Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings:

...these are a few of my favourite things...

Piles of neatly folded blankets,
Being curled up on the sofa with a really nice cat,
Startled taxidermy,
Beautiful, unmatched crockery,
Watercolour sets,
Ghost Trains,
Pears in syrup,
A really good 'Desert Island Discs',
Walks of discovery,
Fringes & false eyelashes,
Memories, secrets and daydreams,
Sombre paintwork,
Re-reading favourite books,
Freshly pressed pyjamas,
Vague bohemian sensibilities,
The thought of a well designed and tended vegetable plot,
Communal breakfasts,
Learning to dance like Eleanor Powell,
Friends who send you letters, bake you biscuits,
Big pots of tea and knitwear,
Fantastic coffee served with delicious gossip,
Travelling around London by bus when in no hurry,
Badly painted people & animals,
The smell of cinnamon baking,
Cabinets of curiosities,
Unexpectedly writing, or drawing something quite well,
Evelyn Waugh books on sunny afternoons,
Well-cut clothing and shiny shoes,
Cupcakes with thick, creamy icing,
Animals you get to know,
Just hoofing along the seafront.

Today is a new day

Crabbe updates

COASTAL CURRENTS
OK- so it's pretty official now after a few initial bumps on the way.... Sarah Yates & I (with Christine Gist, Dover) are coordinating Coastal Currents in September 2009... we'll be putting together a big call out soon, but anyone interested in taking part, or brimming with ideas give us a shout. CCHQ is going to be at Crabbe Palace, so do pop by.

CREATIVE COAST
Sarah & I are also re-launching the weekly e-bulletin artswatchnews as 'The Creative Coast', with a new website which will be up & running as soon as I pull my digits out and finish it... Should be launched officially next week...

LAZY OLD SUN
Next Tuesday (19th) my collaborative animation with the very lovely and very talented Andrew Philip will have it's premiere at the Electric Palace Cinema at Acoustic Themetime's evening 'Lazy Old Sun' hosted by Ed Boxall. Tickets £5, door 8pm.

DELICATE HANDLING
My journal article has just been published in The Blue Notebook, UWE, Bristol.

JAPANESE BOUND JOURNALS
I'm going to be leading some practical book making workshops at The School Creative Centre, Rye- suitable for all abilities. Email me for further details, or visit www.theschoolcreativecentre.co.uk

HASTINGS ILLUSTRATION GROUP
We're going to set up a monthly group at the Work Ship, led by The Illustration Queen of Hastings- Sarah Evans. I'm planning on setting up a separate illustration blog soon... will post the link

THE BIRD WOMAN
She will return!

The night before, at the boat club..... oh dear... yes, I did wake up with the crow on my shoulder...

I woke up this morning dressed like this...

7pm- come to Crabbe Palace

Exhibition, live poetry & music, cocktails & tea at Crabbe Palace this evening

Lazy Old Sun at the Electric Palace- Andrew and I are collaborating on an ornithological animation feast

Happy May Day

We're hanging 'Never Wash a Blanket' this evening.... here's a sneak peak into the bird woman's basket