Seven Things and an Award or Two

A while ago I was given the Beautiful Blogger award by the lovely Wendy over at On ‘n’ On ‘n’ On, and part the fun with this award is sharing seven things about myself. Oo-er.

One. When I was little I wanted to be a cat. I truly and honestly thought that was possible and that one day I would morph from small girl to tabby just by wishing hard enough. To put this in context, I also thought I could fly if I only I could flap my arms for long enough, and would tap the back of my wardrobe looking for Narnia. I also believed me and my friends could call thunder from the sky by chanting ‘We want thunder!’ round and around the playground... we only ever tried this when the skies were already dark and a bit rumbly. So yes, I could call thunder. But I never became a cat, dagnabbit.

Two. I say words like dagnabbit. And gosh. And blimey. And, in times of severe stress, panty-ola’s. I’m really not proud of making that word up. Although I am rather fond of making up stories.

Three. My first story was written in a Brambly Hedge notebook. The story was called ‘Let’s Slink into Space!’ and was about four children who lived in a village with a mad professor (a pre-requisite of villages, I believe). He said he could turn anything into a time machine, so they gave him their toy slinky, and he made it a giant slinky time machine. And where did they want to go – but into space! So off they zoomed in the giant slinky. At the time of writing, I was about seven years old and had a slinky. Not quite aware of ever having a burning desire to go into space, though.

A slinky.

Four. I spoke to the author of Brambly Hedge, Jill Barklem, sixteen years after writing my first story in that notebook. She found that really sweet! We chatted by phone and it was interesting to hear how she came to write Brambly Hedge. You can read more about her here.

Five. I interviewed a few authors and illustrators for my Illustration degree course, but none so warm and friendly as Martin and Tanis Jordan. They are a husband and wife team – Martin is the artist, Tanis the author, and between them have created many marvellous books. They love wildlife, exploring strange uncharted lands, and have always been incredibly encouraging with my dreams. Click here to see some of their books.

Six: As well as being an avid reader of books, I am also an avid collector. My book collection probably wouldn’t make Sotheby’s as it is an eclectic mix of Stuff What I Like, but Agatha Christie books (1920s – 1960s), and children’s books feature highly. Currently the majority of my collection is in boxes from the last flat move, and I really miss them. My books are my friends.

Seven: I am also incredibly lucky and blessed to have some amazing friends of the human variety. I can’t say enough good things about them – they are funny, kind, thoughtful, supremely supportive, wonderful people. My chosen family. I hope you all have such folk in your lives!

So now to the award!



I’d like to give this to the newest followers who have commented on my blog, as I would like to find out more about you! (Only if you want to of course, the award is yours anyway!) So without further adieu (see how I milk speeches!), the Beautiful Blogger award goes to (drum roll)...

Julie at Being Ruby
Lola Sharp at Sharp Pen/Dull Sword
Elegant Snobbery at Elegant Bloggery
Creepy Query Girl
Ange at Signed By Ange

I also have an Awesome Sauce award (which kind of makes me want to check my chin for stray ketchup) from another lovely Wendy, who also goes by the name Quillfeather.



This is for the following folk, as their blogs are all sorts of Awesome!

ChristaCarol Jones, for passing her classes!
Musings of a Palindrome, for it almost being her birthday!
Justine Dell, for having a 100th follower (now at 111) contest!
Elana Johnson, as she is just awesome, let’s face it!

Happy Tuesday!