British Badger love

This week's been a pretty gloomy one for our British Badgers with the recent cullings...It's so sad- they are such magic and beautiful creatures. I felt compelled to paint one and posted it to Facebook in the week and it's now added to my Society6 shop in the form of gadget cases, prints, cards and cushions. I really hope they don't disappear off our countryside's radar all together...X

A new month, a new tote!

September is upon us which means Autumn (I LOVE Autumn) & back to school...ease yourself back into things with our fun, new 'Cat Friends' tote bag!

Screen printed in a nice deep berry magenta and a smattering of lovely illustrated felines, this tote will carry your books, shopping or cardi now it's getting chilly again. They also would make the perfect gift, woldn't you say? Shop for them here! X

This week.

Hi-O!

It's been a nice week, though crazy-hot. I suppose I shouldn't complain...our winter here is still lurking in my mind (shudder). 

I've been doing some advertising work for events at the lovely Berry Farm based in the Cotswolds. It's been a nice change from the norm, a bit of drawing and a bit of typography...

This one was clearly just for me, I love cats as you know. My sister is forever sending me photos of what Lola the cat is getting up to at home in my absence...sigh!

At the weekend we went to a cabin sleeping 20 friends and had lots of fun, including fishing, game boards, sauna, grilling and hot tub. We also visited Porvoo on the way home which I'd wanted to do for ages. It's a little wooden town on the river full of cute shops, cafes and not much else, but it was sleepy and lovely to be there.

The fella also wizzed this nice whale up on our newly acquired sewing machine- isn't he clever? I posted a pic on my facebook page which got a load more interest than half the stuff I post on there! Geeez! I'd fixed these jeans up for him a few times and it was high time they either got chucked or transformed. He was inspired by a picture I'd pinned on pinterest ages ago, lots of distractions over there for a rainy day if you've not had a peep before...dangerous in fact.

This weekend is Flow festival in Helsinki, woohoo! Have a good one X

Home comforts

I told you I would post about my trip home to the UK, which was a week ago now- I'm not sure where that went! Apologies, here are some sunny photos, I think we picked a jolly good couple of weeks to vacation on...our British summertime is normally much to be desired! 

We went to Fresh Air Sculpture exhibition at Quenington, Gloucestershire which I love each year it's on. It was SO hot, everyone swooned at the nice swimming pool there...I had a ginger ice cream instead to curb temptation. I'm normally fairly good at jotting down artist credits for my blog but today it all went out the window, sorry sorry sorry. There's a brill online guide at their website if you're fairly interested!

See the fish? I am drawing lots of fish at the moment...also loved the glass pond art above too. The grounds it's all set in is so beautiful and lovely for a stroll. They have a crazy pivoted bridge too.  

We then ventured to South Wales for a little while and enjoyed lots of nice sunsets, beaches and fish 'n' chips! I love Wales. It's sort of like Cornwall, minus the tourists.

Three Cliffs Bay, lovely to stretch the legs and get a lung-full of sea air! Below, windswept but happy at the Mumbles. I went to uni in these parts a while back, it was good to be back and sample Joe's ice cream once more!

Back in the Cotswolds, I dropped stock to all my lovely suppliers, had a good chin-wag and had amazing lunch in new cafe The Canteen. We scoffed a pile of flatbread with greek salad and loads of fresh Turkish inspired dips in the courtyard, I could happily do this everyday! Recommended, and super inspiring sat in between a cluster of salvage yard and vintage-type gift stores...

I did a stall at Bath Artisan Market mid way through to get back into things! We cooked slowly underneath a glass roofed old railway station but my new Farmers Market tea towels were a hit, as well as butterfly garlands (which are now in the sale) and everyone was friendly. As normal, we spent most of our takings on refreshments- I drank ice cream coke floats from a converted caravan shack and macaroons from a fellow stall holder, delish!

One day we headed south, and dropped into our favourite farm shop cafe, Cholderton Farm for hen topped coffees, the best bacon sandwiches and a barn full of chickens to eat amongst. We ended up in and about Hampshire which I hadn't really done before and was very pretty with it's little thatched villages. We had cream teas and I didn't feel much like going back to Finland, but alas, here I am back again!

So most of the time was spent eating...we needed our British food fill. I figured if we'd gone abroad we would've eaten way too much too, it was a proper holiday after all! 

Since being back in Finland, I've been busy scribbling new ideas and have my Christmas (!) radar whirling...sad but true! Next weekend we're going Russia way to stay in a cabin with some friends from the fella's work, fun! As always, I'll keep you posted. 

S X

Sale...

New tea towels & home love

Phew! I am doing my best to stay cool... had no idea the UK would be this blistering hot for the two weeks I've been home! Feeling pretty smug, the countryside is looking rather magnificent in the sunshine. Do I have to go back? (yes.) I will be sure to show you some of what I've been up to soon...

Before I do, I have a NEWLY illustrated tea towel to show you, available from this evening in my shop! Inspired by visits to the Farmers Market, my 'Buy local' tea towel is just the job for declaring your support for all things fresh and lovely! Here's your preview...

Screen printed in a smart charcoal colour onto crisp linen union and tied with twine, I am rather fond of this creation already, let me know what you think! Spotted the crafty mutt lusting over some sausages?

This is also my chance to give you a heads up for the studio SALE clear out I'm busy sorting through today, keep your eyes peeled for some handmade bargains from tomorrow!

S X

Flash sale!

I'm flying back home to the UK for two weeks tomorrow and plan to soak up plenty of home comforts, a nice visit to Wales, and as always plenty of work & play!

To celebrate, I'm doing a flash sale of 20% off in my online shop until midnight tomorrow (Friday 5th July) on minimum spend of just £5.00. Treat yourself or any upcoming Birthdays to something sweet and UK-made! Just enter code: WELOVEHOLIDAYS at the checkout. Shop here, and enjoy!

Whilst I'm back on home turf, I'll also be taking a stall to the Bath Artisan Market on Sunday 14th July- where there'll also be up-cycling to partake in, gourmet eats and lots of other handmade goodness. Come say 'hi' if you can make it, I love a smiley face! X