Julie's Blog

Informal Jordanhill School reunion

totally tartan — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:24:44 +0000

Rachel Macgregor

totally tartan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:32:16 +0000

I am sitting here with tears rolling down my face. I was on Facebook and first they were laughter because of a really cute 1 minute video clip of a baby giggling, a really contagious laugh that you want to bottle and bring out when your down.
Then the next post was about an old school friend whom I have not seen since we left school. We have not kept in touch so I don’t know anything about her family or life now. However her little 4-year-old girl passed away in her sleep the other day. Unexplained cot death. Maybe I’m crying because being a Mum of a 4-year-old it’s too close to home or maybe I’m crying cause nobody should ever have to go through what they are going through now!

My thoughts are with them. Live for today and appreciate what you have. Here’s a link to the laughter and little Rachel’s memorial site.

http://rachel-macgregor.gonetoosoon.org

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4abiHdQpc

Bunnahabhain Tartan Cushions

totally tartan — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:36:19 +0000

Bunnahabhain Tartan Cushions

Bunnahabhain Distillery is situated on the isolated north-eastern tip of the Island of Islay. Their Bunnahabhain 18-year-old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky also has a Bunnahabhain tartan which i can only assume dates back to the location of the distillery. The Bunnahabhain Distillery already sell Whisky obviously and some other associated gifts such as a lambswool Bunnahabhain tartan throw. I was asked by some people at Burn Stewart Distillers to make some Bunnahabhain tartan cushions and here they are. Don’t know if they plan to sell them in the shop or use them for display/reception but whatever their use, they are simply stunning and they go really well with my camel Stewart throws and cushions. Have a look at their website at

Stags head cushions

totally tartan — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:14:48 +0000

I’ve just finished these fantastic stags head cushions for my friend Lorna. I’m afraid I don’t do them justice with the amateur photo but they were simply stunning. The mix of wool and velvet worked really well together and so did the dark on light and light on dark. I then couldn’t resist adding a few of my little scotties.

It won’t be long before I add them to Totally Tartan range. I think they would work really well within the Scottish collection and the 3 colourways I’ve got their. However this will be added to my ever-growing list of things to do. This juggling kids and work ain’t easy

Scotland’s Trade Fair

totally tartan — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:15:07 +0000

Getting geared up for the trade show at the SECC this weekend. Got stock ready. Husband getting graphics ready. Oh how convenient having a hubby in sign writing. Never got the great portrait photo I was looking for but figured it’s the top 50% that people see anyway so went for two landscape and my logo on each graphic. Almost got the childcare sorted, just got to blag favours off a few more friends. Last job will be the paperwork. Suddenly thought last night that I’ve not got flyers to hand out. I have my postcards that I give out at shows but I don’t do most of the lines pictures on these to trade so I figured the most cost-effective way is to get 100 photos printed off at Boots and attach that to a printed price list. Too late for anything else anyway. Set up tomorrow, start on Sunday so photo’s it will just have to be. Here’s hoping it’s a good one! Follow the link if you want to find out more.

Photo hunt

totally tartan — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:48:41 +0000

Trying to get organised for the trade show next weekend. Yes, late but that’s life, or mine anyway. Thankfully I have a husband that does excellent graphics however when I look for that stunning photo, I have none that fit. For some reason 99% of my photos are landscape. Is that because it’s the natural was to hold a camera or is it because my cushions look better spread out rather than piled high. Anyway, don’t know the reason, fact is I need to stuff some cushions and go and take some more photo’s. According to metcheck, I have a 3 hour window tomorrow morning of not too much cloud and no rain so here’s hoping I get a few good snaps. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Aladdin

totally tartan — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:56:54 +0000

Another childhood memory rekindled when we all, yes husband, kids, Mum & Dad, sisters, nieces & nephew all went for lunch and then off to the panto. I think it is probably 20 years plus since I was there and we certainly didn’t have 3D glasses then. It was very enjoyable and although I will completely ruin the little street cred I have, it was made by the Krankies who must have accounted for at least 70% of the laughs. Everyone had a great time, apart from 3 year old who was lost within the first 5 minutes but he really enjoyed his ridiculously expensive lighty up thing so was as happy as the rest of us.

I survived the Carnival

totally tartan — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:06:17 +0000

Yes, I decided I would give into my better judgement and introduce my children to the carnival knowing that once I did, there would be no going back and it would have to become an annual event. Although I have not been in years I remember most of the rides and was pleased to see that the biggest que was on the old faithful ghost train. It’s not bad value at £1 a ride and the band, if not the ques, stop you going for much more than 10. However, these stall holders really need to catch a grip. £2 for a one in a hundred chance of winning the biggest lot of rubbish that cost 10p and causes you grief all the way home until it is duly abandoned. The Secc could do with a shake as well but that’s another story.
Anyway, I then proceeded to take my 3 year old on the fastest ride in the place which he was only allowed on snuggled between me and the 7 year old. He was very brave or maybe I just couldn’t hear his screams but needless to say, he did not want to repeat the experience when the older one chose it for the last ride before going home. He was allowed to sit on the steps inside the fencing where he patiently sat waving like mad to us for the whole duration of my screams. There are not many 3 year olds that would do that and I am so proud of him (for this event anyway).
Well I am glad to say that’s it done for another year and I hope that the experience is implanting in my kids memories as fondly as my childhood visits are, after all, is that not what life is about, the journey, the memories and happiness.

Bring on the new year

totally tartan — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:25:28 +0000

Went for a run this morning for the first time in about 2 months and it just about killed me but Oh I felt good once I got home. I kept up this new year binge by dismantling the christmas tree and anything remotely festive. You really just get to the stage that you can’t stand the clutter any more. Isn’t it funny! It takes me a whole day to put all my decs up, and another few hours to fix the bits the kids did,yet you can get them all packed away in the loft within 2 hours. It’s done, it’s over for another year, thank god and bring on normality, whatever that may be.

Anyway, carried on the new year binge by a well deserved cleaning out of the inside of my car. After about 4 months it was well overdue but to be honest wouldn’t even have gone there had my hop along husband not decided to finally move from the sofa and wash both cars. Yes husband has had a bout of hangover turned to man flu, then sore knee then twisted back and back to the knee. Honestly, he’s 49 coming on 79. Bring on his work. 24 hours to go. Last new year binge was to eliminate 30% of the crap in my 7 year old’s bed room so that we could fit in all the new rubbish. God 2011 feels good so far.

Anyway, don’t worry too much. By 5 pm I was bored with this bring on the new year mentality and headed to a friends house for the normal kiddies tea that stretched into a curry carry out and lasted until the kids expired at 10.45. Ended up leaving eldest there cause in usual style, the kids had been planning a sleepover since 2 minutes after we got there. I really don’t remember having as many sleepovers when I was 7 let alone my 3 year old crying cause he wanted a sleepover too.

Anyway, all in all a good productive and fun day and only 2 more days till their back to school, yeha!!!!

Happy New Year and Thank you

totally tartan — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 23:09:09 +0000

Hello to 2011 and Happy New Year to all. Welcome back. I feel as if I have not blogged in ages. In fact I feel like the whole of November and December were a blur. A good blur though cause I was so busy making and creating so a big thank you to everyone who ordered and apologies to anyone who’s order was delayed by the not so royal mail.

Things to learn for next year
1. Find an alternative to Royal Mail, especially for overseas orders.
2. Don’t think I can do it all myself, time to hire an extra pair of hands.
3. Make and write christmas cards in January, check with future blogs for progress.
4. Half make kids stuff like salt dough christmas decs and paper mache baubles, ah, explanation of such might have to wait till next year.
5. Blog at least 4 times a week and more importantly, take time out to read other blogs.
6. Learn how to blog. I can’t get these photos to do what I want them to do so I’m giving up and they are at the top.
7. Hire a cleaner, this year is for me, Totally Tartan and my family. Too little time for house work.

Well, that was just a quick list relating to my thoughts about the December rush, I will have to go away and think properly about the direction I’m going with the business which is a very nice place to be so thanks again and here’s to 2011.
Julie