It’s been more than a year since I posted here.
There are a couple of good reasons for this.
1) I wrote a book.
2) I co-ran the second Comic Relief Crafternoon project.
These two things coincided. Heck. There was hardly enough noggin space left to remember to eat things. My hair was permanently monstrous.
It’s fitting that I’ve revived my blog today because some good things have happened:
There’s been a very sad change in the hairy pal situation at our house in recent months. I’ll write about this more soon, but today we had a visit from Sue at Norfolk Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue. A smallish lass who has had a tough time and needs a new home is coming to live with us in August. Her name is Annie, she’s 4 months old and is the colour of caramel sauce.
Remember the Making Winter project? It was designed to help folk (including me) through the cold, dreary months with craft, cake and contact with nature. There is increasing scientific evidence that these things can shift the balance of neurotransmitters to fend off the dreich, grey feelings that can accompany a Tuesday afternoon in January.
Making Winter has now become my first book and will be published on 5th October. You can preorder it through the link above and the first copy that I’ll hold in my hands will arrive in the post today. I’m likely to do a cry. It’s taken more then 2 years to make this thing. Here’s the front cover:
The August edition of Mollie Makes (out 20th July) includes a sage leaf imprint earring design by me. Silver clay is one of the crafting zeniths, truly. A tiny lump of grey clay, like blu tac having a depressive moment, is transformed into actual real shiny silver by pressing lovely things into it and then setting it on fire. It’s alchemy of the finest kind. Plus your ears will be WELL FANCY if you make these. Pop down the shops to bag this ever-ace mag.
We saw a vole being v busy behind a plant pot on our patio this morning. There is a small vole village under one of our flower beds. I find this thought very cheering. Here is a picture of the vole by Youngest, who is 9:
We just made spaghetti aglio e olio for lunch and added a sprinkle of dried jalapeño flakes. Absolute game changer.
All these things mean that it’s some sort of amazing wizardy Wednesday. Usually Wednesdays are a bit dull so I’m properly cock-a-hoop. I hope your Wednesday is similarly excellent. Please to tell of good Wednesday things in the comments if you fancy (especially if it involves cheese or crisps or dogs). PS it doesn’t matter if the good things didn’t actually happen on a Wednesday.
Finally, I’m co-running a botanical cyanotype workshop (click this for more information) with my friend Susan Elaine Jones at our cottage on Saturday 19th August. This is her posh profesh name. She’s Sue really.
It’s inspired by the wonderful photography pioneer Anna Atkins, who clambered around the coast of Britain in a crinoline collecting seaweeds and then published a book of her algae cyanotypes. The workshop includes lunch and cake. Crinolines optional.
Yey for the book! Well done!
Yey for Anniedog! Now we begin project ” Pigs are in the pack, not a snack”.
That is a PROPER dog. Also, I am v jealous of your jay feather. Can’t wait for the book.
Annie looks splendid. Will you have to puppyproof the house?
Most excellent to read you again!
Truly cannot wait to see your wonderful book, and aw to new dog. Bittersweet.
My Wednesday has involved my first art sale 🙂
Congratulations! The book looks gorgeous, and such a great idea. Caramel Annie, sweet!
congratulations on your book, so glad you are back – Wednesday magic moment for me was slathering myself in body shop massage oil and nodding off between clean crisp sheeets after a 12 hour shift at work. Luxury.
wow, how exciting, I’ve ordered your book on Amazon in the US. Have been playing with cyanotype myself. Great post!
Emma, that’s absolutely brilliant, very well done you. It looks beautiful, I’m so thrilled for you, in fact you can imagine me standing up and cheering. Gorgeous dog. We are all about the dog here at the moment with a new (first ever!) puppy. We are on our toes. Fantastic bank vole picture, that whole arty thing is running in the family I think. A good Thursday thing today – I got rescued by the AA in record time. Stuck my key in the car lock and couldn’t get it out. Rang them. Popped into Tesco to pick up a handful of things. Had a call while I was paying to say the chap was outside and had already fixed it. Happy sigh. I had been imagining days of trickiness. Well done again on the book. CJ xx
You made aglio e olio!!! That is my all time comfort food, having eaten it since I had teeth. Slater’s recipe is great – my tip is also reserve a little of the pasta water for the very end-if it’s a little dry, just add some. If you have access to some pecorino romano cheese, it’s wonderful grated on top. More pungent than parmesan, more authentic as well.
I can’t wait for all the pictures and stories of darling Annie.
Vole is adorable.
‘Wonderful Wednesdays’ is the name of your next book. Lovely to have you back in the blogosphere. Huge cuddle to Annie when she arrives and a grrrr from Rosie. xx
Congratulations on your book! I love this idea and will be joining you in making winter beautiful through my own creative adventures. Georgie x
Beautiful book And great item on Countryfile! Just one query! Anita showed using some kind of putty first prior to using the silver clay but can’t find mention of this. What make is it and do you have to or use it or do you just use oiled tile?thanks for your help.