hohum

Hello!
I wanted to cycle into town today to get some zines printed for Marching Stars distro. It is raining hard, and I hate cycling in the rain. It's not so bad, but on a cold, windy day it is the last thing I want to do. Rain in my eyes with wind coming at me really freaks me out. It's like how it freaks me out to look up at the sky when it's snowing heavily. It looks like the sky is falling down.

So I told myself 'Okay, do some zine writing, be productive'.

It is 12.51pm and I'm still in my pj's...

I'm looking through tumblr, trying to find some inspiration for Elderflower Tea.

I've been reading my Doris Anthology on and off for weeks - Trying to savour it. I'm on #15 now, the Anti-depression guide. I'm finding it useful.

Invincible Summer Anthology 1 came at the weekend, I've been flicking through, trying not to read it. I want to wait until I have finished Doris.

I'm feeling an increasing need for adventure, a long lasting one. Day adventures are fun too, but I want more time to explore. I read about people travelling around on buses, visiting different cities, meeting people they write to, and I want to be one of those people doing that too.

Distro! Distro!

I have to tell you, whoever you are, how excited and happy I am.
My zines are now available on Vampire Sushi !!!!
Marching Stars also have Elderflower Tea #1 in stock now :)

Go buy them!

I don't know if anyone really reads this little place. My little corner of the internet. That doesn't matter so much, I'm just documenting some ideas. And if anyone does visit here... Hello! and please feel free to add any comments and thoughts.

Anyway. I'm now thinking about Elderflower Tea #3 and hope to have something out there during spring. Whilst I am really happy with the first 2 issues, I'm now thinking I want to go longer, maybe giving 24pages a try and sticking to this number in the future. Taking my time with it all.

Zine Meet up & Josie Long

It's raining hard outside and I'm sleepy.

Last Saturday a couple of us Midlands Zinesters from We Make Zines had a meet up. We met in the afternoon in a nice Cafe called Browns, which served sparkling Elderflower juice. Win. James and I were the first to arrive, we sat by a window and had some lunch whilst we waited for the others. I was getting a little nervous as I'm not great at coming out with a sentence first, when meeting people for the first time. However, when everyone else arrived it was a breeze. The table was full of glorious zines, everyone was trading and chatting about all sorts of things, mainly Zines/Fairs/Creativity/Tv and Radio. I took copies of Elderflower Tea #2 and was given copies of Larry by Lee Taylor , some mini Comics by Sammy Borras, and some adorable mini Zines and Colouring books by Hannah Robinson. All of these people are incredibly talented when it comes to Illustration.

After the meet up James and I headed back to our other home, Birmingham, to see Josie Long. I was SO excited about this. James got me tickets for Christmas and I had been looking forward to it since. Her show was incredibly inspiring. She talked a lot about Politics, Tory bastards and Activism. It made me think about how I don't always follow politics because a lot of the time it all goes over my head, I don't always know who-is-who or what is happening. Josie made it easy to follow and talked about her passion for Socialism and UK Uncut. Mostly, her message was not to believe that the future is as bleak as the government makes out, that people can make a difference and everyone can get involved.

I met Josie briefly as she was giving out her Zine to the audience. I quickly grabbed both issues of Elderflower  Tea out of my bag and gave them to her. She seemed really touched and asked my name. When she had gone I turned to James and beamed. That lady is rad.

Elderflower Tea #2 Update

I love crappy webcam photos.

Here it is! #2 of Elderflower Tea! I got to cycle into town on Lola which felt great. At the library the guy with the beard and lip piercing was helping me at the copier, he said 'You're not one of those trendy bloggers are you?' I told him no, and that this was my zine. He then said 'Are those the published things? I don't know much about them because I am cool'. I gave an awkward smile then told him I knew what to do with the copier next... 

So, what can I tell you about Elderflower Tea #2? Well, the layout and overall look is much, much cleaner. There aren't many spelling mistakes and nothing has been cut off (YAY!). In this issue I talk about what I did in 2011, and what I hope 2012 will bring. I also talk about a personal subject for the first time which is about sensitivity. I also talk about zines, my bicycle & other fluffy things. 

#2

Somehow I have managed to type up everything for Elderflower Tea #2!
I spent this afternoon banging away on my typewriter non-stop, getting stiff knees from sitting crossed legged so long & made hardly any mistakes. How did this happen?!
I'm happy, because now I can do the most fun part, put everything together and decorate, hooray! I'm not putting pressure on myself to get it put together and printed right away, I think maybe it'll be finished later next week.
I've surprised myself... I wasn't sure what to write about in this issue, then as I started doing drafts everything just came together.
The front and back cover is done, I just need to write my intro.

time for tea, my deer

happy girl, big cup of tea and the doris anthology! 

December is a good month for zines

To think this time last year, I had NO zines, and now my little zine box is bursting with them. My magpie eyes have been ordering online, I have also done a few trades, and had a few zines for Christmas. December seems a great month for zines, and my little letter box has been very happy.

This package came from my new pen pal Deirdree from 'Gag me with a...' Zine/ Peter Lorre is dead productions. I was absolutely ecstatic as I opened it up to find all these little treasures and gorgeous zines, along with beautiful artwork and a sweet letter. This really made my day as I had been having a really hard week. 'Gag me with a...' is definitely one of my favourite zines <3

My lovely boyfriend took note and got me these 4 zines as part of my Christmas present. Here I have The plural of deer is deer, Dig deep #1, Dancing Zine and Culture Slut #18. 

I also got some great trades, Gone to Space poetry zine by my lovely friend Cally, How do you take it? #1,2,3 and 4! and Damaged mentality #1.

Then today, I got my order from the wonderful Marching Stars Distro. Culture Slut #23 & #25, and Stolen Sharpie Revolution 2, which I plan to read this afternoon.

I also got some exciting news about Elderflower Tea too. The Gorgeous Deirdree is not only including my letter to Miranda July in Gag me with a... #5, but she also wants to take copies of my zine to LA zine fair! I am still so stoked... When I made Elderflower Tea, I didn't expect many people to like it, as 'twee' is not always peoples cup of tea. I also gave myself such a hard time over a few errors and was ready to give up. To know that people have enjoyed Elderflower Tea so much has given me many, many smiles, and the confidence to keep it going.

Wishing the few who visit my little corner of the interwebs a MERRY BELATED CHRISTMAS, and a fabulous 2012!