Rocking rolling riding..

After yesterdays nonsense I thought I ought to redeem myself and prove to the world that I'm not completely mad. When I was a wee girl I always wanted a rocking horse. I also loved singing along with The Seekers, singing about the train to morning town. I used to dream about singing along with The Seekers while rocking on my rocking horse.

I really wanted a rocking horse for my children, but that didn't happen either. Totally skint when number one was born, fairly skint when number two was born, and by the time number three came along number one and number two were too big for a rocking horse and it seemed a bit extravagant to buy a horse for just one child to use.

I probably won't get to keep this one for long, because he is so lovely and I'm sure someone will be taking him to a new home very soon. But until that happens I can enjoy having him in the shop.

A very talented man called Andy White made this beauty.

Have you ever wondered what joiners do when they retire ? In Andy's case the answer is.. make rocking horses.

Isn't he just gorgeous.

Fiona x

Bank Holiday Blues... and pinks and reds.

Although Monday was a Bank Holiday here, I decided to open the shop. The sun came out and lots of people, local and visitors, were out and about enjoying the weather.

I was really happy that Mary decided to take a drive down from Aberdeen to restock her wonderful selection of silk flower arrangements.

 I would love to be able to name all the flowers but am very vague about flower names. I know Poppies and Daisies and Roses... oh, and Carnations. But after that I simply think of them as 'the red ones' or 'the pink ones'. Not very technical but it works for me.

Mary has been creating fabulous arrangements for a good few years now and I love that we have them in Buy Design. They are really popular with customers but they also make the shop look to lovely and colourful

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Just a few close-ups here.

The arrangements are really unique. Imagine anything you wouldn't consider putting flowers in and you may just get the idea.

It was lovely to see Mary and to catch up on what's been happening over the last month or so.

New Arrival

It's been a busy day today with the unexpected arrival of some sunshine. Funny how a blue sky and a bit of sun can really perk you up. Good for business too as people take the time to walk around town at a slower pace, stop to look in windows and spot something lovely they just have to have.
The arrival of our new supplier Margaret Fleming with her super ceramics has provided quite a talking point. No sooner had Margaret left than I had some lovely painted people in the window. They have been attracting attention all afternoon. Here a some of the pieces she brought down.

Something for the nature lover.

Something for the new babies pennies.

Something for everyone.

New Crafter coming soon.

Surprise, Surprise. I remembered to take photos at my craft fair at the weekend. A major achievement for me.

Sadly no photos of the crowds of customers as they were a bit thin on the ground. To be fair this is still a bit early in the year for craft fairs which really get started after the Easter Weekend.

I did have some lovely customers though and hopefully they will be coming for a visit to Alyth and Buy Design in the future. One lady in particular was very interested in the opportunity to have jewellery made to match her outfit for a Spring wedding. That will be a fun project

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I also had the chance to chat with Margaret Flemming who paints wonderful ceramics for indoors and out. She will be stocking Buy Design very soon and I am really looking forward to seeing her colourful display in the shop. Here is a look at what she had with her on Saturday.

 Perfect time to sign out now. Time for lunch. x

Love is in the Air(lie Street)

Well here are a few photos of my Valentine's Window. It's all been a bit of fun really. Started with the notion to learn to crochet and ended with a crocheted window. I may have lost the plot with the wine bottle on the left but hey ho !!

The little red roses are brooches and would make a nice and lasting Valentine's gift. Why have real roses which are only going to die in a vase when you can wear a lasting reminder of how loved you are.

Sylvia has brought down some very pretty Valentine's cards along with some others which although they do not have a Valentine's message, would also be very suitable for the occasion.

Driftwood Mirrors

A couple of weeks ago at our fair in Perth Concert Hall a fellow stallholder came over and asked my husband and I if we were Rhona's mum and dad. Now Rhona is my youngest daughter and since she wasn't with us at the time we were a little bit confused. It turned out that we were talking to her art teacher at Blairgowrie High School, Mr Maxwell.

It was a lucky meeting for Buy Design as Mr Maxwell makes lovely Driftwood Mirrors and we now have a selection in the shop.

We currently have three sizes and each one is totally individual with lots of interesting little bits and pieces which have been washed up on beaches around Perthshire.

Relaxing in to Christmas

Just realised it's been over a week since I last blogged. I think I am getting into holiday mode a bit too early. Mind you after the madness of the last six weeks I might just deserve a break. I was working in the shop today and really enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to make any jewellery today. Now, I do love making jewellery, don't get me wrong, but keeping up enough stock for Buy Design and weekend craft fairs has been pretty intense. Have done my last fair now so I just need to concentrate on the shop for now.
We had a lovely open evening yesterday. Christmas CD playing, mulled wine, ginger wine, mincemeat pies.... Oh the lovely sounds and smells. Our local crafters popped in, along with some browsers and some shoppers. It was a very nice sociable evening and a good chance to chill out while still officially working.
We have a couple of new ranges in and my project for tomorrow will be to catch up on some photos for showing.
Fiona x

Perth Concert Hall Craft Fair

This Sunday we will be heading to Perth for a Craft Fair organised by the Angus Craft Association. I love the concert hall and of course the added bonus of an indoor event at this time of year is always good. Cathy Arnott and Jacquie Bell who have work in Buy Design will also be there which should make for an interesting day. If we are neighbours we talk all day and if not we have been known to text each other across a crowded room.
There are a lot of things going on in Perth on Sunday, leading up to the Switch on of the Christmas lights so it should be a good day all round.

Nappy Cakes and Sock Babies.

These little sock babies come from my friend Elaine who is a very talented artist. She is also very creative in her own quirky way. Why, or how she thought up sock babies, I don't know, but they are lovely little things. Each baby is made from one childs' sock. Little features are stitched in place so they are totally child friendly. So cute!!

Now, having promised photos of Nappy Cakes, I'm not sure if you will be able to make out the details very well. These are a couple of examples. They come on a cake board (perfect for the Christening Cake) with a cake tin filled with a variety of baby goods - anything from toiletries to frilly pants to spoons and bowls. Nappies, muslin cloths and a cuddly toy finish it off.

I wish I knew someone having a baby because I really want to buy one.

Craft Fairs.

For the first time ever I remembered to take my camera out at a craft fair. Only briefly mind you but it's a start. Here is my friend Cathy Arnott who had her stall just opposite mine. She does etching on glass and has produced some lovely work this year. I have a selection in Buy Design which she changes regularly. I picked out a few pieces on Saturday which I would love for the shop. She still has a few more fairs this month then we will really stock up in the shop for Christmas.
This is my stall. My friend Mark Baker who makes wonderful stained glass made the display boards for me. I really like being able to set things up like a little shop with my counter in the middle. The next step will be to get some lighting for it. We had a mixed weekend,really good sales on Saturday but mostly browsers out for a country walk on Sunday. It's always nice catching up with fellow crafters and meeting new ones.

Next outing is at Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 22nd Nov. The Perth Christmas lights are being switched on and Radio Tay will be outside doing a live broadcast. Hopefully they will be encouraging people to visit the fair.

Dear Santa

Santa knows by now that a new lap top is top of my Christmas List. Have spent the last hour trying to get my photos to move on to my computer and they just won't go. Well apart from this lovely little cushion which is quite appropriate as it happens. Seems that my Bluetooth has tooth ache and just can't be bothered.
Hopefully I will be back soon with a proper update. By the way, this little cushion came from Maureen and would love a new home for Christmas.
Fiona x

No Pictures!!

So for the last week I have been running around, doing lots but seemingly, getting nowhere. This weekend I am off to Forbes of Kingennie for a Christmas Craft Fair so I have been seriously busy getting all my stock ready. Why I didn't do this well in advance is a question that only a truely disorganised crafter can answer.
Anyway its all done now and I will definately get some pictures on here soon.
We have lots of lovely new stock in Buy Design and I promise to show it all soon. Mary has brought her Christmas collection of decorated pine cones, mini wreaths, walnuts, ribbons and all sorts.
Also added Nappy Cakes last week, thanks to a lucky meeting when I was out demonstrating. I just happened to meet the sister of the lady I had seen at a show over a year ago. They are gorgeous gifts for anyone with a new baby and I will take photos asap.

Dippy Bears are here

The clocks went back at the weekend and it is starting to get dark about five o'clock. In some ways it's a bit depressing,but it means that Christmas is getting closer and since I love Christmas I am actually quite enjoying the change. In a couple of weeks I will be decorating my Christmas window, switching on lots of unnecessary, yet very pretty, lights and looking each day for signs of snow. Lots of new stock will be arriving in the next few weeks and I will do my best to keep everyone up to date with what is new.

Just realised this afternoon that I hadn't done a post about this new arrival in Buy Design. Dippy Bears are basically soft toys dipped in scented wax. They look and smell absolutely gorgeous and the scent lasts for ages. Much more attractive than the usual plastic air fresheners and safer than a scented candle. We currently have five scents. Fresh Cotton, Baby Powder, Lemon Peel, Freesia, and Chanel no.5

Burpers, Bibs and Boottees

So, the last time I blogged I told you I had been too busy to blog and it is now two weeks later. I have been busy but I think it was all worth while. We have a free monthly newsletter here in Alyth called the Alyth Voice. It's a bit like a local directory for businesses with a little bit of local news and gossip thrown in. If you fancy a look it is on line at http://www.alythvoice.co.uk/
Well ,the deadline for articles is 17th of each month so I submitted an article about our new arrival 'Burpers, Bibs and Bootees' and then panicked. One of our ladies who does wonderful needle work has been having a lot of trouble with her eyes and has had to put it aside till she has an op. This meant a lot more sewing for me and my poor old 25 year old sewing machine really felt the strain. I'm going to treat it to a service now in appreciation of all its hard work. Somebody told me you should do this every year so I guess I have done well to keep it going this long without a single service.

Thursday 1st October came along a lot sooner than expected but thankfully everything came together and the new range has been launched. Previously we had only cards for new babies and now we have a really nice range of gorgeous things that nearly makes me broody. We have little hats and mits and bootees, all knitted by myself and Maureen.

We have tiny little silver bangles which I think are wonderful even if it does sound like boasting. Often you get lovely little baby bangles and by the time your baby is old enough to wear one, it is too small for them. I have made these ones open in style and whilst they are very easy to wear as they are , they come with offer to reshape them as your child grows. Pretty good eh?

That's my daughter holding one. Her hand looks really big by comparison, but I can still remember a time when it would have fitted her perfectly. Do you like the little freckle on her finger? It was one of the first things I noticed when she was born. My other daughter has a ruby birth mark at the bottom of her back shaped like a map of New Zealand. When she was little, and even now really, it has changed colour when she has a temperature. Like a built in thermometer!!! Very useful.

Here are some of Sylvia's new baby cards. We have a full range of cards for all occasions but thought the baby ones deserved a stand of their own right beside the rest of the baby goods.

A lot of people are reluctant to buy clothes for new babies as they tend to get so many that they never get to wear them all. Another option here is a nice little cross stitch picture for baby's room.

And here is a look at the full range. There are some lovely towels, some matching bibs and burper cloths, knitted wash mits with baby soaps all tied up with a bow and some little terry towelling pillows trimmed with silky ribbon.

And that concludes our tour of Burpers, Bibs and Boottees at Buy Design. Hope you enjoyed it.

Fiona

On a roll

Feeling pretty pleased with myself now so here are some more photos. I should explain that I went on maternity leave nearly 20 years ago before computers were invented!!! Not quite but you know what I mean. I have done little more than play solitaire on our computer for years so this is a whole new challenge for me.
Anyway, a couple of years ago, my friend Cathy Arnott and I went to a local craft group where we were given the chance to try out new crafts. One of these crafts was glass engraving and Cathy took to it like a duck to water. This photo doesn't show very clearly but her work is really lovely and makes an ordinary piece of glass very unique.



Here is a lovely stained glass panel from Mark Baker. His attention to detail is amazing and he finishes his work really nicely. It looks lovely in this little alcove at the front of the shop and I will sad to see it go but I am sure he will replace it with something just as wonderful.

This is one of my little brooches. We are big on kilt pins in this part of Scotland, so it seemed like a good idea to do something a bit different with this one. You don't need to wear a kilt, to wear a kilt pin.

This is the back of the shop. At one point I was going to have this as a workshop but it was too good a space not to use for display. We had the arch made from the original door frame and it is very effective.

Here you can just about see Sylvia's decoupage canvasses on the walls. Her cards are to the front of this picture. Also here is my twirly stand filled with bags from Jacquie Bell's Bags of Charm. I do love these bags. They are fully lined with useful little pockets, and come in four basic sizes. One of my favourite features is a little scented sachet tucked inside which keeps your bag smelling lovely.

Knitted bracelets are one of my biggest sellers at craft fairs. Not so much in the shop, but whenever I do a show I have to be well prepared. I think is must be the novelty factor but they are quite eye-catching and very colourful.

Ha!!! I don't sell sheep in Buy Design but don't you think these ones are lovely. This photo was taken at Alyth Show a few weeks ago and I couldn't resist sharing it.

Be back soon with more news and pictures soon.

If anyone out there would like to comment I would love to hear from you.

Fiona

And Finally

I have been meaning to get some photos of Buy Design on here for ages and today I have the time, the technology and hopefully the skills needed so here goes.

Thank goodness my daughter is on hand today. She starts college on Friday so I have to make the most of her. I now feel I should apologise for nagging at the amount of time she spends on sites like Bebo since she knows how to make pictures go where you want them to go.
So, the first picture is from the front of the shop and you can see some flowers from Mary, a lovely stained glass mirror from Mark, some turned wooden bowls and some highland cows, amongst other.

Here are some more flowers. I really love Mary's arrangements and the photo doesn't really do them justice. She has a very unique way of combining colours and containers. Also here are some of Maureen's cushions and pillows. Some are just gorgeous and some have a secret pocket containing lavender, so they smell gorgeous too.

SUNNY DAYS

The last few days have been surprisingly hot and sunny. I am beginning to think it might be summer, which is a bit sad really since I am going on holiday soon and it might be over when I get back. Bad timing I think! Last weekend was the Alyth Show, our local agricultural show. I had considered taking a trade stand this year but since the last two years have been a bit of a wash out I decided against it. Am a bit of a wimp really and the thought of standing in a gazebo in the rain (wet feet) just didn't appeal. How wrong I was. It was a lovely day. At least I had the benefit though of visiting the show without having to work. My friend Jacqui of Bags of Charm was there in a very lovely gazebo selling her hand made bags. I sell them in Buy Design and I love them. Here are a couple of them. I do like the golfing ones but have to say the farmyard theme is my favourite.