Such a long time!

It's been such a long time since I've had the chance to update the blog, I'm sorry!. Everything was crazy on the run up to Christmas, with fairs every weekend, shops to keep supplied, and website orders to fulfill. Every year I say 'never again' and 'I'm going to be more organised next year' but it just never happens and the headless chicken thing kicks in round about October. Once Christmas does arrive, my brain switches off for a couple of weeks and then I really struggle to kick start it again...or am I just lazy? I'm not really sure!!!

Anyway we are just back from a week in Cornwall, and I've come back ready to start afresh. We've already gained a couple more trade customers, and new products are being designed as we speak. A whole new range of garlands and scented hearts, and then some unknowns have got to be created from somewhere.....any ideas, just let me know! As soon as they are ready I'll post some pictures for your feedback, but in the meantime, I'll fill you in on our new website.

PB Dried Fruit will be our sister site selling dried fruit to the public and trade. Available in small to large quantities, we plan to offer a huge range of naturally dried fruits that can be used for all kinds of craft activities from pot pourri to wreaths. Hopefully we will be launching in a few weeks time (if I get my act together!) but as soon as we are up and running, I'll be posting more info and links. If there is anything that you want before then, just let me know as we already have most of the stock available to buy.

Other than that, life is slowly returning to normal. The house is in chaos as we are completely redecorating the bedroom and bathroom, new plaster, carpet, skirting boards, electrics, the works. Chris is sitting watching the football and yelling at the TV downstairs, and I'm working to keep out of the way and dreaming of a new house in Cornwall. Definitely back to normal!

Our first fair of the year is at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham on Valentine's weekend. If you're in the area and fancy a nice romantic stroll around the house and deer park, you'll find us down in the Yard Gallery. Pop in and say hello, and get a sneak preview of some of those new products.

Anyway, I'll try and blog more regularly, so I promise to speak to you all again soon

Lyndsay x

Shugborough Hall Christmas Fair

It's been a long time since I last had the chance to update my blog, we have been so busy. I've had to take a few weeks off after surgery on my knee, but I'm starting to get back into things now, and did my first fair for a while last weekend.

It was our first real Christmas fair this year, and so there has been a lot of planning and new festive products to make and design. The old favourites are back such as the tree decorations and the Christmas cards, but this year we are really going to town with the Christmas wreaths and garlands....although the garlands are still being designed!!!

A new product for this year are the beautiful Christmas pot pourri cones, all made by my Mom. They flew off the stall over the weekend, and rightly so, they are absolutely gorgeous and smell divine!!!!

I thought a picture of my Mom was about due as I'm always writing about her antics. This was taken this weekend , but I'll leave it to you to decide which one is her!!!!

We have next weekend off as it is Chris' 30th Birthday. No craft fairs, but mountains of making to be done as the following weekend we are split between Southwell Minster Chrismas Fair, and Rufford Country Park Christmas Market. Details of both can be found on our website so if you are anywhere close and fancy a real festive excursion, we would love to see you!

Speak to you all soon

Lyndsay x

A new recruit!

Meet Winston, our newest recruit. I came across him at the Warwickshire and West Midlands Game and Country Fair at Ragley Hall last weekend. He was crying out for a home, and what could I do but lovingly oblige!

After a short stint on the stall, (and too many people trying to buy him!) he is now living in amongst our rhubarb patch in the back garden. He seems happy enough, but my other cats really aren't so sure about our new family member. The hissing, spitting and hackles don't seem to be the friendliest of welcomes, but Winston doesn't seem to mind too much. I'm thinking a bandana might be a nice touch to really welcome him into his new home?

I thought I should add a picture of Winston's creator. I don't even know his name, but what that man can do with a tree stump and a chainsaw......

Anyway, lots to get done this week ready for the Moorgreen Show in Nottingham so I should go and get on with it. It's our first outing with the new gazebo, so lets pray for sun and gentle breezes, otherwise I'll be doing my best Mary Poppins!

Bye for now

Lyndsay x

Long Eaton High Street

This weekend we were in Long Eaton High Street, Nottingham. The craft marquee was pitched right in the centre of town in the pedestrianised area so that no-one could miss us! The weather was good although a little windy (not always good in a tent!) and I found an excellent house clearance store in the back streets for all kind of little goodies. What more can you ask for!

Unfortunately for us, the stall next to ours was selling ceramic animals such as reindeers, cats and cows. I think we ended up spending as much as we took, but if you can't have rewards for the late nights and early mornings sometimes, then whats the point! Mom has bought a rooster that she is going to call Russell once he's been fired to sit in her kitchen, and I did a spot of Christmas pressie shopping. Kath, the artist has a gallery and gift shop in Nottingham below TopKnot on Trent Bridge. She is definitely worth a visit as her work is gorgeous, and she's just lovely!

Apart from our spending spree, it was a good weekend for our teacup candles. Mom is very proud as these are her 'baby' and the more that sell, the more she can buy for her collection at home! We use old, unusal and collectable cups and saucers in a vast array of styles and colours, and then fill them with wax to create beautiful candles. They look nice, smell gorgeous, and make great gifts. We are going to be adding them to the website shortly, but at the moment we are selling them faster than I can photograph and put them online. That's a job for this week I hope, so keep a look out and let us know what you think.

There was a really good selection of products at the fair including ceramics, books, candles, jewellery, wooden toys, wood turning and photography amongst many others. My friend Toniann from Knot Just Jigs was outside in her gazebo, desperately trying to hold on as the wind tried to blow her away. Her traditional wooden toys are always popular with their bright colours, huge range and high quality. They make fantastic presents for little ones, with rag dolls for the girls and train sets for the boys, you can't go wrong!

I think it's time to stop chatting, and tackle the pile of work and orders that is currently sitting in my inbox. Time to go, but I'll update you all after next week's Game and Country Fair at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire. This huge event requires a lot of stock, and we have hardly anything!

Lyndsay x

A very wet weeekend!

Today I am recovering after a very wet and muddy weekend at Nottingham's Riverside Festival. It's a huge event that attracts thousands of people, but unfortunately this time wellies were needed by all!

After torrential rain for most of last week, and then again on Friday, by the time we were leaving at 11pm, our poor car did not fair well in the mud bath. Saturday was even worse! The rain poured into the tent and we were collecting it in a bucket behind the stall. I was amazed that people came at all, but after a rather quiet 13 hour day, we were definitley ready to head for home. The fireworks finished, we packed up the stall and got into our little car once again. Unfortunately the deep mud made getting off the field very difficult indeed, and instead of going up the slope, we just kept sliding back down!

Luckily the weather was beautiful yeasterday, and apart from the mud it was a brilliant day. More like the Riverside Festival that we have grown to love over the years. The customers came out with the sun, and a busy day was had by all. Yet again our chilli hearts proved to be very popular along with dried fruit wreaths, and lots of orders for name and age cards. Certainly enough to keep me busy this week!!

Today I need to sort the house out as it looks as if we bought most of that muddy field back home with us, but work is calling as always, and those orders won't wait for long!

Speak to you again soon

Lyndsay x

Burton Constable Country Fair

I thought I would tell you about our lovely day yesterday at Burton Constable Hall, just outside of Hull. It's only a small country fair, but its in a beautiful setting and is a popular visitor attraction.

It was a very early start, leaving home at 6.30am (especially after a late night making stock!) but the long journey gave me the chance to catch up on a bit of sleep. Once we were set up, in came the visitors, and the sun came out.

It was busy all day, but the most popular products by far yesterday were the baby chilli hearts. As soon as we put another one out for sale, it sold again! Wreaths as ever were popular, as were the scented hearts. With the school year coming to an end, the hearts were a favourite as thank you gifts for hard working teachers.

Just for once, this fair went without any 'adventures' (probably because my Mom wasn't there!) and was a really nice day. I even managed to start my Christmas present buying! You can always get really nice gifts at the fairs, something original and of good quality.

Anyway, I'm off to start my mountain of sewing ready for next weekend's fairs at West Bridgford in Nottingham, and the Ashbourne Highland Games in Derbyshire. If you want to see where we are for the rest of the year, have a quick look at our Upcoming Events page for a complete list.

Bye for now

Lyndsay x

Hand crafted retirement cards

Thought I would post something about one of our new bespoke cards. The thought of making this filled me with dread, but actually I'm pretty pleased with the outcome!

Retirement cards are generally quite a difficult category to fill, but when I was contacted about making a caravan card, my heart really did sink! I have tried to keep it fresh and contemporary, yet still suitable for the occasion using a muted colour palette and simple text. Let's just hope that Geoff agrees!

For more of our bespoke cards, please just visit our website, and contact us for details.

Bye for now

Lyndsay x