February Frolics!!

We are three quarters of the way through February and whilst still very chilly at times we have been treated to a little sunshine and the start of new growth in the garden.  Personally my garden is a little like a quagmire and the lawn is most definitely a green patchy sponge!  All around can be heard the sounds of wildlife beginning to stir in anticipation of the forthcoming Spring.  For my birthday this year I was given a bird feeding station as I wish to encourage birds into the garden aside from the usual pigeons and magpies.  Two weeks have passed since I placed it in a nice prominent position and yet I have failed to see one living thing on it.  Not even a squirrel has ventured its way.  I have been told that patience is required as the birds can be quite suspicious at first or maybe they just don't like the brand of nuts I am using!  We will see what March brings, I know they are out there I can hear them.

As we all venture outdoors to try and shake off that caged in feeling I believe that a little colour is needed in addition to the sprouting and blossoming shrubs.  Sanibel Home Interiors supplies a wonderful collection of outdoor cushions, tablecloths and doorstops all lovingly created in Suffolk.  The waterproof cushions and other accessions are all made from mould resistant oilcloth which has been patented by the creator Oily Rag.  The outdoor cushions, doorstops and tablecloths come in an array of colours and sizes and can be left outside all year long so even when the shrubs aren't blossoming you will still have a splash of colour.  In addition to using these in the garden they are great for camping and the waterproof tablecloths are brilliant in the kitchen as they are easily wiped clean.

Take a look at the small selection of what is available and start brightening up the outdoors today.
All of these fabulous outdoor accessions are available from Sanibel Home Interiors.  Remember the prices quoted include FREE DELIVERY.  Spring here we come! X

Oily Rag Outdoor Doorstop £18.50 

Oily Rag Large Waterproof Cushion £37.50

Medium Oilcloth Cushion 16" or Large 20" Square from £32.50

Square waterproof washable tablecloth  £39.95

Blue Rosebud Tablecloth Oblong  measures 135cm x 200cm and costs £49.95

Also available tablecloth weights to keep it in place.

New Year New Colour!

Well with all the great intentions that I set out in my last blog (October 2012) here I am making yet another attempt at prioritising social media. The run up to and including Christmas week was extremely  busy.  I visited a company called DLC in Brackley for the first time with a 'Pop Up' Shop and really enjoyed meeting some lovely Ladies and Gents who purchased many of my Christmas decorations and gifts.  I also took my shop along to Avon HQ in Northampton and was able to help a few people tick off those all important Christmas Gifts.  Online business was bubbly and I managed to ensure all orders arrived in time for Santa!

In addition to managing the business I took on several homemade gift projects myself.  With 2012 having been such a bumper year for the UK with the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee I wanted to capture as many memories as I could for my children (aged 10 and 12) so that in the future they could look back and recall their involvement in 2012.  I set about compiling a scrap book each for them containing memories from the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee but also memories personally pertaining to them i.e. birthdays, holidays, holding one of the Olympic Torches seeing Usain Bolt run in the 200m heats and for my son his Year 6 Prom when he left Primary School.  In addition I also included some great achievements i.e. Felix Baumgartners leap of faith at the edge of space and lets not forget the releases of films such as Skyfall and The Dark Knight Rises.  I did not realise how long it would take me to complete these scrap books but alas having started them at the end of November I was still finalising them Christmas Eve!  They were worth the effort, the kids loved them on Christmas Day and whilst they will now be stored safely at some point in the future they will bring smiles and memories back to them.

My creative side also came into its own both before and after Christmas.  For my husband I created a piece of Contemporary Shell Art titled 'Love is Not Symmetrical' as seen here;

For the house I finally covered a sofa in the study which needed some TLC.  The sofa having only cost me £25 and I believe has been transformed from a dull plain occasional sofa to a funky more usuable one!  Judge for yourself.  The material I purchased from Ikea for the grand sum of £22!!! What a bargain.

Before

After

Selling interior decorations and gifts has its advantages, you get the benefit of visiting trade shows and viewing the forthcoming trends and of course selecting products to sell but you also can sneak a few products in to your sales lines which are personal favourites.  Here are a few of my personal favourites which I have showcased in my home...  Back soon X

Winter Flora Heart - White 

Winter Flora Heart - Red

                       

Bombay Duck Indian Inspired Photo Frames - Available in Purple, Fuchsia or Turquoise