How did it get late so soon??

It is already October and I am still wondering what happened to the summer. I think it flew by faster than any I can remember. Deadlines now feel like  pressure so I will be posting less on social media until I am caught up. But despite the work load, there is beauty to be found in each passing day. Some little treasure is waiting to be discovered. Or a chapter in a book might be extra intriguing and deserving of your full attention. No matter what stress, busyness or interruptions happen in your day, I encourage you to really be present in the moment. This is the only October 1st of 2025 we have. And it is special. 
 No matter how busy the day becomes, the afternoon walk is so important to me.There is something so inviting about a wooded pathway. A change of pace and scenery will revive my mind. I look forward to the walk and it is like a sacred appointment that cannot be broken. 

The wild daisies are incredible this year. Now and then a little rabbit will run through them and brighten my path and stir my imagination. Walks help me to reset my thinking and take a breath. The pressure disappears and I come back to my desk refreshed and ready to work.

The leaves are just starting to change colour. I found a gorgeous leaf on the path and brought it home to study and draw. It should be a fun challenge in coloured pencil when I get some free time. 

Classes have been very busy but at the same time so rewarding. The Midnight Garden class at Ardington was an amazing experience. I don't know when I have seen such amazing work produced by the students. Part of the reason that I am so behind in my work these days is because I spent so much time experiment on dark papers instead of working ahead on the next classes. I was just having too much fun in that Midnight Garden! Thank you Ardington for hosting and thank you dear students for such incredible work. 

There is always so much to learn and explore. Each class teaches me new lessons as an instructor. Students bring their own insights and I have come to truly love this online teaching experience. I feel. as if we are building a community of artists. I see students encouraging each other and building their own friendships.People get to know each other from all parts of the world.  It really is an honour to meet so many of you through the classes and I am so grateful for your support. I don't know how you keep up with all the homework but I am so thrilled with your progress!  If you are up for it, there is more in store for you as we head into our Autumn and Festive season. I will be teaching Festive Faire for the Gentle Penman later this month. I wanted to bring the magic of a Vintage Fairground to this class. The addition of scrolls into the design will help carry a message on the carousel horse. 

These designs are rooted in tradition, but my designs will be infused with a Victorian flair. I can't help it! The Victorian side of me always comes out! Traditional flourished deer and horses have a charm to them, but I love to see what else can be done. 

And the magic of gilding and colour will bring these to life! Registration is open at The Gentle Penman for this two session class. 

Saturday November 8th will be a study day for me for Abundant Joy Title Flourishes. I will leave registration open a little longer but this class will be kept small so I can interact with the students. It is hosted online but I try to create the atmosphere of a little retreat where we can truly study and grow together. I uploaded a little flip through video of some of the inspiration behind Title Flourishing on my YouTube Channel.  The process of these flourishes is really hard to describe but they are mesmerizing to create. 

Registration info for Abundant Joy Study Day is on my website if you would like to be part of the day.

And finally Ardington School of Crafts will be hosting my Into the Woods class in November. This class is an extension of The Advanced Alphabet Garden and Enchanted Meadow class. Students will learn how to design and draw an illuminated letter adorned with a festive animal. Squirrels, Rabbits, Mice, Birds and Foxes are always my favourites. Once again, I have spent so much time with these charming designs that the days seem to race away from me! These are addictive! Painting skills grow in time and with practice. I learn something new with each project I create.  I hope these little letter designs will bring you a smile as you anticipate the Festive Season.

Savour the days of October. There is grace and beauty to be found in each day. I hope your month is full of inspiration and beautiful moments. Thank you for your friendship and support and for taking time to read the blog. You mean the world to me!

The Embodiment of Dreams

 Reflective mornings with a cup of coffee and a stack of books have been such a welcome part of my summer routine. The garden still has bright spots and the light in the mornings brings so much inspiration.

I am hanging onto every last drop of the season, but the chill of the air has already returned in the evenings. I admit that I don't want to let go of the subdued summer pace but September is here and I am grateful for the work in front of me. I have realized that I truly love the process of reading and deep study. One of my students emailed me and told me that she sees the online classes as " arranged education." This phrase has stayed in my mind. What a joy it is to study and to arrange the things that will illuminate my mind and be reflected on the page. While continuing to study the life and work of William Morris, I was struck by a phrase he had recorded. "My work, in one or another, is the embodiment of my dreams."

Without question, Morris was a workaholic. He was a polymath and constantly working on multiple projects at a time. His art and design work often took a backseat to his political work and his business obligations. Yet he found the work of his hands to be the embodiment of his dreams. He recognized the pure privilege of his work. I feel the same way. I do find the computer work, the endless preparation of notes and keeping up with social media and administration to be tedious at times. But there is such a dream like quality in being fully immersed in the work I wish to pursue. As a busy instructor, it is always a privilege to work on upcoming classes even though my mind is constantly in the seasons ahead. I work on autumn and festive flourishes in the spring and summer. But I stay mindful and present in the beauty of each passing day! My September Midnight Garden class is sold out at Ardington School, but at the time of this blog post, there is still room in Into The Woods which will launch in November.

So much went into the preparation of this class! I know I will return to the themes of this class over and over again. I never want to be finished with designing illuminated Letters.

There is also Abundant Joy waiting for you in a Festive Themed Study Day!

We will spend the day Flourishing together. Vintage Title Flourishes will be the theme but this class is meant to enrich your studying and flourishing skills. I want you to understand this style and how the flourishes can be combined with both Broad Edge and Pointed Pen. Festive touches will bring them to life. I have enjoyed creating these title flourishes on special illuminated names rather than full certificates.

There is always a special twist to these designs which can be designed in pencil or explored in true offhand flourishing ways. I had fun adding a mistletoe motif in coloured pencil to the Noel design.

We will look deep into historic examples as we study together.

This will be my fourth online study day and those of you who have subscribed to my newsletter will get an email with registration details.  Festive Faire will also have beautiful carousel horse designs to flourish in my class for The Gentle Penman in October!

Why do I return to the flourish so much? It is my sincere belief that flourishing holds the keys to greater skills with the pointed pen as well as confidence and trust in your own ideas. Flourishing is not about copying. Calligraphers are often far too inclined to copy things exactly as we see them. There is a deeper view that can be revealed through offhand flourishing. All flourishing skills can be learned. We just need to trust the process and understand that some of us take more time as skills build in our eyes, minds and hands. But the skills do come! I have loved every moment of the summer as I flourished birds almost on a daily basis! But autumn is approaching and the summer routine will give way to a more robust schedule.

No matter how you choose to spend your time, I am grateful for all of you who read these blog posts. You have become dear friends to me and I appreciate your support and feedback. I have also started a Substack blog where I will post about things that I am discovering or reading. I will figure it out along the way! I will close this blog post with a view from Signal Hill in Newfoundland. I had the joy of visiting my daughter and son in law for a few days this August and was overwhelmed by the beauty there.

Wishing you all good things as September unfolds. You are such a blessing to me.