Happy New Year!

Well!!

2011 is off to a flying start with lots of enquiries and several wedding bookings for the summer.

Derek (the fabulous web designer!) and I have spent several creative hours adding to the pages of my web site. The marquee page is now updated with Jester, Jubilee and Joey! I have added the option of a consultancy service for wedding and party planning and we have also updated the testimonials (Derek argues that people don't bother to read them, but I disagree!!) and the gallery. I can't resist taking photos of all the lovely parties, cakes, decorations, flowers etc, so the gallery is ever evolving! Here's to a sunny and happy New Year.

Well, even though my blog page tells me that I only have one follower, I just know that is not the case because people tell me they have read it, looked at the pictures etc. So I will continue to hang on in there and add a new post every now and then...
Actually it is really late (11pm) and I am filling in time while waiting for my latest e-bay purchase time to finish, so I can race for the last bid on yet another entirely unnecessary item!!
Ruby (incase you're interested!!) escaped into the field and who knows what she got up to, so had to have the 'just-in-case-termination-jabs' so sadly no pups this time.
Now for some marquee related info... I met a friend in the field this week and he said "how's the business going? What is it you call yourself, disheveled chaos??" I did laugh and had to correct him and explain that "shabby chic" is the more commonly used term!! Although I do think the definition of disheveled "hanging loosely in disorder" is totally apt for me most of the time!!
Ha, ha, I have just read suggested labels for this post..'scooters, holidays, autumn' mmm, not sure which one of those is most apt!!
So.. to business.. today I attended a hand tied boquet course, so with a few hundred hours practice I will be able to offer that as another service next year... actually it is an amazingly skillful process and I now really appreciate the time and costs involved.
I am looking to buy a bell tent to add to my collection for next year, and have now committed (at vast expense) to buying an extra section for the Big Top, so it will seat up to 80.
Well, that's all for now folks, didn't win on e-bay this time, sniped at the last moment..and I really, really wanted that whateveritwas???!!

Well, it has been a while ..so now for an update on life in 'vintage marquee world' haha.
I seem to have been hiring out lots of chairs recently! No one else has the rustic garden chairs and they seem to be popular, especially for weddings. I am actually looking to buy more, particularly old folding church hall chairs, so if anyone hears of any, PLEASE get in touch.

I have one more hiring for the Big Top this year, for a wedding at The White Horse in Biddestone. I hope to work with lots more local pubs and small hotels next year, perfect venues for weddings with a lovely relaxed feel.

Now that the garden party season is over, I am busy booking stalls at christmas fairs etc to sell my shabby chic homewares (and promote the marquees at the same time). I hope to have a link to my website with an on-line shop ...eventually!

Till next time..my dilemma of the moment, do I let Ruby my mad cockerpoo have puppies!!?

I have just made six table cloths and four hanging panels for Jo and Mike's party next month. Bunting is soon to follow!
This is a fab modern take on my rather traditional vintage style fabrics.
I am always looking to add another dimension to the decorative ideas that I can offer, so thank you Jo for this inspiring new look.

A lovely picture of Adam, Lucy and Emma enjoying fine dining(!!!?) 'supper in a tent'

We had a party in the garden at the weekend.
36 seated in the vintage marquee.
Very thrilled with bare trestle tables!
This is a look no one else has used yet, everyone
prefering to use cloths, but perrsonally I love the rustic look. Very practical too, with no table cloths to wash ( just 36 napkins instead!)

Cakes for Gill's birthday. The big one on the top was locally made by a brilliant baker who makes fantastic and delicate sugar-craft flowers. Not a great aerial shot, but they did all look very pretty, with all the fairy cakes decorated with flowers too.