I know I am woefully behind the times but I couldn’t let a new short film by Julia Pott pass me by without a huge yelp of joy. Howard is Julia’s first year film from the Royal College of Art and it is magnificent, beautifully observed, gorgeous to look at, full of poetic detail, oh that roar of delight at the height of the swing! Haven’t we all felt some of the bear’s longing as a once fulfilling relationship turns stale? Watch, if you haven’t already.

Click the screen to view large.

I know the blog looks a mess, my links need updating and so they will remain until we have a chance to overhaul everything. I am still here but a little ghostly until the bean goes to nursery at the end of August. My inbox is a fright, I am hoping to send some ‘I haven’t forgotten you’ emails next week when my Dad arrives for his first visit and mega grandson sitting!

I want this wall paper from Fine Little Shop so badly! And, my friend Mathyld has a new identity,Under the Pyramids, pop over and say hello.

First some loves. I am a huge fan of the work of painter/illustrator Deth P. Sun. Heroic cats (or cat, who knows!) on dangerous quests, encounters with ghostly tribes and all manner of strange beasts. Little flashes from a larger narrative that never appears, intriguing and poetic Sun’s paintings transport me to another place and time. Oh, and check out the Deth P. Sun Etsy shop for random pieces from this extraordinary artist.

Sigh! I would love to own all of the above.

I may have to raid the coffers and bag one of these wonderful pieces from Wunderlust. All of the ‘Wankers’ have been sold but you can request a custom word or phrase of your very own.

I have become enamored with The Fox & Hare: Responding to Collective Nouns, a blog run by Gracia Haby of Gracia & Louise. I too find collective nouns beautiful and they often become a fulcrum for fabulous flights of fancy. I’m not sure if one would be able to find references to many of the collective nouns found here, they may be suggestions, who cares, the illustration pictured above is probably my favourite. You can find it in A vagary of impediments & a sneak of weasels, a zine by Gracia Haby.

If you have time be sure to have a peek at this delightful animation from Russia entitled The Fox & The Hare, based upon a folk tale there is so much inspiration here. Tender hearted predators and one tenacious fox.

And now for my little confession which will come as no surprise to some of my lovely readers. I feel quite silly addressing this issue here but, hmm, I’m at a loss and time to face up to one of my oddities and peculiarities. I have email anxiety (yup, I told you it was silly and it looks even more stupid written down!). I’m not going to go into detail but this ‘tick’ of mine really causes me a great deal of guilt and, that word again, anxiety. I hate being such an unreliable correspondent and I have lost budding and established friendships over this issue in the past. In fact this anxiety stretches out to include the telephone and often times one to one meet ups too. I am attempting to ‘sort it out’ & writing about it here is a good starting point. I have set myself some segments of time during which I *must* sit down and write, no excuses, delays or evasions. So, Monday and Friday mornings are now set aside for writing, responding, connecting. When the words flow it is such a joy, when they don’t near panic. Ok, phew, now I am nervous!

Wishing you all a very merry unbirthday, unless of course it is your actual birthday! I am off to the airport to meet my wonderful friend Karin and my beautiful goddaughter Evie. What a marvelous birthday present, my dear ones are here to celebrate with me. There are some very dear ones who will be far away, I am sending oceans of love to you and extra big slices of strawberry cake. Please do join me later, probably very much later for us on GMT but still at a respectable hour for all you kittens that are farther flung, to spend some time in the company of my special birthday interviewee. Oh, so exciting!

There is an amazing plush party going on deep in a Canadian Forest, do pop over and join the fun at Resurrection Fern today, what little critter would you bring to this splendid shindig?

The lovely and super talented Miss Julia Pott has posted some wonderful pictures of herself with Mr Fish Boy over at Pop Apricot. It is heart warming to see him looking so content in his new home. Fish Boy is definitely eyeing up that doll, his glance appears to be returned too. Hmmmm, more hybrids about to be unleashed upon the world?!

Thanks so much to Julia for giving me the perfect excuse to feature some more of her super fantastic work!

**I am sorry that things have been so quiet here and elsewhere for a couple of days, I have been a little malade! One of those beginning of spring viruses I think. I am catching up with emails and my sewing work today. Don’t forget to join me here tomorrow for the Monday interview, you will be glad that you did; promise!**

To cheer myself up (see previous post) I had a little look at a few ‘cartoons’ (as they were called in the 70′s!) I loved as a child. I remember how enchanted I was by Zdenek Miler’s animated films featuring The Mole. Enjoy Krtek a Muzika (The Mole and the Music) with me.