Moving....

All change!

Made by Cara is currently having a bit of a re-brand, with a new logo and some new colours, and so it seemed an appropriate time to evaluate both my website and my blog.  My blog is re-locating to http://caraandco.wordpress.com and my website is currently 'down' whilst I make the necessary changes to it.

I'm also taking this opportunity to introduce Flat Rate Shipping - regardless of items ordered.  UK deliveries will now cost £2.50, whilst worldwide deliveries will now be £3.50

Cara x

Advance Notice...

We are about to have some work start on our house.  We're not 'big' into decisions here, its taken us the best part of 11 years to work out exactly what we want to do... and the work starts TODAY.  The children break up from school on Wednesday, and the builders reckon they'll be with us for about 5 weeks - by my estimation that'll be all through the school summer holidays ending just as the children return to school...   They are hoping that we won't be left without bathroom facilities but can't guarantee it (argh! - naturally Mum has put her facilities on standby for us!).

I've gone around the house taking photos of the rooms as they are now (mess and all) and can't wait to add the 'new' improved versions later this year.

What this does mean is that 'free' time to browse all the wonders of the interweb are going to be sorely limited, it is the school holidays after all, plus my friend finally had her twins - born at 34 weeks after she was suffering terribly from pre-eclampsia, and at 12 days old the twins have been defined as being well enough to go home!  I rang Ali last night, and could sense instantly that all wasn't quite so calm in the house.  They'd gone to the hospital to visit their two babies and ended up bringing them home.  Ali, was in hospital from week 30, and although they have 'all they need' - she hadn't had time to 'nest' the house properly, and although she was discharged last Monday from hospital - she was re-admitted on Wednesday.  They really haven't had an easy ride of it.  I couldn't help but smile as she confessed that all they (her and her husband) had managed to do was feed and change both babies...  I've offered to go over and look after them so that Ali can find some time to herself.

However, I do HOPE to continue posting as often as I can, but please bear with me if things don't go to plan.... :D

Home

Friday was a wonderful day in London, and by and large we stuck to our 'plan' for the day.  

We caught the train in to Euston and took a leisurely amble to the British Museum, where we spent a fair while looking at Elgin's Marbles, and the Egyptian exhibits, before heading off for some lunch at Hummus Bros.  I'm not a great fan of hummus - but even I have to concede it was very nice, I opted for a side salad with a pitta, whilst husband went for the hummus with chicken topping with a warm spiced apple juice.  My ginger and mint lemonade was really nice, and I need to make some myself now!! 

Lunch then spurred us on for a walk down to Covent Garden and Neals Yard/Seven Dials - where I was indulged in a spot of shoe buying!   We had planned to wander over to Chinatown for some noodles, but were so full from lunch - and the cookie I ate in Covent Garden that we instead plumped for some Mint Tea at Souk Medina (hidden away in Neals Yard), before we wandered down through Trafalgar Square to the river, before heading up to Somerset House for the Duffy Concert.

Somerset House was a wonderful venue, the support were great, even the slight rain didn't dampen things, and Duffy was amazing.  Hearing her voice live was just incredible, she has such a talent.  

Finally we hailed a cab back to the station and managed to get a seat on the train home - which for us has NEVER happened before!!

Yesterday was spent relaxing, and today has been frantic boxing up of belongings... we have workmen starting tomorrow!  Apologies for the link heavy post - I still can't seem to upload any images.

Tired

I feel really tired today - much like I felt yesterday actually!  I can feel we are approaching the end of the school year - the children are on wind down, and I can feel myself joining them.  It doesn't help that last night we (myself and my neighbours) planned to go and see 'Mamma Mia' at the local cinema - only to get there and see about 100 + women milling around outside.  The film was showing in two screens - one showing each, and yes it was sold out.  From eavesdropping into other conversations we knew that all the other local cinemas were the same.  There were a lot of disappointed ladies out last night!  One of our group was heavily pregnant and so really wasn't up to much else, so it was a sombre drive home - you could say we were all sulking!!

Tonight we're out at Drumfest - our son is currently learning to play the drums - I'm expecting a LOUD evening, and the worlds largest drum kit is supposed to be there too.  I'm not sure this is a true family evening out - but hey, maybe I'll become a 'cool' mum for the night!

Tomorrow gets better - Chris and I are off to London, we've tickets to see Duffy play at Somerset House, and I can't wait.  Evidently light showers is forecast for tomorrow, but theres nothing like walking in the rain with the man you love - so it'll be fun (won't it?).   The children are overnighting at a friends house (thank you Kate!), and so we're going to make a day of it visiting the British Museum, then some time in Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Chinatown for tea before the concert.  I only wish I had a smaller camera for days like this.  We have a great digital camera - but its fairly bulky, and I always end up carrying it, so it's staying at home tomorrow.  Not that that would matter at the moment as I seemingly can't add photos to my blog currently - not great!

Letterbox

The letterbox contact from our children's birth mum arrived last week.  We receive a letter from her (via Social Services who screen the letters) each year around about this time and we reciprocate with a letter in September.  I was cross from the moment I opened it - its full of talk about her baby son and celebrating birthdays - and I have to read this to my children?

Anyhows, tonight was chosen, and sure enough we've had an evening of tears.  Hearing from birth mum has made both children feel unsafe, nervous, anxious - but despite this, I am so so very proud of them both.  They handled hearing the letter so so well, and above all else were mostly concerned for the new baby in their mum's life.  They mainly wanted to know whether he was safe or not.  We told them we didn't much know as birth mum is no longer living in our county (or country), however we did tell them that I'd asked our local Social Services if they knew anything and whilst they couldn't tell me (either because they do not know or because of confidentiality) anything, they could say that the local Child Welfare department would know of the history of child neglect.

My children constantly amaze me with their ability to process information, and to show a maturity so beyond their years.  I love them both so so much.

Tomorrow is our tenth wedding anniversary. I remember the night before our wedding, possibly more clearly than the day itself. The night before, I was calling the whole thing off. I did change my mind however and we did indeed get married.

We married in the Dominican Republic and a few days prior to flying out my husband to be was telling me his wedding band would be too loose. I believed him but no - he had to demonstrate, so he slipped the ring on and shook his hand furiously... the ring flew off, it then took about 30 minutes of sheepish hunting for him to locate the ring. I then confiscated the ring and said we'd have it re-sized once we were home.

Anyway, Chris occassionally suffers from eczema on his hands and sure enough they flared up a few days before we were due to marry. The night before Chris thought he'd 'try' the ring to see if it would go on - I said not to and that it wouldn't matter, I could always pretend to put the ring on. He didn't listen and pushed the ring on. 

It fitted.

Tightly

AND WOULDN'T COME OFF.

Was I happy - no I was not. I think I threw what can only be described as a diva style strop. I refused to marry him. Chris headed off to the kitchens to try oil, butter, ice - nothing worked. The ring was stuck fast. Eventually I calmed down and agreed to marry him, with the ring already on.

However that almost didn't happen as the Judge was not happy about marrying us with Chris already wearing a wedding band. It took a lot of explaining to the Judge - in Spainish as to why Chris was wearing a wedding ring, and that no this wasn't a bigamous marriage, but that the ring was stuck, until the Judge gave him a big grin and agreed to marry us.

All quiet on the Western front!

I'm currently working with a designer on a 'brand' for Made by Cara, and all should be revealed in the fullness of time.  

In terms of stock, well a few more children's aprons should reach the store next week, as will some Summer inspired bunting - thats if the rain ceases long enough to take some good shots!  The passport covers I started a while back, will no doubt be finished by the end of summer - just as everyone is finishing holidays rather than starting them, and the lavender sachets will probably appear at the same time!

In other news I've had a big old tidy up of my crafting area - and it looks so much better, I think my husband was a little disturbed by the quantity of fabric I have - I'm guessing now is not the time to tell him more is on order?

My step brother is now out of hospital, and annoying the nurses at the cottage hospital where he has his physio, which is good for us, but not for them!  Just as Matthew was out of hospital, my best friend went in suffering with pre-eclampsia, and my mum had a fall at work.  I'm not sure about you, but I think I'll be pleased when next year is here!!

However, Monday is my 10th wedding anniversary - and we're off for a day out, we were planning a picnic, but the weather is atrocious, so we're going to a local pub for lunch, its one we haven't been to before, so we don't know what to expect, and it'll either be great and we'll love it or it'll become a moment to laugh and reminisce over in years to come.

So in honour of my wedding anniversary, any purchases made between now and 24th July qualify for 10% reduction - woo hoo !!!   You can either pay in full, and I'll refund the 10% off the item price, or purchase and wait for a revised invoice.

Cara x

A UK Etsy?

I stumbled across a fab new site tonight:: FOLKSY - its still in beta, so be forgiving.

Its a UK site offering fabulous items by UK designers, artists and crafters.  There's quite a few familiar faces on there from Etsy - but the best bit is that its all priced in pounds!

I've gone and grabbed my spot there tonight - the shops looking a little thin, but hey, you have to start somewhere and I'd certainly recommend a look at it.

Enjoy, 

Cara x

** Just gone back to the site to have another browse.... and guess who is on the front page!  Woo hoo **

Diary Page

I'm participating in the 2009 Diary project over at:: http://www.fantazya.ca/diary2009.html

Here is my entry - took me a while to do, I really struggled with 'how' to do it...  I think they need a guide for dummies!!!

Gifford's Circus

Last Saturday I took the family to the Circus - sort of a big thank you for all the times they've left me be to get ready for We Make.  

Words can't describe how magical the whole experience was.  The circus was set up in a small Oxfordshire village - not quite on the Green, but almost!  The Big Top looked splendid and the children looked completely mesmeriszed.  I deliberately had NOT told them about the treat, and it was a wonderful surprise.  All the performers were dressed in wonderful costumes, the inside of the tent was decorated beautifully and there was live music throughout the entire show.  We ate sticky strawberry candyfloss - though the Hungarian Goulash smelt divine too (we'd already picnic'd sadly), and tried very hard to refrain from buying a stick from Tweedy for 50p.  He had a surprising number of customers though!!

I'll leave you with this photo - but more can be found over on Flickr as usual!

We'll certainly be going next year - and if you get the chance to visit Gifford's Circus - do!  They are amazing.

Still on about We Make!

Okay - so there were far too many wonderful sellers to mention, but StoreyShop deserve one!

They were sort of opposite me and they had the most wonderful cut out cards on their table - absolutely beautiful, so I've ordered one today to be made for my wedding anniversary in a few weeks time (look out for a Special Offer nearer the time!).  

I can't wait for it to arrive.

We Make

*phew*

I'm glad I'm home!  Yesterday was a VERY long day... thankfully made shorter by the lovely Sally from Stitchy Woo Woo.

I left home shortly after 6am so I could catch the bus up to London from Milton Keynes.  I'm a great supporter of public transport - but I'm not sure I'd use National Express again!  The website was terribly confusing as to which stops I could use with luggage in the hold - and even a call to their call centre did nothing to help, so in the end I settled for travelling into Victoria Coach station.   Now I had trouble navigating the coach station so heaven help anyone from another country visiting and ending up there!  Anyway by 9:30am I was at the venue - having bumped into Angharad on route (with her lovely daughter and father).

It was lovely to meet fellow Etsian's both stall holders and customers.  I met some blog readers too - which was lovely, as you're never quite sure if you have any!!  The day was quieter than I might have liked, however I made several sales, and a couple of custom orders and it was wonderful to meet up with fellow crafters.

The delightful Abi came up from Devon bringing my custom tops that she'd made - beautiful and I must remember to show you a photo!

The topping of the day came when Sally heard that I was travelling by coach and offered me a lift in her car all the way to Milton Keynes - thanks to Lovealittle's mum Renee for organising that!

Lots of photos of the day can be found over at Flickr::  http://www.flickr.com/groups/750040@N25/

Now if you don't mind - but I'm going for a cup of tea and a laze on the sofa!!

WE MAKE

... London

The 'Made by Cara' stall is off to London, Covent Garden today for the We Make fair.

Do pop along if you are in the area (I've heard the first 10 customers through the door get a free cotton tote bag!).  It starts at 11am and full details are here::  http://wemakelondon.blogspot.com

Me, I'm off to catch the bus in a few moments.  No trains were running before 9am this morning, not quite what I planned.  Last night we were at the Circus and it was fab, and I'll spill all about that too later.  Enjoy your sunday!

C x

Salvation...

How was I to know that salvation would come in the form of a lovely girl?  

In the greater scheme of things finding someone who could replicate a top that I fell in love with, and that is now sadly past its best is probably one that doesn't spring to mind.  However... this is me we are talking about here.  Being one of the larger sized ladies means that I really do not enjoy clothes shopping.  Now I've found a very enjoyable way.  Let me explain...

1.  Take an item you love

2.  Send it to Abi

3.  Choose colour/fabric

4.  Smile repeatedly as she uploads the Work In Progress pictures on Flickr 

5. A week later be overjoyed with the results.

Thats it - simple, one week, which includes me sending Abi the top, her drawing up a pattern to fit me/the top perfectly, her ordering the fabric and Abi finishing TWO new tops.

I'm super lucky too as Abi is coming to We Make tomorrow and bringing the two new tops and my old scruffy original.

Who says couture isn't for the masses!  What you waiting for!

We Make

After all the trauma at the start of June, I really wasn't sure if I'd be going to We Make this Sunday.  However, I am going to! 

So if you are in London this Sunday, do pop along to Covent Garden where you'll find the Made by Cara stall and plenty of others at the We Make London fair.  Full details are on the We Make blog.

In the mean time, I'll leave you with a shot of another of my new lines...

Children's Apron £9.50

and Children's Apron & Baking Set £12

Matthew

Matthew had a set back over the weekend.  He was doing really well and so they transferred him from ITU where he has been since June 1st to the Trauma ward, however he wasn't doing so well and so he is now back in ITU.

Fun

Wow - I had some fun tonight.  Friday nights is the UK Etsy chat night, and Bunny introduced us to Ustream.  Well a few of us had a go and it was a complete giggle... until I realised mine had sound and everyone could hear me chuckling, at which point I went a rather fetching shade of pink....   I'm not sure I'm cut out for TV !!  But it was perfect for a Friday night giggle

And the winner is...

Thank you for your wonderful comment - now all I need to know is which one you'd like!

Peg Bags

Originally uploaded by MadeByCara

Giveaway

Wow - when I first made the post, I was hoping I'd get at least 2 comments, so I could at least have to 'pick' one out of a bowl (or egg cup!).  I ended up getting 20 very nice comments that have really lifted my heart over the last few days.

Matthew had a set back last night - blood was found in his lung, so its still a long weary road, and one that I'm sure to post about many many times.

On the picking of the name front I used the names in a bowl trick - the egg cup was just too small!!! 

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and particularly to those who took the time to make a comment.

100th post giveaway

Little did I know on 1st October 2007 whether I would continue posting past a week - let alone 100 posts, but here I am.  Whether you are fresh to me or a 'long time' lurker - you've given me something to blog for.  A reason to keep going when things haven't always been that easy.  You've seen me through my first craft fair, my first sale,  Christmas, Birthday's and Valentines, Attachment Disorder and the accident my step brother was involved in - and on that front, I'm pleased to say that Matthew shows serious signs of improvement.  

Which is why I finally feel that I can do this post and say THANK YOU for joining me on my blogging journey, and to invite you to participate in my 100th post giveaway.

All you'll need to do is comment on this post - nothing more, nothing less, and the prize?  Its a new line I'm adding to my store:  Washing Line Peg Bags

Good luck and I'll draw the name out of the hat on Friday 13th June (least it'll be lucky for someone!) at 8pm GMT

Cara x

Shop Update

Having put the shop update back and back I've decided today is it.  I've 'delisted' everything - just on a temporary basis and it should all be up with NEW items in it tomorrow!

I've been busy taking new photos, writing new 'blurbs' and making new stock with some fab new fabric too.  Still waiting on my lavender arriving - so no Lavender hearts and sachets yet, but they're coming!

www.madebycara.etsy.com

PS - My 100 post is due to be my next post.  However with Matthew not being well, my attention really hasn't been that focused.  That said - I will do a Giveaway in honour of reaching this milestone.  More details next post.

No news is good news.

At least thats the proviso I'm working on.  Matthew is still in ITU.  They tried to take him off the ventilator last week - but he wasn't breathing sufficiently on his own, so he was put back on.

Update

My step brother is still critical.  He had a long operation yesterday on his pelvis - I'm hoping the fact the surgeons thought he could cope with another big operation is a good sign.  A couple of newspapers in-accurately reported that he was a drunk driver.  He was a passenger.  Some have printed retractions - some are still to do so.  My children are seemingly coping with it all.  I don't think the reality has really hit them.  The doctors are worried about him developing pneumonia and he still has a lot of broken bones to fix.  There are fewer unbroken bones than broken.  Its not good.

Sleeplessness

I've had major trouble sleeping the past few nights.  There is only so much internet trawling one can do, and whilst I'm not in a terribly jovial mood - this blog post made me smile and as such I felt it was my duty to share it.

Update

My step-brother remains in a critical, but stable condition.  He is currently on ITU, his broken bones include both femurs, ribs, lower right leg, shoulder blade, collar bone plus others.

Prayers please

This morning I found out that my step brother had been involved in a serious road collision in which 4 of his friends died.  

He was air-lifted to hospital and remains in a critical condition.  He has suffered a massive trauma and has numerous broken bones and is currently in theatre undergoing surgery. 

His immediate family are at his side.  I would ask any of you who have hope to pray for him and to keep the 4 families of his friends in your thoughts.

Day Three

Nancy Thomas:  Mini-Camp

I woke today feeling really low.  My husband was in a foul mood - not helped by the dishwasher having flooded the floor.  This comes at the end of a week when firstly the sink got blocked and we discovered that it had been incorrectly installed in the first place, then the washing machine broke and now the dishwasher.  Surely that has to be it for the appliance in the kitchen now!

Anyway my daughter was in a dreadful mood too and by the time I reached camp this morning I was in tears.  I didn't really know why - but I think it was to do with the fact that this was our last 'Nancy Thomas day' and the thought of going it back alone is a little scary.

I bought her book - When love is not enough - if anyone wants a copy there is a cheaper supplier than Amazon - shout and I'll dig out the link!  I got it for just under £12.  The book is pretty much everything we've been taught over the last 3 days - but its there in black and white and if I need to check back I can.  Always a bonus when you are learning something new!  The children seem happier, I know I'm certainly more positive about the future and I'm not so frustrated by the things they do.  I understand the problem and we've a strategy to fix it.

I'm still anxious over what will happen in time, however I've loads of new friends from the camp to contact if I feel I just need to rant at a parent who WILL understand!

For all you readers (and why are most of you still lurkers - it gets a litte lonely in blog land without comments!! :D  ) who have normal children - rejoice in them, and please don't automatically assume that the harrassed looking woman in the corner of the playground is just a bad mum, she might just be me!!

Day Two

Nancy Thomas:  Mini Camp

Its official.  Both children have Reactive Attachment Disorder.  Strangely instead of feeling sad, I feel positive.  There is a LOGICAL reason as to why my children behave as they do.  All the times I've seen other parents pull faces at my seemingly inability to parent - they were wrong.  You can't parent a child with RAD as you would a 'normal' child.  Their brains are functioning incorrectly - and I need to re-write the damage that they suffered from being neglected and abused, and that sadly does not happen over night.

Nancy is giving us the tools and support to do this ourselves and we are seeing results.  For the first time I feel we're getting somewhere, and its a great feeling.  Its wonderful to meet other parents facing the same issues too and who knew - but one of the couples there have a child in my children's school!  I did know of other adopted children in the village, but it goes to show - you don't know them all.  We've made good friends with another couple too who live not too far from us and I'm looking forward to meeting up for coffee next week with them.  Except that coffee is now off the menu as 'our' children can't take the caffeine, not that they actually drank coffee, but they LOVE tea.  De-caff tea it is then!

Day One

Nancy Thomas:  Mini Camp - Day One

Nancy Thomas is AWESOME and I make no apology for using clearly an American word on an otherwise reserved English blog ! :D

Upon arrival, we duly registered and took our children in to the hall.  In the registration pack was a checked napkin amongst other things.  Nancy soon had the adults trooping out of the hall and up some stairs leaving our children behind.  Once upstairs Nancy confessed we were now in the Pit Stop room - and that napkin wasn't actually a napkin - but a FLAG!!  Now when our children did something that we'd previously 'asked' them not to do, we weren't to SAY a word - just raise our flag and the staff would come and collect the children and bring them to the pit stop room where they'd get the child to sit (?) and then say what they did wrong, before coming up with a plan on how they were going to make it better.  Yeah right!  (that was my thought).

A little later when my chair was being repeatedly kicked, I tentatively raised my flag... two staff swooped over, took my son away and up to the room - gave me some chocolate (for the serotonin) and asked me to write what he'd done.  I imagined he'd be there hours - he NEVER knows what he's done wrong and what on earth was sitting going to do!!!  Imagine my surprise when no more than 10 minutes later he's there in front of me telling me he'd been kicking my chair on purpose and to make it up to me he'd rub hand cream on my hands....  Well - I won't give you all of Nancy's secrets, besides I'm too shattered to write much more today.  All I can say is that I really got it wrong before - and I can't believe what damage I've caused to my children (unintentionally), but that it stops.  Now.

Apron love

I'm slacking - I really am.  Another long pause between postings.  Still no photos of the apron for the swap.  It's almost finished now - I just need to top stitch it and attach the ties, preferably NOT in that order!!!  This will be the second apron I've made.  I made my first one for the Spring apron swap, and really enjoyed it and resolved to make another for me (or the shop :D ) however never got round to it before the next Swap was scheduled.  Once this Summer apron has been mailed out (by June 1st) I WILL make some aprons for me and then the shop!  I'll leave you with a shot of the last apron I made.  Or I would if I could...

We got a new Mac and I seemingly can't upload photos with it.  I must be missing something... Unless anyone can alert me to where I'm going wrong?

Nancy Thomas

For those not in the know Nancy Thomas is a wonderful American 'mom' who loves children who seemingly appear to be un-loveable.  We adopted our children back in 2003 after discovering that my endometriosis that I suffered with (note past tense - but thats another post!) had led me to become infertile.  I remembered reading Nancy's book - When love is not enough (NB - if you want to buy it, drop me a line, I know a cheaper supplier than Amazon!), and thinking that our love WOULD be enough.  We'd be the exception.  We'd be able to get these children to feel at home - and seemingly we did.  

We absolutely had problems and issues - who wouldn't when two children join a new home at the age of 5 & 3 - having had 7 & 8 homes previously.  However I guess last September I began to get a sense of dread, a feeling of failure - and one that I've pretty much been able to keep under wraps from everyone.  I mean who wants to admit to being a failure as a mum?  Our wonderful, gorgeous 10 year old daughter is a habitual liar and prolific thief, our loveable cheeky monkey 8 year old son is getting stuck - frozen in time and we can't seem to reach them.  A crisis call to Post Adoption support, a great meeting with the social worker who saw us through our approval and we'd managed to secure therapy for our daughter which started last October.

That same wonderful social worker has also managed to arrange a mini-camp with Nancy Thomas who is travelling over from Colorado, and we are booked on it!!  The camp starts this Wednesday - I haven't a clue what to expect so roll on Wednesday

Busy...

Life has been really busy lately, and as much as I seem to do my 'To Do' list never appears to get any shorter!

However - progress HAS been made! I've listed some new iPod cases in the shop today, and I have a BIG STORE UPDATE next Monday with new products to reveal to you all!

I'm still making additional stock for the fair in London next month and my website is just ticking along. It could do with some love and attention - but I think making has to come first. I'll leave you with a shot of some new crayon rolls ...

Stock

I can't believe how long it has been since I last wrote a blog post.  My ability to manage time seems to have just disappeared out of the window - either that or there really isn't enough hours in the day to achieve everything I want to achieve.

I'm still busy making lots of new stock for fair in London next month.  I can't believe how quickly June is rolling round.  I'm also halfway through making my apron for the Summer Apron Swap.  I don't think my partner knows who I am (in that I mean the person I am making it for does not know its from me) so I should be able to post some photos of it soon.

In other news - um, thats just it - there is no other news!  Oops...

May Day

As is rapidly becoming a tradition - May Day holiday for us seemingly involves a pub lunch followed by a walk in some wood. This year, after detailed negotiations with my mum we opted to visit the Royal Oak in Eydon. If ever a building was the ideal model for a pub - this would be it. Its a really cobbled together sort of building - all the interior walls are left intact and the flooring is a mixture of flags, tiles and floorboards. The bar area is thin - but adequate, there is a snug, and a games room, plus two other rooms to hide away in and the food is just devine. My mum and the children had gammon, egg (free range) and chips, Chris plumped for the steak and I went for the salmon and prawn fishcakes. Neither mum or I could finish our platefuls - and I sadly left the camera at home and so couldn't capture the salivating inducing platefuls! Chris and the children felt they needed pudding, so after scoopfuls of vanilla and strawberry icecream for the children and a bread and butter pudding for Chris we were finally able to set off for our walk.




Needless to say the walk was through some beautiful woods covered in a carpet of bluebells. My words can not do justice - so here are some photos:

1. Joe climbing trees 2. Blue Carpet 3. More tree climbing

4. Rodent skull 5. More bluebells 6. Tree stump crown

7. Bluebells and children 8. Finding a rope swing 9. Bluebell buds

Local Elections

Yesterday was local elections and it makes me so very cross. When all across the world millions are fighting for the right to vote, our country is seemingly very apathetic. Our village - which is not small, having 3 polling stations managed a turn out of just over 35%. Am I really to believe that under 1 in 4 people care about what happens locally? Yes we might all be a little jaded and wonder if our views are taken into consideration - but if you don't vote I feel you have no right to complain about government and councils and political decisions. If you can't be bothered to get to your polling station and either spoil your ballot paper or put a cross in one of the boxes I don't want to hear about your views on politics. If everyone who had an opinion took the time to vote I guess our political situation would be a lot different. I think the overall turnout country wide is about 40ish % How can public opinion truely be gathered when less than half the country care enough to vote.

Grrr - rant over.... :D

Yes I did vote, and my candidate came third, but I took part.

The Van

Okay - so we won the van on ebay and its not very glam, but its ours and already I love it! Here are some photos to *ahem* tempt you to its loveliness!!

Neglected

I rather fear I have neglected my blog quite considerably lately. It started with a nasty cold which resulted in me losing my voice completely for a week, and I lost all enthusiasm. Then I got my website and my attention was rather occupied with that. However I think I'm back!

We had a rather traumatic Friday last week when our fuse box started 'fizzing' and sparks were shooting out. We turned off the electric and removed the cover and were startled by the amount of scorching there was. We then spent the next few hours trying to find an electrician who didn't just work for the council, who could come out in less than 6 weeks. In the end we went with a recommendation from an old neighbour and although the firm was really busy promised they'd come out that day. They turned up early evening, just as I was preparing for an evening of no hot water, no heating, no light etc. The chap - who was excellent, managed to sort us out and left us safe and with electricity, and I was able to check ebay and find out that we'd won the caravan we were bidding on! More on that later....

Treasury and Website

What a day to launch my website! I've discovered that I am featured in a very fresh 'Aqua' themed treasury over on Etsy - you can find that treasury here.

The other big news is that my website is now LIVE(ish). I guess it'll be a few weeks before I stop playing with it - but its up, working and I think spelling error free - though if you spot a broken link, spelling error etc please let me know. You can find me at:

www.madebycara.co.uk

Cara x

Normal service will resume shortly!

All my good intentions fell by the wayside. It's really hard to blog and use a camera when you are feeling unwell. I tried to bake a ginger cake earlier this week and poured the batter mix over the work top instead of in the cake pan. My husband just laughed at me :(

Anyway - I'm beginning to feel a little brighter today - which is good, particularly as I found out yesterday I DO have a place at the Boddington Rural Market this coming Sunday. I have enough stock but I just feel very unprepared...

Anyway - no news yet on the new website, but it'll all be revealed here first! :)

Macro #15

Halfway through the 30 Day Macro challenge, and another craft related shot. We're in the process of moving rooms and so today I have to pack up all my crafting things and move them out of the room. This is not so easy, particularly as I may have a craft show this sunday! Currently there is no space for me, but the lady in charge will ring me Saturday to say if she has managed to squeeeeeeeze me in. I'm hoping she can as it's a nice venue.

Macro #14

Yum - more fabric combos for more stock.

Macro #13

Pink bias trim and green fabric.
I've been wanting to make some more tissue holders for a while, but I wanted to make a change to my original design. Now I had the basics, but I couldn't get the inner seams just right. Thats a Virgo trait in me. Which leads me nicely onto perfection. I get really cross when I don't quite get something right. It really annoys me on many levels. Typically I make errors when my mind isn't fully on the job - how annoying is that! I don't generally put my errors on Etsy, I don't think there is a particular reason, I just don't. I do however tend to offer them at the craft fairs I go to. Anyway - finally sorted out my tissue holders, and I'm happy with them now. I've listed two new ones and have a further 6 to photograph and list. I'm also trying to increase my stock levels in readiness for the fair I'm doing in Covent Garden later this year.

'

New Website Coming...

Watch this space !!

I'm getting my own 'place' on the net! Will tell you more shortly.

Cara x

Cartel

Having only recently discovered Big Cartel I thought I ought to 'grab' my name there.

So I did! I've only got two items there but you can find me at::

http://www.cara.bigcartel.com/

Here are some other fab sellers who are on there ::

http://www.pippindesigns.bigcartel.com/
http://www.curiositykilledthecat.bigcartel.com/
http://www.sian.bigcartel.com/
http://www.siansburys.bigcartel.com/
http://www.abibansaldesign.bigcartel.com/
http://www.hippyofdoom.bigcartel.com/

Please note that some of these shops are just like me and just starting up. Cool!

Macro #12

In the middle of 'doing' some more pegs!

Macro #11

Lots of lovely fabric triangles for mini bunting.

Macro #10

Sewing some more crayon rolls for the shop.

Tefal fall out...

Tefal have really let me down. Last night as I was washing up, the glass lid from my 15cm saucepan shattered as it went into the washing up bowl. The lid wasn't hot and the water certainly wasn't cold. It just shattered - into lots of tiny shards of glass.

I'm only grateful that it was me that was washing up last night and not my 8yr old son who'd offered to do it. I've just got off the 'phone from Tefal and they have just offered to sell me a new lid. No concern over what has happened, and they went so far as to say that Tefal can not guarantee that any of their lids on their saucepans won't do this and therefore do not cover them as part of the product guarantee.

Quite frankly I'm shocked. It was always my assumption that a product must be fit to serve the purpose it is intended for - clearly in Tefal's case this is not true. If the lid had crazed, but stayed intact I don't think I'd have been so shocked. The glass went everywhere. Needless to say I will be writing to them to express my dissatisfaction and concern over their product and I will certainly never buy from Tefal ever again.

I certainly would not recommend anyone to purchase Tefal glass lidded pans either. Mine were not terribly old - certainly under 14 months and I don't expect this to happen in general useage.

Macro #8

WE MAKE pdf's

Yes, we do!

We Make will be producing a recipe book and a 'How to' book with tutorials from some of the designers involved in the project. This is your advance notice!

For those of you interested in one of these books, keep an eye out here on my blog, or here on the official blog, plus our shop where it will eventually be listed.

For those of you submitting recipes/tutorials I will be keeping the list of submissions here!

Cara x

Macro #7

Paperclips - I love stationery!

Macro #6

banal

adjective

boring, ordinary and not original

Except - I won this game of scrabble, which was not boring cause' I don't normally win!

Macro #5

My rings. Today my cousin gets married. We were very close as children. We lived next door to each other, and I'd often pop round in the morning and climb in through his bedroom window to see him (we both lived in bungalows!). We were as thick as thieves and as close as a brother and sister. We've not been so close for the last 10 or so years, in fact the last time I saw him was at his brothers wedding a few years ago. I'm really looking forward to seeing him and his bride today, and this is a kick for me to stay in touch more. Yes I know he could ring me etc etc - but he's a boy, and not really into all that!

So my macro today is my rings, cause weddings always remind me of the day I got married - and this year we'll have been married 10 years.

Macro #4

Apple Tree Leaves - just beginning to open. I love this time of year, just as everything is waking up.

Macro #3

I really am loving this challenge of a Macro a day...Can you tell what it is yet?

Why, of course it's none other that a balloon thats been washed in my machine. Don't you all wash your balloons too? No, well I didn't intend to either. However, this is what happens when you have a son like mine and a mother who frequently forgets to check pockets. The number of times I've washed stones, tissues (the lint drove me mad, so we only have handkerchiefs now!), feathers, coins, lego, playmobil and even snails - you'd think I'd have enough nonce to actually check his pockets by now. Alas, no. So here we have todays deposit - a washed up balloon. Makes an ace macro shot though.

And other news.... I'm co-ordinating the 'We Make' shop - whats that I hear you cry - well lookie here for the blog and here for the shop! Ooo and put the date of June 22nd into your diary - its the very first 'We Make London' craft fair, and yep - I'm there!

Macro #2

Following my post about the 'Lemon and Cloud Cake'...

Here is a macro picture of the top - all covered in coconut loveliness. Yum.

Lemon and Cloud Cake

"What !?!" said my husband.

He'd just walked in the door from uni and commented on the lovely smell of baking, to which I replied that I was making a "Lemon and Cloud Cake"

Um sorry Abi - it seems I renamed your light fluffy lemon concoction... To see Abi's true version click here and by the way its actually called a "Lemon and Coconut Cloud Cake"!

Heres mine in pictures:

All ingredients present and correct

Looking like a lemon cloud!

Yummy with a cup of tea

Thanks for the recipe Abi

Chris says I didn't get it "quite" right - I'd bought the Lemon Curd and its not as good as mine, so I have to make some Lemon Curd and then bake it again so he can perform a "Taste Comparison" !

Shopping, tempers and cake

My car passed its MOT today - phew, always a relief not to have to spend money on it! I also went and did the food shop and feel quite cantankerous now. I'm normally fairly relaxed as I shop. I take the view, I don't have to be in a hurry and so I have time to peruse the shelves (I'm probably your nightmare shopper!). Today I was going to be in a different town and so a different supermarket was required. I'm not a Tesco' girl. I have a complete aversion to them, to the point that I'd rather pay more than give them a penny of my money...

Did I also say I'm a girl to hold a grudge?? Anyway my shopping habits usually involve sifting through recipe books with a cup of tea, followed by a trip to the butchers and then Waitrose via the Farm Shop. However today I wasn't in my usual town. I refuse to go to Tesco's, I didn't want to cross right to the other side of town for Sainsburys, so that left Morrisons. Now I've nothing against Morrisons. Oooo - but some of their customers - sheesh... It started well, with me and an older gentleman seemingly sharing a trolley - until he realised he was very carefully putting his groceries in with mine! We had a good old laugh and I offered to go and sit in the coffee shop whilst he shopped for me - which he gracefully declined. However almost all of the other customers looked completely frazzled, snapping at children (and I'm no Saint Mum either), barging into people without an apology. Grabbing stock when an 'excuse me' would have done, and I guess thats the thing thats riled me most. I appreciate that not everyone has the luxury of time, some may not have slept well etc etc - but does that really mean we can just dispense with manners? Manners cost nothing, and further more whats wrong with smiling?

Anyway for fear of turning this into a tirade I am off to collect my ironing and then bake "Abi's Famous Lemon and Coconut Cloud Cake" and if that doesn't put my world to rights - nothing will!!

Macro #1

After all the excitement this morning regarding the light - it wasn't to be. Shortly after typing that post the heavens opened and it rained, and then clouded over. This probably means that tomorrow will be glorious and bright - as I have my car booked in for its annual MOT... is there a message being passed to me here?

Anyway on to Macro 1

Joe has been riffling through my button box to select a 'few' of

his favourites to embellish a present for his teacher.

Light

Oooo - I'm getting excited. There's light in the sky. Now I do have food shopping to do - but that can wait! I might just be able to take some photographs today ...

If so, there's going to be a big shop update coming!

And that Macro Shot too!

Every day for 30 days...

Orange Flower is instigating a 30 day challenge - and I'm going to join in. It should be good on many levels, firstly because I'll have to post everyday and secondly the challenge is about taking a photo using the Macro setting each day. I'm still perfecting the art of the Macro setting, so this should be good practise for me too...

Heres to tomorrow!

Etsy Gift Guide

...and I'm featured here.

Its in the House Warming guide - and yes, I think they'd do fine!

New sections

I've had enough of the dreary days.

The sharp eyed amongst you will notice my shop has some new sections for things I've been working on whilst I've not been blogging. I've got some new things to add to my shop, and yet the weather has been absolutely appalling. Further more when it has been nice I've had prior committments and so haven't been able to take photographs. This afternoon I've all the time in the world to snap away - and its tipping it down like rain is going out of fashion.

I normally love the rain, I love walking the dog in it, coming in and my glasses steaming up, kicking off the wellies and sticking the kettle on for a cup of hot water (yum!). I love it when the rain drips off the end of my nose, but right now I don't like it.

I want your opinion on some new ideas - and I can't take the photos - grrr

To appease myself I'm off to bake some Butterfly cakes.

See you later alligators........

Etsy Critique

Well,

I've just left an Etsy Critique and on the whole I think I survived! My items were well received and I was complimented on my photography, but there are a few things to change.

I've known for a while that my banner and avatar don't quite go with the flow of my shop - but what to do. This and a couple of my tags are the main things to come out of the critique. I need to inject more colour into my banner - I love the 'We Make' banner which I made (not the logo - ChickP gets the credit for that!), but I can't seem to 'define' my shop. I'm not going to do anything just now... but I'm definately open to suggestions... please!

FELT....

More supplies for new designs.....

Pirate Love

Well today has been a real mixed day. It started out as glorious sunshine -which descended this afternoon into hail, rain and got very very cold. I've been sewing most of the day (unless my husband is reading, and in which case, I've done loads of housework....).

I've added some more Hearts to my shop plus two Pirates - there is a third to go on, but he has a button eye (poor thing)!

An odd post...

But oh so worth it!

Here is a very important date :: June 22nd 2008

You'll need to keep it in your diaries - but thats all I'm going to say right now...

Well, that and watch this space!

C x

What a sight for sore eyes!

This was the sight that greeted me as I opened up Etsy this morning - lots of loveliness created by fab sellers all from here in the UK. Now Etsy is a predominately US site - it was created there and probably 80% of the sellers are based there, so it is just wonderful to see the UK featured on the front page.

If you are unsure of the Etsy phenonomen, let me tell you a little more about it.

Etsy was started in June 2005 as an environment to buy and sell all things homemade. You'll need to register to buy from the site, however this does mean that all your details are saved for your next visit - and you will visit again! Each seller is an individual on the site, and you pay them direct, most sellers in the UK will give you an option to pay by other means, however the speediest way is via Paypal. Because the site is based in the US everything is currently displayed in US Dollars - as a rough guide (and with the exchange rate as it is) just divide it by half to get the Sterling equivilent. Alternatively you can always check out any of the Currency Convertor sites - I tend to use this one. Paypal will handle all the currency conversions for you - so no worries there then. Most sellers, if based, outside of the UK will happily ship here, just check before you buy. Naturally buying from UK people negates the wait and helps reduce carbon emissions - most UK sellers include the tag UK in their listings, so when looking for items just add UK to your search (and if you're a seller who doesn't yet do this, you probably ought to!).

Here are some links to just a few of my favourites over on Etsy ::
Abi Bansal - fabulous custom made clothes and beautiful bags
Gorjuss - wonderful prints and iron on images
Karen Jinks - lovely illustrations and journal books
Lupin - darling felt things
Red Ruby Rose - clutch bags.... clutch bags... clutch bags
Umbrella Heaven - fabulous umbrellas, perfect for our climate!

Now, I've far more favourites than just these, however I'm due for a day out with my husband, including lunch - and he's champing at the bit to go. Happy days to everyone, particularly those Etsy'ers from the UK. Cara x

New items and a purchase!

I've been wanting a clutch purse for quite a while now. I wanted something a little dramatic and something that would go with 'anything'. Finally I found it! I've been coveting Redrubyrose over on Etsy since she opened her shop. I love the simplistic style, yet sumptious fabric choices, and yesterday I found 'just' the one. I have a wedding to go to in April and this will just complete my outfit. It'll also look rather ace with the top that I'm (shortly) having made for me by the talented Abi Bansal, also on Etsy. She uses fantastic linen and also makes great bags - I've got my eye on a particular one, but I shall not say for fear of it being sold!

So in order to fund my desires - I've added a couple of items to my shop. The garden looked particularly spring like this morning with the sun beaming down, and so pictures were taken outside.

Pink Bird :: £6.25

Bluebird :: £6.25

Some work in progress - more birds and animals for mobile stands, watch this space!

Yay for Outcry

Well, Saturday night was great! Two coaches full of Outcry supporters left Bicester, Oxfordshire bound for Wolverhampton. Outcry were the last act to perform - and I'm ever so pleased to report that they got through the Semi Finals and are now through to the Regional Finals for 'Live and Unsigned'. Next date for the diary is 13th April... Watch this space!

Outcry!

Okay, this is a bit of a change from my usual posts - but hey, change is good.

I need 'Good Vibes' being sent out tonight please! My sisters boyfriend plays drums in a band, and they are in the Semi's for 'Live and Unsigned' at the Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton tonight.

Now I will accept that I am biased - but Outcry are fantastic and deserve to do well. We're off tonight to watch them and hope that they do well. Anyway, I'd love it if you took a wander over to their website and listened to some of the tracks on there and give me some feedback on them. Oh and if anyone has any links with the music industry, I'd love to know!

Thanks, and they're on Facebook too if any one wants to 'add' them.

10 days???!

I can't quite believe that it has been 10 days since I last posted. I'm not quite sure if there is any one particular reason - only that life got incredibly complicated and busy. All at once. My mum has been in hospital for an operation on her spine, I found out my best friend is pregnant with twins, and what with that, family life, and going to court, I've found very little time to do anything - let alone blog. I've a stack of ironing almost taller than me, I've got cakes to bake for the school tomorrow - just told this morning, and a house that looks like it may have been the epi-centre for the recent earthquake, its so disorganised, and the cherry on the top is that I've been tagged. Which I have to say I'm eternally grateful for - as it seems to have re-connected me with this blog. So having never been tagged before - I do hope I do this right!!

Firstly I was tagged by the lovely 'Clothcat' who produces some rather wonderful items over on the hallow ground that is Etsy. I need to post the rules::

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


So here goes
Fact 1:: I like to drink plain hot water. This typically involves people swirling round, hand still poised over the kettle and going "What? Just hot water? I think I've got a lemon?". No, you heard right, I like to drink just hot water - no lemon, no anything. This started when I worked in a call centre, cups of tea/coffee would go cold whilst on a call, and so hot water started - I like to drink it hot and if it goes cold, all is not lost.

Fact 2:: I've been kissed by Timmy Mallet. Okay I was about 5 at the time, and he came to my school (can't remember what for), and gave me a badge saying 'Timmy on the Tranny' which I'm sure has a whole heap of different connotations now.

Fact 3:: I met my husband at work. He left, we then met socially as friends (evidently 'everyone' else could see 'it'), and it wasn't until he moved to Felixstowe that we realised we loved each other. That was June 1996. We bought a house together in September 1996 (only hope I'm as cool as my parents!) and are now coming up to our 10th wedding anniversary this year.

Fact 4:: I'm a Quaker. I love the freedom this gives me.

Fact 5:: Last year I started to learn to play the cello. As a child I wanted to play the cello. My parents weren't keen and so I was encouraged to learn the piano instead (my dad plays). I did, and got to Grade 5, before stopping. I met a woman at a Quaker gathering who learnt the Viola in her 30's who told me it was never too late. I'm so pleased she encouraged me - I'm not good, but I love it!

Fact 6:: I'm infertile. Cor - what a statement! I suffer with Endometriosis, and it was diagnosed too late. The damage to my reproductive organs was done. We toyed with the idea of IVF, but the chances of success were slim, and there was every chance it would seriously agravate my Endometriosis. So we didn't. We finally adopted two children in 2003, and I went on to have a Hysterectomy in 2005 and have been pain free since then (yay!!!).

Fact 7:: I don't like milk. There - thats lightened the post a little! I tolerate milk, but I don't like it. I'll eat Weetabix only cause it soaks up the milk, else I have to drain it off from my spoon. I know I should have more - but I really don't like the taste and too much can make me feel queasy.

Well that was less painful than I thought. Possibly more personal that light hearted - but they are facts about me. Now loads have already been tagged - but I'm not sure these have so.

*tag*
Angharad
SallyF
DomesticAli
PennyPincher
Charlotte
Karen
Melissa




Phew - I think thats it, and hopefully normal service will resume on the blog now. Thanks Cloth.

Another Photo

This is the sight that greeted me yesterday morning. Fresh fruit salad made by my children, with proper napkins, a pot of tea and toast. Now thats a Sunday to remember.

Happy Mothers Day to you all

I was woken this morning by two munchkins at 8:30 - they'd been popping up to see me since shortly after 7, but lovely Chris kept shooing them till a little later. I've had two lovely cards with some carefully chosen words, plus a handmade one from Lou and a beautiful necklace that they chose together - which incidently goes exceptionally well with my recent bargain I got from Monsoon at Bicester Village.

A bath has been run for me, and they are currently folding proper napkins, unpacking the dishwasher and laying the table for breakfast. I'm off to wallow in my bath....

Mothering Sunday

I think I am sorted for Mothering Sunday. When asked what I wanted, my reply was simple, and the same as every year - to have a meal with my mum, my children, husband, and sisters. I don't 'need' any gift - just to spend time with those important to me.

However, Mothering Sunday falls early this year - and caught my husband out. He rang our local pub to book a table for us all on Tuesday this week - not surprisingly they were booked. He then did lots of frantic ringing round to try to find somewhere for the 8 of us. It looked like it was going to be Pizza Express - when my sisters came up trumps by offering to cook. So one sister is doing the starter, another the main and my husband has made Chocolate Chilli Mousse. Now my mum isn't one for gifts either - which is why the meal out is always nice, as for once she lets us treat her. However, I haven't a gift for her - but I have made her her Mothers Day card. I got the inspiration from the invites I did for Lou's birthday, where the original inspiration came from Mel over at Day to Day. I knew I wanted to sew a card - but didn't know what to put on the front, that is, until I saw this lovely button on Raspberry's blog.

Apologies for the poor quality picture - there is no good light in a home with only energy saving bulbs and its dark outside!

Sweetly Inspired

Inspired by the Flickr group Etsy UK Challenge for 'Sweets from your Childhood' I made a crayon roll with Dolly Mixtures.

My fav sweets from my childhood were Pacers - but they don't make them anymore and Dolly Mixtures run a very close second!

I didn't have plain enough material for this - I really wanted the Dolly Mixtures to be the focus, so used soft fleece and felt - and I love it! With a notepad added so that it really is enough to keep a child happy I think I've come up with a variation on my original. Future crayon/pencil rolls will be made of felt and fabric, I just need to work out a way of making them pretty in a less time consuming way!

More aprons

Yes, time for another apron post - however how could I not! Today I got my apron from my swap partner. She didn't send any information in the packet about her - but she did put her address on it, and I've managed to 'find' her!

Isn't this apron just lovely. I've worn it (and twirled in it!) already. The detail on the pockets are just great (two pockets cleverly disguised as one!). If you like mine, you might like to check out Judy's shop on Etsy where she has some similar for sale.

Thank you Judy!

Future

A couple of posts ago I was wondering about my shop. Did I still want it? What did I actually want to do? I'm a firm believer that actions speak louder than words, and over the last 2 weeks I've been in 3 Treasury's over on Etsy (a Treasury is where someone lists some of their favourite items and shows it off to all and sundry). I've never been in a Treasury before, and suddenly I was in 3 at once, over one weekend! Proof that someone likes my things. Plus I continued to list new things!

I think the future has been decided and 'Made By Cara' is here to stay - albeit with a few changes. A new banner, and avatar for starters. I've decided to concentrate on a more cohesive range of items, things that are useful - but lovely all the same! I've changed the design of some of my items and drawn up some new ideas as well. March is going to be a good month for me, and to cement my commitment I've agreed to do a craft fair in London in June!

Made By Cara is going places !

However, can I just say that blogging is a lonely place without comments!

Apron finished!

Okay - so it wasn't a good idea to make the straps so that I had to turn them out... that wasn't easy! However the apron is now made, and I'm pleased with it. I just hope my partner likes it. Its the first one I've made, and both the fabrics were quite heavy weight cotton - I suppose that makes it really durable for Spring Time. There is due to be another Apron Swap for Summer - I'll make that one in a lighter fabric. Anyway on to pictures!

Apron - work in progress

In my mind I've made 3 aprons by now - all different. The reality is that I've done none and I've set myself the task of finishing it this weekend ready to send out on Monday. I'd thought that the deadline was 20th March, actually its 1st of March, and I don't want my recipient to wait that long. I know who she is, and I've been checking out her blog - only I can't tell you, lest she finds my blog and sees her apron!

Anyway, I've finally decided to make a half apron, rather than a full sized one, and its going to be reversible, with pockets on both sides. I've ordered some lovely 'lamb' trim from Matatabi over on Etsy, which I'll use for one of the pockets - on the plainer side, the other will be quite floral, but spring like...