Tuesday 19 July 2011

I'm back ...

Just got back to the shop today after a lovely week off!  I am not back up to speed yet and am still ploughing through e-mails and dealing with orders that came in whilst I was away.

I do have a minute though to introduce you to the newest member of the Philpott family...

 

We actually had 6 hatching eggs under our broody and very stroppy hen Mildred, all of which were supposed to hatch last Tuesday.  She was a super Mum and did everything she was supposed to but unfortunately only one out of the six eggs hatched.  The chick is a 'Well Summer Bantum' and is called Summer.  Fortunately we think she is a girl rather than a boy which means we will at least get a few eggs in a few months time. 

Thought you might like to see a couple of piccies of her and Mum...




Mildred continues to be a very good Mum.  We have now moved them to their new barn (actually a shed - but we like the chickens to feel important so we call it a 'Barn' when they are in earshot!! ).  Mildred looks after her little one very well and charged at me with intent when I went to freshen their water and food yesterday - GOOD THING WE ARE BREEDING CHICKENS AND NOT ELEPHANTS!!

Friday 8 July 2011

Signing off for a few days ...

A while ago I promised that I would show you the E-Type Jaguar that I painted for my Dad for Father's Day.  I have finally managed to get a photograph of it and here it is.  I used watercolour and pastels to create the final effect.  I took the registration plate number from an old mini that Mum and Dad had when they were younger.  A lovely, nippy, brown little mini called Margaret (after my Nan) which I learned to drive in. I thought that it would make a nice little touch to my Dad's favourite car!


Today the girls break up for the Summer Holidays at 12 noon and so next week I am having a few days off to spend with them and {hopefully} our new chickens that will be hatching on Tuesday.  If all goes well I will post some photographs of them when I get back into the workshop.

We have got lots of other lovely things planned for next week, including the Befordshire County Show on Sunday (if the weather is nice), so I might see some of you there!

Here is a little project before I leave today ...


This card was created using Tim Holtz Distress inks and some nature stamps from Artemio.  The panel on the right hand side is actually a book mark which can be used after the card is finished with.  I think that the little 'just because' stamp is from Woodware, but I am not sure of this as it has been in my craft box but out of its packet for quite a while!  The text paper is from My Minds Eye and is part of the Lost and Found Range.

I will be back in the workshop a week on Tuesday. 

I am here tomorrow (Saturday 9th July) for the Kit Club if you need anything before I go.  Also for those of you booked onto the Torn Paper Cards on Thursday (1-3pm) this is running as well. 

Please can you note the opening times for the shop over the Summer.

Tues, Weds and Thursday 9.30 - 5pm plus any other booked workshops. 

I appreciate that this is not ideal for anyone who likes to visit on a Monday, Friday or Saturday but only having to entertain children here 3 days a week instead of 6 does keep my stress levels to a minimum!!

Have a lovely week and I will be back with lots of inspiration soon!


Monday 4 July 2011

Happy 4th July ...


http://www.womansday.com/Recipes/Stars-Stripes-Pie

Happy 4th July to all of our visitors from America!  The celebrations had reached the UK over the weekend as we saw lots of Fireworks displays Saturday night to celebrate the special day.

I came across this super pie recipe which looks absolutely amazing.  I wonder if it would be so easy to create a Union Jack - Hmmm!!

Back soon with some more inspiration!