» Listings for December 2021

1. The season of dark dog walks under full moons

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 30th Dec 2021

   ... and warm mince pies (I eat them as long as possible)!

    

   So here we are, late December. As I start writing this post (with a mince pie)! this morning is beautiful, cold, sparkly and with the most beautiful purple and orange sky. We've now had Winter Solstice and I start watching to see the lighter mornings! (Am I the only one that does this)?? 

    

   I burn lots of candles this time of the year; they soothe and calm me. I love the cosy, warm glow they bring to dark corners of the house. I do hope that you've been able to have your own cosy, blissful time this Christmas.

    

   

    

   We've also had alot of fog and rain here in the Cotswolds. Makes for messy dog walks (especially with two big GSDs)! but I do find it inspiring and find it influences some of the scenes and characters I create for my art. 

    

   

    

   As a volunteer for the German Shepherd Rescue Elite, I am trying to fit more time in to help at the kennels where our (any) poor darling woofers end up. (There are worse places, I know). This year I had the lovely task of helping the dogs open their pressies. There are lots of lovely kind people out there who donated so many toys, treats and food. This was followed by a walk around Cirencester with one of our rescues, Bear (he really is as you can see from the image)!! 

    

   

    

   I am also looking towards the Spring and the shows that I have lined up! Especially Craft Festival in March. A beautiful show full of inspiring talent. Although I am still thinking about what to make and take, my makes will be all linen, wool felt with maybe a bit of velvet.

    

   But for now, I am working on getting my sale ready and on line. I am planning on a slightly new look for the website with an adapted logo which I hope you will all love :-)

    

   Wishing you much love and wishes this New Year x

    

2. December and proper Winter!

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 9th Dec 2021

   

   I love this time of year. Despite the grey skies and the muggy rain, those beautiful crisp, cold, sparkly days more than compensate. We've had quite a few of those recently, here in the Cotswolds. Even snow! This year I'll be decking the house with boughs of holly. I'll take my gorgeous Mabel out for her walk and wander around and collect some seasonal greenery and place around the house with handmade embellishments and little lights.

   Despite the brown and bare branches (a stark beauty I love), there is some colour hanging in there. I still have calendulas growing in the garden, and find their sunny faces, cheery and optimistic.

   

   Thank you

   ... for loving my new Winter purses. I have mostly sold out of the first small runs but I am working on a few more. They are available to pre-order if you would like a unique and thoughtful gift for a loved one and I'll be posting out around 13th December, if not before.

   

   Christmas orders

   Sadly I am unable to take any further commissions this year. I am fully booked for bespoke cushions and artwork. Please contact me if you do want a special order and I will happily work with you on your requirements.

   Final ordering dates for Christmas

   As I use Royal Mail to post out your orders, I will be working to it's recommendations, especially in these unique times. My last posting day will be 17th December. Any orders received after this date will be posted after Christmas, although if you contact me, I will, of course, see what I can do, but please note, extra postage charges may be incurred.

   A simple biscuit recipe

   This recipe is my little stand-by if I need a sweet at short notice, or if I have friends over for coffee. They also get eaten very quickly by 'im indoors' ;-) Very quick, simple, tasty and vegan. Win, win!! And it uses ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboards.

   

   Ingredients

   125g Plain flour
   125g vegan margarine such as Flora or Pure
   Vanilla essence or orange essence (optional) 
   65g Sugar
   25g ground almonds (such as Whitworths)
   1/4 tsp salt

   1. Preheat oven to 170c/Gas mark 3. Into a bowl, place margarine and sugar and cream together. Add essence here and mix in well. Sift in flour and salt, followed by the ground almonds.

   2. Depending on what size biscuits you want, divide mixture into 20-25 balls and place onto a greased baking tray, allowing room for the mixture to spread. Flatten biscuits with the prongs of a fork.

   3. Bake for 10-15 mins until lightly golden (in my oven, it's 10 minutes)! Cool slightly before transfering to a wire rack to cool completely. Although I like to eat them slightly warm and crumbly.

   Enjoy xx