In Tricot Too's window this week

Elegant clothes by Crea.

Hungry ducks

Yesterday these ducks ran towards me like excited children. With the pond partly iced over and bread throwers staying at home in the warm the ducks are desperately hungry.

I watched this cygnet pulling at a man's pockets with his beak. But the man had no bread. Aren't swans normally shy?

Windfall apples idea

My neighbour often leaves a bag of windfall apples on my doorstep. This week it's a bag of beetroot from his allotment (ideas anyone?) Anyway the apples are a bit small to be eaten so I thought I'd chop them up and use them in Christmas garlands. As you cut soak the slices in a salt and water solution for at least ten minutes to prevent browning. In three days they'll be leathery enough to use.

Fun with paint!

I love painting and I'm painting a lot at the moment! Lots of decorative angels. Some are selling at Chichester Centre of Arts this week - til Saturday. (It's in the big Marks and Spencer car park right in the centre.) More will be available at Reed's Farm (see details above) on Tuesday November 30th where I am at a Help the Heroes event. Angels are £4.50 each.

Fortnum and Mason's Christmas Windows

Excess all areas seems to be the message from these opulent window displays. Inside the tins of tea and biscuits are works of art in themselves. Fabulous gifts. No wonder Fortnum's is a must-visit place for Americans and Europeans.

This clever window is one of a series of  paintings re-created three dimensionally.

Tricot Too window this week

Warm and wooly clothes as the temperature plummets. Pinafore and lacy skirt by Myrine and Me; long sleeve top, cardigan and grey scarf all American Vintage, grey tunic and trousers by Avoca; fuschia scarf by Shirley Pinder and jewellery by Jenny Stacy.

Life size paper angel

My clever friend Bee Mellor has made this five foot paper angel for a shop window in Australia. Bee and her family emigrated five years ago. While living in Liss, near Petersfield Bee was well known for her exquisite embroidered wall hangings and pictures. She now exhibits widely from her new base near Melbourne.   www.beemellor.com

Selling at Chichester Centre of Arts

A big mirror surrounded with pretty postcards is a new idea. The exhibition is on for two weeks from today. I am with four other makers. I'm stewarding this Wednesday so please introduce yourself if you pop in. I'd love to meet you.

This picture shows the angel tree decorations I have just made - at the top of the picture. Sometimes I'd like to keep what I make and have them hanging from my own tree but no, everything must be sold!! The centre of Arts by the way is in Marks and Spencer's car park right in the centre of Chichester.

Angel collage cards

I've now made 28 angel cards and as usual with cards they take ages and yet you can't charge as much as you'd like for them because very few people will pay more than £2.50 for a card.

However I've decided to sell these at £3.50 each. They are all completely individual and hopefully people will feel it is worth paying a bit extra for them.

Christmas at Tricot Too

A new herd of brown reindeer with tartan ribbon joined their red mates in Tricot this week. And a delivery of gift ideas from Denmark (picture coming) is worth a look.

Angels, as promised

Felted, stitched and mother of pearl buttons to support her silver hangingthread. All this for £5 each!

Three New Dolls £29 each

Hermione

Mabel

Lily

Anthropologie idea

Spotted. This great use of felt balls in gift wrapping in Anthropologie in Regent Street.
Thanks to my lovely friend Wanda yesterday's trip up to the Country Living show continued into a tour of Liberty, Anthropologie and Uniqlo. Loved it. Exhausted but loved it. Thanks Wanda!

A day out at the Country Living Show

The show is on three levels. So much to see. Still dense crowds of visitors despite the economic climate.Wish there was more handmade. Suggestion to organisers - give people who make all their products from scratch themselves a free stand.

Above and below are inside CL magazine's Christmas hut.

Inside Liberty

Love these wallpaper designs.

Ceilings covered in lights in the magical Christmas Department.

Tiny lights cascade through all four floors.

Making angels

This week I'm making felt angels and dressing rag dolls. Pics coming soon.

Felt Xmas decorations for Tricot Too

Reindeer £4.70 and Christmas trees £3.50 all with red and green or red and white ribbon.

In Tricot Too's window now

Scarf by Shirley Pinder, coat by Mes Soeurs et Moi, jacket and leggings by Out of Xile and dress by Avoca.

Familiar faces in new surroundings

Yesterday I visited the newly opened 'Nest' in London. If you can call in. It's a lovely shop with a no-compromise approach to quality.

The yarns are irresistible. Everything well displayed. Lots of pictures follow! http://www.handmadenest.co.uk/