14 March 2016

This And That And Shop Chat













I've been testing out my "hellos".  There's a slightly high-pitched one that is bordering on desperate, there's one that's a bit sing-songy and makes my children curl up with embarrassment, there's one that makes me sound like an 8 year old and there's my slightly husky one that is, frankly, a touch creepy.  Oh dear.  I'll keep practising.  The last thing I want to do when you come and visit my little shop is to frighten you off!

I've had the 'armed robber' discussion with D.  He asked me what I'd do in the event of a hold-up.  I assured him I have a pot full of very pointy knitting needles ready and waiting.  I don't think that was the right answer.  He looked more than a little bit horrified.  Pfft, he really has no concept of just how precious yarn is.

My card payment machine was installed last week.  It terrifies me.  It's now sitting rather smugly on my counter with its silly green lights and air of self-importance.  May I apologise in advance for getting a bit of a hand-stutter and charging you £1,000,000 for a ball of Rowan Handknit Cotton?

My world continues to be full of yarn and shop-related things my friends.  I haven't even noticed if there is blossom on the trees yet.  Is there?

Quite often, in the middle of the night, a thought or idea pops up from nowhere and jolts me wide awake.  Last night's was a mirror.  I need a mirror.  Before you think I'm going slightly bonkers, just think - how lovely would it be, when considering yarn for a scarf or shawl, to be able to hold it up to your face and see how the colour suits?  The night before it was the idea to take my stockpile of Simply Crochet magazines to the shop for browsing purposes.  I really must subscribe to a knitting magazine too.  Do you have a favourite?

I've thoroughly enjoyed selecting my stock.  I will be selling yarn by Debbie Bliss, Rowan, Patons, Rooster, Manos Del Uruguay, Jupiter Moon Farm, Coop Knits, Fyberspates, Regia, Mondial.  I'm also particularly thrilled to be selling hand-dyed yarns by the lovely Shadow of Felt Fusion.  Those you see pictured are some of her dk delights.  And the glorious pink?  Well, that's a colourway she has dyed exclusively for meeeeeee!  I've called it I Wanna Be Adored after one of my favourite songs.  I cannot wait to see how it knits and crochets.

I have opted for Knit Pro needles and accessories and I've finally managed to acquire a range of my beloved Tulip Etimo Rose crochet hooks.  They were the very first item I wrote on my 'Things I'd Like To Sell' list and they've been by far the most tricksy to source.

I also received delivery of a delicious array of crochet hook and knitting needle rolls, craft bags and sewing pouches this week, made by my magic-fingered friend, Rachael, of SewRayMe.

I must just tell you about something I treated myself to this week too.  I bought a project bag from Betsy Makes' Etsy shop.  Oh, it's just gorgeous.  So beautifully made.  It has the cleverest integrated knitting needle holder inside.  Sam also included a pretty felt flower brooch in the parcel because she's the sweetest girl.  And ... she's only gone and uploaded her very first podcast episode!  Do go and watch if you haven't already.  She's so natural in front of the camera and her knitting/crochet makes are sublime.

Do you ever invent scenarios in your head?  I do it frequently.  My latest one makes me laugh out loud.  I imagine you opening the door to my little shop, stepping over the threshold and casting your eyes around only to be met with completely empty shelves.  You'll then notice me sitting cross-legged on the floor, perhaps rocking a little, surrounded by a huuuuuge tangle of yarn.  I'll have a wild look in my eyes and will be manically crocheting the longest and most colourful scarf you've ever seen in your life ...

xxx

37 comments:

  1. Those colours make me so happy! How far are you from M1??

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    1. Oh me too Janet! About 15 minutes from J21. X

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  2. I'm living vicariously through you and sharing in your excitement and even your nerves! What a beautiful, brave undertaking!

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  3. I am a mother of five young children living in north Wales. One day my family will awake to find me gone and on my way to your beautiful shop. They have been warned! I have so much admiration for you following your dream and having the courage of your convictions. Well done and keep going.

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  4. it will all be wonderful! I can visualise myself stepping through your door and being greeted by gorgeous yarn and goodies and I will introduce myself to your card machine of course!
    Thank you for the shout out my dear, glad you like your bits. I really like 'The Knitter' magazine and I do subscribe xxx

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  5. Of course now your Hello is going under scrutiny from all who come to the shop! Very funny blog post. The yarn's there, the hooks are there, the green lights are winking on the counter, open now! Tomorrow just for me and R to come and see? xx

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  6. So planning a day trip once you're up and running! You're stocking all my favourite yarns... I'll have to save up! Good luck with it all x

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  8. I'm sure when I will be able to visit your yarnshop, you will have mastered your hello's, the card machine and what else you will encounter :-)

    I live in the Netherlands but my inlaws live in Leicester and we'll probably visit them this year's Christmas. You you'll have plenty of time :-)

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  9. It is all so exciting!!! I am so pleased for you that all is going so well and that you are enjoying it so much. Have fun! Let us know when you open!! xx

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  10. Hi Heather! Just wanted to say, a sunny hello to you all the way from Spring, Texas, which is about 30 minutes from Houston, Texas! I love the name of your blog and is that the name of your store as well? Your store looks absolutely gorgeous! I have a confession to make, I did not love the color pink, until I saw your blog, which I think I came by while devouring Lucy's blog, Attic24, and I am so glad I did and you have now ignited a little flame for looking at pink in a totally yummy way! Thank you Heather for a peek into your delicious store! I lived in London for about 5 years as a young adult, I will visit sometime in the future as my very American teenage son loves football and is quite insistent that we visit England! Guess where I will be definitely popping in....oh yes! Good luck Heather, I really believe that you have all the makings of a wonderful store owner and your store is going to do so well!
    Have a great week!

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  11. Such a wonderful post. I'm so excited for you. This is the stuff that dreams are made of right here. Congratulations and best of luck to you x x x

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  12. Oh I love the photo's so far, and I wish I lived closer so I could come visit, can't wait for more updates, I read Let's knit! if that helps. xx

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  13. Oh but it all sounds SO exciting !!! I wish I was nearer so that I could pop by on your opening day xx

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  14. Your shop will be wonderful! And you have made me laugh this morning with your daydreams and hellos!

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  15. Hi Heather, I am sure your hellos will be just fine and that you will be forgiven any finger stuttering on the cash machine buttons. The mirror is such a fab idea. So excited for you!
    Lucy xx

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  16. Mmm your shop sounds and look like perfect heaven. When my bookshop got a newfangled card machine I was terrified of it. It took a very kind,German customer to show me how to work it and probably explains why I spent about a year muttering," you vil svipe ze cart like zo" at people. Not long now until you're open and sell everything and realise that you have to go and order all that stock again.

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  17. Heeee heeee,what wonderful imaginative post,yes I can just see you on the floor with the yarn heeeeee heeeeeee.The mirror is such a good idea.You will be fine I know it,you're a natural.The yarn looks soooo yummy,I love that pink,I do like those crochet hooks too.Good Luck with it all.Huggles xxxx

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  18. I can't wait until I come to the shop and see what sort of Hello I get!! I'm very very afraid of your card machine - Do I need any yarn? - no. Will that teensy fact stop me buying some? - no!!
    Could I just ask - what is the yarn in 5th picture down? - It's just so pretty, I could just print that photo out and frame it

    see you soon - hope you're ready for us all!

    Susan xx

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  19. Your yarn choices sound divine. And a mirror is an excellent idea, it's essential to see what the colours look like by your face isn't it. Glad it's all going well, and that you have a plan in place in case of armed robbery. CJ xx

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  20. Girl, you go for it. Everyone is going to have their say. Be true to you. That never fails. Even.though I'm in the US I plan to order from you. Keep true to yourself and you'll never fail. Best to you and I hope your shop kicks a**

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  21. I also want to wish you good luck. I live in Denmark, so of course I would like to know if you are going to sell on line? If not, I will just have to wait until next time I visit Britain. I would also like to know what yarn is in the 5'th Picture? Manos or perhaps Fiberspates? good luck with your shop :-)

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  22. OH MY GOSH, what an exciting (and probably quite scary!) time for you! How awesome is that, to get your own business up and running. Man, I'm definitely coming by to say hello when I'm that way. I bet you'll make it a place that no one will want to leave once they step foot in it. Well done you for going for it, and I wish you all the best (not that you'll need it, I know you'll do so well).

    xxxxxxxxx

    P.S.......My son loves that song, but he hates that I ruined it for him apparently. I thought it said 'I wanna be a dork'and asked why they would want lyrics like that?!Not cool Ness, Not cool.

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  23. Your shop sounds divine. Wish I lived closer, I would be at your shop every chance I could, but living so far away, I can only dream, and watch your progress as your shop grows closer to the big day. I wish you all the best.

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  24. It looks so lovely! Will you be doing any drop-ins or groups? I'm not near enough, but people love them. I used to have a quilt shop and the drop in with whatever you are working on, was really popular. Wish I was closer! Good luck with your new venture!

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  25. Love how your shop is coming along. My husband and I are traveling to the area this summer, can you send me the address or post it so we can visit the shop while in the city. We will be in England, Scotland and Ireland and Wales. Thanks

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  26. It all looks and sounds just perfect Heather, and very Pink Milk! Loving the pink and white theme. Won't be long now before those first customers come through the door so good luck with the opening and with it all! Look forward to seeing and hearing more!
    Gill xx

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  27. Am wonderfully excited for you Heather!! Pati xx

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  28. I will definitely be visiting, i live in swannington so you will be very handy for me. I set up and ran a shop for 12 years from scratch your emotions are bringing back some memories!
    I"m sure it will be hard but will also be a huge blessing to you
    Sharon

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  29. Gosh, your specially dyed Felt Fusion yarn is lovely! I was so happy to see that you're opening a new yarn shop - the world can always do with more yarn :)
    I look forward to reading more about your adventures
    A Flower

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  30. This is going to be a real yarn haven Heather, it all sounds so wonderful! I adore your personalised yarn, that's just lovely and I love The Knitter magazine too. Also is Pom Pom a possibility?

    S x

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  31. Very soon your shop will full of girls and lady ...crazy like us for knit or crochet!!I really love the colours of wools...If you sell them on line I ll buy them...I m distant to visit you from Italia!!Good luck

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  32. Hi Heather
    When do you open?
    I have friends near Blaby so would love to pop in and become fully acquainted with your card machine- just don't tell my husband!!!

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  33. Hello Heather - I am very excited about your shop venture and am planning a visit with my friend Helen (AKA Flora Honeypot) very soon... I've just done my first podcast which was nerve wracking enough so I don't know how you have got it together to open a SHOP!!!! Well done you and I hope it will be a huge success (bound to be I think). As you are into lovely hand dyed yarn I wondered if you had seen the online shop Baabaabrighouse. Its online but Elaine who runs it is Yorkshire based and I went to their Knit and natter in Rastrick (as in Brighouse and Rastrick) this weekend. They have started their own line of yarn - baabaabrew and run the Yan Tan Tethera yarn club. Thought it might be worth a look from a wholesaler/retailer point of view :) Lots of love, Kathryn xxx

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  34. What wonderful news. Well done .I hope you will be selling online ? I can't wait to be surrounded by all the colourful yarn you will stock. I bet you keep pinching yourself .I am glad I am not the only one who thinks a mirror is necessary in a yarn shop .I think it is so important to se colour near your face but also to get that perspective .
    I have loved your blog and work for ages .I have always feel your creativity needed to be a shop. If you know what I mean. Too many people have shops that have no personality yours will shine through. Your yarn choices are always so special.

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  35. It is all looking so beautiful - wish I could visit! Try good morning/afternoon - it has a better tone for your voice than hello xx

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  36. Hi again
    Im reading your blog from most recent ..backwards. If you get my drift.
    you are such an inspiring person. I so look forward to your next blog post.

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