T.S. LARKING Quarterly
Winter Edition 2025
published December 12th, 2025
Timeless Christmas Gifts
HERITAGE, DELIGHTS & CREATIVITY
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My favorite time of year is here — the season when the cats want to cuddle the most and proudly show off their biscuit-making skills. They always remind me to pause and count my blessings: the small but dear things we hold onto and share, the little delights and treats we don’t always get to experience, and the joy of creating something with our own hands.
Have you ever wandered into an old, dusty attic and found something unexpected — maybe an old magazine or a faded piece of artwork that once meant the world to someone’s grandmother? Or slipped into that dreamy state brought on by the warm scent of cinnamon drifting from the kitchen? Or walked into a craft store overflowing with colors, textures, and tempting little treasures, and felt the sudden urge to start collecting ephemera (while hopefully not spending too much)?
It’s not the first time I’ve mentioned things like this, but they’re the very things that keep me going — these tiny, heartfelt gifts that linger. I create because someone else created for me.
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The Gift Giver
Sinterklaas
Imagine discovering this in that dusty attic - a charming little shadowbox - and this artwork is inside.
This piece was inspired by old Christmas tales, because they are a special part of our Heritage.
Santa rides in a patchwork sleigh stitched from history and memories, drifting through snowy lanes full of golden light. He carries the small treasures we hold onto: a favorite ornament, a handwritten card, a silly tradition kept simply because it makes us smile.
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones made of the immaterial.
And sometimes, they can be edible...
There are Many names for this Symbol of Jolliness and Generosity..
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Sinterklaas — the Dutch name for Nicholas, celebrated in early New Amsterdam
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Father Christmas — England’s traditional festive figure emphasizing goodwill and feasting
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Santa Claus — the uniquely American name and character that emerged in the 19th century and became popular around Christmas.
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What things would you miss if they were lost forever...
What would you want to pass on and share with someone you love?
A little Palette teaser for colors in this
Gingerbread Dream...
My Dream Gingerbread House
Gingerbread Gables
As you can see, this piece is still "doughy and not fully baked" - that is, the full painting is currently in progress.
But here's a verbal "sneak peek"...!
I imagine that the house may have been made by Ancient, magical little Elf Bakers, or by cranky old moustachio'd Chefs in an old-time High-end European bakery.
Sweets that compose the dream:
- Delicate Hazelnut Pirouline
- White-chocolate and Mint Christmas trees
- Jewel-like Pastilles and Melty Fruit Jellies
- Walls of Crispy Feuilletine
- Pistachio, Mango, and Strawberry Mochi balls
- Buttery little cone-shaped "Trdelnik" from Prague
- Cinnamon Tuiles heavy on the Cinnamon
- Fluffy Snow ice-cream
- A Fine Cotton Candy mist in the air
- Madagascar Vanilla Crystal-Candy windows
- and how great would it be to have an Espresso with it...
Want to see the Finished, Fully Baked Painting? I'll be posting it on my Social media with the above notes, for the sheer pleasure of it, and very possibly in time for Christmas! Now that I've shared my vision...
What's your Dream Gingerbread House made of?
Feel free to describe it in the comments on facebook or instagram !
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What makes you want to create? Materials? Ideas?
Trying something new?
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A Handmade Tale
The Winter-craft Snowman
This little snowman makes me think of my friends who craft — he looks as as if someone gathered ribbon, dried florals, a bit of straw, and a handful of sparkly odds and ends from a craft drawer and brought him to life with patience and love.
Every winter carries a little magic, especially in the smallest handmade things.
The fun craft-store vibe comes into it with a touch of extra finery - the green-gold scarf adorned to the side with straw-like fibers, lace ribbon, the dried-flower textures, and those tiny gift boxes that look like they’re hiding buttons or beads.
He might be wrapped in tissue paper at the bottom of an old holiday box — the handmade ones someone kept because they had personality.
Quarter in Review
New Blog
I've started to do the occasional "Peppermint Hollow" piece - a cuter style I like dabbling in. If you haven't seen the Christmas Delight Notebook post, it's here
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A lot has been happening this year. I've burnt the midnight-oil to create work I love - it's honestly more than I can keep track of, but here are a few highlights...
New Partners
Charting Creations has made a gorgeous cross-stitch kit.
My little Amazing Bee puzzle continues to make rounds, from Springbok.
And I adore the Diamond
Painting accessories at
Crafts with Crashley!
There is more to come
but I'm sworn to secrecy for now...
New Products
Two Bright Summery images, Perky Parrot and Shell Mandala plus the new icy blues-and-greens version of my Ornaments image, Twinkling Tree Ornaments recently made their debut at Diamond Art Club
New Art
New, beautiful art in my favorite genres. Here are just two samples, Twilight Blossoms and Desert Garden.
Licensees can get a portfolio overview in my Art Collections, or view a fuller range with my agent.