1. Hello, December! How quickly you’ve arrived. As we anticipate snowy days and frosty nights, we’re dreaming of snuggling up in a cozy cottage with a warm cuppa and a good book. UK mixed media and collage artist Kate Brazier will transport us to the beautiful countryside with her lovely pictures. 🙂

Originally from Devon, Kate now works from her home studio in Worcestershire. She studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Hereford College of Arts and briefly worked for a Birmingham art gallery.

She’s inspired by the rolling hills and villages around her, and her pieces reflect her keen interest in light, color and texture. I love the delicacy of detail and feelings of peace and harmony her scenes evoke. Idyllic!

To see more of her art, visit her Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy Shop. Check out these bio links to purchase originals, prints, greeting cards, and cross stitch kits.

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2. New Picture Book Alert: Just released in the U.S. November 5: The World to Come by Robert Macfarlane, Johnny Flynn and Emily Sutton (Magic Cat, 2024):

Stunning picture book collaboration from bestselling author Robert Macfarlane, actor-musician Johnny Flynn, and illustrator Emily Sutton.

“On my way through the wood wound a thread through the dream…”

Take a lyrical journey with a father and son who walk together through an ever-changing landscape and discover a world to come that’s filled with hope. This beautiful book sings with a love of words and rhythm, and vividly conjures the magic of nature. Astonishing artwork makes this picture book an instant classic. 

Many of you know I’m a big Emily Sutton fan — I automatically purchase every new book she illustrates (and sometimes also writes), so I was thrilled to open the pages of The World to Come.

And I sighed and marveled, and remain awestruck by the breathtaking beauty and detail. Exquisite work! She never disappoints.

Now, I must admit I wasn’t familiar with the co-authors, who are more well known on the other side of the pond. Macfarlane is a Cambridge University professor and nature writer (Mountains of the Mind (2003), The Wild Places (2007)); while Flynn is an actor and musician (Emma (2020), Alarum (2008)). The World to Come is based on a song they co-wrote for their first album, Lost in the Cedar Wood (2021).

How did they get together to make albums? Seems all along Macfarlane had been listening to Flynn’s music while writing, and Flynn had been avidly reading Macfarlane’s books long before they first met (at a cricket match). They bonded over their love of nature and a yearning for the rural landscape, a place of solace and inspiration.

Along came the pandemic, when Marfarlane suggested they write a song together. One song turned into a few, then more. They wrote back and forth via WhatsApp and voice memos. (They also released their second album, The Moon Also Rises, last year.)

How cool is that?

The World to Come is stunning — Emily’s art illuminates the lyrical text to perfection. Just in case you’re curious, here’s what the song sounds like:

Now I’m going to listen to more of Johnny Flynn’s music, watch his films, and read Robert Macfarlane’s books. Don’t you love it when one good thing leads to another? 🙂

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3. Wooly Friends from Across the Sea: Check out these adorable Bear and Bunny brooches from Misha Laboratory. They’re just the thing when you want to send a little hug, love and warmth to someone who needs it. You can’t help but smile when seeing these.

Each piece is handmade from 100% needle felted, eco friendly wool and is about 3 inches high. They come with their own passports specifying name, size, color, and favorite snack. You can also personalize them. Cute to wear on your lapel, bag or hat. 🙂

Dace at Misha Laboratory also takes custom orders. A pet portrait (as a brooch or keychain) is a wonderful keepsake. Just send a photo of the dog, cat, or other pet you want Dace to create.

All pieces are made to order and shipped directly from Latvia. For more info, visit Misha Laboratory’s Etsy Shop, Facebook, or Instagram.

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4. New Poetry Book Alert: Always exciting when Billy Collins publishes a new collection. Just released November 19 is Water, Water (Random House, 2024):

From the former Poet Laureate of the United States and New York Times bestselling author of Aimless Love comes a wondrous new collection of poems focused on the joys and mysteries of daily life.

In this collection of sixty new poems, Billy Collins writes about the beauties and ironies of everyday experience. A poem is best, he feels, when it begins in clarity but ends with a whiff of mystery. 

In Water, Water, Collins combines his vigilant attention and respect for the peripheral to create moments of delight. Common and uncommon events are captured here with equal fascination, be it a cat leaning to drink from a swimming pool, a nurse calling a name in a waiting room, or an astronaut reciting Emily Dickinson from outer space. With his trademark lyrical informality, Collins asks us to slow down and glimpse the elevated in the ordinary, the odd in the familiar. It’s no surprise that The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal both call Collins one of America’s favorite poets.

Can’t wait to get my little paws on this one! Enjoy this sample poem:

Marijuana

When I was young and dreamy,
I longed to be a poet,
not one with his arms
wrapped around the universe
or on his knees before a goddess,
not waving from Mount Parnassus
nor wearing a cape like Lord Byron,
rather just reporting on a dog or an orange.

But one soft night in California
I walked outside during a party,
lay down on the lawn
beneath a lively sky,
and after an interlude of nonstop gazing,
I happened to swallow the moon,
yes, I opened my mouth in awe
and swallowed the full moon whole.

And the moon dwelled within me
when I returned to the lights of the party,
where I was welcomed back
with understanding and hilarity
and was recognized long into the night
as The Man Who Swallowed the Moon,
he who had walked out of a storybook
and was dancing now with a girl in the kitchen.

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5. A Penny For Your Thoughts: Have you met Penny the Talking Cat and her mom Aymie yet? I only recently discovered their delightful videos, though Aymie’s been making them for awhile and now has over 2.5 million subscribers!

They are so cleverly done — short conversations about everything under the sun (Penny usually ends with a raspberry). Aymie is uber creative, sometimes demonstrates craft projects, and keeps coming up with funny skits (how does she do it?). Sometimes her daughter Gracie or her other pets (4 dogs, 2 cats) make an appearance. Penny videos are addictive and definitely happy making. 🙂

Enjoy these five minutes of holiday fun. You will fall in love with Penny even if you’re not a cat person. BTW, Penny LOVES ham.

For more, subscribe to the Aymie and Family YouTube Channel, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.

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6. Is that thunder rumbling in the distance or is that your stomach? Yes, yes, you’re starving, I know. Not to worry, as a brand new cookbook just hit the shelves in August: Marvelously Revolting Recipes: Inspired by the Stories of Roald Dahl, illustrated by An Array of Amazing Artists, including Quentin Blake (Viking BFYR, 2024):

Learn to cook like Willy Wonka with a new cookbook with recipes from classic Roald Dahl books!

From Willy Wonka’s scrumptious candy to Matilda’s chocolate cake, Roald Dahl has been creating mouth-watering food in his books for decades. Now there is a brand-new cookbook featuring fifty recipes, all referenced in the beloved works of Dahl–from James and the Giant Peach to The Twits.

Young chefs can make their own:
–Wormy Spaghetti (The Twits)
–Dandyprats (James and the Giant Peach)
–Bean’s Cider (Fantastic Mr. Fox)
–Hair Cream (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
-And more creative recipes like Licorice Bootlaces or Jellied Gnats.

Adults and children alike will delight in the silliness and deliciousness of these recipes, all while revisiting some of their favorite Roald Dahl tales!

I’m happy to see this new cookbook, since it’s been decades since Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes and Even More Revolting Recipes were published. I imagine some of the old recipes have been updated with new ones added. Anyway, this would make a fun holiday gift for any middle graders on your list, paired with a Dahl title or two. I’m curious to see which other illustrators contributed to this cookbook besides Quentin Blake.

Wormy Spaghetti, anyone? 🙂

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7. Pad, Pad, Paddington! We can’t get enough of him, and are excited that Paddington in Peru, his third full-length feature film, will finally be released in the U.S. January 17, 2025!

But ahead of the UK release last month, he was out and about spreading joy via the Paddington Visits trail. Twenty-three Paddington statues appeared across the UK and Ireland in various towns and villages, in places like Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Reading, York, Paddington Station (London), and Newbury (Michael Bond’s birthplace). Paddington’s comfortably sitting on a bench eating a marmalade sandwich (naturally).

Folks in gardens, town centers, parks, malls, etc., were able to pose and take selfies with the bear from darkest Peru. Each location had its own visitors’ trail/interactive map, guiding them to notable spots in the area.

It’s clear that people of all ages love Paddington and are thrilled about this new release (can’t believe it’s been 10 years since the first movie came out!). Ben Whishaw once again voiced Paddington, with the original cast in tow, except for Sally Hawkins (Mrs Brown), who was replaced by Emily Mortimer. Guest stars include Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas.

Enjoy this video showing how the statues were made, followed by a new movie trailer.

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8. Sew Crafty: For those who like to embroider, here are some cute kits and accessories to keep your hands busy via Bees Knees British Imports.

First up, a Twelve Days of Christmas Felt Embroidery Kit:

This kit includes everything you need to realize the project, including the 12 Days of Christmas book with full-scale instructions, templates and stitch guide, 25 sheets of soft wool mix felt in all the colors used in the projects, DMC embroidery thread, a needle, toy filling and ribbon. This is appropriate for crafters of all abilities, for beginners and beyond.

ETA: Sorry, this one’s sold out and no longer listed.

Next, because I can’t resist, a Peter Rabbit Plans His Next Adventure Embroidery Kit:

With step-by-step instructions and clear photographs, you’ll be shown exactly how to sew your own delightful Peter Rabbit. The Crafty Kit Company’s sustainable embroidery kit contains everything you need to make it: 18cm bamboo hoop, pre-printed fabric, DMC embroidery thread, needle, full colour pattern chart, embroidery booklet.

This one is suitable for beginners and beyond, recommended for ages 10+. Finished size: 7 inches, approximately 12 hours of crafting enjoyment. Designed and made in Scotland.

How about an Embroidered Scissors Pouch and Mini Pin Cushion Felt Craft Kit?

Everything you need to complete this practical and beautiful embroidered scissors pouch and cute mini pincushion is in the box, including high quality super soft wool mix felt as well as 12 carefully chosen assorted DMC threads, a needle and toy filling. 

Full scale templates and instructions are very clear and it gives you a stitch guide for extra support. Corinne Lapierre’s top quality wool-mix felt is extremely soft, lovely to use and its distinctive shades will bring all your projects to life delightfully.

Now that you’re all set with kits, maybe you need a nice organizer for your needles? Behold the Sheep in Sweaters Interchangeable Needle Holder:

A fabulous needle holder designed especially for interchangeable needles – or even crochet hooks — 48x26x1cm (18.9×10.2x.4inches).

Finally, you’ll want something to store your supplies. How about a Peter Rabbit “Little Bag of Happiness” Drawstring Bag?

You really would be carrying ‘A Little Bag of Happiness’ whenever you use this bag! This 100% cotton drawstring bag, designed under license from BEATRIX POTTER™ ©, is ethically made in India and measures 11.5in x 8.5in (21 x 29.7cm). It’s the perfect thing to keep all your bits and bobs together and would make a great gift for a crafter!

In case you’re looking for a larger bag for medium size projects, here’s a Kittens In Mittens Long Project Bag:

It’s made of 100% cotton, measures 16″ x 8″, has a zipper closure and a loop for hanging.

All set? Any of these would make the needleworker on your gift list happy (or maybe treat yourself)! Just threading the needle, folks, just threading the needle.

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9. Perfect for this holiday season: 2024 is a special year because Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day! I don’t ever remember this happening before and it sounds very cool. Good thing there’s a brand new picture book to help celebrate: Gingerbread Dreidels by Jane Breskin Zalben and Thai Phuong (Charlesbridge, 2024):

Chanukah and Christmas come together in this story of an interfaith, intergenerational family’s blended holiday. Gelt and gingerbread, menorahs and trees, red and green and blue and white . . .

When Christmas and the first night of Chanukah occur on the same day, Sophie and Max are confused. The children are used to the two parts of their identity remaining separate, celebrating with each part of their family in turn. But this year is different: all their grandparents are coming to partake in both Jewish and Christian traditions together.

Complete with a sweet acknowledgment of the concern at the forefront of each child’s mind—how will this affect the presents?—Gingerbread Dreidels is a story for interfaith families that shows how love is at the center of every holiday.

Just borrowed this from the library and am anxious to read it. Sounds like the best of both worlds to me, but I can understand why children of interfaith families may have concerns. This story sounds like a wonderful way to compare and contrast Christian and Jewish holiday traditions. Always something new to learn, and I’m here for it!

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**BONUS COOL THING: Coming our way December 25: the long awaited Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown.” Impressed with Chalamet’s ability to emulate Dylan’s singing voice (not an easy feat). Enjoy this cool behind-the-scenes featurette:

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While working on this post, I’ve been listening to more of Johnny Flynn’s music, and I’m really enjoying it! Just wish I’d “discovered” him sooner, since I love folk singer-songwriters. He plays with his band Sussex Wit, and his voice and style, with its Dylan-esque touches, are refreshingly original. It’s like he stepped out of another century, a wandering minstrel or something. His voice is perfect for storytelling and conveys a lot of emotion.

But that’s just one aspect of his musicianship, since besides releasing studio albums, he’s also written musical scores for films, television shows, and theatre productions. This makes sense, since he’s also an actor. So talented and versatile! I know I’ve only just scratched the surface, and am looking forward to learning much more about this Renaissance man. 🙂

Anyway, because of the pandemic, I missed seeing the new Emma movie (2020) — or else I would have definitely been onto Johnny Flynn before now. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. 🙂

For your delectation this week, enjoy this video featuring “Queen Bee,” which Flynn wrote for the soundtrack. The featured clips will make you want to see the movie if you haven’t already done so (luckily it’s available for streaming).

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HAPPY TUESDAY

HAPPY WEEK

ANTICIPATE WINTER

JINGLE THOSE BELLS

🌲 MERRY MERRYING 🎁

BAKE COOKIES

DECORATE

EAT MINCE PIE

BELIEVE IN BLUE

BE TRUE

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**Copyright © 2024 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.