Peters new collar

Last September we bought Jodie a new fancy martingale collar for her 3rd birthday. We got it from a small company in Bridport, Dorset called Kitsch Collars. A woman named Dolly makes all the collars by hand and to order. Jodie looks lovely in her slightly medieval style green daisy collar and it is always being admired.

Greyhound sweetheart

       Now that our new dog Peter has really settled in and has proved to be as good as gold out walking,we decided it was about time he had the Kitsch collar treatment too. On Saturday his new collar arrived and he looks great in it. We also splashed out on two matching velvet leads...now we can walk them on leads that are the same length, which is much easier.

Peter in his new Kitsch Collar

We've had some very enjoyable walks together over the last week as the sun has shone most mornings. The dogs have had a spring in their step and so have I.

Peter and Jodie walk out in style

Easter Chick Wreaths.

Its over a month since I last blogged anything....since then I am another year older, have done lots of running, including several X country and fell races, a stint of supply work and have sold quite a few brooches via Etsy. There have been various domestic improvements, for example a newly decorated bedroom and the tumble drier is now properly installed in the kitchen so I dont have to open the bathroom window and stick the hose out.

       I am mulling over the idea of a small easter sale in Algernon Terrace on the Saturday before the Easter weekend to sell some Easter wreaths and may be a few spring themed garlands..... Today I made a couple of things that might be included.

Raining Cats And Dogs

Peter and Jodie enjoying their walk on Newcastle Quayside.

Half term is here and this morning we decided to walk the dogs along the quayside into Newcastle. This was a nice change of scene and the excellent paving ensured no muddy dogs paws. It was freezing though, as it often is down there. There is a lot to look at and the children enjoyed watching the trains coming and going over the King Edward  Bridge and speed boats wizzing up and down the river.


Just next to the Tyne Bridge.

Over the last couple of days i've added a few new cat brooches to my range on Etsy. 

A Cute Little Kitten

A slightly fluffier black cat....

Looking forward to having a few lie ins and not having to make the childrens packed lunches this week. Hope the sun makes an appearance soon!

Pink Poppy Brooch

This has been a busy week and I experienced a flurry of Etsy sales and some very welcome commissions for wreaths. My friend Anne asked me to make her niece a flower brooch for her birthday and this is what I came up with. I like the combination of pink and black and enjoyed stitching on the seed beads. I am really looking forward to the half term holiday....just hope we will have some dry days. I almost miss the frozen snowy mornings as at least then the dogs didnt return from their walks with muddy paws. Still, it is great to see the evenings becoming noticeably lighter and the garden waking up from Winter.

Funky Dogwood Heart Wreath.

This week I've had several commissions for Pussy Willow hearts that I've loved making. Robyn and I picked a fresh bunch of the stuff in the allotment in the sunshine yesterday morning. Then we finished off by collecting some of the fantastic dogwood that grows in abundance, completely unchecked in Wylam. I used this to create a funky looking heart wreath. The shape of the frame differs slightly from previous ones. What do you think?

Legend has it that the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified was made from dogwood, making the wreath symbolic in many ways.Dogwood is said to carry healing powers, perhaps because of its association with the cross.

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Black Cat Brooch

I have been busy making a wreath  for friends over the last couple of days and experimented with a new black cat brooch. This one hasn't gor a little collar on....it didnt look quite right. I've listed it on Etsy.

At the weekend I ran my second north east harrier league cross country on the Town Moor in Newcastle....it was a wet and muddy affair. However, I really enjoyed myself and feel I have made a real improvement since my last race. I'm actually looking forward to the next one.

Sprucing Up My Etsy Shop



Poodle Brooch Bieng Modelled



Every week I receive an excellent email from Etsy with tips and advice about how to promote your products and boost sales. However, I dont always have the time to go about it all. I am slowly trying to improve things a bit at a time and this afternoon I took some photos I have been meaning to take for ages. They are shots of the brooches I have made actually being worn on a model.

Lee has slaved away for Pixie Peg Crafts this afternoon and following a welding session to put together some more heart shaped wreath frames, he galantly modelled the brooches out in the back yard.

Hopefully this might do the trick....time will tell.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Brooch

Today I also made a Staffordshire bull terrier badge for one of my running pals.She has bravely been parted from her Staffie called Jack for the last 4 weeks while he has undergone radiotherapy for a tumour on his foot. She is very passionate about Staffies as a breed and loves them dearly.

Border Terrier Brooch

Mushroom Brooch Being Modelled