January Printing

I started a printing course mid Jan so thought I would show you a bit of the work I have produced. I'm loving being back in the University environment. I think if I could, I would spend my life just doing course after course. Feeding my brain is very important especially after my two kids, I'm sure I left a few brain cells behind in the maternity ward. Sorry the photos are not the best but they were taken in the evening in the university on my phone. Well I'm going to get out for a stroll down by the beach before the storms hit again.......it has been crazy weather down in Cornwall so far this year, lucky I'm on a high point so have not had flooding to worry about. Well, buy for now, keep warm and I'll post again soon xxx

Happy New Year and Hand painted Toys

Happy New Year everyone. I hope Santa was kind to you and you had a good holiday. I had a crazy time. full of friends and family staying over and lots of cooking and eating. Now my Diet starts and exercise. I just had a green smoothie for lunch and I have to say although it was tasty I am already hungry. There is still a pile of cheese left in the fridge and every time I open the door I am having to battle the craving...........my will power is bad, don't know how much longer I can resist its charms.......may have to have a cheese binge tonight just to get rid of the temptation. Holly our adopted cat has settled in and has been dropping cat food sachets on my head at night time (usually 4 in the morning)and waking me up with a beef smell and a plop to the fore head......it would be quite funny and cute if I wasn't so out of it at that time of night. I have started back on my painted dolls this month. I took a pile of stock into one of my new stockist " The Shop That Popped Up ". As you may have guest its a pop up shop in Liskeard and I don't know for how long it will be there but its a great shop. They are trying to bring a bit of modern craft down this way and its full of brilliant local designers making things that are different to the normal for Cornwall. I love it and my dolls have been selling well so far so hopefully it will be open for a while.

My Bird Folk Dolls are still in production and I'm still loving designing them so I think they will carry on into this year. This one sold while I was still in the shop, she had only been out five minuets while I was having a good old gossip.

Bird soft sculptures

Sorry I haven't posted on my blog for yonks. I have been really busy making lots of soft sculptures. I have been accepted in the Kaya Gallery on the Barbican in Plymouth so all my time has gone to my new art venture, Have a look at my new page if you have five minuets(www.facebook.com/artistchloebirnie). I have only been making these boxed Cornish bird sculpture for a couple of months but I have sold two big boxed pieces now and several single birds. Isn't it funny how somethings just take off and you hadn't even imagined that it would take you down that road. I have also signed up to a print making course for January at the university, can't wait it will be loads of fun. What else has been going on......mmmmm......We also acquired a new member of the house last month. A little kitten now named Holly by the kids. She found us in the recent storms and we took her in for the night then put posters up, told the pet shops and vets that we had found this kitten and we went knocking at doors round the area. So far no one has phoned or come forward and its been 4 weeks now. I think she will be staying (although my other half is not impressed). She is very sweet but likes my bird sculptures a bit too much, I will have to watch her.

Mouse Hole Mouse

I have had a busy couple of weeks. I finished my Gannet soft sculpture for my art label www.facebook.com/artistchloebirnie and my mouse hole mouse toy. I started this little mouse after my visit to Mouse Hole in Cornwall whilst away one weekend in the caravan. I found a sock and a hankie washed up on the beach and as I cant resist a bit of found texile treasure I had to sneek them into my pockets with much ridicule from the family. It had to be a mouse, being found at mouse hole and this was the finished article. (don't worry they were very well washed). I have also started on my Christmas stall stock. I wasn't planning on doing any this year but here I am with three fairs lined up for Christmas.......which I know I will stress about.........and be last minute larry again. It is all for a good cause though, My studio shed fund for the allotment. I'll be there soon i'm sure. I just have to keep my mits out the savings jar on top of my cupboard. I still have a way to go but my little allotment studio will be in place soon, Half way there now so maybe it will be done for Christmas with the help of the extra cash from those last minute stalls.

Cup of tea anyone......

Mouse Hole Harbour Art

I found this great bit of drift wood on the beach the other day and after drying it off in the conservatory I decided to use it on a soft sculpture art piece. I have been dabbling with the idea of selling some of my art work and this might be the first bit to go to a gallery and take the plundge into the cornish art scene. I adapted a pattern from Abigail Glassenbergs book (The artful bird)for the base of my wader bird. I altered the wren pattern to make this little chap. Stretched out the legs and beak and cut new wing and tail shapes and moved the leg position and neck. These waders were every where in mouse hole harbour last week and I love there funny proportions. well I hope you all have a good week and ill hopefully post again soon. I am always posting on my face book pages so please have a look there if you have a spare 5 mins, bye x https://www.facebook.com/artistchloebirnie https://www.facebook.com/WoollySoup

You may need sunglasses for this post.....we had a day round the house yesterday, merryn was feeling a bit sick and after being up 3 times in the night I didnt fancy my cars chances if we drove anywhere so I ended up getting my paints out with the kids. They both painted a canvas while I played around at painting a dolls face. I will do some paper machie limbs for her today if the rain keeps on and see where she takes me. Merryn is curled up with bear today in her pj's so cant see us having any wild holiday fun today.......may attempt a trip out though mmmmmmm well best get on with the day, hope you are all having a good summer bye for now.... time for toast and coffee x

Home spun fair

Morning, Im sat in my dressing gown with the rain pouring onto the conservatory, stalling letting the ducks out. Really dont fancy putting on those cold wellies(possibly with a slug inside....eek). So I thought I would quickly post about the homespun fair I did on sunday (yes in the rain).......... Luckly the event is inside a lovely old hall on the beach. We even had a sea view when you could see through the mist and driving rain. I actually had a really good sales day and came back with a big empty tub as I sold lots of toys to bedraggled and wet kids. I think lots of parents were keen to cheer up there little ones after a washout beach day. One of my mooing cows went to a really sweet 3 year old girl. I could hear the moo going off around the hall and by the end of the day I think the parents were wishing they had saved it till after the car journey home, he he he.............. One little girl was very entertained all day though (wonder if she was doing it deliberatley to wined them up).

I also made up this cushion for my eames rocker. I was in two minds when I found this tea towel in the charity shop wheather to cut it up into clasp purses and sell them, or to keep it for myself. In the end I decided to keep it whole and Im glad I did. I think its turned out great, although adam hates all pillows....... so I know when he sees it he wont be impressed. Well better let my poor girls out and collect the eggs (fingers crossed the slugs dont come for me and my wellies)Think the rain is stopping, hope you all have a fab week bye for now x