Spreading the word...

With Christmas already a distant blur it's full steam ahead in my little studio with lots of orders flying in, shame they are not delivered by owls, just imagine that!

I  have been looking at my business and seeing ways to help it grow.  It is easy to focus so much on making and dealing with orders that you can lose sight of marketing.  This year I am going to be working hard on spreading the "Bumpkin" word and have already started to write press releases and sent a few out to start the year as I mean to go on ;)  I'm thrilled to say that this has already resulted in some really kind online press, firstly with the newly found, Bespoke Magazine, for the creative and crafty!  I was delighted to find it and am thrilled to say they have just featured one of my Embroidery Patterns on their Blog.

Also if you love parties then whizz over to the fabulous Les Enfants Blog for a post about all the exciting trends myself and others are predicting for this year.

Despite the very mild winter we are having here the days are very grey and gloomy but they are brightened creating items like this "Primrose Bunny" party set  for a little girl's 1st Birthday, hopping all the way to Australia.

Looking at those cupcakes makes me think it's time for a cup of Tea!

See you back here again soon, thanks so much for visiting,

I love all your comments.

Catherine

x

Springtime Baby Shower

Yes, I'm still here!  I've been so busy here with orders and getting new items ready to share that my poor Blog has been rather neglected.  You can always keep up to date more regularly on my Facebook and Twitter pages.  I've also been back in England and had a lovely time seeing family and friends and with sunshine every day, which was a bonus after the rainy Summer we've had.  As I sit here in my wool jumper with dark clouds out of the window I know winter is rapidly heading this way whilst my friends Down Under are enjoying Spring bulbs and blossom!   So when I saw these photos of a Baby Shower styled by the super talented Kate of Kiss Me Kate Events in Australia I knew I had to brighten your day with them. A while back I was contacted by Kate to illustrate some images inspired by the Bunnykins for her cousin's Shower. Do you remember the Bunnykins? I have got a sweet Bunnykins plate that I ate out of when I visited my Granny, with the little Bunnies running around the edge, so when she asked I hopped at the chance ;-)

I drew this wee sleepy Bunny sat on ABC blocks with a comfort blanket. Not knowing if it will be a baby boy or girl we decided to go with primrose yellow and a mix of greens and pinks.  To go with this Bunny I drew a running Bunny for Cupcake Toppers & Stickers.
Here are a few photos I took before sending them on their way.

 Invitations

 Invitations

 Food Signs 

Cupcake Toppers 

For the rest just sit back and enjoy this beautifully fresh Springtime Baby Shower, which you can see more of on Kiss Me Kate's Facebook Page .

Bon Bons in Apothecary Jars from Sharnell Dollar Designs

Favor Boxes from Candy Soirees

holding "Cute as a Button Soaps" from 

The Baby Shower Shop

Just look at those ruffles!

The most delicious looking Lemon Cheesecakes I've ever seen!

I loved these Bunnies that I am thinking I may make some items available in my Etsy shop , what do you think, would you like them?

Moving from Spring to chillier days over here I'm busy getting some whimsical Christmas items all together, so if you are planning a party in the festive season watch this space!

Thanks for visiting and I'll see you back here soon, Hugs, Catherine x

Over the Garden Gate

Do you love Gardening and picking fresh flowers as much as I do?  If you do then this very well mannered Bunny is a new friend for us both!   

As a child I remember peeking out of my curtains in the early morning and seeing the wild rabbits hopping across my Granny's garden, in England, in between the flower beds and veg patch!  

As we always picked fresh flowers for the house I could just imagine this rabbit doing just the same! Her emerald green garden trug is full of richly coloured foxgloves, poppies, bluebells & a carrot for a snack!   She has hopped into a whole range of delights, called Over the Garden Gate including:

* Art Print

* Garden Party Invitations
* "Thank you for coming to my Party" Gift Tags
* Oval Gift Tags
* Cupcake Toppers
* Mini Cake Bunting
* Food Labels 
* Sets of Postcards
* Stickers



You can find her sharing flowers in my ETSY shop right now!  

 The whole range together enjoying a Garden Tea Party (indoors due to the rain, 

Bunnies don't like getting wet ears!

Garden Party Invitations (can be personalised)

Hand illustrated Mini Cake Bunting (delivered as a PDF file)

 Art Print

 Sets of 6 Oval Gift Tags

Set of 3 Art Postcards

Adorable Cupcake Toppers 

If you are quick you too may see her Over the Garden Gate!

See you soon, Have a lovely weekend, Hugs, Catherine x

New Beginnings!

Well after a very long time in the making, with the help of my fabulous fiance, I am over the moon to share that my new website is up and running, or should I say hopping considering all the rabbits causing havoc over there!  I would be delighted to welcome you there in the new home for Bumpkin, where you can find my Artist Bears and tempting glimpses at my work, such as Party goods, Embroidery, Art Prints..... as well as finding out a wee bit more about me and my whimsical world!  Apart from my Bears you can still purchase all my items in my ETSY shop. I'd love to know what you think of my website and if you come across any problems along the way.

To add to the fun I have created a Fanpage on Facebook, so if you're on FB too I look forward to catching up over there.  It will keep me busy what with Twitter as well where I have now reached over 750 followers, it's such fun to meet like minded people.

Talking of creating I'm not sure if I'm coming or going at the moment -

* Busy on a custom order for a Baby Shower in Australia, just loving this and can't wait to share photos eventually!

* Stitching a new Embroidery Pattern - can you guess which one from the photo, did you vote for it?

* Giving my studio a make over - new website, new studio is my Motto of the day!

* Designing a new Paper Range - if you love gardens, flowers & bunnies then this will be for you!

So lots to share coming up! Thanks for visiting, looking forward to chatting again soon, Catherine x

Books at Teatime!

It's been busy days lately with custom orders for Teddy Bear's Picnic Party sets and I just made these new Bookmarks that are cute on their own or a lovely idea as Party favors for little ones.  So why don't you invite this little Teddy to hop off his Toadstool and into your favourite book?  There are other Bumpkin Bookmarks available, check out my Etsy shop. 

I've also just added a new Birthday Banner to my shop to match my other Friends for Tea items, oh how I love Tea Parties!  Also available as a custom name or Baby Shower Banner.

A set of Party Items I recently personalised for a customer's little girl.

I'm off on holiday to England in the middle of next week, so still time for orders before I head off. Rest assured I'll be taking lots and lots of photos to share with you all, gardens, cottages & landscapes here I come :) I hope you all have a fun weekend, I'll be doing lots of gardening here, some beautiful flowering plants are patiently waiting to be planted! What are your plans? Catherine x

Hopping for a Party!

Lots of new Party Sets have just hopped (I wish magically!) into my Etsy Shop. Invitations, Gift Tags, Cupcake Toppers & Thank You Cards (all with personalised options).  They have a nice fresh, Spring feel to them so I do hope you'll enjoy them too.

 Bunny Hop Party Invitation

 New Dawn Party Invitation (boy's version coming very soon)- Also available as a Personalised Print

 Bunny Hop Cupcake Toppers

 New Dawn Cupcake Topper

 Primrose Party Invitation

 Bunny Hop Personalised Gift Tag

 New Dawn Gift Tag

 Primrose Personalised Gift Tag

 Bunny Hop Thank You Personalised Card

Primrose Cupcake Toppers

Today I've started on another commission Bear, in wispy white faux fur and a new embroidery pattern is on the way, inspired by these cupcakes I made for the photos!  Thanks so much for visiting, I always love to hear from you.  Catherine x

Easter on the way!

Anyone getting in the mood for Easter Eggs yet?! Well if you are planning an Easter Egg Hunt why not have a bit of extra fun with my new Custom Hunt Invitations & Bunny Decorations Kit. The daffodils have kindly come out into flower just in time for me to take some photos of these new friends nestled in amongst them with their Easter Eggs, all ready to be found! Not sure what the neighbours think of me but who cares ;)

These Bunnies would be just as adorable as part of your indoor Easter decorations, popping out of a flower pot with Spring blooms in, nestled amongst a group of Easter Eggs.

These delightful Bunnies even love to be part of puppet shows, how about that for an Easter project, making a little theatre out of cardboard boxes, paint them up and let the Bunnies perform!

You can find these new friends, along with Easter Cards, in the Easter section of my Etsy Store.





Thanks for hopping by! Hugs, Catherine x

Hiding under mountains!

I'm just appearing from behind a mountain of packages of Invitations, Gift Tags, Cupcake Toppers.... that I'm getting all ready for a lovely new Stockist that I'll tell you about soon. I've been creating some new party gift tags for them which I'll also be adding into my Etsy shop soon.

It must be the time of year for Birthday Parties as I've had lots of custom enquiries for Party Sets over the last few weeks. I can customise any of the Party Invitations that you can see in the Party section of my Etsy Shop. Lots of 1st Birthdays being celebrated around the world and it's always special to be asked to play a part in them. I've got new party items I need to add to my shop too, but time just keeps running out each day!

I've just finished a new Commissioned Bear, named Sebastian that will be heading to a loving new home in the States.


Jacob that was featured in my previous post can unfortunately not go to the home he was planned for due to unforeseen circumstances. So now he has got his little arms open wide looking for a home full of love. He is a cheeky little Bear that loves to make you giggle with all his party tricks! Coming from the land of Chocolate and having such a gorgeously soft milk chocolate Alpaca coat he felt his full name, Master Jacob Chocolate, was fitting! Friendship is very important to this sweet Bear, he even enjoys a bit of a sing along, so you could have some wonderful parties with all your hug! Get your dancing shoes ready! You can see all his adoption photos and info here.



Next on my list is another Custom Bear in precious peachy alpaca and I've nearly finished knitting a little outfit for her when she is ready! Thanks so much for visiting, see you soon, Catherine x