I had a lesson in "Never Ever Give Up" last week...

Out of the blue I got an email from someone who had seen me at BCTF 2 years ago...yes, that's right, 2 YEARS ago!

The lady in question had kept my details all this time and finally was ready to place an order!

At that time my work was quite different to what I offer now, but the thing she was most interested in was my cards. I don't really offer these wholesale anymore but was quite happy to do so for her - I would have felt too guilty not to after all this time.

And because it's been so long since I've done a batch of these I had fun today doing the order.

I pulled out a few of some new fabrics and it actually felt like I was doing something completely new and different - although that could say more about my memory of a goldfish and I'd completely forgotten about ever making them!

I particularly enjoyed using one of the Lotta fabrics that has been sitting on my desk waiting to be used. I'd promised myself that I couldn't cut into any of them until there was no more work waiting ie not before Christmas, but since this was work, I could legitimately use it.

A few finishing touches to the cards is needed and then 2 years later, off the order goes in a matter of days. I just hope she finds the wait was worth it.

More deliveries at Blueberry Park this week...

I think I've mentioned before how I get a little bit over-excited when I find new pieces for Blueberry Park.

I get very impatient when I find something fab that I know my customers will love as much as I do, to be able to get it up on the site and let everyone see.

I can't wait to get everything on the site and can't wait to then hear everyone's reaction.

I can't wait to find out if I've got it right. If everyone has the same reaction as I did when I first saw the new items.

Well I haven't had to wait too long. I only discovered these amazing Wall Art pieces by Sweet Dimple yesterday and Natalie, the talent behind the label, was obviously just as impatient to have them on Blueberry Park as I was, because less than 24 hours later (a record) they are all right here in all their glory.

And now I need to know...

...Do you love them as much as I do?

Ever since I was invited to join the Flickr group "My morning cup", I've been hooked on these little 'mug rugs' that everyone seems to be making at the mo.

They are very sweet and I love the idea of them. However I am partial to a tray to put my morning cuppa on, so they weren't actually going to work for me.

But, as I said, I love the idea of a splash of colour on the table and adding texture when a full cloth may not be desired or practical. Just a little decorative touch to break up a surface.

So I have extended the idea a fraction and made a couple of mats for various positions in the house. The first one above is now sitting in the middle of the kitchen table. It's already, within the 24 hours it has been sitting there, been used for a fruit bowl, the coffee break, oh and I think breakfast juice and glasses.

I've just finished this second one and it is now sitting on top of our new fireplace. I absolutely adore our new fireplace, but couldn't quite put my finger on what was missing.

A touch of soft fabric to break up the hard surface...perfect!

I'm hoping to make some of these for my shop, so if you like and are interested, drop me a line and I'll make sure I do some in the colourways you like.

(I managed it! and they are right here and here)

A holiday isn't a holiday if you haven't a new, clean, fresh bag to accompany you.

I'm now ready for my holiday.

If you don't count not having done any packing...at least I have the bag.

Not only was it the first day back to work after school hols today, but the first day back to work with no major event looming.

Renovations completed (bar the searching for finishing touches), Bar Mitzvah been and gone. All that leaves is time to focus on work.

Consequently I was able to finish what I started yesterday and now Manolo is off to his new home, where I hope he'll be enthusiastically received.

By the way, did you guess the colour theme?? Manolo's Mum is Argentinian, so a light blue and white colour-ways, with a hint of black was requested ;-)

Personalised commissioned cushions are now available in my Etsy store.

New cards

I've been busily creating new children's card designs. I had a request for some for wholesale and they wanted more designs than I currently do. So thinking cap on and I've come up with these...

And then off course I had to come up with some for the boys...

And then these little fellas were itching to be released...

I'm hoping to come up with an even bigger range and take them 'out there'. I'm not sure if my confidence is up to that, though. Every time someone makes an enquiry about them and then actually orders, I can't quite believe that they are taking my 'hobby' out there into the serious world of retail. Maybe I'll just sit back and wait for people to contact me. Or just maybe, I might go forth and be proactive. We shall see. In the meantime, all will be available to buy here and here, just as soon as I have time to post them