Scruffy Mutt Musings | Autumn Newsletter 2026
Greetings gorgeous peoples from this mighty fine September day with its mix of sunshine and showers and a glorious temperature that doesn’t make me irritable or permanently scowl. It’s official, now I’m a fully paid up member of the 5th floor, sun is no longer my friend. The only genuine giggles enjoyed during the worst of the excessive summer heat was from a rolling WhatsApp chat with my longest serving bestie. It contained confessions of our short-tempered triggers and new areas of the body neither of us knew it was possible to sweat from. And apart from another long summer of record breaking heat and trying not to sink into despair over political responses to climate change, it’s been rather a quiet summer.
Except . . . for my brand new creative endeavour! More of that in a moment. But first, can I cheekily do a quick shout out for some more gorgeous muses photos please! I’ve got two new greeting card ideas bubbling away on the stove and was hoping you might have some photos on your phones of your furry ones (dog and cat) taken from these angles. The back of your pet, preferably sitting and the front of your pet. Either taken from their eye level eg. something like this.
The front views are for an idea around pets on a protest march, so if they have expressive faces that err towards stern, even better! Email photos to [email protected] and title it Inspiration Muse. Thank you in advance.
Back to My New Creative Endeavour
A smidge of context. Last year a cousin randomly asked me what my hobbies were. Placed on the spot I answered stain removal.
Stain.
Removal.
I actually said stain removal and there were witnesses. There was a slim chance they thought I was being funny, sadly I wasn’t. In my very weak defence, I have 4 sporty boys who all love a printed t-shirt. Salvaging their favourite top from a medley of either grass stains, drink spills, food drops and blood is weirdly, rather satisfying. As is watching cleaning hacks on Instagram. I completely scorned science at school but now find the chemical reactions and the lifting of stains from fibres, fascinating. Baking soda and white vinegar. Honestly, give it a go, just to see the fizz.
Anyway, the hobbies question rattled around my brain and wouldn’t go away. The thing is, when you’ve been lucky enough to turn your drawing passion into your day job, it frees up the hobby slot. Normally I’d have answered reading, but and I’m going to add this to the Damn Menopause symptoms list, I’m too tired at night, too tired at the weekend and truth be told, probably stuck in a can’t be arsed apathy rut.
So, the big news is, this summer I’ve found myself a hobby. I’ve been creating ‘things’. And I’m almost ready to share the results with the world. Except I’ll admit to being more than a little bit hesitant. I think it’s called creative insecurity. A feeling up there with my other fear of walking to the edge of the highest diving board, especially if it’s a bouncy one. As for jumping off. That’s a no. Honestly, how do Olympic divers DO what they do? Unbelievable.
Right, here goes.
This is me climbing the ladder to the top board and sharing my new hobby with you first. A collection I’ve titled Pips & Whiskers Vintage Whimsies.
Small, curated pieces of vintage treasure reimagined into something new. ‘Things’ that might appeal to other kindred spirits who delight in little details and whimsical notions. Care for an explanation of the name?! Well, Pips, is another name for the dots on a domino. I’ve collected dominoes since my teens (more about that in a different post) and they are the starting base for each assemblage piece. Whiskers for the animal ornaments that are the star of the show. Vintage because I love social history and the past lives of the old and the used. And Whimsies because the opportunities and time to indulge one’s imagination feel few and far between these days. One of the downsides of being a working mum fixated with fabric stains?
I’m working on filling a new section for the Little Dog website to showcase artwork, prints, these new Pips & Whiskers creations, plus Bay_Nielsen dog miniature collectibles. And our handmade accessories too. By the time you’ve reached the end of this newsletter, it will hopefully be live, possibly not fully populated but this link should work. Click here:Animal Art
In other news | It’s official | We are cursed.
The long standing curse on the Little Dog has now been upgraded to the dire workings of a secret cabal and our name is definitely on the list. It started years ago with trade shows and our company name consistently being missed off the exhibitor list. At first we blamed Sod’s Law and triple-checked our admin, but the number of incidents went way beyond normal. Take this year at Crufts, following the new and improved hall layout, ours was the only stand missing its name and number. Then we do the Harrogate show, lo and behold, we are the only stand without signage. Honestly, the only stand, I actually checked the rest of the hall. There’s lots more I could bore you with, most are ‘yet more proof’ amusing but I’m still rather low from our latest stroke of misfortune.
The bad news arrived on Tuesday. Our already delayed, 2027 calendars and diaries were not on the correct boat. A definite cabal moment. If I wasn’t so angry and frustrated, I could shrug it off. Worse things happen at sea and all that, but the delay is now ten weeks and counting. I can only apologise to those who faithfully purchase our dated offerings year on year and beg that you’ll be able to hang on for a few more weeks until the new arrival date of week commencing Oct 5th.
Our dog calendar, diary and a brand new Month to View pocket diary option are all part of our fund raising efforts for Dogs Trust. I’m just desperately hoping the delay won’t completely destroy the sales and amount we hope to raise for the charity. I will of course send an emailer the moment the stock finally arrives.
Christmas Cards & Gift Wrapped Gift Sets
There is some good news if you like Christmas. We have some 12 new Christmas card offerings, back after a three year sabbatical. I’ve refreshed your favourites and added some new Relations options. There are also our Christmas e-card alternatives which include the entire back catalogue of designs. Both raise money for Dogs Trust. The e-cards also save on your stamp costs.
Also this summer we’ve rustled up some ‘Wrapped & Ready’ Christmas gift sets for the money saving ticket price of £10. Think Secret Santa, stocking fillers, teacher, dog walker, cat sitter or table gifts. Ideal for dog or cat lovers and created to save you time. These are likely to be limited editions, mostly because saving time in one area means adding time to another. These gifts take ages to collate but we think you’re worth it! Browse here.
Out & About This Autumn
We didn’t do the summer dog shows this year, choosing the Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market at Haddon Hall instead. I went as a visitor for the first time last year and thought it was excellent. The rooms and trees in the hall are beautiful and there is so much to see. Haddon Hall is a medieval fortified manor house in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Apparently one the finest of its style. If you go, add in a visit to the Bakewell pudding shop, buy a large pudding because it’s off the scale delicious and once it’s gone you’ll wish you had bought two. We’ll be located in a courtyard chalet on Wk 1 and 4. So that’s Nov 11-15th and Dec 2nd-6th. It does get busy so if you’re going, aim to arrive when it first opens. Tickets are on sale now.
And if you are a Derbyshire local you’ll also find us at the Derbyshire Christmas Fair in Osmaston nr Ashbourne. Oct 28th-29th. They’ve added an evening slot on the Wednesday 28th from 5pm to 8pm which might help those stuck at work during the week.
That’s all for now folks, Big Dog has his paws patiently crossed but looks utterly bored with waiting to be walked. No doubt wishing I typed faster.
Ooh, nearly forgot to say, we have had a delivery of something new and anyone who places an order for the rest of September will receive a surprise gift for free. September is my birthday month and I like to share the treats!
Stay sane, stay kind and happy autumn to you all.
Best wishes
Anna Danielle
