Have You Ever seen a Cheese roll down a hill?

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Alan Bamber from Bamber Sewing. So what I hear your cry, well actually, it was refreshing, a pleasant experience and also great to share some time with someone else who is also passionate about customer care, selling the right product to you and all of those other 'old fashioned’ sentiments that sadly for some are only in days gone by. 

Bamber Sewing has a great family history that has stood the testament of time, they have been trading since 1946! Good old fashioned customer service is built into everyone that works there, I’m sure if you chopped their heads off, you would have customer service embroided through every one of them like a stick of Blackpool Rock! 

They have a great department that can service your machine and if you take the time to visit the website and read Mr Bamber (Senior) blog you will understand exactly what foundation this company is built on. I was in stitches reading about how he had to make a delivery on his bicycle, but you will have to read it for yourself as he can tell it far better than me! The one thing that no-one can sell to  you is ‘caring’ and they all have it in bucket loads, They will give you honest advice, sell you exactly what you do need instead of what you think you want! You cannot buy the amount of expertise they have within their workforce and the fact you are one phone-call away makes them approachable no matter where you are based and yes they ship throughout the UK and beyond.

So now you get the idea, they are possibly one of the best kept secrets in Manchester. Their range of sewing, embroidery machines knows no bounds that, with a great range of accessories and haberdashery really does make this a one shop stocks all. 

Of course, in the times of a recession and make do and mend they are now reaching out to a very new band of customers, sewing machines are coming out from under stairs, out from the lofts and getting dusted off. So go on, visit your Nan or Gran get out that sewing machine and get making! Bamber’s can help you with any sewing notions, missing parts or even if you just want to  be  sure that your machine is safe and you need that machine checking over! From patterns to buttons, thread to bobbins they will have what you need. 

If you are a bit rusty or just want to learn a new skill, then please take a look at there workshop page, for details of up and coming courses,  which of course would make the most perfect Christmas Gift!

I personally love the range of Madeira Threads which I think are the best in the market, no thread breaks and a lovely sheen that makes everything you embroider simply look stunning!

So lets get started, with a great competition as  they have offered a perfect gift for one lucky winner. How would you like a sewing basket filled with all of those important essentials! 

So we now want to spread some sewing love, and the lovely folks at Bamber's  Sewing are giving away a fabulous sewing basket filled with all of those lovely things you will need to get your sewing mojo back! this prize is worth over £45 so how great will that be!

Its easy to enter, please view there facebook page  You do not have to like it, but of course we would love you to do that if you want to! so, go and look at the website and see exactly what you do like about it and of course if you want to get details of special offers then please do sign up to there newsletter. 

You will have one entry for any of the responses that you have said you like,  , one additional entry on Twitter and one for any retweet and one if you sign up to there newslettter!  So lots of opportunities to enter and win! If you enter via twitter, please respond with your Twitter ID, please leave your Id on the blog, say how you have entered and don’t forget to leave any comments on Facebook, I know that Alan and The Team would love to hear from your all! To comply with Facebook rules, you do not have sign upto Facebook to enter the competition, or like any of the pages to enter, we want as many entries as possible, so just leave your comments on this blog or an of the other ways to enter.


So leave your comments below to advise how and where you have entered and don't forget to go and say Hi to the team over on Facebook!

The winner will be chosen on 17th December by random .org so you can be sure to have the prize in time for Christmas! Enjoy, and Good Luck!

Oh,  I nearly forgot, about that cheese rolling down a hill, I dare you not to have a chuckle when you read this!

Paint Pot or Bunting?

You know how sometimes, you just need to brighten up a room, or perhaps have a special 'calm' place to sit and read. Well we can't always race off with the paint pot and brighten up that special place can we?

So my immediate and perfect answer is this years 'next best thing' bunting!

Its cheap, effective and can easily be put up or down.

Immediate uses that come to mind are:

• Birthday parties
• Garden parties
• Children's bedrooms
• Perfect in a shabby chic kitchen
• Great to dress a sale table at craft fairs

So if you can't sew won't sew,  how do you find such swathes of loveliness to adorn your special place? 

Well how about looking at Creative Stitching who do some great bunting and guess what some of it is in the SALE!!!

This blue and white checked bunting with sweets

on adjacent flags is now only £5.00/set!

One for the girls

Pink and white flower bunting

I love this Strawberry Fair Bunting

Wouldn't that look great if you sold strawberries at markets or from your garden?

There are just so many to choose from, so why not go and take a look.

Bunting is the way to go and not a paint brush in sight!!

Are you a Natural Beauty?

With two teenage daughters, I was very worried that when they started using make-up I would see girls with make up plastered all over them, plus that our bank balance would be hit with lots of 'mistakes'.

My girls are very different, one a very girlie girl and one who does not wear 'make-up' in the true sense of the word.  So how do you combat such different tastes?

My eldest would never walk into a store and take a look and test etc, but I was still aware that she would  need to look after her skin and be able to combat teenage spots etc.  So, thank goodness for the Internet and this fabulous site,  Lilys Perfumery. 

We can all now sit and browse the site at our leisure in the comfort of our own home and have that very exciting moment, when our lovely postman Dave brings our very gorgeous packaged goodies.

Now please humour me and let me share with you some of our favourite buys and why!

Gale Hayman Lipstick - £3.99

This is the fabulous Gale Hayman lipstick barely there.  It does exactly what it says on the tin, the colour I think is perfect for every skin tone and just gives your lips that luscious sun kissed look.  I actually bought this for myself, but funnily enough it seems to have jumped into my youngest's make up bag! The casing is fab too, with the signature Gale Hayman leopard print at the top of the case, if you have never tried Gale Hayman before, I think this is a definate make-up bag staple!

My must have, never will be without it,  is.........

Elizabeth Arden Sun Goddess Bronzer Powder - £10.49

This is amazing price, I first bought this on holiday in Miami, and it certainly had a Miami inspired price tag to go with it!  So I'm thrilled to be able to get it delivered to my door at such a fabulous price. The compact with the mirror is fabulous and the brush is great, I use it as a blush and just to brighten and lift without  having that too much make up on feel.

Ed Hardy Geisha Blue Make up set by Christian Audigier - £18.99

Ed hardy inspired, not only looks good but is iconic and timeless and a great funky set for teenagers or those young at heart!  I wish they had these when I was younger!  Would make a great birthday gift or well done in your exams present.  it is fully loaded with all of any girls must haves:-

• 6 Eye Shadows
• 3 Lip Colours (7g)
• 1 Bronzer (8.5g)
• 1 Solid Perfume: Love Kills Slowly
• 1 Solid Perfume: Love & Luck
• 1 Lip brush
• 1 Eyeshadow brush
• 1 Blusher Brush

And finally just to indulge myself, for those like me that sometimes get it 'wrong' for those hard to buy for people in your life, then please take a look at;

Mens Fragrances - Womens Perfume and of course who does not like to receive a Gift Voucher !

So you think Social Networking is boring? ................ Think Again!

So you have a blog, you dip into Facebook , Twitter and Linked in and now you just sit and wait, and with a wing and a prayer you will have that Eureka moment and millions of followers!  Well, actually No it's just not like that, more or a case of what you put in, you will hopefully get out.

Like all Social Networking platforms, they all have there place and you need to 'pitch' what you are doing in a interesting and informative way, but how do you keep up with trends, what's the next 'best thing' and mingle amongst like minded people?

Well there is one site, that will grab you by your boot laces, have you marching for England! (and Scotland, and Wales and overseas!).  Ladies and Gents, let me me introduce you to SEND IN THE TROOPS! which strangely enough is not political, nothing to do with war or such like but a Fabulous site that empowers you to help each other.

So for a quick how to, pop over to the main page and look in the notes section for how to join (simply hit like !) how to march! you will then join other FB peeps and march together, and more importantly how to get marched on!

If you are marching, the 'SARGE' will advise which page you have to march onto, you like it leave a comment, and hopefully all likes get returned.  If you are chosen to be marched on then you can expect at least 200+ more likes overnight!

Now this is not for the feint hearted, Sarge runs a type squad and if you Can't keep up, you can go back and find the sites you missed, a list is always put up after each march.

Some quick top tips!  Keep your comments current, do not paste the same comment on each link as FB will see this as spamming!  Always sign in from your personal page and leave the likes/comments from your business page.

Now some facts:-

• Send in the Troops is just over 3 months old and has over 8,600 followers!
• Its empowering, you can meet and greet like minded people and share info etc.
• If you want to know who can supply something, imagine having over 8,000 people that can help you!
• It is actually great FUN!
• It's one of the fastest growing, professional networking sites that is FREE!

So go, on join the Troops, dust off your Jimmy Choos ! get on that lipgloss and get marching!

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh its half term again!

Well we all have that feeling as busy Mums/Dads don;t we, Yes the upside is that its great as no school runs, so its easier to get around and its lovely to have your children at home. However most of us have only just recovered from the recent Bank Holidays and the extra one for the Royal Wedding.

The other un-certain thing is the weather !  Fabulous if we have loads of sunshine, but what do you do, if it is raining.  When my three were small, I had a 'making table' which they loved.  it was always set up, covered with a wipe down vinyl tablecloth and full of wondrous goodies! To be hones, I had just as much fun as them, as I would always make myself available to be 'creative' with them.
I mean, you always love glitter and bling, after all a girl can never have too much bling! and actually the boys enjoyed it too!  So how can you create a good making table?

My top tips would be to buy some basic items, but first and foremost that wipe down vinyl tablecloth, after all, you know in all the chaos things will get knocked over and spilt and pva glue always manages to get everywhere!

So once you have your table and a cover, lets think of what to put on it!  One of the first making things you can do is to make some storage container, now I don't want you to go out and buy them, I don;t even want you to use your best Tupperware!  Make them, empty ice cream cartons, butter cartons etc and decorate them! Now lets have some ideas for the type of things you can put on your 'making table'

Well I think tissue paper is always a good start! its colourful, tactile, can make fab flowers and the like and sounds great when scrunched up.

Now whilst I have my health and safety hat on, always use children's scissors after all, you do not want your kitchen scissors to disappear but more to the point you must make sure that small hands are sensible with scissors!

Pipe cleaners are great too, so many things you can made and do, and because you can bend them and make something, then tomorrow your fabulous cat could become a little cute dog!

And of course lets not forget the GLITTER! after all it has to be done, and children love all that sprinkling and mixing colour!

So with Fathers Day fast approaching, make it more personal and get the children to make cards, much more fun and it will keep them entertained!

We would love to see what you make and create! 

Also remember to display there artwork in the kitchen or on a wall, encouragement goes a long way!

For more ideas for more items to add to your making table, why not visit Rainbow Creations who can offer a great choice at good value and all delivered safely to your door!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, just happy to spread the word on a good reliable web site.

Blue spots - Just for a change!

Magpie Monday!

Please join in!

Now I have to confess that I love all things spotty and dotty!  Especially Pink! which seems to adorn all manner of things in my craft room, trays, cups, table covers............ need I go on.

So I was a bit lapse last week with regard to Magpie Monday due to the children being off and having a busy time with customer orders etc so I was very pleasantly surprised when I managed to find time to visit the local car boot on Saturday morning.

I went to see the lovely man that sells fresh vegetables, at low prices but high quality.  As I turned around with my over sized cauliflowers and bags bulging with cooking apples and rhubarb, I saw this...........

It is actually a white spotted blue roman blind. Its actually a lovely pale blue (the picture does not do it justice) and it is about 4 feet wide by about 10 feet drop.   The fabric is upholstery quality and it is lined.   Sadly it will be cannibalised and the rods given to a friend who makes blinds, the Fabric will be made into pockets for my new range of children's aprons, so as soon as I have made one I will photograph it and post for you all to see, it will not be this week sadly as I have rather a lot of other things to do first!

My blind cost 50p  which was an absolute bargain, I gave the lady a £1 and said I did not want the change, but she insisted on giving it to me!

Linking up with:
Flea market finds

Magpie Monday

and

Thrift Share