Online Updates!



Baby Citrus Wreath £8.00



I have spent the last two days working on the website, and finally getting some of our new products online.  It's something that I've been meaning to do for absolutely ages, but just haven't got round to doing. 



This has all come about because this weekend we have Saturday off and only have a one day fair rather than a two or three as we have lately.  We are to be found at the Melton Mowbray Country Fair on Sunday (26th June) for what is promising to be a fun and hopefully sunny day!  There is a Big Bake competition, rural craft demonstrations, a novelty dog show, livestock displays and a 'Fun With Food' marquee where a suspect my other half Chris will spend most of his day ;)



Saturday is going to be a good solid stock day without any distractions or outings, or so I hope, as next weekend we are at the Waddington Air Show, which is incredibly busy.  I have mentioned my love of planes (and pilots!!) before, so I won't go into that now!



 As for this week's work, I have launched our new 'Wooden Love' range online.  We've been selling out at the shows most weekends, and have taken lots of bepoke orders for hearts in colours co-ordinating with people's kitchens, hallways etc  We offer them in the three standard colours of cream, red and green.  Each is a distressed hand cut and finished heart threaded with various fruit combinations. 



Single Wooden Heart Garland £11.50



Available as a Single Heart Garland, a Triple Heart Garland and a Wooden Heart String, there is something to suit everyone and every space.  They are simple, rustic, but yet full of charm and country style.  We are hoping to extend the range over the comong months, so please watch this space.....patiently!

I've also managed to get many more of our dried fruit wreaths onto the website in both the standard and baby sizes.  Once again, their simple, aromatic and stylish character are always popular at the shows, and especially for Christmas.  As anyone who has visited our stall will know, we have many more styles, but it is almost impossible to get everything online.  I wouyld need weeks and weeks, rather than a couple of days.  I am intending to get our fruit strings on there sometime soon, along with our large and small scented hearts, and a larger selection of the ever popular 'Cottage Hearts'.

Cottage Hearts £7.50 each



The list is long and scary, and fitting it all in between wedding orders, website orders, wholesale orders and of course the shows, is getting more and more difficult.  What I really need are a couple of hard working staff who don't mind craziness and cats.....does anyone want to volunteer?

I'll leave it at that for today, but please feel free to post any thoughts and comments about the new products, your views are always appreciated.

Bye for now



Lyndsay xxx











Award Winning!!!

No posts for ages, then two in one week!  We spent our weekend at two different shows.  Saturday was the Kenilworth Show, and Sunday was the Rutland Country Show. 

Chris was just a little pleased with the award!

We had a busy time at both, but Saturday bought a lovely surprise when we were awarded the 'Best in Show' trophy.  We had an absolute nightmare setting up the gazebo in the morning with the wind, so things weren't really looking their best, but that didn't seem to bother the judges.  We didn't even know that we were being judged, but at the end of the day, the panel came along and presented us both with the trophy.  We were surprised to say the least, but absolutely thrilled!  We got to bring the shield home, and then it will go back to be engraved with our details before being returned to us.

As you can see by the photograph, by the time we got the award, the tent was looking very sparse indeed! Chris had spent the afternoon sitting in the back of the van threading garlands before passing them out to me to be sold, so once again the new van proved itself to be very worthwhile indeed.  I don't think we ever intended to use it as a travelling workshop, but there you go!

This coming Sunday we will be at Cosford Air Show, giving us Saturday at home to make a bit more stock.  The following weekend we can be found at the Three Counties Show in Malvern, which is a huge event spread over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Fingers crossed that the weather will be nice and a good weekend will be had by all.  Come down and see us if you can and don't forget that a full list of where we will be can be found on our 'Upcoming Events' page on our website.

By for now

Lyndsay xxx

Our new family member!

I know, I know, it's been a while since I last blogged, but things have been a little busy!  This year we have completely changed our event plans, and have swapped from the smaller local fairs, to much bigger ones all over the country.  We wanted to see if it made a difference money wise, but also to try something new.  So far so good, but it was getting difficult tyring to pack 3 days worth of stock plus a suitcase into the car, so we made a decision!  We've been talking about it for ages, but it was time to go for it, so we bought our first company car (or van in this case!).

After a lot of cleaning, we took it down to Norfolk for the Bank Holiday weekend for an event at Blickling Hall.  It is a simply stunning place, and we were extremely lucky with the weather as it was absolutely baking hot!  Without the worries of trying to fit everything in the car, we took as much stock as we could possibly make, and promptly came home with a pretty much empty van....apart from the obligatory purchases of course ;)

This weekend we are following the travelling theme, and are the Kenilworth Show on Saturday, and then down to the Rutland County Show on Sunday.  It's looking like the weather might be nice once again, so hopefully it should be another good weekend. 

We've been busy booking shows all over the UK, and you can see the extent of out planned travels on the Upcoming Events page on our website.  From Cambridge to Anglesey, to Hull and Holkham in Norfolk, we really are getting to see the country and it's really enjoyable too!!!

Speak to you all soon
Linz and our new van :) xxx

It's Wedding Season!

I normally write about new products and our adventures connected with Pretty Beautiful, our hand crafted card and gift company, but today I thought I would write a little bit about our other website, PB Dried Fruit.

I always forget to blog about what we're up to with that side of the business, but things have been really busy the last few weeks as the wedding season has started in earnest! We are slowly adding to our new Wedding Supplies section of the website, with natural confetti petals, beautiful confetti cones and organza ribbons, and then favour boxes and bags. There are so many lovely products to choose from that I am struggling to decide which items to stock online, but slowly and surely we are getting a collection together.

The confetti cones and filling petals are our main wedding product at the moment, and with beautiful rich chocolate brown, luxurious champagne, opulent pearl and sumptuous silver to choose from, there is something to suit all colour schemes. The petals range from pretty and traditional ivory, right the way through to a deep blood red/burgundy and vivid pink amaranth petals.

The tiny amaranth petals are new in this season, and so far are proving very popular! The colours are amazing, and they are so small and delicate, that they just float gently to the ground. I know this for a fact, as Chris knocked part of a bag all over the floor, and if nothing else, we now know how they look as they cascade gracefully through the air ;)

We have a lovely selection of organza ribbons to complement the confetti cones, ranging from ivory and beige, to gold, brown, pink and dark silver grey. You can buy these at only 30p per metre, and they really are the perfect finishing touch.

We are going to be getting in a range of small vintage style favour boxes in the next couple of weeks, so as soon as they are available online, I will chat about them on here. I've already got the samples, and they are really cute and gorgeous!

Today is the day for sorting through all our events for the year and getting everything in the diary and on the wall charts.....even the dreaded payment dates. It's a horrible job that I've been putting off since the middle of February, but it's time to face up to it. It's going to take my favourite album, a cup of tea and a cake to get me through it!.....well that's my excuse anyway ;)

Lyndsay xxx

New Tealights!

We finally got the new Strawberry Tealights finished and ready to buy online! I uploaded them last week, and meant to blog about them, but things got a bit crazy, and I never got round to it.

Anyway, they went down a treat at our craft fair in Derby last week, and were a very popular Mother's Day gift along with the Teacup Candles, and my personal favourites, the Little T'woos.

As you can see from the picture, we had them in loads of different colour combinations, and it's my aim this week to get these options onto the website. All of the ones that you can see in the photograph found their way to a new home, but there will be more who need re-homing very shortly!

That's all for now, as my dinner is calling...yum yum

Lyndsay xxx

Little T'woos

After adding our Little T'woos to the website, we've started getting the orders in! With any colour combinations of your choice available, I thought I would post this photograph that was sent to us by a happy customer. Her Little T'woo, now named Oscar, is happily hanging on the TV cabinet and enjoying being part of his new family. The brief was for lime greens, browns and a little bit of red to match her colour scheme, and this was how he turned out....... So cute, I think I might have to make another one for the stall! Don't forget to let us know if you would like to order one for yourself, now I've started making them, I just can't stop! Easter chicks will be added to the website in the next couple of days too, I just need to get the photies done. Speak to you soon Linz x

Little T'woos!

I've just finished the first of our new family members......meet our Little T'woo!

I'm already halfway through her brothers and sisters, but I couldn't resist doing the introductions now....I love them (even if I do say so myself!)

We are taking bespoke orders for these now in whatever colours you would like. Just let us know what you want your Little T'woo to look like, and he or she will be on their way to you for hugs and a home.

Let me know what you think :)

Linz xxx

Summer smells......

Just a quick blog this week to tell you all about our scented tealights. We made them for Christmas, but they sold so well, that we thought we should carry on. We've swapped the festive gold and burgundy bags for pale blue and ivory for that light summery feel......maybe a touch of wishful thinking, but I'm going with it anyway.

The pale blue bag hold 4 floral scented tealights, and the ivory holds 4 of the warm vanilla. They are hand poured and blended, and made from eco-soy wax, so that we are doing our bit. They burn for approximately 4 hours each, and will fill a room with their gorgeous scents!

It's my Mom that makes these, and if I don't put in all the technical bits and pieces, she will just moan on and on (love you Mommy!), but at the end of the day, they really are gorgeous, and are definitely one of my favourite new products. At only £2.50 per bag, you really can't go wrong!

At this very moment a new scent is being made......a beauiful light, sweet and creamy Strawberry Buttercream. It smells good enough to eat, and takes you away to those long, lazy summer days filled with bowls of strawberries and cream with a little glass of something chilled....here I go again!

Anyway, back to reality. They are a perfect little gift for Mother's Day, and you could combine them with one of our Teacup Candles and beautiful Mother's Day cards. What Mum could resist?

Look out for the new scent online and at the craft fairs and give us your feedback. Our next fair is at Park Farm Shopping Centre in Allestree, Derby, on the 1st and 2nd of April. From that point on, the fairs really start, and all hope of rest and relaxation is gone! A full list of our Upcoming Events can be found online, so if you want to start planning how to spend your Spring weekends, take a look and give us a thought.

Speak to you all soon, and don't forget to let us know what you think of the new products, we would really appreciate your feedback :)

Linz xxx

Mother's Day......don't forget!

I've just logged in and found to my horror that it has been almost 12 months since I last updated my blog. In my defence it has been a fairly tough year, but now I'm back and am going to try and update this page every few weeks. I know you probably don't believe me, but I really am going to try!

Anyway, Mother's Day.........don't forget to get your card and pressie in plenty of time. This year, it's Sunday 3rd April, so there is plenty of time to get something really special for our lovely Mommies. It doesn't have to be expensive (especially as most of us are finding money a bit tight!), it really is the thought that counts. This year we have some gorgeous cottage hearts that are filled with either rose petals or extra aromatic lavender. These are much larger than our standard hearts, and look almost like a small cushion. They are beautiful when hung on the wall, or on a bed post......the possibilities are endless! Priced at £7.50, they won't break the bank and if you let us know in plenty of time, we can even make one specifically to a requested colour scheme for no extra cost.

Our Mother's Day cards are available online, with the 'Yummy Mummy' card being a popular choice this year. Again, all of our Mother's Day cards can be personalised, so just let us know and we'll take care of the rest!

I have spent much of the past year having various surgeries on my knee, and consequently have spent a lot of time sat on my bum. Although I haven't been working all that much, we have been thinking up new ideas. Some of these are slowly being realised, and will be making their first apearances at the fairs and online in the next few weeks. Just to give you an idea, we have beautiful little owls, fabric flower garlands that are perfect for little girl's bedrooms, and little pot pourri bags to hang in your cupboards full of zingy citrus fruits or beautiful rose buds. I will update the blog with pictures as and when they are completed, but keep your eyes peeled, as it won't be long!

Our teacup candles are available online once again, but with only one of each, you need to get in there quick! Perfect Mother's Day gifts, they are gorgeous when lit, and can be used afterwards for a lovely cup of tea. My personal favourite is the very pretty Rosebud Trio shown in the photograph. We will be adding our own scented tealights to the website in the next week or so, and together they make a lovely present. If you are interested in buying the tealights and they are not yet available online, just let us know and we can add them to your order. Available in a light floral scent, or sweet vanilla, they are made from high quality soy wax, and are presented in a beautiful little organza bag. Priced at only £2.50 for four, it would be a shame not to try them!

Our first fair of the year is at Southwell Minster next weekend (Saturday 5th March), and it would be lovely to see anyone who is in the area. Many of our new products will be there, and we are hoping for a lovely day in the most spectacular of settings. We are constantly updating our 'Upcoming Events' list at the moment, with new fairs added every week, many of them at new venues.

It's time for me to get back to sewing, but I will be writing again in a week or so, so I will speak to you all again soon.

Take care

Lyndsay x