Hello hello! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself squinting up at the sky in the last few weeks, wondering if the clouds simply forgot where you live. Here in Lancashire, it’s been what felt like an eternity without a proper drop of rain – just endless stretches of warm, sunny, and decidedly…
Hello everyone! A while ago (yes, in 2024!) I mentioned I wanted to embark on a blog series, a little journey dedicated to the ‘Champion Species’ of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. And here I am, finally starting! Let me give you a quick recap. Back in 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to…
Outside has definitely begun to take on that early summer ‘glow’ that I adore. The late afternoon sun seems to just pour over everything, bathing the garden in this magical, golden light. It’s a radiance surely intensified by the long, dry spell we’ve been experiencing here. I honestly can’t recall the last significant rain shower,…
This is part two of my behind-the-scenes look at how the Champion Species pin badges have been created. If you’re interested in reading part one, which covers my traditional artwork approach, you can find it here. Today, we’re stepping into the digital realm of illustration. I should start by saying that some people feel digital…
After a rather hectic start to the week, the garden overhaul project has been a welcome dose of peaceful balm. M has been working some serious fence magic, while I’ve been on archaeological duty in the flower beds, unearthing a treasure trove of old bulbs, stubborn grass, and the odd pottery shard. The more I…
The weeks between Beltane and the summer solstice possess a quietly magical glow, don’t they? As the bright, long nights roll in, my inner night owl truly feels at home. I can potter about late in the evening with utter glee because the sun suddenly becomes my greatest enabler. For these glorious few weeks, it’s…
Whenever people see the Champion Species illustrations I’ve been working on, one of the first questions I’m often asked is, “How did you create them?” Sometimes, this is quickly followed by, “And how long did it take?” Then, there’s often a moment of curiosity: how exactly do these transform into small pin badges? Well, today…
How is everyone recovering after the Great Easter Chocolate Avalanche? I’m still reeling from the shock of this year’s slimlined, and frankly, suspiciously squashed-shaped chocolate eggs. Hopefully, yours didn’t sport the rather alarming cone-like appearance mine did. It was less “egg” and more a “geometric curiosity.” Mine was dutifully delivered by the Easter Bunny, who,…
I know easter is around the corner, and this week the garden decided to offer up a different kind of egg! I stumbled upon it on the lawn – and for a split second, I swear it looked uncannily like a lost Cadbury’s Mini Egg. Alas, it was no mini egg, but the real deal….
Easter is just around the corner here in the village, and yes, I’m definitely feeling that Full Moon energy – or maybe it’s just the copious amounts of tea I’ve consumed this week. My focus outside has been firmly on the bumblebees – my big, fuzzy little garden marauders. Likely because out of the blue,…