It was my birthday on St Patricks Day, 17 March, and I received so many beautiful cards and girfts, I was overwhelmed. I know so many kind and talented people.

The following weekend I went to Debden House for a crafting weekend with some friends. Well actually they invited me to come 4 years ago, to make up the numbers, I think, and they haven't been able to get rid of me since. It is an annual event and I really look forward to it. This year it fell just after my birthday, and also my friend Anita's birthday was on Monday 21st. So the weekend was extra special this year. My daughter Angie kindly looked after the shop for 2 days and designed the Mothers Day window for me.

Here are just a few of the lovely cards that I recieved. I am sorry for the quality but I have quickly photographed them on the dining table. Not the best way to present them I know.

Well it has been several weeks since I last updated this blog - and I am truly ashamed of myself. So much has happened so there is no excuse for not blogging. I haven't done any blog hopping either. Something that I intend to rectify though.

Well I am taking this opportunity to let you know about the demo day that we have in the shop on Friday. It runs from 10 - 4 and Pam from Creative Expressions will be showing different techniques using distressing. She will be stamping the image and then distressing the backgrounds  I don't have too much information but I know that she will be using the Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads, Shimmer Mist Sprays, Mica Paints and Watercolour paints as well as other mediums.

I think she is aiming for a vintagy feel as she has asked for some of the Creative Expression stamp plates, including the Vintage Wine Labels, Sewing and Vintage photography, but there is a butterfly one in there too.

I met Pam for the first time last week and she is very passionate about her crafting and has just returned from a 42 day cruise where she was teaching carfting to the ladies on the cruise. In a couple of weeks she is off again, I think she said to the Bahamas for an 18 night cruise this time. A tough job but I suppose it saves someone else from having to do it lol.

You may have seen some of the Creative Expression demos on Create and Craft TV with colleagues of Pam's. She herself is one of Creative Expressions demonstrators.

So Friday looks to be an informative and enjoyable day so if you are about please do call in and see what you can learn from her.  Make yourself known and have a cuppa and a chat.

I have just had a delivery of the stunning new Prima 12 x 12 papers. There are 12 designs in each collection and they must be seen to appreciate them. The collections are Madeline, Moulin Rouge, Reflections, Melody, Sparkling Spring, Botanical, Celebrate and Sweet Fairy.

I will take home a few of each paper so that you can see them if you are at a crop or class but the rest will be in the shop.

Hello everyone - remember me?


It has been a bit manic the last couple of weeks. I have been trying to organise several things at once - not a good idea when you have a brain like mine. After 30 odd years of pleasing myself when and what and where I found it quite a strain to be tied down to regular hours and I also found it quite tiring.


The opening day went very well and lots of friends and well wishers turned up. I had lots of Good Luck cards and Lynne and Carol gave me a lovely bunch of flowers. Thank you both for those.




 Lynn made a banner and it is still hanging in the shop. The cards are on the wall for all to see and I really ought to take a photo of them. The local paper turned up and took a photo of me and Anita outside the shop. We had to stand in a VERY friendly fashion, lol, grinning like a couple of idiots, but to date it hasn't been in the paper.


If I have learned one thing over the last couple of weeks it is that I am in the wrong business.:) I have had numerous requests for knicker elastic, cotton, pins, wool etc etc. I shall have to organise a small stock of these items - not the wool as I need too much space to stock these.

I have been given so many examples of things for display. Everyone has been so kind and helpful. I have had cards made with the things I sell, from Sy, Lynn, Linda, Liz, and Sue and Anita has made a beautiful heart, from a polystyrene shape that I have in the shop. She has completely covered it in sequins and put some flowers and ribbon at the top. it is stunning. I tried to take a picture to post here but my camera battery was dead so i shall have to add that at a later date, Chris the jewellery maker has made a hanging ornament from bugle beads that I havefor sale, a work of art which must have taken her hours,  and when I change the window I shall be hanging this up.

Thank you everyone for your support.

Tomorrow is the big day for me. I don't think there is anyone who doesn't know that I am opening a shop.
I am very nervous and wonder what the next few years will bring - success - or - *gulp* - failure.

Everyone has been so supportive. I opened a package today and Lynn sent me a banner saying 'Cardinal Colours' Richard has put it up in the shop for me and I shall take some photos tomorrow. Time ran out today I'm afraid.

Tomorrow morning his task is to blow up some balloons and put them outside. Lets hope it doesn't rain. Still the forecast is for fine but chilly.

I have had some lovely 'Good Luck' cards and these too have been put up in the shop.

A photographer from the Sussex Express and County Herald will be arriving at 9.30 tomorrow to take a photo of me and my staff. Anita has stepped in for the day as staff so she may be famous in Sussex. I was going to say it will be the next day fish and chip papers but they don't have these any n more do they. I am sure fish and chips tasted better from a newspaper wrapping. lol. The reporter asked me to write a few words and my friend Gillyp critiqued it and altered it as she said I wasn't blowing my own trumpet enough. She is brilliant with words and I often turn to her for advice.

But I digress. People have knocked on the window and said how pleased they are that a craft shop is opening, including a couple of elderly gentlemen, (I hope that they know what a craft shop is and are not expecting and Ann Summers shop) I have only had one old lady say it would be a disaster - and I aim to prove her wrong.

So I may see you soon. Do call in for a chat, a browse and a cuppa if you are in the area.
Cardinal Colours, 42 High Street, polegate, East Sussex. Tel: 01323 488718

Yesterday was probably my last Saturday crop as I shall open the shop on 19 January and will be a working girl again after all of these years.

Anyway, the girls at the crop presented me with these flowers to wish me luck in the new enetrprise. Such a lovely surprise and I was more touched than I cared to show. Everyone has been so supportive and you don't realise how many kind, generous and helpful people there are out there till something like this happens.

So a very grateful and emotional thanks to Anita, Chris, Linda, Liz, Lynn, Sue, Tina and Wendy (I did this alphabetically so that it wouldn't appear that I had thought of someone before another as they are all so special in their own way)