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...

Our Big 30 Weekend!

Last weekend, the Muddles and I went to Butlins to meet up with some of my most favouritist people in the whole world, my friends from college.

As we're all turning...whisper it...30 this year, we thought we should honour the occasion properly. Not to mention I wasn't sure I'd make it to the end of any Big Nights Out in my current state!

Hard to get my head around the fact that I met these lovely folks nearly 14 years ago, and a lot has changed in that time. However, when we're all back together its like nothing has changed. They really are an awesome bunch of people!

The excitement of Butlins took its toll though and not one of us managed a 'Big Night', but we did get some much needed catching up done which was fabulous.

Off this weekend to a family wedding in Essex, so its a very busy half term all in all for us!

Big Plunge!

Well today I officially registered as self-employed. I've been thinking about starting to sell my jewellery designs for a good long while, and have a couple of potential outlets, so today all the paperwork (can it be called that now its all online??) went through.

It'll never be a huge money maker, but it will be lovely to have something that is just 'mine', and a little sideline money while my main focus is the children. Given that its something with relatively little set-up cost and nothing really to lose it shouldn't be that scary, but I'm not a person who deals with 'opening myself up' easily (ironic that I'm writing that on a blog, no?) so I am finding it quite frightening!

But the Etsy shop is open for business (here in case you're interested!), I have more materials on the way and my first 'in person' selling event in just a few weeks. Exciting times!