Festive Friday

Its gone dark outside the studio window after a beautiful crisp sunny day, a beautiful day which disappointed me however by not bringing the promised snow that always fills me with excitement. A dark winter Friday afternoon seemed the perfect opportunity to create a festive addition to this year's collection.

This decorative design will form a red repeat pattern on the first wrapping paper from The Book Tree Press. Watch out for it at the Christmas markets next week.

Enjoy your Friday,

Lucy

Paper Christmas!

I am delighted to invite you to two very special workshops just in time for Christmas. Enjoy a little time out from this busy period to relax and make a truly special gift. Reward yourself for all your hard work with a glass of hot mulled wine and a little Christmas shopping.

Saturday 11 December 2 - 4pm

Paper Christmas

Craft House Concept are hosting their first Christmas workshop where you can make a unique delicate paper bell decoration and card for £12. Mulled wine and mince pies will kindly be provided by Craft House Concept plus they'll be offering 15% discount in the shop.

 

How do I book?

Please call Steph on 0790 090 1481 with your payment details or email info@livingwithcraft.com to reserve your place. Alternatively please send a cheque with contact details to:

 

Craft House Concept

31E Minto Street

Edinburgh. EH9 2BT

 

Tuesday 14 December 7 - 9pm

Hand bound journal

A cosy bookbinding workshop in the home of The Book Tree Press. Treat yourself or someone special to a traditional hard bound book, perfect as a journal or sketchbook Cost £15.

 

How do I book?

Please email lucy@thebooktreepress.co.uk or call Lucy on 077 969 20533 to reserve your place. Alternatively please send a cheque with contact details to:

 

The Book Tree Press

Flat 3, 264 Leith Walk

Edinburgh. EH6 5EL

 

Places are limited so we do require you to book for both workshops.

Best wishes,

Lucy

Now the weather's getting cold outside.....

There is a flutter of excitement in my tummy already just thinking about decorating the house for Christmas, German Markets, choosing gifts for friends and family, the scent of mulled cider, carols drifting out of Churches and of course roast turkey with all the trimmings. My mouth is watering as I type. I love this time of year and as I prepare to spend my first Christmas in Belfast my mind has been drawn to thinking of all the family traditions I might miss at home, and the new traditions I am able to create! 

I think family and traditions have inspired the Christmas collection which I have been busily creating, packing up and sending off to various shops and customers around the country. As I deliver packages of all shapes and sizes to the post office I am reminded of the excitement that accompanies opening both expected and unexpected parcels at this time of year. Paper trees illustrating the tale of The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Anderson make great table centre that can be brought out year after year. Candelabra and bell hanging decorations look beautiful on a traditional tree but also work well hanging from a mantle piece, in a doorway, or used as napkin rings. Traditions are all very well but don't let them dictate decorations this year, why be creative with your decorations and brighten up unexpected corners of your home.

In particular I delighted to meet Debbie Bryan at last month's Great Northern who has devoted a whole stand to The Book Tree Press in her shop near the Lace Market in Nottingham. Pop in and say hello if you are near by.

Debbie Bryan Studio and Shop

18 St Mary's Gate

The Lace Market

Nottingham NG1 1PF

Her shop looks so beautiful online that I really wanted to deliver the stock in person so that I could have a chance to look around.

Along with showing off papery Christmas gifts in shops I will be taking part in a number of Christmas Fairs where shoppers will be able to spend a festive morning picking up some beautiful hand crafted bargains.

Look out for me at:

Bellevue Chapel Christmas Market

Saturday 4 December 10am -12 noon

Rodney Street

Edinburgh EH7 4EL

Bookmarket at The Fruitmarket Gallery

Thursday 9 December 6.30 - 10 pm

45 Market Street
Edinburgh EH1 1DF
0131 225 2383

Magpie Market at The Lot

Sunday 12 December 12 - 5 pm

4 - 6 Grassmarket

Edinburgh

A Great Northern Success

Last weekend's fair at the lovely Spinningfields in Manchester was a great success. Along with large numbers of the public who came to visit the fair it was great to see a few old friends who popped in the say hello and see what the press has been up to recently. The photographs above are deceptive, seemingly showing the only quiet moment of the four days we were there. 

Along with meeting new friends through the public during the fair I spent quite a bit of time wandering around the other stalls and meeting the stall holders. Favourites included Samantha Bryan's wonderfully illustrative fairies, Catherine Hammerton's exquisite wallpapers and Helaina Sharpley's illustrative wirework. Still exhausted after preparing and participating in the fair I am now working hard to fill orders made and commissions given, and replace stock in time for upcoming Christmas fairs - all nice jobs of course though!