So we have a family rule for movies where we don't watch a movie until we've read the book. In theory anyway. In reality we've seen Around the World in Eighty Days, Freaky Friday, Jumanji, Never Ending Story, Princess Bride, The House With A Clock in Its Walls and The... Read more →

Hearing Pádraig Ó Tuama reciting lines of poetry by heart at the Poetry Retreat I recently attended made me want to go home and learn to speak in verse. I have a growing collection of books written by poets I have met at gigs and launches as well as ones... Read more →

This year for Christmas I asked for books. I went mad for books. I got a stack of books. There were lots of books. I often ask for and receive books as presents. There's a whole world waiting for you in a book. And the best thing is, you can... Read more →

I thought I'd share with you what I've got in my reading pile at the moment. I seem to be dipping in and out of a few books as the mood strikes me. I scored In Other Words by Jumpha Lairi at a books sale along with Leonard Cohen's Book... Read more →

When I was growing up, I read books to learn more about the world, the people around me and to see myself. I focussed on books with female protagonists by female authors. Mysteries were my thing and I started with girl detectives Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew and then moved... Read more →

Learning the names and properties of the plants around me is strengthening and deepening my connection to the natural world. Knowing the plants and what they can do, I feel much more confident in nature. I'm even starting to feel as if I'm part of nature instead of being separate... Read more →

I've always written. Ever since I was a kid I've had a pen in hand scribbling furiously on a piece of paper to try and catch my ideas. When I was younger my pen could never keep up with my racing thoughts. Now I'm older, my thoughts are slower and... Read more →

As a maker and writer I rely on lots of sources for inspiration. My main source of inspiration is ideas. I get really excited by new ideas and concepts - neuroplasticity, setting intentions and cultivating joy, to name a few. Often the best place to find those wild and crazy... Read more →

My recent obsession for natural dyeing has extended to buying natural dyeing books. I'm still leaving a lot to experimentation, chance and discovery but these books are the ones that taught me the basics. India Flint is an Australian sheep farmer and artist who developed the eco-dyeing technique. She was... Read more →

I didn't read Eat Pray Love when I worked at a publishers and saw the cover every day. I didn't feel drawn to it somehow. I have on the other hand watched Elizabeth Gilbert's TED talk on creativity more than once. She's funny, inspiring and insightful. (One of my other... Read more →