Festive Bounty

Jennifer's hand painted Christmas card to us

Stunning jewellery made for ME! by Frances

Nutmeg walnut shortbread biscuits

A handmade birdie hook holding a pressed metal birdie heart

My Christmas window dressing, with plenty of
snow visible outside, and one of Amanda's
glass doves on the mirror

Quality will out...

In the absence of any great creative masterpieces emanating from this humble abode, I bring you a selection of my favourite blogging artist friends' work to admire and check out in more detail.

From the top, Gretel's truly unique needlefelted menagerie, seen here as view from her 2010 calendar.
A dinky little handknit jingle purse from Monkey and Sofia, which is the home of Maureen and Phil living a simple life in Spain.
The festive green sock yarn is one of Helen's richly hand dyed treats from Ripples Crafts
And who could resist a treasure chest like this red Secret Stash box from Katie's shop

Me, I've been primping the cottage in readiness for its official assessment today by VisitScotland. Nice man came and did a thorough job, and it should not be long till we get our 'stars'. We have visitors is the cottage over New Year which will be very fine. There's a wee decorated tree in the porch to welcome them.

We have 'rescue' trees this year. In the cottage is one of the titchy self-seeders which spring up along the forest roads. As soon as it is that forest's turn to be felled, the first thing to happen is that the roads are widened and surfaced ready for the huge machinery and logging trucks to gain access. And that means the wee 'wild' trees are squished to pulp. Not so this one, which has roots on and will get a new life in early January.

The tree in our house may just about last till Christmas Day! It was one of several which were sawn down and discarded at the plantation up the road and lay in the ditch for weeks.... Hugh rescued ours, trimmed the worst of the dying bits off and brought it home. The living room is so cold that the needles are only falling by the dozen, not the hundreds but it is touch and go whether it will be completely bald by this time next week...!

One Day Workshops

Let me tell you what I have planned
for February and March!
A series of one-day workshops in
the comfort of my cottage.

Read on and sign up!

PARTY PREP ON A SHOESTRING
Pick a theme and try your hand at creating bright paper banners
and bunting, goodie bags, invitations and more

DELIVERED IN STYLE
Learn how to design and make your own cards and envelopes from scratch, as well as bags and boxes and other ways of packaging. You'll never be stuck for presentation ideas again!

JOTTERS TO JOURNALS
Try several different methods of making simple books and albums, for gifts or for yourself. Clever folds, attractive covers, smart designs and lots of recycling ideas to inspire you.

REHASH YOUR STASH
Embellish with relish! Explore ways to tart up your clothes, cushions, accessories, make trimmings and twiddly bits and generally imbue your 'stuff' with your own unique style

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
Never knitted or crocheted? Dying to learn what all the fuss is about?
Learn the very basics and get started on your first handmade creation.

DATES

Friday 19th February Party Prep
Saturday 20th February Delivered in Style
Sunday 21st February Jotters to Journals
Friday 26th February Rehash your Stash
Saturday 27th February Party Prep
Sunday 28th February Absolute Beginners
Tuesday 9th February Rehash your Stash
Wednesday 10th March Delivered in Style
Thursday 11th March Jotters to Journals
Friday 12th March Absolute Beginners

Workshops are for over 16s
They cost £48 and run from 10 am to 4 pm
A light lunch and all refreshments
(that means home baking and lots of
tea and coffee and all the rest of the essentials
for creativity...) are included.
Only 4 participants at each workshop so that
you can have space to spread out and enjoy the day,
in the comfortable setting of the cottage.
If you would like to book a personalised or bespoke workshop
for 4 people for another date I will be happy
to accommodate you and your friends.

To book or ask any questions just call me on 01450 860275