This email contains inspiration and sun beams

Hello, hi there, bonjour!

I'll keep this short and sweet. Here are some things to inspire and delight you!

Use them, save them, share them.

Let's keep busy, creative, healthy, happy & kind!

Sneak Peek

We’re a few weeks into this now and I feel like we’re getting the new flow to life. I find when I’m drawing, everything else melts away. You forget for a little minute. It’s a bit like those first few seconds in the morning, when you wake up but haven’t quite remembered this odd new world we’re adjusting to.

I quite like the feeling. It feels cushioned.

If you need a bit of cushioning today, grab a pencil and just doodle or colour something small. It’s not about making a masterpiece, it’s just about finding that little corner of quiet where things go melty for a moment 🥰

Un-Panic Buying

Yes. I did invent that word.
These are strange times.
Go with it...!

Un-panic buying are purchases you make to ease anxiety. For lots of you, colouring and creativity is a safe space where you can tune out the chaos and practise a little self care. The unenlightened may be fighting over toilet roll, but we're all hunting out some new colouring pencils!!

I've been getting lots of messages from folks asking where to buy books just now, so here's a few tips:

1. If you can, support a local, independent book store. These small business are hurting. Call or email and see if they can help you find your book.

2. Take a look at the Book pages on my website, I list several different retailers for each book.

3. Take a peek at my page on bookshop.org. If you are in the US, this is a brilliant place to buy books whilst supporting independent bookstores. (I've also shared some lists of my other favourite books!).

4. And if you have a little while to wait till your book arrives, why not warm-up with a few of my free downloads?!

* Gorgeous colouring by @mimundocoloreado

Bullet Journaling

I finally tackled my first Bullet Journal (Bujo) spread this week in a Facebook Live tutorial.
I made this Gratitude Tracker, so I could note down one thing every day that I was glad of. When I put the kids to bed, we say 3 things we are grateful for - it's a lovely way to end the day.

Why not give it a go?

I created this in the dot grid notebook from my Land, Sea & Sky Notebook Collection.

Facebook Live Classes

For the past week or so I've been doing a daily live drawing and colouring class on my Facebook page.

Join me for simple step by step tutorials, colouring demos, studio sneak peeks and lots of chat about pen, pencils and how to stay creative during a crisis!

Weekdays at 4pm GMT / 11am EST / 8am PT

And if you can't make that time, don't worry!
Just scroll back on my Facebook page and catch up anytime.

A few things helping me this week

Here's some things I've found helpful this week. Maybe they'll help you too.

1. The Brene Brown Unlocking Us Podcast, in particular THIS episode. Well worth a listen.

2. Mediation App Calm. I've tried a few, this is my favourite. The 15 Minute Deep Sleep Release sends me off to sleep every night!

3. Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday. I love this book. If you don't have a copy, follow their Instagram.

4. Cleaning. Last weekend I cleaned my kitchen sink with Baking Soda and Vinegar. I am not a very domestic person, but this pleased me IMMENSELY! It's also something I would have never done, had we not been on lockdown!

5. Reading. The books above are all current favs.
Daily Stoic, Pippi Longstocking, Everything is Figureoutable, Here We Are & The Boy, The Mole and the Horse.

I'm reading Pippi with Evie at bedtime and we are HOWLING with laughter at her antics!
Read more fiction. The joyful kind. It's good to giggle.

Colouring Tutorial

Here's one from the archives:
How to Colour Cherry Blossom.

I love these pinky blooms and with it being Cherry Blossom season in Japan, I thought it the perfect time to share this tutorial from Ivy and the Inky Butterfly.

Have fun!

Evie's Mermaid Drawing Tutorial

It's the moment we've all been waiting for!
Another drawing tutorial from my 5 year old daughter.

Sorry about all the giggling - the odd shaped breasts were too much for me!

(And yes, we had a little chat about Mermaids breathing underwater...!)

FREE DOWNLOADS

Don't forget, I'm sharing colouring downloads, tutorials, drawing classes and lots more over on my website. If you don't have a book yet but need a little creative self care, hop over there.

PLEASE, print them, share them.
Let's spread the colour bug and take care of our mental health with a spot of creativity!

GET THE DOWNLOADS

Remember, kindness is contagious too.

Let's all look after each other. The world needs an extra dose of kindness.
Let's be the change we all want to see.

Celebrate our small wins, lift up those around us and contribute to our communities. It's the only way.

Take good care you lovely lot and I'll be back again soon with more inky inspiration and studio news!

Till then, keep your pencils sharp, your sketchbooks messy and don't worry if you go over the lines! ;)

Much love,

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