Hand painted watercolour illustrations for the October chapter opener for "Home Coming" Nature journal by Melissa Harrison.

Hand painted watercolour squirrel illustration

 So many squirrels out and about on my walk today, busy gathering treats 😍

This illustration is a hand painted watercolour for Homecoming, the nature journal written by Melissa Harrison, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson. 

Watercolour illustration - Male and Female pheasants

 Male and Female pheasants out for a stroll together.

My hand painted watercolour illustration for "Homecoming" nature journal by Melissa Harrison.

 September is here. I'm looking forward to watching the unfolding of Autumn. 😍

The changing colour of the tree leaves and collecting conkers (which you are never too old for)!

This illustration is a hand painted watercolour for the September chapter opener for 

Homecoming, nature journal. 

Homecoming: A guided nature journal written by Melissa Harrison, Fully illustrated by me.

Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, out in November 2024

August hand painted watercolour illustrations

August is here 😊

Ripening fruits and vegetables, harvest season for many farms, allotments and veggie gardeners.

I'm eagerly watching the ripening blackberries and sloe berries, planning my next foraging adventure. 

Which month is your favourite and why?

Watercolour illustration - Swifts Soaring high

Who loves watching Swifts soaring high in the sky? 😍

I tied to capture them on film while out on my walk the other day, but like their name, they are extremely Swift!

This is my hand painted watercolour illustration of a Swift, Swallow and House Martin and is a bit easier to see 😂

This is another illustration from inside Melissa Harrison's amazing nature journal

Written by Melissa Harrison 

Fully illustrated by me

Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Out November 2024.

Foraging & making Elderflower Cordial

I love Elderflower cordial, every year i say that i am going to forage and make some. This year I have actually done it!

Thought I would share with you my first attempt. Very happy with the finished cordial, I would definitely recommend giving it a go. 

I used roughly 20 heads of elderflower 

500g of caster sugar

4 tablespoons of honey

2 lemons.

1 litre of water.

Melt sugar & honey in 1 litre of water. Gently bring to the boil, until sugar has melted

Grate in lemon zest and add the Elderflower to the melted sugar water.

Squeeze in the lemon juice from one lemon and slice and add the second lemon to mixture.

Take off heat, cover & infuse for 24 hours.

Strain cordial through muslin and add to sterilised bottle.

Enjoy! 😊