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Procrastinating. And eating apple crumble for dinner.

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This time last year. Orange trees from my old living room window.

outside

Sometimes I forget summer ever existed. But being safe and warm inside, with a log on the fire and saag paneer bubbling away on the stove for tea... its not too bad at all.

press

My friend gave me a book press today. Someone gave it to him and although he makes books too he gave it to me. He is very kind indeed.


I can't wait to put it into action (I just need someone to help me carry it up the stairs...)

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Do you ever feel like theres too many things going on at once, too many things to do and you don't want to do any of them?


I've got too many things on my mind. I don't know where to start. I just want to hide really (maybe I'll go for a walk instead)

Those little ladybird larvae from yesterday are making me feel all itchy. Turns out they're harlequin ladybirds, an invasive species that eats native ladybirds and other bugs. They also bite! If you see any in your house or garden you should tell the harlequin ladybird survey people as they're monitoring the spread across the UK...

Anyway, I made a new book. It's square and grey with a paper lable. Can you tell what my favourite bookcloth and paper combo is at the moment?! This book is one of my biggest rounded spines yet and making it was a challenge, it took a couple of remakes to get the spine fitting just right, but I'm pretty happy with it. There was a point where I nearly gave up, just couldn't work it out, but pushing myself to have one more go was definitely worth it. It opens like a dream. I think if no one buys it I might keep it for myself... do some sketching :)

sunday

After crazy winds yesterday blowing away my washing (and the foam underlay we accidentally left outside and then had to recover from the park down the street...) today all is calm. I wonder if it was the wind that brought these strange little creatures to my garden...


I never knew ladybird babies could look so scary!

Brighton was lovely and sunny, a happy few days...


The wedding was also lovely (but now I'm nervous!)



The poem across the top is by Robert Burns...

O my Love is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Love is like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I;
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.