Tomorrow, Saturday 10th December, I will be in Upminster helping Matt ArtPix. Yes, it's yet another Xmas Vintage and handmade fair! 

Londoners can even come and see us, as the venue is not far from the Upminster Tube station on the District line! 

Vintage clothes, vinyl records, lovely gift ideas, cakes, tea, music... And all this for free! 10am-4.30pm

For more details, see Matt's blog here: SILVER JAM TEA CLUB

Yesterday, I managed to spend a few hours on The Book of Thoth, and re-reading the last few paragraphs I wrote before my "working break", I felt quite satisfied with the way the story is shaping up - but it needs quite a lot of work at second draft! 
I will try and get back to the book in the next few weeks, which will not be that easy as it is still incredible busy on the freelance side, plus there are quite a lot of exciting theatre plays and gigs to go to! :-)

I think I'd better start watching myself when I speak to people. Look at this funny blog showing you the subtle way to express yourself in French!
 FRENCH FACES

I think I'd better start watching myself when I speak to people. 

Righto... So basically:

OH! SORRY! 
It's the other way around, isn't it? 
Hehehe... This is the best way to demonstrate the Theory of Evolution, ever!

Well, I know the one I'd prefer to spend an afternoon with ... And it's not the one wearing a silly shirt! :-)

What a (busy) weekend we had at Hedingham Castle!


Matt ArtPix had a stall there and he has written a nice little report HERE. (Warning: contains the picture of a fluffy owl and Santa!)

It looks like the castle's profile has shot up recently: that National Portrait Gallery picture - featuring the late fashion darlings Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow; the movie Anonymous (the castle was the seat of the De Vere family); Derek Jacobi was there just two weekends ago to shoot his episode of the forthcoming BBC series, "Prefaces to Shakespeare" (broadcast on BBC Two in Spring 2012)... (for more info about what's happening at Hedingham Castle, go to their BLOG)

And last weekend, the castle's Xmas fair welcomed the Made in Essex art, craft and design show - brought to you by the people who organise the Essex art, craft and design show. 

Thank you to organisers David Shields and Jan Simon for having us!

Some absolutely fabulous and original works were on display, and we couldn't resist spending a little bit of money on some quality art. 
So we got a *Sparkbug* and a delicate little dragonfly, Matt's favourite, from the Roding Valley Forge, who sold a massive metal snail on that day too!  

It was not easy to make a choice, but we managed to make a decision on some cards and prints from two very talented painters: 

The lovely Colchester-based Kirstin Handley (winner of the Laura Ashley wall art competition 2011!): her delicate mixed media artworks speak to the heart...

And the well-established (and very friendly) Jonathan Trim, whose stupendously textured and atmospheric landscapes trigger your imagination...
Do visit those two artists' websites to have a look at their work... 


Matt ArtPix still has two Xmas fairs to do, and I will be helping him as usual... Then hopefully it will be back to The Book of Thoth which has been left to dry on the side of the road for the past two weeks...