Introducing ...

The busy thing I talked about, well its still happening, but its turned slightly, its gone from stressful to really kind of exciting.  Its complicated, 'what isn't' I hear you say!  So I have just about completed my Level three Teachers Assistant course, but heck... there are are no jobs out there, a couple of vacancies advertised but when I went to college I found that the trainees in the schools had already got the job but the positions had to advertise. How frustrating is that. So whilst I still want very much to get a career in school I have to face the reality that the jobs are just not available.

 But I have to feed and dress my children... EK!!!  So here is the exciting part... I have taken the rather scary decision to make DOTTY RED my career.  I have been working with a business adviser to make sure everything is as it should be and I am walked through all the details that scare me, registering, tax, insurance etc... but its all good, did you hear that, its all good!

 I had to pitch my business idea and write a big and ever evolving business plan, it all felt a bit Dragons Den-ish, but here I am launching my new line of textiles. Lavender hearts have been a big part of Dotty Red and I will always make them, but I wanted something a little more designer in feel, with my passion for free form embroidery I designed these hangers.  Hangers as in you can hang them, on your coat hangers, on the wall, in your bathroom, add it to a gift or as these ones are filled with lavender you can pop them in your smalls draw and let the lavender smell waft out and do its magic. Pop one under your pillow for a sleep filled night!

 I loved making these, I drew and sketched, used my colour pencils and then once I had enough ideas, I started to put them together.

 A huge fan and collector of ribbon, modern and vintage not to mention my passion for buttons and a little liking for wool felt...

 Each day I designed a different hanger, I have to confess I have a pad filled with many more ideas, I have been asked to make Love Heart ones to, oh the possibilities...

 each one could be personalised, a babies name or date of birth...

 These Happy Birthday Bunting have been the most popular today, I think the country has gone bunting mad at the moment and long may it carry on, love a bit of 'smile inducing' bunting.

 But by far my favourite and I have a couple for myself, are the 'Beach Life' ones, designed after a fabulous weekend at the beach, (see previous post) they hold a memory for me, a special time that keeps me going when the rain falls.

So its been busy, but good busy, it saddens me more than I can share with you that after two years of serious study and over six years voluntary work in school my plans for the future have had to change, but with great support around me I am following my heart, something not many people actually will do, its scary and gives me butterflies, but it is thrilling and exciting and you know... I am going to give it my best shot because I don't want to say... if only!

After all the planning and the designing and making... I have my beautiful, funny and ever growing boys for a full week, so we are packing our bags, buckets and spades, picnic basket and the odd waterproof jacket and we are heading out for a beach week.  I am longing for long walks with 'Rosy the pup' on big open beaches, popping into the best beach cafe for a tempting bacon butty and a side of chips, pottering around the art shops and beachy places, there will be nights snuggling around the camp fire and the toasting of marshmallows. The diary is full on my return so this week, no watch, no meetings, no school runs... its all about family, play, relaxing, friendships and being in love with life... Then the work begins...

Have a fabulous Jubilee weekend, smile and as I keep being told by numerous people, you gotta role with it.  Have a blast!