On the last day of August and in my mind the end of the summer I wanted to share our garden. We are very lucky and have a large garden that includes woodland and as such we are a woodland marginal space. We plant for wildlife and encourage wildlife into our space. Why stones not grass? Well when we moved in over twenty five years ago we found so many dead bees and dead frogs we had the soil tested. The elderly chap who had the bungalow before us grew rose in abundance but mixed up his own insecticide and nuked everything in sight to keep the garden pristine. We found that our soil contains high levels of strychnine and heavy metals, totally toxic to pollinators and amphibians. So we cannot plant directly into the soil for generations to come. So where we plant directly into the soil we have to dig out and line the space before refilling with soil and planting. Hence lots of pots and riased beds. We plant for pollinators, all the hymenoptera, hoverflies and butterflies and moths in abundance. We are not a wild garden in the sense that we plant for year round nectar as much as we can and on the woodland margin not everything will flourish so we cannot opt for just natives although they are present too.This year has been a stuggle, being in Lancashire we are very luckly and although we have had bouts of very dry weather we have had consistant rain throughout the summer but we needed to do a lot of watering. We water with cans from water butts but so much time was spent watering individual pots we have spent this summer, the three of us, building raised beds. This has dramatically cut down on the watering and the plants are thriving having more room which in turn has meant more insects. The biggest of the beds took 21 bags of 70 litre peat free compost and we originally bought just six!We all love our garden and spend so much time out here. Our workshops open onto the garden and all get involved with the space. Reuban has a great eye for a plant and is now heavily involved with the running of the garden and he just loves it, which is so great to see someone so young loving green spaces. So roll on autumn, we are looking forward to you and settling the garden.
We will be at Blackburn Cathedral tomorrow, 5th July for the Festival of Making Maker's Market from 11am to 5pm. All the dolls will be at a show price for that day only and we will have a range of dolls, imps and gifts on offer. Including the new imp frogs.This is our only show of the summer so come and say hello and have a look round. The market is curated by Heather of Hopeful & Glorious and will include some of the best makers in the region.We are really looking forward to this one xx
This smart little midnight gentleman bunny will be joining us at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday 5th July between 11am and 5pm for The Festival of Making Curated Craft Market.A wonderful collection of makers from across the region and beyond. All chosen by Heather from Hopeful and Glorious to offer the best in contemporary craft.This little midnight bunny has a bright yellow silk cravat with a smart navy foraging back and navy boots. All teamed with plus fours and a super smart Liberty waistcoat.He has rosemary in his stuffing with a citrine crystal to his heart, a smart white shirt and stripy legs, the fabric picked up in his ears!Just for the Saturday all the dolls will be at a special price and this is the only show we are doing this summer. So come and say hello, it will be lovely to see you xx
Just to let everyone know we are getting ready for our first show of the year with Liverpool Alternative Bazaar on the 4th May from 4pm to 9pm at Camp and Furnace in Liverpool.Aggie the Hiro bunny will be there along with lots of her cousins and Reuban's new Imp Frogs.A dark grey bunny dressed in my favourite midnight fabric called Hiro by Liberty of London. If you look carefully you will be able to see the moon on her skirt peeping through the fir needles.With stripy legs, leather shoes and a sampler pillow she is an elegant midnight bunny ready for this first show.
These little grey and gold Christmas mice will be coming with us to Oakhill School in Whalley on Saturday 30th November between 11am and 4 pm.Other than my current orders, these will be the last Christmas mice I will be showing before Christmas. A little boy and girl with grey, gold and bronze metallic trees to their waistcoat and dress with golden leather shoes. She sports a little sampler pillow and he a golden leather bag for all his foraging.Each mouse is made of grey Moda Grunge fabric with grey leather ears and a pink leather tail. Each has a citrine crystal to their heart with chamomile in their stuffing for a gentle scent.. Finished with tiny bloomers for her, her wears yarn dyed plus fours with lots of ribbon, buttons and charms.
Greta(Sold) is a little winter berry mouse dressed in a lovely William Morris fabric with a crimson wool cape. She is one of the last of my Christmas mice and has gone on to her new home. Her little brother, Artle, is still on the shop and I will be adding another couple in grey and gold as soon as they have been photographed.Just to let every one know we will be Oakhill School in Whalley on Saturday the 30th November from 11am to 4pm. The Christmas Market will be a first for us at this venue and with lots of family activities going on it should be a lovely afternoon.
Martha is a little Winter Fairy Queen inspired by Gertrude Groan from the books by Mervyn Peake. Dressed in an Acufactum print called Winter Fairy Tale. It is a wonderful print with winter hares, pine cones and black caps. Wild big hair embellished with glass and bronze beads, these are picked up has a head band and on her silk ribbon as a hanging charm. She carries a flower wand, a sampler pillow with a bronze acorn and little leather shoes. With aqua blue underskirt and white tulle petticoat. Her sleeves are trimmed with aqua ribbon bows. She will be with us at the show on Saturday at Lytham Hall from 11am to 4pm. All the dolls will at a special price just for the day. The Imps and large rag dolls will be £45, most dolls will be £35 and the mice will be £25. Also textile gifts and porcelain beetles. Come and say hello, it will be lovely to see you xx
