*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

Hanley25

I had coloured paper and then I bought allsorts of bits, like lollyice sticks, pom poms, stickers, glue, cardboard shapes, felt pens, googly eyes. It was great fun. My 17 year old SIL even joined in. :rotfl:

I think all of your makes are amazing and you will definitely have orders for the papercuts.

pinknfluffy28

Quick hello to everyone new & old, I havent posted in quite a while again, but I keep up with all your gossip & goodies via iphone each night! Been very very busy trying to build up my business, and am proud to announce it finally seems to be off the ground! Its still early days, but I am getting returning clients and recommendations, and for the first time yet I have 2 appointments in one day tomorrow!
Its still going to be a while before were in profit, but being skint has done us the world of good - we play board games, and go for walks as a family, rather than cinema and meals, as a result I have managed to loose 1.5 stone (only another 2 to go lol) since Feb!
Doing ok on christmas list, buy a few bits each month still, have already completed all parents / nephews / neices and siblings. Well under way with dd5 and dd12, but yet to start step-dd's and dh!
Will try and post a little more often, much love to all xx

caitlyn22

Evening all, hope you have all had a great Bank Holiday!

Feisty, your stuff is all great - someone mentioned before that people often remark at fairs that they could do things themselves, this is the problem I think, these days so many people are crafting and being inspired to craft. You have the special machine up your sleeve though and the skills and patience to use it, so not everyone could do it and I think your papercuts are always excellent value. Could you mock up posters cheaply that could show examples of film quotes/song lyrics/popular sayings could be used? If you popped them in one of those A4 plastic wallet folders, it would be a good way to inspire buyers. You could separate it in to sections for couples (e.g. a quote from a soppy film), friends, even teenagers - thinking of things like quotes from cult shows and lyrics from popular bands? That's what I'd like as a buyer anyway! I think there's something in the wedding stuff too - could you market the birdcages as favours (with lottery tickets in envelopes or seed packets attached?) That way you have a full 'table' set with your matching bird place cards.

Great cakes Hanley! Haven't made anything for a while but been contemplating my next makes today, great to get some inspiration from you!

Finally made progress in my Christmas shopping! Made a few eb*y purchases and got a couple of bits on am*zon, not a great deal but hoping to spend MUCH less this year by making definite decisions on gifts, instead of picking things up as I see them!

OMO, hope your family get together was everything you hoped for, look forward to hearing how it went. You inspired me to think about family trees the other night, not really sure where the best place to start is, I have names but not so much in the way of dates so when I have looked, there's been a few options for some people etc - is there any way to narrow the field before you pay for certificates?!

Hope everyone else is OK, Nanamia...hope your absence is because you've been having a lovely relaxing weekend!

freespirit66

Evening everyone,
Whoa i have never known a bank holiday to go so fast, i cant believe its monday night! Didnt do much today, went for a nice walk with the dog and made some choc orange cupcakes, thats about it.
POPPYGIRL yes i think DD2 is very despondant at the moment not selling any of her hampers, the doggy hampers DD1 and i made up it was a paw shaped bowl with different size dog biscuits, a couple of small tennis balls, a rubber bone and some bigger bone biscuits wrapped in cellophane and ribbon, by flashes do you mean photos? We didnt get around to taking any
HANLEY your cakes look fab, well done you, glad the party went well
FEISTY i love the birdcages and chest of drawers, can you remember where you got the xmas chocolate moulds by any chance?
PINKNFLUFFY hi lovely to hear from you, so glad all that hard work is paying off for you, 1 1/2 stone loss is great well done
CAITLYN i totally agree with you, it was me who said about people remarking that they can do it, but i am the same, if i see something i always think could i make it?
NANAMIA hope you are ok we are all missing you on here

Nanamia

Hi there my lovelies. Sorry I've been AWOL again! It's no coincidence that I "helped" DD with a baby shower for a friend of hers. I say helped she did send for the decorations and make ice cubes!!! It was at her house (bonus). The other friends were all bringing things for the buffet, I had no real reason to stress- which means I did anyway It was Saturday and the weather was very very kind to them A wonderful time was had by all I will post pictures later when I get them sorted. Needless to say I spent yesterday in bed recovering - who knows why I continue to get myself in such a state? Anyway back up and running today Missed you lot xxx

Nic Hi welcome back, it's good to 'see' you Congratulatins to your DD, you must be very proud.
Hanley wow well done you, looking mighty fine I did a few things for a candy buffet too this weekend but nothing major, will post pictures at some stage!
Snugglebunny we've been worried about you I'm glad you are back xxx Now no sneaking back into lurkdom !
Pinknfluffy woo hoo glad to have you back. So pleased that your business looks like it's beginning to take off. You so deserve it and snap I've lost a stone and a half since 25th feb xxx
Feisty I agree with the lovelies your makes are amazing, I'd really not like to have to choose. Are you back at work tomorrow? Is DH doing ok? Did you hear from the hospital about the ECG? You must still be using an old system, in Manchester there is a clever contraption that takes the reading and then is "played" direct to the hospital via the phone line and is instantly analysed. Hope you are both sorted now tho x
Linky my friend, I'm sorry to hear you birthday was pants. But look what effect you've had on DS, that is such an amazing achievement think I'd have burst into tears! Hope your meal went well today, can't wait to hear about it. xxx
Caitlyn how impressive with your Christmas pressie buying, I'm hoping you know who's boys are getting a whoopie cushion and a card??? I fighting myself not to think about Christmas until we get back, DS as you know has paid for our tickets but we are trying to save a bit of spending money so Christmas is on hold. I do have a few things already but "the notebook" is not coming out till we get back xxx
Mrsinvisible [\B] I think I've lost count on your countdown are you on 15? I'm flying from Manchester so don't forget to wave as I pass. Been working on my lasso technique should easily be able to grab hold of china on the way
Freespirit I'm glad you enjoyed your pedicure Get DD to do I think it was called a paraffin wrap, that was lovely when my DD did it. I'm 'booked' for a manicure tomorrow whist DGD is snoozing DD has almost finished the course now, she had me growing the hairs on my legs for weeks so I can be her client for her finals. Hope we don't have a heat wave cos the world is just not ready for my legs at the mo ha ha
I'm so sorry the fair was so blooming slow:( it's awful when your children have put in such a lot of effort:( are people just being more cautious what they are spending? Did the rest of the stall holders feel the same?

Thanks for those who'd noticed I was missing, I am definitely not getting caught up in any more organising for a very long time! xxx

Nanamia

mrsinvisible

hi, wasn't yesterday a washout? Then about 830 the most beautiful sunset, glorious, to make up for the rotten day. DGS was here all day, got out on his bike about 5pm, then came in with a puncture. (I can do lots of things but I can't mend punctures, so will have to get DGS dad to sort it out.)
Its rotten when nibs put work in and then don't get the result, but from experience many, many years ago, it seems that people who go to craft fairs fall into two camps, those who can and go to get inspiration, and those who can't and expect car boot prices, so no-one buys. I stopped doing fairs and put a selection in a local coffee shop, and got loads of work from that. enough for me anyway, as I was only able to dedicate a very limited time to making.
Feisty, how is DH and how are you holding together? you are amazing!
Nanamia, I'm on 13 days now, like you my ticket is bought for me, so it is spending money I needed, got the yuan last week but will get some euros next week for the stopovers in Charles de Gaul, and Schiphol. Will wave as we pass midair. what time do you fly? I haven't looked at what time I arrive back, as I haven't printed the e tickets off yet (read that as I haven't yet delegated the task to friends computer savvy DS).
We have not had any word yet from atos/dwp re DDs ESA forms, it is unfair that they give you only 4 weeks to get all the information to them, including reports and stuff, but they can take as long as they like to reply to you with a decision!
Have no real plans for today, might make buns/cupcakes with DGS or maybe take him swimming.... if we do both we'd better swim before we eat the cakes or he'd sink without trace. xxxxxx

mrs-moneypenny

nanamia and hanley what beautiful cakes, i hope both parties were a success

Snugglebunny8

morning all!

thank you Nanamia *hugs* and I wont! :-D

OMO Im so sorry about your birthday and hope you are feeling better, Feisty and freespirit sorry you are having a rough time and hope everything is ok xxx

PinknFluffy great news re the business! glad its going so well

My mum has been in and out of hospital and they keep sending her home even though she is bleeding badly, shes 84 and lives on her own with no family close by though she has great friends, shes terrible with answering phone and wont reply to texts so its worrying when you can't get hold of her, thinking she may be lying there inconscious, then when I do finally get her she gets stroppy with me for worrying!! just rang her and she has just called an ambulance to go in as she feels un well and bleeding again, they are a nightmare as they dont actually do anything, wait til she feels better and send her off home! *sighs* my experiences if the NHS have always been brilliant but we are banging our heads against brick wall here :-(

Snugglebunny8

PS; I managed to get red and white stripe and blue and white stripe wrapping paper rolls in M&S so going to use those for hamper, than wrap it in an American flag.

I know several of you have mentioned American sweets and doing American hampers, have any of you used AmericanSoda.co.uk? have just received my first order and extremely impressed, prices are competitive and the customer services is great, very fast delivery via DPD (in our area anyway) and they email you to let you know the hour slot you will get your parcel and you can change it is if doesnt suit etc, products had really good use by dates. Ive just made 2nd order and same great communication, despatched already! will certainly carry on using them as we are all quite USA obsessed in our house and its not easy bringing back cereal, syrups etc in suitcases! don't have to now - we are having 4th July and Thanksgiving parties this year and I thought I might do some American sweets hampers for Christmas this year :-)