You may have noticed that 81 Red Balloons has been off line for a little while, well don't worry normal service has now been resumed. However there have been a lot of changes over the past 12 months within our business so I thought I'd better fill you in.

Sadly we had to close our High Street Shop. This was not a decision that was taken lightly but the Landlords were after higher and higher rent and with the increase in overheads we had to take a long hard look at the viability of running a shop in a small village.

Balloon decorating doesn't need a shop to be able to operate and although that side of the business was getting busier and busier the footfall in Odiham High Street was on the decline making the shop an unnecessary expense.

When we decided to close the shop my business partner, Alison, decided to make a new start and leave the world of retail and balloon decorating and move to Lancashire and I wish her every happiness in the future.

However I decided that I wanted to continue working with balloons and after taking a few months out to take stock, move home (twice!) and tie up most of the loose ends from the shop I'm back and raring to go again.

Thanks to Matt and Garrett www.81redballoons has had a bit of a revamp and I hope you like the new look website, it's not quite finished so watch this space and I look forward to posting on the balloon blog again and featuring photographs of the events I've decorated.

Thanks to all my friends and customers past present and future.

Cathy

Self Portrait?I've recently teamed up with a friend of mine - Angela Ritchie, who recently started her own business, hosting children's craft parties. It's a great idea for a kids birthday party and makes a real change from the usual ideas, and as a Mum of two, and a registered childminder Angela's had a lot of practice at keeping kids happy over the years!

There are four different types of parties - Fabric Craft, Wood Design, Ceramic Craft and Pick and Mix. Angela supplies you with everything you need, craft themed invitations prior to the parties, all the materials needed and aprons to wear along with disposable tablecloths to protect your furniture, filled party bags for all the guests and even craft themed thank you cards for when it's all over. She even coordinates all the activity to take the strain off of the mum and make sure everyone has Fun!fun! All this for just £150 for 10 children (additional children are charged at £13 each).

Angela's Parties even caters for children at weddings and corporate events, for more information take a look at her website at www.angelascraftparties.co.uk or give her a call on 01491 826305. And of course, if you fancy a few balloons to add to the fun give me a ring or drop me an email and Angela and I will work together to make it a very special occasion.

Cat In A BoxSmodge contemplates just how many helium balloons it would take to get him off the ground!

Delivery driver James Higginson got a £30 parking ticket - because his load of inflated balloons was TOO LIGHT.

But yesterday they relented and cancelled the fine. James celebrated by sending the ticket up, up and away tied to a balloon. Wirral Council maintained the bay was for "awkward or heavy items" but said it was "taking a sympathetic view".

Admittedly balloons may not be heavy but anyone who has ever tried to handle 60 inflated balloons (especially if helium has been used as opposed to air) will no doubt agree with me when I say they can definitely be awkward! Don’t you just love traffic wardens!

(Taken from The Sun Newspaper Saturday 3rd June 2006.