Sunday 28 November 2010

Meeting Rudolph





Hello all
Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, and Special by SimJaTa were lucky enough to meet Rudolph and his friends at yesterday's Victorian Fayre. Apologies for the yellow tinge on the photo, but being so close Rudolph was a little nervous so I had to turn off the flash so as not to frighten him, he was busy conserving his energies ready to do all that work in less than a months time.
His friends the Donkies had to have a photo shoot too, as this one in particular loved his cuddles, whilst my Aunt was watching my stall I was enjoying my chat with the animals.
I have never been so close to a reindeer before, and found the whole thing a magical experience, they are fantastic regal looking souls arent they?

Must dash, Bags of Swank and Special by SimJaTa are going to be very busy making up some new orders in time for Christmas. Dont forget, we still have some fabulous scarves left to keep you and your loved ones warm in these awful chilly conditions, and lots of great bags for your shopping and gifts.


~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Victorian Christmas Weekend and Craft Fair




Bags of Swank by SimJaTa will be attending a Craft Fair this Saturday. Almost ready, just finished ordering some nice gift bags, and collecting some table decorations today. I have taken this from the advertising to tell you all about it..

SAT 27 & SUN 28 November 2010, 9am - sundown at Inglenook Lavender Farm
Step back in time! Come along and enjoy the genteel air of a traditional Christmas at this beautiful Lancashire Farmhouse and grounds. Take the stress out of shopping at the Craft Fayre; indulge in some old fashioned fun and merriment on the outdoor Skating Rink and Children’s Fairground and by popular demand we’ll have the real life Rudolph and Blitzen flying in from the North Pole along with the man himself, Father Christmas!


The Elves are taking souvenir photos! Bring all the family and your friends for a great day out! Also on site is the Farmhouse cafe and tea rooms serving homemade cakes and scones with tea and coffee served on bone china with old fashioned finesse, plus Family Teatime meal deals.

Location : Inglenook Lavender Farm
Moss Nook Lane, Rainford WA11 8AE
Website : www.phytobotanica.com

FREE ENTRY
Start time 9am till sundown


Sounds a great day out, so hope some of you in the North West area, or even perhaps further afield might fancy a great day out, and come and say 'hi' to the weary bod with the purple hair on the Bags of Swank at SimJaTa Stall.

I am hoping to sell up:) so if you have anything favorited in my Folksy shop this week is the time to buy, before its all gone!

See you there.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Sunday 14 November 2010

Christmas Auction at Woof Beginnings





Today is the first day of our Auction at "Woof Beginnings" only opened at 9am today and already going very well, lots of lovely gifts to choose from for your dogs and for the humans too. There is of course a chance to bid on one of my custom tote bags which as I type already has one bid, so hurry. The proceeds of this auction will be donated to some of our registered charities to help the many needy dogs who find themselves in rescue, in order to care for them until the best loving home can be found the rescue's need funds to pay for vetinary treatment, food and shelter for the dogs.

So please do pop along and take a look, you might find some ideal gifts for your friends and family and at the same time be assured your payment will be helping dogs who need it.

http://www.pleasehelpourdogs.co.uk/_OldForum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=96 Just copy and paste this link into your browser and this will take you straight to the auction page.

Thank you for reading.


~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~

Thursday 4 November 2010

New Christmas Tote Bag Collection by Bags of Swank




Coming soon, is a new collection of Tote Bags/Shopping Bags from Bags of Swank at SimJaTa. The CHRISTMAS collection, hopefully you will find new and exciting fabrics, as I have searched high and low for original fabrics, and tried to avoid the more common ones. If/ when Mr Postie ever arrives the collection will grow. I have also spent some hours searching for further new fabrics for bags and scarves, ready for Christmas treats and gifts.
I am finally up to date with all the custom orders and currently making some gifts for my own family and friends along side the new collection. I have a couple of birthdays coming up, and need to create something special for my friend who is visiting from Ireland at the moment, then I might get onto the Christmas gifts.

Not even started the rest of my shopping as yet, but then I am awaiting the arrival of some extra finance from 2 insurances, so I can search through my favorites list on Folksy and make a start, the ladies are easily taken care of its the men I struggle with, as usual totally stuck on my Dad and even struggling with idea's for the OH, might be a trip to Amazon for him. Probably end up like every year and I will have a day of shopping at the beginning of December.

Must add my fabrics are imported, as I have found to my cost the sellers I have dealt with in the UK have not been very reliable, I was let down this week by a UK seller which has put my collection behind schedule.

Also big news this week, OH created a super slide show on my website www.bagsofswank.co.uk the wonderful people on Folksy helped me out last weekend by letting me know it was not showing on Firefox browser, well it is now! All fixed and showing off some of my collection and sales nicely.

Hope you enjoy viewing the new Christmas collection by Bags of Swank at SimJaTa.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Greyhound Gap On-line Dog Show





Greyhound Gap are running an on-line dog show until 13th November, to raise funds for their rescue Greyhounds. http://greyhoundgap.proboards.com/index.cgi.

I have a stall there with 20% of any custom orders from the site, or from a GAP member in my shop will go to Greyhound Gap. Seen in today's pictures are the tote bag I have shown with one of my late Greyhounds on, and one of the pictures I have submitted to the Photo Competition of my late Greyhounds.

It was back in 2001 on the loss of my soul companion dog Vicky I discovered that Retired Greyhounds were actually available as pets, I could not believe my eyes when I saw the amount of adverts for Greyhounds needing homes, sadly some 9 years later the problem is no better. Are you aware that Greyhounds are retired from racing at the age of 3 or 4 years old? The lucky ones are handed into rescue, this is not the time or place to discuss what happens to the ones who are not that lucky.

Greyhounds are a fantastic pets, they are very loyal, very lazy and require less exercise than you may think, often more than happy with as much or little as you give them, 20 minute walk around the block makes them happy, couple of hours in the country makes them happy, but dont expect them to run for long, the stamina is small. One thing they will require is a comfy sofa, when we adopted our second we had to get another sofa. Then, if you are really lucky they will reward you with another ten years of their super smiles and companionship.

Do take a look at the lovely dogs needing homes at Greyhound Gap, all the dogs rescued by Gap are assessed before looking for homes, so by chance if you require a dog that can live happily with your own dog(s) or indeed your cat or house rabbit (oh yes they can!) that dog can be found. Do be aware though, special care has to be taken for children in the house, and it is preferable that you dont work all day, all dogs like companionship and all rescue's do like to be sure you do have the time available to care for a dog. After 3 or 4 years in a kennel environment and only contact with people on training and race days, a Greyhound deserves plenty of love and attention in a new home.

My own Greyhounds lived happily with two Labradors and a Lurcher, they were very child friendly they adored children, but neither could live with cats, being a cat free household that was my choice to take them that way. For many years my old Mum could walk one of mine, the majority are excellent lead walkers.

Convinced? Well, ok maybe you are not in a position to offer a Greyhound a home, but perhaps you could take a look at the show, and the website to learn a bit more, next time you see a Greyhound out on the lead, say hello, and ask about the dogs background, you may be surprised.

Thank you for reading.