The Elves in October

At last, The Elves and the Shoemaker are complete and should launch by the end of next week. Next project already in discussion but all under wraps for now.. it's a secret!

I now think I need to get my own iPad so that I can enjoy sharing my stories with the family. The Storymouse is going from strength to strength and at last I'm beginning to look at wider horizons. I'm even working up some sketches for my own two stories, hopefully to complete for submissions by easter 2012.

Here's a sneeky peek from The Elves and the Shoemaker......

Back to school

Awww, first day of school and my little girl is growing up.
She was so pretty and excited walking through the gates this morning, it's quite emotional to think this is it for at least the next 11 years and my, how thing will change over time.

Well it will give me a little more freedom to focus on my illustrations and get some deadlines moving along. The Storymouse iPad books are downloading well and they have managed to secure a contract with Kindle so my images can now be seen even easier.

I'm going to spend the next 2 weeks finishing off my next story for The Storymouse and then see where we go from there.

Summer Prep

It's only two days until the schools break up and I'm now madly preparing for summer workshops, whilst trying to fit in a full house redecoration ready for sale. I shall be so happy when the photographer comes and I can do no more!
So to the summer season... I'm helping to run some summer sessions at The Settlement in Maryport including our fantastic worshops at Solfest over the August Bank Holiday. Keep an eye out for the line up.
but before all that I shall be returning to Warwick Folk Festival again this year over the weekend of July 29th to 31st. So if you are in the area and fancy making a dream catcher or your own little bound book then pop along and see us there.

Starting the holidays

For some reason I feel busier now than through term time. It must be all of that paperwork I sit to one side for a quiet time! It was at least fun to start the easter crafting with my group today. We had loads of fun making origami chicks and Bunnies. We even managed to make some tiny ones to stick to cards, although this took rather a lot of practice.



2 young animals in their handmade masks



Well Goldilocks is now live and I'm starting to draw up initial sketches for the next story.... will keep you posted but not going to let you know the title just yet.



I'm now starting to plan for the summer workshops I'll be delivering at various festivals in 2011. Just confirmed Warwick Folk Festival where I'll be running sessions on making dream catchers, paper mosaic masks and hats and on the Sunday Binding Your own mini book. I'm looking forward to it already as last year was so much fun. Here are a couple of pictures from the fun and frolics...





 

My super assistant Karen



Having a happy morning at home with the family. Freshly baked cookies and a quick chance to catch up with my internet time.
I've just been able to check out how my illustrations are looking on The Story Mouse websitehttp://www.thestorymouse.com/ and they sit really well with their applications.

Here's a private peek at a couple of my favourite images from my latest story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears...

for a look at the other 20 images for this story plus my illustrations for The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip and Jack and the Beanstalk, visit http://www.thestorymouse.com/storymouse/welcome.html

New Spring start

So as the snowdrops are beginning to wake and the air is getting fresher I've decided to start getting my act together to share my crafts, illustrations and skills. So let the spring clean commence with a few pics of jewellery and brooches still in the storebox..