Northfield Primitives

Valentine Puppy

2012-01-06T21:33:00.001Z

Excited! I have just entered the UKCraft Blog Valentine's competition with one of my new designs for 2012, a little Valentine's themed sitting puppy - inspired by the way my Mabel sits in the kitchen looking pleadingly at me hoping for a yummy snack!

Valentine puppy is now available in both the folksy and Etsy shops. Sarah x

My first rabbit doorstop

2012-01-04T22:05:00.000Z

Inspired by the story of The Velveteen Rabbit

Made from the yummiest vintage rose velvet and floral linen, with lots of rice in her tummy to make her heavy...suitable for internal doors.
Available from both folksy and Etsy shops.

Look what I found wandering in the woods...

2012-01-03T10:16:00.000Z

...a small rabbit child. He's a little shy, as many woodland folk are. He says he's come to help the Easter Rabbit distribute the eggs, but can not find him anywhere. I explain that he has awoken from his slumber a little early. "Probably another unintended consequence of the global emission of greenhouse gasses", he replies. 'Yes', I whisper quietly, 'probably'.
Now sitting in the shop waiting for the Easter bunny at Folksy

Wow one of my creations is in The Guardian's Gift Guide!

2011-11-18T21:41:00.000Z

I can't belive that my little old elephant has been selected from all the wonderful stuff out there...I'm over the moon!

To see him click here The Guardian gift guide 2011

limited edition Spaniel

2011-11-06T12:25:00.001Z

My latest creation...a little Spaniel on black spoked vintage Meccano wheels. Limited edition.

Number 1 is currently available in my Folksy shop.

help...I've been hacked!

2011-09-28T16:18:00.002+01:00

oh dear, my much loved email address which has been my friend for the past four years, northfieldprimitivesatyahoo.co.uk was hacked yesterday whilst I was busy in my classroom trying to make subtracting from 20 interesting to my little class of Year1's! Some rather unpleasant people in Nigeria have stolen and deleted all my business and customer contacts are now trying to make out that I am being held for randsom and that I am in need of rather a lot of money in a hurry.

I am happy to report that I am perfectly peachy (although a little tired and in need of some sewing therapy as a result of the rather long hours I am spending on school paperwork at the moment, and also rather embarrased that despite my best efforts with internet security and avoiding any suspicious looking mail or attachments I have fallen victim to hackers). As a result of the hacking incident I am taking steps to close my yahoo account.

If you would like to get in touch for 'pleasanter' reasons, please use my bright, shiny new email address at Windows Live,

northfieldprimitives@hotmail.co.uk

My sincere apologies if you have been troubled with spam emails claiming to be me.

Sarah x

meet mabel

2011-08-16T08:49:00.001+01:00

Anyone who knows me will know that for many months I have been saying that I cannot possibly have another dog with the house on the market, Northfield Primitives being busier than ever and with the prospect of leaving Early Years Foundation Stage (where I have taught for 10 out of the last 11 years) to go teach a less familiar curriculum in Year 1 in the 'big school'. I have had this conversation aloud with myself, and all my friends and relations *several times! However with the news from my colleague that Bea was expecting her 2nd litter of labrador puppies, it was probably inevitable that I would end up adopting one...so on Wednesday my little pup had her first vaccinations and was able to leave her 9 brothers and sisters and check out her new home...

Mabel 18/08/11

...and here she is, 8 weeks old, sitting under the willow and fascinated by the noise and movement of the shutter on the camera (enjoying one of her quieter moments!)

Mabel is simply adorable, mischievous, cuddly, inquisitive, and most definitely a thinker - weighing up what is in it for her before she decides to do / not so something! Luckily my mum and dad (via a friend of there's) introduced me to a series of books by Jan Fennell and so Mabel's training has begun in earnest.

So far things are going well. She has slept through the night from the beginning after following Jan's tips and we have cracked the toileting in only 3 days (no accidents inside since Friday afternoon). We are visiting family tomorrow so all will no doubt go pear shaped before long!

My Northfield shops will remain closed for another couple of weeks I expect while I catch up on orders and continue to work whilst Mabel is asleep! There is also the small matter of getting to grips with preparations for the coming term...but we won't think too much about that this week!

little angel

2011-07-29T10:52:00.000+01:00

...at last a use for the box of old wooden American spools that I have had rattling around under the bed for the last couple of years,

little angel

Peppe the Poodle

2011-07-26T17:34:00.000+01:00

Cousin Peppe the Poodle has been for tea today

and Scruffy dog was most impressed by our elegant guest.
'He looks so smart and is very clever',

sighs Scruffy whistfully as he recalls Peppe's descriptions of

dining in the most sophisticated restuarants and cafes in Paris,and tales of narrow escapes and adventures in the Far East during his youth,

stories which Peppe had entertained us with throughout the afternoon.

'You are clever too', I reasurred Scruffy, with a gentle tickle behind his ear. 'Yes, but I'll never be as smart as cousin Peppe', he sighed.
'No, he's a one of a kind for sure' I whispered as Scruffy drifted off to sleep on my lap.

Meet Peppe here...

little rabbit

2011-06-25T17:15:00.001+01:00

little rabbit dreams of becoming a REAL rabbit - she heard the story of The Velveteen Rabbit when she was just a wee kitten (she informs me that that is the correct name for a baby rabbit and not a bunny as I once mistakenly called her). So she hops from one window sill to the other, dreaming of leaping through fields of fresh grass, and wonders whether she will keep her vintage rose colour (which she is rather proud of) when her wishes finally come true...

latest Scruffy dog

2011-06-13T20:44:00.001+01:00

My latest little jointed dog, looking for a new home...

Available from my shop at Folksy

little bear

2011-05-20T19:30:00.000+01:00

Busy, busy, busy...but I have found time to finish one of my new sized little bears. This little chap is destined for Forge2 Gallery, nr. Oxford (once I've made a few travelling companions for him), but I am happy to make them to order.

Available from Folksy here

between

2011-05-07T13:21:00.001+01:00

A lovely surprise today.

One of my little animals has been featured in an Etsy Treasury List entitled 'between', by Heather of dylandogleash in

New York.

I've never been picked before!

In a little message she wrote,

" I love your sweet animals. To me, they are the perfect balance of beauty and sweetness that helps me feel calm!"

I'm tickled pink :)

see what she chose here

Bear

2011-04-24T12:36:00.002+01:00

A cheeky little chap, Bear is always up to mischief, which no doubt accounts for the fact that he looks so grubby. At least with two rusty bells stitched firmly to his tummy you know where he is, well most of the time...

I am getting so much more confident 'grunging up' my bears. It really is the most fun, whilst also being intensely scary as it is the final stage in about 4 hours of bear making and it could all go so terribly wrong! No major disasters yet - although it is sometimes difficult to know when enough in enough!

My most 'grungy' yet, this fun loving Bear is looking for a new HOME, and is available in the folksy shop.

What a find...

2011-04-22T14:18:00.008+01:00

I buy alot of my regular supplies from ebay, like glass eyes, vintage boot buttons and Meccano wheels, but sometimes I find something absolutely fab when I'm ambling and not really looking for anything in particular. And so it was on Tuesday when I stumbled upon a pair of vintage golden velvet curtains a lady was selling from a house clearance.

They immediately said to me BEARS! I hit the buy it now button and then promptly forgot about them! What a lovely suprise when the postie knocked on the door on Thursday, wrestling with several parcels and packages for me. I smiled sweetly when he commented, 'School holidays again is it?' and signed for said packages (note to self: must moderate ebay purchases during vacation periods).

Needless to say everything else was laid to one side as I began work on the bear. The photos on ebay did not disappoint. This fabric was the most amazing old-fashioned velvet I had ever handled! It was also the most fiberous, and seems to have covered the whole house in an old gold velvet dust, however, the resulting bear was worth it...

He is a most handsome bear, ~~who is now available for adoption in my~~ ~~folksy shop~~ another little bear adopted!

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

2011-04-20T08:57:00.001+01:00

Scruffy dog got some wheels...

Now in the Folksy shop

old velvet bear

2011-04-19T12:41:00.008+01:00

Easter holidays means tidy the house - no excuses! After failing dismally to cram the remains of the fabric I have been using since February half-term into the floor to ceiling cupboard in my 'workshop' (occasionaly known as the living room) I had no choice but to have a little sort out. It was like Christmas, finding fabrics that were all forlorn, shoved at the back of the cupboard and long since forgotten. Needless to say when I found some old velvets (now crushed) I had an immediate compulsion to make a bear, and all the fabric was hurriedly placed back in the cupboard! A different assortment of fabrics are now piled on the living room floor, and the balance of tidiness/creative mess is restored. The impending visit of 'Mrs Dyson' has been postponed for a later time when necessary bears have been made.

The first bear made herself so comfortable on the sofa I didn't have the heart to tell her she might not be staying for long, so I have made another in a combination of vintage rose and chocolate brown velvets.

~~She is available for adoption~~ ~~here~~ Adopted 22nd April 2011

scruffy dog

2011-04-16T17:05:00.001+01:00

'What a scruffy dog you are", I gently scold him as he finishes racing around the room and drops his little ball at my feet. He gives me a look like butter wouldn't melt, before attacking my slippers. He loves everything in his little world, but despises baths. Oh we have tried...but such whining and barking and I won't even mention the long faces - so a scruffy dog he will remain, but oh so loveable too.

Scruffy dog is available for adoption here

patriotic panda

2011-04-09T17:12:00.003+01:00

Last week Panda was a rather ordinary looking panda, but then something strange happened (on Tuesday I think, or was it Wednesday?).

Anyway, Panda is rather excited by the prospect of the Olympic Games coming to London next summer. We keep telling him it is not for ages yet, but Panda being panda is still trying to work out how many sleeps it is before the opening ceremony. Well last week, it might have been Thursday actually, I reminded him of the forthcoming Royal wedding (he'd completely forgotten in all his efforts to work out the sleeps to the Olympics). I had found a piece of lovely woven Union Jack ribbon in the drawer, as I was hunting for rusty bells.
"Would you like me to make you a special 'Royal ruff' to wear as we watch the Royal Wedding?", I asked. Well, he almost burst with excitement, and before our very eyes his little ears and small black limbs changed colour and became midnight blue!
"Now I will match the colours on my ruff...I'm red, white and BLUE", he said proudly.
And as you can see, he is now a most patriotic panda!

Panda is rather hoping he will be adopted by someone who lives in London, so that he can eat masses of cake and really soak up the atmosphere of the coming events. Really he's not fussy where in the UK he lives.... as long as there is always plenty of cake and tea, (and a telly on which to watch exciting national events and interesting documentaries) and he receives lots of love.

giraffe

2011-04-03T15:21:00.004+01:00

Giraffe loves wet weather days, because on those sorts of days he can snuggle into the big cushion on the old comfy chair and watch black and white movies on the Tv.

And then his little eyes begin to close and he drifts off to sleep until it is time for tea.

~~Giraffe is available for adoption~~ ~~here~~ adopted 4th April 2011

panda for Jill

2011-04-03T15:12:00.001+01:00

Panda is stuffed using wood-wool, toy stuffing and steel shot for weight and texture. He is made with a mixture of lovely pure mohair fabrics, aged wool fabric for foot-pads, and lots of love x

Adopted 4th April 2011

rabbit

2011-03-22T18:18:00.002Z

I have finished my first miniature, fully-jointed rabbit, and he is absolutely delightful (am I allowed to say that about one of my own creations? hmmm I'm not sure!).
He sits in the palm of my hand (well wriggles really, he says my hands are tickly). He's just 3 inches tall when sitting. Although HE tells me he is actually a tall boy when he stretches out his legs, and that my hands are merely large. I hate to disappoint him and gently whisper that yes, he is really a tall boy...well four and a half inches is tall when you are a baby rabbit with your legs stretched out!

Rabbit is available from my shop at folksy here

Easter chick in a box

2011-03-12T13:13:00.002Z

I have a few vintage style Easter boxes which are hen and chicks themed, and it just didn't seem right to put a bunny inside these, so I have made a tiny, freestanding chick for each one. I'm quite pleased with the results. Let me know what you think...

Little chicks are waiting to go to their new home here

bunny in a box

2011-02-26T17:51:00.001Z

A tiny rabbit is sleeping quietly in his little box, but if you watch him carefully I'm sure you will see his whiskers twitching...he is dreaming of rabbits hopping in the warm sunshine...

My latest creation is just in time for Easter, a little bunny in a lovely vintage style rabbit themed Easter box.

bunny in a box is available from my folksy shop here

little dog #1

2011-02-25T14:41:00.005Z

My first little old jointed dog is finally finished and he is just as cute as can be. He is sitting quietly now after a mad moment of wagging, pouncing and barking when I told him he was going onto my blog. Agh puppies! I am about to go and work some more on my list of orders. I have a feeling that he is probably not going to stay still for long.. no doubt he will get up to mischief with Panda when my back is turned. At least he has lots of little bells on his collar, so I will know where he is at all times...

~~Little dog is now available for adoption...please click~~ ~~here~~ adopted 2/3/11

Old elephant

2011-02-23T17:39:00.002Z

The oven has been playing up again, making baking my animals impossible today. So I have made a slightly larger elephant in the softest baby blue Schulte viscose (I love that stuff, so gorgeous to work with) and...ta dah...my first fluffy old elephant.
He looks lovely with Fee's vintage nursery blocks available here

Old elephant is now available for adoption click here

Old Bear #2

2011-02-22T11:41:00.005Z

Once upon a time Bear was top of the bill at the circus, juggling, balancing and dancing proudly, to the squeals of delight of the small children in the audience...but now his once strong legs are weak and he can not stand at all. His proud chest has become a little saggy over time, as he is no longer quite so full of beans...but he is still a most handsome bear, who loves to tell stories of his days in the Circus; a Bear who gives most generous bear hugs to all who stop and listen for a while. (Happy ending for you Fee!).

~~Old Bear is waiting to be adopted in my Folksy shop. Please click on the image of Old Bear to see his full description.~~ adopted (by a very lovely lady) 12th March 2011

Sad day

2011-01-21T11:52:00.000Z

Yesterday I had to say good-bye to my beloved Polly. She was the centre of my little world. I feel heartbroken...but I know it will get better.

Polly

Jan 1998 - 20th Jan 2011

Please rate my homemade craft!

2010-12-22T14:55:00.001Z

I've uploaded a picture of one of my little circus dogs to Channel 4's craft page, and would love it if it received some votes. you never know - Kirsty might be watching!

vote here:
http://www.channel4.com/4homes/rate-my-room/rate-my-homemade-crafts-09-03-19_p_1.html?id=54c5716bf6d043b88a074159b98248a2

Thank-you, S xx

2010-11-20T14:39:00.000Z

Just popped the first Angel into the Folksy shop, along with one of my new mice...I'm still working on orders but hope to begin putting more into the shop over the coming week, Sarah x

Yeah! I'm in the Folksy Christmas sampler

2010-11-19T15:40:00.000Z

How exciting...my elves have made it into this years' Folksy Christmas sampler. 20,000 copies are being distributed by Folksters all over the country as I type! Brilliant.

Folksy Blog – Folksy Festive Sampler 2010

elephant for linda

2010-11-09T18:32:00.006Z

Exhibition is now on...

2010-09-06T06:57:00.003+01:00

Here are some of my pull-along animals,

and other wonderful creations,

I'm looking forward to visiting in October half-term. Please leave a comment if you manage to get down to Culworth and see the Exhibition - I'd love to hear from you! Sarah.

http://forge2.com/

Mechanical Exhibition

2010-08-25T22:29:00.000+01:00

I am so excited that my wheeled animals will be in the Mechanical Exhibition at Forge 2 Gallery from the 3rd September. Here's the flyer - can you spot my Fox Terrier puppy on wheels?

Nelli the circus elephant - for Susie

2010-08-10T20:51:00.001+01:00

Folksy Friday

2010-08-06T18:35:00.000+01:00

I've given up on the decorating today and thought I would do my second Folksy Friday blog post - which is long overdue!

My first featured items have to be from one of my favourite shops on Folksy, Whimsical Wren Jewellery. I bought two beautiful necklaces from Jennie a little while ago, and have my eye on several others. She has very kindly blogged about my creations over the past couple of months and I think is resonsible for half my sales in June and July, thanks Jennie!

The above items can all be found in Jennie's shop. Click on the picture or visit http://www.whimsicalwrenjewellery.folksy.com/

My recent creations have had a circus theme with Pip and Bebe, and tomorrow Nelly the Circus Elephant and I thought I would look on Folksy to find other circus themed creations. I was not disappointed! I could have easily selected 20 beautiful things to showcase, but then wouldn't have had time to finish Nelly for tomorrow's A-Team listing, so here are my favourite six...

1. Here comes the circus print by Laura-Kate Draws
2. Paper circus with Dancing Foxes by Under The Stairs Studios
3. here comes the Circus mug by Laura-Kate Draws
4. Elephant necklace by kettle of fish
5. the World's Strongest cat by Cirque de Chaussettes
6 The Circus is in town mini print by Blackoutwell

Circus themed miniature animals

2010-08-05T17:12:00.001+01:00

My new designs inspired by vintage circus posters, and a need to use two boxes of old wooden cotton reels from the US that I keep tripping over!

They will be available in the Folksy shop and will also form part of my contribution to the 'mechanical' exhibition in September/October at Forge2 Gallery near Oxford http://www.forge2.com/

Pipkin

2010-07-27T08:57:00.004+01:00

Meet Pipkin, my latest creation. A little pumpkin doll.

Pipkin - pumpkin doll at Folksy

What a busy month!

2010-07-05T23:01:00.001+01:00

It's been completely mad this past month. I completed the June Loons challenge, listing 30 items during the month, and I'm pleased to say that lots of my animals are now settled in new homes! Now well into the first week of July Jester's listings club and six sales already. Yippeeeeee!

We've had our OFSTED inspection at school, so feel a weight has lifted, and it's only two and a bit weeks until the summer holidays when I can get down to some serious stitching (and a bit of house decorating).

I've also been busy setting up my .co.uk website - still under construction, but beginning to feel more me (to be honest it's all a bit too technical - if I could just get the 'contact us' link off the Home page I'd be really chuffed).
See what you think at
http://www.northfieldprimitives.co.uk/

Hope to see you in Horsforth in a couple of weeks time!

small fox terrier on wheels

2010-06-23T06:34:00.001+01:00

OOAK Fox Terrier

2010-06-20T08:43:00.006+01:00

One-of-a-kind painted fox terrier, my favourite to date!

Available in the folksy shop. SOLD

The Footie

2010-06-19T15:00:00.005+01:00

Well, if England's performance last night didn't make you smile, this piccie will...

The bears were obviously watching the match intently, hoping for that elusive goal and England win;

big bear egging them on loudly with the vuvuzela played loudly through his nose!

Many thanks to my lovely customer Jill for emailing me the photo of her Northfield bears xx

Folksy Friday

2010-06-10T17:57:00.002+01:00

Here are some more of my favourite things, all beautifully hand-crafted and available to buy at Folksy this week.

click on the picture to be whisked directly to the shop!
Creations by: Tailor-made, Millicent, The Whimsical Wren, Ruby Loves Red, Lynwoodcrafts, NOfkantsCurios

my first Loony week...

2010-06-06T10:50:00.002+01:00

I've managed to list something everyday so far this month, and I've got most of my school reports written - not bad eh! (feeling slightly smug). Back to work soon, and still working on orders, so challenge will start to get a lot tougher!
If you've not visited my shop at Folksy recently, here's what I've added this week...

Folksy Friday

2010-06-04T08:07:00.004+01:00

There are many, many beautiful hand-crafted items for sale at folksy - here are just a few of my favourite things...

creations by: Forever Foxed, eastwitching, She Draws, Fat Hen and Flo, Dharmaflyer Creations and Violet Lux Vintage. Click on one of the images to be whisked to the item at folksy.

1st listing for June

2010-06-01T11:37:00.004+01:00

Well...here goes...my first listing for the June challenge,

you will find Felix the Fox Terrier in the folksy shop

Off now to write some of my school reports, work on an order and finish something to list tomorrow - the pressure's on!

wheel options - fox terrier

2010-05-31T11:55:00.007+01:00

Fox terrier on vintage red meccano wheels £32 + £3.50p p&p

Fox terrier on vintage black meccano wheels £45 + £3.50 p&p, subject to availability of wheels

Joining the June Loons!

2010-05-31T11:36:00.008+01:00

For the last few months a mad group of people have been setting themselves the challenge of listing something new in their folksy shops each day...and starting tomorrow I am going to join the 'June Loons' and try and pop something new into my little shop every day during June...bonkers!

Here's a sneak peak at a couple of animals that will be going into the Folksy shop over the coming week...

fox terrier and baby elephant on vintage metal meccano wheels

Really excited about the challenge...let's hope it lasts longer than my attempts to give up chocolate (usually less than a week!).

elephant

2010-05-17T16:48:00.005+01:00

I love that this elephant looks like he has places to go...

...this one is destined for Cumbria, but I hope to make some more soon.

old rabbit

2010-04-25T09:43:00.003+01:00

here is the rabbit which was drying in the oven...I especially love the blue and white polkadot fabric in her ears, and on her paws and pads

old dog

2010-04-14T12:17:00.005+01:00

I've been commissioned to make a vintage dog on wheels and this is my first prototype. I'm adjusting my pattern (again) as he's not quite right yet for the brief, but he turned out so lovely that he will be offered for sale in the folksy shop. He is made from osnaburg which has been dyed, then re-dyed in places to create his darker 'spots', with very strong coffee. He is one of the biggest dolls I've made to date at almost 15" tall and 15" from his nose to his bottom. He was quite a challenge to get in the oven to bake! He is freestanding (a small miracle!) and seems to answer to the name Bob!

giraffes

2010-04-14T12:07:00.005+01:00

The first large giraffe is finally finished! I think the wooden bobbles on his head work well, although it is several days since he was finished and I got used to seeing just the top of his mane, so they will take a bit of gettting used to! The big giraffes will have their debut at Elton village May Day Fair in a couple of weeks and will be one of the dolls I will be offering under the shop name 'Dolls From Aunties Attic' when http://www.fivegomad.co.uk/ is launched. Small giraffes will be available throught my Folksy shop.

giraffe

2010-04-13T10:56:00.005+01:00

Oooh...don't tell the others but he's my favourite at the moment. Another of my own patterns, a baby giraffe. He has a big brother, not quite finished - need to sort some wooden beads for his little bobbles on his head (what are they called?). Baby giraffe will also be going into the folksy shop shortly.

bear

2010-04-13T10:48:00.007+01:00

Having a lovely easter break from school work and doing some serious hours sewing! Inspired by some wonderful images of vintage toys I have been busy designing some new patterns. Here is my baby bear on wheels...he has a big brother coming soon on vintage, tin plate red meccano wheels! Baby bear will be going into the Folksy shop, probably later today.

Bags

2010-02-19T19:57:00.003Z

It's half-term and I've finally tidied the fabric cupboard. I found a few lovely pieces of fabric I'd forgotten all about, and felt inspired to make some bags. They are in the folksy shop at the moment. Here are just a couple of them...

White Rabbit

2010-02-06T10:55:00.008Z

I love the way this rabbit doll has turned out. She is mostly white, with hints of pink in her silk dress and dusky pink tutu net underskirt. I have kept her simple, not adding fussy buttons or ribbons to her dress or too much shading to the face - I wanted nothing to detract from her dreamy deep blue eyes. She will definately be hard to part with!

...more Valentine whimsies

2010-01-16T13:38:00.004Z

Puppy Love and Mrs Rabbit.

Valentine's dolls

2010-01-10T11:52:00.007Z

Angel of Love

Primitive Cupid

Here are my first Valentine's themed dolls - each slightly whacky, but I'm really pleased with how they have turned out. Hope you like them too! They are available through my Folksy shop - but as with all my dolls I only make a few so grab one while you can!

Wishing all my customer's a very happy 2010, Sarah x

2009-11-01T16:09:00.009Z

I've loved making these mousey things - they are so cute!
This is called the watermelon parade.

I had to wake this little mouse to take a photo of him, and he wasn't very pleased (I'm sure he's frowning in the picture!). He has made his home in an old ticking 'stocking', so I stamped his name 'mouse' on a little piece of muslin and sewed it on the front, so that he knows he's welcome to stay as long as he likes.

Christmas Elves 2009

2009-10-17T17:14:00.005+01:00

Christmas Elves are now available in the folksy shop. They have lovely soft velvet hats, hands and feet, and I just love their stripey cotton bodies! Prices from £22.

Lilith Bat Doll

2009-10-10T16:37:00.004+01:00

Ice-skating Mouse

2009-09-27T18:37:00.007+01:00

Mouse was made by me on my Singer treadle machine using a Kentucky Primitives pattern. She is made from Osnaburg fabric which has been painted with acrylics, sanded and dyed with coffee. Her jacket has also been made in the same way. Her ice-skates are made from little sticks, and the message attached to her jacket with a rusty pin reads, 'Tis the season to be jolly'. She is a one-of-a-kind and is currently available in the folksy shop. SOLD
Just a reminder that you can see me at Nostell Priory Autumn Fair, nr Wakefield next weekend. Sarah x

Christmas Puddings

2009-09-07T18:14:00.004+01:00

These Christmas puddings look good enough to eat, but they are actually made from muslin! They smell divine with their coating of strong coffee and cinnamon, and muslin wrappings (which have also been dyed with coffee). The holly leaves and berries are all hand-made too!

Angels

2009-08-11T18:48:00.003+01:00

The archangel is 86cm tall (approx.33") and the smaller angel is 48cm tall (approx. 19"). They are both available now in the Folksy shop.

Harriet

2009-08-05T19:43:00.009+01:00

Milli

2009-06-27T18:01:00.008+01:00

Milli is my latest creation and I am really pleased with her. She's turned out so cute!
I've been itching to use this red alpacca fleece for ages, and Milli's colouring was just right.

Chickens on wheels

2009-06-23T18:48:00.005+01:00

Chickens on vintage wooden cotton reels and freestanding chickens (well they're actually 'freesitting' chickens) are now available. Thanks Mhairi for giving me the idea!

2009-05-26T17:34:00.004+01:00

Theo, special order for Jo.

I just love making these pull along style dolls. Chickens on vintage cotton reels and pull-along rabbits available at Elsecar this coming weekend!

Elsecar Heritage Centre Craft Fair, open 10-4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Building 21, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Road, Elsecar, Nr. Barnsley. S Yorks. S74 8HJ. 5 mins from Jct 36 M1.

2009-03-29T15:47:00.007+01:00

Prim rabbits ~ made from soft cotton fabric and tea-stained to give them a vintage look. They have wired, pose-able ears and pretty floral fabrics for dresses (fabrics and colours vary depending on what I have available).

Check out Country Living April issue - Emporium!

2009-03-14T08:45:00.006Z

How exciting! One of my dolls has made it in to the April issue of Country Living magazine!

Harriet at Hunter Gatherer is currently stocking some of my jumping Hares and submitted one to C.L. and they loved it.

Liddy Ninroot

2008-07-31T14:50:00.005+01:00

Meet Liddy Ninroot, a lovely doll designed by Kim at Veena's Mercantile in the US. I just adore these dolls - they remind me of images from the 16th/17th century and have an almost puritan feel about them, a simple, primitive charm. They are made from cotton and have needle sculpted faces, which are handpainted and stained. I have made them in two sizes to compliment a castle or country cottage...

Lilith

2008-07-21T19:15:00.008+01:00

Lilith #Assyrian ' of the night'

Lilith is simple stunning - she is a large doll with button jointed arms. She looks longingly at the sky for the first sight of the new moon...her wired, velvet wings ache to carry her into the cool night air.

She was definately miffed with me for making her pose for photos in the evening sunshine!

Lilith is made from painted and aged osnaburg. The delicate shading around her face make her a stunning doll.

2008-06-28T21:35:00.007+01:00

We have had so many rainy days recently...great for the garden, but not so good for drying primitive dolls! I have a pile of bears, hares and dolls in the sewing basket, all waiting for their ageing treatment, but while the weather is so chilly and damp there they will remain...SO, I have been experimenting with woolly felt over the past week or so and have made some vintage style bears. I adore their long noses - they are just too cute!

The bears come in three sizes, small, medium and large. They have moveable arms and legs, secured with vintage buttons. They have traditional dark, glass button eyes and of course each has a rusty bell and a primed-up label. They are filled with a combination of (British safety standard) toy stuffing and 'beans', so that they sit happily unsupported, and have some of the weight and feel of old sawdust filled bears.
Please note that these bears are not suitable for children - they are handstitched and have real glass eyes!

Rusty has put his sun hat on in the hope of warmer weather to come!

Springtime Fairies

2008-03-23T16:19:00.013Z

I adore making these fairies...they each have their own personality, and never turn out the same twice! Each one is a labour of love with lots of details which don't show up too well in the photos -their velvet patterned wings, hand-stitched vintage tinsel/ruffles and velvet waistbands, hand-painted eyes and tiny stitched eye-lashes, and shoes adorned with little rusty bells.

Pheobe and her cat

2008-02-11T13:18:00.003Z

Meet Pheobe and her cat.
The cat has just loved sitting in the warm sunshine on Pheobe's lap this morning, and I'm sure I heard him purring earlier!

Pheobe is a larger version of my skinny dolls, at 49cm from her head to her heels. Her dress is made from heavy weight velvety red fabric with aged, folksy ribbon and 2 vintage buttons. Her hair is wonderful ringlets of needle-felted black wensleydale fleece.

'Purrrrrfect', says the cat.

Snickerdy Rabbit

2008-02-08T17:29:00.003Z

Meet Snickerdy Rabbit and her sister, Snickerdy Blue - they are my latest rabbits from a pattern by Veena in the US.

They are both made from cotton fabric, painted white and stained with coffee for a primitive/vintage look.

Looking at the photos on my site, I have realised I tend to make 'happy' looking primitives, and there is something just a little sad about these rabbits. They kinda remind me of illustrations of the Velveteen Rabbit in a book I had as a child.

Since finishing them the other night I find that I keep picking them up and giving them a little squeeze. I find them so appealing! They really do look like dolls from a bygone era...

Felix the Scarecat

2008-02-03T13:18:00.003Z

Here is my latest Felix (the Scarecat). He has rusty coloured, patched trousers and a heavy ticking fabric shirt, which has been aged with coffee, and completed with 2 large rusty bells.

His old label says 'May all thy hours be winged with joy, and thy veggies from crows be blessed free'.

Skinny doll

2008-02-03T13:14:00.004Z

Just in time for Valentines Day - my latest little doll has a dress with tiny hearts on, and even has a small heart button stitched to her 'Northfield Primitives' tag. She has short needle-felted hair, and has a whistful, dreamy expression.

Hare

2008-01-27T17:32:00.006Z

Have just finished producing a Spring 2008 'paper' catalogue with photos of the new dolls, and finally got round to re-photographing the Mad March Hare - I just love his needle-sculpted paws! I think this photo shows him off much better. The berry pips were left out from Christmas, but add to the rustic look and match his little stitched love heart.

Springtime chick

2008-01-27T13:42:00.004Z

The evenings are slowly drawing out, and I saw on our local news last night that two lambs had been born yesterday at a farm somewhere in Yorkshire, so Spring must be on the way!

With that in mind here is my own offering for the approaching season - a newly hatched chick, resting in the base of her egg. The word 'spring' is stamped on the broken egg shell, and she is craning her neck and flapping her little hessian wings for attention!

The chick is made from Osnaburg, painted, sanded and stained with coffee for a Primitive look and a yummy smell.

'Spring' chick in eggshell £18

Vintage children's shoes

2008-01-27T13:35:00.002Z

These little 'vintage' children's shoes have turned out so well - I just love them. They are made from cotton fabric, painted, aged and treated with wax giving them the appearance and texture of soft leather. They are finished with the tiniest vintage shell buttons I have ever seen! At present I have sets in blue and 'rust' colour, although I may experiment with other colours over the coming weeks.

'vintage' children's shoes £16 (for a pair - please state colour)

2008-01-27T13:28:00.000Z

Here is my latest Fairy - from a lovely pattern by Back Porch Pickins in the US. She is currently a one of a kind. I love making these dolls, but they take the best part of a week to make - so I will not be taking any orders on them at the moment. I have booked Nostell Priory Craft Fair (National Trust property near Wakefield, West Yorkshire) and hope to have some of these dolls available for the May Bank Holiday weekend (Craft Fair dates: 3rd, 4th, 5th May 2008).

Penguins

2008-01-27T13:23:00.004Z

The sun is shining today - but is has been so cold, wet and windy here in Yorkshire recently, that although I am thinking Spring/Easter with most of my new primitives, I couldn't resist posting a picture of the Penguins I made just before Christmas. I have just had an order for a set (from my Mum - does that count?) so I may make a few more...can penguins be all year round decorations? I guess if you like them they can!
Pppp..penguins £22 (they are stitched together so Jnr. doesn't waddle off)

Skinny rabbit

2008-01-27T13:15:00.003Z

At last! I've managed to get some of the new dolls finished and photographed. I've been like a kid in a sweetshop recently, with lots of new patterns to try - but not quite finishing anything before rummaging through bits of fabric for the next 'project'.

Here we have my 'skinnies' (so called because of their very long and slender limbs). I just found some lovely chocolate brown velvet fabric and couldn't wait to make a velvet smock for the skinny rabbit - she has turned out so lovely.

The doll has a pretty floral/cherry dress, which has been aged with coffee, giving her a very prim look. Her hair is needle felted black Wensleydale wool.

2008-01-03T11:04:00.003Z

Meet Beatrice. She's the first in a new line of rabbits that I will be making for 2008. Perhaps more of a folk art doll than primitive, she is still painted, sanded and stained with coffee to give her a careworn look. She is quite big at 66cm from the crown of her head to her heels. Her long ears are wired so that you can create your own rabbit expresions! She is the first doll I have made with eyelids - wow they were tricky to sew on, but with practice I'm sure they will get easier!

Beatrice ~ SORRY SHE'S BEEN SOLD

2008-01-03T10:53:00.003Z

Still my favourites! Each bear has his own personality and I never know what they will turn out like until they are finished.

2008-01-03T10:48:00.003Z

Pumpkin Jack

2008-01-03T10:43:00.004Z

Felix the Scarecat

2008-01-03T10:35:00.002Z

Some photos from the summer of my primitives - all are available to order

Cat and her kitten just love to play in the daisies all summer long...they are not happy with the forecast of snow in Yorkshire for tonight!

Cat and kitten are made from cotton which is painted black, then sanded lightly and stained with coffee and cinnamon. Their noses are needle sculpted and facial features embroidered.

2007-12-13T17:54:00.000Z

Welcome to Northfield Primitives online! I hope this space will evolve over the next few weeks and months to become a virtual catalogue, giving pictures of the primitive 'dolls' I am currently making, and primitives which will be available at craft fairs and for special order in the coming year. I will also post information about where you can see me in 2008.

Northfield Primitives was 'born' in May 2007 - and what a busy year it has been so far! Many thanks to all the wonderful people I have met at Craft Fairs in Nassington, Saltaire, Newark, Oakwell and Wakefield, and for all your positive comments!

Thanks also to Emma Clayton for the great article in December/January issue of Living magazine, and to Tracey at Foxtail-Lilly Barn Shop in Oundle for her faith in my products!

Already the diary is getting busy for 2008 - I expect to be attending Nostell Priory Craft and Gift Fair in May...further details to follow.