My Etsy shop...Valentine's Day Giveaway..

 My oh my...what a week or so it has been...you may have thought we were a housewife down again...(see full story here)...I have photographed and uploaded and written and fiddled and arranged and hummed and hah'ed and re-photographed and re-uploaded and been to the post office 6 times...and all just so I could at last get my Etsy shop up and running...so a big pat on the back and thanks to my fantastic staff of...well, me! 

...obviously with back up and much patience and rolling of eyes like Mum's STILL on the computer...from Team W!

I have been on a steep learning curve as with all these internetty things which come so easily to the teenaged and young childers...but I have got there...so do pay a visit and let me know what you think...if you spot anything I haven't please let me know!

and be-cause it's only just open and be-cause it's nearly Valentine's Day...and I'm fu-fu-feeling full of LOVE...I would love you to help me to celebrate and to say thanks to all my lovely followers and likers...with a Giveaway ...2 little handmade bird brooches will fly away to ...maybe YOU...so leave me a comment here, or on my Facebook Page here...and say if you'd like a pink, blue, grey or green one...offer closes midnight Monday...so I can get the birdie to you as soon as possible...with a following wind...

and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you all xx

life is full of choices

and it isn't always easy to see which way to go....

been such a busy couple of weeks...craftyness all round...oh and daughter mine's birthday and then the C-word...apparently not far off now so I really must do something about it...

it's funny how each year is different, this time last year I was in a frenzy of handmade Christmas making with knitting and sewing and daughter making chutneys and husband creating willow baskets...it is all much quieter this year...think I have been so full on with my now 'work' of making that my energy has gone into that and nothing else...still, all in a good cause...it's been an exiting and challenging year!

mm still not able to upload photos so I am deliberating some choices...

a) start a new blog...it's an opportunity to change what I want to (but might confuse my loyal readers and I would not wish to do that...plus all my business cards give this address!)
b) wait patiently and hope Blogger will sort it out
c) cease blogging and just 'do' facebook...but I would miss the space to post as much as I want...

mmm what do you think??

hope you are having a lovely time getting ready for whatever Christmas means to you...and NO STRESSING!! let go of the voice in your head and just enjoy the moment.... (note to self that is!)

celebrate the small things...

are you having fun? if not... get someplace quick where you are!
xx

celebrate...handmade

whether it's willow baskets or cupcakes...or bags or dresses...there's a whole lot of making going on round here...today it's the turn of husband of patience to be in the limelight...he's often to be found behind the scenes...but here his making takes centre stage...

since doing a weekend workshop he has just loved setting to and making a basket...which is a whole process... first soak the willow...the right amount and size...it all has to be planned a week ahead...to be carefully cut and then woven in precise mathematical patterns... here is one he made earlier...a special chair for sitting in to willow weave ...or just drink tea...home grown...so no air miles at all...and very much SLOW and patient making...I love the colour and shape...

and now he has the proper tools in a lovely wooden holder he made in his tool shed...he can be found outside in all weathers making handmade woven willow creations...some a trifle wobbly but some just amazingly strong and beautiful and round and woven with love and passion...

 

it starts with a base...and magically several hours of weaving and Radio 4 later... a two tone basket appears...of great interest to Emilia chicken...checking it for quality control?

how pleasing to grow and harvest something with which you then create a useful and beautiful object...here's another in use by daughter mine...plotting some creativity and craftyness in a corner of the studio...

here's my favourite inspirational Mollie Makes...with a fab free gift...cleverly on a handmade theme...and of course wonderful craft ideas inside to make or just drool over...

so let's celebrate handmade... and all craft and art and writing and sewing and gardening and...whatever you love to do! xx

celebrate...moments...

...summer skies...handmade bunting...grass and flowers...the hum of bees...warm sun on your skin...moments of just being...shared with daughter mine and husband of patience...halfterm heaven...