Hiding away...

My crafting companion - also hiding away

Yes, I've been hiding and things have been rollercoastering, as is to be expected.  But there have also been a few unexpected things. 

I had a very minor lottery win - about £70, which was just about the same amount I'd spent on materials earlier that day, hurrah!

The second market day wasn't great either - heavy showers meant the dismal footfall of last week was decreased further, plus the organisers started to put the lighting up at about 4.00pm - just in time for packing up.  I think that because there are no sides or back to the canopies the products don't stand out so well, which was made worse by the lack of lighting.  Though my visual merchandising skills grow each week, you still have to be able to dismantle things and move them out of the rain, as yesterday...plus as it's all handmade, I don't have tons and tons of stuff to display. But it does get better every week.  I've been offered another stall at a Christmas market which I'm going to do, details to follow, and may do one day at Camden market.  Apparently if you make your own stuff you get priority.  Must get a sign for 'Flibbertygibbet's Parlour'.  Also a couple talked to me for a long time about a bed-sized quilt for their little girl, which would be a really big commission.  I do hope they get back in touch with me.  I'm determined to press on with it until Christmas and have also started to properly research a connected business proposal that has been at the back of my mind for a long time.

Big conversations chez Flib this morning.  STBXH (Soon To Be Ex-Husband - hereafter XH) is going away for the New Year and I can't say I blame him.  I joked that if I could find a residential embroidery course I'd be gone too.  Does anyone know of any workshop type courses over the new year, in the UK?  Do let me know if you do, for any sort of crafting. Distraction would be great.  Lots of practical things to think about, such as who's going to mind the mogs over Christmas, as if they go to XH's mother they wouldn't be back until the middle of January and I'd miss them too much.

Lots more ideas for things for the shop, wristlets (which Emilia Fox was looking at on Saturday, but I didn't get the chance to talk to her as another woman was chatting away about what I was knitting - still the same scarf for Mum - and then her friend called her away to look at the organic vegetables, dammit) which are made out of some of the famous Ethel stash, and finished with either pearl snaps or vintage buttons - probably vintage buttons for the rest of them, actually.  There are a couple of things which are still under wraps for another few days, but if they work out the way I'm hoping I'll be very excited. 

And in the spirit of our friends across the pond this week, things I'm thankful for:

Alphabet friends - C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K  who've all been great this week.

Scissor Sisters - going to see them tonight, and as most of the second album seems to be about break-ups  - or at least that's the way I'm hearing it - it will be good to sing along.

Parents - coming to see me next week. Better finish the scarf.  Mum's birthday is on Tuesday.

Comments

[kirsty]

Flib flippancy, indeed! I must say, F, it's all sounding tres civilised at your house. No temptation to stab Anyone with the pinking shears? Well done. Love the name Flibbertygibbets's Parlour. What about the Ubiquitous Bunting for the name banner? It does look great and you can tie it up anywhere. (although if you do one letter per triangle it will be veeeeery long bunting)

[Denise]

Did you get the scarf finished in time for your Mum?
I've been crocheting socks, which are so warm and cosy (3 pairs made so far!) though still maybe a tad lumpy to give as gifts...must show you some pics!