Sacks-n-Stories

New Reception Class Parent Meeting

2010-06-28T18:18:00.001+01:00

At my school we run a rolling 2 year programme of staff. That means the majority of the children I received into the nursery last September will be moving onto Reception Class with me. Some children leave to go to other schools and some will arrived from other settings-usually daycare. It's hard changing classes every year but good for parents and children as they have continuity. Tomorrow night we are holding our Reception Class parents meeting. Believe it or not staff get nervous about these meetings too!

The parents will find out
a. That I will be in Reception
b. Which of the two reception classes there child will be in and therefore their teachers.

I always try to watch the parents reaction when they find if they are with me or in the other class although we have freeflow between the rooms and shared outdoor. Sometimes we meet parents we've not seen before, usually the dads or a mum if a childminder is the person we see daily. Sometimes a childs personality makes complete sense afterwards.

This year I have at least 3 parents I have taught returning as parents and some I have had their siblings so know their families and have usually known them since birth.Two of these ex-pupils/now parents sang in the school choir at my wedding 22 years ago!!

Apart from being nervous about making sure they are well informed and I'm making a good impression, I will be thinking about the real honour it is to share this important phase with parents and the trust these parents are placing in us. A child's whole outlook to schooling for the next 11 years could be shaped by their first experiences and that will start with parents returning home from tomorrow nights meeting relaxed, confident and positive about what they have seen and heard.

Oh dear I'm even more nervous now!

Baby-gro moments

2010-06-19T08:28:00.005+01:00

Woke this morning to the most lovely e-mail from a regular customer.She has a cute e-mail address so I always spot an order from her. I feel for her that her youngest child is starting school this September. It's what I call a baby-gro moment. I remember how choked I was when my babies no longer fit the sleep suits with the poppers round the legs and had to wear 2 piece pyjama's. I cried my eyes out at the right of passage and since then I have called these moments 'baby-gro moments'. When the mothers day cards were no longer handmade. When I could no longer buy t-bar sandles for them in the summer.When mummy became mum (unless they want money!) When requests to help with the duster or vacum were answered with a grunt instead of delight.You don't realise until they pass how special their childhood is. I'm sure Marion will have a little weep in September but the first day at school will also be a special moment thats worth adding to the mental memory album all mothers have.

I forgot to take a picture of Alberts bag but it was this bag with multicoloured felt instead of gingham

Navy corduroy personalised bag

"Hi Jan
Not so long ago was ordering bags for my eldest going to school ~ and now we have the youngest heading off too.

Just wanted to say recieved bag today and to tell you how lovely it is ~ Albert loves it !!

The navy cord with bright felt lettering works soooo well. I am trying to think of a reason why I might need one ......

The other personalised cotton bags I have ordered over the last few years are still going strong too ~ a real credit to you !!

I'll be back again soon !! Kindest regards Marion"

Just bought the most fabulous handbag!

2010-06-14T18:01:00.004+01:00

Robin's Quilted Handbags from America

I've been a member of Etsy since 2008 but never bought anything. Last Autumn I fell for a lovely handbag to add to my collection. I have some Radley handbags and the aim is to have one for each half term of the year. My nursery children love my handbags and like to see the 'new one' after each holiday. Radley don't do a Christmas one so I went searching last year. This looked so much in keeping with the style of the rest of my bags and I really wanted it. We e-mailed about the postage to the UK from Ohio but it was going to double the cost so regretfully I let it go.

I changed Internet provider and didn't get a follow-up e-mail that arrived last November. I finally visited Etsy again in June and picked up my messages. Robin the seller had managed to find a cheaper postage !! I jumped at the chance to buy the bag 6 months later and it was certainly the right thing to do. The workmanship, attention to fine detail, presentation was all ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. I hope to buy from Robin in the future some more bags that will delight the nursery children even more.

Personalised Pink Gingham Dance Bag with Fairy

2010-06-09T20:00:00.004+01:00

I now have 7 reviews from the 11 bags posted last Friday which I think is great. I smile at the ones that address the company 'Sacks-n-Stories' or the 3rd person. It's only little ole me, 2 sewing machines and a dining table. I try my best to let people know they are getting an individual handmade item while still being professional in my approach to selling. I must get Beth to take a photo of me at 10pm hunched over the sewing machine in my little work space ie. conservatory.

Todays review is for a pink gingham bag with the addition of an appliqued fairy panel. It's an old design but I found some lost fairy panels when I had a sort out while I was off work.

Pink Gingham Fairy Bag

Strawberry tart fabric personalised girls bag

2010-06-09T10:22:00.002+01:00

Strawberry Tart Personalised Girls Bag

One of the new Prestigious fabrics 'Strawberry tart' has made a great bag for a little girl called Bella! I took the picture using my new camera. It will take a while to get used to the updated version of my old camera but I'm pleased with the photo and the bag.

Bella's mum has already ordered a second bag!

Cerise Pink Chinese Silk Embroidered Laundry Bag-reviewed

2010-06-08T20:06:00.002+01:00

One of the items that tends to get overlooked in the shop has received a nice review from a customer who bought 3 laundry bags for her children.Its a beautiful fabric and its worth taking a closer look at the detail.

I received my order of three laundry sacks from you last week and I and my children are over the moon with them! The quality of the bags is excellent, very strong and beautifully made. My daughter especially loves her pink chinese silky laundry bag as she is 9 going on 14 and thinks it looks very sophisticated! Thank you also for your prompt delivery. I will not hesitate to recommend your bags to anyone - I am a primary school teacher and I'm sure I'll be ordering a feely bag and some storage bags for my classroom very soon!!

Pink Chinese Silk Laundry Bag

Beth's A level English Literature-book llist

2010-06-08T09:13:00.002+01:00

Beth's got the study list for her English Literature A level's and I can't wait. She wants to read them this summer after her exams finish. We were going to ask my baby sister Gail who has degree in English literature (and a house wall papered with book shelfs!) if she had any of them but I've decided to study them properly you need licence to make notes, highlight, crease etc. I'm looking forward to reading them myself.

The Kite Runner-K Hossein which I've not heard of

The Great Gatsby-F. Scott Fitzgerald-great film!

Othello-Loving it and if we'd have know we would have tried to see Lenny Henry who won rave reviews.

A Streetcar Named Desire-Tennesee Williams

Going to contact Danni at The Literacy gift company to try make up a package. I bought a beautiful pendant from her for Gails 40th of the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland. Gail has 8 cats but no kids and has one particular large cat who just reminds us of the Cheshire cat

Cheshire Cat Pendant

Santa Christmas Sacks in June

2010-06-08T08:51:00.002+01:00

Today I'm making a Santa Sack for a repeat customer in Ireland. Making Santa Sacks in June feels a bit strange. Last week I was sewing one in 80 degrees and at least today it is raining. The earliest order for a Santa sack is February!! When I checked it was the last piece of 'Rudolf on red' for the ruffle so I've deleted the listing and photo's. It's always sad when a popular good selling fabric sells out. It's like saying goodbye to an old friend.

I found two more Christmas fabrics I'd not listed. One needs photographing and the other 'holly wreaths on white' cotton craft fabric I've added to the site.

Personalised Santa Sack in red with holly wreaths

I'm having a rethink about the direction I want Sacks-n-Stories to go in so I may delete some other listings but I will need to take a deep breath first!

A second lovely review in one day!

2010-06-07T17:08:00.004+01:00

Another lovely review has come in from a different customer in the same day! I was recommended to her by her sister-in-law for a bag for her two year old starting school in July so thats nice. She choose one of the new Prestigious fabrics called 'chips' in nautical stripes. It's always exciting to make up a new fabric and I was thrilled with the results. I think if I had a little boy it would be a choice I would make although with red lettering I think it would be nice for a girl and nautical colours are very now!

A lovely review from a customer

2010-06-07T13:28:00.013+01:00

A new customer bought two bags last week. Both bags were from my new fabrics. We e-mailed about which side the fairy bag had the name on. She was happy to leave it up to me. For photographing on the website it would have been better on the fairy side but I felt the name 'Lily' disappeared so I placed it on the gingham side. She has left lovely feedback about the bags which is especially nice when its a new customer and about new fabrics.I have a few pink ginghams now. This new one is a woven broad weave.

Bag for a new grandma

2010-06-06T19:56:00.004+01:00

My next door neighbour Ann became a grandma recently. Grannie Annie as she's now know. I made her a bag from a fabric that had been in the shop but not attracted attention. Being white 100% cotton with fine pink flowers printed on it was difficult to photograph at its best. Gracie now has a bag that matches Grannie Annies pink kitchen to keep all her bits and bobs in for when she visits.

More new fabrics for personalized pe bags-summer 2010

2010-06-06T12:43:00.013+01:00

Yet more new fabrics for Summer 2010 at Sacks-n-stories Personalised school and nursery bags

strawberry tart
pirate skull and cross bones

fine polka dot pink

lilac pinpoint polka dot

ABC-red

ABC-blue

funky farm

spots

chips -bright colours

More new fabrics for personalized pe bags-summer 2010

2010-06-06T12:30:00.011+01:00

chips-nautical colours cheeky monkey greenspotsnautical pirate patchworkfairiessafari fabric-blueDuring my lay off after my little operation I was back at Prestigious fabrics a couple of weeks ago investing in some new fabrics. Laying out moeny for fabrics based on my personal choices and my insight into what a fabris will look like made up is a bit scary. I admit the choices I make may not be right for a younger more chic mum-its always a gamble.

Sometime a fabric suprises me selling well or not selling when I love it. Regulars have already picked over my cheaper sample bag listings and that gives me a heads up as to which will sell.

Life turns in circles

2010-06-06T12:14:00.002+01:00

The road ahead forked when I was Beth's age-textiles or children?? Beth sitting those GCSE's has reminded me of my own O'levels. I'd always sewn and loved young children. The choice came down to family circumstances and I wonder how my life would have been different had I taken the other route. I needed the shortest route to being a wage earner-there was only me and mum and the financial support just wasn't there for single parent families in the early 70's. You didn't even get family allowance for the first child until 1977!

School tried to get me to do textiles as I'd gained the highest scored A grade O level in Domestic Science B ever achieved (needlework was the common name!) A for Art in the new 16plus where I used used mixed media to great a range of products based on the a simple little girl design. I recall a cross stitch, stationery range, lino block printing, batik and using the fabric to make items including a tote bag! They must be in the loft somewhere although I do know the glass is broken on the cross stitch.

Here I am burnt out from 31 years of early years education having started September 1979 back into textiles and designing. Life has turned a circle indeed...

Life is moving on

2010-06-06T11:56:00.004+01:00

Beth with Andrew on the day they left school-they started nursery on the same day!!

Life is moving on and getting faster. Beth my eldest daughter left school last week and now faces a couple of weeks of exams before she returns to the 16th form. It doesn't seem 13 years since instead of making pe bags for friends children I was making one for my own 3 year old.I thought I'd not get the chance to make one for my own child then after 6 years someone smiled on us. I keep asking her to get it out of her memory box so I can take a photograph of the original personalised PE bag for the website. Its has an appliqued girl on skipping. I need to scan all those baby items I made for her too-quilt, nappy bag even her bouncy chair all with an appliqued strippy clown on.All those early items were made with so much love. I may even make the clown design into a bag-now that would look good!

Story sacks

2010-02-21T08:52:00.004Z

A behaviour support unit in a nearby authority wanted to create story sacks for a series of mood story books they use in therapy sessions with young children. They needed to be large to hold the props they required. They bought from my 'rainbow of colours' collection of gingham storage bags matching the colours to suit the themes of the books-sad, worried, angry, alone. I was able to make them slightly deeper my adjusting my measurements.

Circle Games teaching bag

2010-02-21T08:48:00.002Z

I made some bags for a school in London. They liked them so much they came back for more!! They already had 'Circle Games' but wanted another. I wasn't 100% happy with the first one as I used capital letters for it and it seemed to throw the balance off. The new one was made with lower case and I think on black it looks great!!

Talking Bags for teachers

2010-02-21T08:39:00.009Z

I was approached by a headteacher in Kent to make 'Talking Bags' in the style of my 'Sound Bag' for each classroom and one for her office!! Getting children talking is very important for their literacy skills. The colours were to match the names of the classes-Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire.... 'Talking Bag' has been added to my teaching resource bags

Multiple orders

2010-02-21T08:33:00.004Z

It's nearing the end of the tax years for budgets and I've had lots of large multiple orders from public service departments.

Nottingham materity unit now have lilac and pink gingham storage bags for their midwives for a more homely way to carry their equipment between delivery suites.

My favourite fabric manufacturer

2009-12-26T15:49:00.003Z

Prestigious fabrics are local but its not just because they are local that I use their fabrics. I can always be confident that their fabrics are of the best quality and will stand the test of time for wear and tear.

Pink girls personalised bag

2009-12-26T15:44:00.005Z

One of the new fabrics has already been made up and looks great.... a good quality fabric by one of my favourite fabric manufacturers-Prestigious

New fabrics for boys personalised PE bags

2009-12-26T15:37:00.007Z

...and more new fabrics for boys personalsied PE bags

New girls fabrics for January 2010

2009-12-26T15:30:00.006Z

I've had some new fabrics hidden away while I concentrated on Christmas Santa Sacks. My fingers have been itching to make them up.

The blog has been sadly neglected

2009-12-26T15:28:00.002Z

Business had been so good the blog has be neglected for far too long. It's Boxing day and the family are busy with their sale purchases and playing on the Beatles Rock band on the WII, so time to add new items.

Shiny sensory tactile bag

2009-06-15T21:56:00.002+01:00

When I was originally requested to do this bag it was going to be gold like my black christmas sack but when I looked the silver was more 'shiny'. It was difficult to sew as the black has a stretch and the sliver is SO slippery. Even with pinning and tacking it was hard to keep the lettering straight. The next one may have jiggly letters then any movement in the fabric won't show.

Eid RE teaching resource bag

2009-06-15T21:53:00.001+01:00

This new RE bag will be added to the site shortly. A fabric suitable for Eid was requested so I choose this bright retro fabric. The lettering could be lime green as shown, bright pink or yellow.

Halloween Teaching Resource bag

2009-06-15T21:51:00.002+01:00

This new halloween story bag had to be in orange with black lettering!!. It looked good but the bats make it better. My daughter drew the outline of the bat as she's a goth!

Diwali teaching resource bag

2009-06-15T21:46:00.002+01:00

A new member of the teaching resource bag selection.Available in a choice of colours it features multicoloured lettering and a diva lamp with gold flame. I'm aware Divali can be spelt many phonetic ways so I have given the option of alternate spelling.

Time!

2009-06-15T21:42:00.003+01:00

It's a busy time at school at the moment-trips, reports, profiles, new childrens meetings and visits. I've not had change to update the blog and twitter is much quicker to keep people upto date. I now have a twitter window on my links page so people can see when their item has been made.

A recent customer ordered 14 bags many of them unique and there have been a pleasure to make.

2009-05-03T20:17:00.001+01:00

I've now joined twitter so I can add 'live news' to my link page

May Day Bank Holiday-to lazy to do anything!

2009-05-02T16:26:00.002+01:00

I had high hopes of achieving lots today but I've done nothing! Had a really lazy day and should be doing loads. The new puppy is too much of a distraction as he wants to play.

My host company has made some changes which may effect my google pick up. Not really sure what problems I should be looking for so I'll just cross my fingers and hope.

My work area is boxed off from Archie but he's growing so fast I need to build the baracades higher.

I have orders to complete but with no post Monday the drive to complete them is not there.

oh!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Easter Saturday-new family member

2009-04-11T08:48:00.006+01:00

Not really to do with the web site but we have a new family member. A 7 week old border terrier pup called Archie.I've changed the heading on the website as we are no longer a 'pet free home'.He manages about 20 minutes frantic play then crashes for 2 hours, eats , pee's and plays again.Michael and Beth have gone to Scarborough to see the scooters at their traditional Easter meet on the sea front. Laura's still in bed and Archie is alseep in his basket. When Laura wakes we are going to sort and puppy proof the back room and conservatory where i sew. He will not have access when home alone but I'm hoping for his company while I sew.

Half term- new Ikea fabrics

2009-04-07T17:06:00.008+01:00

http://www.sacks-n-stories.co.uk/ikea-malena-multi-fabric-retro-laundry-bag-storage-sack--1017-p.asp

It's half term and things are REALLY busy. Returning customers with new babies, mums preparing for starting school in September and some requests. I have a large order for a school to balance with in coming sales. Yesterday morning I had 19 orders, made and posted 9 and by bedtime had 18 to make !!!

I don't get time to update the blog as much as I'd like. I took on an extra helper at Christmas and its been steady but quieter since Christmas. In fact just right, but if its carries on as we approach 'back to school' time I may give her work again. She just does the boring edging bit but it does help speed things up.

I managed to list some bargain listings at the weekend for fabric that has been stood waiting . There are 3 new ikea 70's retro fabrics. The one I thought I would like best- the patchwork-has been outshone by the multicoloured one. The fabric is called Malena and although 100% cotton is very supple. The first sample bag has been sold and made in the multicoloured and I like it much better made up than as flat fabric.

It's also the end of the tax year and although I have been good with the books I need to do March and prepare for the dreaded return.

Teaching resource sack in green

2009-02-03T20:24:00.003Z

The teaching resource bag has now been made in bright green. The customer wanted the frog fabric but I only have enough left for a small bag. I think it works well with 'Frogs' but could have any wording.

Song Sack

2009-01-17T17:55:00.002Z

The first Song Sack in the new fabric has been made in blue but its also avaiable in other colours.

Pink Gingham

2009-01-17T17:45:00.003Z

The photo nightmare still continues!! however....

Pink gingham is always popular but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find good quality pink gingham at a price that makes my bags worth making and at a price customers are willing to pay.

I found some lovely good quality thick woven bright pink gingham but its cream and not white. While I think its really nice it remains to be seen if customers will go for it. I would call it a 'strawberry and cream' gingham.

Photo nightmare

2009-01-11T09:36:00.002Z

When I set up my website I cut and pasted the custom pages from my e-bay shop. A month ago I finally closed my e-bay shop. One month later my photo's are starting to disappear from my website as they are no longer being 'hosted'. It's been a bit of a shock to realise the main pages picked up by google are empty. I'm slowly re uploading them to my shop host server but boy is it a lengthy process. I have to balance it with sewing/customer requests/ home life and the demands of my fulltime job. Once its done that will be it unless a fabric sells out or I buy a new one.

It's one of the reasons I wanted a website. Constantly listing and relisting on e-bay was a pain. With the website I cut up my fabric, photograph and list and then once the amount of stock from the cut fabric is added forget about it.

Song Sack, Phonic Bag, Sound bag

2009-01-10T18:07:00.003Z

At the request of a regular customer, I have this afternoon added medium bags to the teaching resource bag category. They are made of 100% cotton craft fabric which come in narrower widths than most fabric. This makes a slighty smaller than my laundry bag and larger then the small sacks item.

I've done a stock take of my fabric and added colour choices. I can have stock for the whole item but not of option choices so I've had to limit it to 1 in stock and will re-list each as sold.

I've listed phonic bag, song sack and sound bag but I'm open to ideas for wording subject to space on the bags and the additional work involved.Someone at Christmas wanted 'Merry Christmas I love you Daniel' on a sack!!

It's very hard to word listings that are fully understood by customers. I re-read them but because I know what I mean its hard to judge.

New fabrics for bags

2009-01-07T22:10:00.008Z

Now the PC is fixed this evening I have completed 4 bag orders, uploaded some photo's and put 2 fabrics that have been stored on sale in my bargain corner although there's lots more to list!!

One is a Racing car design. The last racing car fabric I had sold well. Someone was selling the last one on E-bay as Laura Ashley fabric but as it didn't have the name on the edge and I'd not seen it in my local Laura Ashley shop I never sold it as such. Its a brightly coloured busy print in 100% cotton by one of my favourites-Prestigious Fabrics. It would go with so many colours for the lettering

The second is a very thick Skopos fabric which I love-so much my daughter had curtains made out of it. It has circle patterns in purples and lilacs on a pale lime green.

I can't wait to see them both made up into personalised gym bags

Yippeee

2009-01-07T12:17:00.003Z

PC has been repaired this morning and touch wood all files appear ok. The PC man says its his last week as he is being made redundant on Friday. He works for a repair company who are subcontracted but not sure if that was by PC world or Hewlard Packard-which ever it is they must be tightening their belts. Worrying times ahead this year.

I didn't know what to say to him. Michaels been out of work twice and its a terrible experience. It's also why I have this little business as additional backup.

Saturday Orders

2009-01-03T22:13:00.002Z

I've completed one of the orders but then the plastic disc that holds on the bobbin pinged off. I searched but couldn't find it so I closed down the conservatory and will look tomorrow.

The conservatory is my sewing room. It opens off the backroom which is where the PC and ironning board is so I'm always moving between the 2 rooms. I can also see the TV from there so I don't feel to out of family life.

It was a red gingham bag. The thicker gingham which is nice to work with.Another order came for a red pinpoint polka dot that only leaves one.I need to get listing those new fabrics so hope my files are not too damaged.

Wrong about Dr Who

2009-01-03T22:11:00.001Z

Well I got it wrong about Dr Who. I've not seen any of the programmes the new one has been in so I've got no idea what kind of Dr he will be

Back to School Monday

2009-01-03T15:39:00.002Z

I need to spend time tomorrow sorting out my things for the new half term. I'm working with a new teacher until her TA who's on bereavement leave returns. I have to plan for 3 half days of PPA as well. I don't mind doing the cover its the written planning I don't like.

The topic umbrella is 'Can I help you?' and we are starting with in school.....my mind is a blank at the moment. I hoping when I get my box out ideas will arrive. One PPA is music but I can't see where that will link.

I have to sacks to make tonight but going to watch who's the new Dr Who first. I hope its Paterson Joseph as I really like him and he will make a good Dr.

The PC went up in a puff of smoke!

2009-01-03T15:31:00.002Z

While working on the PC New years eve it suddenly went puff! Why do things always happen when you need them.I was hoping to spend New Years Day adding more new fabrics and products including the magic bag, sound bag and song sack. There's an engineer coming to see it on Wednesday as its the power supply that's fried.It's still under warranty as its only 9 month old!!. It remains to be seen what remains of my files and photo's and all the accounts work I did over Christmas.

Laura's lent me her PC so I can access my site but I have no photo's to upload so there is no point listing.I can't seem to log on to the new e-mail address host either just when I'd updated the site and business cards with the details.

Things never go smoothly....

Forgotten how to do links!

2008-12-30T14:21:00.002Z

The revisions to my site are now complete so I've been working on the content of the extra pages. I'm struggling with the links page. I was advised that links on your site is good for SEO but not to have them on the front page as people wander off your site. I've added a page just for links but I've forgotten how to put logos that are links . If I don't use a memory cell for 48 hours its dies!!!

2008-12-29T15:50:00.004Z

I've been busy at the PC the last couple of days but that doesn't involve moving very far from the fire! I've made a few site visions-well a major change of layout and colours really. I spent time doing some new custom pages-story sack guides, customer comments, links page but they are not showing??

I've spent time on the dreaded accounts and all receipts and sales are now up to date. Hit a few snags completing the accounting program so taking a break from that but feel much happier about the state of my record keeping.

After the site being down since the beginning of December I've done a big stock take on fabric that were listed and started adding stored fabrics.

Girls personalised bags is nearly complete and I'm gradually adding baby and boys fabrics

back to it.....

Sacks-n-Stories-by-jan: Can't get going!!

2008-12-29T15:28:00.000Z

Sacks-n-Stories-by-jan: Can't get going!!

Can't get going!!

2008-12-29T15:14:00.000Z

Its Monday between Christmas and New Year. We've had every intention of achieving lots over the holidays-mainly decorating. What have we done??? Nothing!!!

So I've started a blog while my husband is watching the original black and white Oliver Twist on TV.I've been meaning to do it for ages so I suppose something has come of our lack of energy. I'm not reallly sure what a blog is or what it can do for my business. I believe its like a diary to I'm going to use it like that.