Tuesday 28 May 2013

I went to market and bought . . .

Pheeeew, I survived the craft fair and am here to tell the tale . . . . a few days later - but never mind :D

It was a pretty OK day for my first fair in almost a whole year - a few sales here and there - I haven't yet booked my Caribbean Cruise from my takings, hehe :)  Lots of lovely folk visiting the fair and I had some nice chats with both customers and other stallholders alike.

Here's the evidence - honest I was there (looking slightly goofy!) . . . 


Spot who didn't iron her stall cover - oooops!  It was lovely to see some familiar faces - the lady behind me used to be a work colleague and it was really nice to catch up with her - her Harris Tweed bags and cushions are really works of art.  We both have a love of fabrics and so had plenty to chat about.

My Craft Fair Assistant a.k.a. 'Little S' became incredibly bored after about an hour and a half - I think our business relationship is on the verge of crumbling LOL.  He was off on little jaunts whenever he got the chance but it gave me confidence having him around.  I also have to add that his cheeky grin must have charmed the customers as he sold one of my 'tweedie' mugs when I left him in charge for a few minutes!  He insists I'm rubbish at selling and don't talk enough - well he made up for my failings on that score :D

Towards the end of the day I took a wander round the stalls and bought . . . 


. . . a cute painted pebble by Di who organises the fairs along with her husband Mike, a  set of photo notelets by the lovely stallholder next to me whose name escapes me - sorry!, and half a dozen eggs from Di's friend who she was selling them for.  I was very pleased with my purchases!  We also bought some bread from the gentleman selling it at the entrance  of the market - how cool, freshly baked bread while you work :D

I think the owls enjoyed the fair . . . 


The two at the back look like they're having an indignant rant about something or other!  I went home with one less of them which was nice - not that I don't like them, but you know what I'm trying to say :) :)

Well, that's one craft fair under my belt - I hope to attend one a month over the Summer, so I'd better get 'tweedying' (at a lightly more relaxed pace!).  I'll post dates of any I'm attending here on my blog.

Bye for now
Alison x

Tuesday 21 May 2013

I'm dreaming of . . .

. . . no, not a white Christmas, bit early for that, LOL :) I'm dreaming of being able to use these lovely Kaffe Fassett fabrics . . .

. . . aren't they lovely?  I've been drooling over them all month, but my stock-making list has kept me busy - well, quite busy.  The list of 'makes' I had planned for this month's craft fair is nowhere near as complete as I'd hoped.  May has been a busy month with one thing or another - it's school exam month in our house at the moment - day to day routine seems to have gone out the window.  Well, at least I don't have to sit the exams - I just have to watch teenage son angst over them - ouch!  Never mind, they'll soon be over and we can all breathe again :)  Normal crafting and routine will resume soon hopefully . . . 

Some more 'tweedie' mice have escaped capture . . .


. . . they were 'born' from remnants of some new 'scotties' (waste not, want not - every scrap of tweed is used here!) . . .


and some new 'tweedie'  owls have joined the gang - toowittoo . . wooooooo!


They're new kids on the block, so we'll have to test-drive them at the fair - it's all very experimental stuff!  Perhaps they'll bring some much needed wisdom to my 'tweedie' enterprise - I wish :) :)

My youngest kiddo has been driving a very hard bargain as my new 'craft-fair assistant' - negotations are ongoing as to terms and conditions, payment, commission, etc. etc.  If he manages to get up early enough on Saturday morning to attend the fair with me, I'll be delighted (and a little amazed!).  I'm still waiting for final confirmation of my table-booking, so it might end up pear-shaped at the last minute - who knows! (at least it's forced me to produce some new 'tweedie' stock - so it's all good).

Apologies  for being so absent this month - between crafting and general family day-to-day stuff, my poor blog has been neglected.

Too much tweed in this post!!!! Here's a nice pic of Other Half's birthday cake (Carrot and cream cheese - yum!).  No, I didn't make it but I can thoroughly recommend the Co-op one shown here . . .


I'd better keep it away from these naughty tweedie-mice - they love a few cake crumbs :)  I'll keep it somewhere safe, out of harm's way ;-)

Catch up soon after the fair (if we get there!!!!) Stornoway Town Hall if you happen to be in the area :) :) 

Alison
xx

P.S.  Some of these 'tweedie' creatures may make it into my online shops when they re-open after the fair - that's if they behave themselves :D

Thursday 2 May 2013

New 'tweedies' - busy, busy!

I've been so busy tweedie-making, I've almost forgotten to post about them!  Very intensive designing and making this week - but I'm pleased at how stock-making is going.  Here's a little preview . . .

Another little Scottie . . .


and another 'tweedie' matryoshka,  nestling amongst the daffies . . .


Please tell me that Spring is around the corner - apart from the daffies coming into flower, there are very few other signs of Spring - it still feels like Winter most days at the moment!

I'm like a cat on hot bricks today as I'm  awaiting a little consignment of new tweed in the post - sooooooooo excited - whooooop!  Also a little package of fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett fabric.  I've been using the lovely Kaffee Fassett fabric above, which I received from the very kind Gretchen about two years ago - I got such a lot of pleasure using it that I decided it was time to treat myself to some new prints.  They're just perfect for my 'tweedie'dolls :)

'Later gaters' - I think I hear the postie at the door!
Alison x