let's exhibit

March 28th - April 3rd 2010
Room 212
Bristol

I'm very lucky to be taking part in this group exhibition next month organised by the wonderful Claire and Camilla of Calm Air All Ice (anagrams are great!).

I'm not sure what I'm going to be exhibiting yet but I'm very much looking forward to making some stuff over the next few weeks. In the meantime, they are posting interviews with all the contributing artists on their blog, and somehow I managed to get in there first.

nearly new

Another pigeon left the coop today.
I've also just carried out a few minor updates to the website.
Not much else to report.

♥

Lucy has nominated me to share some things I love. Seven things to be exact. So here we go...

Themed parties: My belief is that every party should have a theme. Homemade outfits, decorations, themed food, hidden jokes & invitations are all the best.

Pigeons: But you probably know that already.

When everybody is doing the same thing: Group activities make me smile. When you're at a festival and everyone is heading in the same direction, or when everyone in the supermarket is buying the same ingredients on pancake day, or a group cycle ride. I don't mind being a small person in a very big crowd.

Jonathan Creek: I've got the boxset. I've visited the windmill. And I'm eagerly awaiting the Easter special. Yes, I'm a dork.

Receiving post: I can't not like someone who takes the time to write me a letter or send me a postcard.

Falling asleep holding hands: Like a couple of old people.

Malteaster bunnies: Have you tried them? You won't regret it.

♥

I think I'm supposed to choose 7 more people to do the same thing but I can't decide who, so if you're reading this then do join me!

birthday. tray.

On Saturday we went on an outing to Hove Museum for Yumi's birthday. They have a great toy section and a nice art an craft exhibition on at the moment.

It was a lovely day with many biscuit breaks.

typical

Remember this?
It turns out the missing piece was just hiding under the sofa.

gif us a bite

I've been drawing apples with paper for this group set up by Lauren Gentry.

toy museum

Today I did some drawing in the Toy and Model Museum.
Next week maybe the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.

bifidus digestivum

Something has made my stomach grumpy.
I wish it would cheer up.

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.

enough now.

I'm not going to let things bother me as much any more. I'm going back home for Christmas tomorrow and I am very much looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

Then when I get back it'll be almost moving day and we can escape!

The photo above is one Rosie took of her wall when it was at it's worst (and you can't get much worse than that). And the postcard is one I picked up from the Sukie xmas sale and shows what life will be like in our new house: tending to the "garden" and being surrounded by colourful flowers!

Old house bad. New house good.

2009 bad. 2010 good.

seasons greetings!

I've now achieved everything on my Christmas to do list and feel very much in the spirit of things. The festive corsage has been out on display and I've wrapped all my presents (apart from one, which i'm REALLY hoping the postman delivers today!).

I've sent most of my christmas cards too. I went with a pigeon theme this year (who would have predicted?!):



Merry Christmas to you all!