I am so proud of the things my children have been making lately that I couldn't help sharing them. Joseph made this and gave it to me on Mother's Day, a dear cat who has a bed, a pillow and a green teddy of course!

The little chicken belongs to Sam, he has been inspired by 'Peggy' which he spells Peegy! That is me painting Peggy apparantly. Not sure about Peggy's bottom!

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I share a studio with talented, creative souls and among them is photographer Nick Rieve who along with James is part of an an exciting business creating film and music for all sorts of events. Nick is heading off to New York for a film adventure but kindly found time before he leaves to create a little video for me. I was nervous about the camera rolling, unlike 'Sunshine' my labrador who delighted in the attention. The whole thing was very exciting though and hopefully introduces you to my studio and my wooly friends. The gorgeous music is by the wondeful Oscar + Martin. It is worth finding their tunes!

A big thank you to Peter Green who provided the Super 8 footage of me when I was a little tacker and pretending to be a cat! And to view on Vimeo the link is here.

For a while now I have been wanting to mention the wonderful work being done by our own Australian Children's Laureates. The inaugural Children’s Laureate role for 2012 to 2013 is shared by two eminent and much-loved children’s authors, Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor. Both Alison and Boori have been working hard promoting the value, importance and transformational nature of reading to children and families around Australia. Some of their adventures have been documented here and here. We are lucky to have such passionate people encouraging literature and picture books here in Australia. Much of this passion comes from Ann James and Ann Haddon at Book Illustrated, who I believe have been a key part of getting the Laureate program swinging into action!

Recently I received the lovliest email, all the way from Colorado. 'Mrs Cat' (who's name sounds like a story book character!) reads children stories at a local library in Denver. Apparantly Mrs Cat is very fond of the Ollie books and has collected a set of Ollie books(US) to give her first grandchild. A dear friend of hers has organised a toy maker to make a gorgeous sock Ollie to give to her for her grandchild!

Almost two years ago I worked hard to create a toy prototype of Ollie (toy below), and working with Scholastic we created a toy based on my handmade toys, after many variations and tweaks I felt we had the perfect toy. . .but since then due to the economic climate and other reasons that are beyond me, the Ollie toy prototype sits quietly by itself unproduced. . .it makes it even more special when I receive a note about a handmade Ollie toy for Mrs Cat's grandchild bringing Ollie to life!

This is a peek at the works I have been creating for my children's school art show. It is on next weekend beginning on the 4th May.

I have to hand in my creations today. I finished them this afternoon, just in time!

One of my favourites is the picture below. . .I am hoping it does not sell, so I can keep it for myself.  :)

After three years, my story about 'Peggy' the small brave chicken who is blown into the city, is on her way to be printed. Due for release in September 2012 - so long to wait that long to hold the book in my hand! In the meantime I couldn't help myself and have printed some postcards to hand out at whim! So here is a detail of one a spread from the book.

I thought it would be also be fun to show some of the process that brought Peggy's story to life.

It all began on a windy day in Melbourne when I was worried our little bantam hens would blow over the fence!  ............hmmmmm that sounds like a story!

I asked my children, what would a chicken be doing when she is playing in her yard.

'Bouncing on a trampoline' said Sam without hesitation, and so she did.

I worked on a storyboard.

And collected pictures that 'felt' like the book looked in my mind.

I began to paint, sculpt, sew, knit and draw.

I took photos in the city, some very early in the morning - a new way of creating images for me was emerging, very exciting!

Up until this point I have been playing with colour. It is time to begin the final illustrations

Just a peep. . .we have to wait until September to see the final artwork all together in the book!

And lastly the cover and typography, which deserves another post alone devoted to it at a later date.

The images above look simple gathered together but have been distilled from moments of anxiety, happiness, self doubt and joy over three years.

It is Peggy's story.

I feel like I have been away for a while. . absent from my life. We have finally moved into our house properly and all is well with the world. I have never been so happy to unpack boxes! On the way to the studio today I also picked up two new stamps, so I can stamp my address on things along with a little picture. Stamping a package is a bit like ticking something off a 'to do' list. It is very satisfying. Now it is time to start preparing for the exhibitions I have coming up. More on that soon!

I took some pics of the studio today for another blog. When they are up I will post the link.

One more day until we move back into our home and two more days until I can play in the studio again (school hols are almost over). I do love having adventures with the children - visiting the museum, watching seahorses in Marine discovery centres, going to the movies and letting the kids stay up late. . . but. . . .I also love going to the studio, painting, pottering around in my own space. I miss it when it is not there.

I have some show and tell too, that I can show next week! It is more exciting than my new studio giraffe which now lives on my window sill.

I have a cold which is a bit miserable. Trying to ignore it, and browse through quirky japanese books to cheer myself up, but some colds have a way of making themselves noticed. We are having the floors sanded at home and hopefully we can move back in this coming weekend. I can't wait to finally unpack properly. We have been living out of boxes for a month or so now, and there are some things I can't find such as my tap shoes! I know they are in a box somewhere. . .

On a happier note I am traipsing down to Queenscliff on Thursday to read some stories, show some of the process of creating a book and make some lovely book marks with the children. If you are near by I would love to see you there!

Happy Easter!

I am slowly winding down after the frantic last few weeks. 'Peggy' my latest book has finally flown off to be printed after a few last hiccups and our internet at home is almost sorted. It is lovely to have a few days break from the whirlwind life has been. I traipsed around some shops recently and found this dear hankie here and couldn't resist it. Hope you have a hoppy day tomorrow. I am looking forward to hot cross buns and an egg hunt!

Now that I am finally settled in my studio in The Basement and my latest book is ALMOST ready for sending off to print, I have been exploring some new paths. In between lightning strikes and moving home I have been tentatively stepping into the world of facebook, pinterest, and even twitter and thought it would be lovely to have a small logo for them all. Apart from being puzzled at times with how this new media works, playing with them has made me smile!

I should say too, the workshop at the Children's Festival on Sunday at the State Library was sooooo much fun. It was a delight to meet so many passionate small and big readers of children's books! The children created some wonderful imaginative artworks. I was so immersed in the event that I was only able to take one quick photo which you can see here! Thank you to all that participated for making the day such a lovely one.

I was also inspired by the talk by Leigh Hobbs who was funny and had the children enthralled with drawing Old Tom and friends. I am looking forward to the festival next year already to try the new ideas!

Come and make an imaginary creature with me, on Sunday 24th March at 11am or 1pm in the forecourt of the State Library in Melbourne, would love to see you there!

Goodness what a week it has been. Lightening struck outside our studio last Thursday night and fried the modem, sooooo now have no internet at studio and no internet at home (due to moving and dealing with a telephone company who shall remain nameless because I feel so cross at the mention of their name). Trying to finish books amongst this chaos has been challenging to say the least, but am making some progress.

On a happier note this coming weekend I am running a workshop at the State Library Book Festival at 11am and then 1pm. I can't wait and have been busy finding things for our workshope of creating imaginary creatures! Would love to see you there.