Liebster Award

So going back a while ago I was nominated for a Liebster award which was FANTASTIC! Then going back two days ago, it happened again. Now getting nominated once for something is an amazing feeling. Knowing that someone out there is reading the stuff you type, normally at random in my case. But to have it happen twice, yes this adult was that kid in the candy store again. So here is my post dedicated to my second nomination. Know what the best thing is though? One round is never enough, considering the amount of blogs I love to read up on, I can never decided on who to put forward. I never have enough nomination spaces. So this totally rocks :)


If you didn't know the Liebster award is designed for bloggers with less than 200 followers.

This nomination comes from Love Lemon. A blog I have recently signed up to reading and a total treat. So if you aren't already following... make sure you correct the issue now!

So firstly for the rules.
1. Each person my write 10 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you and then come up with 11 questions of your own to ask the people you will be nominating.
3. Choose 10 people to nominate and link them to your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember - no tagging to person that tagged you!

10 things about myself you may or may not wish to know.


1. I genuinely believe that spiders are from outer space and they are currently in a bid to take over the world, working closely with rabbits and fish to take down the human populace. Nope, I'm not joking!

2. I love the Greek tipple Metaxa. Gimmie a glass of that 12 star any day of the week.

3. Eddie Izzard is my favourite stand up comedian... followed closely by a tune tinkered out by Mr Tim Minchin.

4. I am currently trying to work out where I want to go on holiday next year. The Euro zone is out.

5. I love the art work of Salvador Dali.

6. I find it really hard to just relax. I can't sit and do nothing without feeling guilty.

7. As a child (and deep down, it still applies) I always wanted to do a voice over for a Disney film character.

8. I wish it was Christmas every day and if I could I would set up my very own Christmas Store selling nothing but hand made goodies and gifts.

9. I never feel anything I make is good enough.

10. I currently don't own my own house and resent having to pay rent to a landlord that doesn't pick up his phone. Still holding out for the lottery ticket... that will be found on the street as I don't play it :)


Answer the questions set by the tagger:


1. Where in the world would I most like to visit?
That's a toughie. I love to travel. I guess it would have to be Japan. That is one place that really gets my imagination and curiosity going.

2. What song always makes you want to get up and dance?
Being a rock chick I tend to want to hang out by the bar more than I want to get up and dance, however I do have a soft spot for Kenny Loggins 'Footloose'. They used to play it when I worked at B&Q and since I worked the night shift if I was alone down an aisle I would always try to bust out the 80's moves.

3. What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM! The one that sticks with me is the infamous Garfield, however I do have a secret - I loved the Care Bears (and I currently own the movies on DVD - and still watch them from time to time lol).

4. What is the favourite home in your room and why?
In this house I actually don't like any of the rooms currently. Everything is so cluttered. In my old house, when I lived with the parentals it was my bedroom. It was huge and I would spend hours just drawing or reading. I wasn't a very social kid.

5. What is your most treasured piece of jewellery and why?
My father died when I was 15 and years before hand he went on holiday to Greece where he purchased a plain chunky silver ring. It was a little small for him so he gave it to me on evening when he was dropping me off at a friends Halloween party. Just said I could have it. For years I never took it off, however since putting on weight it sits in my jewellery box. Hopefully I can put it on again soon.

6. What was your best holiday and why?
I have been very lucky and up until the past 5 years or so I used to go away every year. However the best holiday I ever had was perhaps in Skiathos. I went there with my hubby (who was just bf then). It was so relaxing and the whole holiday was just perfect. Even the day we had the huge thunderstorm and the streets flooded. Been to Greece? Yes, there was poop floating in the street... but we just found it do funny. Watching everyone else freak out. So much fun.

7. What is your favourite quote/lyric?
'No'

8. What is your favourite book?
A series of books I'm afraid - The Dragons of Pern series by Anne McCaffery. Best book I think would be Dragon Song.

9. Which item can you not be without on a daily basis?
My watch. I don't do late.

10. Are you a tea or coffee person?
Coffee every time.

11. What was the last film you watch?
'Pirates of the Carrabean - Dead mans Chest' - currently have 'At Worlds End' on whilst typing this.

My 11 questions to my little nominees!
1. What's you favourite seasonal holiday and why?
2. Are you a cat person, a dog person, or a people person?
3. What was you most embarrassing moment and why?
4. What is your number one pet hate?
5. What is your idea of a nightmare day?
6. What did you most want to be when you were a kid?
7. What's your favourite film?
8. What is the worst item of clothing you have ever worn?
9. What trait of you personality of you proudest of and what trait do you wish never existed?
10. Mothers cooking or a meal out?
11. Your 5 holiday abroad must haves?


Finally my nominees are: 
1. Buy Handmade British
2. Fiddly Fingers
3. Audrey's Cat
4. Highland Monkeys
5. mcrafts - the blog
6. redneedle sewing
7. Scrumptious Textiles
8. Teddy Wares and Flutterbies
9. Kayleigh Ann's Journal
10. Crochet Shaz

Fairies for all Seasons

So I have been working on my new project.

It's VERY simple, but I think once I've completed them (these are yet to be finished off) they should look quite effective...

...I just wanted to do something different on my Christmas tree this year. Yeah okay so everyone has been saying 'Already?' however I do need to point out it's only 181 days away :)

Not only that, as I was making these up I thought I would experiment with some effects, colours and beads... hang them in a window, in a green house, in your little girls bedroom... Got a plan going. They are just little heads with beaded wire or flowers, leaves and ribbon just grouped together. They currently need more ribbon and beads, but that shouldn't take long at all.

Excuse the photos, they do no justice. There are some bits I need to play with and adjust, but I just wanted to share these little fairies with you. I am hoping I will have time to take some better photos over the next day or so. I have pink, red, lilac and silver all sat in the wings too. No pun intended :D

Mini Monsters are everywhere, even a Charity event?

I haven't been very productive this week.

My boss went away on holiday last week which left me in charge of the store. When you are relatively new to any company, when you are first left alone it's always a little daunting. A couple of days here and there are one thing, but in 10 days a lot can happen.

Boss guy returned to work yesterday. Pointed out loads of things that hadn't been done or been done wrong. You know what made it worse though. He didn't scream, shout or pull me in the office to be berated. It was just a 'Well the store was busy isn't a excuse' or 'Going forward this is what you should do...' Of all the options available I would have been happier if he screamed and shouted.

However, because I've worked longer hours to earn the money to keep my craft addition alive, I have been too tired to do much at all. Apart from sew up dozen of Monster keyrings. Some are waiting for magnets to be put on their backs so they can live on fridges and others are waiting to be attached to a wreath (yes you did read that right).

It then occurred to me that whilst these guys sell well, they haven't sold well enough to warrant the amount I have just knocked up.

I have decided that to correct the issue, and as they don't take long to make or cost much money at all - I will be giving a free mini monster away with every purchase I make on my Folksy store for the next 4 weeks. My version of a summer sale.

So that solved that.

I have another problem however.

I have been asked to take part in a charity event that will happen in August. It's for a charity called 'Heal the World for Children'. The idea is I can sell my wares to people who come to the fate/fair event, however need to provide something for under privileged kids. Now I am not being rude when I say this, but I don't do kids charities. I don't do charities based on illness or Africa. Not because they are not worthy, and not because I disagree with what these people are doing to raise awareness. It's just a fact that I love a good animal charity. I donate monthly to WWF, RSPCA and Cats Protection. Ask me to do an event for these guys and no issues at all. However I don't have a maternal bone in my body and I have no idea what to do with kids whose ages will range from 2 to 13.

So parents, friends of parent, people that want to be parents, sisters and brothers of younger people - what on earth can I provide as a task/give away. It has to be 100% kid friendly, cost effective (it comes out of my pocket - I get the advertising for free that way) and has to stand out! Most of the mini monster guys are out then.

Answers on a postcard? Or below whichever!

So you all have a mission if you choose to accept it. Well two actually.

1. I need some event ideas suitable for sprogs of all ages.
2. Buy something in my Folksy store and get a free Mini Monster

:)

Kidding on the last one.

Spring Throw Out

So over the past week or so I haven't been that creative. Mainly because I have been brutal. I have been routing around the cupboards and boxes and deciding what has to go. Over the next few days I will be busy still trying to take that snap shot to throw up on ebay. Everything else will see the inside of a Charity shop. Whilst I love to upcycle there comes a point when you hoard just far too much stuff and you know it will be that age old 'I'll get round to it one day'. If anyone is interested I will be selling a job lot of beads at the back end of next week (I'll post a pic and a link). The whole ebay thing I am afraid, but you are more than welcome to take a chance.

I have had time to knock up a few makes. I am busy cross stitching my little heart out at the moment. I just wish the bus journey to work was a little quieter in the morning so I could do some on my way to work. Can't have everything though.

No my makes are jewellery again. Though very much not my norm. I have gone for a more vintage feel with the last couple of pieces I have created.

I think it's about time I jumped in at the deep end and started to get my head around some wire work. I keep saying I will then chicken out. 

Other than that I did knock up this book mark. Didn't take long but I just loved I had enough of the lettering to make the phrase.

Which reminds me - The Hobbit is out soon peeps. Hope we all have our geek one ;)

In the mean time I have more sorting to do and more threads to untangle. All whilst watching a rerun of Top Gear. Can tell the other half is off can't you.