It's a dog's life – at least it is for Alfie, who has unleashed a new lease of life for his talented owner, craftswoman, Clare Hardman.

The bundle of fur has led to a whole beginning for the Sandbach woman who launched her own business after sewing items for him.

And it's brought Clare closer to her late grandmother who taught her sew and whose 1932 hand-wound sewing machine she uses to sew.

Clare started making doggy items after her family rescued Alfie and he came to live with them in Queen's Drive.

Now the adorable pooch has a wardrobe full of bandanas and today he will be wearing his special Valentine one - complete with hearts!

"I like to include pets in everything I do," said Clare who launched Lavender House Crafts in 2015.

"It's called Lavender as purple is my favourite colour and I have lots of lavender in the garden.

Alfie has a bandana for every occasion stitched on Clare's grandma's 1932 Singer sewing machine.

"I find sewing takes me back to happy times as a child and being with my grandmother. The sewing machine is the ultimate 'echo' machine.

"Sewing is a very mindful activity and I do find it relaxing. I love fabrics and chooses them for my products."

In Clare's own words her products are "pawfectly purrfect for your pet and home".

Alfie with some of Clare's hand-stitched hearts

Clare has converted one of the bedrooms at her Sandbach home into a sewing room but she also sews at the kitchen table.

"It's lovely to look out at the garden and of course Alfie is always at my side," said Clare.

Clare originally trained as a nurse, working at the community hospital in Arclid and then went into teaching, a career she loved.

But she found a quieter life beckoned and is enjoying using her creative skills in her business which includes dog and cat products.

Clare uses social media to publicise her work which includes bunting, cushion, dog bandanas and even cards.

She also attends craft markets and makes for charities and groups. She spent hours appliquing for Sandbach Pride's inaugural event last year.

Clare has supports numerous charities. For the Naturewatch Foundation, which provides vet care for the Ukrainian border, she made sunflower bandanas.

Annual sales of her poppy bandanas are split between the Royal British Legion and Murphy's Army Purple and Clare worked with a Birmingham company to raise funds for Birmingham Dogs Home.

She said: "I try to recycle fabrics and use the smaller pieces for other items. I just love sewing and making things."

Her Valentine's cards and bandanas have been flying out the door. There's hardly an event or occasion which Clare doesn't design for.

For St David's Day on March, Clare will be making Welsh-inspired bandanas and of course Alfie will be modelling them and wearing one on the day!

Clare's business can be found at https://lavenderhousecrafts.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/lavenderhousecrafts/?locale=en_GB