and the Winner is......

I have just drawn the winner of my blog giveaway. All high tech here, me asking James for a number, me counting down the comments! and the winner is....................

........................HOTDOG AND ME.

If you email me your address, I will get it in the post straight away for you, so it has a chance to be in a stocking for Christmas.

Thanks to everybody who entered.

Look what I've just won!

I was just catching up with some blog reading and discovered I have won the giveaway from Petal Textiles. How very exciting and those decorations are going to look lovely on my tree :-)

As you can see Helen's work is lovely so why not nip over to her shops on Misi or Folksy, where you still have time to buy some of her gorgeous items.

Thanks Helen for the giveaway!

Santa's arrived with a giveaway!

It's the 1st of December and Santa has arrived in our house...............

in the shape of our advent calendar filled with lovely chocolate!

To mark this occasion and to keep with the theme, I am going to have a giveaway of one of my Santa bookmarks, which has been so popular this year. It is such an adorable lampwork bead.

How to enter.........become a follower of my blog, then take a look in any of my shops, Misi, Folksy or my own website. Leave me a comment saying which item you like the most and why.........you have until 6pm on Sun 13 Dec to do so. The winner will then be picked by random selector and the bookmark sent in time to be a stocking filler for the lucky winner.

Some new items!

Sorry, I haven't written anything for awhile........I have just been so busy with craft fairs, work and life in general. So to make amends and show that I am still around, here is a few items I have made this afternoon.

Firstly this lovey aqua crystal bracelet........

Then this silver necklace with butterfly and silver dangles.......

another lovely bracelet using hemanite, I love how this one shimmers in the light

and the last one is a bracelet using agate. I have made a few other items but as usual the light hasn't been good for photographs with all the rain!

Why is it that everything is spaced out lovely, but when I publish it all squashed up together!

Stunning Watches

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to blog or list new items for a while now. Trying to remedy both tonight........I have just listed some stunning watches on my website, they all have a crystal studded magnetic clasp to make doing it up so easy!



The first is a black crystal watch, which would look stunning on that party night!.........

The second is a blue nugget watch which would be perfect for a December birthday..........

and finally, I had to make the crystal watch in my favourite colour purple!

Secret Santa

This year I am organising a Secret Santa for the girls on the Misi website. Last night was the deadline for the names of those wanting to take part. This morning all the names were written down,





but before they could be put into Santa, I had a slight accident..........




his hat, the lid fell off and crashed to the table, smashing into an unbelieveable amount of pieces, James said "stick it back together, Daddy won't know", not even I could manage that one!!





The names were put into Santa.......

and James did the honours, slightly camera shy this morning as he was still in his PJ's!

Everyone has now been sent the details of who they are making for and the gifts will be posted at the end of Nov.

I look forward to hearing about and seeing what everyone has received.

Thanks to those who are taking part.

Florence beads giveaway

I seem to have been in a bit of a winning streak........must unlike me!





These are the wonderful beads I have won from the giveaway by Jo of Jolicious. She was taken to Florence for a birthday treat and bought these and some other beads for herself from Tim James of the Beaded Lily.


I am sure we are both going to have fun making something special with these beads. My favourite keeps changing, I really love the one with the swirl pattern, then the red one feels so Christmasy, but it should really be the pink one today for 'Think Pink' (the photo doesn't really do it justice either as it has a lovely pattern around the side).


Jo was recently lucky to do a Polymer Clay course at the London Jewellery School. If you would like to find out how she got on and see what she made take a look at her blog.


Thanks again Jo for the wonderful beads.

.

A gift from Art by Mimi

This is the gorgeous gift my son received from Mimi. She has started to make these pillows and asked for names and themes in a giveaway. I suggested planes, as my son loves them and his name is James. He loves it and spent the evening carrying it around! If you would like one to, take a look at her shop ART BY MIMI.

Along with the gift came this beautiful card, depicting St Ives Harbour.........I am originally from Cornwall but haven't been to St Ives for a few years now which is a shame!

So as not to leave Mummy and Daddy out, Mimi sent us these wonderful coasters of Puffins, one of our favourite birds, these are also available here.

A very BIG thank you to Mimi and mum Diane for these gifts, from us all.

Beautiful bead giveaway

I was very lucky to receive this amazing bead in the post yesterday from Jelveh Designs,

unfortunately, the light has been so bad today that my photos really don't do it justice!

I can't wait to make something lovely for myself with it.



If you have a moment do check out her website where there is lovely beads to feast your eyes on or why not check out her blog where you will be able to hear all about her lampwork bead classes in Turkey. That would be a real dream to join her out there.


Thanks again Jelveh for a wonderful bead.

New stocking fillers

Have just listed some stocking filler bookmarks on my website and Misi shop.

A cute Father Christmas,

an equal cute snowman,

and a very pretty snowflake.





I think these would make ideal stocking fillers and may even encourage some reading over the Christmas period, especially if given with a book!

It's Folksy Friday time.

I haven't managed to blog for quite a few days now. Have been busy working extra so that my job share could go to France......she had a fantastic time which was lovely to hear.

So my theme today is 'time' because I haven't had much time to do anything lately!

How about this lovely 'Time for Tea' set by Hooked Yarn http://www.folksy.com/items/47832 , shame I am a coffee drinker!

I also like these tea towels by She Draws, http://www.folksy.com/items/67818 they come in a selection of colours to match your kitchen too.

I think this could also be turning into a kitchen theme.........as this clock would be lovely from oink design http://www.folksy.com/items/43412

Time to go and catch up on some jobs now.........ironing first I think!

My Misi Monday picks

I have really got a liking for teal at the moment........so here is a few items I have found in this wonderful colour!

I love these cute baby booties by Funky Shapes but have no one to buy them for http://misi.co.uk/gifts/1417/.html

Can we ever have too many bags? Of course not, so how about this one from Knitting Pretty http://misi.co.uk/gifts/12308/Blue_Forest_Handbag.html

and what about this wonderful scarf from Glamour Junkie http://misi.co.uk/gifts/9411/Nuno_Felted_Silk_Double_Scarf_.html

Finally, this is a really handy door stop from Charlotte Macey http://misi.co.uk/gifts/18950/Teal_Spot_Doorstop.html

International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Ahoy there, I nearly forgot that today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and here is a photo of my little pirate!

New listings

Have been busy making stock for my Christmas fairs today and have listed a few items in my shops.


First I have been making some pink items for next month and Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. This bracelet is made from glass foil lined beads and crystals and is available in my Misi Shop http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/21421/Pink_Foil_Bracelet.html or website.

or how about this lovely snowflake bookmark, which would make an ideal stocking filler. I have used glass beads with a delicate pattern to compliment the snowflake charm. It can be found in my Misi shop http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/21419/Snowflake_bookmark.html or on my website.

This lovely bag charm can also be used as a keyring and is made in this seasons colours of black and teal. I have used a selection of glass beads, butterfly, heart and crystals and finished it with a black crochet ball. I can also make this in other colours so please ask if you would like one custom made for you. It can be found in my Folksy Shop http://www.folksy.com/items/65791-Black-teal-bag-charm-?shop=yes or on my website.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone, the sun is shining here at the moment.

Folksy Friday

Keeping with the bike theme for my Folksy Friday, here are some of the items I have found.

How about this pin brooch by FluffsStuff http://www.folksy.com/items/54959

and here is a signed photo by Tim Irving http://www.folksy.com/items/49651

and finally this wood keyring made of walnut by Wood Jewellery http://www.folksy.com/items/41388

Tour of Britain

Yesterday the sixth stage of the Tour of Britain finished in Bideford, having started earlier in the day from Frome. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and the sun shining. The race was due to finish around 2.45pm and entertainment had been arranged in the town from 10.30am. The Quay had been transformed with various promotional vechicles, barriers and signs.

The primary schools allowed their pupils to go from 12pm and I was able to leave work at 2pm so we were all able to meet up in town before the race finished. As the time got closer the excitement grew in the crowd, with lots of cheering.

The winner was Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen, making this his fourth stage win in a row. He now has a 19 second lead over Kai Reus.


Stage seven, which runs from Hatherleigh in Devon to Yeovil, takes place today with the race finishing in London on Saturday.


After the race there was entertain in Victoria Park with different live bands and a version of Bidefords Got Talent. The evening was rounded off with a firework display.

For all you foodies out there

The wonderful Emma at Bagladee is having a fantastic giveaway on her review site http://emma-bagladee-reviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/give-away-kerrymaid.html

The hamper is full of goodies courtesy of Kerrymaid.

Inside the hamper:
Kerrymaid Garlic Butter, Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml, Black Pepper Irish Cheddar Cheese Truckle, Medium Mature Irish Cheddar Cheese Truckle, Traditional Irish Oat biscuits, Rich Fruity Chutney with Irish Stout, Cucumber Relish, Belgian Chocolate Enrobed Mixed Berries, All Butter Irish Shortbread & Homemade Irish Fudge.
(contents of the hamper are subject to availability)

They are promoting their new Garlic Butter range with some wonderful receipes. Makes you hungry just looking at it all!

Good luck if you decide to enter, definately a nice one to win!

My amazing prize.......

I recently entered the giveaway run by the very talented Emma of Bagladee, bespoke bag designer and fabricator.

When I came home from work yesterday a package was waiting for me. When I opened it up I found two beautifully wrapped parcels.

I couldn't wait to find out what was in side.......

.......and these were the amazing and very generous gifts I received. A beautiful handmade felted purse, and one of Emma's new design flower brooches, in my favourite colours of purple and green. A beautiful butterfly covered notebook, ideal for my orders at craft fairs. Some lovely chocolate, which my son has his eye on!! Her new button badge and beautiful butterfly card.

Here's a closer look at the lovely purse, now if you are envious of me and you should be and would like one of your own, there are some other lovely colours in her shop http://www.bagladee.com/page10.htm

and now for a closer look at the badge. This is the latest pretty design of brooch from Emma and she has more designs here for you to see http://www.bagladee.com/page13.htm

As if I wasn't lucky enough there was also another gift in the parcels, this time from Emma's friend Andrea from My Beady Eye........

these lovely dangly earrings....I have a top that these will be perfect with!

It certainly put a smile on my face to receive such wonderful gifts yesterday and a very big thank you to Emma and Andrea. Do take a look at their shops there is some very lovely items to be bought, ideal for Christmas :-)