New School Year & New Beginnings

Today is the last day of the school hols and I am feeling a little nervous and very excited.  I'm nervous as Kitty, my youngest child, will head to school tomorrow for her first day.  But I am also excited for her, she will start an amazing learning journey and is already trying to read, as a book worm myself I look forward to helping her learn this invaluable life skill. 

First day At School Card

I am also very excited at the prospect of finally having the time to try out new ideas.  Whilst I could mourn the time I will no longer have being a mummy to a preschooler I am looking forward to new adventures and new beginnings.  I plan to fill my Etsy shop with fabulous partyware and home accessories. I have fantastic ideas for this blog. I want to build a website using Create for Zoe & Drew and have big ideas for this too.  I've also brought the URL for another blog that has been at the back of my mind for a while, but will be staying there a while yet!  So I won't be bored and sat stuck watching daytime tv as so many people envisage the life of a work at home mum.  I'm making plans, big plans and reading The Flourish Studios blog, Full Bloom, I know that big plans don't need to be scary, they are important in my planning. 

Campervan Notebook

I will also have time, I hope to start running again.  My running ahs been a little ad hoc over the past thirteen years so I plan to get back to super fitness and enjoying that time to run and clear my head and focus.  I've also been thinking about little treats, perhaps popping to the cinema in the middle of the day, going out for lunch with friends or Drew and not having a little person pinching food off my plate!

Woodland Fairies

My First Post for Les Enfants

Also today I am thrilled to share another new beginning.  I am now the Blog Editor for Les Enfants.  I was thrilled when Katie approached me when she heard I was stopping Inspired Celebration and I think together we can create the best chidlrens party blog here in ol'blighty.  There is a huge gap in the UK for a good childrens party blog and with both our expertise in this field we are going to create something fantastic.  So please join me over at Les Enfants blog three time a week for inspiration in planning chidlrens parties, from decorations to recipes, games to party clothes and much, much more.

Whislt I am expecting tears in the morning, from Kitty and myself, I also know that this is just another step, a huge one, but it's going to be a good one.  I know lots of my Twitter and blogging friends have chidlren starting school for the first time this week and I hope they all have a wonderful time and am sending you all a big hug and a pack of tissues to see you through that first day.

Take care
Zoe
xx

Time for a Change

After a chaotic few months and some difficult times personally I have had to make some decisions that haven't always been easy.  Whilst being poorly last week I realised it was possibly due to my workload and my insistence of trying to do everything.  Anyway I have spent some time soul searching and working out which of the projects I wanted to do. I have also started designing and making things again, something that has not been happening enough in recent months.

So here are my decisions -

I will be selling all the ribbon stock from the Buttons & Bows business, apart from a few yards for me of course!  All the ribbons in my Blogshop and Folksy shop will be available at very reduced prices -

9mm swiss dot satin £2 for 10 yards

9mm swiss dot grosgrain £2 for 10 yards

9mm hearts grosgrain £2.50 for 10 yards

15mm swiss dot satin £2 for 10 yards

15mm hearts or flower grosgrain £3 for 10 yards

I will be adjusting prices in the next 48 hours but please email me if you want to order now.

If you are interested in starting your own ribbon business and would like to purchase all ribbon stock from me, please get in touch and I can send you full details of stock.

email - buttonsandbows130{at}btinternet{dot}com

What about this blog I hear you cry! Don't panic I am giving this blog a new name and a revamp to tie in with a new venture.  I am launching a new Etsy and Folksy shop called 'Zoe & Drew' in the next few days, selling stylish accessories (gorgeous clutch bags, cocktail rings and of course some fabulous christmas stockings).  This blog will also be called Zoe & Drew but whilst the name is changing the content won't really change. I will still write Fabric Friday and share business tips and links but I will also share with you designs I am working on and products in my shops. I will also continue with the advertising giveaway each month and for December and after the makeover I will giveaway five advertising spots ready for the busy festive season.

I have also reduced the amount of guest writing and 'free' writing I am doing to relinquish some much needed time.  I love to write but found I was taking on more and more unpaid writing work when I need to be increasing my income.

I will also be continuing with Inspired Celebration and have an exciting giveaway planned with a group of Folksy people coming up very soon.


So there you go, it's time for a change. I hope you will join me on the journey!