Harris Hedgehog is already being welcomed into homes across the UK. He loves to be a part of your celebrations. Here he is posing amongst the boxes and ribbons, looking very cute. Do you know somebody with a penchant for one of our most popular little mammals? Why not treat them?

By the way, the Harris Tweed on this card was handwoven at home on looms in the Hebridean islands of Harris and Lewis. In recent years, further south in those very same Western Isles, efforts to encourage an increase in the numbers of corncrakes have involved reducing the numbers of hedgehogs. As you might imagine, this was not universally popular as the animals were being eradicated rather than re-located by the agencies involved. As soon as word got out, being a nation of Mrs Tiggywinkle fans, lots of people started to question why the ornithologists couldn't achieve their worthy aims without persecuting the hedgehogs. Volunteers, including the Wildlife Hospital here in Ullapool, started to rescue these wild mammals and release them over on the mainland. Sentimental and misguided? Responsible and compassionate?

Whatever you think, the poor old hedgehog remains a favourite sight in our gardens and childhood story-books. Incidentally, the little chaps also feature on the Harris family crest!

You'll find Harris Hedgehog along with lots of other picture cards and floral cards on the gallery pages of this site. How can you resist?

Here he is, as promised a few weeks ago, Harris Hedgehog. The cute little chap is braving the winter weather to take a close look at the snowdrops. If you'd like to take him home, you'll find him on the Picture Cards page.

Here's the other new offering, too. This is the Moonlit Loch Collage which shows a mother of pearl moon rising from behind the the blue Harris Tweed hills, with reflections glinting on the dark waters below. You can find it in all its lunar loveliness on the Framed Collages page.

Pop one of each in your basket and you have the perfect gift. All we need to know is where you'd like us to send them. Over to you.

 Is it just me or did the "big freeze" seem to rob us of the early part of the year? WHERE HAS JANUARY GONE?

Any way, time to get back on track, eh? Here's a clue about something which is wriggling its way very gradually through the pipeline: a lunar lochscape of moonlit mountains with ravishing reflections. The new collage is inspired by nocturnal views of Loch Broom which we frequently enjoy, with the moon and Orion hanging above the water, a bit like... 

You like? Good, good. Watch this space.

Plus, I'd like to introduce you to my new pal, Harris Hedgehog. He's a bit shy, but loveable with it. I'm just trying to coax him out from under the hedge, but he reckons it's still a bit chilly. When I can persuade him, you'll be the first to know!