Making my little craft space....

Today I have been re-vamping my craft fair display, my goodies have changed so much over the years. when I started I had framed sculptures to hang, hence the criss crossframe at the back, I stopped doing these as they were not suitable for carting around here there & everywhere so I left them at home (some are still in Happy shed)
I cut out my fabric...a lovely soft velour in pale green, I was so pleased with it, it looks so fresh & clean!

So, I cut my fabric down to size to fit the table, it has to be floor length at the front & sides, I wanted it a decent length at the back too, so it didn't slip easily. Then I cut two smaller pieces, as I wanted two small "shelves" at the sides, I like to raise up some of my miniatures to near eye level, so as they are not too easily missed!!

Then I enlisted the help of Mr H, to cut down my "shelves" to the right size & to make some holes in the frame, so I can screw an old spice rack (rescued from my Mum & Dads garage.)
This is what I have got so far.....
So next part of the project is to paint/varnish/stain (haven't decided yet) the old shoe rack, also rescued from being thrown away, & the spice rack, oh & add solid base to the shoe rack shelves!

Now must get on with some miniatures.......

Todays happy thought: One today is worth two tomorrows.

Scrapping bug

Well, unfortunately, I think I have it, the scrapping bug!...I don't have time to do it though, not yet, but the scrapbook party was excellent, we had such a giggle, three of us there were crafters, and we were like children at nursery when we were faced with all the fancy tools for trimming/cropping/shaping/sticking etc.....
So I'm going to have a party too, only I think I will make a jug of Baileys to go with it!!

I got my new cloth for my craft table yesterday, I have been searching high & low, I got a lovely pale green velour & at the weekend I am going to set up my table & see how it looks, I have got a few ideas about more levels too, to bring more of the miniatures to nearer eye level, as I don't want it to be too much of an effort for potential customers to view. I was thinking of trying to get some dolls house groups started in my area, as there a currently none at all...anyone out there in a group to give me some ideas?

Anyway, as much as I would like to sit here & chat all day, I have got jobs to do, so I must get on with it!

Sam x

Todays happy thought: A smile is a curve that sets everything straight!

All about a burial & scrapbooking!

Well, the poor little guppy didn't make it I'm afraid, the stress of miscarrying was too much for the litle mite too bear, sadly during the night she died. Unfortunately this is one of the downsides to keeping fish, they do suffer stress (never really understood that) & aren't expected to have a very long lifespan, I have explained this to the children & they understand...fish is now buried in our garden, not too far from the baby snake we found the summer before last!

There is another expectant guppy in the tank, so hopefully all will be well, I will keep an eye out!

So, I haven't mentioned yet that tomorrow I am going to a scrapbooking party at my friends down the road, I have to take six photos with me that share a common theme! I can't decide what to do...I'm thinking it might be something to do with our garden, as most of our photos are taken there!
I thought that as I don't scrapbook, I would love to, and have made one as a present a few years back, I would frame the page that I make tomorrow night.

Since I've been invited to the scrapbook party,I've been thinking about listing some of my scrapbook & card embellishments on Etsy, they usually sell well at craft fairs, so I'll give it a go!

Trauma in the tank:(

We noticed this evening that one of my daughters guppies was looking rather pregnant, so I googled pregnant guppies & confirmed that , yes, definitely, she was with fry!
While we were looking at her, she started depositing eggs, knowing that guppies are livebearers, I suspected this was not going to have a happy ending, sadly, this means she is miscarrying, but may still give birth to live fry yet, so fingers (& fins) crossed!

I will be taking a trip to the pet shop tomorrow to stock up on some equipment for dealing & keeping safe, baby fish, just in case!

I am finding that having the fish is useful for teaching certain matters, I was able to explain today about miscarriage, quite easily!

Todays happy thought:Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!

And we have a winner......

Drum roll please.....the winner of the Five-a-day miniature fruit & veg box is....
Alice voted by myself & the children as the best idea for a busy table, which was a childrens Easter egg painting table!

Well done Alice!

I got some really good ideas, it seems craft tables were on everyones minds, will get cracking!

I couldn't sleep last night, so I was planning things in my head, I'm going to revamp my craft show display, at the moment it is blue themed, but I really want to go with a fresh soft green, & I want a velvet tablecloth as I feel that my cotton one gets tired looking very early on in the show.

This is my school fair table, when I don't get so long to set up! When I do a Guild show, I get a good (much needed) couple of hours & I love it!

I am also going to rethink my whole show technique, I already do everything all the advice forums suggest, not reading behind my stall, ( who would!) not asking if they need help, biting my tongue when someone tells their child how easily they could make it ..."i'll get you some plasticine..." etc...I love chatting to people about their dolls houses & I want my stall to make people want a dolls house!

I think as well as some busy craft tables, I'm going to try some period food, I've never been interested before, but I live in a very old part of the world, so I'm going to research that, local people here are trying to get the council to hold a medieval fair in Bradford street, which so looks the part.....which would be fantastic!

Back soon, with more ideas, they are bubbling away.........

Todays happy thought: Art is running away without leaving home!

Frustrating creating....

I have finally got round to making a banner for my blog, thanks to fellow etsian
Rachelsaprons, I still haven't figured out how to adjust the size of my Etsy banner though, as I think I may have complicated mine by having the border round it...I can make the simplest tasks difficult you know, but I am working on it!

This will be my new Etsy shop banner, when I finally get round to it!

Will be something like this...unless I change my mind, before I get it on there!

Don't forget the giveaway, two more days to go!

Todays happy thought; Life without friends is like sky without sun!

Fabric frenzy!

I felt the need to make cushion covers the other day, despite the frightening ironing pile, (which is done now by the way) so I dragged out all the fabric pieces from the loft & set about cutting, chopping, pinning & sewing...I'm quite pleased with the result, it freshens up the tired looking living room which we are waiting to decorate (at least I am waiting) I have some more cut out to sew today, & my other project for today is to cover the cardboard boxes that are on top of my wardrobe storing my clothes, with fabric!

Don't forget my giveaway, there's some good ideas for my busy tables already, but I need more!!!! you could win this fab little box of 12th scale fruit & veg for the dolls house, or give it to someone to remind them to eat their 5-a-day!

All you have to do to enter,is leave a comment with a good idea for a busy table in 12th scale, a winner will be picked on Saturday! Come on, let's have those ideas!!





Todays happy thought: It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

Five A day giveaway.

Right, so I was thinking, while clearing out my shed yesterday, ..a good time for thinking that, a lot of thoughts get thunk there! ...anyway, I need to make some more busy tables for my Guild craft fair in March, so I need some fresh ideas as to what these tables can be.

This is where you come in, I need your ideas, as many as possible, these will be for Mothers day gifts, Fathers day gifts, Easter presents, wedding presents etc.

Remember, they don't have to be anything to do with cooking, although recipes welcome, what I'm looking for is something really original!!

All you need to do is leave a comment with your idea.

Ideas will be judged on Saturday 24th January by my children & I.

The person with the winning idea will recieve this cute little box of fruit & veg, fresh from my Miniature market stall!
Todays Happy thought: Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake and apple pie

Poor fish!

So not only do I clean, cook (sometimes), bake, clay, craft, iron (when absolutely neccessary), tidy, play, organise.....& much more, I now have to take care of poorly fish.

My eldest daughter got tropical fish for her birthday & they got white spot, so I have been giving them their medicine every other day to make them better, I think it's working.......fingers crossed x
So I have a big craft fair (well big for Uk) in March, I need to think up some more ideas for baking tables, some good ones for Mothers day gifts, what do you think, leave your ideas in comments ...I might use that to have my first giveaway, Mmm let me go & pick up the children from school & have a think!

Todays happy thought: A clean house is the sign of a boring person

Good morning, I thought I'd post while I was having my cup of tea & hot cross bun, as I actually feel rather guilty for having the hot cross bun as I'm supposed to be cutting down & usually I just get home, have a cup of tea & start working, however, not only were the packets calling out to me in Tesco..."buy me, get one free" but I thought I deserved a little something today..here's what I told myself.....

1.We (the little one & I) have a long, sometimes cold 40 min walk to school, then another cold 40 min walk back, (she has a hot chocolate when we get home if she wants one) then again in the afternoon.

2.I could drive, but I'm trying to do my bit for the environment & do the healthy option for the children, which I think they will appreciate when they're older!

3. I have three very untidy bedrooms to tackle.

4.The pile of ironing is begging to be done & it is now too big to hide anywhere so I will have to do it.

5 I don't get days off (sick or otherwise)

So what do you think, justified, too late now as it's gone!



Todays happy thought: I'd give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter!

Getting creative again...

How romantic! wine,roses & chocolate.


I got stuck in to the clay (not literally, although some got stuck into the carpet) on Sunday & made goodies for Valentines day, pancake day & Easter, missed out Mothers day but will get round to that soon...The family missed out on their rhubarb crumble, as I hadn't finished, & they had to make do with just custard...best make it for them this week though!

Don't you think the lady of the dolls house is very lucky? Hopefully then a week later she won't mind making some delicious pancakes, drizzled with syrup...

Yum...wonder if we've got any eggs???










Todays happy thought:Don't let the past steal your present.

Warming up...

Well I feel human again, the weather is back to it's typical British self, raining....which means I can't wear my new coat to school today, have to wear my old waterproof which is really bulky...I'm still going to wear my new hat though....but maybe I won't as it might get ruined.....I'm actually sitting here waiting for my camera to charge, as I want to take photos of my new miniatures to list on Etsy, I think I've done enough housework & I need to conserve my energy for the long walk to school, even longer now as Ruby walks with me, we have dispensed with the buggy as at three years old I think she should be out of it & walking, my older two were out of their buggies by age two, but to be fair, we lived in town & nowhere was more than a twenty minute walk away...so lots of encouragment & treats are required at the moment as she feels like she is on a hike everyday. As for the weather, since when has a bit of frost & ice been considered Arctic? I know it's been very cold, but I can remember it being colder, I can even remember, as a child, seeing icicles hanging from houses (real ones, not christmas decorations!) I haven't seen that for a very long time, snow used to hang around longer as well, now when it snows, the children want to make a snowman, it's like...."quick, out..."if you hang about & eat your breakfast...it's all melted....so enough with the "Arctic" weather...it's just winter!

Todays happy thought: If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it!

Happy new year!

So sorry for not being more prompt with the greetings, but I haven't felt like blogging much at all, I have had, over the holiday, I wouldn't say flu, but not far off it, & it goes away, lulls me into a false sense of security & then comes back with a vengeance!!!.....so still coughing & sneezing a bit, but, back to the reality that is the new year!
I thought I'd share my idea I had for the teachers this christmas, I don't kow about you but my children come home with a list as long as your arm of teachers & Ta's that they want to take in a present for, I have always tried to make it a token gift, preferably handmade by either myself or the children, so this year I thought....cookies, a large choc chip gift wrapped cookie, much more original than a cheap box of chocs....had to keep an eye on them though as I was trying to wrap them, couldn't leave them alone for five minutes.....now I have to get on with things, hopefully by the end of the week I will have a large selection of Valentines goodies for the dolls house, some pancakes & mothers day gifts (for real mums & dolls house mums)...best get on then!

Todays happy thought: Always kiss your children goodnight - even if they're already asleep.