Getting there...

Howdy folks!

                    Well, what a chaotic time it has been. Much has changed since my last blog post. The Cat is still recovering from her ill health. It will take a while so I, and the bird, have been insisting that she rests as much as possible. That has been easier said than done when there's been so much to do.

Neither the cat or the bird...but the sentiment is correct

   The shed is now a studio, (affectionately named 'The Doghouse'). The roof has been expertly felted by Mr Dominik Spitzer. He was such a star, out in the garden with a blow torch in the bucketing rain. He's done a fine job, and we're confident that it's well and truly waterproofed now. 

  The studio has also been 90% insulated. The cat and the bird caught a mint green sheep made from recycled plastic bottles, which was discovered wandering about in a local DIY store. They've lined the walls with this peculiar fleece and so far it seems warm and toasty in there. 

     Skylar Le Callen and Markus Wehrhahn were kind enough to give up their time and energies to help empty the old studio. With the help of the weary cat they managed the task in just a few hours. 

    The following day there was some tidying up to be done, and a few bits and pieces to be collected. But it gave the cat and the bird the opportunity to say goodbye to their time with the old studio. I think they were quite surprised at how sad they were to be leaving. They can't fault their time in Forest Hill at the Whirled Arts studios, but, sadly, good things aren't always practical. Huge thanks to Mike and Lee, you were both fantastic with your support.

   The majority of the contents of The Doghouse have been sorted out. The minority remain in the back of the van, waiting patiently for relocation to their new home. Very soon it will be a hive of productivity out there. Unfortunately, what with all this recent rain, the back door of the flat has swollen shut. Luckily it's a stable door so the top half still opens. This unexpected obstacle, at the very least, makes the commute to work 'interesting'. Oh, but such a laugh I had watching the cat and the bird climb over the stuck half of the door. Next time I will try and get photographs of this peculiar natural event. I don't think she especially appreciated me suggesting that she just fly over it, but the bird's attempt at door climbing really did remind me of Hannibal taking his elephants over the Alps. 

  

 So what else is new with Catbird Craft?

  Well...the business cards have arrived! The first of them were left in Catbird Craft's favourite fish and chip shop. I'm really not sure what this says about Catbird Craft; but it is fair to say that during this extremely busy time, that particular fish shop has saved them from starvation on more than one occasion.

   If that isn't exciting enough, the first of our greetings cards have also arrived. There are a few more designs due to go to the printers, (who have been super helpful indeed). This means that there will definitely be something ready for the grand opening on October 31st. 

We're definitely getting there!

My regards to you all,

Frank

x

Sabbat card #1 - Samhain

Howdy Folks,

   Frank here, again. My little lie down has been interrupted by this exciting news. Catbird Craft have delivered yet another greetings card. Like London buses - you wait for one and three come along at once.

    When the range is complete there will be eight cards in all, each celebrating one of the pagan sabbat days. The first card out of the blocks is Samhain, (literally translated as 'summer's end'). Traditionally speaking, by this point in the year all the harvest had to be gathered in as come November the wintry faeries would blight any remaining fruits. Animals would either be brought indoors for the winter or slaughtered, and wood supplies gathered for continued warmth throughout the season to come.  The Celts considered the year to be divided into two halves - the light and the dark. And as it is believed that from the darkness of winter comes the growth of summer, Samhain is often considered to be the beginning of the pagan year. From this festival came what we more commonly know today as Halloween.

  This particular card is inspired by not only by the European Celtic tradition, but also the Mexican Day of the Dead festival.

Some of details on the card include:

The bonfire represents the autumnal 'bone fires' of yesteryear when the bones of slaughtered animals were burnt.

The apple to signify the gathering of the harvest.

The Flor de Muerto ("Flower of the Dead") are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings left on the decorated graves and alters. These flowers are often Mexican marigolds, as the bright and lively colours are believed to represent the sun's rays upon those in the world of the dead. The text 'Hay mas tiempo que vida' translates as 'There is more time than life'.

This card will be available in the Catbird Craft shop when it opens. More info about that to follow.

I need a brandy now.

My regards to you all,

Frank 
x

Our first stock

Howdy folks!

  Frank here! It's time again to report on the latest news from the, increasingly crazy, world of Catbird Craft. So what's new?...You'd better brace yourselves...

   I'm pleased, and somewhat proud, to announce the arrival of our first home-crafted cards. Non identical twins, weighing in at a healthy two grams, three if you include the envelopes. I've been reliably informed (i.e. the cat told me) that the original artworks are the results of mixed media - paint and collage.

   All profits from the blue one, big bird, little cat, will be going to Corvid Aid. It may come as no surprise to you to learn that Corvid Aid is a place which specialises in looking after Corvids in need. We think Belle Crow may have been through their aviary doors at some point.

All profits from the red one, big cat, little bird, will be going to The Celia Hammond Animal Trust, specialists in looking after pets who require veterinary attention or a new home. We suspect that Claude Cat may once have been a resident at their Lewisham branch.

Both organisations are close to the hearts* of all those involved with Catbird Craft. We really wanted to 'give something back', and we thought greetings cards were a better idea than sending Belle and Claude back from whence they came.

Both cards will be available in the Catbird Craft shop when it opens. More info on that to follow.

Right, the excitement is all too much for me so I'm off for a little lie down.

My regards to you all,

Frank 
x

*except mine, because, like the Tin Man, I don't have a real beating heart.