Audrey II's trumpet-playing babies.

We've had a lovely busy last week. Highlights have included a very interesting talk about Beatrix Potter from Betsy Bray, a trip to New Haven for a private view, eating pizza to the point where I can't look at one again for a week or two [edit: just had some more for lunch] and a lovely bookbinding class and talk about the book trade from Dennis David and Justin Schiller. We've also met two super ex-Fellows, Robert Weinstock and Denise Saldutti Egielski, and Denise is staying with us at the moment. 

Here are some of our recent pics, courtesy of Lynn, Dona and Alice (not me, because I am hopeless and forget.)

Clockwise from top left: Lovely brush pens * good times on the vibrating chair * a Beatrix Potter watercolour in the flesh (this was exquisite, the hairs all in amazing detail, and I know this is clichéd, but it really did look as if it could fly out of the page) * beautiful books * kit for our bookbinding class * bookbinding papers * me, Gerardo and Alice pre-pizza * more beautiful paper.

Yesterday Alice, Denise and I went to a local diner where we spent about half an hour reading the menu and then had lots of pancakes, which were BRILLIANT! The menu made me laugh a lot though, this was my favourite bit...

I like the way it's all in capitals except for the "and", nice emphasis: lump AND claw meat? - no way!! AND broiled scrod! A re-visit is obviously in order.

On Monday Gregory Maguire, the author of Wicked, among many other books, came to see us and gave us a really thought-provoking talk. 

Denise, Dona and Gerardo in the woods out front * Mao, Justin and Dennis's dog * our woods * me, Mao and Maura * bookbinding with Dennis * talking with Gregory Maguire

Then today the New Yorker cartoonist and children's book artist Harry Bliss came to spend the day with us, show us his super work (his work is really great) and have a look through ours. The generosity of our visitors with their time and advice and thoughts has been really special.

Me, Harry Bliss, Alice, Denise and Gerardo - please note Denise's very excellent holey socks

Party Time!

Yesterday Dona and Lynn and Nick, Lynn's son, Mary, Lynn's sister, and Sergio, a fellow from last year, came round for a party! Very kindly it was in honour of my last published book, Showtime for Billie and Coco - a book party! I hid in my room while they put up decorations and when I came out the house was transformed with animal balloons, blow-up monkeys and paper totem poles.

Outside the house, all lit up * Hermann in festive mood * the party gang - Alice, Denise, Me, Lynn, Gerardo, Nick, Dona and Sergio

Us again - with Mary too

And if that wasn't enough, with a delicious Chinese takeaway, then came.... THE CAKE!! Look at this cake! It was absolutely THE BEST. 

Gerardo photoshopped my face into the picture, feel like I should have this on all future book covers from now on. Or have books made out of cake.

Thursday

Night colours!

Outside the house at night it's very, very dark apart from our porch light which throws a diminishing light to about 10 metres out... then the trees get quickly darker where things lurk and make sinister sounds. Anyway I like the lit up colours vs the black behind. These are also pretty Tomi Ungerer, Moon Man inspired! 

Before the party...

After the party.

And then...

Tiger Eyes

Sunday