On the road again...

Well it now looks like we'll be moving before the new Muddle makes an appearance! Our landlady kindly gave us the minimum possible notice of a whopping 8% rent increase. She then negotiated slightly lower but we suspect her reasons may have been less than truthful (well, I've not heard from anyone else who's mortgage has gone up due to interest rates recently...) and as we were paying top whack for this place anyway we've decided to look for something more affordable.

On Friday we put in an application on a house very near us, with very similar proportions to the one we're in now, just with a much smaller garden. Hopefully we should hear back in the next couple of days but I'm on total tenterhooks. It would leave us a lot better off financially, while still being a relatively future-proof option for us (that is as long as this landlord doesn't start paying more attention to his bank balance than the actual market values!)

Ridiculously AWOL!

Poor, poor neglected blog! It has been so manic here at Muddle HQ. We had our 20 week scan and saw Teeny Muddle wriggling away, Big Muddle was totally entranced!

Mainly though I've been focussing on the jewellery. This Monday I have my first craft fair, in a converted church in Matlock Bath. It took me a long time to get up the courage to go for it, and it'll take even more courage to walk in there Monday morning, but fingers crossed! I've been amassing a range of items for it, including some very new designs (below) and I'm hoping they'll be a hit! To be honest, if I cover my table fee and train fare I'll be a happy bunny!

They run these markets every weekend between Easter & October so if it does go well I'm hoping to book with them again. Just hoping for a low amount of cake stalls, or at least that they're the opposite end from my table, or that'll really erode my profits!

Silent Sunday

New Designs Up!

Well OK, I maybe haven't got too far with getting the house in order, but at least I'm on top of the jewellery stuff at the moment! The Etsy shop is pretty well stocked, I have a Facebook page up and running and have a nice back supply of items ready for the next Spiritual Eyes event, which isn't even until the end of the month!

Next step is potentially booking a few craft fairs, but I'm not entirely sure whether I'll be doing this yet. As I'd have to take out public liability insurance and I'd only be doing two or three to take me to July (can't feasibly see me being physically able once I'm about 8 months), and I'm not sure when I'd be able to do more after baby is born I'm not sure it would be worth it for now...but its something to think about.

Right now though, its lovely having something that is just 'mine', and some me time to go with it (thank you Daddy Muddle!). As much as I love being a Stay at Home Mum, having some creative time has given me back some missing energy, and right now I need that more than ever!

Growing Your Own

This is our second full year at this house, and I really want to work some veggies into the borders, and grow more in containers on the patio.

Last year we bought a small polytunnel which was great, but really we got it too late on so I'd like to make the most of that. Today we got some great value pots for the patio from Wilkinsons, and I'll be going back for more of them!

Currently the plan is:

• Runner beans up canes in the border
• Dwarf beans up a smaller wigwam, also in the border
• Peas in a trough planter on the patio with chicken wire support
• Chatenay carrots in a trough planter
• Herbs and salad leaves in pots on the patio
• Strawberries on the patio (got an extra planter for this year, so some of the produce might actually reach the kitchen!)
• Tomatoes and chillis in the polytunnel
• Radishes and sunflowers in Big Muddle's patio pots

We also have a space at the back which I want something low-growing in, but not sure what yet. I was thinking maybe squash, but I'm not sure if the soil is rich enough. May try and wing it anyway!

Will be having a look around for more plants suited for pot-growing, perhaps some new potatoes, or spring onions. Oh it is nice to have Spring here!

Is there Room on the Broom for a Bird like me?

Friday is World Book Day and Big Muddle wants to dress up for nursery as the witch from Room on the Broom. We found a dog, a frog and a cat to attach to the broom, but we couldn't find a bird...and really it should be a green bird like in the book.

A little leftover felt and stuffing and some swear words later, and voila!

OK, so it looks more like a duck, but for my first attempt at a stuffed animal I'm pretty pleased with it!

Getting Back on Track...

After Butlins, half term and a family wedding last weekend, we have been quite busy lately! As a result, pretty much everything has gone to pot. Both girls have been ill, the house looks like everything inside it has exploded and my 'to do' list is threatening to take over the world.

Thankfully this weekend is currently looking clear, so I'm hoping that by Monday I'll be able to be back on track with everything...hmmm...