There's Always Time for a Cuppa

It is Monday morning (just about) and I've got my cup of tea next to me for a quick pause from making.

I like having a hot drink to break up the day or to talk to friends over. So its not a fancy hot chocolate with marshmallows today but on this Monday morning, when the sky is lovely and blue, I appreciate it.

I hope you have a lovely week! I am off to a supply show midweek and I am looking forward to being surrounded by all things craft and creative.

Katie

Pottering Around

Gardens are refreshing. They evolve. Abundant greens at one point, stunning oranges and browns at another and all those crazy coloured flowers in between.

I made this card for someone who used to have an allotment and would spend some time growing his own veg.

Have a good day!

Katie 

Valentine's Day

I've been missing from around here for a few weeks. I have no real excuse except that the new year hit me and so did the typical winter colds and in my attempts to get back down to work I accidentally neglected this little blog. It is intention to be around here more often, sharing my creations as well some of the things that I find and love, or that I am enthusiastic about. I have the same aim for my Instagram and Facebook. 

January seemed to be a month of custom creations but I also enjoyed coming up with new designs for all the occasions that are coming up in the first half of the year. There's Easter and Mother's Day but there is also Valentine's Day. This opportunity to spread some love is only a week away but there is still time to get a card! If you'd like a handcrafted greetings card for someone special, get in touch at katiesarah.makes@hotmail.co.uk or contact me on Facebook. 

Here in England the first 'Valentines' were exchanged in the middle of the 18th Century. They were tokens of love and handwritten letters. I like sentiment and, to me, putting pen to paper and sending some kind words to make someone smile can't be beaten!

Love Katie 

DIY Greetings Card

Cards for boys are always hard to find. I hear that time and time again when I am at craft fairs. It is probably why this card was one of my bestsellers last year. People bought it as it was but I also had custom orders - people asking for an age to be added and colours to be adjusted. I am always happy to do that with any of my cards.

I first made this for my uncle, someone who has always made things. For years I have had a table he made by my bedside and there are other pieces through the house too. I enjoyed making this card the first time and I like adapting it for other people and occasions. Its my kind of DIY.

If you're interested in a custom creation, do contact me at katiesarah.makes@hotmail.co.uk or on Facebook. I always look forward to what I'll be making next.

I hope you had a good week! Have a lovely weekend.

Katie

Happy New Year!

2016 was quite a year. I'm intrigued to see what 2017 will bring! Happy New Year, Everybody!

All my best wishes,

Katie 

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

Christmas eve is tomorrow and the excitement is setting in. That's how it was when we were little - with the anticipation of stockings in the morning, a mighty feast, and looking forward to sharing it all with family in the days after. To be honest, not much has changed even though there are new people and new traditions each year.

To me, a lot of it is in the lead up and the days that follow - in the weekends of Christmas craft fairs, the decorations, the music, time spent in the countryside, and celebrating it all with family and friends.

I've enjoyed it all and I am looking forward to everything merry that is still to come.

Happy Christmas to you all!

Katie

CubFest

Earlier in the year I was invited to have a stall at CubFest - TheWildest Promise Party Ever - an event to celebrate the 100^th Birthday of Cubs - and last Friday I went along and joined in the fun.   

While I knew some of what PACCAR Scout Camp had planned I didn't know what to expect so it was really great to see it all come to light. Gazebos around the edge of the field boasted activities and their Christmas Market stalls were strung with coloured lights - I've never seen my table of offerings glow in quite the same way before! I am a sucker for lights at Christmas time so I was in my element! With food, coffee and live music too, I was happy.

I think part of it was because I was a Scout. Almost ten years ago I went to a camp to celebrate the Scout centenary and I can remember wandering around with my friends like it was yesterday. So with a little bit of nostalgia, it was really nice to see everyone’s excitement as they arrived and as the evening went on - Such a great atmosphere to witness and be a part of.

Hope you had a good day!

Katie

Happy Advent!

The count down is underway! I can't quite believe it is December already but I will embrace it with open arms. I am ready for all that it brings - festivities, food and togetherness to name a few.

With Christmas on the horizon, I've been to most of my craft fairs of the season and I've really enjoyed them. Each one was a little bit different with stand outs ranging from mulled cider in Goring to live music at World's End.

I still have a couple of events left but this week I've been concentrating on custom orders. What is nice with some of my greetings cards is that I can adapt colours and certain parts of the design to create a personalised card for someone special. Just like this Cat and Dog card.

Happy Advent! Have a lovely evening.

Katie 

It is Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

With these chilly days and December on the horizon it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This is one of my favourite Christmas card designs this year and I am happy that it is proving a favourite with other people too. 

I hope you're having a good week!

Katie

Christmas Elves

I suppose this card was inspired by those Christmas films where Father Christmas' workshop is piled high with presents, where there is wrapping paper strewn all around, and where there is a hive of activity as the elves make and wrap the toys.

The red and the green? That's easy. For me these are the colours that will always be synonymous with Christmas. The green spruce tree and Father Christmas' red suit. Holly and Berries. Ivy and Poinsettias. I could go on. I am happy to get on board with silver and gold themes, blues, even the odd purple but I reckon in years to come - five, ten, thirty years - I will always go back to these more traditional colours for decorating at Christmas time.

This little elf with his stack of presents is just one of the Christmas cards that will be on sale at the events I will be attending this November. I will be sharing more of my creations soon but if you'd like to see the full range/ join in the Christmas fun why not pop along to one of the Christmas markets I have booked. :)

Have a good afternoon and a lovely evening!

Katie

Christmas Fairs and Markets

For the last few months, I've been knee deep in Christmas and all that it brings. One night I ended up at the pub with glitter on my face! I've been caught up making and preparing and as a result I haven't shared that many of my greetings cards in recent weeks. In fact I haven't written on this blog about much at all. It is my hope, now that the nights are darker earlier, that I will find some time, and a cosy nook, to write and share some winter thoughts and creations. 

For now, with Christmas well and truly on our minds, I wanted to share a full list of events that I will be attending this November and December. Look out for my handcrafted greetings cards and gifts galore from lots of talented makers at any of the craft fairs or markets below. I am looking forward to each one one and really love the atmosphere at these events - Christmas spirit is usually rife!

Saturday 12^th November

Bourne End Community and Craft Market

10am – 1pm

Bourne End Library, Wakeman Road, Bourne End, SL8 5SX

Sunday 13^th November

Wyevale World’s End Christmas Craft Market

10am - 4.30pm

Aylesbury Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6BD

Wednesday 16^th November

Wyevale World’s End Christmas Craft Market

9am - 4.30pm

Aylesbury Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6BD

Saturday 19^th November

Downley Makers’ Christmas Market

10am - 2pm

Downley Memorial Hall, High Street, Downley, Bucks, HP13 5XJ

Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th November

Goring Craft Fair

10am – 4pm

Goring Village Hall, High Street, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG8 9AG

Thursday 24^th November

Wyevale World’s End Christmas Craft Market

9am – 8pm

Aylesbury Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6BD

Saturday 26^th November

Hughenden Valley Village Hall Bazaar

Afternoon

Hughenden Valley Village Hall, Coombe Lane, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 4NX

Sunday 27^th November

Wyevale World’s End Christmas Craft Market

10am - 4.30pm

Aylesbury Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6BD

Friday 16^th December

CubFest – The Wildest Promise Party Ever

From 6pm

PACCAR Scout Camp Chalfont Heights, Denham Lane, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 0QL

Have a lovely day!

Katie