I need a little help from my friends.

Don't worry, all I'm asking for is advice.  The problem I have is with my Folksy/Etsy shops. I've never really talked about my shops have I?  And to be honest they don't do that well but that is down to me I suppose.  My brothers and I were never allowed to celebrate or boast about anything we did well and had to accept defeat with dignity. If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two just the same( If -Kipling). It's something that has stuck with all of us and  I agree with the second part but if your lucky enough to be good at something then you should show off abit don't you think.  One of my brothers is a great  pen and ink artist but the only people that have his pictures are family as he wouldn't dream of trying to sell them. Sorry this is all getting a bit deep isn't it.

Anyway back to my shops, my photos and description need a lot of work and I need to sell myself more but the problem I have is do I change the names of the shops?  At the moment my user name is DosyRosie and the shop is DosieRosie( a senior moment on my part) and a lot of people have had trouble finding me, Not surprisingly. So do I change them to DosyRosie ( as that can't be changed) along with my blog, do I change it completely, such as Gilly T or something, or do I open a completely new shop with  a new e-mail, user name, the lot and just keep Dosie Rosie as my blog.  Don't you hate big decisions
I sell different things on each site.
Etsy is vintage supplies, patterns and  magazines, such as these ( see what I mean about the photos)

Folksy is my handmade stuff as well as a few vintage buttons .

Getting better?

Answers please on a postcard!!!!

Just to cheer you up after that, I'm 52 next week (hence the big decision) and Yesterday I had my face painted for the very first time.

We had an Easter egg hunt in the grounds at work with games and facepainting for the kids and as I working along side all this I had mine done as well. She was brilliant.

Just look at the flowers and ignore the rest.

See you soon.

Gillx

Patchwork Lanyard

Hope you have all enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend. I'm  feeling a bit battered, bruised and very silly. Mr T and I decided to make the most of the weather and go for a bike ride, you can see it coming can't you, yes I fell off.  I was a good girl and had my crash hat on so at least I didn't damaged my head but can't say the same for my right leg and hip. Mind you if I'm sore now I just know it's going to be worse tomorrow.  So how did I managed to fall, well I have clips on my pedals that my shoes fit into which I'm not used to and when I stopped I forgot to unclip my shoes and over I went.  Feeling very silly.

Never mind, I've got plenty of sewing to do.  Like so many of us now I have to wear a name badge for work and made myself a lanyard to put it on so I didn't lose it or forget it.  I also made one for my friend Loopy Lou as a little thank you pressie  and didn't think any more of it for a couple of days until Lou rang and said start making more everyone wants one.

This lot have all been sold.

Each one is different with different embellishments and I'm having great fun making them.

 The next lot is well under way and I've put a couple on my Folksy site as well which has had a makeover and been relaunched.  

Well back to my sewing.

Gillx

Worry? me!

To say I'm tired would,I think, be an understatement.

I will start with yesterday because that is what has worn me out the worst.  Can anyone tell me why we have children? For my sins I have 3, all grown up, not so much to worry about you would think.

 Yesterday morning my son rang , " Mum,  Have you heard the news?" " No"  " There's been a hugh earthquake in Japan" " Oh God, those poor people." " The thing is Mum, They have issued a Tsunami warning to the whole of the Pacific ring" It at this point that I realise why he is ringing.

My little one is travelling in South East Asia and we have no idea exactly where she is. We haven't heard from her for a couple of weeks and I was starting to get a bit concerned anyway. The last we heard she was thinking of going to Indonesia which is in the way of the wave.

Mr T is his annoyingly calm self saying don't worry she'll be fine and heads out to the garden.

 Don't worry! 

 DON'T WORRY!!!!

I'm a mother I'm supposed to worry.

But

A message came through this morning,

" Hey all, I'm in Vietnam"  

She is totally unaware of what is going on. 

 I ask again Why do we have children?

As for the rest of the week

 I did my first real working days for nearly 2 years, How on earth I worked full time shift work and looked after a family for years I have no idea. 

 I've been spring cleaning the Blickling plant centre ready for it's opening today.

It looked very sad on Sunday.

All locked up

Empty displays.

All looks very grey.

Piles of stock both old and new.

Even the Christmas decorations are still in place.

  Then after washing, brushing, tidying, carrying, pricing and even a bit of DIY

AND

The arrival of hundreds of plants, ( it could be expensive working here)

We are ready to go , even if the weather is still grey.

Lots of colourful new stock,

I love these kneelers.

And these 

No wonder I'm tired.

Before I go just a reminder that only a couple of days before I draw my giveaway so if you want to enter go to the link on my side bar.

Hope you are all well, hello to all my new followers and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Gillx

The final Hurdle

 This is Blickling Hall at Aylsham,What do you think does it look like a good place to work?

 Well yesterday morning I parked in the old walled garden,

And walked down here to the estate and had a job interview.

I have to tell you going back to work is the last big hurdle for me on the road to recovery as it was work that caused my breakdown in the first place and I have been so nervous about this. The job is  part time seasonal work in the shop and plant centre which is all I want or, I think, will ever be able to cope with again.  The buck no longer stops here.

Well

 I have had the phone call and ( cue music) the Celebrations start here.

I've got a job.

Might have to have a glass of this tonight.

Wish me luck.

Gillx