Credit where credit's due!

Did I mention that I had a birthday???

I promise this is the last time... but I received some very beautiful presents worthy of their own post.

Credit where credit's due!

My little sister Nelly was almost as excited as me to open the gift from family Kisby!

It's by ceramic artist Katie Almond whose work I have now fallen madly in love with... you can see more of her makes, and where to buy them, on her site and blog.

Nelly and G Kisby - it is a thing of absolute beauty and I will treasure it forever. And I can't believe I even asked if I could actually use it! What was I thinking...it will go on a special shelf to be much admired.

My Mum found my first pair of shoes, which will be framed at some point, and chose the perfect Roberts radio, coveted for many years, for the kitchen. Now I can sound even more like her as I fight with the boys each morning! 

Alfie 'Please can we have Capital back on'

Me 'It's giving me a headache'

Alfie ' what are you, some sort of dinosaur?'

Me 'yes. And it's my radio. And I need to hear the news...'

Yep....I seem to have got old. Thanks Granny - Woman's Hour never sounded so good.

M and J bought such thoughtful gifts including a fab coffee table book on photography (right up my street), way too much beautiful stationary (don't worry Mark - I'll give you 2 of the moleskin books back!) including the sunography kit - which I can't wait to play with. 

For me, the pièce de résistance is the Rob Ryan ceramic mug, complete with fully stamped Cafe Nero card. Will definitely be nicking this birthday idea! (J - lets have a coffee soon?)

My super skillful friend Jane gave me the most valuable of gifts - she's going to (try to) teach me how to crochet! She reckons we could do it in a month...

I can hear my Mum chuckling to herself whilst reading this thinking 'poor Jane...do you know what you've taken on?'

Looking forward to our first lesson next week...hope I don't cry and throw it on the floor (like last time I tried!)

My (glorious/ample/heaving/ *delete as appropriate to how well you know me*) bosson will be adorned with these adorable necklaces (thank you Sara - lots of love over the deep blue sea to you all!). The two bird ones from the boys, along with an ace ring that for some reason I can't seem to photograph!

My hair will never be frizzy (thanks Sandra, great choice), and my lounge will smell of frangipane...which is so much nicer than l'eau de sweaty boy (thanks Julie and Emma)

And as for Cleggy  - he made some lovely new friends whilst choosing the most wonderful gifts! Such a charmer.

Now, I was about to say that I've been a fan of Viv's work forever, but I only came across it through blogging, so it must only be six months or so...in which case I must have 'wittered' on about it a plenty! Cleggy sent the photographs and key bits of info and Viv worked her wondrous magic to create this amazing work:

My Dad died when we were all very young - and like me, he was the picture taker, so we have very few photographs of him. It's amazing to have my favourite one used to make art (and have the original back...Viv is SOOOoooo clever!). The other picture is of my new red patent shoes, worn with red tights...a look I am still fond of 35 years later!

I know Viv is well known in these parts - but if you haven't seen her work make sure and take a look at her blog 'hens teeth' - it's really special.

(that little book...I can't tell you...)

I was also lucky enough to receive a Cowboys and Custard special - check this out;

The colours, the vintage girl, the chicken....way too cute! (and a board game!). I have loved Michele's work for many years and unknowingly bought little things from her fabulous shop 'cowboys and custard', for myself and for gifts, from all sorts of places. I only recently put all the pieces together and connected the buttons, cards, notonthehighstreet shop, blog and finally the lady. This piece of art makes me swoon and will be the starting point for decorating our (currently way too grown up) dining room! Perfect.

And on to share my last treasure. I 'met' Sarah at Northfield Primitives when she bought some (lots!) of blocks from my shop. I could happily buy everything she makes (see the little bird with heart above) and have had a little something on order for a while. Unbeknown to me, Cleggy was in cahoots with Sarah too and asked her to make three little elephants to represent our boys. 

 The skill in making these traditional toys amazes me - and the little mouse made my heart ache...

The little herd came with adorable bunting and ruffles - which I'm going to encourage them to wear for special occasions and Christmas! Aren't they splendid?

Ladies from the wonderful world of blogging - I'm glad now that I did 'witter' on about all your makes - and will never, ever accuse Cleggy of not listening! (although to be fair he does a good impression!). I'm very grateful that you all agreed to help him make my birthday extra special and will treasure these pieces of art forever. You are amazingly talented.

Thank you again friends and family for the most thoughtful gifts - I'm glad I'm easy to buy for! I feel very privileged.

Fee x