What a week!

It's been quite a week so far in the Bramble Household!

Eldest Boy was assaulted, and although the attacker has been caught it has still left EB with stitches, a fractured jaw and the prospect of almost certainly losing three of his top front teeth (at 18!). It's been a traumatic experience for us all but at least he is 'walking wounded' and when I think of what could have happened I feel grateful for that.
 

 My lovely work colleague, Lucy is off to pastures new. Things are changing in libraries and self-service is being put in place meaning less staff are needed, so Lucy is off to the 'Big Library'.  Today we had lunch to say our goodbyes, I'll certainly miss her.

Yesterday I received the first of my Amazon Christmas book pre-orders (does that make sense? I can't decide!), Mollie Makes Christmas. I have to confess to being a little disappointed, I love the layout and pictures but the projects just didn't really inspire me on the whole. Have you seen it - what do you think?
I have lots to share with you so I'll be back soon, when I am in a more positive frame of mind!

Thanks for visiting.

I hope you are having a good week.

xXx

 

 

A little bit random...

Hello All,

Just an update as to why I've not been blogging much recently. Organising the Craft Fair is taking up a lot of my time at the moment, I've been doing a lot of designing (and that has been a steep learning curve!). It's fun but at this rate I'm going to have nothing to sell!!

Tomorrow myself and a couple of friends are having a  Meet and Eat (thank you Ian for that title!) get together to try and encourage us to get making! I'm also planning a photo shoot (with Youngest Boys point and shoot camera - not as grand as it sounds!) for our My Favourite Things blog and Facebook page.

Here are a couple of my designs to prove that I have been working!

I am very excited to be signed up for Hookin' with Laa Laa's

advent swap and sad that it will be the last swap she organises. My swap partner is Emma, I've already started collecting - I love Christmas!!.

I joined in with the Jubilee swap previously which was great fun and I met the lovely Aija. I've not received anything from my All Things British swap partner but as it was some time ago that I sent mine, and I know she received it, I'll show you a piccie of what I sent.

A memo pad, some Montezuma's chocolate (not only British but also local to us), some UJ coasters, a British Seaside mug, a gorgeous notebook (that I really wanted to keep!), some British sweets and paper craft bits, badge and a brooch made from a British and Vintage blanket and mother of pearl buttons all went to my swap partner. I did enjoy putting the swap parcel together!

Anyway, I'm now off to create a booking form for the craft fair!

I hope you've not had too wet a weekend if you're in the UK.

Thanks for visiting

xXx

 

Feeling a Little Green...

A little while ago I bought some Annie Sloan paint, I'd been reading about how great it is and how, what really sold it to me, it needs no preparation!

I have to admit my first attempt was a disaster - I decided to paint outside on a fine but breezy day. I really wondered what all the fuss was about.

Today I decided to give it another go, this time painting inside. It made a huge difference and I had to force myself to stop before I'd painted everything in sight! It's so easy to use!

My favourite colour is green and I chose Antibes from the AS range.

I love this colour! I painted the frames and box with it and used a dark wax on top of the paint, the drawers are painted in the same colour but with clear wax on top. I think I prefer the dark wax on this colour.

clear wax 

dark wax

A mirror, thimble shelves and another frame were also painted before I could bring myself to stop but they've not been finished yet so I'll show those some other time.

 

 I also bought Paris Grey and Old White coloured paint so I need to try those soon...

My paint came from Bon Ami in Lewes, they are going to be running courses soon on how to use the AS paint. Although Lewes is 20 miles from us I'll go back there to get my next lot of paint (I'm thinking about Emperor's Silk next) as they are so friendly and helpful.

So, much as I still love my old favourite Farrow and Ball colours I have to say I'm a convert to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Do you have a favourite range?

 

Thanks for visiting.

Have a great weekend.

xXx

 

 

A New and Exciting Venture

It would be silly wouldn't it, for the first craft fair I sell at to also be the first (and possibly last) craft fair I organise? Why am I doing just that then?! Only one word for it really M*A*D, but exciting too.

Luckily for me, my partner in crime has sold at CFs before so has some knowledge, and I'm sure we'll make up in enthusiasm what we may lack in expertise!

The hall is booked, the flyer designed after many, many hours trying to get the sizing right (I'm no computer expert!). We even have a blog! With a beautiful, magical introduction to the C******s fair written by the talented Mrs Snippet - thank you Mrs S! Please blog soon - we miss you!!

Today was spent trying to come up with ideas for things to sell, here are a few things I've made so far...

 

I'm not great at making things more than once, I itch to try something new, so I need to be organised and disciplined!

I know some of you sell at CFs so any advice will be gratefully received.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and have a great week.

Thanks for visiting

xXx