Do you know someone whose first day at school is coming up?  Will you record it with a photograph?  And would a special frame with their name on make a nice gift?

I’ll try to stop speaking in questions!!

These photo frames take a standard 6″ x 4″ photo.  They can be personalised with any name or message, but the first day at school ones have been very popular recently at the craft fairs and events I’ve been at.

Sophies first day at school picture frame gift

They come in different colours.  In fact, because they’re hand-painted, I can make them in any colour you like!

Jacks first day at school picture frame gift

And they come with different pictures on the frame too.  The hearts are proving really popular with the little girls.  You can have them shabby-chic styled, with sanded-back areas, or you can have a solid colour.  They’re just £5.99 and will make that special little person’s first day at school that little bit more exciting - in a very positive way. 

The photo frames are now available to buy on the website.  If you order yours now, you’ll have it in plenty of time for the start of term.  Go to:  http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/handpaintedpictureframes.html

While the last 2 posts have been chicken-themed, with new chicken gifts, I thought I’d share some real-life baby chicks with you.

My eldest daughter has decided to raise some baby chicks to add to her menagerie (her house is overflowing with dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards, oh and a couple of kids too).  She is a dog groomer, and is passionate about animals.  She has been since she was a toddler, when I found her trying to nurse a dying bluebottle back to life.

Just look at these cute little chicks:

tiny and cute fluffy baby chicks

All together now:  aaaaahhhhh!!!  Aren’t they just gorgeous?

fluffy chick

Here’s another one:

cute little chick

buff orpington

I don’t know how I forgot to add this photo frame to the chicken gifts I showed you yesterday.  Anyway, not to worry, here it is now:

chicken picture frame

If you’d like a frame to show off a pic of your “girls”, then this surely has to be it.  I can make it in landscape or portrait format, it’ll take a standard size 6″ x 4″ photo, and you can have it in any colour.

Or perhaps you know someone who’d like this as a gift?  You can let me know here:

http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/customdesignform.html

Oh, and don’t forget, these frames can be personalised to your exact requirements.  So if you’d like Hetty, Betty and Esmerelda written on the frame, then that’s what you can have!! 

They take a standard 6″ x 4″ photo and cost just £5.99 (and that includes postage at the moment, as it’s free P & P for July and August!).

I’ve been meaning to photograph these new chicken gifts for a couple of weeks now, but I’ve been so busy with customer orders, I’ve just not been able to do it.

For hen-keepers and hen-lovers everywhere, I’ve created some new unique and (I hope you agree) gorgeous chicken-themed gifts.  I love these moneyboxes, and it seems my customers do too.  I seem to be selling them before they’ve had chance to be photographed!

Chicken money box for somewhere to put the egg money

beware of the chickens door hanger

hen and chicken baby door plaque

Well, I think I’ve almost made it.  Posted (almost!!) every day for a month on this blog, that is.

I signed up to National Blog Posting Month, and agreed to try to post every day in the month of July.  The theme for July is routine.  Fortunately, the theme is optional, as I only really have one thing to say about routine:

I’m not very good at it!!

(Sharp intake of breath)… what a fabulous place Samlesbury Hall is!  I was there today, with a stall at their monthly Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair, and what a fabulous venue.  Comfy, beautifully upholstered chairs behind each table, clean loos with leather armchair, posh soap and hand lotion, reduced prices on food for stallholders (delivered to you), and just a fabulous setting: beautiful, historic building with intricate carving, amazing stained glass windows, fireplaces you could house a small family in.  Amazing.  Oh, and really fabulous customers and staff too!

You really must visit if you get chance!  It’s just 10 minutes from junction 31 of the M6.

Just look:

Samlesbury Hall

Henry the Eighth

It has been so nice to be selling in a bustling and friendly market like Blackburn Market.  It was even better today as I had a helper and was able to have a wander round.  If you’re ever up in that neck of the woods, I recommend a trip to the market.  Parking is very convenient on the market roof.

I’d particularly recommend the stall selling ready-made Indian dishes - the lentil curry was fabulous, as were the onion bhajis.  Yum. 

I’d also recommend the stall selling sarsparilla by the glass - from a barrel.  I’d never seen this before, and also never tried sarsparilla before, it’s an unusual drink, but all the more enjoyable for that.

Hopefully the market team will decide to put on another art market before Christmas - I think that’d be really popular with customers and artists/crafters alike.

I’m off to Samlesbury Hall (also in Blackburn) tomorrow - there’s really no rest for the wicked is there?

Another good day at Blackburn Art Market, came home and painted like mad to replace stock sold.  A busy day and busy evening… hey, I’m not complaining, just observing!

Several pink and blue stork paintings now await new owners, and will be winging their way to Blackburn with me tomorrow and Sunday.

Saturday (tomorrow) is the final day for Blackburn Art Market, and Sunday is Samlesbury Hall Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair.

So so so tired now.  G’night!

My surprise best seller at the moment is this stork painting, with one baby or twins, personalised with names, dates, weights and even times.  Most customers buy it in neutral, as pictured, but you can have it in any colours.  They make great Christening gifts or newborn gifts, and a lovely keepsake which is unlikely to be put in a cupboard to gather dust like some keepsakes.

stork painting on canvas with baby or twins

Some customers wanted a smaller version, so I’m pleased to announce that the 15cm x 15cm (6″ x 6″) stork painting has now made its appearance.  It’s available in baby blue, baby pink or neutral (as well as other colours to order).  It’s available initially for just £14.99.  It won’t make its way onto the website until next week, so if you’d like to order one before then, please contact me using this form:

http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/contact.html

Alternatively, you can email on: mail1stuniquegifts@yahoo.co.uk

I’m out at shows all weekend, but will check my emails each evening.  I do usually take my laptop, but haven’t got a powerpoint in Blackburn Market on Friday (tomorrow) or Saturday. 

Here’s the 15cm (6″) version.  It really is cute. 

stork with baby painting on small canvas

Not a bad first day at Blackburn Art Market.  Didn’t start off too brilliantly, as I was relying on my new satnav to get me there.  The nice but nagging lady just wasn’t really clear enough in her directions, but I think I’ve got the hang of it now.

You see, Mr 1st Unique’s satnav tells you to “take the exit” off the motorway.  Nice but nagging (she really needs a name) just told me to “keep left”.  So I did keep left, but stayed on the motorway.  It really is a wonder I didn’t end up in Glasgow.  In fact, I thought perhaps I had driven via Glasgow, and maybe took in Southampton, Cardiff and John O’ Groats too.

I did get there eventually, and had a lovely day.  Busier than I expected, with lots of interest, especially considering we’d just hi-jacked their usual Wednesday market.  Friendly, helpful people (customers and stallholders) made the day complete. 

I’m back at Blackburn Market on Friday and Saturday.  Might see you there.