Spring has sprung and BB Towers was decorated in all its Easter glory.
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| knitted chick anyone? |
I make a trip to South Wales to see my dad who is very poorly. we spend a lovely afternoon egg rolling and generally enjoying Easter and each others company.
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| Visiting my dad |
Having set my writing to one side over the last year or so to pursue my photography and The Vintage pamper box I decide to start approaching editors with ideas. My dads illness has made me realise I really do need to seize the day a bit more. I'm quickly commissioned to write a few pieces which is encouraging. Ive also decided to start writing more regularly for my blog.I shoot my first "Betty Bee's How To" feature for Vintage Life magazine. Showing readers how to make a cakestand.
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| Photography for my first Vintage Life piece |
As Bopalena is at the beginning of May I'm promoting the event like a mad woman. Handing out flyer's, doing interviews, sending out press releases. Billy Butler has us back on his show which is great and definitely helps sell those last few tickets.
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| Hugging Billy Butler |
I go and see the Jets who my husband absolutely loved as a kid with Lilly and Mr Von Pink at the fab Rock for ruby night.
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At the Jets
I finish April with the news that our lovely picture of Dani California dressed as 1920s flapper is to be featured in the Burlesque Bible. Happy days! |
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| Burlesque Bible |
May
Bopalena is a go go and its a great success. Total sell out.Phew
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| me comparing-badly |
Who knew Liverpool could attract so many rock n roll and burlesque fans. We have stalls, a Miss Rock n Roll burlesque competition and some amazing bands including Furious, The Twangmasters and the Red hot Trio.
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| Fanny Divine |
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| Red Hot Trio |
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| Furious |
I act as compare which is quite nerve wracking. I'm so proud that all our hard work has paid off. Totally exhausted by it all though.How people promote events full time is beyond me.
Its great to see the photos we took of Fanny Divine being used by Vivien of Holloway
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| Vivien of Holloway advert |
And the lovely Bobby-Lou gets married-an absolutely scrumptious day. Mr Bee takes photos, Lilly does the hair and make up and I write an article about the whole event which is featured on various wedding blogs.
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| With the lovely Bobby-Low |
My first feature for Vintage Life is published-How To make a garden bench
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| Betty Bees How To |
I also squeeze in some pamper day bookings including a lovely one at a swanky apartment in Liverpool.
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| Blowing you a kiss |
My dad dies on the 19th of May. Really really sad. What else can I say.
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| Goodbye dad |
June
I'm mentioned on the cover of this months Vintage Life which features the rather lovely Caro Emerald.
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| My names on the cover-woo ho |
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| How to make a cake stand |
I have a hilarious night out at the Crimson Whip burlesque show which ends in me on the stage shaking what my mama gave me. The shame, the shame.
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| With the fabulous Em Brule |
July
I decide magazine articles are like buses. You write loads of them over a period of six months and then they are all published in the same month.In July I'm featured in "Edge" the business magazine writing about working from home, "Lets G"o the kids guide with an article on how to get great family snaps and a How to feature in "Vintage Life" showing readers how to upcycle a sun lounger.I'm also featured in the Guardian newspaper Crafts section.
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| Edge mag |
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| Vintage Life |
July is also a mad month for Vintage pamper events, especially hen parties.
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| Vintage hen parties are us |
We also managed to squeeze in some new photos of me and Lilly to use on our promotional materials.
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| Strike a pose-new promo shots |
Delighted that the Vintage pamperbox is now sponsored by the amazing Rockalilly lipstick. The coolest lipstick brand around.
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| We love Rockalily |
I got very hot and sweaty going to see Brian Setzer at Rockabilly Riot. An amazing gig.
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| Rockabilly Riot with the blond bombshells |
July also sees me directing a promo for Sony PlayStation's new Vita console. Its on a boiling hot day and the shoot culminates on a roof in Liverpool. A great laugh and nice to dust off my directors chair for a change.Lilly works on the shoot as the MUA so its a good day.
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| Up on the roof |
August
August was much the same as July, busy, busy, busy with Vintage pamper days. We held some great events including a lovely 1920's themed day.
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| 1920's pamper ladies |
And a great rock n roll pamper party
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| Rock n roll pamper gals |
I was also very entertained to see myself made into a huge banner which was used by Vintage Life at the Vintage at Goodwood festival.
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| the banner with my face on-hilarious |
On the writing front I'm in the Guardian again this time with a Marie Antoinette inspired clock and in Creative Crafting magazine.
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| Modern Life is rubbish lets get crafting |
I also fit in a holiday to Florida, taking my daughter to Disneyland-its magical and we love every minute.Whilst on holiday I'm contacted by Cico Publishing who want me to write a hand made wedding crafts books for them. I say yes, obviously.
September
Its Mr Bees 40th Birthday so I throw him a huge party. its a great laugh which as usual culminates in lots of singing and dancing.The whole party is rock n roll themed and he has Stray cat cupcakes and a drum riser birthday cake.
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| Stray Cat Cup Cakes |
October
Its still busy with pamper days and now that Lilly is expecting another baby (a little girl due in April) we decide to start slowing down the pamper days in the new year otherwise baby Von Pink may be born whilst mama Pink is curling someones hair.
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| One of our fabulous hens |
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| Beautiful Bettie pagelike from a Hollywood at home pamper session |
Still busy on the writing front. This month I'm in Vintage Life and Creative Crafting.
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| Creative Craft Magazine Halloween feature |
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| Vintage Life |
I also throw my little girl a Halloween party.Turning the garden into a graveyard and making spooky food. It goes down very well.
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| The Bee Family in full Halloween mode |
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| Flower Pumpkinheads |
November
This is a really busy month on the writing front. I have to complete a third of my book for Cico so they can start putting the basic layout and design together. its exciting to think that next year a book with my name on will be in the shops but I'm such a perfectionist that getting all the projects made and photographed is quite stressful. looking forward to the Christmas break.I'm featured twice in this months Vintage Life and also in Creative Crafting magazine.
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| Creative Crafting magazine |
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| Shaking my cocktails in Vintage Life |
I also embrace my inner nerd and go to see the latest instalment of Twilight with fellow Twihard Lena. its ace and yes we do wear Jewellery to match the occasion.
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| Team Edward all the way |
December
So here we are. Ive had a lovely December, getting ready for Christmas, catching up with friends, holding a fuddle,
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| catching up with the Yayas |
making clothes, baking, crafting and being with my family.
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| With little Miss Dollychops |
Looking over the past year its been fairly full on. Who knows what 2012 will bring.One thing I can probably say is that if 2011 is anything to go by it wont be boring. I promise to blog about it and hope you will check in.
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