Tea-Mobile

I spent saturday with Martha, at her daughter Charlene’s house near Makapanstad. I’d been promising to go and visit them for ages – so yesterday I jumped in the car and went. It was great spending quality time with Martha and her family. Being away from the workshop meant we couldn’t talk shop (well ok, so we did just a little).We sat outside in the sunshine drinking tea and watching Martha’s grandchildren running around. They are just too sweet – Lebogeng, the second youngest has just started learning to speak English and told me that I must now learn Tswana or she would have to teach me.

T-Mobile UK, also so kindly donated a few phones to Heartfelt to help with the running of the business.(with phone and internet connections we’ll be able to quicken the ordering process and help the ladies communicate with the outside world i.e. me). I brought them with me so that Martha and Charlene could choose one each and the remaining two will be given to two other heartfelt ladies next week. Charlene commented saying that she was going to throw a party each year to celebrate 'the day the phones arrived’ which made me giggle! Even little Omphemetse, Charlene’s 18 month old daughter pictured above got in on the act.

Just before I left, Charlene and I started talking about Emanuel and how she couldn't believe that it will be his four year memorial coming up in February. It’s certainly been a long time. Sitting there as the sun was going down - I realised that there was an unconditional love between us all and that even though all our hearts were a little bit broken, our bond could never be because of what we went through. I drove off down the road leaving everyone waving and jumping behind me and I couldn't help feeling blessed to have Martha and her family in my life.

Ta da . . .

Did we ever tell you how our felt bouquet turned out for our lovely bride Lisa? Well here it is – our wedding masterpiece all beautiful and bouquet(y). Her colours were pink, black & cream/white. We managed to source gorgeous bespoke buttons and beads for added detail and the 16 stems were all tied together in a stunning (yet subtle) pink silk ribbon – with a little heart attached – for love (& luck).

This inspiring design commissioned by Lisa is now part of our wedding range and has inspired other ideas which we’ll be getting underway for 2010. So look out for button holes (so groomy doesn’t feel left out) and felt corsages for bridesmaids (all matching of course). We just love the idea that the bride can keep her bouquet for years to come and are very excited to be able to offer something ethical and unique. A special bouquet, made by special ladies, for a special lady – now there’s a special thought indeed!

Happy-Happy

Firstly, on behalf of all the Heartfelt Ladies, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I still can’t quite believe that it’s 2010. We are all very excited to have kick started the new year by designing a few little 2010 World Cup brooches this week - so do keep an eye out for them on our product pages.

It was also Martha’s birthday on the 3rd of January, another reason to celebrate. She spent her day with her family and friends and it sounded like she had a wonderful time. I got the loveliest text message from her just before bedtime saying ‘I feel like I’m 16 years today with all the SMS & Calls I received xxx’. It made me smile. At 62 she is still so young at heart.