there'll be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow

Finally, an update. Actually, it is more of a teaser as it seems I have lost the ability to take a decent photograph. And, it's still very dark in my house and this part of the world.

About three years ago I embarked on a Moleskine Exchange project, with a bunch of amazing artists, by waving goodbye to my little Japanese Moleskine 'Green'. Since then he has been backpacking around the world until a couple of weeks ago when he returned home.

If you've don't know about this project head on over to the blog and check out the stunning artwork that has been produced so far. If you do know about this project then still head on over for a teaser of the new drawing added to my little Moley. It's so nice to have him home.

Click HERE to visit the Moleskine Exchange blog.

how a fool begins

As, it seems, I've taken to of pinching things from the wonderful Suzanne Cabrera (you know; quotes, ideas, her signature, her identity) I have decided to continue in that vein and am using a theme she chose for the amazing but almost dead MoleyX group we were involved in for my brand new Moleskine. Although Suzanne chose 'mail' as her theme I have expanded on that a little. My theme is more a mail/travel/air mail/letters/pen pal themey theme. Look, I know what I mean.

This Moleskine will have some kind of narrative running through it (I hope). Which starts with the story of a friendship. I am looking for some help with this project specifically from any Scandinavians out there.

If you are Scandinavian and would like to contribute please could you leave a comment and I'll get in touch with you. Cheers, my dears.

come on let's go

A few people have enquired recently about our MoleyX project, as things have been rather quiet for a little while. I, myself, have been really slack. I now have two little Moleys here, on the kitchen table (don't worry, I don't eat or drink at the kitchen table, there's no room to do anything like that). I'm embarrassed to say that I've had Gabi's Moley since I made this drawing back in November. That's it, there on the top of the pile. I am going to get down to some work on it. I am. Really, I am.

I'll also be posting some photos from France's Moley, which arrived at my house this morning. It is both beautiful and intimidating at the same time.

So check out the MoleyX12 blog over the next few days to see some fabulous new work. I just can't tell you how gorgeous these books are.

there's something happening here

As I said in the last post, I've been moonlighting over at our MoleyX group recently. Whilst I'm loving this project hugely there is one downside. You cannot post your drawings when you've finished them, you must wait until the next person in the chain has received the sketchbook.

I find that quite frustrating. The waiting to post. I was the kind of kid that would go hunting the house for hidden Christmas presents when there was nobody at home. I WILL open early birthday pressies. And then stick all the wrapping paper neatly back together if need be. So, what I'm saying is, this part of the project is testing for me.

This is my contribution to Juj's Moley. In my opinion, these little Moleskines don't seem to scan that well. They usually look better in photos. Luckily, I love messing around with the camera. Unluckily, I end up having to try to pick the best shots from about 80 snaps. I am not exaggerating. Even now, just as I'm about to click on 'Publish Post', I'm still undecided as to whether I've chosen the right ones. I'm rubbish at making decisions. But, hey, that's another song.

Anyway, you can see the full set of photos HERE or visit our MoleyX blog HERE. You decide.

i started something i couldn't finish

Here's a couple of photos of the contribution I made to Miguel's Moleskine for the MoleyX project.

The whole set of photos from that project, so far, can be seen HERE. And, I highly recommend a visit to the blog for a little surprise from one of our drawing blog stars.

I also made a different version of this drawing in my own sketchbook which you can see HERE. Both of these drawings include three gorgeous buttons sent to me by the lovely Emma-Jane. A kettle, a pencil and a ladybird. Can you spot them? Thanks EJ.

and changes into

I've been trying to get this Moleskine finished before beginning the next one. I know if I don't do it that way I'll never finish it. There are a couple of pages in it that I just couldn't live with. So, I decided to cover them up with a little collage. Collage and drawing, of course. This idea evolved from a drawing that I did in Suzanne's Moleskine for the MoleyX12 group. You can see more about that HERE. And, yes they are REAL stamps. I ain't that good.

(All bugs died of natural causes)

gypsy dancer

Here is the first entry that I made in my little Japanese Moleskine (well, as much as I could fit on the scanner anyway) for the Moley Exchange project, that you can read about HERE. And, get this; yesterday this little book arrived at France Belleville's place in New Jersey and today Suzanne Buchanan's Moleskine dropped through my letterbox. How fabulous is that?

It's also given me a good excuse to get the camera out, so if you'd like to see this book from every possible angle, then you need to get a life. Only kidding, check out THIS.

(Apologies to Gabi, whose surname I completely and utterly misspelled on the inside cover of my book.)

your blog needs you

I'm sorry, my lovely little blog, but I've got a confession to make. You know I've been neglecting you recently? Well yes, it's true; I've been seeing someone else. He's called MoleyX and for a while, back there, he turned my head. I don't know what happened. You know, you and me were going through a rough patch. I seemed to be spending more and more time with him and things just happened. I'm over it now though. Really. It was just a silly fling. It's not like it is between you and me. We have too much history. I promise to make it up to you. I promise to pay you more attention. Will you forgive me?

jet set sigh

Just thought I'd tell you about a new, and exciting, project I'm involved in. I was honoured to be asked by Miguel Herranz to join the Moleskine Exchange group (also known as MoleyX). The idea is that a group of artists each purchase a little Japanese Moleskine, draw on a couple of pages and send it on. The next participant will then add a bit more before passing it on. This keeps on going until the books are full of lovely drawings.

Anyway, for a better explanation (!) and to keep track of the adventures of our little Moleys, as they jet around the world, check out the new blog HERE. Oh yeah, you can also see the list of artists taking part. At which point you will be able to fully understand why I'm so intimidated! Sigh.