In the summertime...

Well I don't know what it's been doing where you are but the sun has most definitely had it's hat on (hip hip hip hooray!) round here this past week or so. In fact it's been almost too hot to stay out for long in the middle of the day so me and the little man have been making the most of the mornings and late afternoons pottering about the place, playing splashy games in the paddling pool and tidying up the bits that have gone a bit manic in the heat. The cat meanwhile has been keeping well out of the way in the shady corners and under the shrubbery.

My cherry tree has managed to produce a grand total of 4 - yes 4! - cherries that I am jealously guarding as I am sure the blackbird couple have noticed them and the raspberries that are swelling nicely but still a few weeks off being fully ripe. As for the strawberries - well I know they were there but the Phantom Strawberry Scoffer (aka Riley) keeps getting to them before I can! Fortunately I have one planter with a new variety with bright pink flowers (the name escapes me...) that is just out of his reach. Can't wait for them to ripen up...mmmm

The little borage plant I bought from the garden centre months ago is now enormous and threatening to take over the whole border with a riot of spikey stalks and leaves (which taste surprisingly good if you can get past the prickles!) and a profusion of electric blue flowers. The bees absolutely adore it - which is why I planted it - and can be seen buzzing contentedly around it most of the day, much to Riley's delight...'Mummy - is it a bee? Is it a bee? Is it two bees mummy?'


But now it looks like the weather is finally turning again, the breeze has picked up, the azure blue skies have become grey and leaden and the temperature seems to have dropped about 10 degrees - all in the space of about 3 hours. Oh well, I suppose we could do with some rain...

Sunday, busy Sunday...

Well now that the euphoria of being followed on Twitter by Duncan Bannatyne has worn off (or at least subsided a little - though it still makes me grin when I think about it :) ) it's time to get back to work.
I had a very busy day at The Shambles yesterday, chatting with all the shopkeepers there and taking photos in preparation for a new blog I am setting up chronicling the transformation of this tucked away courtyard just off the main road through the town of Newent  into a busy retail centre dedicated to local traders, artists and crafts people, including the OH's shop Biker Dean and also Lara's Den.  The blog is still in the planning process at the moment but I will let you all know when it's ready to role...

On top of that I have just booked a stall for Forest Flower at the Coleford Summer Festival on July 25th - so I now have to fill a market stall full of lovelies!

Oh and getting all the Biker Dean paperwork for 09-10 all finished up and sent off to the accountant... phew...

It's no wonder I have fallen behind with June Loons... (although technically as i have listed 2 or 3 items on some days I haven't really  ;) )

So...better get cracking then I suppose... *sigh* .... whatever happened to lazy Sundays?

'It's raining, it's pouring...'

...I wish I was snoring...!

Actually I don't really, but a nap would be nice. Riley has taken to waking up bright and early (ie 5am) the last couple of days - despite blackout blind. I suspect the over-enthusiastic dawn chorus from the newly fledged blackbirds in our front garden may have something to do with it!

Had a quick scout round the garden in between the showers and I am pleased to note the anti-slug measures seem to be holding up. There are loads of strawberries and raspberries just beginning to form - in fact I might have to get some netting to protect the raspberries as the local bird population has definately noticed them as well.

Still continuing on with the June Loons - and the two new additions to my shop look like this:

Sub-Lime Polka Dot Needle Book ...

...and matching Sub-Lime Polka Dot Pincushion

As I have listed so many items in the past couple of days I feel quite justified in skipping a day or two. I hear Spotty Cats calling me...

June Loons Day 8 (and 5,6,&7!)

Well it's been a bit hectic over the past few days what with work and nephews birthday party and all that so June Loons had to take a bit of a back seat.

I made up for it yesterday by listing three cute co-ordinating purple pincushions and needlebook - two of which sold almost immediately!

Whoop Whoop! 

The sales fairy hung around my place for a bit and helped some mini blue bunting on it's way too!

So today I am listing another needlebook - this one goes with the Stars and Stripes pincushion listed last week...

Stars and Stripes Needlebook

Although I have been keeping an eye on all the marvellous things being listed - and coveting many of them! - I haven't had time to do a favourites... maybe later folks...

June Loons - Day 4

Running a bit late today... got to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts!  But now the little man has worn himself out running around the garden and splashing about in the paddling pool and is having a snooze on the sofa, so I thought it a good opportunity to catch up!

I have listed another pin cushion today - this one is a pretty pale green with pink roses, complimented with pink candy stripes.  I love these pincushions. They are pretty and practical and have been a really good seller for me in Lara's Den. Tonight I am going to be working on matching needle cases because, lets face it, a girl can never have too many co-ordinating accessories!

Pretty in Pink Pincushion

Other news is that the lovely Trish at Moody Cow Designs featured my Strawberry mini-bunting in her strawberry themed Folksy Friday blog - thanks Trish! There are some more lovely berry-based items showcased too so go and have a look.

Finally - just in case you thought I'd forgotten - here is my favourite June Loon item from yesterday's bumper crop...

Once again it was so hard to pick just one but I really love this Verdigris Dragonfly Necklace by The Whimsical Wren.

Got a busy, busy day tomorrow - working at Lara's all day then off to nephew's birthday tea so may have to double list on Sunday... Although the bug has bitten and this Loon just can't get enough!!

June Loons - Day 3

Day three already! More gorgeous offerings from all the 'Looneys' yesterday - my favourite from the bunch was this amazing brooch from Steampunk Storm

I just love the Steampunk blending of late Victorian 'Arts and Crafts' style with intricate clockwork components.

Today I have listed two items although they are really one item in two different colours...

Baby Bunting in pink

Baby Bunting in blue

Aren't they sweet? The perfect gift for a new mum if you want to give something a little bit different.

I can also do personalised ones withthe little one's name instead of the work 'BABY' - just leave a comment if you are interested and I'll get back to you...

Now I'm off out into the garden to enjoy the fabulous sunshine! TTFN...

June Loons - Day 2

So many fabulous things were listed yesterday on the first day of the June Loons listing challenge it was nearly impossible to just pick one as my favourite - but here it is. I hope you like it too!

Cute Curvy Purse by Mushy Makes

I just fell in love with the gorgeous fabric and fresh colours!

And here is my second offering - a funky pin cushion in red and white. Keep an eye out for the matching needle case coming soon...

Stars and Stripes Pincushion

pass it on...

Here is a wonderful and inspirational post from a fellow Folksy forum poster and shopkeeper Leanne Woods (Visit her lovely shop here - Leanne Woods Designs)

"I know a lot of people are feeling down at the minute, May’s been a slowish month and the usual panic regarding prices starts to kick. Sales are offered, freebies are offered, first borns are offered all in an attempt to draw in a sale.




This is really an amalgam of great advice I’ve been given and some I’ve doled out myself in the last year.


I know we’ve all been guilty of under valuing ourselves, I did it too when I first started, barely charging minimum wage for my time, if even that, but let’s face it we could all earn minimum wage and have nothing in the world to concern our little minds other than waiting for the beep to tell us the fries are done or making sure all the tins of baked beans are facing forward.


Instead you chose this. Instead you can be found at any given time of the day rushing at break neck speed between umpteen different jobs and tasks.


You could have spent your days asking “do you want fries with that” and pocketed the paltry wage at the end of the week but instead you are …


The boss


The boss’s secretary


The boss’s whipping boy


The marketing manager


The photographer


The buyer


The web designer


The accountant


The postie


The delivery guy


The cleaner


The childcare


The cook


The driver


and the lady who makes the tea.


And in between all that, you somehow find the time to design and make stuff too.


Never forget just how bloody brilliant you all really are and don’t let anybody tell you different because chances are, they’d crumble to pieces after a week in your shoes.


Never mind minimum wage, you’re worth your weight in gold!"

Thanks, Leanne, for those words of wisdom... I just had to pass them on and I hope other crafters will to.

June Loon - 1st listing...

Here is the first one of my 'list an item every day in June' items...

Very sweet mini bunting in blue

I will be back later with my pick of all the other June Loons first offerings.

Keep an eye out - it could be you! ;)