All in the packaging?

Normally I package my Craft Kits like this...

That's where they got their name 'Take Away...' from. I couldn't, or wouldn't want to, call them that if I was packaging them a different way. However something always comes along to change how you view things.

My friend Jo (a separate post about her to come) and her family came to visit over half-term last week. As usual, bless her, the first thing she wanted to do was go shopping. By that I mean, take our coffees up to my studio and rummage through all my things! She is Blueberry Park's number one fan and always gives me a big boost of confidence by oohing excessively over everything. And the fact that she goes back home with a shed load of gifts confirms her feelings.

This time it was a Christmas shop she was doing. She wanted to order 3 Apron Kits for her 3 children. Jo being Jo - and only my bestest buddy can get away with this - she painstakingly worked her way through my fabric stash and selected the ones she wanted in the kit. Oh, and the ones she wanted the needle/pin sets made out of too! As I say, only Jo can get away with this...Just in case you were wondering...

The point of all this rambling is that these weren't quite ready for her to take back home with her and in an attempt tocut down the packaging through the mail, we decided that they would work all folded up in a cello and wrapped in tissue. Whilst I wouldn't recommend this design for my stockists, as I think the piles of the Take Away Boxes has an eye-catching appeal, I think this really works for a personal order. Particularly when there a few presented together.

What do you reckon?

Planning ahead

It's definitely that time of year. I don't know about you but, even though we've a ways yet before 2010 is upon us, I do need somewhere to write down things for next year. Next year's calendar is definitely something I need now. I normally get one of M & S's family calendars for the kitchen - lots of space and normally I can find quite a funky one. I've been looking at Etsy to see which to get for my studio however. I'm after something prettier up there. Something that's just mine, that isn't going to have everyone's schedules and arrangements scribbled over. I really only need one to check dates, rather than having to write anything on. Here are some of my faves so far...

Cupcakes sure make me happy and I like the fact that there is a little column to write should I need to (only in my favourite best pen of course). This is one of several fun calendars with great illustrations from Yeehaw

This is a very sweet one from Alidesign, but I'm thinking i'd like something bigger. Cute nonetheless

I love this by Beth Fioretti. Very different from the screenprinted ones I had in mind, but a beautiful piece of art on the wall all year.

Back to the screen printed varieties... again this is veering away from the wall calendars (amazing how distracted you can become when you enter Etsy territory!) but very sweet to have in your bag when needed.

I'm liking this one from PSPapergoods and they have a great one for the kitchen too - just not quite big enough for my lot.

I think you can tell from this snippet, that there is alot out there. Many other contenders that I haven't even included. Go check out Etsy for yourselves. I'm sure you'll find plenty that will make it to your not-even-quite-whittled-down list.

Little treats

It's half-term this week. No sooner do I feel that we have got back into some routine after juggling through the summer, then the children are off again. Honestly, the life of a WAHM! My lovely Mum actually gave me a long work day today and took the children out.

Actually, not only did she take them out but she also went to Hebden Bridge to do my errands. She popped some kits into Amy at Ribbon Circus and picked up some jewellery from Rachel Lucie for some orders; mixing my business with the children's pleasure. Win, win ... for me ;-)

I got on with making up orders for a couple of new stockists that have come in this week and ordering some stock that I've been running low on. I was reordering some jewellery from Handmade by Hayley and I realised that I haven't even told you about it yet. Been too busy selling it! This jewellery is fab. It's perfectly priced for little treats for yourself, as well as making a great little gift for girlfriends, when you just need a little something.

It's all been equally popular, but my personal must haves are the Blue Double Strand and the Grey Shell. I guess they are the colours I wear the most this autumn. I'm sorry for keeping it a secret from you, but go check it all out and see what you think. It's all right here.

Sunday Stash #5

Thrilled with my latest Etsy fabric purchase... Asanoha in navy (japenese ai) and mustard, from Chokichokifabric. A fabulous Japanese seller selling the most gorgeous Japanese prints. I think these will be perfect for my latest projects.

This Traditional Circles in mustard is next on my list...

Stunning Jewels

There's quite a lot of new things arriving at Blueberry Park at the moment. It's one of the perks of the job - shopping for a living - how can you not love it?!

The latest to arrive is the stunning jewellery from the talented Rachel Lucie Jewellery Designs. Rachel has an incredible eye for picking and combining the most beautiful stones and turning them into equally special yet wearable pieces.

I can picture 'Entwined' and 'Victorian Sweetheart' being popular for a winter wedding.

'Blue Moon' and 'Blush' are sure to be everyday faves.

And I've definitely got my eye on 'Love Charms' and 'Token of Love'. Oh, go on, I'll admit it, I've got my eye on all of them! After all, I did go shopping and come back with them in the first place!

Going check it all out here. I'd love to know which is your favourite...

Lucky Number...

Yes, Aimee, of Live, Lush, Laugh, it's YOU!!

Just email me your postal address and one of my sets of Pincushion and Needlecases will be on it's way down under to you! I little something from Leeds, just for you!

Thank you all so much for entering and for your lovely comments. Hope I'll have some more things to inspire you very soon. xx

Abel & Cole

Every now and then I get a leaflet through from Abel & Cole and every now and then I sit down and peruse it over a cup of tea. Their leaflets are always very enticing, beautifully photographed, with the produce looking scrummy. Every time I do this I put the leaflet on the 'action' pile to order.

And every time it ends up in the recycling, as time has gone by and so has the moment.

I'm not exactly sure why this should be such an issue. It's not as if I don't ordinarily buy organic fruit and veg. I have been for years. I think not only does it always look more nutritious and apetising, but (apparently) it is too. I'm not sure if that is wholly true, but I've convinced myself of it - well, there has to be a reason I pay more!

This week the usual pattern of: receive catalogue, sit down with catalogue, put catalogue on action pile, throw catalogue away, was broken. I guess the moment was right. I happened to have time after the 'peruse catalogue' phase to sit down and actually order. Or maybe it was the bribery of £50 off if I ordered 4 consecutive weeks.

I took a gamble. I know lots of us keep meaning to use Abel & Cole, but I don't actually know anyone who has. I think another reason for me is what if we get a box full of things we won't eat. I opted for the Mixed Fruit and Veg Box.

The box arrived this morning and as you can see, it all looks incredible. I am delighted. Maybe it's first time lucky, but there is nothing in there I wouldn't eat - besides still not being quite sure what to do with the chard/spinach - hey Twitter friends?!

I am a convert. I can't wait to get cooking and I can't wait for next week's delivery. And I can't wait to not have to pick it all from the supermarket!

So I hope I've convinced you to give it a try. I'm off to have a cuppa and do some more perusing - this time of recipe books. If you need the incentive that gave me the push I needed here's the code to get your £50 free: OCTOBERSUB50

(And thank you all for your amazing comments about what my blog means to you. I am honestly touched by all of them. x)