when all else fails...

...spend some time with kittens.

update

I've just updated my website with some recent work and goings on. Go on, have a gander.

slightly disappointing

Everyone's favourite thing about doing a jigsaw puzzle must be the satisfaction of slotting in that final piece at the end.
It's certainly the bit that I like the most.
Unfortunately this time I've been cheated as some scamp has replaced a piece with one from another puzzle.
C'est un désastre!

It was a nice jigsaw to do though. Many animals, and I haven't done a round one before. Almost as good as the dogsaw.

In other news: I really need to get out more.

many many dishes

At the weekend we warmed our flat with a winter food party. There were loads of amazing dishes made by some very talented friends. The highlights included:

• The biggest sushi platter you've ever seen.
• Cookie monster cakes (amazing!)
• The sweetest cake I've ever tasted (decorated in suitable Manicolo style).
• Cupcakes, pasties, quiche, salad and vol-au-vents.
• A LOT of cheese.

There were also some unexpected housewarming presents (thank you!), some impressive dance moves, and the creation of a (now rather busy) height wall. So pop round if you want to have yourself measured...or if you want some leftover cheese or cake.

We still have a lot of eating to do...

let's collaborate

Today Natacha, Vicky, Yumi and I installed our house of books in the Amnesty Bookshop, Brighton.
If all goes smoothly (no subsidence/falling masonry) it will be on display for the next 3 weeks.


BOOK HOUSE - Collaborative Project

"Our objective in building this house was to create a space in which to set scenes inspired by our favourite books and stories."

A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz
(Natacha Goransky)

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
(Debbie Hill)

Pinnochio by Carlo Collodi
(Vicky Ilott)

The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck
(Yumi Okuda)

thank you

Wonderful gifts from wonderful people (and many more besides).

money makes the world go round

Especially if it's stored within a pigeon.

the best thing about moving house...

...is deciding where everything should go.

building work

I'm working together with some friends on a book shop window display at the moment.
The best bit is eating homemade soup in the warm whilst it snows outside.

Next week I am going to be much more productive than I have been this week. You just watch.

happy new year

Busy festive times and a new house make for a nice end to the year. We moved house on new years eve which was hectic but pleasing and now we are planning a house warming winter feast - good times!

I've made some new years resolutions which I may or may not keep. We'll see...

• Eat an oyster - DONE! (I did this 3 days early - good work).

• Don't listen to my ipod on shuffle so much. Be more decisive.

• If in doubt, say yes.

• Hold a baby.

• Don't be a grump.

And a couple left over from last year:

• Have a fondue.

• Bash a piñata.

Hope you've got some good plans for the year too!

I'm sure I'll spring into action once all the snow subsides.