Catch up.

It feels like forever since I did a non Etsy or Craft post. I have been so busy setting myself up on Etsy including getting in touch with HMRC to let them know- I still have a way to go there and, tbh, it's all a bit scary. I haven't been able to do any paid work for years so everything like tax and National Insurance all seems a bit confusing and I have no idea how best to keep records. A few people have told me I should just sell online without letting anyone know but I just know I would get caught and anyway, I wouldn't enjoy it if I wasn't doing it properly. I'm an all or nothing kind of woman. It's taken a while to get proper permission from different agencies but finally I can do this :) I can't tell you how good it feels to have a structure to my day, to get up and have plans. I know I'm not going to set the world on fire, I may only sell something every few weeks (if I'm lucky!) but the effect it is having on my out look and self esteem is priceless :) And I had my first sale which made me smile for daaaaays!

I have been to clinic twice in the last month, first it was to visit a dentist about my wisdom teeth.  I have been having a bit of problems with the ones at the top as they are so far back that they can't be cleaned (ewww!) and a month or so a chunk fell off (ewwww x a million). My regular dentist can't take them because of the cf so I have to have then done at the hospital I go to.Anyway, the dentist I saw said they will be fairly easy to take out and all I will need is a local aesthetic.  I did feel a bit :S when she said I may feel a bit of tugging and hear some crunching. *bites nails*

I was also at clinic last Thursday to see my diabetic doctor about my kidneys. They aren't working as well as they should be and they are trying to work out why. It could be because I had stones a few years ago and they have made my kidneys a bit holey, it could be because I am diabetic and it can cause kidney trouble or it could just be because of the cf and all the heavy duty drugs I am on. *sigh* I have to have my blood pressure checked regularly to make sure it is normal and I may have to start some tablets- just some more to add to the list! The good news tho is that I have put on weight! yey! My bmi is a healthy 21 which is a good place to be but I am aiming for a little higher. I have the date for my peg to be changed to a button- 6th August. I can't wait!

A few days ago I cut my first Sweetpeas of the year. I blogged about them here- http://littleharriet.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/spring-

and here signs.htmlhttp://littleharriet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/windy.html 

 
I bought my mum the little glass basket vase from a charity shop. I love looking round charity shops to see what bargains you can pick up :)

Have a fab weekend.

LH
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Here is my treasury inspired by JPWPhotography and his photograph of a big wheel.  It is my contribution to the treasury challenge over on the crafty folk Etsy team. I am really enjoying making these treasuries and will definitely be making more, I hope they are interesting viewing. Click the picture to be taken to the shop.

Have a great Wednesday!

Four!

I have opened My Etsy Shop!. It has been a long time coming I tell you. Do you like the banner and avatar? Since I have no computery type graphic skills, I purchased one from http://www.etsy.com/people/YarnGraphics  It was well worth it, and I am so pleased with how it has turned out, it was just what I was after.

Now for some (more) shameless self promotion. Here are the four items I have listed, you may recognise the first three as I had them listed on my Folksy shop. Click the photo to be taken to the shop. 

I have been really enjoying getting back into the designing, making, listing and promoting mindset. I love the community I have found on the crafty folk team, sometimes, when you are stuck at home because you feel really rough, it makes you feel better and really part of something just doing something as simple as Favoriting items or making a treasury.

As well as the jewellery making I have been having a play with glass again, this time playing with frit. Here is the heart coaster I have made, I'm really pleased with how it has turned out but I'm not confident enough to make any for sale.

Time to add my link to Handmade Monday over at Handmade Harbour and have a look to see what everyone else has been up to while we wait for the rain to clear and Summer to arrive.

Have a fab week!

LH
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Owls!

I haven't done an Etsy treasury for a while so, when I saw the Tresury challenge on the Crafty Folk team it seemed like the right time to get picking some favourite items. For this challenge I had to pick something from flonightingales shop. There are some gorgeous pieces being sold but the owl in a jar necklace has been a favourite for a while. Flo's item is the fist picture, just click on each one to be taken to the shop.










LH
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Today

Today I have...


Eaten cherries and grapes.

Noticed the Surfinia had bloomed.

Had a check of my red onions and beetroot in my veg box.

Tied some yellow wool to supports to give my peas something to climb up.

Did a bit of watering.

And planted yet more beetroot. (the seeds are strange!)

I've also listed a bookmark in my brand new Etsy shop (click the photo to have a look)




LH
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And relax!

What a busy time I have had this past week or two, I feel like I haven't had time to just sit down and breathe.Of course just under two weeks ago I was at Wembley for the Play Off  match, that was a loooong day. Normally those kind of days require a few days rest and relaxation afterwards but my friend was visiting for a weeks holiday on the Monday which required much sightseeing and entertainment. I had to get up fairly early Monday to meet him and go to where he was staying (not too far from mine luckily) but I got home in time to post a blog.. then it was nonstop. Tuesday we went to the zoo, we spent most of the day there and I pretty much walked my legs off. I made the mistake of going in a barn with furry things and hay....and my allergies went 'pop' I had streaming eyes and a runny nose.. ugh! But it was a great day and I did a lot of Awww ing at the animals. There was an embarrassing incident, we were in the gorilla house talking about what we would do if any escaped and I had just turned a corner when I nearly walked into a lifelike statue of one.. the echo of my squeak can still be heard I reckon. Here are some photos from the day.

We had a great day.

Wednesday I woke up feeling rubbish, I was full of a Summer cold. This is where my new peg came in really handy, I didn't have any appetite and my throat felt like it was on fire but I still manages to 'eat' and keep my strength up, I seem to have gotten over this cold in record time (not that I want to jinx it!) and am feeling much better.

Sunday was spent on the beach and in the arcades doing touristy things, I should have more sense but I lost a pound or two (actually I would say it was no more than £5- I'm not completely daft!) in the machines. Still, it was fun and a very rare treat. The heat really got to me though,  and by the time I got home I was exhausted, the cold wasn't helping at all and my lungs felt like they had very painful bricks in them. I really, really needed a lie in on Monday but I had to be at the doctors in the morning. I also had to meet my friend who had to leave where he was staying early.

I finally got a breather on Tuesday which was much needed as Wednesday I had to travel to Manchester for a check up. To my massive surprise, my lung function had improved since last time though I was a bit disappointed that my weight had stayed the same. But my dietician reassured me that it was a really good sign that I hadn't lost anything while I couldn't eat properly the previous week. I also had my insulin changed as my blood sugars have been going a bit crazy when I feed, fingers crossed it will work and they will come down. My kidneys are also playing up a bit which is playing on my mind but I'm really lucky going to the unit I do, the staff are ace and I'm sure they will work out how best to sort me out.

Well that brings me near enough up to date, I have a busy weekend planned ( a mates birthday) so tomorrow will be spent being lazy and sorting out my craft stash. I need to resist the urge to buy more stuff until I know what I need!

LH
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