Picture books, paper goods & pretty things.
I 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!...
Read MoreI read a wonderful article on The Pool website today, written by Sali Hughes, about how stationery gives us comfort by bringing order to chaos. Like so many others, I have a life long love of stationery and really agree with this sentiment...
Read MoreI've had a lyric going around my head for the past couple of weeks and today I finally put pen to paper...
Read MoreLike many creatives I live a double life. This past couple of months I have been working on a big event in New York which was an amazing opportunity but means I haven't had any time at all to draw. This week I find myself back at my desk, pencil in hand and back to creating
Read MoreThis week I entered the fabulous Ohh Deer Go Card Or Go Home competition. First prize, worldwide fame and fortune!
Read MoreIt was International Women's Day today and all of the illustrators I follow on Twitter and Instagram have been posting brilliant drawings of powerful women.
Read MoreI've not had much time to draw this week but I've been looking through my picture book progress to keep on track. It's the first time I've worked on an illustration project of this size and it's a brilliant learning curve. One of the most interesting things I'm finding is...
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