Mollbird in the wild: My first craft fair

I've had my Mollbird crafty initiative for quite some time now.  I've had little shops first on Etsy and now on Folksy for a good while too.  Sales-wise I'm not setting the world on fire but then I do this because I like it, not because I'm expecting to earn a living from it.

However, in all this time I've never done a craft fair.  Previously I never thought I could make enough to cover a whole table and then backed that up by being a scaredy cat.  But having been to a craft fair in Dover Town Hall last year and picking up a leaflet listing 4th May 2013, it seemed like something I could have a go at with enough time to both make plenty of stock and also psych myself up.

It's funny how time flies!  I ended up in my full time temping job for longer than I was expecting (started last September, was meant to be there for 4 weeks....I'm still there) so what initially seemed like bags of time was quickly whizzing by!  A few weeks back I did my first Mollbird stock take to gather together the various bits and bobs that I've successfully spread around the flat and with that done I had an idea of what I wanted to aim for and set to with hook and needle to make that happen.

I got WELL nervous but having committed so much time to getting ready for it and having put all other creative exploits on hold to make this happen, I was ready to get the job done.

Considering I used a lightly mutilated fitted bed sheet, a random bit of spotty fabric that someone had given me and plastic cups and glasses, I was really pleased with how my little display came together in the end.

And even if it was bloody freezing in there, over Town Hall is a very impressive building from the inside with beautiful stained glass and an impressive array for pointy looking weaponry on the walls.

Here I am with my wares looking nervous and awkward, one of my speciality faces in front of a camera lens.

In total I sold 1 whole toilet roll cover.....to my fella's Mum.  However I did have very in depth conversations, albeit a bit one-sided, on the topics of Status Quo with one lady and gliders and gliding with a gentleman.

I think I will do another one at some point but I don't think Dover is quite ready for the Mollbird style.

Gots me some wheels!

I've got a bike!  She doesn't have a name yet (she's a she, you know) but that will come in time.  I got her from Winstanleys Bikes and I loves her.  I can't wait until it gets a bit warmer out and about so I can go adventuring.

Pilates at home

I've talked about running many a time before but alas in more recent times by body has been behaving more like a shack with badly hinged doors than the temple I would prefer it to be.  I've had a run (ha!) of unavoidable injuries and once again I'm back getting treatment from a physio.

I have a fairly well evidenced theory that physios are OBSESSED with Pilates.  Well maybe that's a bit strong but in my time I've seen 3 for my varying physical breakdowns and each of them had said that I should really be doing it.  Plus a Chiropractor too but I've only met one and therefore don't have the hard scientific proof to conclude that the profession is obsessed.

I've done Pilates on and off for a while but I've always ended up not sticking with it because either a) I've got monterously bored of doing the same DVD over and over again or b) I've tried doing Pilates that was WAY too hard, broken myself and really not fancied trying it again for a while.

Well this time I'm trying harder to stick with it as I'm off running with Plantar Fasciitis so thought I'd experiment with my fitness routine a bit. (Please note: I don't look like a gym bunny, I only wear leggings with a dress over the top and have never knowingly eaten or drunk wheatgrass).

My first dabbling with Pilates have been with the Pilates Weight Loss Workout for Dummies DVD and while it is pretty good, I've watched it way too much and am now having to limit it's usage.  Despite having used it quite a few times, I'm still entirely cream crackered by the end so would recommend it if you asked.

So I've now been branching out onto youtube videos and feel like I've struck gold.  That was of course after striking not gold a few times, by which I mean striking sources of unbelievable pain a few times.

So far I've been really impressed by all of the videos I've tried from the eFit30 channel.  Admittedly I've only done about 3 of over 140 videos but those 3 have been really good.  As I'm not a mega-fit type one of the things that drives me nuts about some videos is the excruciating enthusiasm of the instructor.  I prefer helpful and realistic, not squeaky and overly familiar   In short, I don't like the "come on guys, lets really go for that burn" type that lead me wondering if they might be on speed.  Well these instructors have really matched up with my requirements, they've not skimmed over the easier versions of moves as if you should feel ashamed doing them and come across as real professionals.  The videos aren't too hard but incorporate ways to make they more challenging when you're ready.  When I've done them, I feel like I've exercised but don't feel like breathing might be a challenge the next day.

Here are the videos that I've enjoyed the most.  If you're an exercise at home type, I'd certainly recommend checking out the channel for some of the other exercise options the offer.

Adventuring: A big walk

I've been a bit quiet of late haven't I.  I do apologise, I'm doing a craft fair, my first craft fair, in May and trying to get all stocked up for it is taking up all of my spare time.  Well that and gyming and working and allthatotherlifestuffyouhavetodo.

However, I recently bought some proper walking shoes so that Mr Moll and I could head out into the great green yonder and do some trundling, poddling and meandering.  We decided that despite it not being the most pleasant kind of weather on Saturday just gone, we'd brave it anyway.  I even bought a rather splendid pair of waterproof trousers before we set off 'just in case'.

There was a map involved.  I did not do any reading of said map.  I briefly had it in my pocket for a little while and unfolded it twice.  That is the sum total of my interaction with the map.  I am aware that we started and finished in Goodnestone and that at some stage we were in a place called Chippenham and another called Staple.  I took some photos!

a stile

a plonker dancing in the wild

either the village hall or tiny church in Chippenham

animal

countryside

windmill

feets, muddy ones

a lonely little hut

And finally....

the map of our route

We did get a little bit lost and some bits that were apparently "foot paths" seemed a lot like "the middle of a very muddy field"

Music Monday: Saint Motel, "Puzzle Pieces"

I may have mentioned previously that I have a tendency to alternate a bit between being music mad and being reading mad.  Well I've gone book bonkers in a big way and now my music mad phase tends to alternate with an audiobook mad phase....with reading being consistent regardless.  With that in mind it's been a while since I've found myself listening to anything new.

The weather is still vey chilly in these parts, in fact as I write this it's snowing and blowing a gale outside, THE SNOW IS GOING UP!  I've taken to going for a walk at lunchtime during my working week and was on the look out, or rather ear out, for something that would make it feel like spring and slightly warmer climes were not so far off.  Saint Motel fits the bill brilliantly, it's all cheerful and springy and great.  I hope you like this track, it's one of my favourites.