I've always loved the idea of quilting and how it brings people together and so when I decided to write a Christmas book set in the village of Butterbury, it seemed a lovely way to tell the story and the tangled web of relationships within one family.
Welcome to My Creative Notebook, I’ve always been fascinated by the creative process and believe that everyone has their own personal collection of skills and abilities, which just needs time and encouragement to develop.
Finding the time and space to be creative is vital to sustain creativity, one of the most important actions in any day is to seize the moments which sometimes occur when you least expect it; to simply stand and stare, to be inspired by a beautiful view, hear a bird singing, or to watch your family laughing together. Treasure these moments; they form the rich tapestry of living in a creative way.
There are so many amazing sources of inspiration and I hope in this space to share ideas, thoughts, words, books, resources, art, photography, events and interviews, which I hope you will enjoy and find inspiring.
Despite this space being rooted in technology, I see My Creative Notebook as a starting point from which to go and do things!
INTERVIEW WITH Jo Thomas – AUTHOR OF CELEBRATIONS AT THE CHATEAU AND MANY MORE
We absolutely love Celebrations at the Chateau, what was your inspiration behind the book?
I fell in love with the Channel 4 programme Escape to the Chateau with Dick and Angel, followed by Chateau DIY with other British people buying chateaux and making them their homes and businesses. I just loved the bravery involved, the 'give it a go' attitude and when the going got tough, their 'dig deep' attitude. I would love to do this, I just know I'd never get any books written if I did! So I decided to write about it instead!
Celebrations at the Chateau – Jo Thomas
When their grandfather dies, Fliss and her sisters are astonished to inherit a French chateau! Travelling to Normandy to visit the beautiful if faded house, they excitedly make plans over delicious crepes and local cider in the town nearby.
The Christmas Escape – Sarah Morgan
It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb’s oldest friend, Zac, can take Christy’s daughter on the planned Lapland trip, and they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for?
Christmas at the Village Sewing Shop – Helen Rolfe
Loretta loves running the little village sewing shop in Butterbury. Some of her most precious memories are sitting with her three daughters Daisy, Ginny and Fern, stitching together pieces of material – and their hopes and dreams.
The Last Reunion – Kayte Nunn
War would bring them together.
But would it ultimately tear them apart?
Burma, 1945. Bea, Plum, Bubbles, Joy and Lucy are five young women looking for adventure, fighting a forgotten war in the jungle attached to the Fourteenth Army. Running a mobile canteen, navigating treacherous roads and dodging hostile gunfire, they soon become embroiled in life-threatening battles of their own – battles that will haunt the women for the rest of their lives.
Interview with Phaedra Patrick – AUTHOR OF Rise and Shine, BeneDICt STone AND others!
We loved Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone, what was the inspiration behind the story? I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. When I was little, I was a little obsessed with looking at gemstones in jewellery catalogues. My birthstone is peridot, for August, and I was jealous that other months had well-known glamorous stones, such as garnets, rubies and sapphires. Years later when I got engaged, I chose a silver ring set with a peridot and wondered about the meaning behind the stone. My ring sparked the idea for Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone, about a jeweller who’s lost his sparkle and...
Rise and Shine Benedict Stone – Phaedra Patrick
Benedict Stone has lost his sparkle. He's stuck in a rut, business at his jewellery shop has dried up, and his beloved wife Estelle has moved out of their family home. He's desperate to win her back, but doesn't know how.
The Wedding Pact – Isla Gordon
August Anderson needs somewhere to live. Dumped by her boyfriend who would rather be alone than move in with her, she has almost given up on happiness. Until she notices that the beautiful Georgian townhouse she's long admired (ahem, *obsessed over*) is looking for a new tenant, and suddenly it seems like things might be looking up . . .
Eight Perfect Hours – Lia Louis
What if you fell in love…
… and then he disappeared?
When Noelle and Sam’s lives collide one snowy evening, they spend eight perfect hours stuck side by side believing that they’ll never see each other again.