It's nearly August, the height of summer, the month we all look forward to lolling around the garden, but in my world, I am already in the festive mood as the time approaches to stock-up the robins. I have to be very careful this Christmas, as I have a massive pagan Yuletide Fayre to plan and organise at the start of November. You have been reading my Gardeners Crafting Diary of Wonderment July 2026

I hope you have a Hoppy New Year and thank you to everyone for your continued support and wonderfully engaging messages...

My new book is at the printers and it's very exciting. I have written and illustrated 12 short stories (about 4 minutes long),

So many lessons learnt here: 1. Don't assume everything is forever, 2. Persistence prevails, 3. 'Ask and it's Given', positive thought works

As we sit in mid-November the heavy grey clouds of summer are just a dark memory as I start reflecting on what was learnt this year

The world beyond the garden fence has been even more insane than last year and some aspects have impacted how I went about my business

Having studied my garden all year it is now time to create colour boards for this winter's draft excluders

Drafties have enough length that they cover the width of the door and some, or can be bent up a little at each end