Back from a great show. What a joy to meet both new and repeat customers. I got positive feedback on my bamboo needles (I knew they were great, but nothing beats hearing that confirmed by new users!), enthusiastic stories from dyers who have taken the plunge and had a go and the Tales Knitting Smocks were well-received in London too. I'm working on more, summery colours and a "Spinning Pinafore".

After working through the orders I brought home from Olympia and sending those out, I worked on the design of my soon to arrive swing-tags. Made from environmentally friendly pulp-board, every hank will have its own swing-tag, complete with dye colour palette on the back and space to write the yarn content on the front. That's 2 frequent customer requests answered. Thing is: when I'm designing swing-tags, I'm not writing patterns. Or sorting out my newsletter. Or ordering more needles to restore my depleted stocks. The woes of being a fledgling little business; not enough hours in the day, but boy, am I still having fun!

Oh, and thanks Ralph for casting your professional eye on my swing-tag design and coaching me ever so patiently towards what I believe is a great result.

Sneak preview? Here they are, both front and back:

Like? The black dot in the corner is to position the hole that will have a piece of jute string through it. I hope you like it, I'm mighty proud of it.

Oh and before I forget: I managed to pick up my shawl-pin today. Bit of a story with this one: I first saw this shawl-pin on a shawl worn by Laura, who ambled onto my stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate last November. I LOVED it, she had made it herself and I pleaded with her to make one for me. She did, it's here now and it's to die for on my Leafy-Lace Shoulder Shawl, my latest newest pattern. Which reminds me I STILL have to add a pattern page to my shop! Told you, not enough hours in the day! But, I digress…Laura, thank you so much, your pin and my Leafy Lace were meant for each other. I will be sure to feature it in my shop and anyone who sees it and covets it as much as I did when I first saw it just needs to let me know. Just remembered: I'm out of stock on most of Fyberspates Lace Silks. Better adjust that in the shop and order some more.

Right, enough already. This update is turning into an action list. Be back soon, I promise.

Oh dear, has this spinning craze got me. And it's got me good! Am dead-keen to start showing off my first results. Watch this space for pics. Have already finished my first scarf design especially suitable for small hanks of home-spun yarn, so it's only a matter of time before I start selling my first "each-is-a-one-off" kits!

Also in the process of sorting out my Newsletter software, so I will finally be able to send newsletters not just bursting with news, but looking good as well.

Be back soon…