Anyone for Coffee?

I just can't get started in the morning without my big mug full of hot, steaming coffee!! My biggest worry when I started the chemotherapy was that I'd end up hating the taste of it, as thats often one of the side effects, but thankfully that hasn't happened!

So in honour of my favourite drink, this weeks Folksy Friday is all about coffee!!!

This great badge by FLUFFY THOUGHTS
http://www.folksy.com/items/240413-Large-I-Love-Coffee-Badge is just £1.80!

I adore the smell of coffee aswell as the taste so I just bet that these votive candles are adorable! From ONE STOP PAMPER SHOP http://www.folksy.com/items/384625-Vanilla-Latte-scented-votive-candle why not grab yourself a couple and put the kettle on and relax!!!

Right, now that we've got the atmoshpere just right, its time to make the coffee! I'm easily pleased, and just open a jar! But if you like to do it properly, then you probably use a cafetiere so you'll need a cosy for it!!

This one is being sold by KINNAIRD

http://www.folksy.com/items/295189--Coffee-Sir-Butler-Cafetiere-Coffee-Pot-Cosy

Now the coffee is brewed, you'll need a good mug to put it in!

This one is a real winner! Made by MARK SMALLEY CERAMICS

http://www.folksy.com/items/218089-Coffee-mug-with-shino-glaze

After, drinking the coffee, you'll need to wash your hands so this wonderful soap is bound

to help extend the coffee experience!

Made by SAFFRON BARR

http://www.folksy.com/items/295589-Black-Cafe-Natural-Soap-

And no Folksy Friday is complete without a little piece of jewellery and this is good enough to eat!

Made by MAXINE VERONICA

http://www.folksy.com/items/233265-Coffee-Swirl-Necklace

I think its a beautiful statement necklace!

Well, thats me all ready for another mug of my favourite drink!

Hope that you've enjoyed my little selection of treats!

Trying something new - again!!

If you're anything like me, then you'll love doing something different occasionally from your "usual" craft!
Over the years I have made cards; jewellery; done decoupage; plasterwork; made handmade paper; crochetted; even painted on canvas! I just love dabbling in anything crafty!!

Recently I have been making a fair bit of jewellery - mainly to raise funds for my Macmillan Fundraising store on Folksy http://www.folksy.com/shops/MacmillanFundraising but I'm wanting to make something different now and have been searching for some inspiration amongst the other Folksy sellers!

However, they needn't worry that I will be trying to tap into their market as these items will be going into my local arts club exhibition here on the island in August!!
We are a group that meets every Monday afternoon and hold an annual exhibition of members work in August to raise funds for the club!

Hubby and I joined the group about 6 years ago and although its supposed to be "arts & crafts", the crafts people definetly get pushed aside. In fact there are only 3 or 4 crafts people there; the others are painters - some of whom sell prints of their artwork and exhibit it as crafts!!! Not that I mind that, I have made cards of my photographs, but at least there is only one of each card - they're not printed off by the hundred!!!!

Last year, in an effort to bring something new to the exhibition, I made some jewellery that went down pretty well. I even had a go at a bit of abstract art! It didn't sell but at least it brightened up the place!!

This year, I am going to continue my Macmillan Fundraising push and want to make something different.

So first off, inspired by the lovely Sue at "Over the Rainbow" who has made and is selling these lovely woolly brooches in aid of my Macmillan fund http://www.folksy.com/items/453522-Flower-brooch-for-Macmillan-fund-raising?shop=yes

I have made a few of my own using some left over bits of wool from my crochetting phase!!

Then I remembered years ago when I was child that my Nan taught me to finger knit, but I couldn't remember how to do it! So I searched Youtube and found a video and now I'm over-run with some lovely scarves! They are ideal as a fashion accessory and will be great even in the summer as it never gets that warm up here!!!

Nearly everyone I know around here loves using candles so when I discovered some large scallop shells that I collected on the beach when we first moved here I have decided to turn them into pretty candles. Can't decide whether th make them scented or not, as I guess not every one will like the same scents as I do! Oh well, still plenty of time to decide!! Might also make some small ones in mussel shells - would look nice presented in a small wicker basket!!

So thats enough to keep me busy over the next few weeks - thats provided that I can keep my energy levels up as the chemotherapy is having a cumulative effect now after 3 sessions - thankfully only 1 more session to go in just under 3 weeks!

Three down - One to go!!

Had my third chemotherapy session this week and so far the side effects have been minimal, thankfully!

The hair has almost gone; whats left is very wispy! Hubby says I remind him of a baby orangutan!!

Even though the weather has been nice and sunny over the past couple of weeks up here, it has still been very windy and therefore cold around the ears so I have invested in some funky bandanas and they are great! Much easier than tying scarves and less likely to slip off!

I've also been wearing the lovely woolly hat that was made for my by the lovely Sue from http://www.folksy.com/shops/susiej It definetly keeps my ears warm!!

I had some nice sales last weekend from the Macmillan auctions

that I am running on Ebay so I have decided to continue them over this weekend aswell. Will probably keep them on a rolling auction

for a few weeks as I will keep making a few bits and pieces to add. The auction can be found here http://shop.ebay.co.uk/butekaz/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

I have also added a couple of new pieces in the Folksy store for Macmillan. http://www.folksy.com/items/453174-RETRO-EARRINGS?shop=yes

http://www.folksy.com/items/451198-ROSE-QUARTZ-MEMORY-WIRE-BRACELET?shop=yes

The total raised so far for my local Macmillan fundraising group here on the island is just over £75. My aim is to reach £100 before I start my radiotherapy which will be around the beginning of June. Please help me if you can , either by buying for the Ebay auction or the Folksy store or passing on the links to others!

Many thanks to all those that have donated items to the cause and those that have bought items!

With a litle help from friends!

The Macmillan Cancer fundraising is going well. There is almost £70 in the kitty from sales from the Folksy store http://www.folksy.com/shops/MacmillanFundraising and the ebay auctions have been coming up over this weekend, adding to the total! http://shop.ebay.co.uk/butekaz/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

There are also other sellers on Folksy who have kindly offered items in their own stores for Macmillan and I want to thank them for their lovely gesture.

The lovely Sue, at Over The Rainbow has made some pretty flower brooches
http://www.folksy.com/items/75643-Flower-brooch-for-Macmillan-fund-raising?shop=yes and has sold one - adding to the total!

Dotties Cards has kindly made some cards and has already sold two - check them out here
http://www.folksy.com/shops/DottiesCards

10% of every sale from http://www.folksy.com/shops/lightthefused goes to Macmillan so check out the lovely glass pendant here!

The lovely Trish at http://www.folksy.com/shops/moodycowdesigns is offering this beautiful daisy bag http://www.folksy.com/items/397929-Daisy-bag-for-Macmillan-Fundraising-BUTEARTISM-?shop=yes aswell as sending me some bits and pieces that I have listed in my Macmillan store.

There is also this lovely litle purse http://www.folksy.com/items/348349 being sold by pipdesigns.

I am busy making some more items to go into the store and will hopefully get them listed this week before I go for my 3rd chemo session on Thursday!

I might make up some more of these goody bags! http://www.folksy.com/items/411553-GOODY-BAG?shop=yes Would be ideal as party favour bags - let me know if you've got a wedding or party coming up and I can make some for your to suit your budget!

Well, the sunshine is out so I'm off to hang the washing out!! x

That Elusive First Sale!

We all know whats it like! You set up your store on Folksy; you fill it full of your lovely handmade items; you blog about it; you tweet about it; you even set up a Facebook fan page; your store gets lots of visits (you know this because you set up Google analyticts!!) but that first sale just never seems to come!

It can be very downheartening, especially if this is your first foray into selling your items! You start wondering what you're doing wrong! Are you products not good enough; priced to high; priced to low?!!

So I though I'd play Sales Fairy Godmother today and highlight some of the lovely stores on Folksy that are awaiting their first sale. Perhaps if I sprinkle some fairy dust around then they might make a sale before midnight!!

With all the lovely sunshine that there is around at the moment, this unusual suncatcher is sure to look great hung in a window!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/DiomoGlass


This really funky bag is lovely and would definetley make you stand out from the crowd!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/SimJaTa

These lovely bracelets are very nice - the woven celtic patterns are very traditional yet the styling is quite modern!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/Hamespun

The photography here is wonderful! This print reminds me of a local wood that we walk through which is carpetted in bluebells in the spring! Its lovely and relaxing to walk through there!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/JULIEMPHOTOGRAPHY

I just love beads - especially when they are turned into lovely earrings! Trying to convince Hubby that I can't always just make my own is like trying to convice Dracula to become a vegetarian!

These gorgeous heart earrings are just the sort of thing I love! Unusual and classy!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/hellogorgeous

Well, I guess a girl can never have to many bags (or earings, come to that!) so here's another lovely bag - very summery and sure to be a winner on the beach!!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/LillyandRoses

I hope that you'll agree with me that these items all deserve to be flying off the shelf!


I've sprinkled my fairy dust around Folksy this morning so I hope that the sales fairy follows the trail and hopefully these stores will soon be celebrating their first sale - and you never know, she may pop into your store aswell!!

I need a Tardis!!!

This flat is bursting at the seams - the dining room table hasn't seen the light of day for about 4 years!!!!
We have 2 rooms - plus a small shower room/loo! Thats it!! Hubby is an artist and I "craft"! Therefore we have no space!!! Every last nook and cranny is packed tight with canvases; packets of earring findings; tubs of paint; etc. Not to mention all the books; cd's; vinyl LP's; camping equipment and general everyday stuff like clothes and cooking equipment!!!
No matter how many times I list stuff on Ebay - the flat is not getting any emptier!!
And its not like we buy much! We don't!! We just accumulate stuff! I'm sure that it creeps through the letterbox in the dead of night and makes itself comfortable under the table!!
So in yet another desperate attempt to make some space, I am having another sort out! I have decided that its time to prioritise my crafting and stop trying to have a go at everything and anything! Trouble is, I like playing! I've made cards; done candles; decoupage; crochet; painted; mosaics; plasterwork; jewellery; made paper!!! The list goes on!!!

Its amazing what I've found! Check this lot out!!

http://www.folksy.com/items/264269-GLASS-MOSAIC-TILES?shop=yes
http://www.folksy.com/items/359213-SET-OF-3-PINE-TRAYS-TO-DECORATE?shop=yes
http://www.folksy.com/items/367029-GLITTER-GLUE-STICKS?shop=yes
http://www.folksy.com/items/370145-6-LARGE-SCALLOP-SHELLS?shop=yes

And if you love crafting and surprises then you'll love this lot!

http://www.folksy.com/items/360589-DESTASH-BAG-OF-GOODIES?shop=yes

I've even got round to sorting out my bookcases - well, some of them!!! Loads of books here for alsorts of craft ideas!

http://uk.ebid.net/perl/main.cgi?mo=user-store&title=bute-books

Please help me out here!! I need the space! I've tried offering some of the craft stuff to the charity shops but they don't want it!!!!!
All proceeds will be going to my local Macmillan Fundraising group here on the island!
By the way, the kitty from my Macmillan Fundraising store on Folksy

http://www.folksy.com/shops/MacmillanFundraising

now stands at over £50 so a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has bought items either from my store or from the other stores on Folksy that are offering items for sale in their store!!!

Oh well, guess I better get back to sorting out that pile of stuff on the floor in the corner of the room!!!!

Folksy Friday

Well, its that time of the week again for all us Folksters!!

Now, I have to admit that the theme for this week is not of my choosing! Its 7am and I'm not completely with it this morning so I asked Hubby for an idea for Folksy Friday and he suggested "FLOWERS"!! Not a bad idea considering that we are supposed to be basking in a mini heatwave this weekend according to the weather forecast!!!! Somehow I don't think that it will be happening up here on Isle of Bute, but I can always live in hope!!

My first choice is this lovely set of cards that would make anyone smile!

Available from http://www.folksy.com/items/62699-Six-Greeting-Cards-with-original-photographs-Floral-Collection?shop=yes

Second, is this lovely bouquet of ribbon flowers! They look lovely as they are or could be used in other craft projects! http://www.folksy.com/items/279877

Next is this stunning flower necklace! Very pretty and sure to turn heads when worn!!
http://www.folksy.com/items/418425

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love earrings! I can't resist searching through the new listings on Folksy looking for a new pair (or 2!!) So these pretty blue ones really caught my eye!

http://www.folksy.com/items/397597

Now just in case we don't get the mini heatwave that they have promised us this weekend, you might want to get yourself one of these lovely hats!

Made by Sue, http://www.folksy.com/items/367393 I can vouch completely for the wonderful softness of these lovely hats!! I am the lucky owner of one, and it keeps my little bald head nice and cosy on even the windiest of days!!!!

Finally, this stunning dress makes me think of summer and lounging by the pool under a wide brimmed hat drinking cocktails!!!

http://www.folksy.com/items/268957-Orange-Daisy-Prom-Dress-Made-by-Dig-For-Victory?shop=yes

I hope that you like my flowery selection and that you pop along and have a look at the other items on Folksy!

Whilst you are there, please have a look here,

http://www.folksy.com/shops/MacmillanFundraising and help support this wonderful cause!

Thank you, and I hope you have a great Friday!!!

Hair today - almost gone!!!

Well, the 2nd session of chemo went ok last Thursday! The hair has almost gone now - just got a few bits left across the top of my head! Have started wearing something called a "bikers buff". Quite an ingenious thing really and much easier than a scarf to wear! Its just a tube of microfibre that (usually) bikers pull over their head and then pull the front up over their mouth when wearing their helmets! Its so comfy!! A friend gave me a lovely one as a gift and then I found some cheaper ones in the £1 shop so I now have a growing collection of funky headwear!!

My Parents have come up to the island for a few days on a coach trip and are camped up in the local hotel enjoying the delights of a fully inclusive package!! The weather isn't really doing its bit however, but then it is only early April!! Never mind, we are going out to Ettrick Bay today for a walk along the beach - even if it does rain!!!!!

The Macmillan store on Folksy has some lovely new items in it http://www.folksy.com/shops/MacmillanFundraising

including some lovely earrings that were donated by Trish at http://www.folksy.com/shops/moodycowdesigns

There have been sales at other Folksy stores that are supporting my fundraising - including a lovely wooly brooch by Sue at http://www.folksy.com/shops/susiej

I have also had yet more offers of donations to the cause and people offering to put items in their own shops and I want to say again just how grateful I am to everyone who has helped.

So far, sales total £33.45! I am aiming for £100 for around June. I would like to make my first donation to my local Macmillan group here on the island when I finish my chemotherapy - and before I start the radiotherapy!

I would be very grateful to you if you would pass on the link to anyone that you can think of - nothing would make my happier than to wake up one morning and find that the sales fairy had found her credit card and been on a sales spree - and of course she would have a clear conscience because it would all be for charity!!!!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/MacmillanFundraising

Lets hope the sun shines today so I can take my Mom for a paddle in the sea!!!

No April Fool!!

Well, I will be off shortly for my 2nd chemo session! Thankfully the bad weather that we had here on Tuesday has gone and (hopefully) the ferries are running!
I'm all packed and ready for my transport pick up about 8.30am!
Just wanted to let you know about another lovely item that has been donated to my Macmillan fundraising
http://www.folksy.com/items/402969-Donation-for-Buteartism-McMillian-Nurses-?shop=yes
This is a stunning piece by Frances! Please have a look at it! Its going to a great cause!

I'm not looking forward to 2 days of hospital food! Contrary to the myth, the vegetarian option is not better than the normal food! I have no idea who thought that one up! Last time, I was tempted by the chicken korma and rice when they gave me a small slice of cheese quiche and some green beans!!! It seems that salad is rarely on the menu!
The Government and the NHS spend £millions promoting "5aday" yet when you go into hospital and need good nutrition - its not there!!!!
OK, no time for a full rant today!!

See you soon!