Frosty walk

We went for a lovely frosty walk this morning, which was only spoilt slightly by the constant cries of 'my feet are cold!' and 'carry me!'...

Now we're warming up at home with mince pies in the oven, I think they might be ready now ;)

Blue sky

Brrr, chilly here.
Lovely blue skies for a change and loads of birds in our garden - lots of blue tits and starlings, a wren and our regular robin who hopped in through the dog flap last week and had to be rescued from the living room - he was beautiful and so tiny.

Nativity Season number 2!

Nativity Season!

Cluck

Some chicken illustrations I've been playing around with, what do you think I should do with them??

Happy-Go-Lucky

I watched Happy-Go-Lucky last night - directed by Mike Leigh, it's the story of Poppy, an irrepressibly happy person, and her encounters with the less than happy real world.. It really cheered me up on a gloomy day, especially her flamenco lessons...

That time already...

I made our Advent calendar a few years ago and I can't believe I had the patience (or the time..) to sew all those little stockings.
They're quite random sizes but they do the job - especially for small boys who ask every morning- 'Is it Christmas today??'
I loved this post on the Just So Festival website about over-ambitious Advent Calendars.

Rumpus

Books + Coffee = Perfection

Just had a morning wander around Chipping Norton and discovered my very favourite kind of shop - a combination bookshop / cafe - Jaffe and Neale.
Loads of tempting books and a lovely little cafe. Did a bit of guilt-free Christmas shopping and managed to resist buying any books....

(photo courtesy of ukairstreamers.blogspot.com - great blog!)

Rainy Tuesday...

These are two custom-made Beach Huts I've just completed - I can personalise them with names, colours, numbers, flags etc - get in touch if you'd like your own! (Apologies for the terrible photos..)

I had a great time at the Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience on Sunday, it was busy all day and I had some lovely neighbours - Hodge Podge ceramics and Emerald Bespoke Picture Framing

Today is rainy and pretty miserable out, so I'm being very organised and cooking our Christmas Cake, yum!

Lovely Pigeon

I love Cecilia Levy's work - have a look at her series of pigeons, they're gorgeous.

Bits of Time photography

I've just found these gorgeous photos by Paola Nazati on Etsy - have a look!

Talented Elephant!

This talented elephant is part of my new 'Clever Creatures' range, which will be available in the Spring.
I'm really busy at the moment with lots of Beach Hut and Boat commissions, order yours here!

Dino Mania!

Since our visit to the dinosaurs last weekend, Dino Mania has taken over...
This is a very friendly Tyrannosaurus by Bill.

I'm busy getting ready for the Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience on November 22nd at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre near Leamington Spa. It promises to be a great Christmas shopping opportunity so come along - opening hours are 10am to 4pm.

Christmas Cards are here!

I picked up our lovely new Christmas cards from the printers today - they look great and will soon be available to buy in the shop- singly and in packs of four (one of each design).

Then we popped up to Chipping Campden to visit Hannah in the gorgeous Baby Days shop - she sells loads of lovely children's clothes, toys and baby accessories - we dropped off some New Baby Girl and Boy cards, and admired Hannah's own new baby, who was being shop baby for the day! Visit the Baby Days website for some unique Christmas gift ideas, or if you're in the area, pop into Cambrook Court, off the High Street in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.

Up and Away!

We went to Oxford on Saturday to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History The Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton was a big hit, the shrunken heads in the connected Pitt Rivers Museum weren't so popular...

And today we finally went to see Up, which was great - and in 3D - even better!

Tragic Gorillas

We're loving Mr Big at the moment - it's a great book by Ed Vere, about a lonely gorilla who finds friendship through, strangely, jazz..

Another gorilla book that will make you laugh ( or in my case, cry..) is Little Beauty by Anthony Browne, who is the current Children's Laureate.

Another sad and lonely gorilla makes friends with a tiny kitten but nearly loses her.

Had me in tears. Why are gorillas such tragic characters?

Malvern Arts Market

Malvern Arts Market went well considering the dismal weather.. after a very rainy morning it cheered up in the afternoon and a sudden bit of sunshine cheered everyone up, including the customers!

The stall opposite mine belonged to 'Focal Form' - some really gorgeous photos - check out their website to see more photos like this, and buy prints and cards on-line

Busy, busy..

I need to start whizzing around like this - I'm getting ready for tomorrow's Craft Market at the Autumn in Malvern Festival and I've still got loads to do... Better get going!

Left my soul down by the sea...

Molly keeping an eye on the bacon..

September's Bestseller

A bit late I know, but here's September's best-selling card - 'For You' - a perfect wintry birthday card.

Speaking of wintry, we're off to Devon in the van tomorrow for the night, thinking it might get a bit chilly - will pack ALL the fleeces..

Misty Malverns

We had a foggy walk along the Malverns on Sunday, it cleared suddenly at one point and we had a great view for about a minute before the cloud closed in again.

I'm having a stall at the Autumn in Malvern Festival on Saturday 24th October, at the Priory in Great Malvern - should be fun

We've had a bumper crop of walnuts this year, I'm now wondering what to do with them all, date and walnut muffins?

Christmas Cards Designs...

Four new Christmas card designs will be available from the 1st November... you can see all four designs on the website

Fun at the Fair

The Mop Fair came to Evesham last week, apparently it's been coming for the last 400 years.
You know it's Autumn when the Mop comes to town, the lights shining in the dark and the smell of candyfloss, or 'candyfluff' as it's known in the Moody house.

In a Noo York state of mind

I heart New York and today the new song 'New York' by Paloma Faith is stuck in my head - I love it! Her website has loads of cool pics and a blog - check it out here.

I also love this amazingly intricate New York papercut by Famille Summerbelle - they also have one of London and Paris, but the NY one is definitely on my Christmas wishlist - would look great above the sofa..

And while we're in New York, I love the Sweet Fine Day blog - a tale of family and creativity in Brooklyn, with beautiful photos and recipes.

Three Little Pigs

Today the World's Biggest Coffee Morning is taking place - in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

One of my lovely stockists - Three Little Pigs in Pershore took part and had some of my Cuppa cards on sale for Macmillan, plus the opportunity to paint a caricature on a mug, great idea!

Les Oiseaux

I've been making some Christmas Tree birds, to sell, to give, or maybe to keep.. I quite fancy a Christmas Tree completely covered in birds..
I'll be selling them in sets of three in my shop soon!