The post holiday meltdown...

As lovely as it was to have a couple of weeks holiday, the pay off for any small business owner is always the tidal wave of orders, emails and messages that build up while you're away. I got back to work this Monday, and I'm just about up to date with things now after a few days of real 'nose to the grindstone' type long hours!

So with my little moment of time I have this afternoon I thought I'd share a very rare image with you taken during our holiday... this is my dad, baking a cake. And not just any cake - the very first cake he's ever baked. In fact, the first of anything he's made food-wise (if you don't include tea making and biscuit tin pilfering)!

What the photo doesn't reveal is my mum off camera, with hands to cheeks and more than an air of anxiety! And what you can't tell from the picture either is that seconds after it was taken he decided he couldn't 'fit' all the cake mix in the tins so he might as well eat the rest. And we won't mention the icing debacle... let's just say it came out quite runny... 

But hey, there's a first time for everything - although I have an idea it'll be the last time too, if my mum has anything to say about it!

As well as going to stay with my mum and dad down in Somerset, we had a few days at home, stay-cation style, with day trips out and about in our lovely Norfolk. One of our days out took us to a smashing park in Norwich next to the University campus. It has a lovely clear bubbling stream and Freddy couldn't believe his luck when we told him he could actually go in!

It's unbelievable to think we've only got just over a week left of the school summer holidays - the summer always goes so fast! Before you know it we'll be nearing Christmas... in fact, now I've said that I've realised I can't stick around any longer, I've got some new goodies for the website I really need to get started on!

What have you been up to during the summer, been anywhere nice?

Sarah x

Summer Holiday time!

Just a quick reminder that I'm now away on my summer break for a couple of weeks. You're still very welcome to place orders while I'm away, the PhotoFairytales website is still open, but just be aware that I won't be able to start your order now until I'm back on August 21st so there will be a delay I'm afraid.

Sarah x

Spotlight on Wow Thank You - the British marketplace for crafters and artisans

It might be the height of summer right now, but the weather has a determinedly 'British Blighty' feel to it this week! I'm heading off for a couple of weeks' holiday next week, so it looks as though it'll be windy trips to the seaside trying to stop our chips or ice cream from taking flight!

Oh well, I prefer the seaside when it's good and blustery, and a bit damp - it's character building!

Before I head off though, I wanted to show you a few things I've discovered this week on wowthankyou.co.uk. It's a British online marketplace for UK designers, crafters and artisans and there's a huge range of items there waiting to be discovered - here's just a few:

British handmade gifts at wowthankyou.co.uk

1: Gin Chopping Board, from DaleWood Craft Designs - engraved and personalised solid beech chopping boards, ideal for chopping your lemon when you're fixing that perfect British G&T!
2: Personalised Pudding Dessert Spoon, from Impressions to Keep - a vintage silver-plated spoon personalised to order - a stylish way to eat your Eton Mess this summer...
3: Beefeater Felt Name Garland, from Fuzzy P's Crafts - handmade to order, these gorgeous garlands add a fun finishing touch to your child's bedroom or the baby's nursery.
4: London Bus canvas print, from PhotoFairytales - created to order and personalised with your chosen name and date, a lovely gift for a new baby or child's birthday.
5: Calming Lavender Gift Set, from Just Be Natural - luxury handmade treats created using Carshalton lavender, a heritage lavender favoured by Queen Victoria herself!
6: Handmade Chocolate Buttons, from Cocoa & Heart - yes, these really are chocolate! Stunning handmade Belgian chocolates lovingly created by hand in Kent.
7: Bicycle Basket Garland, from Anne's Floral Gifts - fun, quirky and quintessentially British: who wouldn't want a handmade flower garland on their bike!

Have a browse around the site, I'm sure you'll find some new discoveries you'll love!

Sarah x

Last minute Father's Day gifts - still time to order a personalised print!

Last minute Father's Day gifts - beautiful personalised prints for him

It's Father's Day this weekend, but if you haven't got anything planned yet don't worry there's still time - but be quick!

Order a 10x8" size print before 5pm today and I'll make sure it's dispatched 1st class tomorrow. There are some great ideas here, but find even more over in the Gifts for Him section on PhotoFairytales.

1. 'I Love You this Much...' personalised print, available in a range of colours, £15.95
2. Father's Day personalised print, available in a range of colours and wording styles, £15.95
3. Cook's Conversion Chart, personalised and available in a choice of colours, from £15.95
4. Family Print 'Tree' Design, range of colours and other styles available, from £15.95
5. Superhero personalised print, £15.95
6. 'Giant Vegetable' personalised Vintage Print, other designs available, £15.95
7. 'Always be Yourself: Captain America' personalised print, other characters available, from £15.95

A gorgeous wall print, created and personalised just for Dad or Grandad!

Remember, only the 8x10" size prints can be guaranteed to be dispatched on Friday - there are other designs available too, so do take a look on the website. All prices shown include 1st class recorded delivery. When you place your order, pop a note in the 'special instructions' space on the order form to let me know you need it for Father's Day and I'll make sure the order is prioritised for you!

Sarah x

Brand New: personalised Canvas Prints

'Bee's Knees' personalised canvas - a lovely gift for all ages in a bright, summery dotty yellow!

I'm really pleased to announce the arrival of lots of fresh new canvas designs for the summer!

All the latest new designs have been gathered on one page on the PhotoFairytales site, so you can easily find them. Each one can be personalised, and there are designs to suit all ages and occasions.

With Father's Day just around the corner, a personalised canvas would make a really thoughtful and lasting gift for dads and grandads. Be quick though: last orders for delivery in time for the 18th is next Tuesday (the 13th June)!

STOP PRESS: I'm running a brilliant Flash Sale on the 8x8" and 10x10" canvas prints over on Facebook right now - but be quick, its for a very limited time only! Visit the PhotoFairytales page now by clicking here.

My artwork designs are printed onto canvas and assembled by a small family-run business based in England who specialise in creating quality prints. The canvases are stretched over strong, quality wooden frames with corner wedges to ensure the correct tension.

There are 20 new designs added to the existing wide range, so lots to choose from!

'Daddy Snores' - a sweet gift for dad this Father's Day!

I really hope you like the new designs - which one is your favourite? 

'Princess Kitten' and 'Bear Prince' - perfect for a child's bedroom or baby's nursery

Oh, and don't forget to take a look at the Discounts and Giveaways page (link at the top of this page) as I'm running that FANTASTIC limited time offer on all canvases AND a giveaway too!

Sarah x