Wednesday, September 26, 2012
It's oh so quiet...
...now a certain little lady has started school.
I'm quietly readjusting to my new routine.
There are lots of things that have been simmering in my mind for the past five years. Stories. Pictures. Paintings. Books. Dolls.
I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to 3 O'Clock when I get my little buddy back :)
Friday, September 14, 2012
Postcards!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Pretty in Pink
As usual, September is not disappointing me. Mr Nick and I will have been married for ten years in a couple of weeks and I've got a meeting lined up with my publishers to talk about my next two books! I am b-e-y-o-n-d excited about September.
It was perfect blackberry picking weather yesterday afternoon, so after the sun became less strong and more golden, Sienna and I set off across the fields and around the village streets in search of our treasure! I had my heart set on making something extra pretty, like something you would see in a French Patisserie window so looked up a cheesecake recipe, then altered it slightly to include blackberries! There was a little disappointment when we realised we had to leave it to set overnight in the fridge, but there was more than enough to construct a cheesecake sundae.
Mr Nick was working late last night so I treated myself to a pink gin after Sienna was snuggled up in bed and sat on the sofa reading one of my favourite books - Alice in Wonderland. It's a French version, so it's a bit of a challenge but the real reason I bought it was for Rebecca Dautremer's exquisite illustrations. She is by far and wide my favourite illustrator and I want to be her!
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It was perfect blackberry picking weather yesterday afternoon, so after the sun became less strong and more golden, Sienna and I set off across the fields and around the village streets in search of our treasure! I had my heart set on making something extra pretty, like something you would see in a French Patisserie window so looked up a cheesecake recipe, then altered it slightly to include blackberries! There was a little disappointment when we realised we had to leave it to set overnight in the fridge, but there was more than enough to construct a cheesecake sundae.
Considering I rarely make any form of cake, my efforts turned out quite satisfactorily! Mr Nick and I couldn't wait any longer and tried it at about 11 O'clock last night. The verdict was that there was too much topping to base ratio. I gave Sienna a slice this morning and she didn't like it! I don't understand, she liked the Sundae which was exactly the same...
Anyway, it looks pretty...here it is...
And as the sky turned pink, the girls on the dresser decided to go for a little walk in the woods, and do you know what happened? Well, I only just found out this morning, (there was a note on the fridge). Apparently they had been a-wandering when they happened across a large, black oak tree. Nestled in the roots was a ting wooden stage draped in red velvet curtains. Rows and rows of tiny red and white toadstools lined the front and slowly but surely the little fairy seats were filled by all manner of forest creatures. Mice and squirrels, voles and families of foxes all sat themselves down in front of the tiny wooden stage. There was a flurry of chattering and excitement until quietly an orchestra of grasshoppers struck up a heartbreakingly beautiful melody. One by one, scores of tiny white mice in mauve tulle pirouetted onto the stage to the delight of the woodland audience. The Ottoline dollies watched for hours, way past sunset, then made their way back to the old shop and fell asleep again on the dresser.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Berry Time!
There's a blackberry bush a few yards down the road from our house, laden with ripe globules of purple heaven. That, to me, always signals the beginning of the end of summer and the arrival of a crisp new season.
This time of year always makes me feel like starting afresh, much more than January. Perhaps it's memories of new pencil cases, brand new itchy school uniforms and promising myself that I would be somebody cool this new school year, (that never happened).
It's been pretty hard to decipher between the changes in the seasons this year thanks to the grey blanket of cloud that seems to have been lying over England for what seems like all eternity! I'm really hoping that the Autumn, with its fresh cutting air will blow away the dark, white sky.
I adore the longer shadows cast by the sun this time of year, and that special golden light you only get in late summer and early autumn. I'm looking forward to that.
Work wise, I've been extra, extra busy this summer. Sienna finished nursery in July so I've been trying to catch up with work in the evenings and at weekends. I've really enjoyed being able to spend these last few weeks with her before she starts school. She's so grown up now and I'm finding myself reminiscing about the past four and a half years and how much has changed, how so much has happened and trying not to worry about the future! I'm a terrible worrier.
I've just finished the final draft of my new book. I'm not sure I'm allowed to talk about it just yet, but it's available for per order on Amazon so I'm guessing it's not too much of a secret! I'll wait just a little longer before I tell all, but it's all very, very, very exciting!
So, I'm just waiting for Mr Nick and Sienna to get back from the supermarket, (see my illustrated shopping list I gave them), and then my day will be filled with dip pens and ink and copious amounts of black coffee. I should probably change out of my pyjamas at some point too...
This time of year always makes me feel like starting afresh, much more than January. Perhaps it's memories of new pencil cases, brand new itchy school uniforms and promising myself that I would be somebody cool this new school year, (that never happened).
It's been pretty hard to decipher between the changes in the seasons this year thanks to the grey blanket of cloud that seems to have been lying over England for what seems like all eternity! I'm really hoping that the Autumn, with its fresh cutting air will blow away the dark, white sky.
I adore the longer shadows cast by the sun this time of year, and that special golden light you only get in late summer and early autumn. I'm looking forward to that.
Work wise, I've been extra, extra busy this summer. Sienna finished nursery in July so I've been trying to catch up with work in the evenings and at weekends. I've really enjoyed being able to spend these last few weeks with her before she starts school. She's so grown up now and I'm finding myself reminiscing about the past four and a half years and how much has changed, how so much has happened and trying not to worry about the future! I'm a terrible worrier.
I've just finished the final draft of my new book. I'm not sure I'm allowed to talk about it just yet, but it's available for per order on Amazon so I'm guessing it's not too much of a secret! I'll wait just a little longer before I tell all, but it's all very, very, very exciting!
So, I'm just waiting for Mr Nick and Sienna to get back from the supermarket, (see my illustrated shopping list I gave them), and then my day will be filled with dip pens and ink and copious amounts of black coffee. I should probably change out of my pyjamas at some point too...
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Balancing Beatrice of Bordeaux
I talk to her and ask her such questions as - "Beatrice, do you think I should go on a chocolate making course, spend all my savings on chocolate making equipment and open a chocolate shop in France?"
"No", she says, "Finish the final draft of your book, then get on with inking up those fairy drawings".
She's very useful.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Exciting times!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Molly's Jolly Brolly
Never did I think when I wrote and illustrated this book, that I would have a Molly of my own one day. The adventures one can have with one's brolly are quite literally, endless. (Especially a pink one with Hello Kitty on it).
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