Bag making day

On Saturday I had my second Make a bag day at Tudor Rose Patchwork in Oakley.  Very kindly they let me have the use of their workshops, and advertised and took bookings for the event.  I have been steadily cutting up pockets in anticipation, so by the time the day came I had a really good number and selection!

(This is just SOME of the pockets, after I had sorted them into size.)

There were three people who stayed throughout the day, and another six who came for part of the day.  Most made bags, but three very dedicated ladies cut out pieces for my next batch of elephants and lions.  Much appreciated!

All of the ladies sewed their socks off!  Of those making bags, all made at least one bag; some made three.  All seemed to really enjoy themselves, and we had some great conversations.Some photos from the day:

Individual finished bags with their makers:

And the final pile of 13 completed bags:

Thanks to all who came, and big thanks to Tudor Rose Patchwork for their support.  A special shout out to Sally who helped solve sewing machine malfunctions!

Buntsfest

This was another music festival excursion, and another first attendance.  My husband and his friend were playing at the event, as Quiet Life, and their set went down well, although only a small audience was present at the time.  In fact, only a small audience was present all day, which was a pity.  Hopefully this event will grow - I hope to return next year.

Dunstable - Party in the Park

It was great to have an event where it didn't rain!  My gazebo dried out, and the stock did not get a third soaking.  All good.  The crowds were out in force - another tick.  The event was really well organised - one more tick.  Nothing to complain about, you would think.  Unfortunately the crowds did not seem to be interested in buying.  Although there were many positive comments, and some good conversations, I had a very small number of sales - one of the lowest totals of the season so far.  On talking to other stallholders, they experienced the same.  The only conclusion we could come to was that this was a free event and that this time was the first where stalls were present.  People seemed to come without money to spend.  A pity for me, and for Utange   - but I trust that God had plans for me to be there and that there will be positive results from it.

Stony Stratford Folk on the Green

This has become a favourite venue of mine - last year was my first chance to attend, and when the offer came round again I leapt at the chance.
What could be better really - lots of people happy to buy my items, great music to listen to, my husband to come along and help, and good food as well.  This time I even managed a drink, as Will was happy to drive!

Another great day's sales!

Harpenden Carnival

This was a fantastic event, at a new venue for me.
The day was well organised (though I struggled to find the venue, despite its size!)  Spread over three fields, we were lucky to have a day of glorious sunshine.
The event started with a parade - sadly only a small portion passed where my stand was, but I did manage to catch one photo:

There were quite a lot of stalls, and lots of funfair rides / food stands / displays as well.  I had lots of customers and a very enjoyable day.

Love Bletchley Day

 Like last year, this was a really well organised, supportive day.  Bletchley High street was lined with stalls; there was lots of entertainment going on and strong support from local radio.

 Sadly, unlike last year, the weather was very mixed!  We had a couple of really heavy downpours, and my impression was that this had a negative effect on the number of people coming out to shop, or hanging around to look at stalls.

A good day's total for me, nonetheless, and lots of great conversations.
Hopefully see you next year, Bletchley!

Ickwell May Day 2015

This is a wonderful event, which has become one of my favourites (and also one of my most profitable).

For my first visit last year, the weather was glorious and the crowds were out in force.  Although the weather was not quite as glorious this year, the crowds were out and my new animals lines were extremely popular.

I had a slightly different position this year - conveniently next door to the main food stall, which did the most fabulous bacon rolls!  I was still not close enough to see the maypole dancers, but my lovely husband did take some photos and share them with me on Facebook!

I was also visited by a few work colleagues - current and moved on.  Many thanks to Nik and Jo (and the chocolate brownie was fantastic!), to Lisa and to Karen. 

Big Green Day - MK Stadium

This was a well organised event in the preparation.  Unfortunately, at the last minute MK Stadium apparently decided that stalls could not be outside, so most of us were moved inside the arena.  Although this is a great space, it was probably too big for the event (particularly since many stallholders appeared to decide not to turn up) and the footfall was very low. Such a pity, for among those of us who did turn up were some brilliant experiences, many of them free. MK Brass played throughout the event - fabulous music - and there was a free (bicycle powered) smoothies stand, bouncy castles, an art area, football areas, sustainable energy, and many many more interesting activities.  Outside were animals and funfair rides.

I was pleased with my own stall set up, and was glad to be able to spread out my stands.

 (Spot the way I found of displaying some of the toys?)
The table looked good too, though really I could have done with more space.

I took less than £50 - OK for two hours, but in reality the event has taken up most of my day.  Wish we could have been outside!

Bromham concert for Utange

Another fabulous event. This concert featured so many excellent musicians.  I had a stall, and sold over £100 worth of items within the space of less than half an hour, during the interval.  It has to ahve been my fastest selling ever!
As usual, I had some great conversations, and am hoping for a few repeat customers at the December Crafts Cakes and Produce event in Church Lane Community Centre in Bedford.

Shefford Gala

This is the first year I have been to this event.  Hopefully it will not be the last.  It was a lovely event - and a large one, as village events go.  Lots of sunshine, and lots of lovely contacts made, including two new volunteers to help with the sewing.  I am finding it very exciting to see how complete strangers see the value of what I am doing, and want to be actively involved. 
Just to put the icing on the cake, the lovely Frances came along and helped me to set up.  That was so much appreciated.  Even more wonderfully, despite having a Sunday lunch date with her mum, Frances returned to help me pack the stall away.  Setting up and packing down are by far my least favourite parts of an event, but her help made it so much easier.  Thank you, Frances, and thank you Shefford!

Caddington Village Show

What a wet one!
This was a way out of my territory, and came courtesy of a supporter of the Utange project, Cindy.  Cindy is one of my gradually growing group of helpers; she has previously taken boxes of bags into various groups for me, to raise funds, and has collected lots of denim and other fabric.  It was a pleasure (despite the rain) to go along to this event.  I really enjoyed the hog roast as well!  Possibly the highlight was watching a little girl, probably no more than 5 years old, thoroughly enjoying the mini flood produced around a drain which was unable to cope with the torrential rain.  I'm not sure her Mum shared my enjoyment, when the result was a need to return home for dry clothes!

Biddenham show

I have been going to this show for some time.  In fact, this was the first show I took on without the support of those who set up the Utange project.  It is always a lovely event, and this year we had the weather to match.  It is one of the few events we tend to do as a family.  Usually my husband comes along to do face painting, but this year it clashed with the Guitar Show, so Biddenham lost out!  However, I did have the lovely Emma step in to take on the face painting.  My daughter Hannah came to run a very successful toy tombola, and raised nearly half the total takings!

I had lots of lovely conversations at the sale, and have since had fabric and jeans donated as a direct result.  Thank you Biddenham show, and the hard-working show committee!

St John's Hospice Country Fair

A lovely summer day, and a very well organised event in aid of the Sue Ryder St John's Hospice at Moggerhanger.  The crowds were out in force, and it was a very profitable stall for Utange, which was great after a few less profitable ones recently.

on piZap.com
I enjoyed the help of my daughter for this event as well, and had lots of great conversations.  I met up with F, who would like to help me make bags (fabulous!) and with M and her son, who would like to help at events (also fabulous!) I received lots of offers of jeans (always gratefully received) and a number of suggestions of other events to attend.  I'll wait and see if I am contacted about any of those, and if so, work out how to find time to do them!!

Thank you St John's Hospice - I hope to be back next year!

As a side note, I am nearly half way to my target for the year's fund raising now.  The second half of the year, particularly the run up to Christmas, is usually more profitable than the first, so I am hopeful of meeting the target.