Oh you’re like Snufkin from the Moomin books! Me too! 😅
“I really need a new pair of trousers, said Snufkin. But they needn’t be too new. I like trousers that have stretched to my own shape.
Yes, of course, said the old lady, climbing up a ladder and hooking a pair trousers down from the roof. What about these?
But they are so horribly new and clean, said Snufkin sadly. Haven’t you got anything older? The old lady thought for a time. These are the oldest trousers I have in stock she said at last, and tomorrow they’ll be still older. Probably dirtier too, she added looking at Snufkin over her glasses.”
Thanks for your Sunday morning updates, Helen- I’ve had the rare privilege of reading today’s entry in the still quiet, before the chaos of prepping for guests coming to lunch. I love how succinct you are. I’ve not joined the good ship courses, but I love listening to the podcast as I paddle along in my wee illustration raft built for one, but since it feels rude to sneak a peek at your life, I thought I should say, ‘Hello.’
(An attempt at a succinct introduction), I’m Liesl, when I was four, someone told me I didn’t have eyebrows & I believed them. I am an aunt to more than 30 children. I make cake from scratch for the sheer pleasure of licking the spoon… one more thing, my favourite childhood clothing was a pair of overalls with a snail print, the closest I’ve come to replicating them is an octopus pinafore.
P.S I’m sure you would have given me a turn on the swing, with or without eyebrows.
Thanks for the intro, and welcome in - eyebrows or no eyebrows. An aunt to 30 children! Your siblings have been busy! Oh yes, I LOVE licking the spoon, it’s better than the finished cake!
My prob is that my 20 year old was moving on some clothes yesterday…she has a long sleeved t-shirt I’ve always loved…popped it on…looked RIDICULOUS…dang…I’ve had my eye on it for years…..
Love that birthday cake ! And your good ship photos :)
I’ve had to finish some illustrations off and have been listening to a new podcast I found called ‘Rewilding the World ‘ I really like it and hope we can have some land one day to rewild.
I had a very busy day yesterday, so my Sunday plans all involve recovering from that: I have already had some strong coffee done in the moka pot, some good toast, and now I'm having some tea, for balance.
Yesterday I worked in my local library in the morning - we're preparing for the Summer Reading Challenge, which is a national thing, and Dapo Adeola has illustrated some characters to promote it, so I was printing those out really big and thinking of good places to stick them. In the afternoon and evening I did a concert with my choir. The choir is celebrating 20 years and there was an enormous glittery cake! (Edible glitter, I think/hope?) The singing and the standing for hours were quite tiring so I badly needed the sugar. We also did a bit of a photoshoot before the concert (and pre-cake) and I will be scrutinising the resulting pics for extra chins - luckily I am the PR/marketing/website person for the choir so I get the chance to veto any I don't like (or do a sneaky Photoshop on them). Last time I found I'd gone too far the other way and was sticking my neck out like a tortoise. 🐢
Those are some lovely photos of you and the other Good Ship captains - the flags are looking particularly colourful and joyous! 🏁🏴☠️🚩
Oh you’re like Snufkin from the Moomin books! Me too! 😅
“I really need a new pair of trousers, said Snufkin. But they needn’t be too new. I like trousers that have stretched to my own shape.
Yes, of course, said the old lady, climbing up a ladder and hooking a pair trousers down from the roof. What about these?
But they are so horribly new and clean, said Snufkin sadly. Haven’t you got anything older? The old lady thought for a time. These are the oldest trousers I have in stock she said at last, and tomorrow they’ll be still older. Probably dirtier too, she added looking at Snufkin over her glasses.”
(From Comet in Moominland, 1951)
Ha! You know what, I was thinking of that little shop scene from comet in Moominland when I wrote that! I am 100% Snufkin.
Ha that’s funny - it’s what came to mind immediately! 😅
Re-listening to jarvis’ bit on the picturebook course always helps me with front covers!
Also a bit obsessed with your dress from the photoshoot 🔍🐛
Ah that dress! Thanks! I saw Frances Stophill on Gardeners World wearing that dress and tracked it down and bought it!
Thanks for the clue! That was a fun quick hunt - brown jersey ruffle midi dress from mint velvet.
That’s it! And there are some on Vinted too.
Thats the first place I looked! Thanks Helen ☺️ hope it’s as comfy as it looks!
Thanks for your Sunday morning updates, Helen- I’ve had the rare privilege of reading today’s entry in the still quiet, before the chaos of prepping for guests coming to lunch. I love how succinct you are. I’ve not joined the good ship courses, but I love listening to the podcast as I paddle along in my wee illustration raft built for one, but since it feels rude to sneak a peek at your life, I thought I should say, ‘Hello.’
(An attempt at a succinct introduction), I’m Liesl, when I was four, someone told me I didn’t have eyebrows & I believed them. I am an aunt to more than 30 children. I make cake from scratch for the sheer pleasure of licking the spoon… one more thing, my favourite childhood clothing was a pair of overalls with a snail print, the closest I’ve come to replicating them is an octopus pinafore.
P.S I’m sure you would have given me a turn on the swing, with or without eyebrows.
Thanks for the intro, and welcome in - eyebrows or no eyebrows. An aunt to 30 children! Your siblings have been busy! Oh yes, I LOVE licking the spoon, it’s better than the finished cake!
My prob is that my 20 year old was moving on some clothes yesterday…she has a long sleeved t-shirt I’ve always loved…popped it on…looked RIDICULOUS…dang…I’ve had my eye on it for years…..
Ha! Yes my daughter nicks my clothes, but when I nick hers they look nowhere near as good. Oh to be 17 again!
Can’t wait for the Salty Dog book! This mascotte is well loved by the GSI community as all of you, beloved Captains!! <3 oh, and Happy Birthday!
Ah thank you! So kind.
Excellent birthday cake and that is a top note, did they come back or did they become footballers?
Great photoshoot too :)
Love that birthday cake ! And your good ship photos :)
I’ve had to finish some illustrations off and have been listening to a new podcast I found called ‘Rewilding the World ‘ I really like it and hope we can have some land one day to rewild.
Lovely newsletter 😊 Happy Birthday to Pie!
I had a very busy day yesterday, so my Sunday plans all involve recovering from that: I have already had some strong coffee done in the moka pot, some good toast, and now I'm having some tea, for balance.
Yesterday I worked in my local library in the morning - we're preparing for the Summer Reading Challenge, which is a national thing, and Dapo Adeola has illustrated some characters to promote it, so I was printing those out really big and thinking of good places to stick them. In the afternoon and evening I did a concert with my choir. The choir is celebrating 20 years and there was an enormous glittery cake! (Edible glitter, I think/hope?) The singing and the standing for hours were quite tiring so I badly needed the sugar. We also did a bit of a photoshoot before the concert (and pre-cake) and I will be scrutinising the resulting pics for extra chins - luckily I am the PR/marketing/website person for the choir so I get the chance to veto any I don't like (or do a sneaky Photoshop on them). Last time I found I'd gone too far the other way and was sticking my neck out like a tortoise. 🐢
Those are some lovely photos of you and the other Good Ship captains - the flags are looking particularly colourful and joyous! 🏁🏴☠️🚩