Friday 20 September 2019

Friday Chat Day - Some News!

Hello friends

Devoting this Friday Chat Day to some news...

This blog post has sat in my drafts box and has been ignored,
then stared at, then amended, then totally changed,
then tweaked and now finally being posted!

I've made the decision to close the Hope and Chances website
at the end of this year.
I will be sending out a formal email to all those who have 
subscribed to the website but mentioning it here first
to you, my lovely blog followers.

Not an easy decision (downright hard to be honest) but I feel it is time.
With both my boys working and heading in their own directions
I have been manning the website and business on my own
and I certainly miss their speedy input and techy skills.

Other factors and people have contributed to this decision
 but during my sleepless decision making nights it hit me that
my primary reason for closing the website is that I
need a change, a new direction, a new challenge.

As you know I've been dabbling in quilting, crochet, knitting. 
calligraphy and I've also returned to some writing.
Unsure if I will pursue any of these paths further but you never know.

I'm giving myself a little bit of time to decide but come January
I will be getting myself sorted.  I'll be rallying myself and 
I will also be sure to let you know what direction I am taking.

Now a  little bit of history...

Hope and Chances blog started in 2009 and as a business in 2011, 
a pretty long run and I am very proud of what we achieved.
From dining table, conservatory, studio, shop to cabin -
we've moved about and gained many wonderful friends along the way. 

Conservatory...



Studio...


Shop...


Cabin


There has been hundreds of Friday Die Days, many Technique Tuesdays,
Wednesday Giveaways, Charity Kits, YouTube videos and more.
I've truthfully lost count.
I've amassed thousands of 'makes' and a ridiculous
amount of stash but thankfully a lot is finding new homes
with charities and there's the pre-loved items for sale.
I will need to clear all stock so be prepared to see lots of
offers coming your way!

I know there will be questions and one of the first will
be with regards to the website loyalty scheme.
For those who shop on the website and have loyalty cards,
we will cease sending loyalty stickers/stamps last day of October,
full loyalty cards can still be redeemed until
website closure at the end of the year.


I would like to say huge thanks to those of you who have
been there along the way, whether you visited the blog/shop/website,
purchased the charity kits, attended/hosted demos and/or workshops,
or I just bumped into you at shows or in Morrisons/Asda  -
yes that happened a lot!

It has been an incredible journey.

I'll still be blogging so I would be delighted if you continue to
stop by on a Friday.

Much love.

23 comments:

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Morning Christine.
How sad to read todays blog.
I wish you and your family all the good health and happiness for the future.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful help and advice,and, all your lovely stories.
Thank you so very much.
Take care and have lots of fun Kitty.

CraftyCoffey said...

What a very difficult decision you have has to make. Totally understandable though now you can have a think about what you want up do-wishing you good luck with any future decisions.

Michele

margaret driscoll said...

Good Morning Christine
So sorry to see you go but then we all have to move on sometime!
I hope Mum continues to improve and keeps well!
The boys will be boys forever to you so here's hoping they gather strength!
Good Luck in what ever you choose Christine!
Take care
Love Marg

lydia jordan said...

Morning Christine,
This must have been a very difficult decision fro you to make, but sometimes we all need to shake up our lives and do something different.
I wish you and the boys well.
Lydia
X

hazel young said...

Sorry to hear this Christine, but you do have to do what is right for you and your family. It is such a shame as I like buying from you. Glad to hear you will have a new pathway in the new year. So glad to hear the blog is continuing. Love all your makes, ideas and creativity. Have a good weekend xx Hazel with crafty hugs xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine, well what news. I can understand you taking your time to make such a momentous decision but hopefully the new direction you take will be the right one for you. If we don't challenge ourselves we become stale. Change can be both frightening but exciting at the same time. Hoping all the family are well. WakeyL

Mo said...

I wish you all the very best in your new adventure...whatever that might be.❤

grandmaw said...

Thank you for being honest with us all we will miss you big time but understand truly that family & life moves on. I'm wishing you & your devoted family all the luck in your new adventures and good health. Love & God Bless Wendy xxxx

Jen Tay said...

Sometimes we need to do something different but you will be missed, your brand names says so much about you - you must take hope in your new adventure xx

Julie Wilson said...

I made a decision in 2012 to close my shop and concentrate on teaching and playing. It was a very hard decision but it was the right one and I haven’t looked back. Good luck with whatever you do in the future I’m sure whatever decision you make will be the right one xxx

Patricia Howarth said...

Hi Christine, I'm so sorry to read your news today, but you have to think of yourself and which direction you need to take. I wish you all the luck in the world for your new ventures. Hopefully you will get more 'girlie' get-togethers with Carole et al.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Littlelamb said...

Sorry to hear this news Christine but can understand your decision. I am sure you will find something interesting to do with your many skills. So pleased you will carry on with the blog. Best wishes to you and the family. Enjoy your weekend.

CraftyJo said...

I'm sorry to read this news Christine but understand your reasons for doing it. Good luck with whatever road you take in the future, I'm sure it'll be successful.

Melonie Pickering said...

Hi Christine....and I can't wait to see what you direction your new career will take you, but what ever it is I'm sure you are going to make as much of a success as you did with Hope and Chances and have lots of fun along the way :-) Be happy in all you do, I'm happy you will continue with the blog. Good luck to you and the family....enjoy every single day ahead of you xxx

jdunkley said...

That is sad news for us but hopefully onwards and in a different direction for you. I have enjoyed workshops with you and helping you out but destashing your hoard (sorry, stock). Good luck moving forwards, hopefully Madison and I can workshop with you again xx

Pat said...

Hi Christine. This is sad news indeed, but we all need new challenges at times, and I am sure you will fly once you decide on the direction you choose.
Thank you for entertaining and inspiring us over the years Pat xx

bee said...

All the very best for the future😀

karenlotty said...

Although I have not been following you for very long I thoroughly enjoy visiting your blog andI’ve bought the odd few things from your site So I will miss visiting that
It must have been a very difficult decision for you but as they say - a change is as good as a rest
Things change and grow all of the time and like you say the boys are grown men now with lives of their own
I wish you well in your endeavours and hope mum’s health carries on improving
I will continue to follow your blog and look forward to seeing what you decide to do x

Sandra Biggs said...


Hi Christine and the boys,
Sad news today. I am sure you will be missed.
Thank you for all your hard work over the years.
All the very best for the future whatever you do.
Sandra x

Maria said...

Sad news but fully understand that you will try new things
in the future and good to see you still will keep up the blog.
Will we still be able to look in to how to ?
Your tutorials are always so good and helpful and easy to follow.
Good luck to whatever you choose to be doing.x

Margie said...

Sorry to hear your news Christine but sending you best wishes for whatever direction you head in the future. Margie x

Betty McAlister said...

Hi Christine. So sorry to read that you are winding down your business but wish you every success in the future. Thank you for all the inspiration you have given us over many years. Good luck xx

Jackie Durrant said...

Hi Christine, well I can't say I'm surprised at your decision. You have dabbled in lots of things over the years but with the boys making their own way in life now then the time is right for you to make changes as well. It's lovely though that we will be able to keep in touch with you via your blog. I have happy memories of meeting you and doing workshops with you so thank you. Sending you my very best wishes for the happiest and brightest of futures xx

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