I enjoy a cold and dry November. A rarity now I live in the South West of England but the last two days have very much played my way. Especially for my twice daily long dog walks. A dusk walk and a mooch in the charity shops inspired my 2025 Christmas card design. Similar in feel to cute puppies or kittens on a rehoming site It is a picture of discarded and donated Christmas decorations in a bucket. Random colours and from different eras they find their way into charity shops because people no longer need them.

I have a soft spot for Christmas Decorations. The decorations of my childhood were stolen by the carers who were employed to give my mum care in her own home. Of all the thefts and fraud committed by them the Christmas Decoration theft was small beans. But their collection was eclectic and international and were a simple homage to their life and the travels of their much loved, but absent family members. I often take a peak around this time of year to see if I can replace any of their lost treasures from other peoples donations. It is a poignant but also joyful  treasure hunt. A tiny and completely unimportant project. The joy in charity shops is in the clashing colours and styles of often simple baubles, no Interior Design colour collections.  I have reimagined a grotty cardboard box and morphed it to a puff of exploding colour. Now I just need to think of some words to accompany my illustration. Cute puppies or kittens might tickle the heart strings maybe homeless baubles could be the next big thing