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!

Here is a sneak preview of 'Peggy' and her cover, (out in September). It's getting closer!

Published by Scholastic Australia.

Sam and Joseph painted goal posts on the fence this afternoon and our chook was intrigued by the backyard expedition! And the internet went down again at home and now it has just come back, - weird! Speaking of coming and going I am wondering if the pesky rats are back, there have been rustlings . .. I drew a line in the dirt for those naughty rats last week and it appears they have crossed it big time if they are the cause of the phone line going dead! I am now making diabolical plans which I hope will make them wave a white flag of surrender. . .

In other happier news the lovely Jodi Wiley kindly interviewed me on her Art by Wiley blog, which will be up tomorrow. The only furry creatures there are the friendly picture book variety! The photograph of me was taken by Olga Bennett, have a look at her beautiful work here.

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 have just finished packaging the illustrations for my latest picture book, 'Peggy'. I have also finished sewing the star of the story! If I prepare the book in time Peggy will be in bookshops in September, fingers crossed. I posted this pic on twitter today, am gradually getting the hang of twitter, I am enjoying chirping now and then.