Snowed In

Yes, we're pretty much snowed in here at the moment. We are about 200 yards up a farm road and it's uphill -the farmer has been out with a snowplough attached to his tractor but although the snow has been cleared from the road now mostly, it has left it like a pure ice rink.
So no post today, no deliveries and also no collections from our carrier. The shop orders will have to wait until Wednesday.
We did have a walk down into the town this morning to go the bank and to post the latest website orders, so at least they are on their way. Six inches of snow on the golf course, which is our walking route to town, and it was lovely.
This is when you realise the benefits of working from home. I would rate trying to drive in snowy and icy conditions as way up among my most hated experiences. I used to have to do it quite a lot and it's left me with bad memories.
We've been doing a lot of looking out of the window today watching the blizzards, the thunder and lightning, the hail...and this...

Can you believe we still have a rose flowering outside our living room window in these temperatures?

Silent Sunday

Perth Andermass Street Fair

Just a quick note tonight to say that we survived the Arctic temperatures and had a good day at the Perth Andermass Street Fair today.
It was -4 and snowing when we arrived but the sun came out and we had our fan heater (shhh, don't tell - we weren't supposed to use the electricity supply for anything other than lights) and I was wearing six, yes six layers of clothes, so I was reasonably cosy all day.
With both of us there, we were able to take turn about dodging into shops to get a heat and also do some Christmas shopping.
There was brisk business with our Christmas cards and plaques and the opportunity to chat to a lot of our regular Perth customers who always brave the weather to come to the fair.
Back home in time for "Strictly" ( that's my weakness, not X Factor), a hot bath and a quick check of emails - I think a lot of people must have stayed indoors today in the heat and chosen to shop online, judging by the number of orders come in from the website. Thank you shoppers!
I'll be doing a bit of work on the website tomorrow - some new bits and pieces to add.
One more craft show before Christmas - that's the Glasgow Concert Hall next Sunday - a 3D2D Craft  and Design Fair - then we can put all the lights and craft fair props in storage until next summer while we have our winter hibernation.

Country Living Scottish Christmas Fair 2010

The last post was just before the fair when I was panicking about not having enough stock. ( In fact, I didn't get it finished and I've only just uploaded it - worth a look because it's all about a certain person's birthday treat.) 
Anyway, now we're home and the show is over for another year. We did have enough stock after all, but only because I took a large box of cards to paint in my hotel room each night. Picture me sat on a bed with a pure white duvet cover, surrounded by lots of cards covered in wet paint and bottles of fabric paint just asking to leak all over the place. Amazingly, the duvet didn't have a mark on it.

This was our stand - I was very pleased with its location in the hall - right next to the coffee bar.

And I always try to get a corner stand as it keeps it open and light.

I bring in a wonderful selection of Christmas decorations from Birchcraft for this show, because they go so well with our own products.

And also some red and white padded hearts, stars and stockings made by my friend Barbara. (This lets you see that I had them in pride of place, Barbara!)
Country Living is always a great show to do. I meet so many new customers who've never seen our cards before and their comments are so complimentary. The van was much emptier coming home - sign of a successful show - and the unpacking will be left till tomorrow.
It's feet up, glass of wine and probably a bit of a doze by the fire. Tired but happy.

Big Birthday

I don't know why I always decide to post something here when it's ridiculously late and I've gone beyond tired. I should be tucked up in bed because I know that working too late and losing out on sleep is counter productive the next day, but I always do it, pushing on just a little bit more to finish off a job or prepare stuff for tomorrow.
Then when I finally give in to exhaustion what do I do? Well I intend to switch off the computer but instead I hit that button that says "New Blog Post" and away I go.
Well actually one of the reasons I'm here at nearly half past one is that we are just one day away from the build up day of the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow and there are lots of worrying gaps in our stock levels. Just how much can I make in 24 hours?!!
It's been said already here that we're working to capacity and beyond at the moment so I won't go on about it. But it's pay back time after a rare weekend off. Definitely worth it though because we had a great time celebrating a certain Mr Embroidered Originals' BIG birthday - all of sixty years old last Friday! ( I can't really be married to an old age pensioner, can I?!!!)
So we decided to give him a birthday to remember...and this is how he spent it -

driving a Ferrari around Knockhill Racing Circuit -

cheered on by all of us - including a surprise visit from Laura and Nick. ( He had no idea they would be there).

Laura, Nick and I even got the chance to be driven round the course in another performance car after Bob's run. And Laura's comment in the front passenger seat on taking the first hairpin bend at about 80mph? "Holy SH*T!!(And that's from a girl who's been skydiving and bungee jumping).
Here I have to say a huge THANK YOU to Graham and everyone at Knockhill who squeezed us in on Bob's actual birthday, when I had only thought to try to book it a few days' earlier. He had an amazing time and we were made very welcome.

If you can open this video, just listen to that distinctive Ferrari engine sound.

Then afterwards we thawed out round a huge log fire in a local hotel and had some present opening, before tucking in to a lovely Italian meal.
The next day we had a little party with my sister and family, much wine and dancing ( embarrassment for my 14 year old nephew - although it has to be said John joined in too!)
Once Laura was safely dispatched back home on the plane on Sunday it was back to work, but with renewed vigour after the weekend off.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco..o..o....

 In fact it was my BRA I left in Las Vegas. But that's another story.
Yes, we're back.
After our ten day holiday in the US.
Three days in San Francisco, three in Vegas and three in LA and another day travelling home. Phew. Six flights, three hotels, one seven hour round bus trip, numerous miles walked in great heat and a wonderful time had by all.
Here are some holiday snaps. Not too many - I know how boring it is having to look at other people's holiday photos.

First off, San Francisco - a city of (steep) hills - up to the top, then down the other side, then up again and down again, and so on. That's me at the top of the hill, the one in the second picture.

The buildings are beautiful, like this perfect green wooden house.

Now a short flight and we arrive at Las Vegas. I wasn't sure I was going to like it and we were only really using it as a base to visit the Grand Canyon, but actually I did like it very much.

Here's the Eiffel Tower, Vegas style.

We don't usually stay in posh hotels when we go on holiday, but this one was a beaut. Pity about the tramp with the carrier bags. Definitely lowers the tone!

That tramp again, aka Bob. Loved the name of the burger place - and the stomach in the foreground has been deliberately stuck out!!

Yes, the Vegas as you know it. But I was impressed with the cleanliness and freshness of the place. 

We had an amazing day at the Grand Canyon and this was a little shop in a village called Dolan Springs, where we stopped for cold drinks on the way back.

When things got too hot there was always the hotel pool. (Bob's feet, not mine).

Right, time to leave Las Vegas and on to Los Angeles, just in time to catch their record breaking temperatures of 113 degrees.

We stayed in a hotel near this place, the Getty Centre - a quite beautiful example of modern architecture, perched high in the hills of Bel Air. It's a museum and art gallery housing the huge collection of works acquired by J Paul Getty. We spent a full day here and loved the building, the gardens and the views. Not to mention the paintings and decorative art.

This lovely lady is posing in front of one of those spectacular views ( probably blocking out at least two skyscrapers!).

Then down to the edge of the Pacific at Santa Monica beach to catch the sunset.

And here is the old couple enjoying a seat on the hop on hop off bus at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The smiles say it all. It was a fabulous holiday.

Oh wait, I had to put these last two in. This is a diner in San Francisco. I love the shiny, sparkly red plastic upholstery and the pistachio green walls. And what about that car!

Well, that's all folks! Except - the bra..... naw, nothing risquee there. I just forgot to pack it when we were leaving Las Vegas, and it was my favourite one too.