Birthday Bunny

I was delighted to be asked to create a custom Party set for a customer's little girl's 1st Birthday. I can't think of anything more special than that very first Birthday and so I have loved making this pretty Bunny in her vintage party dress complete with polka dot hair bow! I have made a set of invites, gift tags, thank you cards & Print.



I must say I have rather fallen in love with this wee Bunny and am inspired to create a new range of Bunnies when I am back from holiday. We are heading off to Spain and think we may melt with the temperatures over there, but it will be lovely I am sure. I will take loads of photos to share with you all. I may pop in to Twitter whilst away, so you can follow the links to it here in my Blog. In the meantime I will leave you in the company of Birthday Bunny until we meet up again soon. Hugs, Catherine xx

mmmm chocolate!

Belgium is known of course for it's chocolate and there is a new chocolate shop just opened up in a previous Royal Palace, used as their holiday retreat, yet right in the city. Amazing painted ceilings and chandeliers were all around and there were the most extraordinary chocolate sculptures, and I wish you had smellivision, mmmm chocolate!





I'm busy working on a special custom party set, creating a vintage style Birthday Bunny with the prettiest dress! I may even share a wee peek before I head off on holiday in a few days time. Hugs, Catherine x

What's all the commotion about?!

It was a crazy day out in the garden, a strange ghostly shape had been spotted swooping around the lawn!!

"What is it, OH I can't look!"

"Don't be such a scaredy cat!"

"Who you calling a Scaredy cat, uhhh did I hear someone say a g-g-g host?!"


"Baaa-aaaa humbug there's no such thing as ghosts.... is there?"

"It's only me"!
"Why are you chasing after a ghost?"
"You daft lot, it's not a ghost, it's just THE most perfect liner for my new top of the range, luxury, Nest!"

It seemed though that with a beak full of twigs that capturing this was just too tough!

Although she did think all her efforts had been worthwhile just to see the look on all their faces!
Back soon, Hugs, Catherine x

Baby Blue

I was so excited about seeing this Bear finally brought to life that I've been working all hours, including the evenings so here he is - Baby Blue!

From the moment I started to create him I called him Blue Bear and he is clearly a wee Baby, just look at that expression, so Baby Blue he is. He is quite the wild child with his long wavy locks! You can see all of his photo shoot and adoption information right here. *UPDATE - Blue has now been adopted to a new home in America.*

The little baby bird from my previous post is still doing well in my garden. I am busy getting ready for a holiday in just under 2 weeks, we are going to Andalucia in Spain and am thrilled to be going to visit The Alhambra & Generalife gardens. But of course I'll be back here before I head off, I've got lots to share. Hugs from Blue & Catherine x

Nesting

It's all go in my garden this week, with my fiance having some time off work we've cleared our little front garden patch, had some aged woody lavendar in it and LOTS of bindweed and horse tail weeds inherited from next door! So the battle began and for now we have won! It is all cleared and we've planted a little criss cross shape of box hedging. 30 little plants all together, all grown by myself from cuttings a few years back. Isn't it satisfying to grow your own plants and just think how much money was saved! I am looking forward to planting lots of cottage garden flowers in next, promise I'll share photos.

Whilst out there digging I saw this little chap or chapette!

A little unsteady holding onto branches and a bit more flapping than flying but he just sits right near to where I'm digging chirping away, such a little treasure. I have seen him just now up in a plum tree near one of the fat ball feeders and he was chriping away, "come on Mum, I'm hungry!!".


We have also got a black bird nesting in a shrub right by my patio, as I walk past quietly I can see her in there sat on her nest! I'll share some photos of her soon that I took the other day building her nest.

So Blue Bear is patiently waiting for me to get back to him, I have sewn up some of his pieces and next week will give him more attention, hope to have him ready to show you all by the end of the week! Hugs, Catherine x

How does your Garden Grow?

I had such fun writing my latest "How does your Garden Grow" article for Oh My Handmade Goodness. I love gardening and remember all the delights as a child watching plants grow from seeds, picking bunches of fresh flowers larger than even my little hands could hold! Enjoy seeing lots of garden themed delights at Oh My Handmade Goodness. It would be lovely to have your support over there too with your comments.

My Favourite Spring Moment Print has been featured along with all the other charming gifts.

As for gardening here, well someone stole the Springtime, it's cold and raining! I had to put a scarf and winter coat on this morning to go to the post office!! I feel like snuggling up under a warm patchwork quilt like my little Sweet Dreams Mouse, just launched as a Greetings Card. She can also be found in a Print & Button in my Etsy store

This afternoon I'll be sewing Blue Bear that I talked about in my previous post, so come back soon to see his progress. Hugs, Catherine x

Feeling Blue!

No, not me! I've just started creating a new Bear from this gorgeous wavey blue mohair. It has a slightly mottled appearance of pale and duck egg blue. I thought you might enjoy seeing his progress as I bring him to life, so here is the mohair waiting to be transformed.

The pieces have been drawn and cut out, seams all trimmed, tomorrow I will start sewing them all together. I hope you'll enjoy following his journey. Beau has been sat watching a new friend magically be brought to life. He feels a little sad and asks me why a new family has not found him yet. I give him a big hug and say that sometimes extra special bears need to wait a little longer to find their "just right" family. In the meantime he is enjoying reading my Granny's children's books.


The birds are busy nesting in my garden, I've had fun taking some photos of them, beaks full of twigs, swopping into their bird house. I'll share the photos very soon. In the meantime I am busy printing and getting together an order for a stockist. Catherine and Blue Bear! xx

Join me for Tea?

Doing the photo shoot for my new range of Friends for Tea Greetings Cards felt like the days when I would have afternoon tea at my Granny's.

Every afternoon we would have biscuits, cake, and a cup of tea in the prettiest china, mine was always filled to the brim with milk instead! I now cherish the memories and they are brought back everytime I look at Gran's beautiful china sets. I just know that she would be so proud of me as she looks down and sees my own cards inspired by these days. Granny and my Mum were always the biggest of supporters of my hand made cards and crafts that I made since I was tiny, I was always creating something for the ones I loved. Now I get to share all my creations with all of you special folk that are kind enough to visit me here and give me the kindest words of encouragement and support, for this I am truly grateful.

So I'd love to share this new set of 3 Greetings Cards available in my Etsy store. These Friends for Tea make a lovely series now, with Prints, Party Invitations, Gift Tags, Magnets & Buttons, these Bunnies are hopping around with excitement to meet their new families!




Bunny Hugs, Catherine x

Good Old Days..

Nestled in a corner of Antwerp is this wonderful old fashioned toy shop called Den Olifant (The Elephant!). Filled with lots of traditional wooden toys, inspiring books and these gorgeous rooms filled with Steiff toys. Enjoy your visit!




I'm busy behind the scenes working on some exciting new projects, let's just say the needles and colourful threads are out getting creative! Hugs, Catherine x