PLANNING, PLANNING AND EVEN MORE PLANNING

Hello everyone

A very Happy New Year to you.

Already one week into the New Year - the days seem to whizz by so fast.

No new makes this time around - I have taken some time off to work on various other things.

I am in the process of finalising six card-making workshops: two for Valentine's Day, two for Mother's Day and two for Easter.  The sessions will be two hours long, the first one will run 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm and the second, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm on the same day, will be a repeat of the afternoon's session.  I had originally thought of having workshops for just basic card-making for all/any occasions, but think a themed one to begin with will be easier to run and provide materials for.  My cake-making friend is managing the refreshments and we are also offering homemade bread and soup mini-lunches and suppers.  Once everything is confirmed, I will add details on my blog and website, but I can let you know the sessions will take place in Chilworth, Surrey.

No New Year's resolutions for me this year.  I rarely stick to them so by not making any I avoid the disappointment.  However, I do have plans (they are not resolutions, are they?).  My aim is to be more structured and organised in my working life.  I am a terrible time-waster and am amazed at how much time I can waste on the Internet - doubt I am alone in that though.  This year I will make proper 'To-Do' lists on paper, not the mental ones I have relied on and conveniently lost, and I will stick to them and ensure everything gets completed - eventually.

Just a mini post today, but don't forget to visit the other blogs taking part in this week's Handmade Monday.  I am looking forward to reading about the plans everyone has for 2013 - exciting times.

My Friday Guest Blogger spot returns at the end of January, so please get in touch with me if you would like 'book' a spot.  Our new kitten, Milly, will also be back towards the end of January with her Wednesday blog post - this coincides with my return to kitten fostering, so Milly will have plenty to write about.

'See' you next weekend.

Jill

THE HOLIDAY IS OVER

Hi everyone

We have been on holiday in Malta for the last week and the weather has been glorious.  The temperature during the day around 22 degrees and about 16 - 18 degrees at night.  Hard to believe it is November - being a typical Brit we went prepared for cold weather, but did have the common sense to pack summer clothes - just in case, and thank goodness we did.  The fleeces and long-sleeved tops returned home unworn and leaving them at home would have made our luggage so much lighter.  Our apartment was in Valletta, seconds from the harbour and the views were amazing.  I haven't had a chance to make a card for Handmade Monday, but thought I would post some of the pics I took in Malta.  

The view from the balcony

Our apartment is in the centre of this picture, on the second floor

Parking in the town of Valletta is almost impossible, and definitely impossibly expensive.  The best way to get into town is to walk - from our apartment it was uphill all the way, about 60 steps - much better on the way down.  However, the picture above shows another road into Valletta and climbing this one was definitely not on my list of 'must do's.

 We took a harbour cruise whilst away, and access to the leaving point was by ferry.  On the return ferry I was able to take this shot of the sunset.

Lots of gorgeous boats and yachts are moored in the Grand Harbour of Valletta - we saw one that had three stories!

Another view of boats, but slightly smaller ones this time.

As you know Malta was awarded the George Cross in recognition of the Maltese peoples bravery.  The above picture is of the plaque outside of Valletta's 'Buckingham Palace'.

We haven't been to Malta for many, many years and although so much has changed one thing has remained the same: the lovely people.  They are friendly, helpful and go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome.  We had a great week, so many beautiful buildings in Malta and I took a lot of photographs which I am planning to use in my card-making.

Have a great week everyone and don't forget to check out the other blogs on Handmade Monday   

Jill

THE LATE, LATE WEDNESDAY POST

Hi everyone

Well, that is it - well and truly.  Last day in the 'day job' yesterday.  Today begins my full-time self-employed card-maker life, rather than running my business along-side working for someone else.  Scary, but exciting.  A sad day really as I had been there for a long time, seen lots of students come and go and made good friends too.  But new things are always welcome, so onward and upward as they say.

A busy week so far, mainly because of the day job, but lots of planning (as always) carried out and I will take a couple of days to sort things out (plus have lots of other things to do) and then get down to the serious business of building my card-making business.  I am in the process of booking a place at another couple of events and will add the details to my blog - don't forget to check the where am I section.

I have been advised that my blog will feature in the October issue of Popular Crafts - so exciting and I am looking forward to that very much.

A short blog as it is a little later than the Wednesday planned post, but I will be back with a normal newsy one on Sunday.

Have a good day everyone

Jill