Folksy Friday - baa baa black sheep

Here's the third in my series of nursery rhyme Folksy Fridays. These gorgeous sheepy items are all handmade and available to buy on Folksy.

I'll be taking a break from blogging for a few weeks now whilst I have some time off (and catch up with the mountains of laundry/tidying/cleaning that have been on hold during the busy wedding season!). Don't forget that my Folksy shop will close tonight, so if there's anything you'd like you better be quick! 

How cute is this sheep mobile by Ella and Boo. It would make such a lovely gift for a new baby.

Love this ceramic sheep in her own little field of moss by the very talented Sheena Spacey Folk Art.

This has to be the funkiest black sheep ever with his damask patterned wool. Add interest to your walls with this print from ialbert.

Baa! Out of the Shadows created this fab children's t-shirt. You can even have it personalised.

Folksy Friday - Old Macdonald

After last week's Twinkle Twinkle Little Star theme, I've decided to do a series of Folksy Friday collections based on nursery rhymes. So this week we're off to Old Macdonald's Farm!

Each of these items is handmade by a very talented designer-maker and is available to buy on Folksy.

Old Macdonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o...

Farmyard placemats featuring original paintings by Grace Scott. These would look great on the dinner table.

Isn't this the cutest little babygrow? Available from My Pipsqueak.

This Old Macdonald bunting from Peony and Thistle would make a great decoration for a kids party.

Love these colourful farm animal bean bags by With Hugs and Kisses. You could sing the rhyme whilst throwing them!

Folksy Friday - Twinkle twinkle little star

Folksy have started up Folksy Friday again. I need very little excuse to spend time window shopping for gorgeous handmade items! The theme I've chosen this week is twinkle twinkle little star.

I love the simple design of this star ring from Tartan Tree.

Let the kids be superheros for the days with this felt star badge from A is for Alice.

Wouldn't these tags by Victoria Snape look fab added to a thank you or congratulations gift.

Everyone should send one of these cute cards by Funky Fossil to their hero. Perfect for father's day this weekend.

Handmade favourites - gifts for chocoholics

Mmmm, chocolate! After putting together this handmade favourites collection I now totally need to eat some chocolate. If you're looking for a gift for anyone who loves chocolate as much as I do, these are my top picks. Eight of the best handmade gifts for chocoholics, all made in the UK.

Gourmet handmade chocolate gift hamper by Cocoa Tabby

In a perfect world chocolate tote bag by Of Life and Lemons

Chocolate fish and chips by The Sweet Gift Company

Chocolate truffles assortment by Lushleys

Hot chocolate gift pack by Henley Chocolates

Love and chocolate poster by Chatty Nora

Gluten free fudge brownie bites from Lynda Jane Cakes

Chocolate marshmallows by Mello Mallo

Handmade favourites - postcards

I do so love putting together these handmade favourites posts. I get to browse lovely online shops and choose a selection of wonderful items - and call it work! This month is full of handmade postcards. Send them as happy post or frame them and pop them on the wall. These are all handmade in the UK (links below).

Flora and fauna postcards by Sarah Frances Art

Flamingo postcard set by Felt Mountain Studios

Dr Seuss quote born to stand out card by Chatty Nora

Retro music postcard set by Cassia Beck

City map postcards by Firewater Gallery

Smile everyday postcard by Bhambina

Panda print by Holly Sims Illustration Shop

Hello you postcard set by The Green Gables

Handmade favourites - kraft stationery

I am totally loving kraft card at the moment. I used to be a huge fan of bright white card and this is all I would use for my stationery. Whilst I still think white looks very clean and stylish I love the trend for kraft card at the moment. It has a very different, rustic feel to it. If you haven't seen my new kraft greetings cards you can browse them in the shop here. And I've chosen a selection of my favourite handmade stationery designers who love using kraft paper for their products. Everything is handmade in the UK and available to buy online (links below).

Patterned kraft notebooks by Froot

White lovebirds wrapping paper by All Wrapped Up by Alice

Geometric chevron postcard by Laura Danby

Smile greetings card by Katie Leamon

Floral lined kraft notebook by Charlotte Macey

Hand printed goldfinch notebook by Angela Callanan

Pack of eight neon notecards by XOXO Stationery

Pack of pretty kraft tags by Peach Wolfe Paper Co

Handmade favourites: gifts for film fanatics

My wonderful brother and his girlfriend bought us a Chromecast for Christmas. I am one of the least techie people ever and couldn't even make it work without him coming to visit to set it up, but now that I know how to use it I'm loving it. And it's opened up a whole world of tv and film, accessible right from my living room. No more needing to order DVDs and wait for them to arrive.

So we've been watching quite a few films recently and have a long wishlist of things to watch. It's the perfect time of year for snuggling up under a blanket with a large bowl of popcorn. Today's handmade favourites was inspired by my renewed love of films. Everything is handmade in the UK and available to buy online (links below).

Starwars film poster by Archive Film Posters

Printable popcorn boxes by Vanilla Retro

Film quote art print by 17th and Oak

Narnia retro travel poster by Teacup Piranha

Film buff mug by The Pot Bank

Vintage retro cinema projector wall stencil by Create Cuts

Back to the future quote pencils by Pop Cult Pencils

Grand Budapest Hotel badge set by Best Play Ever

Handmade favourites - thank you cards

Hello again and happy new year. I have come back from a fantastic Christmas break full of ideas for my little shop (which is open again btw!) and this blog. I thought I'd kick off 2015 with one of my most popular series of blog posts - handmade favourites. It's that time of year when you need to write a thank you letter or two for all the lovely presents and hospitality you received over Christmas so here are some handmade cards that would make an extra special thank you.

Floral thank you card by Charlotte Macey

Kitty says 'thank you!' greetings card by Lisa Hunt

Set of 5 thank you letterpress cards by Paperkitsch

Thank you birdie card by CecilyMae Handmade

Bright thank you cards by Mellybee

Thank you kindly card by Victoria Snape

Papercut mini thank you cards by Chloe's Crafts

Personalised lion thank you cards by Made by Ellis

Christmas gift guide: Gifts for the home

This week's gift guide is all about homewares and decoration. From unusual lamps to wall decor these gifts will brighten up anyone's home. Great ideas for those who have recently moved house, started university, redecorated or like stylish gifts for their home. Everything is handmade in the UK.

Looking for more gift ideas? You can see my other Christmas gift guides here.

LED uplighters in mixed woods by Aftertrees

Tree branches candle holder by The Way to Blue

Driftwood mirror by Julia's Driftwood Furniture

Personalised scrabble wall art by Claireabellemakes

Silver wooden vases by Solid Wood Shop

Mirrored bird wall decoration by Ava and Bea

Dandelion clocks cushion cover by And Shine

A new day tall lamp by A Northern Light

Christmas gift guide: subscription gifts

Why not give a gift that lasts all year? For my third Christmas gift guide I've selected my favourite subscription gifts. From cake to stationery why not spread the Christmas cheer throughout the year.

And don't forget that I've recently introduced a greetings card subscription box too. Perfect for anyone who loves sending snail mail.

If you're on the hunt for the perfect present, you might also be interested in my previous Christmas gift guides. 

Lucky dip box from Lucky Dip Club

Baking club from Cookie Crumbles

Sock subscription from Henry J Socks

Coffee club from Bean and Ground

Marshmallow subscription from Mello Mallo

Ace stationery box from Ink Drops

Cake slice club from The Cake Nest

Christmas gift guides: for the kiddies

I've had fun putting together this week's Christmas gift guide. It's everything I would have loved to receive when I was a kid! All these Christmas gifts for children are handmade in the UK. See my other Christmas gift guides here and check back next week for another one.

Sockosaurus craft kit by Sock Creatures

Robot wall clock by Owl and Otter

Building block soap by Scent Cosmetics

Children's teepee play tent by LittleMe Teepee

Screen printed cat cushion by Robin & Mould

Colourful rainbow mittens by Stripy Kite

Children's apron by Beledien Handmade

Crochet rabbit by Owl and Wool

Animal map of the world by Art Pause

Christmas gift guide: DIY gifts

Well I'm finally having to accept that it is very definitely November and really not that long until Christmas. So I think it's time to start up my annual Christmas gift guides.

Every week between now and Christmas I'll be selecting my favourite Christmas gifts to share with you. Everything I choose is made in the UK, mostly supporting small businesses and especially focusing on handmade gifts. These are not Christmas gifts you will find on the high street.

This first Christmas gift guide is for anyone on your list who likes making things. From DIY pinhole cameras to knit your own reindeer there is something for all creative types.

DIY pinhole camera kit by The Pop Up Pin Hole Company

Ribbon flower loom kit by ffflowers

Make your own cheese kit by Sandy Leaf Farm

Knit your own reindeer kit by Made By Ewe

Three hooting owls sewing craft kit by Lou Brown Designs

Beginners calligraphy kit by CalligraphyStore

Make your own needle felted fox kit by Hawthorn Handmade

DIY electro dough kit by Technology Will Save Us

Handmade favourites - sweet treats

What's better than a gift you can eat?! This month's collection of my favourite handmade gift ideas is all about sweet treats. From homemade marshmallow to ice cream making sets, these are perfect gifts for anyone who enjoys a yummy treat or a spot of baking. Everything is made right here in the UK.

Large red velvet cake from Cake in a Jar

Honeycomb ice cream making set from Granny Gothards

Blueberry and vanilla muffin mix from Cookie Crumbles

Pick and mix sweet tree from Sweet Trees

Chocolate cake in a can from The Food Ministry

Afternoon tea party gift box from Crumb

Triple chocolate pancake mix from Little Pancake Company

Raspberry and white chocolate marshmallows from Mello Mallo

Handmade favourites - gifts for icecream lovers

No holiday is complete without sufficient intake of ice cream. In fact, I might go so far as to say it's not really a proper holiday unless ice cream is consumed at least every other day. So today's handmade favourites collection is celebrating the wonderful weather here in the UK and my love of ice cream. Everything is handmade in the UK and links to the shops are below. Enjoy a feast of ice cream designs.

Ice cream sunglasses case from Rosiebull Designs

There's always room for ice cream print from Two for Joy Paper Studio

Kawaii acrylic ice lolly necklace from Hoobynoo World

Wooden ice cream cone ring from Ginger Pickle

Ice cream holiday pennies purse from The Peartree Boutique

Kawaii ice cream iphone case from The Nosuch Disco

Ice cream cushion from Victoria Eggs

Ice cream cone pin brooch from One Sunny Afternoon

Handmade favourites - 8 of the best travel journals

Since my travel journals are one of my best sellers, I thought I'd find 8 of my favourite travel journals for this month's handmade favourites collection. If you're off on your holidays this summer why not record your adventures in one of these super journals, all handmade in the UK.

The world is a book A5 travel journal by Bookishly

Scratch map travelogue by Luckies

Explorer's notebook by Coulson Macleod

Screen printed lighthouse travel journal by Sukie

Personalised travel journal by Grace and Favour Home

Bear spotters A6 notebook by Hole in my Pocket

Old suitcase leather journal by Bobby Rocks

A6 leather journal with recycled maps by Girl With Beads

Handmade favourites - travel accessories

The sun is shining and it's the time of year when people start to head off on holidays, so for this month's handmade favourites collection I've chosen my top handmade travel accessories. Everything is handmade right here in the UK.

Retro personalised laundry bag by Seahorse

Leather passport holder by Lost Kind

Fox wash bag by Katherine Thompson Handmade

Personalised luggage tag by Namees

Travel card holder by An Exhaltation of Larks

Green spot travel pouch by Kitsch Devine

Standeazy portable phone stand by Phonestand

Waxed cotton washbag by Weldon

Handmade favourites - things that made me smile

Today's collection of handmade goodies features my favourite things that have made me smile recently. I *need* to buy at least one of these!

Gordon doorstop by Sew Sew

Dr Seuss quote cushion by Dickens Ink

Inquisitive clay penguins by Webblo Pebble

Sofia hedgehog pincushion by Little Birdy

Whimsical goat trophy by Characters by Julia

Say hello mugs by Bread and Jam 

Fluffy little lump keyring by Leanne Woods Designs

Lion plush toy by Poosac

Mother's day cards and gifts

It's mother's day at the end of the month so I thought I'd show you my favourite cards and gifts expressing how much you love your mum. Everything is handmade in the UK and is available to buy online (see links below the image).

Mummy love you lots cushion by Artylicious

Mums give the best hugs card by Hannah Stevens

My mother framed papercut by The Paperartsy

Freehand embroidery heart keyring by Rabbit Hole Corner

Floral mother's day papercut card by Chloe's Crafts

The greatest mum card by Sam Osbourne

Fabric heart card by The Glass Boutique

Mother's day ceramic heart by Tait Gallery

Handmade in my favourite colour

I don't often choose a collection of handmade items by colour, but this month I am inspired by one of my favourite colours. I used to be a purple girl, but in the last year or so I've had to recognise that teal is also a very appealing colour. All these lovely items have been handmade in the UK and are available to buy online (see links below).

Chunky knitted hot water bottle cover by Knit Knacks by Sharon

Rose mug by Sophie Richardson

Teal geometric cushion cover by Thirtyfive Flowers

Chunky cowl by Handmade by Madeleine

Bird on a wire clutch bag by Red Ruby Rose

Teal and grey felt bowl by That Fuzzy Feeling

Teal cable knitted cushion by Daisy Beth

Heart scarf by Patchouli Fair

Handmade valentine's cards

I know it feels like we've only just got past Christmas, but there really is less than a month to go until valentine's day. So, I thought I'd do a search for my favourite handmade valentine's cards. There are lots to choose from on Folksy and Etsy, but these ones caught my eye (plus one of my own of course!). They're all handmade in the UK - links for where to purchase these cards are below the image.

1. Spell and Tell

2. Fluffy Duck

3. Hello Dodo

4. Lil Vintage Makes

5. Tea With Rachael And Stephen

6. Dickens Ink

7. Say it

8. Mrs L Cards