Hello!
How’s your week been?
As a change, I thought I’d send you a little video of the most incredible event which happened in our back garden on Saturday morning: thousands of pink footed geese joining us for the winter months. We heard them from upstairs and quickly jumped out of bed (even our pre-teen) and ran outside in our pjs. It was such an awesome sight. The video of course does not do it justice! Although I find it funny that one of our kids decided to put music on to add drama to the moment!! Welcome to this part of the world, dear friends!!
Here in Yorkshire, we’ve had wet weather and some clear skies. The trees are glorious and I can’t stop noticing their vivid colours. One of my boys had a rugby tournament in his school field and there were very strong Dead Poets’ Society vibes. So much joy!
In the studio, I’m working extra hard to meet deadlines so that I can have a break with family next week. I am still benefiting from my incredible solo dates (the topic of my October video) which provided so much wonderful colour inspiration and have finished some canvas pieces, inspired by my time in Italy. I’m delighted with the result and will be announcing the launch very soon.
The October lettering challenge in the club has now concluded and although I didn’t do as much as I had hoped, I feel I learnt a lot. It inspired me to letter even more in my journals and for fun in the gazette as well. The November issue will feature a rose-hip syrup recipe and the club’s founding members will soon be receiving their very own paper bundle which includes lettering in it too. But ssshhhh I don’t want to reveal any more secrets - would prefer to keep the rest a surprise.
Hope you’ve had a great week.
Highlights of the week
homemade turmeric lattes
reading Home by
, in fact I’ve made it into a post-lunch ritual. I put a timer on for 30mins, get cozy on the sofa under a blanket with a hot water bottle and read it until my timer goes and I get back to work… completely lush, highly recommend both the ritual and the bookfinishing my penultimate garden journals commission for
and loving itillustrating my rosehip syrup recipe for the November gazette
getting into my pj bottoms at 3pm
being at the school rugby match and feeling ultra autumnal
continuing the founding members’ paper bundle gifts and getting everyone’s postal addresses, getting very excited to send the bundles
taking a walk in our local woods with my boys
treating myself to an open-swimming wetsuit (more on that soon)
finishing canvas pieces, inspired by my time in Italy
the geese flying over us, so so wonderful!
Visual Wanderings Retreat in Italy, Sep 2025
Last week, I was so pleased to receive these photos by the most talented Marianne Slater, who came along with us to Italy. She captured the beauty of the place so well. I shared some last week and wanted to share some more. You can see some of her photography work at Marianne Slater.
On that note, I’m so pleased that we are relaunching the retreat soon for September 2026 and we are taking notes of interest so do sign up if you’re interested.
Retreat in PORTUGAL May 2026
NEWS! This retreat is now ‘secured’ which means we can now book our flights!!! Join me on the Visual Journaling Retreat in Portugal, 12-16th May 2026. We will have access to stunning vistas, incredible local produce to create still life and a dedicated art studio space to get creative together and journal.
Have a look at the full program, this might be just right for you! It promises to be fun! There are shared rooms and individual rooms. I’d love to see you there!
SOME HAPPY AUTUMN POSTS
Video: Autumn Solo Dates (paid)
Video: Bonus - Lettering in my Visual Journals (paid)
25 Ways To Celebrate the Arrival of Autumn is a blog post I wrote which I think is quite happy (free)
Drawing Dahlias Replay (with guest La Scarlatte)
Video: Italian Retreat Take-aways and French Shop Haul (paid)
The September issue of the Time Foragers’ Club gazette (free)
I drew apples with Beth Spencer LIVE if you’d like to listen and draw along, grab your favourite art supplies and go ahead, enjoy (free)
Video: Capturing Autumn in Yorkshire and Scotland (paid)
Drawing Still Life Masterpieces Replay (with guest Citla Flores, paid)
Drawing From Haarlem to Doncaster Replay (with guest La Scarlatte, paid)
Drawing NY in the Autumn Replay (with guest Sam Dion Baker, paid)
Drawing Victorian Gardens Replay (with guest Mel Chadwick, paid)
Tiny Tinned Treasures Replay (with guest Margaux Kent from Peg&Awl, free)
QUICK CLUB NOTES
This is a free post for subscribers but you can also become a Time Foragers’ Club paid subscriber and meet up on Zoom 3 times a month (we draw, create and journal), receive a monthly video from my studio, PLUS chat with our blossoming creative community in our exclusive threads. We have occasional in-person meet-ups too.
If you love all things antiques, old paper and art, on top of everything above, once a year on the run up to Christmas, the club’s founding members receive a thoughtfully curated paper bundle in the post which includes some of my original art. I will be sending these out soon so it’s not too late to sign up! Find more info in the ABOUT section or by clicking the subscribe button below.
Thanks so much for being here!! I won’t be posting my free visual journals next week but the gazette is scheduled to drop November 1st. See you soon! xxx
