Anya Golightly

15/7/2001 - 27/5/2010

The name Anya came from the ex-demon in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it suited her because she could be a little tinker. She was named Golightly after Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffanys as she looked as if she was wearing long black gloves. She would wake me by roughly licking my cheek which you just couldn't ignore. She was a beautiful girl, very nice eyes and the longest fur between her pads and I loved her. I'll miss her so much.

Thank you for all your encouragement and support when she was missing, I really have been so touched. She was found yesterday.

Journal Making

This is my first attempt at making my own journal and once I'd let the paper stand for a week, leering at me that I'd make a hash of it, I faced down that demon yesterday and set to work. I loved it. I'd watched a video how to on Youtube, (thank you Moriah Betterley ) a couple of times and got started. I used Artistico + Fabriano paper instead of manilla folders but the principle is the same. I also incorporated some flaps like Teesha Moore in her journals.

I found that I needed to be tighter on the stitching but I'm pleased with the final outcome. It'll have a new cloth cover on it when it comes back to me in about 14 months. This journal is going to be used in the International Journal Swap I've signed up for with 14 other artists. We all send off an A5 journal to the next person in line and then that person does a two page journal page on the theme of that particular journal. My journal's theme is Heavenly Gardens. I now have to make a temporary cover and sign in page. I'm so looking forward to this swap, there are some really interesting themes to tackle and I'm really excited. I've been looking to join one of these types of swap since I read True Colors.

Thank you so much of your kindness and support about my little Anya cat going missing. I'm afraid she is still not back but I've not given up hope. I'd like to think she's found herself a nice male slave/owner, she's always prefered men, but just wish she could send me a postcard.

Sad News

I can hardly bear to look at the previous post because everything was alright then. My little Anya has gone missing. I last saw her Thursday morning. I've put up posters and knocked on doors but no sign of her. I feel so powerless, there is nothing I can do except wait and hope. Everyone has been lovely, they all know how much my cats mean to me and I've met some super neighbours that I didn't know. This past week did have some real high points but somehow it doesn't seem right to share them here at the moment. The little minx is going to get a right talking to when she shows up along with a big meal and a cuddle :)

Splendoodle Afternoon

Ok, it's a lovely afternoon, got my pens and atc blanks and away I go, after I've had a cup of tea. Entered a zendoodle ATC swap so I need to get doodling


Not doodled for a while and have been wanted to find out what it would look like on a text background. The absolutely perfect book appeared in the free pulping pile at the library yesterday - a really faded and yellowed gujarati text, I pounced on it, totally delighted. One down, 4 more to go. The garden is seeping into the doodles, plants and flowers, the tendrils of the wisteria, the unseen roots.

Went back through old sketchbooks to find doodles from ancient pots, boy those minoans could doodle around with nature. Bill checks in briefly. What am I doing in the garden, where did this table come from and where's that butterfly going - and he's off. Life outside is just so exciting when you're only 10 months old and a fearless kitty, no time to chat with me, besides he's not hungry at the moment. Catch you later!


3 down, 2 more to go.

Anya comes along to check on progress and keep me company for a while.

Finally 5 ATCs, I've had a wonderful time, just doodling away in the garden. I didn't even bother getting the table and chairs out of the cellar last year, the weather was so bad. Really hoping for a glorious summer this year. The ATCs will be off to Diane in Canada for a zendoodle swap, hope she likes them :)


Now is that a barbeque I can smell over the wall? Wonders Merlin

The Other Cats or the Old Boys/Girl

I think it's only fair that I put up piccys of the other cats (studio assistants) in my life beings as little Bill has had a starring role on my blog so far.

So, sorry if you are are a felineaphobe (is that a word), just look away now.....


Above is Micky aka Bulldozer. He's the head of the household at 13 years old and the biggest cat I have ever seen, but a complete softy. He earnt the name Bulldozer because even if I lock the cat flap he is strong enough to just bulldoze his way straight through it. His favourite occupation is sleeping, followed by sleeping and pestering me until he gets the food he wants, particularly tuna.
Then there's Anya, the only girl in the pride. But she only got in because she was given to me as a boy and she was such a fluff ball as a kitten that it wasn't until I got to the vet and he said "Mmm, Maximus, strange name for a girl" that the truth came out. She's very opinionated and not backwards at letting you know it. She's eight and the only one who isn't a rescue cat. She can be a sweetie when she wants but tends to be aloof and watch the antics of the others. She is the one 'nominated' to get me up in a morning if I'm tardy with breakfast. One or two rasping licks on my face is enough, she's not subtle about it!


Merlin is now the middle cat, at 3 years old. He was in the rescue centre due to the credit crunch. A thinker, an eater and prancer extraordinaire. He holds his tail like a husky (must get a good piccy of it), most unusually. Likes nothing more than a still lap (and I mean still) to sit on and snooze. Normally found sitting in the garden picking up slugs on his furry belly, yuk!


Archie was found as a stray on my street and I still can't believe someone didn't come after him. A very, very friendly laid back cat, loves visiting all the old ladies in the area, so much so that a friend has nicknamed him the Community Cat. Apparently they love him and he has company when I'm at work. He is a very sweet boy, chilled out and big mates with Bill, being only 18 months old himself, he has the energy for the play fights, mauling and general mayhem that results.

I wouldn't be without any of them!