finally .... the book

A glimpse of the finished book!

book cloth ....

Lucy brought along an array of colours to the course last week and it was extremely difficult to choose!  She suggested that we try and reflect the interior of the book with the colour chosen .. but as my book is ultimately about a journey to a hanging field ... this was rather daunting as what to chose other than black!  However, in the end I chose a gorgeous midnight blue and various shades of turquoise and green ... a different colour for front and back.  I just felt i wanted some colour in my life!!  Below are a few pictures of the books i managed to cover on the day.

Hotbed Press

Am in the middle of a wonderful few days at hotbed press on a screen printing and bookbinding workshop run by Mandy Tolley and Lucy May Schofield.  Below are works in progress!

planning a concertina book

Mandy demonstrating

Printing!!

Aloe Blacc | You Make Me Smile + Cover | A Take Away Show part 2

Something to chill out to for the weekend.  Love the whole 70s vibe.

England

I feel i can't write about lovely things on my blog without commenting on the the terrible mayhem we have all been witnessing this week. I don't feel this is the right platform for commenting on any political issues but equally we cannot live in lovely little bubbles in the blogosphere all the time.   I have deliberately entitled this post 'England' because at the moment it appears to only be happening in English town and cities.  That is not say that it won't spread to other parts of the UK before long.
I have a son who lives in London and, like most parents, am worried that he will get inadvertently caught up in the violence and destruction.  However, my main thoughts are with the people who have been attacked, their homes and shops burnt to the ground and the sense of desolation, anger and hopelessness they must be feeling at the moment.  

Local Natives | Who Knows Who Cares | A Take Away Show

My younger son introduced me to the wonders of La Blogotheque 'take away shows' and i have spent many happy moments watching most of them.  I have decided to share this one today as it is mellow enough for midweek but not so laid-back that we feel we are at the weekend!  I am sure as the months progress i will share some more of my favourite clips.

seb lester

I have just got back from a 10 day trip to Scotland (which was beautiful) and am feeling very weary.  I bought this print by graphic designer Seb Lester a few weeks ago and it really sums up how i feel!

I first saw this print at the end of last year but it seemed to be sold out ... luckily  Seb contacted me a couple of months ago to let me know where the last copy of this limited edition was still available.  It always makes me smile when i look at it ... I originally bought it for my bedroom but we have decided to put it up in the kitchen .... and I think it reflects how i feel most of the time!!