Hopefully you are not like me and have all of your presents bought and/or made, all wrapped up and you are just sitting back, relaxing and waiting for the big day next week?

It's been such a busy time for me in December with craft fairs, making gifts and then the little task of moving house and still no way near unpacked and as such my blog has been a little quieter than I would have liked. This will change in 2013 when I hope to blog a lot more frequently and about some (hopefully) interesting ideas!

I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year for 2013. The online shops will remain open over the festive season but orders will not be mailed until January 2nd.

With Christmas a little over a week away are you all prepared with your gift buying or like me - rushing at the last minute to make gifts and think what to get people? Im not normally this under-prepared but I have recently moved house and so my priorities have had to be juggled.

If you have a few people to buy presents for and are short on funds then why not make something personal. Believe me, giving and receiving a handmade gift is far better than something which will only be put in the back of the cupboard until the next charity shop bag comes around.

I thought I would take the opportunity to share some handmade gift ideas with you - just click on the image to find out how to make the gift




 

 

I've been thinking a lot lately about time management and ways that I can work more efficiently with Butterfly Crafts whilst also commuting to work in London, moving house and well, you know, having a bit of a social life.

I got to thinking about how easy it is to waste time "researching" on Pinterest or checking out Facebook and how those five or ten minutes can really add up and if combined what could I have achieved in that time?

I set myself ten minutes to think of different things I could do to help my business in the space of ten minutes, or whilst drinking a really lovely mug of coffee:

1. Write a blog post - If you are going to have a blog then you really should keep it up-to-date and that doesn't mean you need to write lengthy essays, even just posting a picture will keep content fresh. A friend of mine Colt Pixy has her Work Table Wednesdays which is purely a picture showing what she is working on.
2. List a new product -  If you have regular visitors to your website they will get bored of only seeing the same products for sale or that you have not created anything new. Adding a new product a day or a few a week will keep them interested but also be really good from an SEO point of view.
3. Send a meaningful tweet - Have you read a blog post lately that you loved or a news article? Seen a fab new product that you are dying to share with the world? Tweet the link to your followers as its good to break up "promo" tweets with more meaningful content
4. Edit some photos -If you're like me with product photography, you take a bunch of photos and then they just sit there until you have time to edit them and that means you also don't have images for new listings (see #2), so whilst you mull over a mug of chai, edit a few photos so they are ready for when you have a few minutes to make a new product listing.
5. Tidy up! - This could be your work space or your kitchen surface but spending ten minutes tidying up will help free the clutter of your mind. A tidy work space will help you be more productive and also protect your materials/supplies and if you're sitting there trying to find inspiration but all you can think of is the dirty dishes in sink, that's not going to help anyone now is it?
6. Respond to emails - have a dedicated time of day when you will check your emails and respond to enquiries, you dont have to respond within 33 seconds of receiving the email, that may indicate that you are just sitting on the computer/ipad/iphone etc but within 24hours maximum is courteous.
7. Update your profile - If you are a savvy business person you will no doubt have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and goodness knows where else for social media. But how up-to-date are your profiles? 
8. Send out an e-newsletter - Do you have an e-mailing list? When was the last time you communicated with people? If you have a new line of products out or have received an award, send out a bulletin to update your customers.
9. Brainstorm - Ever feel like your inspiration has run dry? If inspiration strikes sit down and sketch out an idea or write notes for something in an ideas book that you can come back to another time.
10. Go outside - Getting some fresh air is good for your business and for your health. Taking a few minutes break will help your mind and in turn keep you focuses so you don't become so bogged down in the minute details of everything. It is important to see the bigger picture, its also important to get away from the computer screen and give your eyes a rest.

So, if you only have ten minutes to improve your business - what would you do?

(Oh - see that lovely picture up there? Thats taken by a very talented photographer at Hudson Photographic)

Today has been a strange day, it is the end of a chapter in part of my life, for some it would seem really insignificant but to me it is a strange thing - I had my record closed in the blood clinic of the hospital I have been attending for the past four years.

Back in July 2008 I had my first DVT in my leg, well to get technical I had seven thrombophlebitis clots in my calf and then one huge DVT in my groin. It ruined a trip to be Maid of Honour for my best friend and led to thirteen weeks off of work. But I was under the care of some amazing nurses at the anticoagulant clinic at the hospital and they got my blood under control with a few days of "delightful" clexane injections and then warfarin which I took for 6 months.

Having a DVT so young and in the place it did led to many tests to discover why and thats when it was discovered I have Factor V Leiden putting me at a high risk of clotting. But the nurses were fantastic, even putting up with my tears at not going to Las Vegas. After the six months we said our goodbyes and I stopped treatment.

That was until Boxing Day 2010 when the ticking time bomb went off and I had two further DVTs in my calf. As I explained in this blog post, there was no point being sad or cross, it was relief at the paranoia going away of getting another clot, even if that did mean I will be medicated for the rest of my life and having to deal with the complications that means. And so I went back to the blood clinic to the same friendly nurses who were surprised to see me but remembered me like it was yesterday. Again we had to go over what being on warfarin for life means and I was again measured up for sexy stockings.

Luckily my blood got under control fairly quickly and I was once again in the routine of having my blood tested every few days, and then every couple of weeks and then finally getting to every two months. I like the blood clinic in that the nurses are so friendly, in particular Nurse Sarah who is very much no-nonsense in her attitude. They always want to know what else is going on, how im getting on commuting etc.

Ive not been very well lately, I have developed something called Sacroiliitus in my spine/pelvis which has meant I have been taking some super strong medication and so had to have my blood tested today. It didnt click with me until I saw Nurse Sarah that today was the last day I would go to that clinic again because I am moving to Cambridge soon. After taking my blood she said "well then, I guess I need to close down your record as we wont be seeing you anymore" and wished me very well in my future. I know that I will be switching to a new clinic either at my new doctor or at the hospital in Cambridge, but the staff there will be strangers to me, they wont know how I feel about being on warfarin for life.

I am looking forward and very "scared-cited" (scared & excited) about my new move and my new life that awaits for me, I just cross my fingers that as this blood clinic chapter closes and a new one opens that I am lucky enough to have a new nurse as lovely as Nurse Sarah.

      Between the crosses, row on row,

   That mark our place; and in the sky

   The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

   Loved and were loved, and now we lie

         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

   The torch; be yours to hold it high.

   If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

         In Flanders fields.

I have the very exciting task of moving house in a few weeks time (I could count down the days but you might find that boring) and part of the task of moving is involving having a good clear out of some of my belongings. I do like to think of myself as quite a tidy person but lately, with all of the craft fairs and such like my organisation has gone to pot and so this is actually a good time to have to sort through and declutter.

I am moving in with my boyfriend in Cambridge and there is only room for so much of my "stuff" including all of my craft supplies. It is really hard to get rid of them but I am destashing craft supplies slowly on my website.

I also have a lot of clothes I need to sort out. My Mum volunteered a couple of times in a local charity shop and was quite surprised how many of the clothes they just get rid of because they are not current fashion or have a missing button etc. Knowing this, I wanted to find somewhere else to donate some clothes and I came across Dress for Success.

Dress for Success are an international charity who help women on low incomes get back to work. Trained stylists help dress women in a smart professional outfit ready for a job interview. The women also receive interview training from a recruitment advisor.

In a recent Sunday Times Magazine article on Dress for Success, the Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron said  "People say that employers make up their mind about a candidate in the first five minutes. If you are on a low income, have no smart clothes to wear, no interview training and no confidence, it is very hard to make that good first impression. I've seen the difference those few hours at Dress for Success make to each clients confidence. The woman who walks out the door with a smart outfit is completely different from the woman who walked in"

I have found that giving work-appropriate clothes to Dress for Success really easy, I just popped them in the post and that was it, but you can also drop them off in person and the staff are happy to discuss what is easiest for you.

It feels good to declutter and help a charity at the same time.

If you live in Hertfordshire, start your Christmas shopping early and purchase some unique and hand crafted gifts at the Early Christmas Craft Fair to be held at the Standon & Puckeridge Community Centre, Puckeridge, on Saturday 27th October.

Open between 10.30am and 4pm there will be over 20 of stalls by local crafts people and artists including handmade cards, soap, jewellery, fabric gifts, woodware, photography, ironmongery and much more. It will be a great opportunity to purchase unique handmade gifts for Christmas from local crafts people and talk to them about their crafts.

Admission is free and there will be a charity raffle in aid of Help for Heroes with prizes donated by some of the stall holders. The refreshments will be organised by the Standon & Puckeridge Guides.

You may or may not know that Butterfly Crafts is on Flickr and I try to update albums as best as I can with lovely photos of our new products. But, I have also created an album entitled "From the Craft Room Table" where I am uploading pictures of some cards just as soon as I finish them because I just cant wait to share!

Dont expect to see magazaine quality photos here, just some taken with my phone but its a great album to follow to keep an eye on lovely new designs that will be available for purchase in the future!

Click here to go to Flickr

Some examples of recent cards are here

Its been a busy week for me and I wanted to quickly get a blog post up before I head away to Wales for the weekend for a family wedding.

For those of you interested, my Thirty Before Thirty challenge is still taking place, just at a slower pace than before but I have also set up a new set on my Flickr for My Thirtieth Year where I am taking a photo a day of what I am doing for this big year. I am no skilled photographer so don't expect to see the next Mario Testino or Hudson Photographic, but what you will see is an insight in to my life and what I have been getting up to.

There has been quite a bit happening at Butterfly Crafts too:

• I am in the process of planning out some new Christmas card designs because let's face it, Christmas isn't that far away! 
• In the next couple of weeks there will be more added to the Clearance Section of the website, these items (mainly cards) are in perfectly good condition, they just really need to go off to recipients who will appreciate them more.
• Lots of lovely new handmade soap has been added to a fully stocked "shelf" online so if you want to be kind to your skin and your hands then do stop by and check out the soap - the samples bag is a great way to start if you have never tried handmade soap before.
• The events calendar is up-to-date with Autumn and Winter events so you can see what fairs we will be attending if you are in the area to come along and say hello!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Following on from the popularity of our beautiful sequin Christmas decorations last year, I am again opening up my order book for pre-orders which not only helps me to plan out inventory but allows you to spread the cost of having beautiful decorations in time for the holidays.

The "Science Bit"
Head over to the Christmas Decorations department in the online shop and see which decorations you would like to order, then purchase the "pre order" listing making sure you adjust the quantity for as many decorations as you need to have. When you check out you can leave me a note saying which decorations you would like and in which colours.

The pre-order cost for each decoration is £2 and then the balance will be created as a separate listing once they are ready for you, postage will apply to the balance payment.

Decorations to choose from are:

• Boots
• Stars
• Parcels
• Baubles
• Christmas Puddings

Colours available are (does not apply to Christmas puddings)

• Blue
• Green
• Red
• Black
• Brown
• White
• Silver
• Pink
• Plum / Burgundy
• Purple
• Gold

I will ensure that all decorations are ready for dispatch by the second week in November if not before so it is a great opportunity to purchase beautiful handmade Christmas decorations for your tree and spread the cost to make it more affordable.

And so the time has come, I am writing this the night before I turn thirty and I cant help but admit I feel quite reflective and contemplative.

It was in September of 2010 I set myself a Thirty before Thirty challenge and I guess in a way I have "failed" because I have not completed everything, but I decided a couple of months ago that I did not need that pressure when I have been crazy busy trying to establish Butterfly Crafts and so I altered it to "within my thirtieth year" - hey my challenge, my prerogative.

But it is not just that making me think, I asked my parents earlier if I am in the place they envisioned me being in when I turned thirty, they both said they cant say they really had a "vision" but I am clearly happy and that's what matters to them.....and mum added my hair is straighter than she had imagined since I was born with a mop of curls.

Am I where I thought I would be? Am I in the place I dreamt of being in? Yes and No. If I were to talk to my 15 year old self then no, like many youngsters I thought at 30 I would be "old", married, probably with children and in a good job working in something to do with travel.

Fast forward to my 25 year old self and am I where I thought I would be in five years time? Well still not married or with children and still not in that great job with an established career but I also have done something I hadn't expected to do back when I was fifteen, I graduated with a Distinction in my MA from Greenwich and had a career path change to work in heritage and cultural industries. At 25 I also had my first DVT which wasn't the most pleasant of experiences I have to say and that, along with the second one, has made me think a little differently about what is important about my future and things that may or may not happen for me in it.

Move on four more years and we get to me turning 29 last Summer and I will confess last Summer I was not really in a good place. I was feeling pretty down and a bit sorry for myself, here I was single, in a relatively new job I still wasn't sure about not really feeling like I was living up to expectations or anywhere in comparison to my friends who were mostly (but not all) married, with children and good career paths infront and behind them.

But what I realised, and still feel today, is that everyone is different, there is no point looking at your peers or close friends and feeling inadequate (easier said than done I know, and I still feel inadequate in comparison to some of my friends) because you have to make your life out of the chances you have and the opportunities that lay before you. I would like to go back and tell my fifteen year old self to stop focusing on what society and "traditions" say you should be and to really think about what you want to get out of life. I would like to tell my 28 year old self that you will get over heartbreak, just to give it time, and I would like to tell my 29 year old self to keep an open mind because you never know what possibilities and excitement lay around the corner.

Maybe it's something about the turn of a decade, but I do feel at 30-1day, that I know who I am now, I know that I will never be a skinny minny or the fittest of the pack, I will not be the centre of a big social circle and I will not be the high flier in my career because its not what I want to be doing.

What I do know is that I will be the best friend that my abilities allow me to be to those who wish to "let me in", I will eat a dessert and enjoy every last crumb of it and not think about my thighs, I will not get cross at my body for having crappy blood and actually thank it for getting me over my needle phobia and I will experience as much of this tiny world as I am able to, preferably holding the hand of the person I love. I will not feel like I am lagging behind in my "career" because actually what I want to do is open my own craft workshop and want to focus on that no matter if that takes five years to happen or fifteen - I'd like to tell my fifteen year old self that what she actually wants to do is run a business and see the look on her face! And, I will be the best daughter/sister/girlfriend that I am able to be because, like many I want to make my family proud of me, and I know they are because they tell me frequently.

So, what does the thirty year old me look like? Happy, head over heels in love, content and excited with what the next decade will bring and that is something I think the fifteen year old me will be pleased with.

Yes that's right, just forty days and forty nights left until the big day, I can't wait and am so excited as I have four days of celebrations planned plus a day of rest tagged on to the end! On the big day I will be having a makeup lesson at Bobbi Brown, dinner with my parents and boyfriend and going to see the Wizard of Oz at the Palladium, the following day Mum and I are visiting a craft village, the third day is for some serious baking and food prep ready for day for....PARTY!!!!  I am having a 1950s themed party and I cannot wait, I am almost beside myself with excitement actually.

As I said in my last update blog, I am not doing so well with my challenge but I am also not going to stress over it, life is too short so rather than feeling like a failure, I have switched my list to a "complete in my 30th year if possible challenge"....we shall see!

But here is an update so far...

1.Own a sewing machine, - I almost have enough John Lewis vouchers to cover the sewing machine that I would like. I will wait until I have enough but who knows what my birthday might bring.

2.Learn to knit socks – I think I am going to put this off until Winter.

3.Visit Buckingham Palace – Done!!!!

4.Swim in a lake or stand under a waterfall - "postponed"

5.Own a home (the BIG challenge) – Who knows what my 30th year might bring.

6.Be debt free except from a mortgage if Num 5 happens – this will be sorted out next month!

7.Visit Dickens House – DONE!!!

8.Go to a soap making workshop - DONE!!! and on sale in my shop!

9.Learn to hang wall paper – postponed until Dad wants to decorate!

10.Spend a night on the Norfolk Broads – Sort of DONE, twice! I have been to Norfolk twice, and been on a tour of the Broads, just not spent the night on an actual boat.

11.Learn to make pastry – There will be lots of baking involved for my birthday party.

12.Learn the succession of kings and queens from William the Conqueror in 1066 – I have been given a few hints and tips on this, just need to learn it!

13.Make and wear my own dress – I wont be making my birthday dress as I will be treating myself to something very special for my party, maybe I will make a dress to wear on my 31st birthday!

14.Read five books from my bookshelf - Two and a half down and two and a half more to go!

15.Have a make up lesson – DONE!!!...and being repeated on the big day.

16.Do something every day to make me smile – I cant stop smiling lately, I guess that's what happens when you are totally in love.

17.Learn to change a car tyre – I'm still laughing about why I included this! - cant see this happening yet as I hopefully don't need new tyres. I have however learned how to check my water levels.

18.Be able to jog a mile without stopping - after the issues with my back, and physio I am now allowed back to the gym and am feeling as unfit as ever but I will persevere.

19.Go to Rome or Sorrento – DONE!!!

20.Sleep for 6.5+ hours sleep a night consistently – Some nights are good, others are bad, and some are unmentionable.

21.Visit Giant's Causeway – Well, I'm off to NEW YORK in August so Ireland will have to wait. Perhaps a road trip next Spring is in order.

22.Have a dinner party - DONE!!! I have hosted dinner for my parents at my boyfriends house and prepared lunch for his parents too. Party planning is also coming in to play for the big bash!

23.Have Butterfly-Crafts mentioned in a newspaper or magazine – DONE!!!! not only have I been mentioned in the local paper but have also had a piece in Craft Seller magazine.

24.Sleep under the stars - I have an option in mind for this, watch this space, just need a mozzie net!

25.Live as much of a handmade/homemade/economical life as possible - I am aware of this every day and so far this year I have been making all the cards I need to send people and gifts where possible. I am now also starting to think about Christmas presents and what I can make for people.

26.Begin to have the stamina, strength & body shape from pre-leg issues – the gym is definitely helping. I will never be a ‘gym bunny’ but I do feel much better to go after work and at the weekend for a little brain space. I really miss rowing but that’s off limits at the moment, one day though, one day.

27.Watch: Casablanca (done), Dr Zhivago (done - yawn), Gone With the Wind (done), The Philadelphia Story (done), A Street Car Named Desire (done - yawn), The Godfather (done), Citizen Cane (done) and Ferris Beulers Day Off (done - crap film) so just Goodfellas and Schindler's List to go.

28.Go to a comedy club – This will now be happening when we go to NYC in August.

29.Finish my knitted patchwork blanket – This will definitely be a "30th year" project

30.Visit 15 exhibitions at museums and galleries – Well there was Handmade Tales at The Women’s Library, Afghanistan at The British Museum, Out of this world at the British Library, Eadweard Muybridge at Tate Britain, Electroboutique at the Science Museum and a few others I've currently forgotten!

For those of you following my (not-very-updated) 30 before 30 challenge list you will know that one item was to have Butterfly Crafts mentioned in a newspaper or magazine, well this had been completed a while ago in the Hertfordshire Mercury due to me organising the craft fairs within our village.Not content with that, this month I have a piece in Craft Seller Magazine!!

Craft Seller is a magazine focused towards people like me who are wanting to sell their crafts and to make a business out of their hobby. A while back I was approached by a journalist from the magazine asking if I would like to be included talking about why I use Artfire as one of my selling platforms - each month they look at a different selling venue. Obviously I jumped at the chance and wrote what was required of me, I also selected some pictures which luckily I had high resolution ones to hand having been re-photographing everything for the website, I also sweet talked Paul and he took a head shot of me (although I prefer the full size version rather than this crop).

I knew that the magazine would be coming out in June but I was not sure when, as it turned out I was on holiday in Norfolk when I picked up a "tweet" that someone had made saying I was included. Well from that moment I became more annoying than a child at Christmas because I had to have a copy NOW. This was problematic as I was on a boat on the Norfolk Broads but luckily it was only an hour tour so I managed to find a newsagent one we were off of the boat and I found a copy!

I am really pleased with the piece and it is exciting to be in a magazine!!

I am a bad blogger, perhaps "blog frequently" should have been included in my big list! Anyhoo, there is under three months until the big day and August seems to be approaching at break-neck speed! I am not stressing over it though due to deciding last time that I would have everything completed (where possible) within my thirtieth year and therefore reducing some of the pressure.

But here is an update so far...

1.Own a sewing machine, - I have just this lunch time started to research a machine and how much I would be looking at spending. The brand Brother has been highly recommended to me so I shall see. I have vouchers for John Lewis and I am hoping the birthday fairy will bring me some more and that will help the total.

2.Learn to knit socks – I have the yarn, and the pattern. Just need to sit down and figure out dpn needles!

3.Visit Buckingham Palace – Done!!!!

4.Swim in a lake or stand under a waterfall - "postponed"

5.Own a home (the BIG challenge) – I can categorically say this will not happen in 2012 but I am working towards it. Perhaps in my 30th year I might own a tent!

6.Be debt free except from a mortgage if Num 5 happens – One down, one to go and that can definitely be done before August.

7.Visit Dickens House – DONE!!!

8.Go to a soap making workshop - DONE!!! and on sale in my shop!

9.Learn to hang wall paper – postponed until Dad wants to decorate!

10.Spend a night on the Norfolk Broads – Sort of DONE!! and going to Norfolk again in June.

11.Learn to make pastry – There will be lots of baking involved for my birthday party.

12.Learn the succession of kings and queens from William the Conqueror in 1066 – I have been given a few hints and tips on this, just need to learn it!

13.Make and wear my own dress – I wont be making my birthday dress as I will be treating myself to something very special, but this year I will be making a lovely dress.

14.Read five books from my bookshelf - Two down and three more to go! I have just finished The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society

15.Have a make up lesson – DONE!!!

16.Do something every day to make me smile – I cant stop smiling lately, I guess that's what happens when you are totally in love.

17.Learn to change a car tyre – I'm still laughing about why I included this!

18.Be able to jog a mile without stopping - thrown off course again by the problems I have been having with my back. The physio has "banned" me from the gym for at least 6 weeks.

19.Go to Rome or Sorrento – DONE!!!

20.Sleep for 6.5+ hours sleep a night consistently – Some nights are good, others are bad, and some are unmentionable.

21.Visit Giant's Causeway – Well, I'm off to NEW YORK in August so Ireland will have to wait. Perhaps a road trip next Spring is in order.

22.Have a dinner party - DONE!!! I have hosted dinner for my parents at my boyfriends house and prepared lunch for his parents too. I will have my party planning skills put to use for my birthday though.

23.Have Butterfly-Crafts mentioned in a newspaper or magazine – DONE!!!! and something very exciting is coming up in June too.

24.Sleep under the stars - I am an option in mind for this, watch this space, just need a mozzie net!

25.Live as much of a handmade/homemade/economical life as possible - I am aware of this every day and so far this year I have been making all the cards I need to send people and gifts where possible.

26.Begin to have the stamina, strength & body shape from pre-leg issues – the gym is definitely helping. I will never be a ‘gym bunny’ but I do feel much better to go after work and at the weekend for a little brain space. I really miss rowing but that’s off limits at the moment, one day though, one day.

27.Watch: Casablanca (done), Dr Zhivago (done - yawn), Gone With the Wind (done), The Philadephia Story (done), A Street Car Named Desire (done - yawn), The Godfather (done), Citizen Cane (done) and Ferris Beulers Day Off (done - crap film) so just Goodfellas and Schindler's List to go.

28.Go to a comedy club – This will now be happening when we go to NYC in August.

29.Finish my knitted patchwork blanket – This will definitely be a "30th year" project

30.Visit 15 exhibitions at museums and galleries – Well there was Handmade Tales at The Women’s Library, Afghanistan at The British Museum, Out of this world at the British Library, Eadweard Muybridge at Tate Britain, Electroboutique at the Science Museum and a few others I've currently forgotten!

Less than FOUR months to go!!! In just 110 days I will turn the big 3-0. August seems to be approaching faster and faster yet my challenge is not really being completed! There has been a reason for my slackness and that is that I have rebranded Butterfly Crafts and launched a brand-spanking-new website.

As such I have sort-of made come to the realisation that this challenge will not be completed in the next 110 days but rather than give up I decided that I would change my goal posts and have everything completed (where possible) within my thirtieth year which buys me a little more time!

But here is an update so far...

1.Own a sewing machine, - Each month I buy myself a John Lewis voucher, the idea is I would save them up for when I need "housey" things, but I am now saving them up to buy my own sewing machine.

2.Learn to knit socks – I have the yarn, and the pattern. Just need to sit down and figure out dpn needles!

3.Visit Buckingham Palace – Done!!!!

4.Swim in a lake or stand under a waterfall - I cant find a better option than the Serpentine at the moment, but now I have more time I will see what happens.

5.Own a home (the BIG challenge) – I can categorically say this will not happen in 2012 but I am working towards it. Perhaps in my 30th year.

6.Be debt free except from a mortgage if Num 5 happens – One down, one to go and that can definitely be done before August.

7.Visit Dickens House – DONE!!!

8.Go to a soap making workshop - DONE!!!! - in fact I will be spending Easter weekend making up some lovely more soapy goodness.

9.Learn to hang wall paper –We will be redecorating quite a bit at my parents house and yes, I will be roped into it!

10.Spend a night on the Norfolk Broads – Sort of DONE!! and going to Norfolk again in June.

11.Learn to make pastry – Soon, hopefully soon!

12.Learn the succession of kings and queens from William the Conqueror in 1066 – I have been given a few hints and tips on this, just need to learn it!

13.Make and wear my own dress – I wont be making my birthday dress as I will be treating myself to something very special, but this year I will be making a lovely dress.

14.Read five books from my bookshelf - One and a half down, three and a half to go!

15.Have a make up lesson – DONE!!!

16.Do something every day to make me smile – I cant stop smiling lately, I guess that's what happens when you are totally in love.

17.Learn to change a car tyre – I'm still laughing about why I included this!

18.Be able to jog a mile without stopping - with my leg issues this is a BIG thing but I am trying as hard as I can.

19.Go to Rome or Sorrento – DONE!!!

20.Sleep for 6.5+ hours sleep a night consistently – Some nights are good, others are bad, and some are unmentionable.

21.Visit Giant's Causeway – Well, I'm off to NEW YORK in August so Ireland will have to wait. Perhaps a road trip next Spring is in order.

22.Have a dinner party - I think I can tick this one off now! I have hosted dinner for my parents at my boyfriends house and prepared lunch for his parents too. I will have my party planning skills put to use for my birthday though.

23.Have Butterfly-Crafts mentioned in a newspaper or magazine – DONE!!!!

24.Sleep under the stars - I am an option in mind for this, watch this space, just need a mozzie net!

25.Live as much of a handmade/homemade/economical life as possible - I am aware of this every day and so far this year I have been making all the cards I need to send people and gifts where possible.

26.Begin to have the stamina, strength & body shape from pre-leg issues – the gym is definitely helping. I will never be a ‘gym bunny’ but I do feel much better to go after work and at the weekend for a little brain space. I really miss rowing but that’s off limits at the moment, one day though, one day.

27.Watch: Casablanca (done), Dr Zhivago (done - yawn), Gone With the Wind (done), The Philadephia Story (done), A Street Car Named Desire (done - yawn), The Godfather (done), Citizen Cane (done) and Ferris Beulers Day Off (done - crap film) so just Goodfellas and Schindler's List to go.

28.Go to a comedy club – This will now be happening when we go to NYC in August.

29.Finish my knitted patchwork blanket – This will definitely be a "30th year" project

30.Visit 15 exhibitions at museums and galleries – Well there was Handmade Tales at The Women’s Library, Afghanistan at The British Museum, Out of this world at the British Library, Eadweard Muybridge at Tate Britain, Electroboutique at the Science Museum and a few others I've currently forgotten!

If you haven't seen my blog for a while you may notice something a little different, a change of appearance! Yes, to celebrate being in business for THREE years today, I have been working very hard to relaunch Butterfly Crafts into something which I hope looks a little more professional - so what do you think?

There have been quite a few changs going on, along with a LOT of work behind the scenes. Not only do I have a gorgeous new branding appearance (I love the green!) but you can now buy handmade goodness direct from our main website!!

The relaunched Butterfly Crafts comes in two parts:

1. The MAIN website is where you can learn all about the company, what the background is, who the team are along with events we will be at etc. There is also a special page for supporting the handmade community where I link to lovely handamde crafts people.
2. The SHOP - this links directly off of the main website but can be reached directly too at www.butterfly-crafts.com/shop and the biggest difference here is that listings are in £GBP which is something i have been dying to do for three years. If you are overseas fear not, there is a currency conversion available.

The main bonus with having my own shop is that you can choose whether to register an account or not, it would be better if you do as you can log in, but if you want to stay as a guest - that's ok too!

Another big change is that I will be working to fill up the ZIBBET store should you wish to purchase there - here items are originally listed in $US and you do have to create an account in order to purchase.

I will tell you lots more about the relaunch and what it means over the next few days but I am so pleased to finally be able to tell you all about it!

Some of you may have noticed that it has been a little quiet in my blogger lately and also if you follow my Twitter Feed or Facebook Page. There is a very good reason for this...I've been super busy working on some changes!

I don't want to give away too much right now, but this "butterfly" is getting ready for a transformation, and that transformation is taking up a lot of my time and my lovely web developer's time (a.k.a. my boyfriend - he gets paid in home baked goods) which unfortunately means I have not been very social at social networking!

If my grand scheme falls into place (insert Dr Evil style mwah ha ha ha laugh) a slightly new butterfly will emerge towards the end of March 2012 to coincide with our third birthday celebrations - every girl needs a new party dress right? Changes are being made not only to the way Butterfly-Crafts will look moving into the future but also the way in which you can shop and purchase lovely handmade cards and gifts. Selling online is no mean feat and I have put a lot of thought and research into what I want to do with Butterfly-Crafts and the direction I see it moving in and therefore the changes that are to be made are hopefully made for the better!

Well, that's as cryptic as I care to be right now, but please do keep following along and very soon, I hope you will see an even more beautiful butterfly-crafts emerge!

You may have noticed it's been a little quiet in the land of Butterfly-Crafts blog lately. There is a reason for it, I have been busy planning a rather big change at Butterfly-Crafts and this has been taking up a lot of my time, I'm not talking "Saving the planet" magnitude of changes but a big change for me nonetheless.

This bag change is set to occur on March 26th if all goes according to plan! I will endeavor to blog more between now and then and update you all on how my Thirty before Thirty challenge is going and various other things.

If you would like the inside scoop on the changes then the best way is to become a Facebook Fan or sign up to the e-newsletter!

This is the year!!! In just 203 days I will turn the big 3-0. Yep, August 1st is going to be fast approaching, and do we think i have progressed much with my challenge? Not so much. I will do my best, but if things roll over until the end of the year then so be it!

But here is an update...

1.Own a sewing machine, - I have dropped plenty of hints about this and will have to leave it to fate.

2.Learn to knit socks – I have the yarn, and the pattern. Just need to sit down and figure out dpn needles!

3.Visit Buckingham Palace – Done!!!! I need to blog about it though, but Mum and I had a great time in September.

4.Swim in a lake or stand under a waterfall - This is likely to be the Serpentine one hot day in the summer...if the UK has a summer this year!

5.Own a home (the BIG challenge) – I can categorically say this will not happen in 2012 but I am working towards it. Perhaps in my 30th year.

6.Be debt free except from a mortgage if Num 5 happens – I am working well on this.

7.Visit Dickens House – DONE!!! But it was a real disappointment, I will blog about this too.

8.Go to a soap making workshop - DONE!!!! And I'm now selling natural soap through my shop.

9.Learn to hang wall paper –We will be redecorating quite a bit at my parents house and yes, I will be roped into it!

10.Spend a night on the Norfolk Broads – Sort of DONE!! Just need to blog and am going again in June.

11.Learn to make pastry – Did not do this over Christmas as I had hoped but will soon.

12.Learn the succession of kings and queens from William the Conqueror in 1066 – I have been given a few hints and tips on this, just need to learn it!

13.Make and wear my own dress – I have an idea to make a dress to wear to dinner on my 30th birthday.

14.Read five books from my bookshelf - One down, four to go!

15.Have a make up lesson – DONE!!! Although I wasn’t all that impressed. I had a free session at Bobbi Brown which was educational and expensive.

16.Do something every day to make me smile – Now I have a new "friend" in my life I am smiling a whole lot more each day.

17.Learn to change a car tyre – I'm still laughing about why I included this!

18.Be able to jog a mile without stopping - with my leg issues this is a BIG thing – This will be hard but I have a space which I know is a mile so am building up walking it and then will jog/walk and then who knows...

19.Go to Rome or Sorrento – DONE!!! and it was AMAZING!!! I need to blog with photos though.

20.Sleep for 6.5+ hours sleep a night consistently – Some nights are good, others are bad, and some are unmentionable.

21.Visit Giant's Causeway – This may not happen now as I potentially will go to NYC in August, but I still want to visit Antrim and that area in the future.

22.Have a dinner party - This was the plan for my birthday, but I think there will be a party instead so I will have to replan the dinner party! I have had a practice with doing lunch for my parents at my boyfriends over the holiday.

23.Have Butterfly-Crafts mentioned in a newspaper or magazine – DONE!!!! – coverage of the craft fairs I've organised in the local paper.

24.Sleep under the stars - I am an option in mind for this, watch this space, just need a mozzie net!

25.Live as much of a handmade/homemade/economical life as possible - I am aware of this every day and am going to try and make as many of the gifts I will need this year as possible.

26.Begin to have the stamina, strength & body shape from pre-leg issues – the gym is definitely helping. I will never be a ‘gym bunny’ but I do feel much better to go after work and at the weekend for a little brain space. I really miss rowing but that’s off limits at the moment, one day though, one day.

27.Watch: Casablanca (done), Dr Zhivago (done - yawn), Gone With the Wind (done), The Philadephia Story (done), A Street Car Named Desire (done - yawn), The Godfather (done), Citizen Cane (done) and Ferris Beulers Day Off (done - crap film) so just Goodfellas and Schindler's List to go.

28.Go to a comedy club – Need to plan this very soon I think.

29.Finish my knitted patchwork blanket – I finally started to knit again over the holidays having had a break of about 8 months. I have 83 squares to go plus sewing in, joining them together and then edging. It will be a "30th year" project

30.Visit 15 exhibitions at museums and galleries – Well there was Handmade Tales at The Women’s Library, Afghanistan at The British Museum, Out of this world at the British Library, Eadweard Muybridge at Tate Britain, Electroboutique at the Science Museum and a few others I've currently forgotten!