I can’t be the only one wondering who I am after the year we’ve had. My job basically disappeared overnight: schools closed to visitors, publishers slowed right down, and my writing time was instead taken up with homeschooling my kids. Things are readjusting themselves again and there are signs that things will pick up, but … More Who Am I?
I’ve been putting off writing this new post because it feels a bit like starting 2019 with a downer, even though I see it as a Positive Decision. Thing is, I’ve given myself permission not to try to write a new children’s novel this year. The past couple of years have been tough going, personally … More New year, new direction, painting and Guernsey
It’s autumn! What happened?! I had a lovely summer, not writing a book! That feels really strange and alarming to write, but it has been SO nice having proper time off this summer. Last year I was struggling to start Jelly, and the year before I was doing a complete rewrite of Electrigirl and the … More Summer round-up!
A few days ago I received a wonderful email from a reader who had enjoyed Looking at the Stars so much she used it as inspiration for a recent art project. She said she found the book very meaningful and tried to capture that in her work. I think she absolutely has – what do … More Fan Art: Looking at the Stars
It’s been a while since I did a crafty post, so here you go: a Death Star quilt for my daughter (aged 9) who is currently obsessed with all things Star Wars (though, since expressing her preference for Revenge of the Sith, she may find her inheritance downgraded). I came across the idea on Pinterest … More Making a Death Star Quilt
I haven’t posted anything crafty for ages, even though I do make things on an almost weekly basis. Today my daughter and I made an Easter tree. This came about because I was trawling Pinterest (one of my favourite pastimes) and came across Easter eggs made from Hama beads. We made some, and I wondered … More Making an Easter Tree
You know how when you’ve been anticipating something for SO long that when it actually arrives, you find it hard to believe?! Well, that. ELECTRIGIRL IS PUBLISHED! And I have been blogging extensively about its process. If you’ve got a spare five or ten minutes, grab a cuppa and click on these… A fabulous Happy … More ELECTRIGIRL is here!!
I’ve never reviewed a colouring book before. You know, of course, that colouring books for adults are HUGE at the moment (well, not literally, they’re usually sensibly-sized…oh dear, it’s been a long day. I need to unwind with some colouring…) and of course there are billions of colouring books for small children. But what about … More Notebook Doodles – review
Today I finished making a giant fake ice cream cone*, and several people have asked me how I did it, so here you go! Apologies that some photos are a bit dark. I started by drawing diagrams of what I thought I’d do, and gathering all the bits and pieces I’d need. I used: corrugated … More How to make a Giant Fake Ice Cream Cone
So at the weekend, I ran a half-hour craft event at the Wychwood Festival – and here, as promised, are the instructions to make your very own shooting star wand, popup and 3D star cards. Just click on the picture to enlarge – and you can even print it off for your own use at … More Wychwood Crafty Makes
Jo Cotterill 