Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Making me happy this week is ...

It's been a very busy week, but lots of things have put a huge smile on my face amongst all the boring chores.  The first thing that has really made me happy is that after only one week of having my online store up and running, I've sold three items!!  I am beyond excited and can't wait to add a few more things over the next week or so to see how they go.  So far I have sold one tea cosy and two pairs of earrings.  One of which is winging its way to Edinburgh which is fabulous.  The thought of my earrings being worn on the other side of the world is really fantastic!  As my tea cosy addiction grows, I had to make another one to add to the store.  
Bright, cheerful and deliciously stripy.  I love making these, probably because they are quick and you get instant gratification.  I do still have that feeling of 'is it perfect enough to sell' with anything I make.  But I figure if I've done the best that I can do and someone still likes it then that's good enough isn't it?  I'm sure I'm not alone in having these feelings.  Do you feel the same?  
Over the last week these two lovely books arrived in my letterbox.  They were birthday gifts that had come from overseas so took a bit longer to arrive.  I keep flicking through them both and thinking of all the things I want to make.  I'm seeing a few uninterrupted late nights ahead of me so I can get my hook out and have a go at a few patterns.
Miss 4 was invited to a birthday party at the weekend and I had to share some of the pictures with you.  It was amazing - I can't think of any other way to describe it!  This was the craft table all set up beautifully, ready for the children to get creative.  The most fantastically clever Diane was the craft tutor at the party, she had presented everything in the most stunning way, right down to the glue being in a pretty floral cupcake papers!!  I mean, just look at the beautiful bags that contained bits and pieces for the children to take home to make another project - just gorgeous.
Beautiful fabric hearts were folded and hand stitched by all the little ones, then decorated with buttons, sparkly beads and pearls.  When the children went and ate all their pink party food, Diane attached their creations to a headband ready for them to collect at the end of the party.
Here is what my wee girl made!  I think it's absolutely beautiful and she has worn it every day since, getting compliments from everyone she meets.  What a fantastic idea for a party.  It seriously took all my self control to not dive in and join them!!
It's monarch butterfly season and we came home from kindy last week with a small swan plant complete with caterpillars.  They promptly stripped the plant of all its leaves within 24 hours.  We had an emergency dash to the garden centre to ensure they didn't starve and now we have 8 caterpillars of varying sizes happily munching away in the garden.  I'm not too sure how long it will be before they go into a cocoon but we keep checking on them every morning and again in the afternoon.
A bit of caterpillar acrobatics going on!  Boy, they can eat.
My small folk love the bunting I made recently and while we were outside doing a spot of pavement art, we decided the garage could do with a bit of bunting!  I think tonight we'll have to add a chalk welcome mat to the path outside our gate - it looks so sweet.
I just had to add this before I go.  My local village chocolate shop has one a national competition for these chocolates, so it was the perfect excuse to pop in and try them.  Sea Salt Caramels - oh wow.  They are quite possibly the most delicious chocolate I've ever tried.  There were ten of these but somehow three of them disappeared on the short drive home.  Weird how that happens!  I think I may need to pop in again today.  The diet will have to start tomorrow!

Have a fabulous week!  See you again soon.
Leah
xxxx

23 comments:

  1. What a lovely party to have been a part of! Congrats on your new shop sales! That is so exciting. I am considering trying one out this summer but we shall see. Oh the delicious possibilities! Happy day to you!

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  2. Congrats on your sales,, It certainly puts a smile of the face, one that is hard to rub off :))
    The party table looks a treat , bright and colourful ..
    Happy crafting :))

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  3. A sold crafter! How exciting - big congratulations. What a completely splendid party! Loving your chalk bunting - our car port could do with a bit of colour - will get my little miss busy on that one.
    Carmel
    x

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  4. I love your tea cozy and that little headband. Have fun with your books!

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  5. Cute, cute, cute!!! And those salted caramels.... swoon I want some so much xxx Kylie

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  6. Leah, your tea cozies are the very best! They're so colorful and cheerful, goodness, I am crazy about them. They make me want to buy ten teapots and cozy them and then start drinking tea. In that order. :)

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  7. Lovely post! What a great idea for a gorgeous party...if only little boys were into craft like that...maybe if they got to decorate guns or dinosaurs? OMG those chocolates look sooo yummy! But my favourite bit of your post is the chalk bunting - love it! What a great way to brighten up the neighborhood hon. Becks xxx

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  8. What an amazing party - it looks like a wedding! I have been toying with the idea of making things to sell but I am also worried my skills are not good enough. Well done for going ahead and doing it anyway.

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  9. Congratulations on selling your first items. What a great idea for a party. The bunting looks amazing.

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  10. Big hugs and congrats on your sales, well done, luvvy....and just love that tea cosy but then i love all your tea cosies, which reminds me, have you seen 'queen of the tea cosies'blog site, you should go and have alook, they are truly inspiring.
    And i have to say i am mega excited about whats coming in the post...you are a sweetie.

    xxxx

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  11. I love your tea cozys, so well done in beautiful colors! Great party that was for the kids, even the view out the window looks fab! Don't get me started on sea salt caramels, they are my favorite! Have a great day xxx

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  12. Congrats on your sales - it feels so good when someone likes your things so much that they're prepared to hand over money for them! :-)
    Ooooh! I want a party like that one - how pretty! :-)
    Carly
    x

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  13. Congratulations on your sales! I´ve visited your shop and I love everything there. You are so talented! That little headband is so cute, it must have been a wonderful party!
    Have a great week Leah!

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  14. The cozies are beautiful. Congrats on the sales. That is awesome after only one week. Your little girl's project is beautiful as well. Have a great day,
    Liz

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  15. What a cheerful tea cosy!....but then scrolling down thru your post,...the ENTIRE post is full of cheerful, happy looking things! Very pretty!

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  16. Well done on your sales, that must have given you a big boost.....I think it's totally normal to worry about things bein good enough, I know I've done a fe paintings as commissions and I virtually drive myself nuts over it, my hubby gets so cross when I take another on, I'm not sure it ever gets easier, although I also think that it's important not to be complacent.

    The party looks amazing and your daughter obviously has your creative ability.

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  17. I am in LOVE with your tea cosy- you clever bunny!
    I have been meaning to make one for ages and even bought a new white teapot to put it on, but alas, it has no warm coat yet! But now I am inspired. And if I can ever stop making egg cosies for the shop, I'll have a go!!

    Well done on your sales too- I'm not surprised at all. You are very clever and make beautiful things!

    Enjoy your weekend.
    Xx

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  18. your tea cosy is looking so cute on my kitchen shelf thank you so much! love the colours and what a bonus to get the teapot as well :) all the best with your shop, no doubt it will be a success :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Megan, I'm so pleased you like it! I'm so grateful for your purchase - my very first sale ever!! Enjoy.

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  19. Love the tea cosy, gorgeous colours!

    Congrats on the sales - well done!

    Gill xx

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  20. I always feel like what I make isn't good enough, but I'm pretty sure yours are fabulous! My finishing is the problem. And I can't always follow patterns. :/ Congrats on your first sales. Your tea cozy is so sweet! Looks like you are having lovely weather on your side of the world. and that party sounds like something I would like to attend. How fun that the girls got to craft and create. Oh yum! Those chocolates sound divine. I love chocolate and caramel. Delish! Have a fabulous end of week. Tammy

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  21. I came over from T's blog....love your crochet! I'll be back, I hope to see your butterflies emerge too :-)

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