June 5th 2007

We have just exhibited for the first time at Pulse at Earls Court, and what an elegant and enjoyable show. If you are a retailer this is a fantastic trade show.  Here I was exhibiting our Christmas range of wicker decorations, and at the last minute I decided to include our Easter products on the stand. We were amazed by the order levels of the Easter products and yet again Pink and Green are the key trend colours. Our Egg wreaths were popular with several stores who were going to sell them all year round...amazing!

June 21st 2007

Last night I had an absolute hoot running a course. Max our delightful host invited me to run a course at her beautiful home close to Lincoln Cathedral.  She invited close friends to attend a wrapping course in a surprise for her sister Vikki who's over from Australia to celebrate the big birthday.  We kicked off with a cheeky champagne on the roof terrace and laughed our way through four hours of wrapping.. breaking for a sumptous afternoon tea.  I returned back to the office with a huge grin, stretched waistband and my first client from Australia!!   What a super experience...

July 31st 2007

Yesterday was photo shoot day for our Christmas and Easter collections.  We are very grateful to Max and Ron who not only let us use their super home for the shoot but were also so hospitable and kind. I'm praying one day that they will open this fabulous place in to a B+B, as this would be the place to stay in Lincoln with a wow factor, and would be top of my recommendation list!

August 17th 2007

Today was the photo shoot for the Country Homes and Interiors feature. 

I would like to thank Max, Allie and Clemmie for being superb students, and Polly and Charlotte for such

an easy and enjoyable day..Even Margo the beloved black Labrador managed to get infront of the camera!

You can read the 5 page article in the January 2008 issue which will be out and Christmas and full of

expert Gift Wrapping Tips!

August 27th 2007

Despite this being a bank holiday I had a very enjoyable day in Haselmere, Surrey where I trained the

staff at the 2 Noggs stores on the High Street. Everyone was full of enthusiasm and I would like to thank

Nina and Chris for being so hospitable. If you're in the area, they have a super range of gifts and you can

now have them professionally gift wrapped too!

August 31st 2007

Lots and Lots of Preperation today as I'm heading off to the Autumn Fair for a few days to run seminars

for those eager retailers desperate to wrap in time for their Christmas rush!

If you fancy coming along you can find a link to Autumn Fair on the homepage.

September 3rd 2007

I was amazed how popular the Gift Wrapping demonstrations were at the Autumn Fair Talking Point Seminars..

All of the demonstrations were crammed full and I'm sorry if you didn't get your free handout, however

you can get one from the Autumn Fair link on the homepage.

It's very encouraging to see such a large turnout of retailers taking a gift wrapping service seriously!

September 29th 2007

This book I absolutely love..It's Secret Services by Cary Whitley.  It's an absolute must for those who have action packed lives and want a book on everything from Renting your own small cinema, Buying tickets for sold out events, Great party and wedding ideas, Nanny Hire to Pet Fairs and Free Personal Shoppers.  It's your very own pocket concierge and is available from Fab Publishing for £12.99 (Order line 0870 4430035)

You will find me featured on Page 52 under 'Nothing plain about this Jane'

I met Cary several years ago when she came on a gift wrapping course and I wish her the best with this

fantastic must have publication (I will certainly be giving a few of these as Christmas Presents!)

I will make sure I have several copies in the shop at Covent Garden this Christmas for you to buy

October 9th 2007

With the popularity of this course that I'm running for the Wicked Stepmother Courses, I decided to launch my own courses at home called 'Ideas for Christmas' and have already have had a party of four keen to apply!

Due to the hectic work schedule this year the courses will run in 2008

October 23rd 2007

Lots of preparation going on from sourcing papers from Italy to shop cabinet makers as the team and I will be providing a Luxury Wrapping Service at Covent Garden Piazza this Christmas. 

The Wrapping store will be open from December 7th until 22nd (Closed Mondays)

and open 12pm-8pm Tuesday - Saturday and 12pm-6pm on Sunday. 

For more details please refer to our Press Release linked from the home page

It will be hectic but we are all looking forward to the smells of Mulled Wine and Mince Pies outside!

November 19th 2007

With the sucess of the gift wrapping courses in Northern Ireland in October, I will be returning to Magherafelt in October 2008 to run more courses.  It was my first visit to Belfast this year and I can't wait to go back!

November 21st 2007

I've finally had a minute or two to sit down with the 2008 diary to organise next years course dates.

After a well earned holiday after Christmas, I will be commencing the courses in February including a new venue which is an idyllic barn in the pretty village of Steventon in Oxfordshire. Also on site here is an old fashioned bakery and a sumptous gallery and studio selling fabulous interiors, furniture, gifts and toiletries (my credit card will be getting a swipe or two there as I've my eye on the wicker dog bed and leather cushion for the beloved labradoor Margo!) I cannot believe the demand for gift wrapping courses this year and sold out of course places a few weeks ago with not  even a spare day before Christmas to add any additional ones.I've also had to turn away many retailers for last minute wrapping courses so please do book early for next year!

December 1st 2007

Two amazing things have happened this week...Firstly I nearly fell off my stool when I saw my face plastered

on the front cover of the Journal magazine (My poor granny Peg nearly had a heart attack in her hospital bed)

..I suddenly realised that a facial and a new lipstick were needed!

Yesterday as I headed off the tube with KP, I had a text from my old school friend Tara to say I'd been mentioned in the Times..and to my amazement they had featured the Wrapping Shop in Covent Garden as 'Shop of the Week'!

We are now frantic getting the last minute prep done in time for Thursdays opening, with ribbon and wrapping everywhere.  Do feel free to pop and see us..We are Unit 12 next door to Lush in the Central Avenue at

Covent Garden Market, and will be open until 22nd December (Heaven knows when I'll get my own wrapping done this Christmas!)

December 31st 2007

We finally shut our doors at Covent Garden on the 22nd and I came back to Lincolnshire and collapsed in a heap with a delightful cold over Christmas.  We had a great time wrapping all types of objects with celebs and West End Actors popping in to visit! The team worked extremely hard and I would particularily like to thank Chloe and Max who were often there helping in the evenings...Here's to another busy year no doubt - Happy New year!

February 2nd 2008

This is a very sad day indeed.  My beloved Granny (known as Pegleg) passed away at home. Those of you who were on a Lincolnshire course several years ago will have had the chance to not only meet this super lady but taste her homemade soups and cakes on the day itself.  She loved course days and always remarked how lovely everyone was.  She has always been a great inspiration and someone who I will always admire.  I have wonderful memories of our life together and her hard working values will continue with me forever.

February 12th 2008

Over 300 people attended the funeral today at Martin Church.  Jon Ryden did a fantastic tribute which had us in a mixture of tears and laughter.  I would like to thank those of you who made such long journeys in the awful foggy conditions to attend and your emails and cards have been a great source of comfort during this sad time. Even though she was 90, we were very close and I have lost one of my best friends who I would always turn to in a crisis. Life must go on and it will be one where she is never forgotten. Those of you who drive in to Lincoln on the B1188 will see snowdrops and Tete A Tete Daffs planted on Canwick Hill in her memory.

March 1st 2008

Despite the earthquake this week it feels as though Spring is on the way..This week we are as busy as ever getting our last minute Easter orders..We're also preparing for the very popular Country Living Fair which is always a busy show.  This year the trend for Spring is define Pink and Green and I'm glad my designs highlight these colours. Whilst out for supper this week..I window shopped around Chelsea after supper and there were my Pastel Wreaths in several windows of the General Trading Company in Sloane Square!

March 27th 2008

Where has this year gone so far? My goodness in a breath I've conquered Valentines Day, Mothers Day and now Easter in just over a month..No wonder I'm exhausted! Despite the credit crunch we had a sucessful Country Living Show in London last week and have come back and collapsed in a heap!

April is quite exciting as I've a diary full of courses in Lincoln, Oxford, London, Leeds, Norfolk etc..and I'm scrambling to find additional dates before June (Believe me I'm not moaning..infact I'm very happy to be in demand at this time of year!).  Well I hope you all had a good Easter and ate as much chocolate as I did..It's now time to work it off.....by walking the dog of course..

March 30th 2008

You will have seen my beloved labradoor Margo appearing on the website in places..To my horror yesterday she was rushed to the vets and operated on there and then with a huge abcess in the rear ladies department. I couldn't understand why the day glow jacket of the postman didn't cause the usual stir last week and little did I know how much pain she was in (If only animals could talk!)

Well good news she's on the mend with a lovely big scar with enough stitches to sew a duvet (ugh) and it won't be long before she's begging for affection and treats yet again on course days!

April 3rd 2008

Well I can't wait for tommorow..I'm heading off to run a course at the Gallery in Blakeney Quay in Norfolk. 

I can tell Margo is getting better as she's sat by the front door waiting with lead in mouth (and I've not even mentioned the words 'ball, food or walk'!)..... Little does she know that she's coming to Norfolk too!

April 6th 2008

Had a super visit to Blakeney...KP insisted he drove me there with Margo in tow, and after a really enjoyable course we had a swift half at the local then decided to stay over (thank goodness we packed a toothbrush). I love Blakeney as a place but wouldn't recommend the Blakeney Hotel..Before we had even asked about rooms we were turned away for a drink as we weren't residents. Next it was on to the Manor at Blakeney where we eventually stayed and the phrases 'diabolical' and 'Faulty Towers' come to mind.  How I would love to see Alan Sugar and his Apprentice team sort that place out. On a final note I had a super day with Suzi Hartley and Co and after seeing her amazing home I know her new venture opening in May called 'The Coastal Trading Company' will be a place to die for with your credit card when visiting Blakeney (with a wrapping service too!)

April 10th 2008

Yesterday took me to the outskirts of Leeds to train a team up at Chiltern Mills.  We had great fun wrapping Duvets, Bedding, Cushions and many other bits. I made the big mistake of gift wrapping the staff kettle so it left us thirsty for the rest of the day! I wish them all the best for their new Gift Wrapping Service in their 12 outlets.  On the way back to Lincoln we got sidetracked and decided to try out the Glass and Bottle at Harby (Off the A57) for supper.  Toby the owner made us very welcome and the food was excellent (the Wig and Mitre and Caunton Beck are sister restaurants and never have I had a bad meal at either). This establishment will definately go on my recommended eats!

April 17th 2008

I've just had 10 days of being on the road running courses. I had a super time on Monday and Tuesday running courses at The Gallery in Steventon, Oxfordshire. The lunches were mouth watering and pretty much everyone had second helpings.  How can you resist the fresh baked biscuits, bread, quiches and cakes when they have just come out of the ovens in the old Bakery on site?  It was a full house and I can't wait to get back in October for another 2 days of heaven. I may even enrol KP on an Aga Course designed for Men who want to cook Sunday Lunch (What a great invention for us women!)

April 20th 2008

I've had a day stuck in the office sorting out all of the tangled ribbons..The word nightmare is an understatement...During my Tea Break I decided to send an email to Radio 2 and ask for a cheeky request to keep me going.  Steve Wright played it on air and has made my day!

April 21st 2008

I've decided after having several Americans on courses over the last few years that I need to take the Wrapping Courses stateside. It's early days and I'm looking at starting them next year in either Boston or Chicago.  It's now the long road to find a good venue and how to market myself over there.  If you've any ideas on either please let me know.  Watch this space....

April 22nd 2008

Sounds like I am going to be busy this summer.  I will be running demonstrations for Country Baskets in Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester.  Details can be found on the link on the left

April 23rd 2008

You will be delighted to know that Margo is making a dramatic recovery a month after her life and death experience. So many of you have kindly sent in get well messages and even doggie treats...I put her on the website for a bit of a joke and she now appears to be a Doggie Icon all of a sudden.  I'm doing a Gift Wrapping photo shoot tommorow (I know it's crazy as we're not even in May yet) and the lucky mutt is allowed to come too as long as she carries a few presents in the photos...watch this space!

May 7th 2008

I'm just back from Hong Kong after spending a hectic 2 days organising the Easter order and attending a trade show...I must be crazy sitting on a plane for 12 hours just to make sure the manufacturers get the quail eggs design right for the 2009 collection. After the explotion of orders this year we are extending our rustic range for Easter and I can't wait to get the samples through. 

May 10th 2008

After months of deliberating I've decided to take the plunge and go e-commerce on my website.  The shopping cart system has always put me off knowing that I have to spend thousands to get it up and running. Despite the credit crunch business has been fantastic this year and whilst we are the Gift Wrapping Number 1 on Google it makes sense to broaden our horizon and offer an e commerce site. It's best that we get it going now before the peak gift wrapping season kicks in at the end of the summer. We will keep you posted on developments!

June 22nd 2008

I'm just back from a weeks R+R in Kalkan, Turkey.  We stayed in the luxurious Villa Keros...a place to die for and I was in total heaven. It's now back to hundreds of emails and a pile of mail...Today I've been at Country Baskets in Leeds with a very keen audience standing for up to 2 hours watching me demonstrate the latest wrapping techniques. Tommorow I'm demonstrating for Action Research in Spalding so fingers crossed they raise lots of pennies and the Marquee dosen't disappear with the gales....see you in a few days!

June 25th 2008

I did a course for Coghlans Cookery School in Millthorpe some years ago and I'm delighted to have been asked back to idyllic Derbyshire to run a demonstration on August 26th. Tickets are only £20 and will include supper and a gift wrapping demonstration...you can even have a go yourself! For details on the event, please click on the left to direct you to Coghlans website: www.cookingexpert.co.uk

June 27th 2008

Nelson Mandela has reached the grand age of 90 and it was wonderful to see him live at his birthday tribute concert in Hyde Park.  I ended up making jazzy cellophane waterproofs and luckily the rain held off.  The highlight was Simple Minds 'Don't you forget about me' and of course Amy Winehouse surprising the crowds by her great performance. Two other surprises were seeing Victoria Beckham and Gordon Brown being Booooed.  All in all it was a fantastic concert with many great acts and a wonderful atmosphere.

June 28th 2008

Gordon Ramsay has opened a new restaurant at The Warrington in Maida Vale and of course we had to visit being residents just down the street.  What a super meal and I'm somewhat of a critic. The staff were excellent, the portions of scrummy food which I initially thought were small, were spot on and a bottle of Chablis was only £27 which I don't think is bad for London.  The best thing was we were able to walk home so I will definately be back...Be warned it's a 3 week waiting list though.