Say Hello...

...to the latest addition to our family, this exquisite advent pixie made in Denmark. Herbie and I squealed with delight when we unwrapped him yesterday! I have coveted one for a few years now but decided that this year I had to have one! He wasn't cheap but I figure that he'll last a lifetime and will no doubt be a bit of an heirloom. He's actually taller than my six year old and the attention to detail is just amazing. Just a shame he's got to be stored in the attic for 11 months of the year...

And staying with the pixie theme, just look at this beautiful ribbon I've bought to use on my handmade Christmas decorations - will post some photos when they're done!!

Treasure hunting

We thought we'd take advantage of the lovely mild weather this afternoon (only 2 weeks until the clocks go back and I can't tell you how much I hate that) and headed off down to Seaton to blow away the cobwebs and do a bit of beachcombing.

Whilst the boys were happily rockpooling, look what caught my eye..

A tiny piece of seaweed stuck onto a pebble - so simple, yet really beautiful, it reminds me of Ferm Living's floral silhouette prints.

Alas, the beach was sadly lacking in driftwood and I'm starting to panic a bit because I have alot of Christmas cards to make and my supply in the shed (sorry, Steve's shed!) is dwindling.

But I did pick up some tiny driftwood twigs and made a card for my best friend (she doesn't read my blog as she's stuck somewhere in the 20th century) - a kind of shaker style Christmas tree with little shell fragment decorations. Not exactly a masterpiece, but she loves the beach as much as I do and I know she will appreciate it!

I noticed these steps for the first time today - and I am deeply envious of whoever lives at the top!

For all I know it may be a run-down shack, but how fantastic to be able to descend them every morning and see what the tide's washed up! Imagine that!

Amendment: Of course anyone who is remotely organised/intelligent would know that the clocks go back this weekend and not the one after - sorry!

Wonderful wood

So I was thinking to myself about whose talent I could showcase on this weeks post and then it dawned on me! I could do a little feature on the genius that is Steve Clark, who just happens to be my partner!

Completely self-taught, Steve got the bug after he borrowed an electric drill from a friend one weekend, and has built up quite a collection of power tools since!

Below is a photo of his first project, a coffee table made from recycled floorboards..

He has crafted quite a variety of lovely things for our home over the last 10 years or so..

A sconce made from painted recycled wood

Cute chopping boards and an early boat made from an old piece of oak

This mirror was created using driftwood from the River Medway.

A magazine rack was fashioned from a recycled crate

With a lovely piece of driftwood and some rusty nails, a simple hanging rack is constructed!

Some projects have been more complicated than others. Above is a driftwood Grandfather Clock which was a wedding gift for my sister Amy (the beautiful talent that is Chambers & Beau for those of you that didn't know!)

This is a recent piece - a driftwood cupboard for our bathroom...

And lastly, my very favourite construction, a fabulous beach hut wardrobe for our boys!

Steve's got no plans to give up his day job - he's happier making one-offs in his own time, but I thought I would share these photos to show him I think he's actually pretty damn clever!

Driftwood Christmas Cards

Now that we're into October, I feel that it's almost acceptable to mention Christmas, so I thought I would share these handmade creations with you. They are made using driftwood found on local Cornish beaches, twigs, beads and fabric remnants. I am working on other designs - if they turn out well I will be sure to show you. Meanwhile the three above are available on Folksy.

Twitching!

Tea Towel by Poppy Treffry
I managed to escape to the beach for a couple of hours yesterday - bliss! Unfortunately there was little driftwood there, but the birds...! Cormorants, oyster catchers, even a heron - just amazing! Typically I didn't have my camera with me (and I was pretty close to them,damn!) but it got me thinking about making some stuffed fabric oyster catchers - I can just see them with their long bright orange bills, maybe in polka dot? There's no way I can do these until after Chrimbo but will give it a go afterwards when things go quiet. I'm also thinking about adapting my robins and doing some chicks or chickens for Spring/Easter. I'm not sure where this bird fetish has come from, I can only assume I've been influenced by the work I've been looking at lately...

Aren't they great? The top two are by Ann Wood, the bottom two by Tamar Mogendorff. Inspirational!

Rockin' robins

So, have a guess what I've been making today!

I've had an order for 50 of these for a gallery so I think I may get fed up with them very soon!

Available now on Folksy.

Childrens cushions

They've taken me a long time to complete as I've had loads of shop orders lately, but the final two commissioned cushions are finished (see previous post for others) These are for the customer's grandsons.

PS Don't they look nice with our star bedding?!