busy, busy, busy

I have been very busy with customer alterations.
Customer Maggie ; Shorten skirt, taper skirt sides, shorten top
Customer Kathryn ; Trousers 3 pairs shorten, re sew buttons on one, Taper skirt sides and shorten, taper skirt sides
Customer - Jeans pockets

Ebay keeps me very busy making up itmes listing and packaging up all fun fun though. And also I have been listing ' junk' ....Bex was very happy today her laptop sold for £115.08 so now her debt is down to £103 - so she is extremley happy.

Had a lovely day with hubby today we went for a meal at Zizzis and then to the cinema to see Christams Carol 3D.

Looking forward to another nice day tomorrow.

And Friday I shall be bery bust preparing for the craft fayre which I will be doing on Saturday.

busy, busy, busy

Wow what a day...

Busy sewing and packaging all day long dolls clothes ready for the craft fayres I'm doing.

Wow I received FOUR shop orders today.

Went for a meal at GBK, it was really tasty and I would certainly;y recommend it. I had the chilli chicken salad hubby had blue chess burger total bill £24.95.
 While at bluewater Mills went to a party so after our meal while waiting for mIlls we went shopping hubby brought me my Advent calender from hotel Chocolat.

Packaged up all Ebay and Shop orders ready to post tomorrow.

Wow what a fantastic day !!!

Still sewing away

THURSDAY
Yesterday my fabrics turned up from America so I was really happy - new deigns for my dolls clothes.
One lady managed to get 12 yards in one envelope - truly amazing as 1/2 was flannel which is thicker than cotton - the norm is 8 yards - so I shall be busy adding new design appliqués to items that I'm making.

OH NO what has Mills done - the  reel of elastic that I gave her to cut into 10 inch lengths is NOT so I will be busy piecing !!! Sometimes its just quicker to do the job yourself.

I was busy in my sewing room until 11:15pm last night as my machine was playing up and I did not get much as I wanted to during the day and when in the afternoon I found that the elastic was too short I was totally FED UP to say the least - never mind all is done and corrected now.

BEST NEWS _ (apart from my fabrics turning up of course)
Checked my emails before going to bed last night 11:50pm and I had received a shop order for 3 outfits :)

FRIDAY
Found a site to get my sewing machine oil at a good price and also my natural hair dye turned to today.

Sewing up t-shirts today and made up another Scooby Doo dress and machined around the appliques ready to send out.

Finished off dolly outfits with appliqués and bows and started packaging them up for the craft fayre. I must say they look really good in the packaging so I just hope they will sell.

Food shopping for the weekend.

My Ebay sales didn't do to bad I sold three items £6.50, £8.02 and £2.90

Friday fairy brought me Just the Right words I wish i had that Weds as it would have come in handy for a New Home card that I was sending.

Still sewing away

Today I made dolly trousers with frilly bottoms. Finished off some dresses.
Finished a customer alteration taking in a skirt ready for collection tomorrow,
Thats my day

My Day

Day starts with ironing

Walked up to the post office to post the Ebay items that ended Fridays and Saturday so 7 parcels to post. Great news a second chance offer brought so I trimmed the dress up and walked up in the afternoon with Mills to post it.

Customer alteration I shortened 2 skirts tomorrow I will finish them neeed to take one skirt in.

Started packaging up and trimming the outfits I have made ready for the xmas craft /shopping evening.

Listed another three dolls outfits on Ebay- all three sold today - so far since listing I have only had 3 go unsold - 2 which I re-listed and sold. So all is going well although at the moment it looks a bit depressing as not many are bid on - but they are been watched!!!!

Hoping my fabrics  from America will turn up tomorrow.

Ordered natural hair dye from Daniel Field today.

Hubby is working in Chersty tomorrow so it an early start to the day :)

Sewing yet again

All day sewing away .... can life get any better. Still tons of fabric to make up I do hope to clear a least one shelf this week.Walked up to the post office with Mills to post three Ebay items.

My Challenges for next week -

• Start getting the outfits in the display bags ready for the fayre.
• Clear one shelf of fabric
• Make up coats
• Nappies, pants and petticoat sets
• List junk on Ebay
• Sew up fabric from mum & latest buying spree
• Princess sets
• Toothfairy cushions
• 
  

Still creating

Sewing all day.

Waltahmstow market.......

Early start to the day today as hubby was working in Chersty office today so I managed to get a little organised in my room ( better move all the fabric from the study before hubby comes home :) LOL and carry on sewing -

Since finding out about Walthamstow market its really boosted me and I like to sew as much as i can and have really got in to it- really enjoying the days sewing away and so looking forward to going back

Shepherds Bush was good but not half as good as Walthamstow - wow what a find its a real gem for me - a dream come true finding fabrics at bargain prices so close to home - a train and tube ride but that makes it all so much more fun and an enjoyable day!!!- Just need to take hubby to carry the fabrics. And what a wonderful family I have who puts up with surrounded by fabrics and craft.



My bags turned up today for me to display my dolls clothes at the craft fayre I will be doing in November. Hope all goes well and that all the effort I'm putting in pays off. I'm really enjoying the days sewing and creating.

Walked up to the post office with Mills and posted Ebay parcels - four in total.

My list for today

1. Finished customer alterations - jackets shorten x 3 and shorten jacket sleeve 
2. Finishing dolls clothes - appliques , bows, buttobs ..... ( still plenty left to do!)
3. Washing Ironing Cooking .....the usual everyday chores
4.  Emailed company about film front bags I ordered - due tomorrow! Horray I can start packaging up and getting ready for the fayre!
5. Gave Bex detauil to finish my flyer - she did a surberb job :)
6. Paid for my fabrics that I ordered form America - so looking forward to them arriving. - Thank you Sue for sending me the information, I now have ordered from all three sellers! 20 yards of fabric coming my way - Oh I'm so happy.
   
7. Got hubby to ring about craft fayre - he left details on answer machine.
8. Ebay post - walked up to post office with Mills - 3 parcels to post.

Hubby working in Chersty office tomorrow so its an early start. Hoping to get a lot done tomorrow - finishing dolls clothes and more cutting out.

Tidying up day

The louge looks like a lounge again instead of my cutting room and well my rooom is now very over crowded.

Bex had her first interview todays so we are all keeping our fingers crossed for her.

Did a little work on dolls clothes - cut out on put appliqués on t-shirts. Hope to get a lot more finished tomorrow and also customer alterations finished.

Brought more fabric from Ebay this morning and very tempted to but more this evening at the moment 11:30 I 'm still thinking about it.

Mills had a friend to sleepover hence the tidy up day! As they are sleeping in the lounge. They went to a party - cinema they saw UP and then went to Nandos afterwards.

Relaxing Day

Today was the 'usual Saturday, very nice and relaxing.

Did buy some items to trim up the items I have made up and making up. Also treated myself to Simply knitting magazine.

Did cut some trousers out ready to sewn up and also trimmed threads off some items sewn up in the week.

Still sewing.....

Today Iwas dodging between housework and sewing. Thought I was up to date with the washing until Bex tidyied her room....

Lunchtime hubby and I went for coffee at Bluewater which was nice but it was very busy there which wasn't so nice as it much nicer when its quiet.

Ebay post - walked up to the post office with Mills and posted the one item. The dols clothes are selling quite well on Ebay and i'm making up plenty for the stall in November. Listed another more on Ebay.

Bex handed me the leaflet she designed for me to make to amendemnts that I want and hubby will then print then when he goes in the office.

Cut out two pieces of fabric this evening - boys hoodies and 3 tracksuits plus 2 hoodies redy to sew up tomorrow.

getting organised - well sort of!

Today went shopping with Bex to get a shirt for her interview on Monday and I treated myself to Pandoras box DS game which Bex will probably enjoy more than me. Must put this in the blog I did NOT go in TK Maxx which is a first as I was parked in the retail park!!

Back home carried on with the cutting out and sewing up dolls outfits. I made up some rompers today tp add different designs to my collection for Ebay and also the stall that I have in November.

Bex designed me a leaflet that I wanted to put on my stall to advertise which she did quite happily as she wanted to play the new game i brought. She did a really good job very pleased. She chose she great fonts and designed it fantastically well. Hubby will take it to work and photo copy me me loads.  :) What fantastic 'employees' I have ;) Oh I'm so lucky.

A surprise customer- so alterations work now to do shorten jacket and shorten jacket sleeves, then later he turned up again this time with two jackets he wanted shortened 1.5 inches - work which I love as it takes me back to my tailoring days -I will do this work over the weekend.

Finally got round to ordering the bags to display my items - now I just hope that I make some sales on the night. It cost me £61 + but that was for 2000 bags 1000 12X16 & 10X10

So happy sewing away

Still continuing sewing up the dolls clothes, and really enjoying making them up.

Listed more dolls clothes on Ebay they are selling quite well.

My fabrics 2 lots turned up today and I'm very pleased with them so now with the postal strike on I will have to wait for the third one- just hope it doesn't get lost in the post.

In the evening I sat and cut all the threads off the dresses that I have made up and planned what I'm cutting out and making up tomorrow - nightwear, boys tops, costs, ponchos.

Sewing dolls clothes

Had a fantasic day today ....sewing away making up dolls clothes.

I listed another 4 items on Ebay, I just wish that when people bid on items that they would pay I'm still waiting for payment for two itmes that was won last Monady I have opened a non-payment case with Ebay so hopefully now they will pay. Why bid if you do not want to pay??? It really does annoy me!

In the evening I cut more dresses out ready to sew up tomorrow.

Hubby has a meeting up London tomorrow morning so I will not be getting breakfast in bed :( but hopefully I will have a fantastic morning sewing away singing to my music :)

Ebay spending today I brought two lots of 10 bobbins (£7.40)  for my industrial machine. Hopefully all my Ebay wins will start turning up and that the postal strikes will not delay them too much.

Ebay buying

Won three more pieces of fabric from Ebay today -
Dora and Boots 2 FQ's  - £2.67
Minnie and Mickey  £1.69
Minnie and Mickey Donald and Daisy -  £4.79 A total spending of £9.15

Finished off a jacket alteration collection Monday

Did a little tidying up, washing and ironing. Created a menu plan and went food shopping at Waitrose we had a voucher come through the post my waitrose for a free pizza so we had that for today's dinner. This week I'm cooking meals from Sophie Dahl book.

Started cutting out the fabric from mum. The blue and white gingham I managed to get two dresses with headbands and knickers.

Another good day.

Walthanstow Market - Saturday

Brought tons of fabric especially from one stall lots of pretty cottons so it will certainly keep me busy for a while. Total spent at that stall was £46

Also brought trimmings lace and ribbons £3.20

And also £7 spent in another shop on satin fabric and two pretty prints one which I will probably make a bag for myself and another which I will use as motifs Thomas the Tank.

I would definatly visit it again - fabulous and it only cost £11 to travel there taking Mills with us and using the family railcard for a third discount - mind what we saved in the travel costs was spent on buying food and coffee for Mills but we enjoyed her company and also she loved the day too!

We went back th mum and dad's and mum cleared out and insisted that I helped myself to the fabrics she is not going to use I tried paying her for them but she only took £10.

• Fabrics from mum
  
• blue gingham 1 metre  -two dresses, headbands knickers sets
  
• peter rabbit  27 inches
• broderie anglais 2.5 metres
• brown rose floral 2 metres
• goldy orange satin 2 meters
• grey 1.10 metre
• pink satin 1 metre
• yellow winnie pooh 2 metres
• blue 3.5 metres
• blue teddy 1 metre
• cream teddy 1.20 metre
• baby print 1.20 metre
• white teddy print 1.10 metre
• pink teddy 1.25 metre
• aqua satin1 metre
• lilac satin 1.20 metre
• yellow teddy/bunny 2.5 metre
• sqiggles print 4 metres
• lemon bear print 3 metres
• white satin 4 meters
• blue cotton  3 metres
• yellow cotton 3 meters
  
• cream cotton5 metres
• Total approx 48 metres of fabric
  

• Trimming from mum
• Broderie anglais  lace 25 metres
• White marbou
• Strung beads roll full
  
• dollies2
• hearts 2 packets
• reels of ribbon 8 
  
• bundles of ribbon 38
  

Not much done today :(

Toady I didn't get as much I I would have liked as I didn't have a good night and not feeling too good ( tummy and back pain ) would have liked to stay in bed a bit longer but I ahve a customer collection 9:30am.

I did manage to sort a tub of fabric out and get rid of some of the rubbish - ie- off cuts that I will never even use!!

And I did manage to make up two pairs of booties - and half way through the third pair :)

Posted an Ebay item this afternoon

Looking forward to going to Walthamstow  - fabric shopping yipee- I going to love that.....I found out about Walthamstow market while browsing the web and of course I just cannot wait to go and find out for myself ......mind if you saw my sewing room you would begin to wnder why does the girl need more fabric. I'm using to excuse well I've got a Craft fayre coming up and I need to get as much variety as poss!!!

Had a very tasty and enjoyable meal at Leons this evening the menu has changed for the better I think.

Sewing - I'm so happy

Today I was sewing up dolls dresses that I cut out yesterday. Lunchtime we stayed in and enjoyed Mills food tech macaroni cheese that she baked at school yesterday. We both thoroughly enjoyed it with a side salad. When she came home from school we told her that is was delicious. She is getting quite good in the kitchen I may be able to retire shortly :)

Bex came home all happy she has an interview for a Xmas job.

Did not list on Ebay today so I will be listing tomorrow. Both items sold today.

We watched Coraline 3D movie this evening hence why no Ebay listing as I had to sew buttons and bows on and Bex wanted to start cinema night! Didn't mind it was a good film and really enjoyed it.

Cooked Pasties this evening from Jamie American book this time with a side salad - Bex choice.

Brought fabrics from America today from a lady that was recommended from a seller that I bought from. I'm trying to get as much variety as I can especially with the Xmas fayre that I have a table at. My poppers turned up from the wholesalers that I ordered from ( as in the first order they were small poppers and I wanted large poppers) so the order is now complete and all correct. So I'm all happy and really looking forward to my fabrics turning up from America. 

Can life get any better :)

Busy with clothes alterations

Today I had a customer coming t 10ish bringing two pairs of trousers to be let out - well that's what I thought he actually bought two pairs to let out and three pairs to take in and also sleeve head lining to be repaired all to be ready for collection Thursday.
And also a customer phoned for a pair of trousers to be let out and came round in 10 minutes - the work this customer work to be done was trousers to be let out, jacket sleeves shortened and length of jacket shortened one inch and also two blouses -  sleeves to be tapered.
I also need to take in a top and then ring the customer to tell her all her alterations are ready for collection ( she bought over 4 trousers and 2 tops and 3 dresses to be take in / tapered and I have the last one to complete)

I listed another 3 dolls outfits on Ebay. I started making up some dresses but had to stop due to customer work.

Hubby and I went out lunchtime which was really nice - Costa coffees, panini and muffin to share. And we popped into Asda Living to pick up Coraline 3D movie dvd as it was only 7.71.

So a really busy day, very productive and bought in some nice pocket money for me to spend on fabric :)

Christmas fayre planning

A lady brought an item from me on Ebay and wanted to collect and when she phoned she offered me the chance to have a stall at a primary school so I took up the opportunity and now thinking and planning how best to display my items. Looking at film front bags sat the moment.

Nearly finished customer alterations one left to do. I have a customer coming tomorrow , he wants me to let out trousers so I'm certainly busy, he wants to collect them Thursday.

My haberdashery order turned up today but one item was wrong so I emailed and he rang me and I have sent the item back so hopefully by the end of the week I will have the correct item- larger 15mm poppers instead of the small poppers that arrived. I also posted all the Ebay items that had been paid for - 11 items parcelled and package up including a shop order (2 itmes) and posted.

Lunch time we took the felting and nails back to B&Q that was not required from the job - hubby and Bex did Saturday - re-felt the summer house roof. So hopefully no more leaks now! Had a coffee and sandwich in Costa came back home and got stright back to the alteration that I was working on.

In the evening food shopping, tooth fairy label writing- hubby and Bex making changes :) and hunting for the best prices for the film front bags.

So quite a full and busy day.

Exhibition Ally Pally

  
Early start to the the day as we Mills, mum and I are going to Alexander Palace to the Textiles -  knitting and stitching show. We had a fabulous fantastic day. We arrived by 9:15 so we had a tea as the exhibition did not open until 10am

Not many bargains to be had though I brought ribbons 20 reels for £20 and some ribbon roses, 3 bags of ribbon for £5 some yarn to use on the big needles 400mm and a really nice bag big enough so I can take my netbook around with me when i want too :)

The items on exhibition were absolutely fabulous. And also the dolls on the Art Doll stalls were fabulous all very inspiring I just wish I could buy time!!!

Dolls clothes..... 9th October

Still continuing sewing up the dolls clothes and really enjoying creating them. And listing them on Ebay I listed four today, the two outfits I had on today both sold.

Walked to the post office today and posted 4 items.

Today I read the me page of someone who I brought fabric from and I emailed and asked if she could email the info of the lady she buys from in America as she said email if you wanted to know...And I had a lovely email back with three links, that made my day and I thought it was really nice and kind of her to pass on the info.


Started doing customers alterations this evening and will continue tomorrow.

I have an early start tomorrow as hubby is working in Chersty office as hopefully I will be able too work through and get all the customer alterations finished and more dolls clothes prepared - cut out and ready to sew up- must try and clear some fabric as I want to go fabric shopping Friday, reading on a sewing site/ blog some good palces to go and get fabric and I just want to visit and of course when I'm there I will not be able to resist but I'm making money on Ebay and I just love fabric and been creaative.

Alterations day

Today I was up early as I had to drop hubby at the station as he was working in Chersty today.

So my main aim was to clear some of the customer alterations and get dolls clothes finished.

The day when fairly well got nearly all the customers alterations finished and the dolls clothes when well too.

Toady I had another shop order and one of the outfits sold for £10.00 today. Listed more on Ebay.

So frustrating...

Didn't get quite as much done as i would have liked as when I come to do the Ebay post I noticed my listings were down by 10....Hmmm?

Only to find out approx half hour later that Ebay had e=removed them because I did not have seller contact info displayed. But I solved that issue and re-listed them all so that took about one and half hours.

Finally remembered to phone a customer and tell her that her items were ready for collection and she came and collected 4:00pm - my funds are now £32 up

Didn't get round to doing any of the customer alterations that came in Friday so I will hopefully get 4 completed tomorrow.

Finished dolly t-shirts, hopefully my haberdashery order will turn up tomorrow.

Ebay post.

Listed 5 items on my web shop

Cooked another tasty meal from Jamie America book - pasties and baked beans

Mills got enrolled at St John Cadets today.

Finished a fair number of dolls clothes sets- buttons, ribbons, motifs.... I now have quite a number made up so tomorrow i may upload 9 new items to my shop and more on Ebay. I also prepared more to sew up tomorrow and I hope to continue with that method as I want to sew up the fabrics to make space as I want a trip to some new fabric stores I found out about.

I keeping my fingers crossed that my junk will get lots of counter bids tomorrow. And of c ourse I'm also hoping my dolls clothes will get lots of counter bids too!

A nice relaxing and enjoyable day.

I'm looking forward to some nice days out with hubby too.

Relaxing day

Mums for the day, walk up the high street pick up more bits for my dolls clothes - sequin hearts button and beads.

Back home - drop Bex at Bluewater I stay at home as I had a customer coming to collect. collected and also dropped off trousers to be shortened and is going to collect those next week.

I treat hubby to a meal at Nando's Crayford as its on the way to pick Mills up from her nans as she spent the day at Ally Pally scrapbooking exhibition.

2/3 dolls clothes sold today. I cut more outfits out.

sewn the buttons on Mills coat. Up to date with all the washing (until the girls tidy their rooms :) so ironing tomorrow -

Spoit Rotten

Sewing up more clothes clothes - today I completed 3 coats, finished sewing up 3 dresses and a sleeping sac. So I'm slowly sewing up my fabric stash how far will I manage to get before going and buying more??? As I've just found out about markets and stores (shops) that have reasonable fabric so I hitching to go and find out for myself. :)

Oh what a fabulous day - starts with tidying the house then on to sewing dolls clothes at midday hubby and ~I go for coffee at Krispy Creme which was very nice. Back to sewing and creating dolls clothes I hope to list a coat and sleeping sac tonight to add variety and keep interest in my dolls clothes. Pick Mills up from school and go back to sewing as I want to try and sew up the fabric I have in as quickly as possible so keep sewing - happy in my work especially when I see gaps appearing on the shelves awaitng to be filled with new fabric :).


Hubby is spoiling me rotten today in the evening he treats me to a meal at Leons and as my Friday gift Jamie's America. He also brought me tea - tea pigs teabags- Liquorice and peppermint teabags £4.50 from John Lewis foodhall - I just love the variety of foods I could spent a future in there.
Woohoo I list the coat and sleeping sac on Ebay and the coat already has a bid on it and the sleeping sac has 2 watchers.

My List - tasks completed today :)

Just a list

• shorten jeans - customer
• shorten jeans - customer
• shorten trousers customer
• shorten jacket sleeves - customer
• shorten trousers - Bex
• lengthen trousers - Bex
• Taper hips on a skirt - customer
• Started preparing a top for zip replacement - (took the zip out and pressed it reaady to sew the new zip back.
• List dolls clothes on Ebay
• Ebay post 4 parcels
• The usual housework - washing, ironing.
• Menu plan and food shopping

Really happy with the way the Ebay sales are going. The school have now sorted out Bex IT course, so I'm really pleased about that.

Fabulous Day

Hubby had a meeting in London today - so up early today. Dropped everybody off and back home by 8:15am - so peaceful.

I loaded more items -"my junk -someone elses treasure!" on Ebay and also more dolls clothes listed - just hoping they will get bids. Bex was happy she made £32.68 and a few of my items sold. I am going to relist the items that unsold. Most have paid so a visit to the post office tomorrow.

I am blogging using my new netbook :) woohoo ...I will be able to blog where ever I am.

I brought a skin to personisle it along with skins for my ipod selection - nano, video and touch :)
so something else to look forward tooo coming in the post. The new bag hubby brought me while in Trentham is just an inch to small for my netbook:( but I'm sure in my bag selection I will have a suitbale one otherwise TK Maxx here I come - which I probably will any way. - A gilr who just loves to shop and a girl can never have too many bags!!!

Hoping for sales

Best News of the Day!
Fabulous news from Bex she came home from school today and said she was only a couple of marks off an A so they are sending her paper back to get checked - hopefully she will get an A - Thats one subject she really wanted an A so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her .


Busy Busy Busy......
Started listing my dolls clothes on Ebay today hoping they will get bids. And I also listed more items old craft magazines, charts and patterns.

Finished off dolls clothes - sewing ribbon bows on the headbands and also embellished with motifs and glitter.

Thinking about the challenge Bex has set me -:
To Mum

Your challenge is to use:
1) stamps and embossing power
2) wood burning kit

Your target audience is 7-12 years old. You can add any other materials you would like to use. You can create anything of your choice. One thing or a group of things, it's up to you, however there has to be a theme running between them.

Due in 2 weeks!!

Good Luck :o)

Work ...
Kathryn phoned today and is coming Thursday 11:30 /12:00 - bringing a skirt to take in and also jacket sleeves to shorten. Tomorrow Frances is collecting her dress that i took in for her.

Something to Look forward too....
Brought tickets for the Ally Pally today so looking forward to that going with mum and mills. We normally spend the whole day there as there is so much to see and do.


And not...
Tomorrow hubby has a meeting in London so I will not be having breakfast in bed :( , so I will be getting be early too- But hopefully get a lot done tomorrow with a quiet house for a couple hours.

Collections, Alterations, Dolls clothes

Today I finished customer alterations - Dolly's top the shoulders needed taking up 1/2 inch and also Frances bridesmaid dress taken in at the sides as pinned. I also rang two customers Mrs Harris to let her know that her dress was ready for collection and she arrnged to collect today at 11:30, also returning a call to Jean who left a message on my answwering machine and is coming Saturday as she wants dressing gown sleeves shortened. Busy today with the alterations as Barbara collecting a coat that I shortened.

I finished nine dolls clothes ready to list tomorrow - I also wrote them up in the evening.

I did a menu plan for the week and created a shopping list and went shopping after dinner.

Trentham Monkey forest ...Plus

Morning breakfast at the Primier Inn £7.95 for eat as much as you like buffet. Fabulous! - highly reccommend this great value.

Trentham shopping village is opposite where the GArdens are accesble too and Garden Centre too, moved on - a short drive -- (or a 40 minute walk) to Monkey Forest

We spent 2 hours at the MOnkey Forest - could have spent longer but so much to see and do in just one day.

Short drive back to shopping village - went to the gardens first. cafe for a drink
Shopping village
\Craft fair

Fabulous day

shopping toilet rolls holder, coffee , tea, tea cup, coffee choc beans, cds, book, bag, trays, grapefruit marmalade, canvas bag note pad and pen. (bex a monkey and a purse) Mills a bag and a keyring -voodoo doll and a door stop.

on the way back we pulled into service station and had KFC - traffic long delays on M25 so we travelled back through London and stopped off at mums on the way back 9:30 - Uncle Roger and Auntie Judi was there so that was nice.

Sorting and clearing

Didn't seem to do that much today really. But clearing out takes so much time!

Wrote up some item to list on Ebay

Hubby built my dressing table (vinstra - Ikea) so I finished tidying and sorting my side of the room today - I'm so happy it looks really swish. I need to go to Ikea for two shelves to totally finish my side. Other things to finish the room which will be done over time -:

1. pictures (set of three)
2. bed
3. bedside cabinet (hubby's side)
4. wardrobes - (which we need to find a carpenter - as I want them fitted wall to wall )

Went food shopping Sainsburys Crayford, on the way back we (bex and I ) popped into Pets at Home as Bex wanted to look at Guineas and also in to Hobbycraft - brought embossing powders 6 for 5,.99 and also a 'fairy' stamp which Bex found. Before going home popped to the post office to post a letter recorded delivery to Apple to claim money back from the student deal- Bex is so happy with her Macbook pro and ipod nano.

Hubby is looking at the Ikea site for the shelves as I am blogging :) isn't he just wonderful - and made a note of the shelf I liked after showing me about 3 different ones finally the fourth I liked.

Today I started with clearing out all the drawers in the bedroom - bedside cabinet, chest of three drawers and dressing table which had six drawers - I never realised just HOW much you can cram into one draw. I carried the bedside cabinet downstairs and moved the three draw cabinet on top of one on hubby's side of the bed so it gives him more space to put clothes until we get round to getting the wardrobe built in. Hubby built up my six drawer - but not without a trip to Ikea as we were one pack short the sides and draw front were missing- so Mills and hubby went to Ikea as I had a customer at 7pm. It took me two hours to get things sorted and put every thing back and I'm still not quite finished.

Hubby is going to built up the dressing table tomorrow so my side of the room looks really swish and also I have gained a lot more space too:) so I'm really happy.

I also done some alterations work today and will finish them off tomorrow and hopefully will list more items on ebay to try and get funds in to finish the bedroom - mind I have to find a good carpenter first.

Shopping again :)

Alterations - nan's dress shorten, customer coat shorten, Mums trousers hem.
Customer coming tomorrow 7pm - bridesmaid dress to take in. (Francis)

Shopping Dartford - and pay in money (from Bex). Posted another five job applications for Bex hopefully she will get some acknowledgement and even better an interview as she would really like a job.

New phone turned up today that hubby ordered from Amazon - reduced by £10. And Bex keyed in all the numbers and set some of the ring tones, hubby and I decided on others.

Washing and ironing totally up-to-date until Bex tidys her room :)

Ikea this evening and brought Vinstra 6 drawer unit and boxes to organise £312.96. Before going home popped to Lakeside for coffee and share a muffin. Hopefully hubby will build up my items tomorrow , then my half of the room will be complete and finished. The next stage for the bedroom is the bed Ikea and bed side cabinet. And also find a carpenter to build in wardrobe wall to wall and to the ceiling - with mirror doors hopefully unless the cost is outrageous then one mirror and the others cream or wooden will have to decide this when we find a carpenter.

When we came back internet shopping a small teapot and two small jugs (3oz & 5oz) £26.02 with postage (£3.47)

Ebay items are starting to sell; at present one mine (.99p) and one Bex (.99p)

Shopping and dreaming

Today we went to Ikea to look at bedroom furniture and I ended up buying the dressing table that matches the unit that I brought a few months ago. I really like the Vinstra range - wardrobes and chest of 6 drawers so going to see if it will fit in. Picked up all the info and took photos and made notes. The girls had some cushions Bex one that she wants to to make a cover and embroider with beads, Mills is still waiting for for quilt so I'm not sure how long Bex will be waiting for her cushion :), Mills had two cushions. And we also brought a new set of cutlery. We paid for the items and took them to the car. The went back into IKea and had meatballs in the restaurant before we went home.

Back home I did all the washing and in the evening finished the ironing. 7 loads in total.

Measured up the bedroom and tried planning the furniture, using the Ikea planner page on the web, and now have found that the Vinstra wardrobes will not really fit in - as two Vinstra range wardrobes will not fit side by side and to put one on one wall and one on the another will just crowd the room. So hubby suggestion is to complete my side of the room with the Vinstra range - a 6 chest of drawers. ( I have the just brought the dressing table and already brought the .... a few months ago as I loved it). I have put the dressing table that's in my room (originally was in Bex room but when she had a desk the dressing table then moved into my room in order for her desk to fit)on Ebay so hopefully that will sell and help pay Bex debt and then hubby will build my new dressing table and my side of the room should look swish and hopefully I will be able to keep it organised and tidy :) Hoping to go to Ikea this week and pick up the chest of drawers.

Listed more items on Ebay but still a lot more to list.

Ebay Listing......

Today I was listing on Ebay but still lots more to load up. Hoping they will sell as I want the funds to decorate the bedroom - well help towards it and also Bex is hoping her items will sell as she wants funds for items on her wish but first she has a £345 debt to pay off.

Shopping food bargain while there - DVD -R Sainsburys 7.73 for 100. Ruxley for hay.

But not much else to report really.

Enjoyable relaxing day

The usual day wonderful enjoyable day.

Went shopping in Lidal and bargains DVD-R 10 for £1.99, Charmin toilet tissue 5.99 for 24.

Getting my Blog up to date - finished uploading the Bath photos and videos today. But still have to update some posts with photos and I am hoping now to keep the blog up to date on a daily basics!!

Washing.....

Tomorrow

1. Ebay listing as hubby would like to get his exercise machine and needs the space.
2. Alterations
3. Washing and Ironing
4. Measure bedroom - going to look in Ikea for furniture
5. Ipods need loading ( just fav music- shuffles and 1GB)
   
6. Wish list up to date - skins, humbug,
   
7. 
   

Bex is happy

Bex picks up her results today and we are so proud of her, she gained an
A in Art graphics - got her mums creative talents LOL :) - she was very pleased
B in the higher maths
B for history which is was very happy about
B English Language
B English Lit
B Astronomy
B in ICT
Distinction for science

Afterwards we carried on to Eltham so Bex could tell her nan and grandad her results and also omi ( her other nan). She was really happy with her results and was so pleased with her rewards in total she was £70 better off. And as she wanted an Apple Mac so much instead of her waiting until she saved half we would buy it for her now and she can pay back a balance of £400 and we would pay the rest- she was extremely happy with that deal . She went out with friends tonight for a meal with frinds and afterwards to the cinema.

Hubby, Mills and I went for a meal at Ed's but was appalled with the £4.10 service charge (12.5%) that we will not be going back there in a hurry.

Still thinking about a netbook but may wait until Christmas as I think there are rumours that Apple may bring one out. At the moment my choice is the Eee PC T91.

Updated my blog and re-listed items on Ebay! Thats my day.

Fab last day

Today we started the day with coffee and muffins for Mills and me at Jiva-Jiva just across the road from the Travel Lodge we stayed in. Read about this cafe in the Bath Lite magazine I picked up at the travel lodge and its a shame we didn't know about it earlier as it was lovely setting and atmosphere and best of all fantastic tasting coffee and delicious muffins.

Afterwards we went to the Abbey took photos in and around the abbey the statues. Noticed Craft shop so went in and I brought hubby a barmeter as he said he liked them so I chose one, Bex liked a dog, Mills a scarf and my wooden craved balls inside one another.

When we came out we went to the Pump room and it was really wonderful. I had a Bath bun with cinnamon butter, water, orange juice and hot chocolate, hubby had croissant and coffee the girls trio of biscuits Bex orange juice Mills elderflower bill for this was £22. The atmosphere was lovely was three was live entertainment music playing. (Opps! I was looking at the menu and the orange juice was part of hubby's breakfast but I drank it as I tought it was mine and hubby must of too as he didn't say anything :) )

Shopping necklace to go with the ring hubby brought earlier in the week. And went and brought four Sally Lunn buns as they are Very tasty - so light and fluffy.

We just strolled around the shops I brought a skirt from Fat Face £19 reduced from £65.

I brought four more books and a book for Bex.

We then walked to Green Street Station as I read there was a craft market there but -don't waste your time -its not worth visiting.

Coffee in WHSmith and I brought two magazines to read on the train; Stitch and Successful Sewing , we then went and sat just opposite the park for half hour before strolling back to the town to enjoy a bite to eat before travelling home.

It was a lovely day the weather was lovely -sunny dry and warm/ hot as there was a breeze at times. Really enjoyed the last day.

Weather not good

Breakfast Costa

Shopping, Mills brought herself a purse and bus pass from Kath Kidson and afterwards we went for an ice cream Marshfield farm ice cream parlour.

Sight seeing bus was going to get off at Prior park but it was raining too much


Bath Abbey and an organ recital was just about to start so Bex face was a picture as we sat down to enjoy for 15 minutes. We went to the Victoria art gallery which was enjoyable

Cinema and afterwards we went to Pizza Express and before going back to the hotel we stopped and had a drink at the Litten Tree - I had Blue Laggon and hubby a beer.

Showers but enjoyable day

The weather for the day was showers but still had a fab day between the showers.

On our way to the American museum on the sight seeing bus, it was a 10 minute walk down hill to reach the museum but well worth the walk. I brought an angel and an American recipe booklet. http://www.americanmuseum.org/View on the Skyline sight seeing bus tour.

Sally Lunns-Oldest house in Bath

http://www.sallylunns.co.uk

Pump room anni meal .http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/pump_room/restaurant.aspx



Glazed Goats Cheese Brioche
with roast peppers, courgettes,
aubergines and peach couscous£11.95

Spiced Somerset Fillet of Pork
with tomato and red onion couscous
and a yoghurt and mint dressing
£13.25

Books I brought today was Bath tea time treats, weekly view from the sky calender book - as there were lots of boards around Bath with the images on so I thought I would bring home the memories.

Plans altered due to rain

Due to rain not going to do as planned which was sight seeing tours, Prior park. So fashion museum was our next choice as it was indoors- which was really enjoyable, the Supremes dress collection was well worth the visit, the outfits are fabulous, shame that I could not take photos though.
http://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/

Roman Baths which we did in the evening as it had stopped raining then and it was really enjoyable as it was fairly quiet so was really able to take it all in and was quite peaceful too http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/

Best ticket to buy if doing both is a combined ticket that covers both the fashion and Roman bathes £40 for a family ticket.

Ha-Ha meal as it was bucketing down with rain so what a better way to enjoy time eating a delicious meal. http://www.hahaonline.co.uk/bath/
Mills-CHICKEN BREAST WITH PARMA HAM Farm-assured chicken breast, topped with melted mozzarella and crispy Parma ham, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and pesto, served on seasonal potatoes and green beans, in a rich tomato sauce.
Bex-Our burgers are dressed with plum tomato, iceberg lettuce and mayonnaise, in a toatsed bun - with skinny chips - GOURMET 8OZ BRITISH BEEF BURGER
Hubby-CHICKEN CAESAR WRAP- Farm-assured chicken breast, seasonal leaves and grana padano cheese, tossed in a Caesar dressing and wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Myself-GOAT’S CHEESE, APPLE & WALNUT WRAP- Served with Pink Lady apple, toasted walnuts, grapes and celery, with seasonal leaves, tossed in a crème fraîche, honey & lemon dressing, all wrapped in a flour tortilla.
And the bill was quite reasonable especially as we had a voucher for £10 off

Other things we did throughout the day avoiding the showers - Coffees, Riverside walk, Glass blowing shop . Shopping today I brought myself a Snoopy bag and hubby brought me a ring from the Roman bath shop- elfish.

Not much really

Uploaded another 18 items to my shop. And finished some outfits with bows and buttons.

Mended the pockets on Mills coat - well temporary as I intend replacing the pockets with cotton as they are just lining.

Hubby gave the the second part of my anniversary present which was The braun Silk-epil Xpressive which I'm going to try it out tomorrow. It looks really cool. Also the Friday fairy some great mechanical pencils, they are really cute.

Easy dinner tonight hubby ordered in as we have 50% voucher from Domios pizza it was really tasty and we really enjoyed it.

Hubby also orederd himself some deck shoes - two pairs for £60 I couldn't really say no as I have ??? shoes- I'm not hoing to reveal just how many pairs as I don't think hubby even relises just how many pairs I have and I still buy more esoecially form TK Maxx as I can not resist going in the store if I'm passing :) - Just one of my favourite stores!

Still trying to clear dolls clothes....

Today I went to the market first thing to oick up some magazines for the journey. Got back and Bex was slightly annoyed that I went off without her as she wanted to go shopping for a pairs of shoes with heels:) . So we went shopping at 3pm., Mills came along too.

The girls gave the hutch a really good clean today and gave the guineas a bath too!!!

I didn't get as much done as I would have liked but never the less still made progress. I uploaded another 9 items to my shop today and finished a lots more outfits ready to upload to my shop. I do hope tomorrow I can just upload all day long. ( well I can dream:)

Customer collection today Dolly so I'm £94 better off and she also brought more work which I told her will be ready for the first week in September.

Although I do want to get my ipods loaded up with music too as I've been meaning to do this for ages so that's on my list for tomorrow as well.

Two main things get organised with the dolls clothes and upload as many as I can AND get my ipods organised the way I want them. So I will get up early tomorrow.

Booked hols for next year.

Another lovely day

A wonderful start to the day hubby cooked waffles and they were delicious the girls even got to enjoy.

Running around today - first I dropped Mills off at Omis (with her nan) they were going to Eltham Palace today. Bex wanted dropping at Bluewater to meet friends on the way we stopped at Crayford as I wanted to get some ink pads and embossing powder. Bex just had to pop in Pets at Home and we nearly ended up with another guinea .....he was gorgeous I loved him too! he was a beautiful grey colour if they had a smaller cage we probably would of brought him, well Bex would of brought him as she really wants a grey guinea prefably two so I told her that its more of a challenge to get a job so she can afford them and be more independent and get things that she wants like a Macbook is also on her list!!

Today I loaded more itmes up to my web shop and late afternoon I worked in the summer house making envelopes.

In the evening we popped down to Bluewater as hubby wanted to get itunes cards from Clintons £20 for two £15 cards. I was treating hubby to ice cream and we also ended up eating at Leons as I just mentioned to hubby he was walking the wrong way so he treated us to Leons. and also a coffee after our ice cream well I had Earl Grey tea.

Shopping and cleaning!

Hubby was working in London today, a meeting near Cannon street station. I dropped him at the station about 9am and I picked him up qt about 4pm. We went to Bluewater as he wanted to get me a phone for our Anniversary which will will be celebrating in 6 days time. So I have been getting used it and its brill no probs with texting now!! as it has a full keyboard :).. I'm so happy I can now post to my blog while I'm away. Hubby set it all up for me.

I took the girls over to Lakeside Brantano and we all brought shoes even me! Well who can resist a bargain .....Hush Puppies reduced from £50 to £25. A girl can never have to many shoes :) The girls choose nice shoes to and the bill came to £85.

I tidied the house today everything back in the correct rooms so my sewing room is now crammed and I have the lounge looking like a lounge again rather than a workroom. And the study corner is crammed with items to list on Ebay, which I shall be listing when we come back from our hols.

Not much really ....but I like to blog

Today I finished customer alterations ready to be collected Wednesday - 3 skirts taken in.
I also shorten a top of mine, sewn the seam on hubby's tie, took Mills skirt in.

Customer collection and she also dropped of a coat to shorten one inch.

In the evening I made envelopes to go with the Tooth fairy cushions I have been making. My stamps that I ordered have been posted today so hopefully they will turn up soon and I will be able to finish the Tooth Fairy cushions and get them them uploaded to my web shop, I may put a couple on Etsy. I made them while listening to Sprit of the Glen on my ipod while hubby was watching a programme. A really nice album hubby treated me a week ago and its the first time I've had a change to listen to the whole album.

Wow what a fabulous day!

Dropped Mills and her friend at The Friars Aylesford as they were there as part of St Johns duty, Its a lovely place for a stroll and enjoy a picnic. Hubby and I enjoyed coffee sandwich and absolutely delicious carrot cake.

http://www.thefriars.org.uk

We then drove onto Chatham Dockside Outlet centre and enjoyed a stroll around, not much there really but a few of my favourite stores The Range,Paper Mill, Whittards and Past Times. There an Australian cafe cibattas are really tasty and I treated the family to an Australian choc bar too. Bought a couple of items for my garden and also some more paper from Paper Mill.

http://www.docksideshopping.co.uk/

Still working on Tooth fairy cushions

Hubby updated my Janome software today and is still working on my web site on the search facility. I'm really pleased he has done an excellent job just hope the sales pick up at Christmas

Bex reminded us that we have not yet been to the Monkey Forest that we promised her as it was rained off when we took her up to Birmingham as her birthday treat so we have now booked a weekend and hopefully we weather will be kind to us!!! :)

Sewing......

Customer drop off three skirts to take in.

Marsha just turned up to collect and drop off a skirt to be taken in.

Finishing tooth fairy cushions today and sorting out items to upload to web shop.

Posted 10 job applications for Bex, she has worked hard the past few days writing up letters and filling in application forms so hopefully something will flourish from all the hard work she has put in.

So tomorrows plans are

1. Finish all customer alterations
2. Upload tooth fairy cushions
3. Upload bags to my web shop
4. 
   

What a day!

Didn't get as much done today as I wanted Bex came back by 3pm so the sewing -(finishing dolls clothes sewing on buttons, bows etc) slowed down and we chatted which was nice time together but I hope to caught up tomorrow!

Mills had one on her again - she went out with friends and came back in a terrible mood - the moment I picked her up - face of thunder! Apparently I embarrassed her as I asked 'why she wanted to know weather Bex was back home?' ......Well first She text Bex 'Are you back home?' Bex answered 'why?'She replied ' Just wondered'... And then she phoned home and asked to which I replied why do you need to know?' The mood lasted all evening!! And really for no reason whatsoever!

Went to Swanley market and all I brought was three Mac magazines.

Hubby was working in Chersty today

Cooked tomato and cumin soup from the Leon book very tasty just a little too spicy ( hubby and Bex would say much too spicy!!)

Little bag people on my my web shop.

Didn't get as much done as I would have liked but one achievement for today is that I have started filling other categories on my web shop starting with Little Bag Dolls.

This is a really unique gift that can be used for many occasions. The 'little person doll'; comes supplied with a set of tags;Congratulations, Well Done, Happy Birthday Thank you.

Ideal for a small gift such as jewellery or tea bags to go with a teapot or tea cup suitable for the tea addict or put some money in for a wonderful surprise. A fun way to send a small gift or money.

The pouch is lined, the 'little bag doll' has ribbon arms and legs with yarn hair. The flap has a popper. The head is made in felt with an embroidered face. Each 'little person' doll is unique.

Just lists today

Shopping - menu plan
Customer collection dress alteration
Customer 2:00pm trousers shortening
Customer coming tomorrow 10:30 wedding dress shortening

Customer trs repair seams and shortening ready for Wednesday
Done dress alteration
Shortened trousers just the lining to shorten

Tooth fairy digitizer creating designs to sew.

Up to date with the washing- well if ever you can be as its never really up to date as its a never ending cycle

Saturday - relaxing day.

A little disappointed the shirts did not fit hubby. So take shirts back to Monsoon and get refunds.
We had coffee at Leon before coming home.
A lovely relaxing day not doing much.

London....

Bex -work experience in London so hubby goes up with her the first day to make sure she gets there fine and keep her company and give her support as she was very nervous.

Mills and I met hubby later as we caught the 9:31 train and met hubby at the Embankment. Hubby's first idea was to go to St Pancreas and have a drink at the Champagne Long Bar, which was really nice I had Earl grey tea, hubby a coffee and Mills an apple juice, while enjoying our drinks we saw a Eurostar train coming in.

Afterwards we made our way to Euston Station as Mills and I are going to be there tomorrow catching a train to Liverpool so hubby wanted to make sure we knew our way so we would be fine for our journey tomorrow.

We then caught the tube to Tottenham Rd and walked down Oxford street brought three books in Borders for a £1 each as they are closing down. We had lots of nice coffee & tea breaks throughout the day. It was a lovely relaxing day. Although to boring for Mills!!

We went back to meet Bex coming out of work and then made our way straight home so Bex knew the way back for tomorrow.

Looking forward to mini break.

Today was a very enjoyable day, didn't do that much though quite relaxing really.
Finished some customer alterations .
Moved all my dolls clothes and trimming back to my sewing room as the lounge was looking like a sewing room as well LOL.
Started getting the case ready for a couple of nights away with Mills to Liverpool which she is really looking forward too ever since we went last year she has asked to go back as the u-boat exhibition had not opened ( they were working on it) when we were there and she really wants to visit it, so it made her day today when I told her.

I treated the family to Papa Johns pizza today as yesterday we got a voucher through the door for 50% discount.

Relaxing lovely day

Day starts with breakfast at Leon with hubby, very nice and enjoyable time together, afterwards we went to WHSmith and brought Sewing world, Randoms for the girls and The Times newspaper which hubby paid for :). I really enjoyed reading Sewing World I used to subscribe but then stopped but now will probably subscribe again as I really enjoyed the issue, as I have stopped Simply Knitting ( since they have messed me around with which magazine I wanted to continue with) and have decided that I will just buy the issues that have items in that interest me.

We then went over to mum and dads. Mum and I walked up the road and I brought tape for Ebay parcelling and some cellophane bags to use for my web shop.

In the evening I cooked Leon Milnase - everyone enjoyed :) - basically its spaghetti boli but instead of mince you use bacon.

And it the evening I was Ebay shopping - items for my machines and spent £20.33 (+p&p

Sewing and organising.

Customer alterations- trousers shortening, waistband - half, taper trousers but stopped as I had to phone the customer as because of the way they are constructed it is very difficult to taper above the pocket. - she rang me back and said it was fine just taper below so I will finish them over the weekend and must remember to get cotton tomorrow to finish the t-shirt alteration.

Tidying & organising the sewing drawers - trimmings
Ironing
Customer rang and is collecting tomorrow and bringing a jacket for me to shorten sleeves.

Yet another successful day

Working on dolls clothes finishing off with trimmings and loading them up to my web shop I have loaded up 27 new items today.

I have also been working on customer alterations and also shortened Bex trousers

1. shorten a skirt 4 inches
2. shorten a t-shirt two inches ( just need to machine it tomorrow)
   
3. replace a zip in skirt
4. replace a zip in trousers
5. replace a zip in a dress

Customer collection, very pleased and was really chatty too about her mum whose dress I altered
Another customer collection (her mum's trousers) and she also brought in two pairs of trousers one pair to shorten and another to taper. So I will be busy tomorrow making sure all customer alterations are complete and all labelled up with invoices.

The cases arrived from M&S a real bargain too reduced to £12 and 3 for 2 as well and also I got free delivery too as when my first order failed - I was going to pick them up in store but received an email saying they will contact me as there is a problem with the order and on the phone he credited my gift card with £5 so I could have them delivered to my home. so 3 cases for £28.13 of which (£5 was credit from M&S) so really it only cost me £23.13 for 3 small cases! What a bargain.

Brought 5 sets of embroideries for £25.46 ($40) - buy two get three free another bargain! I hope to be using these for new items that I want to add to my shop. Downloaded a number of free sets from the site too! I hope to put these onto a CD tomorrow and try and get organised LOL

Fabulous - a new shop order!

• alterations

1. dress (just the shoulder seams to hand sew)
   
2. trousers customer x3 shorten x 1 take in (completed)
   
3. mum & dads x1 shorten , x2 shorten plus repair (completed)

• web shop

1. write up dolls clothes (listed 9 new items)
2. I spent quite a lot of time looking for headbands and found them at the end of the day!!!
   
3. GREAT NEWS -I had an order today for 7 items total £46.73 I shall be posting tomorrow
   

Hubby is in Manchester on business today , overnight stay coming back tomorrow evening. The girls and I went for a meal Tootsies at Bluewater I had a voucher for £10 off.- so the bill only came to 21.05. Saw Gok Wan again!!

Other news Mills found her Oyster card - it was in the study where I was saying it was!!! and also new batteries for my camera arrived today I shall be putting them to the test tomorrow.

Wondeful relaxing day

My glasses cases arrived and I am very pleased with them absolutely perfect size - just right for my handbag. Both cases only cost me £11.49 with the postage. And also the vouchers arrived that I rang up and complained about as I just took the policy out and approx four days later a new flyer came with an even better offer and also vouchers, hubby rang up (as I hate the phone!) but then I had to take over as they wanted to speak to me as it was 'my' policy and I think I handled it very well and got the better offer and ALSO the £50 M&S vouchers woohoo Success!

The day starts with taking the parcels to the post office. We arrived at 8:55 and there was four people in the queue already. By the time we left the queue behind us was not too bad only five people. We then went on to Bluewater and went to Leon for breakfast this time i had a bacon bap and blueberry boost- very tasty really enjoyed it. Afterward we popped into WHSmith as I wnated Flair magazine and came out with SEW hip too as well as a newspaper for hubby. Monsoon now has a 70% off Sale but I managed to resist temptation as hols coming up..... Arrived back home appox 10 :30 and the girls wre still in bed ...Lazy toads!

Loaded more new items on Ebay and relisted some too. One has already sold as I put it with bid and buy-iyt-now and somebody has already brought it. Woohoo! All items that sold yesterday have paid just one that has wrote and is going to send a P/O so its going really well. I've only got a £100 left to pay off my overlocker now - Woo I'm so happy. I hope the items that I have listed today will go well too! A few of my items yesterday when high just in the last few hours/ minutes due to last minute bidders..

I also loaded 9 more items up to my web shop.

Nice easy dinner hubby treated us to Pizza Hut as he had a 50% of online voucher so bargain two large pizzas pasta and nachos for £18.00

Another good Day

Today I had two customers, Jo who bought her mum to have her dress altered it needed taking up on the shoulders and also taking in at the sides. And Sue who bought her mum to have trousers shortened and one pair taken in. So I'm busy with alterations again which I shall be working on tomorrow. Phoned Jean and left a message that her husbands alterations were ready. Chloe picked up her alterations this morning and hopefully Dolly will collect her alterations tomorrow.

Dolls clothes loading is going well must make sure I upload from the correct folder as hubby sorted the problem out and pointed out where I made my mistake but I am getting on with it really well and my web shop is getting to look quite good with quite a range to chose from but still lots more items to add and hubby wants to see me filling the other categories with items which I hope to do within the next four weeks!


Another yummy meal from the Leon cookbook - Chilli, even Mills tried some but preferred yesterdays meal. Mills made some nice fairy cakes today. Bex finished reading her book today which took her just two days to read. I've never seen her read so much she has read a set of four books in the matter of two weeks (or less).

Internet shopping today - batteries for my camera and also some small cases half price from M&S- even better value as it was 3 for 2 so three small cases for £23.23 that's what I call a bargain! The reviews read fairly well, but take into account that people don't always leave feedback when they are so happy with a product/service they have received but are quick to leave negative comments or faults etc... but for £23.23 I thought that I could NOT go wrong really!

Another lovely day

Loading dolls clothes to my web shop getting back into the hang of it.
I finished the dress alteration - overlocked the sleeve seam, and also rang Chloe to tell her that her alterations were ready, she is collecting tomorrow. A customer phoned and is coming Friday 1pm.

Sorted out dolls outfits that I hope to finish with trimmings and embellishments and upload to my web shop. I hope to have all the outfits I have made up finished and loaded up to my web shop in the next few weeks so it will be all ready for Christmas.

Posted a birthday card and on the way back stopped off at Bluewater and hubby and I had coffee and lemon and orange muffin Costa in WHSmith. Before coming back home nipped into M&S and picked up a bottle of red wine as I needed it for tonight's meal. Yet another thumbs up to Leon this evening I cooked Milnase very tasty even Mills enjoyed it!!!

The girls baked biscuits today they were very nice and tasty.

Phoned the health company today as I took out a plan a few days ago and today an even better offer came through so I got on the phone and enquired and got the better offer - it pays to complain, as I said well I have 14 days cooling off period so I could just cancel and re-join with this better offer I received today!

Tasks completed.

Today I start the day by preparing the chicken for tonight dinner, I'm making Chicken salad from the Leon book -I'm marinating the chicken in lemon, garlic and olive oil.

I move on to the last customer alteration taking the shoulders up on a dress- the alteration which involves a lot of work so not really looking forward too - two hours later nearly completed just need to overlock the sleeve seams as I had to take the sleeves out and put them back in. So hopefully tomorrow I shall spend the day uploading dolls clothes to my web site !

Another thumbs up to Leon cookbook - Chicken salad- although Bex did not like it I think it was the mint she didn't like but hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I finished icing the cake this evening - I got Bex to do the wording for me to transfer it by scribing over the top to make an indent for me to have a guide to ice. She made a good job of the design and was fairly easy to pipe it.

I started planning our trip to Bath.

Woohoo- Mills and I saw Gok Wan Today

I start the day with food shopping - hopefully more tasty meals this week as I' trying another five recipes from the Leon cookbook this week.

Sewing......
Today I finish most of the alterations just one left to do. And I tidy my room a little.

Late afternoon I popped down to Bluewater and Mills came along too as we walk in Mills spots a big blow up cube and wonders what is going on so we go downstairs and ..............Wow........Its' Gok Wan .....I take a couple of photos and pass the camera to Mills and she takes a lot more. I'm so happy and Mills was so excited and happy too. I always say I wish I could see what items of clothing Gok Wan would choose for me as I'm always in jeans I do try and change and have recently brought some skirts and dresses, but still in the morning I dress in my usual jeans and top.

This evening meal was really tasty and hubby thought so too - although when I mentioned what it was I was making he was not looking forward to it- but it was really tasty - two empty plates! Another thumbs up Leon!
The girls had what I class as boring food this evening as they would not eat what I did today so they had breaded fish, waffles and beans.

I wrote up more dolls clothes this evening so I shall upload those tomorrow.

Planning hols1,2

Even more work

Customer collection this morning and her husband brought a couple of trousers for me to shorten and take in.

So I'll certainly be busy next week.

This evening I prepared three of the shorts taking in and shorten that Dolly bought to be yesterday.

Not much else to report really - other than well hubby finished working on the new addition that I wanted on my web site/shop a "text box" - so I can edit it myself and describe the products that I wish to and hopefully sell on my web shop. Hopefully I will find the time to update my web shop and load the dolls clothes that I have finished too. I do like the alterations coming in as I really enjoy doing them and it brings in some nice pocket money for me.

Certainly busy and Enjoyable DaB

My jobs/tasks for today are:

• hoover top to bottom / wash floors
  
• fondant ice cake completed
  
• complete page boy alterations (4) and shorten top sleeves (collection tomorrow) completed
  
• dust the lounge half
• Load more items to ebay made a start!
  
• Load 9 dolls clothes to my shop. sorted into groups ready to do!
  
• And general tidy the house.
  

Just as I finished all the customer alterations (4 page boys- trouser shortening and jacket sleeve shortening) Dolly rang and came round and brought a fair number of items for me to alter. I'm really pleased that the alterations business is picking up as it has been quite quiet the beginning of the year.

1. Dress - shoulders to take up
2. Dress shoulders to take up (need to remove sleeeves and put them bcak in)
3. Shorts to take in
4. Shorts to shorten and take in
5. Shorts to take in
6. Shorts in tke in
7. Binding/piping on her husbands trousers
8. Dress to shorten

Wow just found out from Dolly that there is a SALE on at Monsoon so I mentioned to hubby are we going to Bluewater this evening ..............only that I've just found out there is a Sale on at Monsoon and I love one of the dresses that the customer tried on me to alter so I'm hoping they will have it in my size otherwise I'm hoping that the skirt I liked when I popped in in June is reduced.

Its nice that the alteration side of my business is getting busy I like doing the alterations but its now finding time to upload all the dolls outfits to me new web shop that hubby created I am going to try and at least upload 9 a day -probably in the evening - to try and get organised as dolls outfits are in boxes that keep moving from room to room especially when I have customers.
And also in the evening I might try and plan the next day to try and get as much as possible fitted in to the day as there is so much I want to do like make tooth-fairy items and dolls to upload to my web shop or Etsy.

Bex cooked orange and choc biscuits today - once again very tasty! It was a recipe in Sam Stern book. Looking forward to her next culinary delight.

Bex also found out that Sam Stern had another book out so I brought that one from Amazon as it was the cheapest at £5.99.

I tried on several items including the skirt that I liked and the dress like the customer brought to me for alteration and finally decided on buying the skirt and a blouse, thought about a dress but decided against it. Hubby was very patient and afterwards he offered me a meal at the food-court and I choose Leon's one of my favourite restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed the meal I had the meatballs, hubby had the chicken along with sides hummus and flatbread. I treated him and myself of course to Joe Deluccis ice-cream/sorbet. Before collecting Mills we ended the evening with a drink at Starbucks I had earl grey tea while hubby had a latte. A very nice enjoyable evening.

I also treated myself the smooth-legs exfoliating kit. I hope its as good as it looks and sounds!!

When I got back Jean rang and I just thought she was going to rearrange the collection but more work as her husband wants a couple of trousers shortening. So I'm certainly going to be busy next week.

Friday fairy brought me Texas - the greatest hits music album, enjoying the music this evening while blogging. Also tried the smoothlegs exfoliating kit - not bad quite impressed but ~I'll have to wait and see - its certainly not quick so good for a pamper time evening!!!

Tasks.....

Todays tasks that I want to complete are

1. Bridesmaids dress alteration completed
   
2. Page boys trousers aand jacket sleeves shortened completed
   
3. Marzipan cake completed (thanks to hubby going out and getting the apricot jam 9pm in the evening)
   
4. Items loaded up to ebay more loaded but still more to do!
   
5. Ebay parcel up and post three items completed and posted
   
6. Birthday card posted
   
7. Customer collection 10am and customers 4pm and 5pm
   
8. Meal spicy chicken cous-cous from Leon cookbook
9. Ring customers jean and carrol - re-arrange collections
   

Bex baked some ginger biscuits today and they were delicious.
Another tasty meal from the Leon cookbook spicy chicken cous-cous.
This evening I prepared the page boy outfits 3 jacket sleeves shortened and trousers shortened.

Tootsies, & Joe Deluccis

Writing up Ebay items today although haven't uploaded as I need to find the camera!

Lunch time had a lovely meal with hubby at Tootsies, Bex suggestion - as we were going for coffee but Bex said you going for a meal - so I dropped the hint in the car to hubby and we ended up at Tootsies a very nice meal, I had Jalapeño burger and hubby had mushroom and Shropshire blue burger and really enjoyed it and afterwards hubby also treated me to ice cream from the new stall that has opened up Joe Deluccis very nice ice cream. Hubby had coffee, choc chip and banana, I had tiramisu, pistachio and nocciola Really tasty thoroughly enjoyed ......... Shame hubby had work in the afternoon, it would have made the day fantastic to have eaten the ice cream out by the lakes and stroll around the shops afterwards. But the time we had lunchtime was GREAT and throughly enjoyed it!

Its the first time I have eaten in Tootsies, they have a great meal and food is really tasty next time I'm going to have the salad. www.tootsiesrestaurants.com
Joe Deluccis Italian ice cream is really tasty and absolutely perfect with delicious flavours and I certainly think this is the best ice cream I've tasted. www.joedeluccisicecream.com


I wish people would bid I have lots of watchers on my items but only one has a bid on ......

Not much else to report really quite a relaxing day really, as Bex had friends over today 2 girls and 1 boy Poor boy surrounded by three girls, but they all had a nice time and enjoyed the day.

Ebay Crazy! Listing Lots

Today I have been busy re-listing and loading up more junk to Ebay - hopefully items will sell - "my junk someone else's treasure!" as the other day somebody left feedback that he had been trying to obtain the book for the past year - so I made his day which also made mine as I know the feeling of trying to bring nostalgia back - mum got rid of my Larry the Lamb record when I was little and I managed to find that on Ebay which made my day and I felt really happy that day when I received my treasured record that I remembered from childhood although hubby found it strange why I liked this record? I was so keen to get - Well when your little it was great and I loved it...it was good then especially as I was only 6 then!! And I'm not going to reveal what age I am now

I'm hoping the items will sell as I'm trying to pay back my overlocker - only £250 left to pay.

Cooking recipes from Leon cookbook - This is my favourite restaurant at the moment. Had the book for a few weeks and this week I'm cooking four meals from there yesterday was Moroccan meatballs very tasty although I did not realise at the time that Harissa was a spice paste!! Today I did the Sweet and Sour pork. Both meals were very tasty indeed - Thumbs up to Leon!