COTSWOLD Feature Ditsy Doodles
Most parents will have a shoebox tucked away somewhere stuffed with those precious first drawings that come home clutched in tight little hands when children first start school. Sue Smith met two young mums who have found a way to turn those memories into something more tactile and permanent
MUMS Jenny Inglis and Christine Bass met through the National Childbirth Trust when their youngsters were tiny tots. They had both previously
worked in creative, demanding jobs but the proverbial problem of how to continue in a career while bringing up their children led them seek out ways of creating a business together. “We both loved sewing and
making things,” said Jenny. “So we each bought some fabric and went off to see what we could do with it. “My eldest child Poppy wanted
to join in with me so I gave her some paper and crayons and she sat alongside me drawing a picture.” Jenny then hit upon the idea of
reproducing Poppy’s picture depicting a cat, rabbit, sun, rain cloud and rainbow on to some bits of material and soon the child’s drawing had become a treasured permanent picture on canvas. Chris had trained as a
silversmith but a spell as a part- time design teacher covering for maternity leave at a
school convinced her she much preferred working with fabric than metal. The pair realised they had hit
upon a novel idea and took their ideas and samples along to toddler groups and to friends where they were instantly liked and a few orders started to come in. Their company Ditsy Doodles
was born and now they work together at Chris’s home in Daglingworth near Cirencester making items to order such as cushions which are the most popular as well as bags key rings, tote bags, key rings and framed pictures. One of their favourite
commissions since starting the business two years ago, was a cushion given to a 30-year-old by his mother on his birthday created from the note he had written as a small child which said ‘I am sorry for being so naughty. Love Alisdair.’ “He loved it,” said Chris. “The
gifts are such personal things to pass down through generations as they are full of memories. Jenny and Chris’s creations are
popular as wedding presents, birthday gifts and at Christmas the demand can be overwhelming. “You wouldn’t believe how many
metres of thread we get through in this room,” said Chris. “It gets quite crazy in the lead
up to Christmas. Once people find out about us they start digging out all the memorabilia they have kept. We can turn any child’s drawing or letter into a lovely, personal and original gift for them to give back to their child in adulthood. Some parents might just want to
keep a favourite picture to display in their home. It might be for its sentimental value if it has been drawn for a
28 COTSWOLDESSENCE | September - November 2013
www.cotswoldessence.co.uk Jenny and Chris
Cat – charming first drawings can be kept and treasured
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