I live in a tiny house, but I love it very much. It has a long garden that leads into a field, and the field leads into the middle of a huge forest. I walk there most days and get a lot of my ideas there – for stories and my Faerierealms felting work. My … Continue reading
Do you like notebooks? I can’t pass a stationery shop without sliding inside for a quick peek. And a buy. This gets a bit expensive though, so I have started making my own. I am a great fan of making ‘altered books’ – taking elderly, unwanted … Continue reading
I have been watching the ‘Fungus the Bogeyman’ series lately, and it has reminded me of how much my sister and I loved the book by Raymond Briggs that inspired the series, when we were horrid little girls. We still call each other ‘drearie’ to this day. Fungus’ world inverted ours; everything yucky and stinky was seen … Continue reading
I haven’t been writing in my study, at my desk recently – I’ve been out in the woods, and it’s been a wonderful experience! I am preparing a project called Words from the Woods, for BBC Get Creative Day on April 2nd 2016. The idea behind the day is to celebrate the creative things … Continue reading
As some of you might know, I write craft books as well as stories. For the last few weeks (and for many weeks to come!) I have been making lots of needle felted and sewn creatures for a very special event coming in the spring. Lots of handmade things will be displayed outside in the woods … Continue reading
I am always excited when my Christmas presents are heavy rectangles – because that means BOOKS! This year, I gave and received book-shaped presents. I love the way that books are not just lovely presents to unwrap on Christmas Day – but you also have the excitement of discovering the things inside the book as … Continue reading
I am starting to think about the Christmas gifts I am going to make for friends and family. I know it’s only November still, but it pays to think ahead! When we were girls, my sister and I used to make all of our presents. We often made sweets like truffles and peppermint creams. This … Continue reading
No Tricks – Just Treats! It’s half term for most people this week, and the countdown to Halloween has really begun. I LOVE Halloween – it’s my birthday, for starters. I was born just after midnight on Halloween 1964 so that makes me about a-quarter-to-old-lady this year…but that doesn’t mean I don’t love Halloween parties … Continue reading
A huge woodland sits behind my house. Deer, foxes, badgers, weasels, owls, bats and more are frequent visitors here. It’s my inspiration and natural themes appear in much of my writing and artwork. I walk in the woods daily, and feel the tiny shifts in the seasons. Today, under the birch trees, leaves fell like … Continue reading
I am having great fun at the moment with my art supplies. There are paints, crayons and coloured pencils all over my desk. I am working on a new series of stories and at this stage it is all about playing and exploring. I am also making felted models as part of my illustrations – … Continue reading
GirlsHeartBooks 