Some Thoughts And A Box of Play Patisserie

I don't think I can really say anything today without talking about two sad things - one private, one public. We had some very sad family news a couple of days ago, which I'll talk more about later. And I am shocked and appalled (like everyone, I imagine) by the tragic events in America yesterday. The youngest victim was five years old. Five. Schools should be a place a safety, and thank goodness they usually are. I send my two off to school and nursery every day without a second thought. My heart breaks for those parents, and the families of the adults involved too.

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But I wanted to post something today and I really need to find my "happy", and that is usually to be found in things involving the children. So I will share some felt play food I made a couple of weeks ago. 

I made two little boxes of assorted play cakes for craft fairs - neither sold which I was very happy about as one will be given to Bella on her birthday next week, and the other to another little girl we know who turns six today. 

I especially like the little gingerbread star. This would be a sweet tree decoration. Next year, maybe. Sorry there is no tutorial - I forgot to take photos during the making.

I never told you how the craft fairs went, did I? The first was a total disaster, the second and third were respectable and the fourth was very successful. I am quite realistic about these fairs now - you rarely make much money and you have to enjoy the making and selling process. All the little things like jam, lavender and mulled wine sachets, brooches, small bags and tea towels went. I sold all the girl's t-shirts bar one and a couple a boy's t-shirts. Anything that didn't sell is being "re-purposed" as Christmas gifts. I did the stalls with my friend Gemma and it was very nice to stand chatting and laughing with her, especially during the disastrous first fair. Gemma is a fellow crafty soul and a very talented artist, and she made the beautiful wooden boxes in the photo below, among other things.

Tune out the breeze block background, the horrible flourescent lighting and the general sports hall ambience, and focus instead on our lovely handmade wares...

I wish you all a happy and peaceful weekend. Today I have to take the kids to two birthday parties, make a birthday cake for Bella, wrap the pass-the-parcel and stuff fourteen party bags in preparation for her birthday party tomorrow. I'd better get cracking then!