Can it really be August already? The time flies by so quickly…
As I sit typing the harvester is rumbling up and down in the field next door, no doubt covering my washing with straw dust. The joys of country living! Never mind, the sun is shining and it’s warm, life could be much worse.
And I think I’ve seen more butterflies than ever before this summer. They were late starting after the long cold winter but over the past few weeks the lavender and buddleia bushes have been smothered in butterflies and humming with bees. I’ve spent so much time dancing around with the camera not getting them in focus…!
This year for the first time I saw a Swallowtail butterfly in the garden. I was so excited, but between that excitement, the butterfly’s erratic progress round flowers and the breezy conditions every photo was a disappointing blur!
One of the things I really appreciate about writing this blog is the way it has given me a focus. A focus on capturing the seasons, recording visits to beautiful places, exciting discoveries and new crafts, it’s been a lifeline on occasions. And the added and unexpected bonus has been to link up with so many like minded people all over the world. The internet is an amazing thing, opening up opportunities for virtual socializing and making it possible for so many people, especially women with families to run their own small businesses in a way which would have been impossible only a few years ago.
When I went on my detective journey eighteen months to find the yarn I had spotted on line, tracked it down, found there were no UK stockists and took a big gamble buying a wholesale amount I really had no idea what I had started. For all I knew I might have ended up making rainbow colour blankets and cushions for the rest of my life to use up the huge packing case of yarn which was delivered!
But everyone who has bought it has loved it, just as much as I do. It’s been bought by people all over the globe over the past year and I haven’t had one scrap of negative feedback. Everyone has commented on the lovely quality, the wonderful colours and value for money. And despite being surrounded by those colours everyday, I still love using it.
But, and here’s the rub. I have become a victim of it’s success. I have ideas for new things, more patterns, more fun…
And there’s only me…
Just the one…
I started the Mouse Kits and the Crafty Cotton because I was aware that the Royal Mail shipping costs made it difficult for some people overseas to afford the yarn. But they require time. Time to wind (and weigh) the yarn, to label, to pack.
And gradually over the past months it’s taken up more and more time and instead of being creative and innovative, I’ve just turned into a yarn processor…
And meanwhile everything is suffering. The garden is suffering from the erratic watering, my dear husband is suffering ‘cos I’m forgetting how to cook, the blog is suffering… The only ones not suffering are Higgins and Henry!
So for the moment with apologies, I’m calling a halt on the kits and the Crafty Packs so I can get back to exercising my creative muscles for new things for Planet Penny.
Planet Penny Cotton Packs will still be available. The overseas shipping costs are lower now for the US and Australia than when I first started, and a pack of yarn will be enough to make up all the Planet Penny patterns which are currently available on Etsy with plenty left over for the new patterns I hope to have time to write now I’m not Winder-in-Chief!
And finally I will share the biggest and most important reason of all. A couple of days back I was shown a small, grainy black and white photograph of the latest precious addition to the family… a new grandchild arriving early next year! I just can’t wait to knit some teeny tiny socks!
So I do hope you understand, and stick around to find out what happens next…
I’ll see you soon….x
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Mmm saw those grainy pictures of my first grandchild for the second time today, also a January baby. Amazing. Do hope all goes will with the new pattern projects and so glad I found your wonderful yarn.
Alison
Sometimes, knowing when to call a halt to something is the hardest thing, so kudos to you Penny, and I can’t wait to see what you design next 🙂
As much as I have enjoyed the kits you make, I am also anxious for new designs. And, a new baby to knit for sounds so exciting!!
Good luck with your new designs but must importantly big, big congratulations on your new grand baby !
V x
A huge congratulations on your new grand baby. I bet you can’t wait to start knitting for it. It’ll be the best dressed baby in town !!! xx
So exciting to have a new grandchild to look forward too. Congratulations.
Just wanted to add that I think the possibility of running a business from home is a wonderful thing. I would have so loved to be able to do this years ago when I was finding it hard to make ends meet but my children were too young to be left on their own.
Congratulations on the expectant baby Penny, such gorgeous news! As for taking a break from all that cotton winding, good for you, let your creative juices flow now and I have to say that I am so very pleased at what a success your cotton business has been, a big well done! xox Penny
That is the problem when you start something that snowballs, when you would rather be creating. I hope you manage to get your life back in order very soon Penny.
Good news about the new Grandchild.
Congratulations on the new baby….we are expecting another one too ….in September….a boy this time after three little girls….trouble is….I haven’t time either….I knitted them all a plain blanky when they were born….cream or yellow as we didn’t know what they were but I haven’t even started this one yet and can’t wait to knit a blue one!!
so glad you’re keeping the blog going and the lovely Planet Penny Cotton Packs 🙂 Looking forward to some teeny tiny socks 🙂 Congratulations!
Thank you all for your encouraging remarks and congratulations! Very much appreciated….x
Congratulations Penny !
Well done to you for choosing to do what you want to do. We sometimes find ourselves on the treadmill and it can be difficult to get off! Congragtulations on the new addition, I too have been shown some of those grainy pictures – a first grandchild for me. I’m so excited and the knitting needles are clicking furiously. I hope you find the time for all that lovely baby knitting.xx
Congratulations on the news. =^.^=
Knowing when to let something go can be a difficult but brave decision. It’s something I’m wrestling with at the moment. I love my Planet Penny cotton!
No understanding needed You have a life lol. I know what you mean exactly too. Blogging can be a great way to remind us too if overdoing things. Love visiting here alot ??
Congratulations Penny. I know what you mean about it only being one and sometimes, you just have to stop doing something that is a success but actually rather repetitive and non-creative as it uses all the time when something else could be created!
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What a lovely post. It is lovely to hear how successful you have become. I am also really pleased to read that you are able to take a step back and say enough is enough in order to return to what you enjoy. Good for you. I am looking forward to seeing lots of lovely new patterns. 🙂
Love the photograph of the butterflies1