Spring Equinox in the Forest of Dean

Watch out for the Mole coming up for the forest breath, joined by faery folk and wood sprites immersed with the delicious scent of wild garlic! Celebrate life and new sproutings my lovelies :)

Vicky's Guide to Hippo House Shamba Plants

I've been intending to learn more about the flora and fauna native to my new home country since i was bought this book, a good year ago...

Bougainvillea

Acacia Thorn

Creating this book has spurred me on to make a dent (although very little) into what i hope will be a hunk of knowledge one day!  

Pencil sketch of just a few of the plants

A little bit of the MA stuck with me and since it is the year of soil... I though we could all share a print of the soil that is nourishing our souls at the moment. We've got seeds ready to plant after we've finished building our wall, but we're reaping the benefits of the old avocado tree and some tomatoes are on their way... if they ripen before them cheeky monkeys snatch them all!!!


And here is the finished accordion book...

The front and back are covered with kanga fabric from the local market! I love all the funky bright patters, makes a change to my normal dull choice of colours! I've made some cushion covers and curtains from fabric with a similar pattern but teal and green... happy colours!


I hope this book finds your well all the way over there Angela! Happy creating monkeys xxx i wish the ones here where more like you both!

Angela's book of Nature

I came across two words while looking at themes surrounding nature. Friluftsliv (free air life) is a Norwegian idea and Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) is from Japan. I loved the idea of both! I've pasted in the text below, from the article that inspired me.

Because my shipping container has yet to arrive (next week!!) I ended up making my own concertina book. It'll probably be done before yours since there are less pages, but I can make another at some point - we are flexible lassies.

Love you both, dear Wicky & Jaxxy.

Can't wait to see your books.

Outside covers

Inside covers

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese term that means "forest bathing"... The idea being that spending time in the forest and natural areas is good preventitive medicine, since it lowers stress, which causes or exacerbates some of our most intractable health issues. As MNN's Catie Leary details, this isn't just a nice idea—there's science behind it: "The "magic" behind forest bathing boils down to the naturally produced allelochemic substances known as phytoncides, which are kind of like pheromones for plants. Their job is to help ward off pesky insects and slow the growth of fungi and bacteria. When humans are exposed to phytoncides, these chemicals are scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, relieve stress and boost the growth of cancer-fighting white blood cells. Some common examples of plants that give off phytoncides include garlic, onion, pine, tea tree and oak, which makes sense considering their potent aromas."

 

Friluftsliv translates directly from Norwegian as "free air life," which doesn't quite do it justice as an idea. Coined relatively recently, in 1859, it is the concept that being outside is good for human beings' mind and spirit. "It is a term in Norway that is used often to describe a way of life that is spent exploring and appreciating nature," Anna Stoltenberg, culture coordinator for Sons of Norway, a U.S.-based Norwegian heritage group, told MNN. Other than that, it's not a strict definition: it can include sleeping outside, hiking, taking photographs or meditating, playing or dancing outside, for adults or kids. It doesn't require any special equipment, includes all four seasons, and needn't cost much money. Practicing Friluftsliv could be as simple as making a commitment to walking in a natural area 5 days a week, or doing a day-long hike once a month. 

      --Starre Vartan, from mnn.com

Let's Do This! How three daft monkeys intend to stay together while apart...

This blog is a virtual connection between three best mates, living in three different countries. It is an attempt to remain together, through art. Each monkey will have a themed book, and these three books will make their way from one pal to the next, until all three books are full. At that time, the three daft monkeys will drop everything, throw their hands up into the air, and hop into their teleport-time-machines to reconvene and return sketchbooks. With the parcels safely back in the hands of the owner, the books' entries will be discussed and savored over sips of dark, magical rum; then, dance floors, laughter and good-hearted mischief will be enjoyed - once again.