From Java with Love - July 2026

Free workshops, a summer playlist, what I'm eating for breakfast, my new print collection and penguin housing plans.

Hello, how’s it going?

Do you want any sunflower seedlings?

We have half a piano worth of sunflowers (the piano is a kitchen surface like any other in this house) ready for potting, an avocado seed being closely monitored and a full building plan for a penguin housing estate.

We’re one week in to the summer holidays and the seven year old has been busy. The ten year old is doing a lot of distracted, dreamy bumping into things, whilst his brother moves with ever increasing purpose and determination.

I too move with purpose and determination, trying to complete my ten million projects, keep the kitchen surfaces clear and remember where the hell I put my invisible braces after my pot of morning coffee.

I am working on simplifying all that I do, to clarify my work, whilst still pursuing all that I love (ten million projects is too many projects). It’s not easy, especially when I keep getting distracted by ingenious ideas for penguin armchairs and the unexpected hierarchy of penguin house numbers.

Cool, Free Stuff for you:

If you’re looking for something to do indoors this summer (solo, in company or with kids), why not watch three of my Kitchen Table Art workshops for FREE here.

If you’re yearning for a kitchen dance/cry on the other hand, listen to my second Summer playlist here

Touching Memory - my new collection of limited prints is now available to buy here on my website! Free shipping included (but only UK I’m afraid).

Inspired by my childhood in Barcelona, infused with the vibrant colours of the markets and seafood restaurants. This collection is about capturing the shapes and hues of the world that shaped my perception of food and daily life. Signed, limited print collection.

What I’m Eating: yoghurt, chia seeds, sliced fresh peaches and prunes. I leave them in a pot over night and have discovered that I am childish in my tastes, and quite happy to eat pretend pudding all day. Also watermelon until the Autumn.

What I’m Wearing: I sold some pieces on Vinted, and used the cash to buy £50 worth of fabric dye (it did not go far, have you seen how expensive fabric dye is these days?) The white shirt in the top photo is one of the few pieces to have survived unscathed. Everything else I own is now blue.

What I’m Reading: The Artist by Lucy Steeds. It is sublime. I feel drenched in sunshine each time I pick it up.

What I’m Up To: Co-coaching on the new Lens Eleven course ‘The Social Eye’, talking all things storytelling, social media and unlocking creative paralysis.

What’s Coming Up: Tell the Story of Your Home course in the Autumn and a brand new creative membership that Laura (Lens Eleven) and I will be launching in September!

Other Things on the Way: A new season of the podcast On the Irregular, some new Autumn and Christmas Studio Workshop Dates, my BOOK - Your Space, Your Story (and the cover reveal very soon).

Ok, I better go!

Hopefully I will be writing to you in August with a kitchen full of sunflowers, a mildly more streamlined diary and a population of happily housed penguins.

Love Java x