Merry Christmas!



Winter Art: First Snow by Marianne LoMonaco on Etsy

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year

As the last order for Christmas has now been despatched, I'm taking a little rest. I'm sure I'll still be spotted on twitter or Pinterest, but I'll be taking a little rest from blogging.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last year - it's very much appreciated. I'm looking forward to 2012.

My Poppy Sparkles online shops and jewellery website are still open. I will still process orders, but until 3rd January orders will not be posted out in the usual 1-2 day turnaround time I like to keep to.

Have a wonderful Christmas and here's to an awesome new year!

Viv x

Festive Ceramics, Personalised Gifts + my trip to Glazey Days

Handpainted Christmas Decorations

 I've blogged about visiting Glazey Days before, but some things are too good not to be blogged again. last time I suggested how fab footprints or handprints captured on ceramic would be for a Mother's Day gift idea. And, do you know what? Mums, Grans and other relatives that adore your little ones will love some cute little hand or footprints just as much for Christmas gifts.

My Snowman 

Top - My Snowman, Bottom - Left is my mum and little girl's joint effort, Right is my little boy's creation (with some help from me)

As well as capturing my little darlings paws onto ceramic once again, we also had a go at creating some festive pieces. After a shaky start with both kids insisting on painting their snowmen black of all colours, the control freak in me took over. Snowmen are white and I want some semblance to reality here! So, the black was washed off and using 'I'm teaching the kids' as an excuse I got myself a snowman to paint too. Watching me, my little boy copied as we applied each colour in turn. Getting stuck in with the kids is a lot of fun, but it really does help the kids to have someone to copy and model from.

Handprint decorated plate

Ceramic cafes are dotted around the country, so if you like this idea why not find one near you and get creative creating a personalised gift for someone special or even for you to keep - it's a lovely way to capture and remember those dinky hands and feet!

Footprints on a Ceramic Plate - a lovely gift to Grandma and Grandad

Thank you once again to Helen of Glazey Days in Fleetwood for letting my kids and I run riot in her ceramic painting studio.

If you own or know of a ceramic or pottery painting place, please feel free to leave details or a link in the comments.