The week ahead... (with an update)

So much to do this week - and it doesn't look like Rudolph is in a particularly energetic mood, so guess it's all down to me...

 Working hard

I have decided to do the big office move this weekend coming - 31st - and arranged all the insurance etc accordingly. And in the meantime, it's on with the re-brand and aiming to launch by the end of the week.

So all being well the week looks like this:

Today: sale orders, empty inbox (500 emails - gaah), write giant to-do list
Wednesday - Friday: work on rebrand
Saturday - Sunday: move office

So, if all goes according to plan, this time next week I'll be in a new office with a new website. Can it possibly happen...?!



***********************

Update:

Friday the 30th and I am about two days behind schedule. Still drawing illustrations for the new website and it's so hard to rush these things - well it is when you're not a natural artist. And a a surprising number of sale orders still coming in. But I am hopeful I'll be launching in next few days.... :)

A new home for Cottontails

Over on the Facebook and Twitter pages I have been mentioning some 'exciting news' and 'a few changes' - and I am finally in a position to reveal what is happening. Cottontails is moving home!

Yes after several years of working from home, I have taken the plunge and rented some office space.

Cottontails' new home!

I signed the contract yesterday and can pick up the keys midnight tonight. (I probably won't. I will pick them up tomorrow...)

It is perfect - just over 500 square feet so plenty of room for stock, office area, packing area. It has a bit of 'character' which is so important to me, and it is just a few miles away, a converted farm on the way into Hereford.

It's not a big business center by any means, but there's a farm shop and cafe, and a few other businesses - hopefully I'll make some friends. So, I am really looking forward to moving out of the spare bedroom, and claiming a little bit of space for me and Cottontails to grow :)

The Great Bromyard Bake Off

At last, a little post to cover events at this year's Bromyard Gala Handicrafts and Cookery Show (which took place last month, apologies for delay, have been recovering from all the baking....) I thought today was a good day to finally get around to it as the new series of Great British Bake Off starts tonight and I, for one, can't wait. I tell you what though, one cookery show a year - and a local, small town one at that - is more than enough for me, hats off to the BBC contestants tonight!

Anyway, as ever I entered an ambitious number of classes (fourteen I think?) and damn near finished myself off baking until 3am the night before the show.

.

Here are a few pictures I took along the way. Sorry about the lack of Cottontails animals - it was all a bit of a whirlwind in the kitchen and the fabric bunnies were wisely keeping out of the way.

The planning stage. Not sure what the tin of cocoa is doing there.

The makings of strawberry jam

Five chocolate brownies

 

Five iced biscuits (the Cottontails Bunny Biscuit recipe of course!)

Five cheese scones (second attempt, not sure what happened to the first lot but they were more like biscuits...)

 

Savoury quiche (about 7")

A spot of spoon-licking (think this was during the chocolate sandwich making?)

 

At the show... my 'Tea on the Terrace' display 

(homemade jam, iced buns, elderflower cordial, cards and flower display)

 

The first few treacle tarts are displayed... (mine's front left)

Some prizes! 

 

A final note - this post isn't entirely unrelated to Cottontails business. I have decided to create and develop a proper children's cookery department, it's a passion of mine, something which excites me and brings a smile to my face, and is one of a few changes and developments coming to Cottontails. So watch this space....!