July 30th, 2012

Thank you all for the lovely comments on yesterday's blog, nice to know you're all out there and keeping and eye on what we're up to!

Just had such a great response to the new bags, not only the new designs but the new sizes too - I'm now offering two sizes of bag, my original size which is more of an evening bag, and a larger day handbag.  Seems that more people than I thought were keen for the bigger bag!!

Think I'm going to head to bed early, had the most emotionally draining weekend ever after a disaster of a haircut 8 weeks before my wedding.  I'm heading to see the wedding stylist tomorrow who hopefully is going to sort everything out, please cross everything for me!

July 29th, 2012

Two months to go!  This time in two months I'll  be married!  Crazy days...

Anyway, I thought for this Handmade Monday I'd show you all a little bit of what we've been up to at Lucy Liz HQ...the site isn't quite finished yet, still a few tweaks to make here and there, but here's a little look at what's been going on...

July 28th, 2012

God awful day. In almost every way today was utter crap. Going to bed and hoping to forget the whole hell of it.

July 27th, 2012

Had the most wonderful night!

After 72 years service, my future father-in-law stepped down from his presidential role in the Sea Cadets, so the Harrogate had a little presentation for him.  Great turn out including, captains, MPs and the mayor, but the highlight of the night was the speech my father in law gave.  It was stunning, truly beautiful and delivered with dignity and gusto, and a memory I shall treasure forever.

July 26th, 2012

It's official, our wedding photographers are worried!  Turns out I'm the only bride in history that doesn't really want to be in her pictures!

I just hate being photographed!  Really can't stand it!  I'm not a poser, I don't do all the posing for the camera stuff, it actually makes me really uncomfortable and in turn produces a rubbish photo anyway because I look so un-natural.  So come the big day I'm going to be entirely reliant on being so swept up in the whole thing that I won't have time to be self-conscious or aware of the cameras...here's hoping anyway, or I'll be paying for a serious amount of Photoshop work afterwards!

Oh well, Harrogate-bound tomorrow for my pre-wedding hair cut (!!!!!) so hoping that'll set me well on my way to feeling fabulous!  Fingers crossed!

July 25th, 2012

So today, I got to see the images of all my new bags....ohh my word, they are stunning!  And whilst I'm very proud of my products I have to say that a good chunk of that is down to the photographers! 

They just look stunning, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I urge anyone to get professional photography for their products.  Of course it doesn't come as cheap as producing your own photos (as I did for a long time without hassle) but professional shots honestly just take your work to a new level - I couldn't believe the bags were ones I made because they looked so good lol

You know what that means though?  I've got to get listing everything now :-s

July 24th, 2012

Ohhh the sun is here!  Massive, hot sun!  Shame I spent the day looking at it through three layers of glass but still, nice that something resembling summer has arrived!  Here's hoping it lasts!

Lastest batch of bags have gone off to be photographed, cannot wait to see them!  I just love seeing my products shot by a professional photographer, I almost can't believe they're mine, they look too pro!  Though that is entirely the work of the photographer lol

Only one more day dealing with the public this week (!!) then counting down the minutes until Friday when some serious pampering is on the cards...but until then, head down and work on!

July 23rd, 2012

After weeks and weeks of hard work, I think we're just about there...spent today making the last batch of new bags  and purses to send off to be photographed, then it's serious marketing!

So excited for it all to be done, sitting here now I can see 8 - yes, 8! - new bags, and that's not even all of them!  It's certainly been a labour of love but I'm more than sure it'll have been worth it when everything's finished - and not long until I can show everyone!

Also had a very exciting email from a contact I made at the Comic Con event, it's always so lovely to get follow-up business after an event, it's nice to know that people saw what you did and went away and thought about it...nice, nice day today, here's to tomorrow being just as good!

July 22nd, 2012

Is anyone watching Thelma's Gypsy Girls? Oh my days..! It's about a group of traveller girls who have been given the opportunity to work in the factory making the elaborate gypsy wedding dresses....dream opportunity but they're completely throwing it back in Thelma's face. There's been a lot of screaming at the tv tonight, I'd kill for that job!!

July 21st, 2012

MENTAL day!  After weeks of hard work, today we finally gathered up the latest Lucy Liz handbag collection..and took it to Comic Con!

It was unreal! The event was in Manchester, and I honestly have never seen anything like it.  Almost everyone was there in costume which was just brilliant, the amount of effort and enthusiasm that had gone into them was great to see, and these guys do detail!  No costume was without the appropriate props, from tiny name badges to massive weapons, not a detail was missed. 

And I'm pleased to report it was a brilliant day for Lucy Liz too!  I kept this project really quiet and the stuff isn't online yet as I was using today very much as a trial to test the water with it all, and I'm so pleased with how well it went, and I'm definitely putting the stuff on the site now!!!

Thanks to all for a great day!

July 20th, 2012

What a day...what a day!

Got a big event tomorrow selling my bags, and it's kind of a big one as it's something very different to the shows I've done before, so its kind of a big deal!

Spent all morning using adhesive to attach the frames to the bags, so was high as a kite by lunch time!  Went through almost 3 tubes of glue and ran out before I'd finished the job, so flew to Hobbycraft to get some more (which is where I bought the last lot)...did they have it?  No.  We then spent 30 minutes online and on the phone trying to find a supplier for this glue and, long story short, ended up driving to Warrington (from south of Stockport) just for glue!!!!  That about sums up my day!

We'll be up early as heading into Manchester for this event, fingers crossed that this time tomorrow I'll be blogging about what a success it's been!!

July 19th, 2012

Thought I'd share a pic with you today!  This picture was taken 7 years ago today, just before Meat Loaf played at the Summer Pops event in Liverpool.  There was a big fan club meet up (or is that Meat up?) at a hotel on the Albert Dock and there must have been about 30 of us, old friends and new.

The girl in the silver top in the middle is me, chatting away and having a good catch up with some old friends.  The fella behind me with his arms out is Andy, who at that point I'd not been introduced to...and here we are, 7 years later, and I'm about to marry him!

It's so funny to look at that pic, there we are just getting on with our evening, completely unaware of what the future would hold!  Of course we've not been together 7 years, but that night marked the beginning of a great friendship which is about to become a marriage, I consider myself a very lucky lady!

July 18th, 2012

Ohhh dear, today might have been a write off!  I think after the weekend's Springsteen goings on followed by our Harrogate trip today the tiredness finally hit us!  Didn't get a single bag done this evening which is no good at all, just hoping the "rest" has set me up for a productive day tomorrow!

Did get my wedding hairdresser booked though!  That's definitely productive!  

July 17th, 2012

Uh ohhhh..found another product I want to make :-s  I really shouldn't but I might not be able to resist!

This always happens when I have a deadline!  Going to a big selling event on Saturday and all of my focus needs to be going into that, and then I find something new to do!  Happens every time!  Good job I'm not doing these events every week otherwise I'd have 52 brand new products a year!

Thank you for the comments on the cushion in yesterday's blog by the way, I'll certainly be having one in my craft room to use as a reminder to Keep Calm!  Which, when things go wrong, I often do not!

July 16th, 2012

Can't even remember how long it's been since I joined in on Handmade Monday - shame on me!

There's been so much going on at Lucy Liz lately, some I can share soon, some things aren't quite ready, but today I thought I'd share my new cushion with you all - perfect for any sewing room!!

 I could also do with paying attention to some of those Keep Calm messages too, nearly thrown my sewing machine out of the window so many times this week!  And it's only Monday!!!!!

July 15th, 2012

There are not words to describe the pain and exhaustion we're feeling today!

Left London after last night's show and headed to a travelodge at Hatfield where we had a few hours sleep before heading up the A1 to Harrogate.  This week saw Mr King Snr turn 85 so we had a big family lunch to celebrate and there was no way we were missing that!!!

Such a lovely day with everyone and some wonderful photos and memories shared of a very long and eventful life!!

And now?  Bed!

July 13th & 14th 2012

OK, so a little bit of a cheat, but I'm putting these days together because they were essentially one day!

Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park, so after a 3.30am get up it was more queues, more numbers and more roll calls before the most dreaded run in venue history...I swear, the entrance to the front row barrier is a good 1km, which when you're sprinting is absolute killer.  And then, just in case we weren't tired enough, we were stood at that front row barrier for 11 HOURS!!!!

It's not quite as bad as it sounds, we were in at 12 and the first support act came on at 2pm so there was a steady stream of entertainment on the run up to 7pm when it was officially Boss Time!!  Amazing show, there's been plenty of reports about them cutting the sound for breaking the curfew but it was a brilliant night non the less. 

Hyde Park is a mess.  The combination of the amount of rain we've had and the Wireless festival last weekend made it essentially into a paddy field, which they then covered in wood chips to try and make safer.  They actually did a pretty good job, though the wood stunk to high heaven so it wasn't too pleasant, but truly worth every minute!!!!

July 12th, 2012

A very quick blog and early to bed for us tonight, as tomorrow we'll be getting up at stupid o'clock to head to London to join yet another Bruce Springsteen queue!  I'm sure we only just left the last one!

It's looking to be a very wet weekend - the show is in Hyde Park which they've had to cover in woodchips in an attempt to soak up some of the water, but I really don't see that working!  So we're heading armed with wellies and waterproofs!!!

July 11th, 2012

Just watched The Vow, what a brilliant film!

For those who've not seen it (and without giving away the ending) it's about a young married couple who have a car accident, she suffers massive head trauma and loses her memory (whilst listening to Meat Loaf I might add!) so she has to learn and remember everything about her recent past all over again, including who her husband is. 

One of those that really gets you thinking...I think sometimes it's easy to think that, given the choice, we'd delete all the bad memories and crap that we've gone through, but then those are the things that shape us and make us who we are, so to forget them would actually change the people we are now...tough one isn't it!

It's a lovely funny film though, considering the story line, would definitely recommend making time to see this one!

July 10th, 2012

So tonight, all eyes are on this weekend's weather forecast...

We've got tickets to see Springsteen (again) in Hyde Park but the weather is not looking good at all.  Tomorrow night's concert there has been cancelled already because the ground is too wet.  The event people have said that the show is going ahead and they're laying chipboard down to cover the grass, though rumour has it that the trucks can't get onto the grass to lay the boards...so it's not looking good!!

Of course the festivals all go ahead whatever the weather, but I'm not sure how "protected" Hyde Park is from being churned up, the area where the queue will be is right by Marble Arch so it's all really visible to tourists...guess there's nothing else to do but keep fingers firmly crosses!

July 9th, 2012

This morning, I faced war - Me vs The Sewing Machine!  I fear the sewing machine is winning though :-s

It's definitely not happy at the moment, don't know if it's the tension or what but the cotton underneath is snagging, coming through in huge chunks of thread and the needles are snapping. Scares the hell out of me, the Bang when a needle goes is shocking - I have some glasses which I don't wear because the prescription is a bit too strong, well I've taken as wearing them as goggles in case a needle goes when I'm on the machine!

My fear of sewing machines is definitely a valid one though.  I was always really confident on the machine, it was just like an extra arm to me!  Then when we were at college a friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, was doing some machine embroidery, moving the embroidery hoop round in circles, and I don't know how she managed it but she slipped and the needle went straight through her finger - straight through the nail and out of the other side.  I went into "teacher mode" in the immediate moment as we were in the room without a tutor but afterwards it really hit me, I just felt sick, so now I'm very wary of the machine!  Justifiably I think!

July 8th, 2012

Has anyone just watched Thelma's Gypsy Girls?  Oh I was so jealous, I'd love to do that job!

For those that didn't see it, Thelma Madine (the dressmaker from Big Fat Gypsy Weddings) is setting up a scheme whereby she takes on 10 traveller girls and trains them up to be dressmakers and seamstresses.  I'd love that!!  I'm not sure how well I'd get on with the enormous construction parts of those dresses but I'd be in my element doing the finishing - just let me loose with those diamantes!!

July 7th, 2012

Would you believe I've only just watched Apollo 13 for the first time?!  Well worth waiting for though, loved it!

I've always been obsessed with space, as a kid I used to love the illustrations of space and the planets in the front of my Mum's atlas.  On a clear night you'll always find me somewhere just looking up!

I always wanted to go to space too.  You see, and this drives Andy mad, I have no concept of space not having an edge..!  Like now I'm sitting on our sofa, which is inside our living room which is inside our house etc, I just can't grasp that space isn't inside anything, that you could travel through it forever and never hit the end!  How can that be?!

I would love to go to the moon but I think it would affect me beyond belief.  There's reports of these guys that have been to the moon, or even just up in those planes that take you up to where you can see the edge of the atmostphere before space, and they see the earth and how magnificent it is that when they get back to their normal lives, nothing quite matches up again.  I think I'd be like that, everything else would just seen so insignificant.  I also think I'd crave to go back - we all have those moments when you just need to remove yourself from everyone and everything and have some "alone time", what better alone time than sitting on the moon huh?!!!

I'm thinking it's probably not going to happen though, so for now, I'll stick to having my head in the clouds.

July 6th, 2012

This rain is unreal isn't it?  I feel like I can't remember the last time it wasn't raining!  And with the whole country now on a "red" flood warning I don't see it stopping any time soon!

So I completely gave up on the weather this afternoon and tucked myself up with tea, tennis (where, incidently, it was sunny) and the latest issues of Handmade Living and Mollie Makes.  Really got me revved up to make things!  The other great effect that these mags have is that they always inspire me to tidy my work room - everyone else's look soooo neat and tidy, mine looks like a bomb's gone off.  I'm determined to have a tidy sewing room...one day...

July 5th, 2012

Spent today with my head in the wedding file, think we've got it all sussed!  Every detail is accounted for so, in theory, there should be no un-welcome suprises.

The last big thing to do is plan the service.  Not sure that we want any readings or poems or anything but it would be nice to make it a bit more personal than just the normal words.  The music I'm sure will mak it personal, though we're yet to decide on that too!  Andy and I met through Meat Loaf, and whilst his songs are spectacular and definitely very special to us, I'm not sure they're entirely wedding appropriate, not for my Grandma!!

Heading to bed, and hopefully I won't have yet another dream that it's half an hour until the ceremony and I'm not even a little bit close to ready and have forgotten everything!  Twice in 10 days I've had that dream!!!

July 4th, 2012

My thoughts for today -

-Happy Independence Day to all my lovely American friends.
-Cannot shift this headache
-Calendar Girls is such a beautiful film, I hope that if I (God Forbid) ever ended up in that situation I'd handle it with such dignity
-Cannot wait to have my Mr King home tomorrow
-Wedding planning has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, I actually think I'll miss it once it's all over!!

July 3rd, 2012

Today's been one of those frustrating days where you spend all day rushing round working, getting things done, helping other people get their things done...then you wonder actually whether it was worth it or whether anyone noticed you did it.  Not that things should be done for recognition, but I guess sometimes it's nice to know that what you do it noticed and appreciated.  Rant over!

No idea what tomorrow will hold, not a great deal if I'm still feeling like this...IBS is going mental, feel like I've been hit by a bus!  So I shall go to bed and hope to sleep it off...fingers crossed!

July 2nd, 2012

Well it was a struggle, but my new wooden dining table is here!!  Me and my white van man had a good giggle trying to get it down the side of the house (I'd already commited to buying it before I realised it wouldn't fit through the front door) but it was well worth the struggle, it's fab!!

In other news, time is flying and I have no idea where it's going - I booked an event where I'll be selling my bags and knew I had ages to get everything ready, suddenly it's two weeks away, and we're away next weekend!  Better knuckle down!

July 1st, 2012

After last night's horror watching The Woman In Black, tonight we lightened things up and watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and it was fabulous.

Amazingly strong British cast - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Celia Imrie, Bill Nighy...the usual bunch who always do such a stunning job!  India looked so beautiful in the film too, I'd love to go for the sights and smells and definitely the colours, but I really don't think I'd cope - too much noise and too many people in small spaces!

The film had the best line in it though, this wonderfully optomistic young lad who kept saying "Everything will be alright in the end, and if it's not alright then it's not the end" - and I just love that.  I'm always saying to my Andy "it'll be 'right" but this guy put it so much more elegantly than me, and what a great idea to live by.

Can you believe it's July 1st already?!  Where's the year going!?