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.