what do people do on Saturdays?

seriously...I haven't had a Saturday off (unless it was specifically to do something else) for YEARS! Don't get me wrong, I did have a big to-do list for today but I decided to postpone it for after work tomorrow!!

I decided to do nothing work related so have lounged on the sofa watching TV films (and napping)...I've played computer games and read lots of blogs....I did a little bit of hexagon sewing but decided that was 'work' so instead I made some boxes to hold my packaging stickers!

Aren't they cute?

I'm excited to think of all the Saturdays I have to come without work, lots of places to go and visit & little holidays to go on .... (not so much sofa lounging though!!)

my next batch

more little piles are looking pretty on my tray ::

I've chosen some brighter colours for my hexagons this time, and they are so cheerful and happy!

Tonight John is working a night shift (boo!) but it is the last one for the foreseeable future (yay!) and that means I have a few hours to dedicate to computer time so if I'm lucky my inbox may well be empty by the time I go to bed!

**************************************************

day job update ::

2 interviews have been completed, more to go next week. I'm glad to say that my boss has been interviewing with me, and all well within normal working hours :-) I've worked every day this week (I normally have Wednesday's off) because I'm covering holidays...I have got tomorrow off, then I'm in again on Sunday.

cupcakes

My cupcake order is complete...24 cupcake embellishments, each one different to the next.

I'm over my grumpy mood...we had a record day at work yesterday and it's nice to feel that I'm leaving on a high...Interviews start today (in normal hours...I put my foot down on that one!) and I'm looking forward to meeting my future replacement!

I've ticked loads of things off my to do list...all of which involved splashing the cash, so I won't dwell on that too long ;-)

plans

I gave my notice in to work (as you know)....I assumed everything would stay the same day-to-day and I would continue in my routine until THE day (1st September...only 36 days to go!!) but I have already been asked to work outside of normal hours to help with interviews (for my replacement, weird huh?) and have all sorts of extra tasks to complete before I go *sigh*

I had thought there would be a feeling of...a line being drawn, an end in sight I suppose, but it actually feels like I have more to do than normal!!

sorry to be all *blah* ... I have got BIG news of new projects and I am still VERY excited....and I know 36 days will go by in a flash!

*cupcakes are for a special order from my etsy bulk shop!

two halves

I had a lot to cram in yesterday....so I was up bright and early and in the workshop by 9am.

I finished off another custom order ::

...and packed all my orders ready for posting today.

John & I spent the afternoon with friends visiting the American Car Show that takes place every year just round the corner from our house

...and we spent the evening in the Local Pub's Garden watching all the lovely cars drive home!

Cars :: Sunshine :: Hot Dogs :: Pick-Up Trucks :: Live Music :: Wine :: Friends.

A lovely day indeed!

actual stitching!

it's not just about buttons round here! (although counting, packing and posting them have been keeping me very busy!) and tonight I plan to do some more stitching too!

BIG button sale

I'm having a BIG button sale!
It's time to clear the shelves and make room for a new range of buttons that I'm working on
Every button is reduced to clear and once they are gone I will not be replacing them....but don't worry button fans...there will be many new glorious (and unique to my shop) buttons later in the year
My BIG Button sale can be found in my shop

well i never

oh.

dear.

I'm so busy 'doing' that I forgot to blog!

here's a 'part way through picture!!'

oh (again!) there will be a button sale . Here. Tomorrow.

sunny piles

I'm working on some sunny coloured piles ::

and it's too sunny for computer-ing so 'll be back with words tomorrow!
Thank you all SO much for your words of support for my new full-time venture...you've all made it seem so much more exciting than it was already!

TODAY....

....I handed in my notice at the day job!
It's taken a lot of planning and a lot of tough decisions but TODAY I did it!
I will be full-time self employed as 1st September 2010



I am terrified but I'm also SUPER excited....I have a list with the title:
'things I'd do if I didn't have a day job'
and it's heaving with possibilities (and lots of bad ideas too I'm sure!)
I am feeling totally exhausted now...I had a big meeting at work with The Boss and then had to make lots of phone calls to tell the other managers...and then I had to tell my staff, one by one (in person)....I'm truly knackered!!
plus I couldn't really sleep last night and got up really early (to do orders and make that special order felt box that's up there)...so right now I'm off to the Post Office and then for a celebratory glass of wine at the pub.
Hurrah!

keeping busy

tomorrow is a BIG day for me...it's been hard today trying to not think about it but today is today and it's not yet tomorrow.
Today?

Today I was keeping my mind off tomorrow.....

I made a BIG list and spread out on my cutting table ::

Did some cutting out for a special order ::

sewed my wips from yesterday ::

I'm loving how bright and cheerful they are!

...and even more so amongst my other goodies :-)

until tomorrow.....

wip action

this is what my current WIP's looked like this morning ::

I've done some hand sewing on them this evening and tomorrow they should look very different.....

football craft

I don't know about you but I really enjoyed watching the World Cup. John and I watched the England games at our local pub but the last few were watched at home....and what better thing to do when watching football than craft?

... the easiest items on my to do list all involved printing and chopping!

new kit

Make-Your-Own Mr & Mrs Owl Brooch Kit

Containing enough felt, ribbon & findings to make both owls

Now available in the shop

hurrah!

yay!

I finished!

more details tomorrow......

beaten!

I was SO hoping to do a big ta-dah a new kit has been finished but it's not to be today...maybe tomorrow if time allows...for now we have a photo of the finished articles!

made to order

I had a request last week for a special order from a customer who loves red, aqua & white

My customer chose a turquoise box, with a red apple and some aqua fabric

I've never made my apple pattern into a red apple before and I have to say I love it!

ooohhh etsy found me!

have you signed up for the emails that etsy send out?

I have, and today the Etsy Finds was all about diy kits

I LOVE reading Etsy Finds and all the hints and tips emails especially the quit-your-day-job section....anyway, look! they've found & included my doughnut kit in their Etsy Finds article!!

hurrah!

If you want to sign up for etsy emails click here ...and I'll be back with non-doughnut news tomorrow!

winners!

WOW!
Thank you SO much for all your nice doughnut comments
:-)
and now for the winners ..........

comment # 41
TheMadHouse said...
Yes please, these might just kick start my mjo again!

comment # 100
jazzalblue said...
I love your make-your-own kits! I would love to win one of them so I can try them out. J**l**e***hi****u@windowslive.com

comment # 24
Revathi said...
Yummmmmm!!! I love the colours! To win either is an honour! But I’m kinda partial to “Ready-Made”... a P-A-S original! Thanks for the chance!~(re*****ta@yahoo.com)

comment # 35
Blhosh said...
Ooohhhh. Count me in!!Ready-made please. I can't wait!!!Thanks!

I shall contact the winners now, well done doughnut fans
;-p

a new website

I've finished* my wholesale website!

I'd really love it if you'd all pop by , take a peek ~ and maybe tell me what you think?
hurrah!
*there are still more items to add, as time allows!!

Freebie Day :: July 2010 :: Doughnut Kits

Hurrah it's freebie day!
and I've been working super hard to get everything ready on time....so without further ado let me introduce you to my new Make-Your-Own Kits ::

kits to make doughnuts...chocolate or vanilla, ornaments or key rings, the choice is yours!

There are FOUR freebie prizes this month and all of them are doughnutty!

You can choose to win a make-your-own Doughnut Kit

or for non-sewers you can choose ready-made doughnuts!

RULES
1. entry is made by leaving a comment on this post
2. one comment per person please (duplicates will be deleted)
3. comment must contain your choice of prize :: Ready-Made or :: Make-Your-Own
4. I must be able to contact you via your comment
5. I post worldwide so location is not a problem
6. all orders for a doughnut kit placed before July 14th will receive 3 bonus loyalty card points
7. freebie closes around 5pm on Monday 5th July, winners will be announced in the evening
8. prizes are either: one kit or 3 ready made doughnuts per prize

freebie is now closed :: winners will be announced shortly!