC6S3o93qcW1mPD2MWT/s1600/cartoon-snowflake.jpg" /></a>Boy, is it cold today! Is it because we had mild weather in October that the recent cold and frost makes me think we have a bad winter on the way? Snow is already forecast for the midlands - is it earlier than usual? I like snow and it is lovely to wake up to find everything covered in the garden - especially if I don't have to go out in it. Being a clumsy idiot who manages to fall over when there is just a sprinkle on the ground, I would prefer it to fall and then disappear pretty soon after.<br />
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I held my second event in the Wilfrid Noyce Centre on Saturday and although it would have been great to have several thousand visitors, the stlalhodlers entered into the spirit of the occasion and created a really lovely busy, buzzy atmosphere. As always a big thank you to everyone who took part. Our next event is on 3 December, my last one as organiser for this year and as always I am looking for attractions to encourage and retain visitors. However, I always say I work hard to get people into the venue, then it is down to the stallholders to turn visitors into customers - even better if they are ones who came back again and again because they are pleased with what they have bought. Here are a few photographs of some of the work that was on sale at Saturday's event and more can be found on the A Fair to Remember Facebook page:<br />
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Like everyone in this country I moan and alternatively congratulate the NHS, but I am always pleased that we have them on our side. I developed problems with my right knee earlier this year and following several GP appointments, x-rays, hospital visits and an MRI it was identified that the cartilage in my right knee had gone 'mushy' and I was referred to a knee surgeon at the Royal Surrey Hospital. My appt letter arrived early last week with an appointment for 4 January - then out of the blue on Thursday I received a call saying that as a new consultant was on board, appointments were being offered for this week. I was offered yesterday afternoon and it meant a tricky day as I was due to be at a funeral in the morning in Bristol and I really didn't want to miss it. I made both with time to spare, thank goodness and was advised by the knee surgeon that keyhole surgery will be carried out to repair the torn meniscus and it will possibly be in appx six weeks time. Thank you NHS, I am so pleased that I don't have to suffer for a long time with a very painful knee and, being selfish, hope the operation takes place after my remaining events this year.<br />
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I am taking part in three events (two as a seller one as organiser/seller) and have a lot of work to do: bags to decorate with new and popular designs, candles to make and wreaths to make - if time permits.<br />
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Have a great week everyone - see you next week.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-50992612999466260802016-10-31T05:12:00.003-07:002016-10-31T05:12:53.079-07:00A FOGGY DAY IN CHRISTMAS PIEHello everyone<br />
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It's a little bit foggy here, but still very mild. Many of the trees around here still have all of their leaves, although they have changed to beautiful golds and reds. The colours at this time of year are so gorgeous and almost a pity that they signal the real end of summer for the year, but there is always spring to look forward to and we have planted some more bulbs this year. Every year I tell myself to photograph the places I have planted bulbs, so that I know where to put new ones - every year I forget.<br />
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I took part in the Woking Cats Protection Christmas Fayre on Saturday and it was great to meet up with the branch's team members as well as fellow stallholders (some I have met before and new ones as well). The event was a great success for CP and I was a very pleased stallholder as my bags were popular and sold well. The favourites always seem to be the ones decorated with butterflies and I sold out of those, so it's back to making more for the next few events I am taking part in, but the quirky new design ones were popular too.<br />
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In addition to selling my bags at the events I organise, I will be taking part, with my Christmas Pie Crafts hat on, in the two-day Christmas Market at the <a href="http://www.themedicinegarden.com/" target="_blank">Medicine Garden</a> on 26 and 27 November. Making will be 24-hours a day form now until then as also need to make new wreaths and Christmas scented candles. Looking forward to this event as I really do prefer to do two or three day ones - I think it is being able to walk away on day one (often the most tiring because of setting up, etc) without having to pack-up.<br />
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My sister and I had a return visit to <a href="http://prawnonthelawn.com/" target="_blank">Prawn on the Lawn in Islington</a> on Friday. This is a 'to die for' fish and seafood restaurant that at first glance you think it is just a fishmongers. They have an excellent menu and wine list and it's a great way dine away a couple of hours at lunch time. Their homemade Taramasolata is soooooo good we bought some to take home with us (as well as some jumbo prawns and truffle oil). Already planning our next trip.<br />
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Back to candle-making, wreath-producing and bag-decorating but I will be back next week with details about the 5 November A Fair to Remember event in the Wilfrid Noyce Centre and how it went. Have a great week everyone.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-74786468345778914072016-10-23T13:55:00.002-07:002016-10-23T13:55:22.856-07:00WHERE OH WHERE HAD MY BLOG GONE?Hello everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9NdXYMYhyKuQAmm_C7fp4KP4yl_-Q4t2e4-DmjBVSGR9zTmHyH2VxF7NagR9mdw8bO8bxSJF2jP11xe3_32GyKuhaQLnf-Qqz8XaR1XrSOb1Id2Oq8x_HR4yCYtjaaNVaQJDrLpE-rVi/s1600/embarrassed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9NdXYMYhyKuQAmm_C7fp4KP4yl_-Q4t2e4-DmjBVSGR9zTmHyH2VxF7NagR9mdw8bO8bxSJF2jP11xe3_32GyKuhaQLnf-Qqz8XaR1XrSOb1Id2Oq8x_HR4yCYtjaaNVaQJDrLpE-rVi/s1600/embarrassed.jpg" /></a>My blog disappeared! I have spent many weeks trying to locate it, on my own, with the help of Blogger/Google and have been tempted many times to throw my computer out of the window - I am sure many of you understand this feeling? However, I am the first to admit that computers are not to blame, it is we humans who do most of the damage. It turned out to be a different email address I had opened and for some crazy reason had used it to access my blog - er, why? I really don't know, but I am so pleased that I have now solved the problem and can access my old blog posts. I know the authors hoping to win next year's Booker Prize have nothing to worry about, but not being able to access the blog meant I could not update any information about events, layout, etc. You can probably hear the sigh of relief and feel the warmth from my very red face. I am now one happy blogger.<br />
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Since my last blog post, which must have been, oh years and years ago, I have had an event at a new venue: the Wilfrid Noyce Centre (WNC) in Godalming. A lovely venue that was refurbished earlier this year and now has two great halls; the main one has lots of light and plenty of room. It has a very smart brand new kitchen, which makes setting up our pop-up cafe very easy. We have a great caretaker who helps us set up and pack away - what more could we ask for in a venue?<br />
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Our next event in the WNC is on 5 November. I have been trying to arrange a Best Guy competition to take place during the event, but the response has been disappointing. I put a couple of posts out asking for local Godalming businesses to support the event, but sadly, nothing. My plan is for it to be on a quid pro quo basis of mutual benefit to everyone involved, so Godalming businesses if you are interested please do get in touch. Just a small gift, promotion for the event and plenty of advertising from me both before and after the event.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgpleYXFq_daiHrdEKml0mkpIdF08qbhDN2u8LcdBUNr2GAElGk4fr7zhVdN_QfrRiWp6UR_S1A0RhmKekgKyhs7HVvuEkAnyLaDaq54cFFw5j0AD5e2t5Sug5Kd1tRIsAbRzvV22EBcx/s1600/sad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgpleYXFq_daiHrdEKml0mkpIdF08qbhDN2u8LcdBUNr2GAElGk4fr7zhVdN_QfrRiWp6UR_S1A0RhmKekgKyhs7HVvuEkAnyLaDaq54cFFw5j0AD5e2t5Sug5Kd1tRIsAbRzvV22EBcx/s1600/sad.jpg" /></a>In addition to new venues, it has been a very sad time here in Christmas Pie. One of our neighbours, who would have celebrated her 101st birthday next month, died last week. This was closely followed by the loss of a distant family member and as we were thinking that unhappy events tends to go in threes, we received the very sad news that a favourite uncle passed away on Friday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBozRd5ML5aGwzx2UAo7zslZPdFFkrqH-i3HaNeJG1QJeeaBj6F_jyK7HzgiVrGBY3qNJCPCVN8SNg1VAFI2FpYlLifuev2fCpiUaGxamd2Vr_pDOrKE5Oe-mCqcBVbhxDrut-vUszJPGi/s1600/Coco+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBozRd5ML5aGwzx2UAo7zslZPdFFkrqH-i3HaNeJG1QJeeaBj6F_jyK7HzgiVrGBY3qNJCPCVN8SNg1VAFI2FpYlLifuev2fCpiUaGxamd2Vr_pDOrKE5Oe-mCqcBVbhxDrut-vUszJPGi/s1600/Coco+1a.jpg" /></a>This time of year is always busy for me, both on the organising of events side as well as the taking part in events side. On Saturday, 29 October I am taking part in the <a href="http://woking.cats.org.uk/woking/news/our-christmas-fayre" target="_blank">Woking Cats Protection Christmas Fayre</a> in the New Haw Community Centre, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, KT15 3ND. If you are free on that day, why not come along and buy some of the goodies there will be for sale in support of our kittens and cats. There will be lots of lovely stalls selling gorgeous things, a chocolate tombola and I understand there will be bacon sandwiches.<br />
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Have a great week everyone - I will definitely be back next week because I now know how to get into my blog.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-56063108895559026032016-07-10T09:54:00.001-07:002016-07-12T01:49:55.580-07:00A LOVELY SUNNY DAYHello everyone<br />
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What a gorgeous couple of days it has been - please Mr Weather Forecaster, don't suddenly change your mind and tell us rain is on the way?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilF7qL9jaqQ3z1D7fr20adKvq-uI46RHaefbGraQUnH9JwFkWg3p04hxESs01l9AXfUW1NpyEHv4WdM2vIfzwc9_4TdQ5feXf-33ZvlSk8_jjMZifpfZ9l70AXTP4GRvaVP38XYUTzbYJv/s1600/bbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilF7qL9jaqQ3z1D7fr20adKvq-uI46RHaefbGraQUnH9JwFkWg3p04hxESs01l9AXfUW1NpyEHv4WdM2vIfzwc9_4TdQ5feXf-33ZvlSk8_jjMZifpfZ9l70AXTP4GRvaVP38XYUTzbYJv/s1600/bbq.jpg" /></a>Since my last blog, which was, embarrassingly, several weeks ago, I have completed my last craft event this side of summer. I made the decision a couple of years ago not to hold events between late May and September; I found that people coming into the town centre were there mainly to quickly get their BBQ goodies and their week's shopping and either nip back home to their garden, off to the beach or to buy supplies for their holiday travel. As both a stallholder and an event organiser, I know how disheartening it is when footfall is low. However, that doesn't mean to say work has stopped for the summer in the A Fair to Remember office - requests to take part in the autumn and winter events are coming in every day and I am still on the lookout for venues I can use that are in a busy town centre or (impossible I know) guaranteed to attract a high footfall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85d7a5Agwr0KtkHarJcj4lvfsdfOMk5iFeRupHeiQNND0j2fme4vTAN5lXNMB8NNVRFLT4w2H6UandfYmxZuyX0KcrRIHWpITd1vG0LmcBV0_0S1kG8EVo4FHdf8_NXqZnLJFP8QSl-3H/s1600/chelsea-flower-show-poste-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85d7a5Agwr0KtkHarJcj4lvfsdfOMk5iFeRupHeiQNND0j2fme4vTAN5lXNMB8NNVRFLT4w2H6UandfYmxZuyX0KcrRIHWpITd1vG0LmcBV0_0S1kG8EVo4FHdf8_NXqZnLJFP8QSl-3H/s1600/chelsea-flower-show-poste-007.jpg" /></a>What else have I been doing? Catching up with friends, lots of gardening, visiting Wisley to see their plans for improvements and changes, spending a day at the Chelsea Flower Show; not sure I agreed with the choice of Best in Show or the Peoples Choice Best in Show, but hey that's what Chelsea does, creates controversy and talking points and we wouldn't really want it any other way, would we? Of course, almost needless to say, a big talking point was Diarmuid Gavin's garden with its spinning trees, roof rising up and down and flower beds spinning around the building - great fun and he can be relied on to do something very, very different.<br />
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I am still a one-day-a-week potter - I love the course, feel I sometimes move one or two steps forwards only to fall three steps back, but it is great fun. My fellow potters are friendly and some of them are incredibly talented and I am not too sure why they are not selling their work for hundreds (if not thousands) of pounds. I still have the 'what I see in my mind's eye, doesn't match what I produce' problem, but I can't be talented at everything (as if), can I?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8vcHypcGvS0BKlBpUL3bN0ezC_jb3Dw2TMlDyj0LU-tP9whB2_tZv6P9-BaDco8n1VA63Xu2Ej8uTm3mtvq6ECI-jpjCzOifLPnznlno7vvX4QDyZswo7G8spr7EKks4gmZaqZE1yjCk/s1600/blog+pic+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8vcHypcGvS0BKlBpUL3bN0ezC_jb3Dw2TMlDyj0LU-tP9whB2_tZv6P9-BaDco8n1VA63Xu2Ej8uTm3mtvq6ECI-jpjCzOifLPnznlno7vvX4QDyZswo7G8spr7EKks4gmZaqZE1yjCk/s1600/blog+pic+wreath.jpg" /></a>I am looking to take part in events (as a stallholder) in the winter months and prefer to do two or three day ones. The first day is always hectic and it is great to be able to walk away at the end of the day and arrive the next day knowing all I need to do is uncover, tidy and begin selling. The Farnham Maltings Christmas event is open for applications and I will have a go. I was disappointed not to get in last year, but was very surprised that this year they are showing a video on their website from the 2014 event which has some of my work! <br />
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I am on a bit of a go-slow at the moment as I have damaged ligaments around my right knee. I have dodgy knees and weak ankles so it doesn't take much to give me mobility issues. However, I have no idea how I damaged the ligaments - I have racked my brains as to when and how it happened and I really don't know. On anti-inflammatory medication and about to start physiotherapy, so hopefully it should soon be better - although one week on and it is still pretty painful. It is easy for doctor's to say 'rest', but in real life that is almost impossible.<br />
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So embarrassing, I wrote this post and didn't publish it - er, not too sure why. However, I think an update is needed. I didn't get my application for the Farnham Maltings completed in time, so sadly I won't be taking part this year. My knee is still giving me trouble - turned out to not be ligaments, but physio doesn't know exactly what it is so a return to the doc's this week is on my list of 'to-do's'. My<br />
pottery course has now finished until September - lots of plans on what to make next term, but I am possibly going to return to making my face pots, which I enjoy and they seem to work out fairly well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVGINy_iqGvqWkWEGTur2yiE5kGTRHOaSA_DlYW2eDc4nDbcfR6bSic9QiojD-hbBj7Y1wupcQg7R2cbUer0l5wEGlgKx7jrTU9fhVEnq4Q2aILbRx3xahkK3R_lSB3j6EQ62lP8eSaR2/s1600/Jersey.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVGINy_iqGvqWkWEGTur2yiE5kGTRHOaSA_DlYW2eDc4nDbcfR6bSic9QiojD-hbBj7Y1wupcQg7R2cbUer0l5wEGlgKx7jrTU9fhVEnq4Q2aILbRx3xahkK3R_lSB3j6EQ62lP8eSaR2/s1600/Jersey.png" /></a>Richard and I went to Jersey for a few days this week - the weather was a mix of cloudy and sunny. We lovely Jersey and it was nice to go back to places we knew and also to stay in our favourite hotel. <br />
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More or less up-to-date - nearly forgot have just watched Andy Murray win Wimbledon. A great match and a great player.<br />
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Have a great week everyone. Now for my 100 lines: I must regularly update my blog, I must regularly update my blog.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-41162312291280003862016-04-18T04:10:00.005-07:002016-04-18T04:10:44.819-07:00PARKINSON'S AWARENESS WEEKHi everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-1CWKv9iOrItyDPVnlCrNQJravHt-dXIfygDdSesZBT3n446E75JFwkweNz9yhFp730K0L3sYvj7gfp6_Hf6lza8drqpo7oXgZm4hB_xdzl1zluxdT9kcQL9xj2Dg8dmfN-QSkdwFKUH/s1600/frosty+plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-1CWKv9iOrItyDPVnlCrNQJravHt-dXIfygDdSesZBT3n446E75JFwkweNz9yhFp730K0L3sYvj7gfp6_Hf6lza8drqpo7oXgZm4hB_xdzl1zluxdT9kcQL9xj2Dg8dmfN-QSkdwFKUH/s1600/frosty+plants.jpg" /></a>What a beautiful day it was yesterday in Christmas Pie land and it looks as though today will be just as lovely (although the sun has just popped in). Wall-to-wall sunshine after a very frosty start which didn't seem to do any damage to tender plants in the garden. The temptation when it is sunny is to bring everything out of the greenhouse, plant up pots and baskets and think 'yipee, summer's here'. Sadly we can still have frosty weather for several more weeks and having carefully looked after many tender plants throughout the winter, I would hate to lose them now.<br />
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This week is <a href="http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/content/parkinsons-awareness-week-2016-events-0?gclid=CKiLj-WCmMwCFcsW0wod8VkBqA" target="_blank">Parkinson's Awareness Week</a>. Some of you may know that my sister was diagnosed with this early last year; it was a shock to her family and friends, although she had been feeling it was a possibility for sometime. Apart from being a get-up-and-go and rarely sit-down-person, she used to be the amazing front-of-house person at my events in Godalming and was a great help in increasing the footfall throughout last year. Sadly, she is not able to do this for me now as she becomes tired easily and a busy day can often mean two or three slow and painful days to recover.<br />
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My sister is a third generation family member to have Parkinson's and we, as yet, do not know if the next generation has or will be similarly affected.<br />
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She has been busily posting on Facebook and Twitter today to get peoples attention about this week and I have been sharing, liking and re-tweeting her posts and those from Parkinson's associations. I have posted separately on Facebook and asked my followers to share, like and visit the various Parkinson's Facebook pages to share, like and help raise awareness, and I hope my blog followers will show their support too.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-70840464666313588052016-03-31T02:47:00.002-07:002016-03-31T02:47:46.581-07:00THE SUN HAS DEFINITELY GOT HIS HAT ON, BUT STILL NEEDS TO WEAR A WOOLLY JUMPERHello everyone<br />
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It's a beautiful sunny day here in Christmas Pie - how about where you are? I hope you didn't have any problems from Katie? She was in a pretty bad mood around here - internal doors were rattling, but as with all bad weather, our cats didn't move a whisker! The bottom of our garden flooded, but it does that frequently - apart from wheelie bins falling over, everything stayed in place.<br />
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My most recent A Fair to Remember event was on 19 March; bitterly cold weather, an empty town centre and rugby on the television meant numbers were not as good as hoped for, but we kept on smiling and had a big pre-Easter warm welcome for our visitors. Photographs of the beautiful work that was on sale can be found here <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FairtoRemember/" target="_blank">on the A Fair to Remember Facebook page.</a> Our next event is on 7 May and many of the stallhodlers who took part in the March event will be there too as well as lots of lovely new makers/sellers.<br />
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Earlier this month we went to Gozo for a week - the weather wasn't great all of the time, but we did have a couple of days when the temperature hit 22c. It was fairly quiet where we stayed (Xlendi), particularly in the evenings but as we had planned a lazy and loungey holiday, we didn't mind the peace and quiet. We had a fantastic view from our balcony:<br />
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A gorgeous sunny day-time view</div>
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A lovely night-time sun-setting view</div>
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The local 'stray' cats wander in and out of the restaurant and are well fed. This fellow, we named him George, jumped onto my lap and settled down for a long snooze. The majority of cats we met had been tipped, neutered and returned, so there is clearly a good network of cat carers in Malta and Gozo.</div>
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I like Gozo very much and feel I could happily live there - a long way to travel back for my craft fairs though, so perhaps have to think about moving there some time in the future.</div>
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I went to the Squirrel in Hurtmore last week for lunch with a couple of friends (Lesley and Dawn), apparently it has just been re-decorated and it does look good - very country-cottage style. Good food and a great host too. After pottery on Thursday met up with another friend (Linda) in the Watts Gallery coffee shop - gorgeous cake: one was beetroot and pumpkin seeds. Very tasty.</div>
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This month has been spent catching up with friends, work and the million and one other things that seem to keep falling off of my mental To-Do list. My To-Do list is a bit like a revolving door, just keeps returning to me expecting to be moved.</div>
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It's back-to-work time, so have a good weekend everyone. Sadly not a four-day one this time around, but another Bank Holiday is on its way.</div>
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Jill</div>
Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-17921191907486365182016-02-01T07:05:00.002-08:002016-02-01T07:05:10.878-08:00A BELATED FAREWELL TO A NOT SO GOOD YEARHello everyone<br />
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Sitting here putting the final touches to Saturday's event and reading the posts on a couple of blogs that I follow, made me realise that it really is about time I pulled my finger out and blogged. I have often said that I love blogging, yet it is five months since my last post. Five months!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt7vQFeaIzTrwsTZ88v2cpyGb3pgmROTthyphenhyphenOjIk65SW_mxhiVTgR62nddbcLSMcQIv1ZAbgRnFAvE1oyJXuuwiRUZjvuRxa_6y-mIRBaDMwHpbCYNxzy23RDWF0PfcAR5IqZtjn5XECb-/s1600/tt.php.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt7vQFeaIzTrwsTZ88v2cpyGb3pgmROTthyphenhyphenOjIk65SW_mxhiVTgR62nddbcLSMcQIv1ZAbgRnFAvE1oyJXuuwiRUZjvuRxa_6y-mIRBaDMwHpbCYNxzy23RDWF0PfcAR5IqZtjn5XECb-/s1600/tt.php.jpg" /></a>I am glad 2015 has been put to bed - it was not a good year. Early in the year my sister was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Although she had a feeling for some time that it was a possibility, we were hoping she was wrong. Although we have been told it is not hereditary, that is not always correct: our grandmother had it and an uncle has it, so it has travelled through three generations. It has been very hard to watch someone who was full of beans, here, there and everywhere, become someone that has had the stuffing knocked out of them. Life for her has by necessity become calmer and slower; like all PD sufferers she has good days and bad ones, in fact she can have a good hour, followed by a bad one. If she has a good day and does too much because she feels well, she will pay for it with one possible two or three bad days. How cruel is that?<br />
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A few months after this a good friend had a stroke - it was a minor one, but enough to make her <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE-Kce7TcarRHgqIgvZguRC-YOGg4MtLgB0EigVM1sJsgrBkA_7xJgujPKmtBf2ELJUhO58gRb7sSYxEgOOZNP-WHmXEv3WjJvrU1rW_o3sd1upf9wjejLtMRmU5lbOGmKwPCInEH64NV/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE-Kce7TcarRHgqIgvZguRC-YOGg4MtLgB0EigVM1sJsgrBkA_7xJgujPKmtBf2ELJUhO58gRb7sSYxEgOOZNP-WHmXEv3WjJvrU1rW_o3sd1upf9wjejLtMRmU5lbOGmKwPCInEH64NV/s1600/images.jpg" /></a>and us realise how something can just kick you in the teeth when you are least expecting it and cause you to make major life-changes. She is healthy, plays golf two or three times a week, gardens whenever possible and the very last person we would have expected this to happen to. How do you plan if you cannot see what is around the corner?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLjb7q9tjXzJX8TXiNxGpIcU61tDOPONhvYkZ5ZChtzxqV97L7iJsHxnPq5S8Z1Ezkf_vTBYTuSQczKyM5uNXwx4gMGjFHjk-43oe0KlYx_tx3idmAO93mtQIg_BlsyluoKz0zjOXxaDQ/s1600/toilet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLjb7q9tjXzJX8TXiNxGpIcU61tDOPONhvYkZ5ZChtzxqV97L7iJsHxnPq5S8Z1Ezkf_vTBYTuSQczKyM5uNXwx4gMGjFHjk-43oe0KlYx_tx3idmAO93mtQIg_BlsyluoKz0zjOXxaDQ/s1600/toilet.jpeg" /></a>My turn next. I, like lots of people, have IBS (apparently 1 in 5 people suffer from this) and at the beginning of the year it was particularly bad, but I put it down to life being very stressful at the time. Around mid-year it became so painful that I had to go to the docs's. Tests were carried out, one of which threw up something that prompted a speedy colonoscopy (oh, boy, a never to be repeated 'exercise' - I hope). The diagnosis was (is) Diverticulitis - thankfully not as bad as we had originally thought, but not great. Interesting really because apparently I still have IBS and one requires a high fibre diet but the other requires a low fibre diet - very challenging. (Research tells me that diverticular disease is very common and most people have no symptoms). I know people will wonder why I am writing about something relating to 'that part of the body', but, hey, we all go to the loo and if I meet you and suddenly have to run off, it's nothing personal, I just have to go.<br />
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So a year of life-changing events all round. These together with the dishwasher packing up, swiftly followed by the washing machine doing the same and then one oven on our 'just out of guarantee' range deciding to join them, meant an interesting end to 2015 and an expensive start to 2016.<br />
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Well, 'they' say everything goes in three's so three health events and three kitchen disasters must mean we have had our quote for a long time - please.<br />
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Lots more to write about, but time to get back to finalising Saturday's event.<br />
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Have a good week everyone.<br />
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Jill Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-6007923606126817802015-08-26T03:36:00.003-07:002015-08-26T03:36:42.628-07:00NOW, WHERE WAS I?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hello everyone</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVhoc_N5Dg6YIHNti98sV059QOz3AdCWJFzzSLvx3kFTLzd7XauNbga-sVW3oOWskj5-JKgS9lPB6MX466kA5QRn3vIkaOD3UE2m_mX9xYJEy9t2bxC0fi4wAxEtibhjs7NxBNRtxRXZ1/s1600/Plugging-Into-New-Electronic-Gadgets-for-the-Holidays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVhoc_N5Dg6YIHNti98sV059QOz3AdCWJFzzSLvx3kFTLzd7XauNbga-sVW3oOWskj5-JKgS9lPB6MX466kA5QRn3vIkaOD3UE2m_mX9xYJEy9t2bxC0fi4wAxEtibhjs7NxBNRtxRXZ1/s1600/Plugging-Into-New-Electronic-Gadgets-for-the-Holidays.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWyezubld4nhkDCFqdjNU4KaUB6uIwrMpbZPKjLWr2GuQZhuCU_rNaXaO9ytAaOP6WFivBjyXydwNLFLOXTnFnD_01QjONp0aFZNc25PgtQlNPGTOmdF974ZsfmktJHvfejnoWAoiAdUV/s1600/Plugging-Into-New-Electronic-Gadgets-for-the-Holidays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="float: right;"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love blogging, I really enjoy it as it is a great way to
keep in touch with followers, visitors and friends and family who I may not see
as often as I would like to. Recently it seems to be getting harder and
harder to blog regularly. I feel guilty because there are the occasional
(very, very rare) days when I look back and can't see what I have done -
although I feel I am on the go all of the time. I was chatting with a
friend yesterday about this and we both agreed that despite having so many 'time-saving'
gadgets, wonderful technology, etc there really is no time saved, just more
time spent on pressing all of the buttons to make the gadgets work!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is hard to believe that we are approaching
the last Bank Holiday of the year before Christmas - frightening and judging by
the weather and the state of the trees around here, autumn is well and truly
here! Friends of ours flew off to Australia a couple of weeks ago and are
missing this wonderful wet weather - I am sure they are so disappointed.
However, looking at the forecast, I have sneaky feeling that they might
just be lucky enough to experience some wet weather when they arrive back in September.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0eYNI_8h9bSxE64fU6igZJo3MB3ooUt8dLKn4rB6g4tPlR_kW_Cr51ANW-mGyhVYXUJ-b_kUJ56xGOcT2scPjFRtvdaSBhO_SrJ186d4ZX82MbSyCpBG8xFen59l6xz9ZC6d6CxWhqUg/s1600/juggler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0eYNI_8h9bSxE64fU6igZJo3MB3ooUt8dLKn4rB6g4tPlR_kW_Cr51ANW-mGyhVYXUJ-b_kUJ56xGOcT2scPjFRtvdaSBhO_SrJ186d4ZX82MbSyCpBG8xFen59l6xz9ZC6d6CxWhqUg/s1600/juggler.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So what have I been doing recently? Working on my events – lots to do and the
first one is less than two months away. I
am still looking for Event Assistants. I
have one person signed up, but really want a team so that I have back-ups if
someone is unwell on the day of an event.
I find it very hard to believe that nobody wants or needs work around
here – no commitment, just one day (or event) at a time. I know Surrey is an affluent area, but on social
media sites there are people asking for work in this locality, just not interested in my work - perhaps because they have to be self-employed? Oh well, perhpas nearer the time of the events, people will being to think some extra money would be welcome.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxxm6Vq62buIqfN2612AFJKxB4yn_Xkq6kcXQICH5nPCOFr9xknT_3SI0BnD536bD7SYjblKW1w213ZnEUHWAdAKvKM7AwY__QbjB3LDDtISHnBR1B-SYHY5WJURFC5rRpGwhyPX24iRQ/s1600/sakarya-web-tasar%25C4%25B1m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxxm6Vq62buIqfN2612AFJKxB4yn_Xkq6kcXQICH5nPCOFr9xknT_3SI0BnD536bD7SYjblKW1w213ZnEUHWAdAKvKM7AwY__QbjB3LDDtISHnBR1B-SYHY5WJURFC5rRpGwhyPX24iRQ/s1600/sakarya-web-tasar%25C4%25B1m.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I recently helped my pottery tutor create her website and someone contacted
her asking if they could be put in touch with the website designer (er,
me?). Could this be a whole new
career? I don’t think so, but it is
proving interesting recommending/agreeing designs, photographs, etc, but not really something I would like to do on a permanent basis - adding another string to my already buckling bow is not on my To-Do list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not quite up-to-date in my blog-land, but sort of-ish. Have a good Bank Holiday weekend everyone, fingers crossed the sun shines for some of the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jill</span></div>
Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-50676888742429884742015-07-22T07:34:00.001-07:002015-07-22T07:34:59.872-07:00MILLY'S DIARYHello everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio22p_SHgCEn8VgbrvLtNB_vv40lFftcFfKrtVU_2FT4VEesDykmAxW-ikZ0rx1BlsbE2-faPFi8-dGkzOyR8Aabov9Oso_4YnCd10vnxRDky3YfbGQ5b32UzJ1dJoOEhCHJraTCNCOU7n/s1600/snoring+cat.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio22p_SHgCEn8VgbrvLtNB_vv40lFftcFfKrtVU_2FT4VEesDykmAxW-ikZ0rx1BlsbE2-faPFi8-dGkzOyR8Aabov9Oso_4YnCd10vnxRDky3YfbGQ5b32UzJ1dJoOEhCHJraTCNCOU7n/s1600/snoring+cat.png" /></a>Not much sunshine today, so I am spending time inside - snoozing! It's something we cats do pretty well, need no training for, can do at the drop of a whisker and, it has been said, something we do for about 17 hours a day. Not me though, too much to do outside. <br />
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However, I haven't been outside much for the last couple of days because the 'visiting cat' is scary! Yes, I know I don't scare easily and I normally take no notice of other cats, but he keeps chasing me and because he is about 6 times bigger than I am I have spent a lot of time recently hiding behind sofas, under chairs and in cupboards. This is not the image I like to project! I may be small, but I think big! He argues with Jazz, but doesn't seem too bothered with Daisy, Coco or Poppy. He sometimes nips into our neighbour's garden and rolls in her cat mint - probably high as a kite when he chases me!<br />
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Scary Cat hasn't been in our garden today, so it might be safe for me to go outside for a while. Have to keep my eyes open though because he does sometimes curl up and sleep in one of the flower beds - ready to chase me as I wander by.<br />
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A mini post today, I am going to give the big outside world (my garden that is) another reccie - come back next week to see how I am managing my life with Scary Cat.<br />
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MillyChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-77035834324229983322015-07-20T02:21:00.002-07:002015-07-20T02:50:29.116-07:00JUST NICELY BLOGGING ALONGHell everyone<br />
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It's raining! Not much rain has fallen, but my garden is loving it. Fingers crossed we get some more. Okay, I prefer it to rain during the night, but at the moment I am grateful for any rain. <br />
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Talking of rain, I went with a couple of friends to the RHS Wisley last Monday. Although it occasionally rained, we had a lovely day wandering around the gardens. So surprised at how busy the car park was and how quiet the gardens were - until we went for coffee and then later for lunch! Clearly the eateries are more than/just as popular as the gardens! It always pleases me to see weeds growing in the Wisley flower beds - I don't feel so bad when I look at my bindweed, mares tail and other pesky weeds!<br />
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In celebration of Lewis Carroll's 150th birthday, Wisley have a display of Alice in Wonderland sculptures and this is one I particularly liked:<br />
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Now, I wonder if this could be my next pottery project....... As always the lips would be a problem, but I have mastered noses.<br />
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I love Clematis and this is a very pretty one, Princess Diana, that is beginning to get established in a container in our garden:<br />
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Another favourite flower is this beautiful Calla Lily - we have three pots of different colours place around the pond. One variety is almost black and when in full flower, I will photograph it - at the moment it only has one flower on it.</div>
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I got home from Wisley to the disappointing news that my application to take part in this year's Farnham Maltings Christmas Fair had not been successful. However, onward and upward and I finished the week on a high having been accepted to take part in the two-day Packhouse Antiques Centre Christmas Night Market. <br />
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This week has been a catching up with friends week. After Wisley Monday, met up with another friend for a quick chat and coffee on Tuesday morning and spent Friday with my sister. In between tried to keep up-to-date with event organisation work and making stock - the good weather makes it hard to work inside, but lucky for me 'making' can be done outside. We finished the week off with a BBQ at a friend's on Saturday - great fun and with 25 of us there, the 'Chef' did an amazing job: everything ready at the same time, nothing burnt - very impressive. Well done Hugh.<br />
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We have a very beautiful cat that keeps visiting our garden. Apparently he lives locally, but not too sure why he would want to be with us. Five cats and four next door - not an ideal place for a strange cat to linger. He has beautiful blue eyes:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsHH8wXNqdBReFpBocMApkuE3QPzss7dZGgVq5c2Bd3d7wqaoqWnP7RYp78D4_7GSwsFccUk9R1SkJ9YGsOP0Jqax0ImWGX1A6MDQuEfR_IamYUFFVxgyzVlFbpetOPV52yauR4zkdiZp/s1600/visitor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsHH8wXNqdBReFpBocMApkuE3QPzss7dZGgVq5c2Bd3d7wqaoqWnP7RYp78D4_7GSwsFccUk9R1SkJ9YGsOP0Jqax0ImWGX1A6MDQuEfR_IamYUFFVxgyzVlFbpetOPV52yauR4zkdiZp/s320/visitor.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Back to work now - it is still raining so I am a happy bunny.<br />
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Have a great week everyone - 'see' you soon.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-89363849569051416102015-07-05T07:09:00.003-07:002015-07-05T09:29:20.975-07:00 CRAFTER OR EVENT ORGANISER - CAN I BE BOTH?Hello everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PdK-NBrU1p-6v5x_jUiQdeZMCJdFqFAxBpW-p8b9OrW8HQ91dYKCHauC5GS3hF_B8QhGYaeoxib5YvbCPfhyRiWDTJ5v_OenjsrLeL9Rs5704GuTSxlvB2wa5az1EqvjIzhDJZbSDLFR/s1600/sp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PdK-NBrU1p-6v5x_jUiQdeZMCJdFqFAxBpW-p8b9OrW8HQ91dYKCHauC5GS3hF_B8QhGYaeoxib5YvbCPfhyRiWDTJ5v_OenjsrLeL9Rs5704GuTSxlvB2wa5az1EqvjIzhDJZbSDLFR/s1600/sp.jpg" /></a>Wow! What a hot week it has been. If anyone dare says we haven't had a good summer, I will be just a little bit upset. Okay, I know we still have lots of potential summer-time to go, but so far, so good. The garden loves this weather, means lots of watering, but everything is blooming (including the weeds!), my tomatoes are doing very well and the sweet peas are gorgeous. We planted some near to our back door and they have done really well, they are in a position where it is easy to water them, which really does help.<br />
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This week was spent getting work ready to photograph to send with my application to take part in the Farnham Maltings Christmas Fair. This was a very successful event for me last year, so I really would like to be part of it again this year. One of my submissions was a hessian bag I had decorated with glittery butterflies - these bags have proved to be and still are very popular and I do enjoy working on them<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd499QrCz1-qdxWLa9F2n8Suj6IUIyTeD11cPpmyWsIrLbHnAFFFhgiduZkeulb1nI6oMJEht425NHO6zC4piRizTcf1X5yKrU3JPmPD_7lCQWTxQ9Bre5rhkE_CVhoF-kBcI38tvkB5QV/s1600/Hand-decorated+butterfly+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd499QrCz1-qdxWLa9F2n8Suj6IUIyTeD11cPpmyWsIrLbHnAFFFhgiduZkeulb1nI6oMJEht425NHO6zC4piRizTcf1X5yKrU3JPmPD_7lCQWTxQ9Bre5rhkE_CVhoF-kBcI38tvkB5QV/s320/Hand-decorated+butterfly+bag.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCgeSxd8IF_1ZF73WBjq-gpt7T8Ozq7K8TU6ai6cNT6Mbmq8UFoEDIX2T-2QpiPo9KedlxOObFtdGaYeUPPGYIk0W5nAOiKdxjocIfi8g1Kqn2nE1tJws0a5AzRZPxOXL3-MxZGR7unnz/s1600/vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCgeSxd8IF_1ZF73WBjq-gpt7T8Ozq7K8TU6ai6cNT6Mbmq8UFoEDIX2T-2QpiPo9KedlxOObFtdGaYeUPPGYIk0W5nAOiKdxjocIfi8g1Kqn2nE1tJws0a5AzRZPxOXL3-MxZGR7unnz/s1600/vintage.jpg" /></a>I don't take part in many fairs these days, I am more 'this side' of the table and working on my application did make me stop and think about where I am going. Organising events is incredibly time-consuming and hard work and even though I have planned for my events to take place in the last four months of the year (one or two at the beginning of the year as well), they still take up around 2, sometimes 3 hours a day on admin. I have also added a new string to my event organising bow: <a href="http://www.villagevintage.org/" target="_blank">Surrey Village Vintage</a>. The aim of these events is to have all things vintage, but only vintage - I am being helped with this new venture by Fee Fraser, who is my 'Vintage Consultant'. Fee has a lot of experience in this area, lots of contacts and great ideas to help the events go well, standout and become established. If you are into vintage, check out the events on the website and make a date to visit one of them.</div>
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It isn't decision time in Christmas Pie Crafts, but possibly time to become more organised so that both crafting and event organising can be part of my life without feeling one misses out.</div>
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Off to the garden now - our pond is looking a bit too full of water lily leaves. Beautiful though they are, they are rapid growers and soon cover the surface of the pond. The fish just about manage to peek out - mind you it is partly their fault that the lilies grow so well.</div>
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Have a great week everyone - see you at my next blog post.</div>
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Jill</div>
Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-71067139024156147812015-07-01T09:29:00.001-07:002015-07-01T09:29:40.192-07:00MILLY'S DIARYHello everyone<br />
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How are you coping with this very hot weather? I am very sensible and stay in the shade for most of <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j8tVnzar2qtR6D_QNxmI3-e5LCjbU5D7FbWulvNXIn6A6JrZ3o53bLoB0E6kuwMKgVHtRin8-xzqTMVcZVUcop5VRwZ-PHSVq8H253W61oagpL5mOsH9YajmZCqwx8KXiiqikykue0o6/s1600/tumblr_lxwneqc1Y71r9sry9o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j8tVnzar2qtR6D_QNxmI3-e5LCjbU5D7FbWulvNXIn6A6JrZ3o53bLoB0E6kuwMKgVHtRin8-xzqTMVcZVUcop5VRwZ-PHSVq8H253W61oagpL5mOsH9YajmZCqwx8KXiiqikykue0o6/s1600/tumblr_lxwneqc1Y71r9sry9o1_500.jpg" /></a>the day - being black and white means I have some sensitive bits and have to be careful. We cats are struggling in this weather, but Jill and Richard make sure we have plenty of water - plus you can't beat a drop of pond water, water from a plant saucer or from a puddle. Yum!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit01NBTz-JgnTCJD58-HIB32vGBjEfbWo8dHCbFMSOIpIMx4JTVRptXfgtx20SrC5X-tYRW_NuLx9Vrre5Tuwf9E_260bpiC9-UKgOJNIvshtBFSthf73K3mfbia0tPpVH6_IvFpbqXOU/s1600/youwall-laughing-cat-free_163632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit01NBTz-JgnTCJD58-HIB32vGBjEfbWo8dHCbFMSOIpIMx4JTVRptXfgtx20SrC5X-tYRW_NuLx9Vrre5Tuwf9E_260bpiC9-UKgOJNIvshtBFSthf73K3mfbia0tPpVH6_IvFpbqXOU/s1600/youwall-laughing-cat-free_163632.jpg" /></a>I forgot to tell you last week that Jazz had to go to the vets. That boy is a regular visitor there and I understand there is talk of him having his own named seat. Jazz had a very poorly eye and Jill had to give him half an antibiotic tablet twice a day and squish some eye ointment into his poorly eye. Poppy, Coco, Daisy and I thought it was hilarious watching Jill and Richard trying to get Jazz to take his medication. Not sure why, but they didn't find it so funny. I have said it on many occasions, humans are weird!<br />
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Poppy caught a magpie last week, but it got away. She dragged it into the hedge, and it shot out squeaking and squawking, followed by a rather embarrassed Poppy. She doesn't appear to have tried to catch any since then.<br />
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It's hot inside, so I am off to find a cool spot. I will be back next week and paws crossed, the weather will be a little cooler. Before I go, please don't forget to take care of your animals in this heat:<br />
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Don't leave them in cars<br />
Make sure they have plenty of water<br />
Take dogs for their walk very early or late at night when it is cooler.<br />
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'See' you next week.<br />
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MillyChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-15107957278018292322015-06-29T10:56:00.001-07:002015-06-29T10:56:34.673-07:00HOT STUFF HERE IN NORMANDYHi everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_NAKZ4n4F2g3GDMKx2Ov5IjLYkgj4cAca8QlPKjlsdCFGtommCOO5r3RewgPxotsR1trDjITOGHM_16BwF453-FfeO28j3i2n_C6WrX-0BnAHmGvHUQ82EItM2rBKXteEkJgbV-2FLJ5/s1600/hot+sun.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_NAKZ4n4F2g3GDMKx2Ov5IjLYkgj4cAca8QlPKjlsdCFGtommCOO5r3RewgPxotsR1trDjITOGHM_16BwF453-FfeO28j3i2n_C6WrX-0BnAHmGvHUQ82EItM2rBKXteEkJgbV-2FLJ5/s1600/hot+sun.jpeg" /></a>It is hot and getting hotter. Can we cope with 32 - 34 degrees this week? Of course we can, we moan so much about the weather when it is hot and then moan when it isn't, but it is so nice to have sunny days. Perhaps some rain at night would be welcome - we have recently had a water meter installed (compulsory) and to long watering sessions for my plants are no more. The information given out that 'you will probably pay less than you used to' is not quite true - well not for us, in a short space of time ours has shot up by £5 per month. Will be interesting to see what the cost is after one year of metered water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvID9NGRzBolGfIB_4aDjENig7WvVHWuYzB8zoTW5DfAZr48Yk42Uf_LMMiceS9pB6h6i69YIQepscMfJRToJOpN9_wy5sV9MWSnF0mzGqMFQqL-Ma-_ncVq9N71sS33RXs9wAhxe6JJxF/s1600/Touble+with+this+company.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvID9NGRzBolGfIB_4aDjENig7WvVHWuYzB8zoTW5DfAZr48Yk42Uf_LMMiceS9pB6h6i69YIQepscMfJRToJOpN9_wy5sV9MWSnF0mzGqMFQqL-Ma-_ncVq9N71sS33RXs9wAhxe6JJxF/s1600/Touble+with+this+company.png" /></a>I had planned to take time off during the summer from event organisation, but the best laid plans, etc, etc. Last year I applied in July to take part in an event that was taking place in November. Despite the paperwork saying 'you will be contacted within two weeks', no contact was made - in fact in all it took them nearly three months to reply and then it was to tell me I had been unsuccessful. I did contact them a couple of times because there were other events taking place around the time of theirs that I was wondering if I should apply for. Perhaps they were offended that I dared to question their professionalism as one of their replies to my chase said 'it is summer and we are busy with our families' I appreciate and respect that, but they are running a business and should remember that communication is a vital part of their business - it shows their commitment and interest, both of which I feel were lacking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxpntgc7YIK5iUje3ubBz3Y_WHQNhMsjqEQubcyRM71kWVV0BxLg36wIkP-b23lhPLACnbYvqxa_5uiUL88GzDV3hHH8Di6w9C4ik_IOqwIzuPUSRaE6Bvb46ueLKN9kYvV5cfKZOE5Zz/s1600/reply+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxpntgc7YIK5iUje3ubBz3Y_WHQNhMsjqEQubcyRM71kWVV0BxLg36wIkP-b23lhPLACnbYvqxa_5uiUL88GzDV3hHH8Di6w9C4ik_IOqwIzuPUSRaE6Bvb46ueLKN9kYvV5cfKZOE5Zz/s1600/reply+button.jpg" /></a>Sorry, hadn't meant to whinge, now back to what I was talking about. I had planned to take a break to concentrate on my own craft and wedding stationery businesses. However, as applications for my events are coming in every day, I cannot ignore them and aim to reply to emails from stallholders and potential stallholders within 24 - 48 hours from receiving their message.<br />
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This week has been replying to emails, emailing potential stallholders for my new venture <a href="http://www.villagevintage.org/" target="_blank">Surrey Village Vintage</a> and preparing my applications for some two and three day events I would like to take part in. If you are a 'strictly vintage' seller and fancy joining me in my new venture, please do get in touch - there is an application form on the website and it would be lovely to have some blog followers join me.<br />
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Off to cool down - something long and very sparkly in a glass would be nice. Hope you have a good weekend and remember to keep cool.<br />
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Jill<br />
<br />Christmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-28761836644697311072015-06-24T12:48:00.002-07:002015-06-24T12:48:51.176-07:00MILLY'S DIARYHello everyone<br />
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Lots of gorgeous sunshine today - just my kind of weather.<br />
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Jill and Richard went on holiday and we are lucky that we don't have to go into a cattery while they are away. Our friend, Jean, looks after us; she feeds us, reads us stories, plays with us and makes sure we are safe. I was very well-behaved, I didn't remove anything from the local wildlife while they were on holiday (but embarrassed to admit I made up for it yesterday). We did miss them very much while they were away and gave them lots of cuddles and purrs when they got back. No presents from them for us though!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfQpvUxLT8brGiJJBbIaqlyzR_qfi1TOZ8sLDOGVh8UFoCleaA8vKhHBLAmdFUegKRD0RfRYln7TQ4si_GOVozt_Z0HcWMoqxaZSyKfifFnURBXEPfF1UbBFXuUfcyA5iV040ZAPw-WVf/s1600/Spud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfQpvUxLT8brGiJJBbIaqlyzR_qfi1TOZ8sLDOGVh8UFoCleaA8vKhHBLAmdFUegKRD0RfRYln7TQ4si_GOVozt_Z0HcWMoqxaZSyKfifFnURBXEPfF1UbBFXuUfcyA5iV040ZAPw-WVf/s1600/Spud.jpg" /></a></div>
Jill read in the newspaper this week that Alan Titchmarsh's cat, Spud, had died recently. Jill remembers watching Gardener's World when it was presented by Mr T and Spud often used to steal scenes from him by walking by, moving into shot, sitting in a spot where he was trying to plant something - all the things cats are good at. Bye-bye Spud.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLyEfeYyRb8ox1E6Q9za35sm4nF5H81ROdrIj8yVvu_rJIPIMX-9lpok2GH0gnsczLOhyphenhyphenN8twJCoZdj6wgEI39fD4VO2QizMPBcR9NUBEY14bhVnFvUCLcfNO3cJ2_Mou1sxv89uC1xxW/s1600/cat-nip-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLyEfeYyRb8ox1E6Q9za35sm4nF5H81ROdrIj8yVvu_rJIPIMX-9lpok2GH0gnsczLOhyphenhyphenN8twJCoZdj6wgEI39fD4VO2QizMPBcR9NUBEY14bhVnFvUCLcfNO3cJ2_Mou1sxv89uC1xxW/s1600/cat-nip-9.jpg" /></a>We had a strange cat visiting today - a long-haired Siamese boy. Our neighbour has cat nip and we think he was after that. It is very hard to resist and Poppy and Coco are always rolling in it and come home looking very spaced-out. I am very strong-willed though and it doesn't really interest me - mind you when Poppy and Coco are on the scent, nobody gets a look in!<br />
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Bed-time for me - the sun rises really early and I make sure everyone gets up so that I can spend as much time outside as possible. I want to top up my tan.<br />
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Have a good week everyone - see you next week.<br />
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MillyChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-37737190365134086242015-06-22T03:07:00.000-07:002015-06-22T23:00:52.555-07:00SUN, SEA AND SEAFOOD - WHAT MORE COULD I ASK FORHello everyone<br />
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Just back from a week in lovely Xlendi (pictured here) on the island of Gozo. The temperature was around 30 degrees all week and it was a good excuse to relax, read lots and get a nice sun tan. <br />
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We stayed in the San Andrea Hotel which is 2 seconds (well possibly 3) from the sea and I really recommend this hotel for its location, friendly staff and great restaurant (the Zafira). Despite on two nights having over one hundred guests in the inside part of the restaurant for events, the staff still maintained their usual excellent service for all diners. This was the view from our hotel:<br />
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There are lots of beautiful bays on Gozo, which is a very popular island for divers. Every morning during breakfast, we would watch the divers from a local school go off for their morning dive. I used to think 'no way could I get into those suits in this heat'. On their return they looked as though they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and came back the next day for another session.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhRdIU4lbYu5IwI27ZlJfVFpuQAPpgRyJOXU_VvyWY99k2B9GCtE-ZHmtZvCuPEN2reguFYKX2ei-pABAnYUd2n63lSQqf0Q4Xh0U5TUb7K0fuJyCrPIYAArWXWjGAdhy6DwpKZDRE1Gq/s1600/gozo+three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhRdIU4lbYu5IwI27ZlJfVFpuQAPpgRyJOXU_VvyWY99k2B9GCtE-ZHmtZvCuPEN2reguFYKX2ei-pABAnYUd2n63lSQqf0Q4Xh0U5TUb7K0fuJyCrPIYAArWXWjGAdhy6DwpKZDRE1Gq/s1600/gozo+three.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are many beautiful churches on Gozo and this is one that we photographed because of the spectacular paintings on the towers on either side of the building:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauZFjo2iwtCY3E79Iq_WHep9yBJ6UVoEcwa4JeWFJAGQPDzrbtckW-nV9p7azDckDoSMOfoGWV1YvXcBwALqkA5gHPMqCBzZ-ct87fnSWSTIcVYlo_7KvoZbdn0TU0CQO-D8aWtCQlUJX/s1600/gozo+church+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauZFjo2iwtCY3E79Iq_WHep9yBJ6UVoEcwa4JeWFJAGQPDzrbtckW-nV9p7azDckDoSMOfoGWV1YvXcBwALqkA5gHPMqCBzZ-ct87fnSWSTIcVYlo_7KvoZbdn0TU0CQO-D8aWtCQlUJX/s320/gozo+church+one.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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As well as being a cat fanatic, I am also a seafood/fish fanatic. This holiday allowed me to indulge my fishy taste and every day was a fishy treat for me: lobster, prawns, seam bream, squid, octopus and many other delicious goodies. The restaurants we visited were all in and around the Xlendi bay and throughout our stay they were visited by three lovely tabby cats - did we feed them? Of course we did, how could we not. Here is photograph of one of them:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11lW3JjMi49ykTHGraGirDwYnMo-wnCrl8J3Z8f8y4UQP2WYB9PWq1ZwUGkj3V1FVHXPGuA-lECscjI-7VmQgZtkdJzDxVVvrN0i5jLPAbE7lxfUgSWS4hd4fGoaHrlBQcPKjXKFmHmd-/s1600/Gozo+tabby+cat+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11lW3JjMi49ykTHGraGirDwYnMo-wnCrl8J3Z8f8y4UQP2WYB9PWq1ZwUGkj3V1FVHXPGuA-lECscjI-7VmQgZtkdJzDxVVvrN0i5jLPAbE7lxfUgSWS4hd4fGoaHrlBQcPKjXKFmHmd-/s1600/Gozo+tabby+cat+one.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can see that he has one ear 'tipped'; this means he has been tipped, neutered and returned and is supported by the local SPCA. Needless to say they are very friendly because they are hoping for food. The restaurant staff are very tolerant of them and the majority of diners are too.<br />
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It's back to work now, although I did try to keep an eye on business communications while I was away. My new venture, Village Vintage is up and running and I am recruiting stallholders, so if you are 'strictly vintage' and would like to take part in my vintage events, please do get in touch. The Surrey Bazaar events are filling up nicely and I am planning to spend more time on my wedding stationery business.<br />
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I hope you all have a good week and I will be back again very soon with more Christmas Pie news.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-55074952419781941772015-05-27T08:34:00.003-07:002015-05-27T09:13:29.765-07:00MILLY'S DIARYHello everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVcXhAnuzp7JBJCvad_9A6t6osea05ZEZk7FuwSNPUxM0RfCSsBGoChAWwUR26hx7x9VKp5ZM38WNLXU7YBJuoLOHwi4cbdDkvINc6RcVC5XVIOw-7IuKsuhITafOj1Iw2JmOxVDR8wPy/s1600/Milly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVcXhAnuzp7JBJCvad_9A6t6osea05ZEZk7FuwSNPUxM0RfCSsBGoChAWwUR26hx7x9VKp5ZM38WNLXU7YBJuoLOHwi4cbdDkvINc6RcVC5XVIOw-7IuKsuhITafOj1Iw2JmOxVDR8wPy/s1600/Milly.jpg" /></a>Feeling incredibly guilty here, even more guilty than Jill is feeling - no blogging for absolutely ages. Now, what excuse can I give? Busy looking after foster kittens? No, Jill isn't looking after them now, so my caring, helpfuness isn't needed. Busy looking after my fellow house-cats? No way! They can take care of themselves. I don't do 'looking after'. Apart from the usual cat-like things that cats do, I have been busy just being me: beautiful! It isn't hard work for me to be beautiful, but I do like to spend time on myself and despite Jill's saying my white sometimes looks grey, I don't believe her! My black fur always shines and my white fur is always sparkling - nearly forgot my nose, which is always pretty pink. Miss Perfect it is then.<br />
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Sorry, got off track there a bit. Now, why haven't I blogged for ages and ages? When you are small, or delicate as I like to think of myself, it can be difficult reaching a keyboard - I have asked for a smaller gadget, but as usual my request has fallen on deaf ears. I have to wait until someone thinks 'oh, I wonder if Milly would like to write her diary' - yes, of course she would! Every week I give a gentle reminder, a tap on the face, a delicate claw stuck in a knee, a live frog brought into the kitchen but sadly most weeks I get ignored - is that any way to treat a beautiful cat?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50W_3iKt190LrgFik8ihaGPjdA1zusIC0Nt2smcrBGIRkDTKhmFNVeX6_T1I48UdGmfHiBWKK5MEMJyy_PznMGW5nXEvfIYRNlYkRWPoV1CCHcuVg1V0rdMbvb_QpceN4b6x0BGgF2j6L/s1600/slug-clipart-ngbbs50c2110117544.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50W_3iKt190LrgFik8ihaGPjdA1zusIC0Nt2smcrBGIRkDTKhmFNVeX6_T1I48UdGmfHiBWKK5MEMJyy_PznMGW5nXEvfIYRNlYkRWPoV1CCHcuVg1V0rdMbvb_QpceN4b6x0BGgF2j6L/s1600/slug-clipart-ngbbs50c2110117544.png" /></a>But as you can see, I am back! My blog is alive and kicking and I am one happy black and white girl. How did I manage it? I brought in a slug that was stuck on my head! As you can imagine, they gave in pretty quickly.<br />
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Have a good week everyone - slugs permitting, I will be back next week.<br />
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MillyChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-24585885022587955332015-05-22T04:42:00.000-07:002015-05-30T06:55:03.574-07:00DIDN'T WE HAVE A LOVELY TIME, THE DAY WE WENT TO CHELSEAHello everyone<br />
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I certainly did have a very lovely time at Chelsea on Wednesday. The weather was very kind to us, but boy did I suffer the day afterwards! Sore feet, aching back and arms as long as broom handles from carrying lots of goodies away with us.<br />
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The wonderful thing about Chelsea is that you get to see some weird and fabulous designs - some you think 'I wonder what was in their mind when they produced this design' as well as 'I wonder why the judges gave this a gold award' and sometimes 'I wonder why the judges didn't give this one an award'. Who knows what goes on in their mind, but it is the usual and the unusual that makes Chelsea fantastic every year.</div>
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My plant purchases included some more lovely Heucheras, Fuchsias and some Clematis, which will be collected by my Chelsea-loving friend when she is on holiday in Norfolk next month. Among my selection is this stunning very, very dark red/purple one (the picture does not do it justice because the real colour is much darker):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm07E5p0H8Oso9Ra_H7UNflu1P8w-5admh7-5wE_XQIXf0auCj1AFm5FuwMN3vKRPQVGdrgQZ73JseVughGUmTnLQMOBW6yUWku6sUl0X2fO_zdhB7VsnYXo2phaRvMRhfViJAoNR_kpdW/s1600/chelsea+2015+three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm07E5p0H8Oso9Ra_H7UNflu1P8w-5admh7-5wE_XQIXf0auCj1AFm5FuwMN3vKRPQVGdrgQZ73JseVughGUmTnLQMOBW6yUWku6sUl0X2fO_zdhB7VsnYXo2phaRvMRhfViJAoNR_kpdW/s320/chelsea+2015+three.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also bought two other dark red ones and two creamy white ones (one produces double and single blooms).</div>
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I love sculpture in the garden (not that I have much) and these took my fancy - a little too big for my garden but, hey, perhaps I can reproduce them in pottery:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvSnwWbiGYQeVn4QVKu_B6ls6lXF_VD4awF4dPwkq0mZB3CNAZbL7BYAROxe_TPA4L9cC4CqhGlsEGJ4FTreTzSeKqRbZPdPw8SpVBo951hOqiT5Yclwznn_VJHOU5BUOCueA-0lgn4Qg/s1600/chelsea+2015+eight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvSnwWbiGYQeVn4QVKu_B6ls6lXF_VD4awF4dPwkq0mZB3CNAZbL7BYAROxe_TPA4L9cC4CqhGlsEGJ4FTreTzSeKqRbZPdPw8SpVBo951hOqiT5Yclwznn_VJHOU5BUOCueA-0lgn4Qg/s320/chelsea+2015+eight.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJhrtdtN9u2Gt7MMgUYnjMtpVr7LmSpmjce35nC3UrLNMxnWtgzHvvi5INMQU5xhPBWpYYURrtQfSl0OlzYDZCYEgfXIWdF6NhhdiXtFfKZ81L2CqzUnDlE-psS7qY32pffFwLwNQolqd/s1600/chelsea+2015+seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJhrtdtN9u2Gt7MMgUYnjMtpVr7LmSpmjce35nC3UrLNMxnWtgzHvvi5INMQU5xhPBWpYYURrtQfSl0OlzYDZCYEgfXIWdF6NhhdiXtFfKZ81L2CqzUnDlE-psS7qY32pffFwLwNQolqd/s320/chelsea+2015+seven.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love lilies, but we had to give up on them a few years ago when we discovered that they are highly toxic to cats. If you are owned by a cat, you will know they love to put their paws and noses on things they shouldn't, so they had to go - the lilies that is, not our cats. However, the perfume from these flowers is amazing and makes me want to find a way of growing them without hurting my cats. I would grow them in the greenhouse but in the summer that is left open, so perhaps they are something to be admired at shows and garden centres.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qtrMZv5CWzZghVFZOcX73gde7OiInE3LiJuHXEyT6WjSuMQSiHdvIfZrXLlNr-7NBTwbb03bii2qoaQNpeq-_SAZV1ZMad-U9bsRBtyFhhTJRcbrjCkBt7czS6e3SD6_R9B5b-2JQfPx/s1600/chelsea+2015+ten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qtrMZv5CWzZghVFZOcX73gde7OiInE3LiJuHXEyT6WjSuMQSiHdvIfZrXLlNr-7NBTwbb03bii2qoaQNpeq-_SAZV1ZMad-U9bsRBtyFhhTJRcbrjCkBt7czS6e3SD6_R9B5b-2JQfPx/s320/chelsea+2015+ten.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were plenty of places to stop for a cup of tea, but these next photographs are for a very special tea party:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V_VfobLa2RG1uUNW7yqHDQLcbRaogQnzHXrhgdsnCg558dZSzYlAyZUzcF7qmFMeaK06JWmf-hi7pRLMRaHmcqI6SBi3wvPbza_ltn1uUd-yXuBFb7eS0p0xTxkBZv0mQDWIphaVDJnK/s1600/chelsea+2015+two+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V_VfobLa2RG1uUNW7yqHDQLcbRaogQnzHXrhgdsnCg558dZSzYlAyZUzcF7qmFMeaK06JWmf-hi7pRLMRaHmcqI6SBi3wvPbza_ltn1uUd-yXuBFb7eS0p0xTxkBZv0mQDWIphaVDJnK/s320/chelsea+2015+two+a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tea for two? Or two hundred? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIF7IfsxwReJTJBqGCqZvGPRrzH0_cP8YPWr6JE_H97SCGU5zi3hPjx6RaJ8TYSOPknUTdGh2i6MKYVE-a3tgJBXyopKkHDOLK13nDpHGzrB2BbNIRvVwlO4phRD5KOtvGB1ID_DXPbb4/s1600/chelsea+2015+six+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIF7IfsxwReJTJBqGCqZvGPRrzH0_cP8YPWr6JE_H97SCGU5zi3hPjx6RaJ8TYSOPknUTdGh2i6MKYVE-a3tgJBXyopKkHDOLK13nDpHGzrB2BbNIRvVwlO4phRD5KOtvGB1ID_DXPbb4/s1600/chelsea+2015+six+a.jpg" /></a></div>
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Milk in first? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgGJ53k_pHxB-pb_qllMwH0IToxcmyxSTTAMugHKMwjQGG5grJHr84AI8Q3iAFsqsNoBOmnE8vJh-xNbQWIoBEttJ4yqgM5KJDInJhDAESkzMWHZtovKjyO7rPUIfMgpQzKx0bh6FvZct/s1600/chelsea+2015+five+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgGJ53k_pHxB-pb_qllMwH0IToxcmyxSTTAMugHKMwjQGG5grJHr84AI8Q3iAFsqsNoBOmnE8vJh-xNbQWIoBEttJ4yqgM5KJDInJhDAESkzMWHZtovKjyO7rPUIfMgpQzKx0bh6FvZct/s320/chelsea+2015+five+a.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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My kind of cupcake</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph5GOYNewwPdYPZyJnhA1V3Zh0vr0-rgMKWH8icnItzIVObIkBGhRq3kiVDHvUIZ5gGGxj57w9S0o8MyHtLnBACNIzWoxlDz4cyfrb6baSXtYU8NlDAGPfiT8SVJKkFWxc4LYXGHC8Ix5/s1600/chelsea+2015+one+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph5GOYNewwPdYPZyJnhA1V3Zh0vr0-rgMKWH8icnItzIVObIkBGhRq3kiVDHvUIZ5gGGxj57w9S0o8MyHtLnBACNIzWoxlDz4cyfrb6baSXtYU8NlDAGPfiT8SVJKkFWxc4LYXGHC8Ix5/s1600/chelsea+2015+one+a.jpg" /></a></div>
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A Jammy Dodger the size of a table? Plenty to share</div>
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After tea, how about some interesting vegetables - a basket of dark, nearly black, peas. They looked lovely:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi616SWO7NckRVxLVxRTv69jjEtd_8yBVw_FAIPIQNpamaJ_QZ3HGDfONgEMnW4NGDVpVrrvH08ykLjGKZE72uIZJ9gRNfSLkC4uOGQD7F9_Ob_wgCYxCC9P5iuvQLLWjHUSfYOqJWd6OW_/s1600/chelsea+2015+four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi616SWO7NckRVxLVxRTv69jjEtd_8yBVw_FAIPIQNpamaJ_QZ3HGDfONgEMnW4NGDVpVrrvH08ykLjGKZE72uIZJ9gRNfSLkC4uOGQD7F9_Ob_wgCYxCC9P5iuvQLLWjHUSfYOqJWd6OW_/s320/chelsea+2015+four.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the not so dim and distant past, I did an intensive garden design course. I have always enjoyed gardening and did the RHS Certificate and Diploma courses at Merrist Wood. Not much success with the exams, I didn't take them all and trying to fit the course and the exams in and around a full-time job proved tricky but I learnt so much about horticulture. It seemed a natural progression to do a garden design course, and it was brilliant. The highlight was a trip to the garden of John Brookes, and we were lucky enough to meet him. He wasn't at Chelsea but my other favourite designer, Dan Pearson, was and it was great to see him back at Chelsea. Having now seen my two garden design idols 'in the the flesh' is rather special.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtr_DBz8906ecDlJwGDdHD3x6QhsfKW15219hgbTmS85OtXju1Ih8wsFcUE1VWyiQ9FbEOjUYpEKvM_RWrgycoKrjRJRY4zYKyk2RfNq_2h6r-H15XqdbHIcXCy_6bFbHmPp8ZLtkXwAE/s1600/chelsea+2015+nine+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtr_DBz8906ecDlJwGDdHD3x6QhsfKW15219hgbTmS85OtXju1Ih8wsFcUE1VWyiQ9FbEOjUYpEKvM_RWrgycoKrjRJRY4zYKyk2RfNq_2h6r-H15XqdbHIcXCy_6bFbHmPp8ZLtkXwAE/s1600/chelsea+2015+nine+a.jpg" /></a></div>
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I have been watching the Chelsea programmes on the television trying to see if my friend and I were in any of the shots - how vain is that! We arrived just after 10.00 am and were 'thrown out' when they closed at 8.00 pm and we felt we had not seen everything that was in the show - never mind there's always next year.<br />
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Have a great gardening weekend everyone.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-30626898816453744662015-05-19T09:36:00.000-07:002015-05-19T09:39:15.091-07:00MOVING FORWARD AND, YES, STILL CATCHING UPHell everyone<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaE1MPoTckemHDIzUADqoxLNahwBADhFSBg1brYqwbP88yJ_QBtgBC7WkkMfTRxF4yP1ooMVkO6zIyYRIdTnKrWTT2IIVJlSgEziOjkyUSkdcvpILhP6lptOhH2ghUsBOYCXC_0YG4WGF/s1600/Untitled+l.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaE1MPoTckemHDIzUADqoxLNahwBADhFSBg1brYqwbP88yJ_QBtgBC7WkkMfTRxF4yP1ooMVkO6zIyYRIdTnKrWTT2IIVJlSgEziOjkyUSkdcvpILhP6lptOhH2ghUsBOYCXC_0YG4WGF/s1600/Untitled+l.png" /></a>Hard to believe we are rushing towards another Bank Holiday weekend. Although I no longer 'go out to work' (I work from home) I still look forward to weekends, and Bank Holiday ones are just as welcome as they were when I was a wage-slave. Hope the weather is good as we are holding a birthday BBQ for a friend of ours - nipping in and out between rain showers to do the cooking is never that much fun (but I do seem to be able to delegate this job to Richard). But then isn't that what Bank Holidays are for? Dodging the rain, hoping for sun and getting a mix of both?<br />
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Earlier this year, I held a Vintage Bazaar in the Merrow Village Hall. Vintage events are becoming more and more popular, but there do not seem to be many taking place around this area. With that in mind and with bags of enthusiasm, Fee Fraser of <a href="http://www.thimbleandthrift.co.uk/" target="_blank">Thimble & Thrift</a>, and I have begun a joint-venture to create events for vintage enthusiasts (both stallholders and customers) and our new venture is called <a href="http://villagevintage0.wix.com/villagevintage" target="_blank">Village Vintage</a>. A new venture is always full of excitement as well as 'oh goodness me, will it work'. I hope so, we both have lots of skills and experience to bring to the pot, so if you are around for our first event (19 September 2015) or you are interested in having a stall, do get in touch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiOjziqfz94OiyFU93VfSL9zO1G1ltxbEi-fOd_HVogBh4PoSVj79-yvlghmNGAk_olNL5iIT6FeM976WG9IExCJDSfC7XcGHTPz-U6ujtRy9RadyHDKvTnNvOLtBT6wITGmT2zNIfjnk/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiOjziqfz94OiyFU93VfSL9zO1G1ltxbEi-fOd_HVogBh4PoSVj79-yvlghmNGAk_olNL5iIT6FeM976WG9IExCJDSfC7XcGHTPz-U6ujtRy9RadyHDKvTnNvOLtBT6wITGmT2zNIfjnk/s1600/Untitled.png" /></a>My moving forward and catching-up has involved lots of changes in my life; not all good ones. My sister was diagnosed earlier this year with Parkinson's Disease - she is a very lively, fit and active person so this has come as a blow to her and our family. Not long after this 'news', a good friend had a stroke - a minor one, but still life-changing. It is hard when you really do not know what tomorrow will bring; we can plan as much as possible, but the future is definitely not in our own hands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x7U12eFjTLtUvsv4IFCGMxZMAKjDyjaW7Ni7Tu-Dvo_Rt3t7xIYv_4yPydWza0l5641DQhir6joesx1WjdUBZnRTuLK2O9gtmn2siSPPARyaytNKvVEgX6WRj4sEn4XyS1iRgx8NP_vs/s1600/Untitled+l.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x7U12eFjTLtUvsv4IFCGMxZMAKjDyjaW7Ni7Tu-Dvo_Rt3t7xIYv_4yPydWza0l5641DQhir6joesx1WjdUBZnRTuLK2O9gtmn2siSPPARyaytNKvVEgX6WRj4sEn4XyS1iRgx8NP_vs/s1600/Untitled+l.png" /></a>Because of the changes around me and changes in my life, I had to make decisions to give some things up. Sadly, I decided I had to give up fostering kittens for Cats Protection. It was a very hard and difficult decision and I really do miss having them here, but it became harder and harder to fit in the viewings, vet trips, the support they needed, and it also often felt unfair to my own furry gang. I still support the Woking Branch in ways that I can, but I do miss those kittens. I also had to give up managing the accounts of a friend's church - again a hard decision, but necessary. <br />
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Now I think I am bang up-to-date with life in Christmas Pie-land. I am off to Chelsea tomorrow - really looking forward to it. I go every year with a good friend who like me loves to garden and it is the highlight of our gardening year. I get to meet my favourite Heuchera people again, Plantagogo, and this year I also want to check out Euphorbias - lovely structural plants.<br />
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Have a good week everyone, and enjoy the Bank Holiday no matter what the weather does.<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556148734104186243.post-21555099282252376772015-05-08T04:20:00.002-07:002015-05-08T04:21:39.931-07:00STILL CATCHING UP ON BLOGGING -THINK IT WILL TAKE A LOOOONG TIMEHello everyone<br />
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May Bank Holiday and we have sunshine! How lovely. I know the UK is notorious for soggy Bank Holidays and that is why a sunny one is extra special. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTezzPax9e993nmQvyPT0eqwuseP1jnp7I7u5T8vLTMX4ZvaKx42ItaIXSPQJMVY3mlet_sPCSXgKxO31l1XyJUT9uI_r0vB6YvWBlGpAqjMzYGVCMF8GpaRt_dGB8Scp3oh6_3Lk60wk/s1600/beaver-info0.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTezzPax9e993nmQvyPT0eqwuseP1jnp7I7u5T8vLTMX4ZvaKx42ItaIXSPQJMVY3mlet_sPCSXgKxO31l1XyJUT9uI_r0vB6YvWBlGpAqjMzYGVCMF8GpaRt_dGB8Scp3oh6_3Lk60wk/s1600/beaver-info0.gif" /></a>We had several trees removed from our garden this week - I hate losing trees, but some of these were dangerous and had to go. The incredible thing is how much lighter our garden is now that they have been removed and we lots more space too for planting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhnBqKlrQxNip_KxMS0gEgBkMO1Z2_lh8MnncWirH4sMPUinvXjVidJsZmAlGfej130MoUhAgjb-vdpdpWf_D4BHmWW758TCfGEepP5eC3ZK58KtQmZdrHjDwbcR1gPdHIBtkWSgdLQd6/s1600/Frensham+Pond+Wedding+Exterior+Hotel_608x355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhnBqKlrQxNip_KxMS0gEgBkMO1Z2_lh8MnncWirH4sMPUinvXjVidJsZmAlGfej130MoUhAgjb-vdpdpWf_D4BHmWW758TCfGEepP5eC3ZK58KtQmZdrHjDwbcR1gPdHIBtkWSgdLQd6/s1600/Frensham+Pond+Wedding+Exterior+Hotel_608x355.jpg" /></a>I took part in a Wedding Fayre at the Frensham Pond Hotel on Sunday, 26 April. I always enjoy these particular events; they are well organised and a lot of the exhibitors are regulars, so it is great to catch up with them. It was also nice to get requests for wedding stationery quotes - makes the day extra special.<br />
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Other achievements this week have been the completion of my new event website: <a href="http://www.surreybazaars.co.uk/" target="_blank">Surrey Bazaars</a>. This brings all of the bazaar events under one 'umbrella'. I hope that the reputation of the bazaar events (hard won with lots of great work (still continuing) from stallholders and helpers) will be recognised as a brand for events that are home to excellent handmade work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnnImn5Fi_saEMRGMOkmkNFxnBkc1V4wFHYVHyUsv7_7u0kAPQiR6XCluqrWXDx-kwXXaJeJKrR4Ipglex4-rWwt9FiOoRoqg711LVScmcHgAzYm_-dM6lvlq0yEatkbIqN45hogN3OaK/s1600/Cartoon-Cat-Background-Vector-Illustration-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnnImn5Fi_saEMRGMOkmkNFxnBkc1V4wFHYVHyUsv7_7u0kAPQiR6XCluqrWXDx-kwXXaJeJKrR4Ipglex4-rWwt9FiOoRoqg711LVScmcHgAzYm_-dM6lvlq0yEatkbIqN45hogN3OaK/s1600/Cartoon-Cat-Background-Vector-Illustration-1.jpg" /></a>I am looking to 'recruit' helpers for my bazaar events - these are self-employed positions and involve variety of work. You would be amazed how hard it is getting someone to do this - I have posted on Facebook, Twitter and Streetlife and have had two enquiries - having received the details, the two enquirers never bothered to come back to me. Very surprised and disappointed at the lack of interest.<br />
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Yet again, I forgot my lovely blog! I started writing this one over the recent Bank Holiday weekend. time has done its usual annoying thing of rushing by too quickly. Since then we have had a General Election with the usual shocks, disappointments and surprises. Where I live it is known as a safe seat and sadly because of this we never even have the whiff of a candidate - would be nice if they could be bothered occasionally to come and see what life is like in the outer reaches of their constituency (or potential constituency).<br />
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Before I completely forget this particular post, think it is a good idea to sign off now - no doubt there will be another 'catching-up' post soon, so do come back. <br />
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Have a great weekend<br />
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JillChristmas Pie Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535917693583199463noreply@blogger.com0