Picture books, paper goods & pretty things.
I'm so excited today to be announcing the title and revealing the cover of my brand new picture book An Amazing Alphabet of Cake! The book will be available to buy on Amazon in a couple of weeks time and if you'd like to be one of the first to get your copy make sure you sign up to the newsletter on my home page...
Read MoreEvery October illustrators all over the world get involved in #inktober, a drawing challenge where you draw a picture using ink for every day of the month. The challenge was started by Jake Parker in 2009 and he posts prompts that you can use to help, or you can make up your own...
Read More"This book is very sweet, with a lovely flowing rhyming story and beautiful illustrations that bring the story to life. Definitely one to add to your Christmas book collection!" It's SO lovely to see our first review for Angel's Great Escape: A Christmas Story on the Toddler Things website...
Read MoreI love hearing about other's experiences of publishing and seeing projects take shape. This video from writer, poet and vlogger Jen Campbell gives a lovely insight into her experience of working with illustrator Katie Harnett to create Franklin's Flying Bookshop. Having worked with Kristyna Litten to create Angel's Great Escape and now putting together my own illustrated picture book, it's comforting to see that I'm approaching it in the same way. I'm intending to share a lot of detail about how I work soon but in the meantime I hope you enjoy this inspiring treat.
I decided recently that I would stop doing commissions for a little while as I'm working full time on events at the moment and want to dedicate any spare time I can squirrel to my new picture book. BUT. Then a good friend of mine asked me to draw something special for his parents' golden wedding anniversary so how could I say no?...
Read MoreWhile life is busy with the day job and my second picture book is taking shape behind the scenes in the hands of my wonderful book designer, I am enjoying having little pockets of time to sketch and create illustrations...
Read MoreI was talking to my sister today about how my love of illustration seems to have almost come from nowhere. I started drawing about three years ago to get through a tough time and it's stayed with me as something I use almost as a meditation...
Read MoreI spent this morning hiding out with the BBC 6 Music People's Playlist on Spotify and a big mug of coffee giving my Etsy shop a little refresh. I've added some new products and also gathered up some of my older stock to create some Lucky Dip Paper Treats Grab Bags, which are a real bargain!...
Read MoreAs an illustrator who is just starting out, I found this video by Holly Exley so helpful and informative. It's fantastic to hear an insight from an illustrator who I really admire and who is so well established. I also like...
Read More"A book is a little theatre." - Shirley Hughes
The wonderful Shirley Hughes celebrates her 90th birthday today and I'm marking the occasion by re-reading Helpers, a book from my own childhood that is still on my bookshelf for the little ones to enjoy...
Read MoreIt made me quite emotional today to learn that Michael Bond has passed away at the age of 91. His creation, the wonderful haphazard Paddington is one of my first and fondest childhood memories...
Read MoreI can't quite believe I only discovered my love of drawing about three years ago. I remember around that time noticing a comic day challenge hashtag on Twitter which led me to Frannerd... I started watching Fran's vlogs and it sounds strange to think of it now but until that moment I knew I loved doodling but I hadn't really thought about what illustration could be...
Read MoreIt may be June and this week may have had some of the hottest days on record but today I've been thinking about Christmas! Last year I 'soft launched' our first independently published picture book Angel's Great Escape: A Christmas Story...
Read MoreI realised this week that the profile picture on my social media pages was looking a little 'brrrrrr!' so I spent some time today creating something a little more summery!...
Read MoreI start back at my day job as a freelance event manager this week but am very pleased to say that my new picture book is now fully drafted. There are 44 different characters in the book (!) and...
Read MoreFather's Day is coming up on Sunday 18 June in the UK and I'm pleased to say I've added two new designs to my Choosey.com page to celebrate...
Read MoreOne thing I love about spending the day illustrating is that I can listen to something while I draw, whereas when I'm writing I need the white noise of a cafe or silence. The radio often keeps me company but I also love hearing people's stories and experiences so am always on the lookout for engaging podcasts. These are my current favourites...
Read MoreAlthough I've recently been totally absorbed in illustration as I work on my second picture book, my first love has always been writing. Over the years I have started writing various women's fiction novels but didn't quite find the impetus to finish one until I switched genre and found myself writing a children's novel for 8 - 12 year olds. I was over the moon when I typed the words 'The End'. But the truth is, the manuscript is now sitting in a drawer, waiting for me to decide what to do with it next. Should I send it to agents? Should I get a professional editor? Should I self publish?
Which is why when my friend asked me if I wanted to go along to a writing masterclass with her I knew it was just what I needed to prompt me to take the next step...
Read MoreI am working on lots of new designs for my shop so I'm having a Spring clear out to make way for new stock. You can get 50% off absolutely everything until Thursday 18 May!...
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