Dog greeting cards

In my 'senior years' I was able to take up drawing, something I had always wanted to do, but never had the time.   I had a couple of lessons from a professional, but I am mainly self taught, passing the London Art College 'Pet Portraits' course with distinction.

I have recently opened an Etsy shop Pastelpoochesbyhelen.Etsy.com  selling greeting cards with different breeds of dog on, which I hope to build up slowly but surely.  The original artwork is drawn using pastel pencils on Pastelmat paper and professionally printed onto blank greeting cards for any occasion.  

Nugget

Sandiacre Lock Cottages Open Day Feb 2024

On 18 February we visited Sandiacre Lock Cottages on the Erewash Canal for an Open day which they hold on a monthly basis.  The cottages were built in 1779 and became derelict in 1961.  They were condemned by British Waterways and due for demolition in 1964.  However they were saved by members of  the 'Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association' who purchased and have lovingly restored them.  It was great to look around and the volunteers were on hand to give some interesting historical facts. They had some wonderful quintessential English refreshments available for just a nominal donation.  A list of the open days during 2024 is below.