Dog greeting cards including a card in aid of Soi Dog Foundation

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 from YouTube and Patreon channels, passing the London Art College 'Pet Portraits' online course with distinction in 2022. 

I  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 Claire Fontaine Pastelmat paper and professionally printed onto blank greeting cards for any occasion.  

I have recently added a new card to my Etsy shop featuring 'Dulcie' a dog saved by Soi Dog Foundation a non-profit organisation for the welfare of stray dogs and cats in Asia.  Dulcie was destined for the barbaric meat trade, saved by Soi Dog in 2014 and my friend Catherine adopted her in 2015.  She came over to the UK 2015 and has had the most amazing life since.  To help other dogs like Dulcie, any net profits from the sale of this card will be donated to Soi Dog Foundation UK charity no 11769305.  

Dulcie

 

Our adorable 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.