Sunday 24 January 2010

Where are we?

Can't believe where time has gone! Has it really been 6/7 weeks since I last blogged? Blimey Charlie. Well, we have been extremely busy and not had much time to ourselves. Reason for being so busy? We've moved premises - not far away from our previous location - just next door but one. We've still got alot of hard work to get it finished off as we want it but it's definitely going in the right direction. Please bear with us while we change over the displays and may take some time finding stock if you come in and ask for something not currently out on the shop floor.

Cricut Chris was a complete star helping out loads. Here she is washing down our shelves before we brought the stock over (with help from her son Mitchell who was just too full of energy - wore me out just watching him!):


And here's Andy having fun varnishing the doors:


I was getting to grips with a brand new vacuum cleaner:


and here's just a small fraction of stuff to still sort through:

As things haven't gone as planned, we didn't advertise with a grand opening day, so our 'soft opening' happened last Saturday when we had the lovely Copic Louise demo'ing for us. It's so much more spacious in the new unit that you guys were able to mill around without bumping into one another so that was lovely to see. Thanks for the great comments. And also thanks to my little spontaneous helpers on the day, Brenda and Jules who seemed to enjoy themselves immensely getting stuck into hero arts stamps and unpacking them for me - thanks girls. And where would I be without Chris, again, a complete angel for looking after you all - finding stock and answering questions. What a lovely, lovely first day.

Haven't actually got any pics with me of the new look shop nearly full of stock. "Why don't you go and take a photo now?" I hear you say. Little tricky, Andy and I are sitting in a Starbucks, having a Grande Latte thingy, over in Anaheim, California. Yep, it's that time of year again for CHA, the biggest and best trade show for us crafters. Nearly didn't come as there's just so much to do still back at the unit but good ole Brenda and Eddy convinced us we needed to come - thanks you two. So glad we are here now but feeling hugely guilty for leaving my folks, Louise and Nick having to sort everything out back at base. Be gentle to them while we are away, they are working their little socks off and already come across more than one hurdle. But coping extremely well with everything that's getting thrown at them. Right then, I think it's time to go and fetch another mega milky mini mocha chocca lenti thingy (is it!) and maybe a blueberry muffin to go with it :)

I'll report more tomorrow (I promise) on what we're up to..


in the meantime, happy stamping and check out the latest Tilda collections (Through my Heart/Raise the Ceiling) that you can pre-order today and we are just waiting for them to arrive, currently no confirmed delivery date.


- janicex

13 comments:

brenda said...

Hi Guys

Eddy's reading over my shoulder and says make sure you get some 'me' time, you sure have earned it.

Don't suppose it will be long before Tilda's all sold out if last Saturday was anything to go by, never fails to amaze me how popular they are.

I on the other hand am eagerly awaitig the new PB releases and hopefully some piccies and sneak peeks as soon as you set eyes and mits on them.

Everythig is going really well with the 'little event' for 1st and everyone is getting soooooo excited in blogland.

Have fun, plenty of latte's and sleeeeeeeeeep.


B x

Daisy Chain said...

Great to see your new premises, I've been so busy not had time to visit yet, but I'll make sure I do soon. Have a great time in the states, and see you soon.

hugs Debbie xx

Cazzy said...

You poor things, I can tell you are suffering!

Cazzy x

Jules said...

Hi Janice and Andy

Thank you so much for the mention .. .. but the pleasure was all mine!!!

You have a beautiful store and so much gorgeous stock. My eyes were popping out of my head as I have never seen so many crafting goodies in one place.

I wish you were on my doorstep as I would be filling in an application form to become a "Saturday Girl" in the hope that a vacancy arose!

Enjoy that "me" time that Brenda and Eddy have mentioned.

All the best for the future in your new premises.

Love Jules xx

Lynne K said...

The new shop looks wonderful. Looking forward to the next demo dday, when, hopefully, we can come and see it.

Sally H said...

Have a wonderful time. Looking forward to visiting the new store. Glad you haven't moved far, we should still manage to find you!

Nicola said...

Hi Janice & Andy
It was great to come to the new premises and see all the products layed out. Louise sold one of the Tilda's to us as she was doing a demo and at least 3 of us fell in love with her. The premises are much brighter and welcoming as you do have the space to wonder and browse and not bump in to others in fact I think I spent 3 hours browsing. A big thank you for selecting my card for card of the month that was a nice surprise and allowed me to spend even more money. Enjoy your break and look forward to seeing you soon. Hugs Nicky xx

Mel said...

Wooohoooo ! it looks Fandabby doozy. Hope your having/had fun in the USA. I can't wait to see you new place. The Photos look spectacular ! i can't beleive you pipped me at the post; i hadn't blogged for 5+ weeks but i thought it's ok cos you havent either and then you did ! Ha, jus befor me.
Anyway, we're hoping to see you next week with Chrissy. Any chance you could save me a ne Magnolia mag !!! Thanks Mel xxx

chris said...

Hi Janice and Andy
Hope your having a super time,I think to switch off was very much needed.
it was an absolute pleasure to help you out, I really enjoyed finding things that I had never seen before, but most of all I enjoyed putting all the lovely NEW stuff out, it was just simply brilliant fun, the only thing is since then life has been a bit flat.
Hope you find nice places to eat always makes the day go better
in my opinion!!!
Have fun loads of love chris xx

Sue said...

Hi Janice and Andy,

Hope you are having a fab time! The pics of the store look great, can't wait to pop along and see it. See you when you get back to freezing cold England!

Sue
x

Linda W said...

Hi you both. Have a great time in the states. Can't wait to see the new shop! Linda x

Lou said...

Hi!Hope you are having a good time in the states?lots of new treats to see and a bit of rest time too.Take care,see you soon.Lou.xx

Mary J said...

Hi Janice - wow, what a lot of hard work! I am sure you are having fun! I'm very excited for you - wish I lived nearer so I could come and visit you! Open a branch in East Sussex pls! ;)