Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Happy Friday to you and did you get through Halloween unscathed?

I'm not a fan of Halloween although I do think it is very cute

to see the little ones dressed up and the amazing creativity with pumpkins.

It's November! 

I feel we are officially allowed to think about Christmas,

it is only 7 more Friday Chat Days until the big day.

Time to dig out those hats and mittens too.

I am a big fan of Autumn and the changing colours and this week

I met my sister and her rescue dog Bear at the park,

Bella came too! 

It was a beautiful day, bit muddy but that didn't matter.

We stopped for a little sit down on a bench and the dogs

seemed happy for the rest too.

And this is Bella on her journey home in her new car seat.

I have been looking for a seat where she is able to 

look out the car window.  This one from Amazon is elevated and 

secures with lots of straps 

around the headrest and seat, also clips into the seat belt.

A choice of fixing it to front or back seat 

(she's obviously riding up front with me so she can hear me sing!)

Bella is also harnessed in so all in all she's very safe.

I'm voting this as a success.

Okay that is quite enough of that pooch!

I have finally finished another big and mustard throw and instantly 

ordered some grey yarn to make another one - I'm addicted! 

Also in the making is a Bella jumper but that is being undone as

turned out too small and considered it too cruel to put her on a diet.  

I did also crochet a cowl this week,

they are nice speedy projects (not the dog jumper, that's taking too long!)

I've become slightly obsessed with Etsy.

I blame my commute to work as often I get stuck on a coach for hours

and start browsing.

This week's purchase is a handmade project bag 

from the lovely Gilly Makes. 

Perfect for transporting WIPs or even as a lunch bag.

I asked her if she had any fabric with hares and she instantly obliged.  

You can find her Etsy page here.

 

So what else has been happening?

Still winding up the website, every week there's an offer so please

look out on Facebook for that or subscribe to the newsletter.

Also lots of pre-loved still being added. 

And now for something else.

Ummed and ahhed about talking about this but decided yes, here goes.

I haven't been on Facebook very much recently as I've been somewhat 

bombarded with messages demanding to know what I'm doing.

Yes demanding. 

It is a funny business nowadays with this social media malarkey

and especially in the craft industry.

I guess once you've put yourself in the public eye, share certain areas of your life

people feel they have rights to know what you are doing.  

Anyone else had this experience?

I'm just little ol' me with zero claim to fame and yet it has felt 

very intense over the last month or so.  I feel very sorry for famous people.

Just some of the comments/messages I've received - they state I need to be 'transparent',

I 'owe it to them' and top message this week was from someone saying that 

by my not responding, I am impacting upon their mental health!! 

(Yes, deserves two exclamation marks).

I cannot help but think these people are on a fishing expedition,

they will run back and post details on various Facebook pages and/or

forums because they thrive on gossip. I cannot believe I'm actually 

gossip worthy! 

What I am certain of is that 'these people' expect instant responses so they 

probably won't be reading this.  They will have had to make the effort

of getting through the Bella news and crochet! 

But for you, my friends who take the time to visit and read all my waffle,

I'm happy to tell you the following - I'm up to very little and loving it! 

I'm still working at my city job 2 days a week.

Hope and Chances is closing at the end of the year

(and not reopening as another business - I've been accused of that). 

I am still with Spellbinders, I am not moving to another craft company,

(someone has actually messaged me with details of a company I am moving to!

Total fantasy. 

I'm taking time out, I am enjoying activities with my 

family, seeing friends, trying out new hobbies, 

getting round to all those jobs that have been on hold for years.

And writing this weekly blog post which is a bit of fun,

a diary for me and hopefully a nice chat.

So there you go, it has all been a bit of a kerfuffle

and hoping it will go quiet soon.

This weekend - I'm heading up to London to see

the theatre production of Mary Poppins - very excited about that.

I'll share a review next week.  As for TV - finished Outlander on Prime. 

I was thinking it was the last season only to discover there's another 

one next year.

A bit more 'wee' and 'sasannach' - I think I'll cope! 

Take care friends and hope you can stop by next week.

Have a super weekend.