Mr Buns...

Heres the latest bunny, Mr Buns, in the etsy shop now, lots of others to follow soon :)

Will try to load more later today :)

I am also trying to make christmas presents for loved ones, eek !!!

Its not long to go !!

Happy Days

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New things are coming...as christmas gets closer.....

There are some new bunnies and bears coming, some large and some small.....

There have been beach walks with my Miss Bunny.... here she is checking out her reflection....

Gentle conversation , between little man and his dog....

and the endless production lines drying on the drawers of the old chemists drawers.....

lots of new things coming, so watch this space  :)

Happy Days

Miss D

x x x x

Moonie bean folkart...

Today I want to talk about a friends work, over at Moonie Bean folkart.

I love everything that Debra does and she makes a wide variety of beautiful things.

Look at this gorgeous wee duck broach, it is one of my most treasured things.

and here is one of her art dolls, I am also very lucky to own this special lady.

Do pop over to Debra's blog and see what she does, she is a very generous maker , always sharing process's and ideas, she will be a real high light to your blog reading list.

Here is where you can find her

http://monniebeanfolkart.blogspot.co.uk/

Happy Reading !

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A little bit of monkey business.....

Just a little bit of affordable stocking fillers added to the etsy shop today, all filled with lovely lavendar, to keep the moths at bay :)

A bit of monkey business, hes a good size this chappy, a nice wee gift, that wont brake the bank.

And the popular wee kitties....

and the trusty puglets too...

My favourite though is this large dressmakers or needle woman pin cushion, competitively priced at 10 pounds..

lots more affordable gifts coming very soon !

Hugs and squeezes to you all

Miss D

X X X

Batten down the hatches !!!

Well goodness me, I must not grumble, but my chucks will !!

We have had some terrible weather here, and rain for nearly three weeks solid and lots of wind and gales.
My sweet pekin chickens have really been through the mill a bit, so I thought it would be a good idea to spruce up the ark and move it to a fresh spot.

So I decided first to place the ten wee angels into a dog crate, as you can see Kitty helped out by keeping an eye on them whilst I got on with the work :)

I managed to drag the ark to a better spot and gave it a quick paint of pink to cheer us all up a bit. As you can see Henny Penny and buffy really liked what I had done with the place.

Cocky Locky, gave it a good strutt around too ......

Henny looked dazzled by it all......

Shaggy , was most impressed with his nicer surroundings....

Pepper, wanted to get really close to say thank you.

A meeting was called , and it was agreed....they were very happy indeed !

and to celebrate, they laid me an egg.

they also displayed some acrobatics, for my enjoyment.

I have to say they are the sweetest lil creatures I ever knew, I had them from a few days old and they wont be one till february, but despite this cold and wet spell they still manage to squeeze out the occassional egg or two. Bless their little souls and hopefully now they wont blow off to Oz.

By the way, if you would like to own some lovely Pekin chickens, and are in the uk, then do contact the lovely Josh on 07837185112, and he can post some sweet babies out to you.

I have owned a few different breeds over the years, but I can honestly say that the pekin chicken has the sweetest nature and is so friendly and productive. They are easy to handle and lay small eggs, but have the same size yolk as a large egg.

They are a joy !!

x x x

Simply Beautiful--- Rufus Wainwright - Sonnet 20

My Lino cut Christmas Card......

Here we have the limited edition lino cut christmas card, I have just listed them in my etsy shop now if you fancy taking a closer peep. ( My etsy shop is in the side bar )

But...

I thought it would be nice...........

to show you the process, just in case you fancied making your own cards this Christmas :)

( Also look above, you get to see a glimpse of my cute ancient spoon rack ! )

Well first things first, draw your design on your lino with a fine marker pen,

Then begin to carve out your design, using the larger carving heads first.....

Then later changing to the finer heads, to refine the detail a little.

I like to hold mine up to the light, or on a light box if you have one, if not use your lap top screen---that way you can get a better idea of what your print will print out like...

Now for the messy bit, use a roller, to evenly spread your ink, I like a red base, but you can do what ever you wish..

Then I use a smoothing out tool, but the base of a clean cup would do just fine, and I rub it all around, to make sure that the print is even.

Then you have something like these....then I hang them up till dry.

Then the  next day , I like to hand paint the rest of the colours in, as I like the depth that this gives the picture and I think it then makes all the cards, each a tiny bit unique.

This all does take time--but there is no rush, allow yourself a couple of days for the carving, I found myself constantly refining it and then putting it away, so that I could look at it the next day with fresh eyes.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, with christmas approaching I am going to make my blog especially helpful. Tommorrow I will show you how I make my mince pies and freeze them, I make them with a crumble and sliced almond topping--so watch this space...

Heres to a stress free Christmas !

x x x

Twinkly nights at Darling HQ.....

As the nights become colder, darker and very windy, its nice to look out from high up at Darling HQ to see the lovely twinkling lights of Cardigan below.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

x x x

Elsie the elephant goes to her lovely new home.....

I really loved Elsie and it was sad but good to see her go, I think I will have to make another quite soon

I decided to adorn her with some french antique ribbon and a bell around her neck for good luck.

She now has a lovely new home, and lives with a teddy I made a few years ago, so she wont get lonely !

Happy Days !

x x x

Rememberence Sunday......

I took these photos this year at BBC gardeners live show at the NEC , I thought it a very moving tribute and share it with you today.

Made by a group of women, stitched, sewn and crocheted, such a moving and fitting tribute to those who experience war or lose their lives in war.

Lets hope and pray, to all our gods, to the end of all wars, one day soon....

My love and thoughts go out to all. Blessings to everyone this sunday.

Peace on Earth.

x x x X x x x

Winter days at Darling HQ........

As the days are getting darker, its time to think about a few projects to do inside. I love working outside in the summer, but equally love snuggling inside the house in winter.

We have had some dark thundery days here, so wet that the colours arent really autumn yet, but still beautiful.

I like to keep the woodburner on , to cheer us all up, and keep the damp at bay too. You cant beat a real fire can you :)

There are lots of wee things , being finished off ,as we speak, ready to go onto my etsy shop--loading will commence on monday and continue for several weeks. But I am working on a lovely larger project too. Its a sculpture for a sensory garden for patients with dementia. I am really happy to be contributing to such a wonderful garden. Below is the chosen design in a rough sketch format and soon I will show you how it is taking shape. I also enjoy gathering the materials, it is a joy in itself.

 I will be adding lots of free recipes and free decoration patterns with christmas fastly approaching us.

I am really looking forwards to decorating the house too, but more on that very soon !

Have a super day !

x x x

Book Review -- Melt by Gingers Comfort Emporium.

If you are wondering what to buy a loved one, or treat yourself to this christmas, you wont go far wrong with this wonderful book from Gingers Comfort Emporium !

Filled with stunning ice cream desserts, but with a twist, this book will have you fixated and drooling :)

The recipes are brilliant and the instructions very clear and encouraging. This is a delightful book for both the learner  or experienced cook.

Its a real must have  for the serious foodies out there. Its stunning photography and witty dialogue will keep you interested for years.

So I would say buy this book with confidence and really enjoy it.

Well done Gingers Comfort Emporium, I cant wait for your next book !!

x x x

CHEF Soundtrack Movie--- Enjoy !!!

Film review, The Chef

As the cold nights are finally here its time to watch some good films.

This was a surprise film for me, as once I started watching this I couldnt stop, its a wonderful fun , feel good film.

If you like to cook, or just eat and love cuban music, you will be hooked.

I shall not give the story away, but its a really entertaining film , with a fab cast.

Scarlett plays a wee roll, as does Rob Downey jnr, Amy Sedaris, amongst others...

With jumpin music and amazing food porn, I would be surprised if you all didnt get creating fantastic cuban recipies , directly after watching this !

I used to own a bistro and this film  made me feel sentimental and nostalgic to do it all again

Its a real joy to watch and good for the guys as much as the ladies, infact I would go as far to say that this is going to be very much enjoyed by the men out there.

And the music !! Soooo good you'll be dancin !

A really great film, its available now to buy online, or at your stores. If you enjoy it half as much as I did then you wont be sorry.

xxx