Thoughtful Gift Bundles

If you have finished your Christmas shopping, please put your feet up and scroll on. Perhaps you are struggling through your list and trying to find a present that is useful and meaningful. I enjoy building up a present bundle and try include something homemade, local or from a small business. Many handmade businesses have closed their order books, however a few will have still have some ready made offerings available for Christmas delivery.

The Foodie Gift

Start with a beautiful mug. I particularly like these from Harlie Brown Studio and Florence Mytum. Hand turned mugs feel lovely to hold and drink from. You could then add coffee from your local roaster (Yallah and Forty One are our local favourites) or some homemade biscuits (these are an alternative to gingerbread). Throw in some Poppy and Honesty linen napkins and you have built an excellent present bundle.

The Bedtime Gift

A handmade pillowcase from Poppy and Honesty is a real treat. Liberty Tana Lawn Cotton feels like silk but can be thrown in the laundry with everything. Add an essential oil such as a lavender blend and choose in a nice book. These are very personal and can be difficult to get right, however everybody loves a classic with a beautiful jacket. You cannot go wrong with Virago Modern Classics and I would be delighted if I was given these limited edition novels by E.M Forster illustrated by Luke Edward Hall.

The Traveler’s Treat

Whenever I go overseas, I like to take a guidebook, a map and a notebook. if you have a friend that is planning a trip why not get them the latest Lonely Planet Guide and a little moleskin to write down notes and recommendations. These will make lovely souvenirs ,long after the holiday is over. Add a linen storage bag which can be used for laundry and you have the perfect gift for your traveling friends.

Have you got any tips for Christmas shopping? Especially for people with ‘all the stuff’?

Sending you festive energy.

Sophie xx

FREE UK SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING WITH THE CODE : LASTSLEIGH2024

Linen Storage Bag in Granny Smith

An Extra Layer

December is here and the temperature has definitely dropped down here in Cornwall. The bed socks have come out and we are squabbling about the heating (I am a chilly mortal). I have put an extra couple of layers on my side of the bed which are keeping me toasty alongside my rather stinky but lovable spaniel. At Poppy and Honesty, we have lots of quilts for sale but please order them soon for Christmas, as each are made lovingly by hand in our Cornish studio.

Small Scalloped Edge Quilt made from Liberty fabric ‘Theresa over the end of a single bed. Linen Bolster in Granny Smith.

We offer two sizes of quilt. The smaller size is suitable for cots or use as a throw for the end of your sofa, whilst the larger will cover a single bed or sit beautifully at the foot of your doubles and kings. If you would like a different size please send us through your dimensions as we are more than happy to make bespoke sizes and designs. We can also add different finishing touches such as scalloped, frilled and straight edges. Each of our quilts are made with two layers or snuggly cotton wadding to keep you warm and toasty..

Quilted Throw in Florence Linen. Bolster in Rose Gingham.

This season we have added a throw to our collection. These are handmade from padded cotton jacquard and our exclusive linen ‘Florence.’ The throws are perfect to huddle under in front of the telly but equally will add some warmth on your bed when the temperature drops. All of our quilts are machine washable so no need to worry about spilling your hot chocolate or little paw prints.

We have added our Christmas Shipping Deadlines to the website. Please don’t miss the sleigh and order your quilts as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We are currently sending out free gifts with all orders over £30 and for each purchase made on our website we are donating two items to our local foodbank.

Thankyou for supporting our small business at this crazy time of year where your inboxes are loaded with deals. We really appreciate all of our loyal customers, followers and supporters.

Sophie xxxx

Small Scallop Quilt in Liberty fabric ‘Wiltshire’

Custom Orders at Poppy and Honesty

Here at Poppy and Honesty, we love making custom orders. Perhaps you need that tablecloth a few inches wider or have the biggest bed in the entire world which requires a huge quilt. We are here to help you find exactly what you need. All you have to do is email us with your exact requirements and we will send through a quote and timeframe.

Large Linen Tablecloth and Napkins in Granny Smith

The variety of bedding sizes across the world is staggering (and very frustrating to be honest). Please always check the dimensions before placing an order for bedding and if your size is not included on our website, we will make it for you. Similarly, if you see a product and would like an extra detail, we will try our hardest to accommodate your request.

Over the years, we have had some fabulous custom orders including kitting out an entire guest house and making bespoke napkins for a large wedding. Our clever seamstresses Kate, Christine and Bev have amazing sewing skills and many strings to their very talented bows. As a very small business we make many of our products to order and so we can easily make adjustments to suit your needs.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like a custom order. We would love to help create something special for you,

Happy October

Sophie xxx

Our handmade quilts in Liberty Fabric ‘Theresa’ can easily be adjusted to your dimensions.

Bolster Cushion in Granny Smith

Images : Dee Campling and The Wild Girl Cots.

Hot Cross Fun

Even though they have been winking at us in Tescos since January 1st, we are officially in hot cross bun territory, Ready for a bun fight? I am a hot cross bun diva…. they needs to be sticky, spicy, pufty and round with dried fruit ONLY. Hybrids such as choc chips, saffron and cheddar are a hard NO in this house.

Having such high hot cross bun standards, I have been experimenting with recipes and have found that this particular one from the Orange Bakery ticks all the boxes. I have made a few tweaks (such as using a spoon for applying the crosses because I can’t be bothered to mess around with a piping bag).

ingredients:

• 500g bread flour

• 100g caster sugar

• 1x heaped tsp of salt

• 2x sachets of yeast (14 grams)

• 2x tsp of cinnamon

• Zest of an orange.

• 1x egg

• 60g of unsalted butter

• 250ml of milk

• 200g of sultanas

Cross ingredients:

• 100g of flour

• 120ml of water

Glaze ingredients:

• 50g of marmalade

• 50ml of milk

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 200° C

2. Melt 60g of butter in a pan or in the microwave. Leave to cool.

3. Make a well in the middle of the bowl and crack your egg into it. Then add the cooled butter and room temperature milk. Next, either knead the mixture by hand for 7 minutes or use the beater attachment on a mixer to knead the mixture for 4 minutes. Once the bun mixture is smooth and slightly stretchy put it back in the bowl, place a damp tea towel or cling film over the top and leave in a warm place for 1 hour to prove.

4. Whilst your mixture is proving place 200g of sultanas and the cinnamon a mixing bowl. Pour over enough hot water from your kettle to cover all of the sultanas. Soak for 10 mins - 1 hour until the sultanas have soaked up some of the liquid.

5. Once ready, pour the sultanas into a sieve to drain all the remaining liquid out.

6. Your bun dough should have risen a small amount by now, knock it back by punching it down and add the sultanas. You can either incorporate the sultanas by kneading them in, using the dough hook on your mixer or just diving in with your hands (Kitty's personal favourite!). Once the sultanas are fully mixed into the dough, cover it again with a damp tea towel or cling film and place in a cosy warm area. Prove for 1 - 2 hours.

7. The dough should bounce back when prodded after the it's been proved. Tip the bun dough onto a floured surface and cut into 12 balls (roughly 100g each). Line a baking tray with baking parchment, place each ball quite close together, cover again with either a damp tea towel or cling film and prove one final time for 40-60 mins.

8. Stir 100g of flour and 120ml of water together in a pot until smooth. Using a knife of a teaspoon, spread the mixture over the buns to make a cross.

9. Place the buns in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

10. Once the buns are out and have cooled, place the marmalade and milk in a saucepan and heat until the mixture is combined.

11. With a brush, glaze each bun with the marmalade and milk mixture.

These buns make the whole house smell gorgeous and are well worth the effort. Thanks to Kitty Tait and her wonderful book Breadsong for the inspiration.

Happy Easter from Poppy and Honesty

Sophie x

Tablecloth and Napkins in Penzance Linen

Small Shop Directory : Home

Ceramics

Marigold and Lettuce create beautiful chunky white china. I love the way you can see the potters’ thumbprints in each piece. Best of all you can throw everything in the dishwasher which is a massive win in my book.

Florence Mytum. If you are a fan of wobbly china you will love Florence Mytum’s mugs and candle holders. I have the gorgeous wiggle mugs in the studio, they are robust and everyone admires them. Florence is a ceramic artist based in East London.

EOT Ceramics are all handmade in Cornwall. Emily’s designs are perfect someone who favors a paired back Scandinavian aesthetic. We particularly love the dimple mugs. Keep a look out for EOT’s winter collection launching on 13th November

Textiles

In Casa by Paboy : Paboy crafts the most beautiful cushions, towels and other accessories from vibrant cottons expertly patch-worked together. Each piece is a work of art. Paboy has the most astonishing and inspiring story and this is definitely a fantastic small business to support this Christmas.

Sunday and Story : Alongside sourcing amazing rugs from around the world, Josephine has a lovely selection of smaller pieces such as wool pouffes, pretty jute placemats and Kilm Cushions.

Poppy and Honesty : From pouches to huge scalloped edged quilts, we have a gift for almost everyone. All of our textiles are handmade from start to finish in Cornwall from Liberty fabrics, our exclusive linens and velvets. Please check our lead times for bedding sets and quilts.

Cards and Art Prints

Mimi Dickson : Mimi is the queen of beautiful tiny illustrations featuring little nostalgic joys such as Penguin Classics and jars of Marmite. Mimi makes beautiful cards and personally I would rather send x5 of her special creations that x50 generic Christmas cards from Tescos.

Charlotte Farmer : Bold coloured screenprints and wild designs (some even glow in the dark). These prints would be the perfect gift for someone with a sense of humour and a colourful home.

Rosie Harbottle : Gentle watercolour and pastel prints of still life compositions and more stylised images. Based in Dartmoor, Rosie’s beautiful paintings and prints are so pretty and nostalgic.

Other lovely things

The Appreciation Project : Natasha stocks the most beautiful selection of dried flowers which will look lovely and delicate on your mantlepiece even when the fire’s roaring and the heating’s wacked up. The Appreciation Project also sources the most exquisite marble vases.

Folie Chambre : Alongside beautiful bobbin mirrors and lamps, Natalie also makes candle holders and christmas decorations. Folie Chambre is known for amazing British craftsmanship as beautiful antique treasures.

I totally understand that shopping exclusively from small brands is not budget friendly for most families, however I hope that there is a small way you can support little independent businesses this Christmas. Please add your favourite small brands to the comments below, we’d love to know where you find your treasures.

Sophie xxx

Shop Early and Shop Small

According to everywhere, Christmas is on. As someone who won’t put up the tree until mid December and is likely to punch a box of mince pies if Maria Carey sings in the supermarket before next month, the prospect of Christmas shopping seems very premature. However if you are planning to support small independent brands it is important to get ahead with gathering your Christmas haul.

Small shops like Poppy and Honesty don’t have the capacity to stock all of their products as many of these are handmade to order. We offer such a huge range of sizes, that we ask our customers to allow 2-3 weeks for bedding sets and quilts to be handmade. Other small retailers will need longer lead times as they will possibly need to source materials to make your beautiful orders

The joy of shopping from small businesses is that there is no big guy in a shiny office taking a handsome cut from profits. Therefore your hard earned cash is more likely to be reflected in the quality of the product and will find its way more easily into the pockets of makers and small business owners. Think of it this way, your Christmas pounds could be paying for someone’s ballet lessons, school holiday, electric bill or even turkey!

I am absolutely no expert in economics but including shopping from small brands when you are gathering your Christmas loot seems like a pretty good idea. Over the next few weeks, I will be creating some mini directories of my favourite small businesses. If you have any suggestions, it would be lovely if you could add them to the comments below.

Happy November

Sophie

Quilt in Liberty Fabric ‘Ciara’

Duvet Cover in Liberty fabric ‘Poppy Forest’

Hello Spring Summer 2018

Hello blog-cats, I am sorry its been so long ! We've been so busy developing Poppy and Honesty that I have neglected you like a bad boyfriend. It's been a bonkers few months that has seen the construction of our new studio and expansion of the team to included marvellous Carol and Karen. The studio (glorified shed) is a fantastic 6 steps commute from my front door and whilst its not to proper designer spec, its a darn site better than working at the kitchen table. Also, your orders are far less likely to get dropped into the butter. It's hard to be professional when sharing workspaces with kids, a mad dog and a diy enthusiast. I confess to once including a piece of lego in a  customer's order.

We are now a fabulous team of 4 local crafts people based in Cornwall. Everyone works flexibly in their own time and space to bring our beautiful products to life. We have just launched our Spring Summer Collection 2018 which brings together some delightful prints from Liberty of London to create magical unisex bedding and homewares for children.

Bedding in Liberty Print 'Doe A Deer'

'Doe A Deer' is one of this season's heroes from Liberty's 'Alpine Symphony' collection. We fell in love with the gentle cartoon style illustrations and the secret scenes of animals in the woods. Reminiscent of early cartoons such as 'Bambi,' we think your little people will adore finding all the wonderful characters including rustling hedgehogs and pretty bluebirds riding deer.

Bedding in Liberty Print "Sky High'

Sky High' is another favourite of ours from the our new season. Part of Liberty of London's ' Pocket Full of Memories' collection, it is beautifully illustrated with early inventions of flight. The print reminded us immediately of Atticus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang bang with his wonderful car. 'Sky High' features so much detail including shooting stars, a random pair of binoculars and exploding rockets, perfect for little explorers.  Furthermore, the colour pallet is really gorgeous and includes a strong mustard yellow, which is so popular with contemporary interior design. 

We hope that you enjoy our Spring/ Summer 2018 collection. It has been an absolute pleasure to work on. As I've ranted and rambled on in previous blog posts, I do tire of children's design being specifically 'girly or boyish ' in a very homogenous unicorn or tractor way. We understand that not all your girls want flowers and not all your boys want trains. Hopefully this gorgeous Liberty print interiors collection will be just the ticket.

Thankyou all so much for your support. We'd love to hear your feedback.

Sophie xx

Check out the full collection here.