I am supposed to be drawing at the moment but I came accross this image and couldn't help smiling. I had to show you too! I was hopping around here and then clicked here and discovered how to brighten up street furniture! I wonder if this might inspire a new sewing project. Have a happy weekend.

Yesterday I opened a package with great trepidation, knowing 'Peggy' the printed book was inside. Peeping carefully under the tissue paper I checked the colours of the cover, taking my time before I gently opened the book. After scouring each page like a hawk, I smiled. I am delighted with it. There is still the wait until September to see 'Peggy' in book shops but I feel very relieved to know that the risks I took with collage and colours were worth it! I know it seems like ages away but we are planning an event at 'The Little Bookroom' (North Carlton) on Saturday 1st September. More details closer to the date! Very exciting!

'Cheerio' is the latest studio favourite for a coffee. It is worth popping in - even if to get the cute sticker that they stick on your sandwich wrapper!

With three days now until the school holidays I am busy trying to finish some roughs, prepare some activity sheets for my new books, create some new prints and think of a new sewing project for the holidays!

Over a year ago I created some illustrations for 'Heinz' and recently I was walking past the 'baby food' section at the supermarket and did a double take as I saw something familiar. The colours of the packaging and the illustration have changed since I last saw them. . .I was surprised as the colours are quite different to the colours we initially discussed. I think it must be tricky though to please marketing and all the focus groups! I thought book covers come under a lot of scrutiny, it is nothing compared to food packaging!

Below was another packaging illustration which I meant to photograph last year but with all the excitement of moving studio and then moving house it has had to wait until now. I know it is an odd combination of showing baby food and wine in the same post but the shelf is the common link!

I had a wonderful day today. I spent the day with three different classes of girls ranging from prep - grade 2 and then a small special group made up of Grade 5- Year 7 girls. They all listened so intently, happpily shared their thoughts,  drew fabulous pictures and launched into painting with enthusiasm. I am always fascinated with the diversity in images created using the same limited colour pallete and the same subject.

I must say I feel very proud of myself too, for overcoming a personal fear of public speaking which even included classes of young children! I was asked to participate in these workshops a while ago and I thought, I must be brave because the workshop sounds really fun! I have spent weeks preparing, practising talking in front of the mirror, talking in the car, standing up drawing in the studio and making sure I had lots of show and tell. I am soooo pleased with how it all went. Just the thought of it makes me smile. I have two more workshops tomorrow and I can't wait! :)