Welcome to the blog for Ali's Craft Studio by Alison Lloyd. I am a crafter of peelable stained glass designs & handpainted keyrings and I look forward to sharing with you my news direct from Kent (the Garden of England)

Make sure you visit the shop at www.studiocrafts.net to purchase your own handmade decorations to bring fun and colour into every corner of your home

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Monday 31 October 2011

Happy Halloween - now whats next?

Today is Halloween but I suspect that we managed to miss most of the 'trick or treaters' who may have ventured out in slightly damp, drizzly weather on Saturday and Sunday evening when we were travelling back from shows.   I have, however, got my pumpkin bag stocked with sweeties by the door just incase (I'm sure we'll find a good use for any left overs....!)   We are fortunate where we live that there are very few kids who come a-knocking and those who do are lovely and usually have gone to great efforts with their scary costumes.

Happy Halloween...
Decorations available online here
So, another month gone (who stole October???) and Christmas is looming very large on the horizon.   I heard today that October is officially the warmest on record and I couldn't quite believe it on Saturday on my outdoor market stall as I stood with rolled up sleeves and sunglasses that the clocks were due to go back that evening and welcome in the start of dark nights, winter woollies and Christmas decorations.

The extra hour in bed was very welcome yesterday with an early start required to get to our fair however with two cats who don't have alarm clocks and British Summer Time settings, actually sleeping for another hour wasn't really an option.   And today, my inner clock still wasn't working properly and I woke at 5am and could not get back to sleep again.

So here I am, up and about for ages - confusing the cats even more - but hopefully I will get a good run on my orders gathered over the weekend both at shows and online.

One of the many new decorations I have in my shop for Christmas this year is this Extra Large Christmas Tree 

A real statement piece, it is 14.5 inches at its widest point and 21.5 inches tall and I very much anticipate that our front door will be graced by one this Christmas (if I actually have time to make myself one!)   So far, they have proved very popular and I plan to add some other larger designs in coming seasons/years.   The main reason I don't have more on display is simply due to space - they are too big to transport in our standard boxes and our little car simply won't accommodate larger boxes!

So with many orders to complete and lots of stock to make before my big Christmas shows which start on Saturday at Fort Purbrook, Portsmouth I am hoping to get a good head start due to my day starting earlier than normal (hmm, lets see how that works out!)

Today is also Handmade Monday so make sure you head on over to see what lots of other lovely crafters have been up to this week...

14 comments:

  1. Super tree... just pinned it on Pinterest!

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  2. That christmas tree is gorgeous, and I love the cute cat and pumpkin picture, you have a real talent. x

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  3. the Christmas tree is gorgeous and I can see it on my conservatory window, so am heading on over to your website to place an order. Sounds like you have a very busy time coming up - hope all goes well.

    Jill

    ps - couldn't wait, have just ordered one

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  4. Wow, what a gorgeous Christmas tree. I'm sure they'll sell well but make sure you put one aside for yourself! x

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  5. Your Halloween pumpkin would look super lit up, but your tree is gorgeous love the poinsettas

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  6. That's a gorgeous tree, I can see it would be popular! I'm having the same trouble here with that hour change, Up early with hungry pets here too!

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  7. The tree is gorgeous! Reminds me how close we are getting to December now! Mich x

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  8. Love the Christmas tree, hard to believe it's that time already. Here we go, the year is going to be over before we know it!

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  9. Christmas tree looks fab. Love all the bright colours to it. Hugs Mrs A.

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  10. Both pictures are great - am off to vosit your website now ....
    Jo x

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  11. Lovely pictures especially the Christmas trees.. Great design

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  12. Thanks everyone for your comments - I am really pleased that you all like the tree (thanks Jill for your order!)

    I plan to do more extra large designs for Christmas next year as it certainly seems to be a time when people want to go over-sized on their decorations!

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  13. great halloween painting!
    but im really impressed with your xmas tree. lots of details and that size! wow! :)

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  14. I forgot to turn on my Porch light this year so never had any scary visitors which is a shame as I had a good goodie box ready.
    Love the Christmas tree. Very very festive.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog xx