taking stock: February

The less said about January the better, right? Moving swiftly on, I thought a cheeky taking stock post would be a good way to catch up on 2018 happenings. Congrats if you make it all the way to the end of the list. Either way, I'd love to know what you're loving and making right now, so let me know!

Making: baby bootees, a new To Be Adorned headdress and something top secret. Oh, and an embroidery hoop that's very almost done. It's WIP central over here, as per. 

Cooking: not cooking exactly, but trying to be dilligent in prepping my overnight oats on school nights. 

Drinking: green tea, please. 

Reading: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (aloud to Mr P) and Show Your Work by Austin Kleon.

Next read: Any recommendations? I've got a stack of unread EM Forster, so I might start on that. 

Wanting: to find jazzy workout leggings. 

Looking: cosy in my latest knit – an easy-peasy beanie stitched with coral-coloured Mrs Moon Plump and some leftover Drops Eskimo, knitted with this free hat pattern by Davina Choy.  

Wishing: my headphones worked – I'm really missing my walk-to-work podcast time. 

Enjoying: seeing the Little Hearts for Grace project coming together. 

Waiting: on the pictures from a couple of exciting To Be Adorned shoots! 

Liking: the latest Paramour songs. Who even am I? 

Loving: the brave, bright spring flowers popping up everywhere. 

Considering: pitching some feature ideas and flexing my writing muscles.

Buying: surprise Valentine's flowers for Mr P from The Blossom Parlour.

Watching: ALL of Friends now it's on Netflix, and also loving Grace and Frankie. 

Next watch: catching up with the Stitch in Time series on BBC iplayer.

Marvelling: at the fact that my body (and new shoes) carried me through a post-work 5k last night.

Needing: new tights. I think I wear them how other people wear jeans (I mean in frequency, not that I wear them instead of trousers!)

Questioning: the necessity of literally everything I buy being packaged in plastic. Grinds my gears!

Smelling: Lush's Sleepy body lotion and having to resist grabbing a spoon and tucking right in. 

Wearing: all the moisturiser ever. Winter is an ordeal for my skin, apparently. 

Following: @heysweetpea on Twitter for affirming, soul feeding solo biz goodness. 

Worrying: about literally everything. And then worrying about why I'm worrying. Anxiety much?

Noticing: more grey hairs, exclusively in my fringe.

Sorting: my sock drawer this weekend. There, I've said it so now I have to do it. 

Getting: back into running, yoga and actually going to the gym. Hope it sticks. 

Coveting: stuff from Friends – Phoebe's statement coats and Monica's bee cushion and face vase. 

Feeling: exciting about my upcoming Copenhagen gal pal adventure. 

Snacking: on everything in sight, or sliced apple and peanut butter if I'm being virtuous. 

As always, I'm playing along with Pip's Taking Stock series. Thanks to Sam for this pic!

yarn along: The Night Circus, Elegance and a baby hat

It feels like it's been a while since we caught up, so what better way to check in than with a natter about reading and knitting? Ginny's yarn along is always a joy, but especially now it's so dark and cold that all I want to do is curl up indoors and ward off the encroaching winter with yarn and books. 

What are you making at the moment? This tiny stripy baby hat is fairly fresh off my needles. It's a Simply Knitting pattern from their Hand Knits for Baby booklet. The pattern is called Hats Off and I made it for a special little lady who hasn't been born yet! It's a pretty straightforward, knitted flat pattern and I figured out my own sassy stripe sequence. The yarn is Bessie May Smile – a squishy merino DK that is SO soft. You can see more on Ravelry here. 

I've finally finished The Night Circus (sooo good - message me if you've not read it and fancy my copy. I like to pass on good books). The colours black and red have an important presence in the story and there's an amazing bit near the end where a knitter gives one of the characters a beautiful red scarf. Check it out:

"She hands him a red wool scarf, the one she has been knitting on and off. It is longer than Bailey expected from watching her knit, with intricate patterns of knotted cables at each end.

"I can't accept this," he says, part of him deeply honored and the other part wishing people would stop giving him things. 

"Nonsense," Elizabeth says. "I make them all the time, I am at no loss for yarn. I started this one with no particular reveur in mind to wear it, so clearly it is meant for you."

"Thank you," Bailey says, wrapping the scarf around his neck despite the warmth of the train."

It's just brilliant when knitting crops up in a book you've fallen in love with. So what's next? I'm about to start on Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro. I've not read anything else by her, but I friend passed it on to me so I'm giving it a go. I'll keep you posted. 

I'd also like to share something exciting that happened earlier this month - the lovely Sarah of Crafts from the Cwtch featured me in her 'In Conversation With…' series. We had a good old chinwag about Knit Happens and my Simply Crochet day job. You can read it here. 

What are you knitting and reading at the moment? 

  

yarn along: Keep Your Love On and Miette

Hello! I thought I'd pop by to share what I'm reading and what's (still) on my needles at the mo. 

I've not been a busy blogger, but I have been a busy bee. Craft-wise, I've got my hands full with a couple of secret projects that, God willing, I'll be able to share with you in a few month's time. But, that hasn't left a whole lot of time for reading and non-project making. They're good for the soul, though, aren't they? It's so important to make time for those kind of things, especially when you feel in a bit of a whirl. 

So, my current bedside book is Keep Your Love On by Danny Silk. It's about love, communication and boundaries. I'm not far in yet and it's already pretty challenging! Will keep you posted. Have you read it?

On my needles is Miette. Yep, that cardi I started at Christmas – still going! I pressed pause on it a few times, but now I'm determined to get it finished. It's my knit night project as once I'm out at the pub and everyone else is stitching, I have no choice but to get on with it! The second sleeve needs finishing, then it's just button bands and neckband to go - phew! 

Hope all's well with you. I'd love to know what you're reading and making. 

I'm joining in again with Ginny's Yarn Along. 

taking stock: April

I always find these Taking Stock posts super-helpful for catching up with myself and with you! I have been busy busy and feel like I haven't given myself a lot of time to properly collect my thoughts lately, let alone try to write them down here with pretty pictures. Also, haven't finished anything I'm able to share here just yet (hint hint: exciting project reveal to come!).

So, here's what I'm up to at the moment. How are things with you?

Making: This top which is so nearly finished! 

Cooking: As little as possible. 

Drinking: Mint green tea – it's the best of both. Leave the teabag in if you're feeling particularly wild! 

Reading: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Sooooo 2012. I'm really late to the party.

Wanting: everyone I know to just live in one place - would make life so much easier! 

Looking: forward to the #CraftyBlissChallenge starting on Friday – my first Insta challenge!

Deciding: gym twice a week may be necessary.

Wishing: I'd gone for shorter hair years ago! 

Enjoying: the #crochetgirlgang hashtag on Instagram – encouragement and vibrant stitchery. 

Waiting: for Saltwater sandal season to begin - come on sunshine! 

Liking: swatching. Never thought I'd say that. 

Wondering: how long I can put off big, scary grown up decisions. Ugh.

Loving: blossom everywhere.

Pondering: a big adventure.

Considering: investing in a decent yoga mat - mine's become both slippery and crumbly.

Buying: all the teabags.

Watching: my sister ace her career goals with so much honesty and love. She's magical.

Hoping: a big project I have in mind will come together. Watch this space.

Needing: to book a proper holiday this year. Any recommendations?

Questioning: my priorities. This one needs some more thought! 

Following: @tasteofstreep on Instagram – makes me hoot without fail. 

Thinking: cheap weekend breaks would be easier if we had some wheels! Camping without a car? I don't think so.

Disliking: the big city pollution we live in. Yuck. 

Snacking: on banana with a way-too-generous slathering of Nutella. Mr P's genius idea. 

Hearing: the Relevant podcast on my walk to work, then a crafty one on my way home.

As always, this Taking Stock post was inspired by Pip. Visit her blog to find a full list you can copy.  

yarn along: Maggie O'Farrell, crochet and an x-ray

Hey folks, thought I'd pop in to share what I'm up to at the mo. And I've got some seriously mixed feelings about these two. 

Let's start with the book, shall we? I picked this up at the library because I LOVED Maggie O'Farrell's The Hand That First Held Mine. I'm only a little way in so far, but am floundering a bit as, while beautifully written and absorbing, it's really not the most uplifting read. I'd recommend Instructions for a Heatwave, but not if your soul's in need of something lighthearted. Team it with some Austen or PG Wodehouse, I reckon, and you'll be on to a winner. Oh, and this book's now hideously overdue as I couldn't get it back to the library because A&E! Which leads me to...

The crochet project. Nope, that cardigan still isn't finished, but a recent long train journey necessitated a crochet WIP that was good to go. I grabbed this orange top and it was all going so well until my fingers had a run-in with a car boot last weekend. Ouch. We hot-footed it to the hospital where I had my first ever x-ray (waaay less exciting than I'd hoped). Miraculously, although the car boot completely shut on my fingers, I came away with no breaks or fractures at all. I'm actually fine, just some tiny cuts and a bit of swelling. But I did have to rest my hand (doctor's orders) and haven't worked a single stitch all week. I can't tell you how odd it's been. Have you ever had to halt your making against your will? Very frustrating. 

Practically, Easter for me this year will be travelling and fun family time. On the train I'll be tentatively wielding my crochet hook once more and getting stuck into the orange top again (it's a treble cluster dream of a project from Simply Crochet issue 30 and it's now available as a Ravelry download, too). 

But ultimately, Easter is about hope. I can put aside whatever stuff is going on and know that love wins in the end. Wishing you and yours a peaceful break over Easter!  

I'm joining in again with Ginny's Yarn Along.

taking stock: October

Guess who got their disposable camera developed? This is lovely Dawlish.

Making: top secret yarny things for Christmas! Already behind!

Cooking: all the eggs.

Drinking: hot lemon and honey in a bid to ward off the dreaded lurgy that's doing the rounds at work.

Reading: Emma aloud at bedtime. And The Guardian's Fashion Statement emails over lunch. 

Wanting: a pair of heels that doesn't hurt. Is there such a thing?

Looking: at our disposable camera pics from the last month - some gems and some hilarious. 

Playing: with fabric again and loving it. 

Deciding: we might be real adults now we've bought a vacuum cleaner. Even if it does have a face. 

Wishing: we were back in Paris. Still not over it!

Enjoying: get stuck into Twitter again. (Say hello! I'm @BeccaLParker)

Waiting: for some news that might be big.

Liking: layering up in the colder weather. 

Wondering: how long we can put off using the heating.

Loving: hearing positive news about close ones whose health is now improving.

Pondering: the appeal of neon. 

Considering: a drastic haircut. I still can't decide. 

Buying: peppermint tea like it's going out of fashion. 

Watching: Buffy again from series one. 

Hoping: I can see my sister over Christmas. 

Marvelling: at nearest and dearest lovelies getting engaged all over the shop! Much excitement. 

Needing: to find the perfect twig for a special project that's a bit overdue. Will share soon!

Posing awkwardly in another country? Nailed it. 

Questioning: unnecessary supermarket packaging.

Smelling: yummy lemon candle.

Wearing: brightly coloured tights and spotty socks.

Following: socalitybarbie on Instagram, poking fun at all the hashtags.

Noticing: it getting dark so early now. It's definitely autumn. 

Knowing: my cuppa is getting cold.

Thinking: about the future is a bit scary.

Admiring: talented bakers. I miss Bake off!

Sorting: endless laundry.

Getting: the urge to do my nails all fancy.

Bookmarking: stuff about Joanna Newsom's new album to read later.

Coveting: the stack of books in my amazon basket.

Disliking: not being able to drive.

Opening: my mind to doing things differently.

Giggling: at witty captions and wishing I'd written them. 

Feeling: guilty about skipping running for the last two weeks. 

Snacking: on healthy seeds and nuts in my mind, but in reality it's biscuits. 

Hearing: the squeaky squeaky washing machine.

As usual, grab the list from lovely Pip if you love lists too and fancy sharing a Taking Stock post. What have you been up to?

regency realness

I hope you're not offended by bonnets. As an Austen fan who'd lived in Bath for six years, not taking part in the Jane Austen Festival's Grand Regency Promenade suddenly seemed much sillier than actually dressing up and joining in, so this year we did just that. And it turns out I took loads of pictures of people's backs. But these are Regency-garbed, bonnet-topped backs, so I thought share them anyway. 

The Promenade is a costumed event where over 500 Austen enthusiasts (see also: literature nerds, historical costume lovers, folks who like to do quaint things in pretty English cities etc) take a turn around the city of Bath. I attended with some wonderful fellow knitters and Mr P, who was somehow persuaded and looked unnervingly at home in his get-up. 

It's certainly a bizarre world to enter. You do feel as if you've stepped back in time and ordinary things such as visiting a cash point or using your phone become strangely novel. You find yourself filled with bonnet admiration, pelisse envy, surrounded by people twirling parasols and quoting Pride and Prejudice. The latter was fairly excusable as, due to the inclement weather, our hems were indeed "six inches deep in mud". 

Another discovery was that knitters love Jane Austen, or at least Austen fans love knitting. I was sporting my newly-finished Pebble Beach Shawl and I saw a fair few stunning handmade shawls. There was a Regency market (but of course) after the Promenade and I spotted a whole host of incredible knitted reticules and miser's purses. These pineapples were my absolute favourite and seemed to be selling like hot cakes. Talk about trends coming full circle. I found a knitting pattern for one on Ravelry here - an awesome reworking of a pattern from 1840.

As first-timers, we thoroughly enjoyed the promenade. Everybody we chatted to on the day was lovely. My personal highlights were: a little girl on the train to Bath asking if I was Cinderella, helping Mr P fix buckles to his shoes with kirby grips, eating a slice of apple cake roughly the size of my own head with the lovely knitters and shamelessly strolling around The Circus and along the Gravel Walk in a Empire line gown, lace fan fluttering.

If you've ever thought about going, I'd recommend it. There are all kinds of other events in the festival, but this one's a real spectacle. My frock was from this lovely Etsy seller and we hired Mr P's outfit from here. 

off the needles: Pebble Beach Shawl

Nope, you're not seeing things; I did actually finish my Pebble Beach Shawl and it's a beauty!

In case you're wondering about the freaky get-up, myself, Mr P and some lovely ladies from knit club attended the annual Grand Regency Promenade at Bath's Jane Austen Festival this weekend (we're just that cool). As you can imagine, that's a whole other kettle of fish and there were a few knitty treats that I'll share with you next time. 

Anyhow, this was the shawl's first outing, so I persuaded Mr P to take some snaps on our way home. The FO shots are something I'm really trying to work on. Any tips would be most welcome! Neither myself or Mr P know much about photography, and I feel fairly awkward in front of the camera. I guess it will come with time. 

I think the pics show off the shawl nicely, though. I started it back in May for the CFTC Makealong and while it took absolutely ages, it was a really good challenge for me. I stepped out of my knitting comfort zone to try circular needles for the first time, working lace to make my first ever knitted shawl. 

For the picot bind-off, I had to learn how to do the knitted cast on method. It's a mildly shameful thing to admit as a knitter of some years, but I'd only ever used the thumb cast on prior to this! Here's to learning new things.

Curious Handmade's Pebble Beach is a fantastic pattern. The clear, grid-style format made it really easy to follow for a lace novice, and the stitch counts on each row helped a lot. I could check if I'd gone wrong or not! There was a fair bit of tinking with this project, but those stitch counts kept me on the straight and narrow. I loved the percentages, too, to indicate how much I'd completed. I think the pattern's now available as a full-size shawl, too.

It's a beautiful accessory and it really came alive after blocking. Going to just wear mine forever now. 

All the details, as usual, are on Ravelry here.

where books belong

We've just moved home.
We're knee deep in boxes and I'm indulging in the sheer joy (see also: endless frustration) that is finding a place for everything. A couple of days after we moved in, I woke up at 6am (why body, why?) and spent a delirious three hours arranging and re-arranging our little blue bookcase. I gleefully sorted the books by subject matter and theme, then stacked and wedged them onto the shelves, plugging any gaps with Russian dolls. When I'd finished, I settled in the armchair opposite the bookcase and soaked it in. I cannot begin to describe the bizarre sense of satisfaction this activity provided. And of course I was immediately seized with the compulsion to re-read ALL THE BOOKS. To date, aside from the kitchen, that lovingly-arranged bookcase remains the only part of our flat that's actually sorted. It's a happy reminder that everything belongs somewhere, if only we can take the time to figure out exactly where that is. 

It takes a while to get to know a new city, but I feel like perhaps we are well-loved volumes that have finally found their place on the shelf. 

taking stock: September

Mr and Mrs P celebrate a new Mr and Mrs P!

Hello folks. I'm joining in with Pip's Taking Stock thingamajig. It's a lovely way to pause, be thankful and catch up with yourself a little bit. Wanna take stock, too? Visit Pip's blog and copy her original list from there. Leave a comment below if you do one, I'd love to be nosy and have a read!

(Psst! There's still time to enter the GIVEAWAY and win a copy of Faux Taxidermy Knits).   

Making: Christmas presents. It's started already, people!

Cooking: veggie curry with far too much rice.

Drinking: a cup of tea someone else has made for you is one of life's sweetest blessings. 

Reading: Accordion Crimes by Annie Proux. Recommend!

Wanting: to book our holiday before we actually go on it. 

Looking: out for signs of Autumn. Bring it, crunchy leaves. 

Playing: the ukulele badly. Sorry neighbours. 

Deciding: whether or not to take the plunge and leave our flat sooner. 

Wishing: it was simpler to move house.

Enjoying: a spruced up, waistcoat clad Mr P relishing his new, non-pizza-related job. 

Waiting: for the big office move. 

Liking: listening to Joanna Newsom again and feeling about 17 and like anything is possible. 

Wondering: where the summer went. 

Loving: weddings and knit nights.

Pondering: the likelihood of falling in love with running.

Considering: a trip to the library for some holiday reading. Any recommendations?

Watching: Community, Pushing Daisies and Great British Bake Off. 

Hoping: I can take my knitting needles on the plane. 

Marvelling: at the fact that we've almost been married a whole flipping year already. What?!

Needing: to give more time to prayer.

Smelling: tomato soup. 

Wearing: fingerless mitts - the time has come.

Following: Jordan Burt on Vine. Pretty sure Debbie is my spirit animal. 

Noticing: what a blessing a fluffy pair of slippers can be at the end of a long day. 

Knowing: it is not sensible to eat nectarines at your desk. Juice on chin, juice in keyboard, ugh.

Thinking: about precious friends who should be closer. 

Admiring: skilled ladies that can do maiden braids - mine come out lumpy!

Sorting: superhero socks and yarn. 

Buying: groceries and second-hand books.

Getting: nowhere near enough sleep.

Bookmarking: more wonderful, creative blogs than I have time to read.

Disliking: 6am starts. Boo.

Opening: wedding invitations and save-the-dates. When did we grow up?

Giggling: at least once a day. 

Feeling: like I need to try harder and be better.

Snacking: on cashews - my desk snack of the moment.

Coveting: new earphones. And a hula hoop, please. 

Wishing: I could play the harp. 

Helping: myself to a second slice of everything. 

Hearing: Rainymood.com when it's stress o'clock. 

taking stock

Do you read Meet Me At Mike's? I love Pip's thoughtful, sunshiny outlook, and her writing always makes me smile. Her Taking Stock posts are a fun read so I thought I'd have a go. I found this a lot more difficult to tackle than I anticipated. I guess sometimes you do need to catch up with yourself a bit. 

Making : Baby project? Orange jumper? Pink blanket? Take your pick. 

Cooking : All of the spinach ever. I'm pretty much Popeye these days. 
Drinking : Peppermint tea. Can't get enough. 
Reading: Chanel biography (bedtime book) and Room with a View (handbag book) 

Wanting: To end end end the baby project! I just want something to be finished. 

Looking: forward to a rare whole weekend with Mr P.

Playing: Zombiecide. Think Cluedo, but with zombies. And a rollerskating waitress with a chainsaw.  

Deciding: whether or not I should download the Tumblr app. 

Wishing: I could get through the TFIOS trailer without welling up. 

Enjoying: Cucumber - it's like a drink and snack in one. 

Waiting: for next week's Game of Thrones. 

Liking: leaving the flat without a jacket, even when it's not sensible.

Wondering: where the woodlice in our bathroom are coming from. How do they climb three floors with their tiny legs?

Loving: a little bit of sunshine. 

Pondering: the great mystery that is quinoa - going to take the plunge next week. 

Considering: dusting off the ukulele.  

Watching: Star Trek Voyager. Because Netflix. And Captain Janeway is queen. 

Hoping: I can be a better Becca tomorrow.

Marvelling: at how a phone call or text can transform your day.

Needing: reminding of my freedom. 

Smelling: Lavender - we're trying to get rid of our unwanted moth lodgers (won't somebody think of the yarn?) 

Wearing: my new glittery jellies in and feeling about six years old.

Following: @bert_abroad on Instagram

Noticing: my dearest ones winning at life, but much too far away.

Knowing: we're definitely living here another year. 

Thinking: of lost things, and brave things left behind.

Feeling: too far away from the ocean.

Admiring: anyone with the resolve to set a goal and work for it, to live like they mean it. 

Sorting: holey superhero socks. 

Buying: bananas and peanut butter like they're going out of fashion. 

Getting: all emotional at Wes Anderson films. Just lovely. We're sooo late to the party. 

Bookmarking: quinoa recipes. 

Disliking: zero hour contracts. Don't get me started. 

Opening: unexpected mail from mother. 

Giggling: at Mr P's surprise dances. And eels.

Feeling: sleepy.

Snacking: all too frequently.

Coveting: Saltwater sandals. They'd be an investment, right?

Wishing: my dearest friends were closer. 

Helping: job hunt.  

Hearing: Billie Holiday (for chilling) and Justin Timberlake (for cleaning the flat)

Have you done a Taking Stock post? Link me up!

the summer of making: knit words & comic book confetti

It's the Mr Men socks that make it, I think.

Hello all!

I thought I'd share a couple of things I've been working on. Aside from crocheting like a mad woman and spending every spare moment reading The Chap's essays (he's not quite escaped studentdom yet), I've been preparing other crafty bits for the wedding. Pom poms aside, I think these two simple ideas might be my favourites so far - knitted wire words and comic book confetti.  

Back when I was in the throes of my romance with i-cord (remember this post?), I knitted up this little treasure. It looks really effective, but was so easy to do! With some DK yarn and two double-pointed needles, I just knitted an i-cord until it was long enough to spell out L-O-V-E (other words and phrases also rock). Then, I cut a piece of galvanised gardening wire (from a hardware store near you) a little longer than the cord, carefully threaded it through, bending back the sharp points on either end. Then I bent the wire to 'write' the word. I copied my own handwriting, so it looks like I wrote in yarn!

Meredith at One Sheepish Girl recently made a super-cool i-cord ampersand and shared a tutorial for it - check it out!  

When punching is the right thing to do.

Words are my thing and he loves comic books (ahem, graphic novels) so this one was a bit of a no-brainer, really. All we needed were some old books and comics that we could bear to part with and a wee heart hole punch. Love it. The punching continues. . .

Mollie Makes: Bonjour Paris!

Salut lovelies!  

Ca va?

I've been working hard, getting sunburnt in the 10 minutes that was our British summer and dreaming of Paris.  Recently I collaborated with Kate from The Makery on a little feature for Mollie Makes all about flea markets in Paris.  You can spy the piece in the new issue, out in the UK today.  

Now I'm hankering for a visit.  Yes, I may appear to be at my desk or elbow deep in washing up, but really I'm running up the steps of the Sacre Coeur, pastry in hand.  Or wandering alongside the Seine with my sketchbook.  Sigh.  In the meantime I'll be watching Amelie and scouring Sainsbury's for brioche.   

Where would you like to escape to?  

Maybe you're dreaming of Paris too.  What places inspire you?

little miss literature

How adorable are these?

I recently came across the fabulous work of Alison Oliver (no relation!).  She's illustrated the Baby Lit series of books, written by Jennifer Adams; chew-proof counting books based on the classics.  In raptures I devoured a copy of Little Miss Austen Pride and Prejudice.  Forget toddlers, I want them!

They're very much number focussed, but the illustrations pull you into the world of the novels.  I quite like that the real stroytelling is left largely up to the reader. Just lovely, sugary but very much alive.

Pride and Prejudice and Romeo and Juliet are available now.  From March you'll be able to get tiny mitts on Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre too.

You can see more of Alison Oliver's work here.

making sense

gorgeous Sense and Sensibility artwork by Skottie Young

Austen time again, I'm afraid!  This November sees the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility.  It's not most people's favourite of her novels, and I include myself in that, but I do think the relationship between the Dashwood sisters is really interesting.  In homage to Janey-Jane I shall be re-reading the novel.

Popped along to the fashion museum a couple of weeks ago and what should I find but costumes from the fab 1995 (Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet) Sense and Sensibility production.  Brilliant.  These included Marianne's wedding gown.  You can't really see in the pictures, but the main body of that dress was dotted with tiny foil stars.  Just lovely.



The awkward moment when Willoughby totally blanks you

So, who's up for a 2011 Sense & Sense re-read?

the man with the dancing eyes - Sophie Dahl

'She was happiest sitting on top of the Aga, her small nose buried firmly in a book'

On Tuesday I went to the library, and immediately resumed my childhood love affair with reading.  I actually had the best time dashing about, picking out anything I wanted to read for free.  Goodbye uni reading list.  As soon as I got home I set about devouring the stack, book by book.  

The first was Sophie Dahl's The Man with the Dancing Eyes. Offbeat, fanciful, and full of bizarre exquisite drawings by Anne Morris, it reads like a Breakfast at Tiffany's fairytale in the shortest form ever.  This book is just lovely.  And whimsical.  Life should contain more whimsy; it should be more Amelie-esque and filled with confetti. 

I was curious to see if the supermodel/celeb chef/jazz musician's wife had inherited her grandfather's fantastic storytelling (I loved Matilda!).  Louboutins, painters and Lapsang Souchong?  I say well done Miss Dahl. 

the lace is on

Busy busy.  The exhibition/final deadline is fast approaching, and I've still got writing to finish up.  But, thought I'd stop by and share this inky outcome from my sketchbook with you.  Forgot how much I love using ink!  Will definately be doing more of this. 

Back to the grindstone/sketchbook/laptop/knitting needles now.  Can't wait till it's all done and I can be as calm as this lady here.

Enchanting 'A remarkable book' print by Maggie, found via Lulu Letty.  Maggie also makes beautiful silhouette jewellery.  See her Etsy here. 

I'm making a list of summer reads to look forward to.  So far Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, The White Road by Tania Hershman and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers are on there. 

Any recommendations?

Word

I'm in print!  Check out Inspire Magazine online here, or it's free at most churches. 

Image from Inspire Magazine May 2011

Bed-in for Deadlines 2011

Three students.  1700 words.  24 hours. 

At 9pm on April the 9^th three students came together with the aim of writing and workshopping for their deadlines in the coming days.   What this meeting evolved into was beyond what any of them could have imagined – the great Bed-in for Deadlines of 2011. 

It's that nasty last push before Easter when everything's due in at once.  We had so much to do, in spite of our furious list and tea making this term.  Something drastic had to be done.  There was tweeting, toast, nonsense and not much sleep at all.  I think time actually slowed down at one point, but we got there in the end. These were some of the tunes that made it okay: 

Darwin Deez – Radar Detector

Patrick Wolf – The City and The Magic Position

Los Campesinos – any!

The Pretenders – Brass in pocket

Lennon – Give peace a chance

Nena – 99 Red balloons

And of course, http://www.rainymood.com/ – on loop.

And thanks to John and Yoko, who made it all possible.  

Phew.  Happy Palm Sunday everyone, excited for Easter now!