Two years on

I am a great believer in planning, experimenting and adapting to respond to changes. I don't necessarily do all these things as well as I would like to, but I do them all the same.

In early spring three years ago, I completed a new business plan outlining my vision for Pretty Practicals for the next few years. I carefully set about putting my plans into action and 15 months later (by late June 06) I was ready to present my business to the world. Although I had undertaken some serious market testing beforehand, Pretty Practicals was to be officially launched on 23 July 2006.

My parents have always been amazingly supportive of me and have followed, encouraged, supported, laughed with me and celebrated along the way.

I can hardly believe how quickly the last two years have flown past and this week is especially memorable for me because as I start to celebrate my business's 2nd birthday, there is also a tinge of sadness thrown into the mix.

On 17th July 2006, just 6 days before I officially launched Pretty Practicals, my father passed away. In true Dad-style, a stiff upper lip will be shown by our family tomorrow, a thought or two (and more) will stay in our minds of how much we miss him and then we will celebrate as best we can, all the good things that he gave to us and to everyone who's life he touched.

At Dad's funeral, his closest friend Peter Baskett (who sadly also passed away earlier this year) paid tribute to him, these wonderful words sum him up to a tea. To read this beautifully composed obituary click here.

A new year for Pretty Practicals is just about to begin and I am planning a little party to celebrate, so watch this space and I will tell you all about it shortly.

As always, it's time to put the kettle on,
Chat soon, Liz
All images and text copyright Pretty Practicals 2006 - 2008 except where stated. Image on this blog entry is property of Mrs Zorab.

Flying visit

Phew! What a mad dash last weekend was... I drove to my mother's house on Friday for the evening (and stayed overnight), so that I could see my little brother and his family. They were visiting my mum for three days on their way to holiday in the sunshine. It's been about 18 months since I last saw my brother (at the memorial service for my father) and I'm unlikely to see him again for a while as he lives in America with his wife and children. It was lovely to see them all again and his children, whom I haven't seen for 6 years, have grown into beautiful, bright and happy people.

Saturday lunchtime I headed back home again via the large garden centre in Hereford. Here I spent a pleasant hour selecting dozens of annuals to plant into a 3 tier jardiniere in our front garden. For my birthday early this year, I asked for gardening tokens, so this lovely shopping spree was actually my birthday present from mum and my sister. Once the plants are all in situ I will take some pictures.


Since I got back from my jolly, Dave and I have been working together again on the new look website... I hate that it takes so long from 'can we make it do this or that?' to the finished product, but continue to be amazed that Dave will merrily work away, creating a page, changing things as I request them and not grizzle at my inability to be decisive about layout, colours etc.

I am really pleased that I have found some lovely quilt designs to add to our growing collection at New Country Quilts (our specialist quilt and bedlinen website) and some gorgeous blankets and throws which have now arrived with us. In the next day or so I will get my camera out and get snapping, so that I can put them on the website.

Thursday this week sees the start of Big Brother season, okay now I have a problem... do I admit that I actually do watch BB or do I pretend that I don't and have to keep a secret all summer? Hmm, looks like I've let the cat out of the bag already. That said, I promise I won't prattle on about it for the next few weeks.

Well, I'm off to carry on adding items into the database of the new website, it's a long, slow task but a great opportunity to review everything we sell and remind myself of how much I like them. And I think probably a cuppa is well overdue, chat soon, Liz
All images copyright of image owners and text copyright Pretty Practicals 2006 - 2008 except where stated.