Happy Holidays....

Yippee, my favourite time of year is here again: all orders have been made up and posted off (much to my utter relief), the boys have broken up from school and "Elf" has been on the telly!
I just thought I would share some festive images from us down here in Cornwall...

...the great tradition that is choosing the tree...

a little shot of the fireplace with gorgeous pixy advent calendar and matching stockings by Danish designers Maileg. Usually we stand the Christmas tree on that antique sled, but it was a little too tall this year, so we made an impromtu seat for the kiddywinks...

Finally got around to buying some outdoor fairylights this year, so they are hanging on the archway. They look really magical!

Here is the tree: I took loads of photos of it, but none of them came out very well!

On Saturday I decided on a whim to make some really tiny cottages (made from driftwood blocks) to hang on the tree. I am thinking they may be part of my Christmas range in 2012!

I am going to be *40* tomorrow!! To celebrate/commiserate, Steve and I are staying in a hotel near our favourite beach, and the plan is to do lots of walking/beachcoming (fingers crossed that we dont have torrential rain!) so I am really looking forward to that! Got a few things in the pipeline for next year, which I will share with you nearer the time!) so I am really hoping to collect some good bits! With any luck there will be a fair bit to choose from, following the recent gales!
Anyway, I would like to wish you all a sincere Merry Christmas and most excellent New Year!
See you in 2012!! xxx

December Already!

It just doesn't seem possible, does it? I am counting down the days now until the boys break up from school, because that will coincide with my last posting date....and then a well-earned break!
Thankfully, both the fairs I took part in have come and gone, and I feel as though the pressure has lifted somewhat - or maybe it's just that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Sales were disappointing at both events - but actually I am quite glad in retrospect, because orders are still coming in thick and fast, and at least I'm not having to make loads more stock (always look on the bright side, me!)
Anyway, Ill show you some photos of recent work....

Check out the gorgeous ochre-y tones on this piece of driftwood - it just reminded me of the rooftops in St Ives.

I find alot of wedge-shaped pieces of driftwood, and usually cast them aside. But I sliced the top edge off, hammered in some nail 'chimneys' - and look! A quirky free-standing town house!

I love this piece of wood (above). It's quite unusual to find driftwood with yellow paint on, so I thought I would keep it simple, added an iron rod for a mast with a single blue flag.

Some chunky driftwood cottages with slate roofs.

I find alot of tiny blocks on the beach - and have finally found a use for them! The biggest of these cottages is only 6cm x 5cm. Like a model village!

Had a little bit of press this week, in the festive issue of My Cornwall.

And finally, I thought I would share this special order with you. It was commissioned by a very good friend of mine, who wanted a butterfly for her mum's birthday present. It pushed me out of my comfort zone....but that's no bad thing, right?!

I was quite pleased with the way it turned out!

Well, that's enough for one post I think! If you got this far, then thanks for reading!!
Catch up soon xxx

Christmas Fairs

Hello my lovelies, sorry for another long period of absence: I have been working flat out for these upcoming Christmas fairs and as usual there are not enough hours in the day! I honestly wonder how people manage to do them more than a couple of times a year: they nearly kill me!!

In case you live in, or happen to be visiting, this fantastic corner of the country in the next few weeks, here are some dates to put in your diary!
The first event is at Cowslip Workshops (near Launceston) on 18th, 19th and 20th Nov (details on their website). Kirstie Allsopp and her posse will be there filming on the Friday (18th) - how I do wish she would give me some SPACE - ha ha!! Most likely it will be very busy on that day in particular!

Then, the following Sunday (27th Nov), I will have a table at the wonderful Homespun Fair in Portscatho. I may well find it hard standing by this point, but if you are able to, then please drop in! It is always a lovely event.

I am trying to think of clean ways to display my Christmas decorations: I have a couple of simple designs that I am hoping Steve will be able to help with. In the meantime, I converted this old white box - simply by threading lengths of dowelling through drilled holes...

I have a strict agenda everyday in order to make sure I make enough stock: here are some spotty whales in various colours waiting to be transformed into mobiles...

A line of mice - as yet minus their candy canes (see above!)....

March Of The Penguins...

(my friend reckons they are doing the conga!)

And of course, a whole brood of lavender jellyfish! I could quite happily make these all day - they are such fun!

Well, thats all for now - if you manage to make either fair, please come and say Hello - it would be great to meet you!
Have a lush weekend folks! xx

Kirstie and Kirsty sitting in a tree

Hi folks, thought I would stop by and write a quick post while the OH cooks tea and I have a few minutes! Things are typically manic here, trying (without success) to make some stock for upcoming fairs - and other things just keep getting in the way!
I have added a few new festive lines to my Folksy and Etsy shops, including Christmas Tree Garlands...

...eight co-ordinating trees strung onto a length of bakers twine,

some Scandinavian-inspired toadstool decorations...

...and some Mistletoe robins on cinnamon sticks which were so popular last year.

Also some driftwood Christmas cards...

...in 3 quirky designs...

I have also squeezed in some custom orders including this parrot for a little boy's new pirate-themed bedroom!

And the title of this post? I was most surprised, yet thoroughly delighted to find a little photo of me in this new publication!

Here I am on page 95! The photo was taken at the Royal Cornwall Show - but there was no mention of any book! In fact, if a friend hadn't tipped me off, I may never have known!
So that's enough excitement for one week! Enjoy the rest of your weekend lovely people! xx

Festive Decorations

I know, I know, it's still ages away! But I've signed up for a couple of fairs and I'm determined to be organised for a change! This year's new design is this cute little mouse, which is designed to hang on the tree from his candy cane!


Like so!!

The cinnamon robins are back once more, this time made from linen...

and with an alternative breast colour!

Penguins have returned this year too, also in linen!

Did you notice, the penguins and the mice have the same basic shape? I used the same pattern and tweaked it a little. All decorations are available in my Etsy and Folksy shops.

Anyway I hope you like my new offerings for 2011!
A warm welcome to all new readers - have a great weekend!

Hello Autumn

There has been a definite change in the air over the last week or so, and the start of the new school term means that summer is over once again. The next few months are usually the busiest for me, so I am trying to cram in a few new pieces before I get wrapped up making robins and penguins - plus a different Christmas design for 2011 that is in the pipeline!

I had a lovely commission for a customer a couple of weeks ago: she wanted 9, yes 9, hanging jellyfish for her little boys room. The only specification was no pink...so I could really go to town!

I had plenty of bright fabric to choose from...

And here is a shot of them finished!
While it was most enjoyable using a vast array of colours, when I chanced upon some gorgeous cotton lace fabric on eBay, I knew I would like to have a go at a neutral one...

And here it is: has a kind of vintage look to it, wouldnt you say? I used cotton lace trims and (get this) sequins as well as satin and organza ribbons. Very dreamy! If you fancy having a go at making your own jelly, you can find a tutorial here.

I have been thinking about doing some mixed media pieces, combining driftwood with painted canvasses: here is my first attempt....

What do you think? Hoping to do some more (I have a bit more time now that the boys are at school).Speaking of which, my baby started a few days ago! He was most excited (long may that last!) Here he is on his first day...

....with the obligatory too-short fringe!
Have a great weekend lovely people!

Holiday (Phase 2)

Back to work this morning after a lovely fortnight off - and as promised, here are a few snaps from the second part of our camping trip - this time in beautiful Herefordshire.
Steve and I did some canoeing here about 12 years ago - and wanted to return to do it with the boys.
We arrived early at Symonds Yat, and were greeted with this fantastic view...

Even Herbie seemed impressed!

We went during the week- as it gets pretty busy at weekends.

We took a lovely stroll in the Forest of Dean...

And (a highlight for me) as we were so close to Ross on Wye, we had to pay a visit to Baileys Home and Garden! What an inspiration! Unfortunately photography was prohibited which is such a shame: the website is nice, but it doesn't compare to seeing everything together in one amazing place!

I found time to do a bit of work at the weekend. This driftwood and slate piece - as yet unfinished, as I think it will look better in a box frame.

Another beach hut picture...ever popular!

And a primitive driftwood boat - the two bits of wood were already nailed together when I found it, so I just needed to add a few decorative touches!!

And finally, we had a freelance photographer here for the day on Friday! He took lots of pictures of the house, some of my work, and some of us - including some shots down the beach collecting driftwood! Hoping that we might get a bit of press! We had a good tidy-up in preparation - and re-arranged the shelves in the lounge. The old sewing machine had been hidden away in the loft, but we decided it was handsome enough to display: what do you think? (This is one of my photos - his were much better. I promise to share them once we get copies!!)

Have a great week folks!