January 26th, 2016
Thortful cards
before i start my proper work of illustrating a book, i have been having a lot of fun designing cards for new shiny online card company thortful.
you can buy them online and they send them either with your message in and post it to your desired recipient… or send it to you to scribble in.
you can see some of my designs below.
they have done a little interview with me which you can read here
hope you like
x
November 19th, 2015
“Love, Growth and Dream Child” original illustration series
I have created a set of 6 original illustrations which are being auctioned online here.
100% of the earnings will go to war child charity and the much needed valuable work that they do in these very troubled times.
If people like my work please please bid and buy one… get something nice and do something good.
I wanted to do this, as like most of us i felt useless and overwhelmed by all of the worlds news, especially the current desperate plight of the Syrian refugees and all of the families and children caught up in war and conflict that is nothing to do with them.
I know this is a small gesture. But doing something is surely better than doing nothing.
I am generally quite useless, but i can draw and make things.
So that is what i have done.
I wanted to make something positive, something happy, something hopeful, about children, about children being allowed to be children.
The set of illustrations are called “Love, Dream and Grow Child”. As every child deserves and should have the opportunity to do just that
All the stuff growing out of the children’s heads represents these important and very human things…. the hearts to love, the stars to dream… and the flowers to grow and learn. All these are important qualities to cherish before a child grows up and goes out in to the big wide world to make their way as compassionate, open and loving human beings.
x
ps as a rule i feel intrinsically awkward and at odds with pushing my work and doing social media self promotion. I don’t feel comfortable with it and it feels all icky and show offy…. so i hope that people realise why i am doing this and don’t get irritated with all the tweets etc that i will do to promote this cause. I am hoping to get over my awkwardness and raise some money to do some good to help some children. Children who don’t have the carefree happy childhood that i was lucky enough to have.
November 27th, 2014
Why i made an Advent Sticker Calendar…
I was umming and ah-ing about making a wonkybutton advent calendar this year- and then I decided just to go for it. This decision was made for a few good reasons which I will share with you now.
I began noticing chocolate advent calendars creep into the shops well over a month ago. As well as it being obviously far too early to even contemplate Christmas at the time- the familiar feelings (that I have every year) about how commercial it all seems really started to make me feel down.
You will know the advent calendars I am talking about…. big brands like Peppa Pig, Thomas and Hello Kitty (other commercial advent calendars are also available!) with their cheap horrible plastic chocolate offerings inside. The outside is no better… a generic badly illustrated snowy scene that bears absolutely no resemblance to Christmas apart from the stereotypical Christmas weather (that we don’t really get until late January anyway!)
The thing is, I am not really religious (well, I was raised as a roman catholic- but that is a whole different blog post)- but that doesn’t stop me appreciating the real story and meaning of Christmas. Any story that is one of hope, peace, giving and love surely has to be a good one to share with our children. I think that it is not only possible as an atheist, but also vital, for us to celebrate the Christmas story to try and keep some sort of balance and perspective to what would otherwise be just a hideously indulgent and materialistic overload.
Our children will get enough presents and treats over this festive period- they don’t need to have extra chocolates every day leading up to Christmas day. As if they do- surely that will just mean you have to up the anti as all expectations (and sugar levels) are higher. I think that having an advent calendar that supplies a little present (chocolate or otherwise) and insists that you gradually destroy it until it is no more that a husk like piece of rubbish on Christmas day, is not ultimately a good message. Why not instead, have one that gives you the simple pleasure of adding something each day to make it turn into something whole. By watching your advent calendar grow and evolve until complete on Christmas day, is actually quite magical and satisfying. Teaching our children that by looking forward to something like Christmas day (by making the emphasis being on the countdown rather than the sugary treat) can make it even more special and exciting.
One thing I have noticed about being a mother, is that stickers are like catnip for children. It is such a simple thing, but they all go crazy for a sticker. I know it isn’t a new thing to make a sticker advent calendar, but being an illustrator/maker person, I wanted one for my children that ticked all the boxes (in no particular order!)…. nicely designed, with stickers, Nativity scene. I couldn’t seem to find one anywhere that had these things, so I decided to make one myself.
As it is a small artisan print run which is relatively expensive to produce, I realise that my calendar is perhaps pricier than the cheap supermarket ones. But I really hope that people appreciate the sentiment that my wonkybutton calendar represents.
So, about the calendar… basically the background (printed on A4 280gsm recycled craft card) is quite bare- just a shed-like building, ground, and starry sky. There is also an A4 sheet of 25 stickers (one for each day of December until Christmas day) and a simple instruction postcard which illustrates a suggested order to put the stickers on. I made the order “suggested” as of course it is the child’s prerogative to add them in any order. The same applies for the placement of the stickers. I always think it is good to have loose rules/instructions, but equally important is to leave a bit of room for individual creativity. So by the time Christmas day arrives, the scene will have magically grown to be brimming with of stars, hearts, people and sheep. Who could ask for more!
My little girl helped me assemble one for promotional photos and is itching to get started on her “real one” in December. The only thing is, I must remember to tell Granny not to undo all my good work by just going out and buy her a rubbish chocolate advent calendar!
My favourite sticker has to be the angel. I know “technically” the angel is male- but the truth is, I wasn’t going to do the angel at all. But then, my little girl said I absolutely should (any human-like thing that has wings is just amazing according to her). So actually, the angel is my daughter.
*I wrote the above post for the wonderful Little Lewes blog. As you can see, my above post is long and burbly, so was made more palettable on the little lewes blog (which you can read HERE if you like!)
November 6th, 2014
knackered mummy necklaces
November 6th, 2014
sticker nativity advent calendar
ding dong the wonkybutton sticker nativity advent calendar is here & available to buy!
http://www.wonkybutton.com/christmas/
watch this little movie of the calendar
October 14th, 2014
The big monster snorey book proofs
June 10th, 2014
viva lewes magazine
i was asked by the lovely viva lewes people if i would like to do the front cover of the June edition of the “what’s on in lewes” (ie EVERYTHING!) magazine.
of course i said yes.
and here is the finished thing that popped through my letter box the other week.
thought i would share my working process for it.
i created a colour palette that i thought would work well
i did a rough sketch
i made clunky cut out collage flowers and fauna
i scanned them in and made them nice and shiny
then i put it all together and did the typography
am so thrilled how the colours came out.
looks really summery i think!
and i even got a little blurby write up inside…
i will be selling lovely signed a4 giclee prints of the cover (on somerset 330gms photorag paper) for £15 so let me know interested
April 24th, 2014
“are you sitting comfortably?” collectors postcards now on sale!
woohoo! my #areyousittingcomfortably
postcard packs now available in my online shop.
£9 (pack of 20)
here are close ups of the 20 different designs
limited edition giclee prints to follow soon!
April 3rd, 2014
“Are you sitting comfortably?” illustration series
while i have been waiting for publisher feedback on the book i am working on, i prefer not to twiddle my thumbs so have been enjoying making this series of simple papercut and ink drawings.
the idea was tiny children engrossed in reading great books while sitting on huge comfortable patterned chairs. i plan to frame the origionals and sell them at the brighton open house in may 2014
i am also going to have limited edition a4 gilcee prints of them and collector postcard packs of them.
people have been very nice about them, so am thinking i will also sell them online in my shop…..
so watch this space! here are some quicky photos of the illustrations…
i couldn’t resist this one he he!
April 3rd, 2014
design for a new baby quilt
it has become a bit of a tradition in my family… that when there is a new baby about to be born in the family, i design a quilt, and my clever mum makes it.
so here is my design for my little brother and lovely sister in laws new baby to be
they love birds, so i hope they like this design
shhhh… it is a secret!
March 13th, 2014
Facebox family
i made this facebox family to sell as part of the brighton open house in may 2014
i cut circles out of fabic and painted on faces, adding needle felted hair
they looked a bit weird and platey when i placed them in the frames…
so i shaped them more to give more definition.
i sewed them
and stuffed them
and placed them in there boxes to see how they were looking.
i glued on nice papers to the insides of the frames.
and placed them in to look at.
the faces were then sewn onto the back red felt fabric,
just a few details left to add now (necklaces and collars)
and there they are…. Faceboxes
i think they look quite fun!
March 13th, 2014
Reupholstering old chair
i have been reupholstering an old chair we had.
inspired by a lovely heavy orange felt blanket i bought from a charity shop.
i have a very make-it-up-as-you-go-along approach to craft and just jump in without really worrying about it.
everything is a kind of experinent.
that is all part of the fun.
i sewed on a piece for the back (using a needle i had bent to make it easier)
i sewed on the base and used a different fabric for the arm (just to make it feel more contemporary and interesting)
then added the front arm piece.
oops. shouldnt have sewn on the back piece first!
so undid it and sewed through the dimples. (again, using the second fabric to add interest).
this was the most satisfying bit…. adding the buttons!
after the chair was covered- i added some bobbly trim which makes it look really smart.
before…. no one wanted to sit in this chair and it looked really sad.
now it is like a people magnet…. especially little people, as it is bright and fun and just the right height.
easy peesy!
March 5th, 2014
Wooden spoon dollies
i have been making some spoon dollies
i painted the faces
drew features with ink
(awake eyes on the front and sleeping eyes on the back)
glues pom pom hair bobbles
needle felted the dresses
i couldnt resist trying on their dresses before they were finished
(i am very impatient)
i made some arms out of pipe cleaners covered with fabric and needle felted hands
i made sewed on bodies and the arms
and made netted petticoats
i glued ribbons around their waists.
here they are finished from the front…
…and the back
yey!
think i am going to sell them at the brighton open house i am doing with a gaggle of amazing birds at the birdhouse
(but more about that later!)
February 19th, 2014
Potato printing monster textures
January 29th, 2014
Mix up book 4 proofs
January 22nd, 2014
Stars on Canvas 2014
once again i have made a canvas for the stars on canvas event
this is for the willow foundation (which is only UK charity supporting seriously ill seriously ill 16-40 year olds by providing Special Days. Each unique experience is a positive focus away from treatment or marks recovery from illness.)
there will be lots of amazing canvas’s made by an array of amazing people (ranging from clebs, to sports people, to lowly little illustrators like moi)
i think the online charity auction will be in autumn…. so for once i am really organised!
i needle felted a bird on my canvas (that i covered in black felt)
stuck some collage spindley legs on it
stitched some wing and tail detail on….
added a collage beak…
and sequins…
and some cut out letters…
i let it all dry and watched the rain out of the shed window…
then i put it in the box and sent it back to the willow foundation charity
January 22nd, 2014
BAA! artwork
i have made one of the awards for this years BAAs! (British Animation Awards)
i love the idea that the award winners are given a framed piece of artwork for their trophey.
the rule is you always have to include a sheep in some way
so i did little bo peep
i painted on some muslin….
then cut her out…
then sewed her up and stuffed her and added some detail…
then stitched on some long eyelashes (that i wish i had)…
i made some needle felted sheep for her felt skirt and added lace trim…
her she is as a doll…
i made a red painty collage background to stick her on…
and voila!
i wonder who will win her…
i hope they like her…
i hope it is someone i know…
that would be good,
December 11th, 2013
Mix ups go global!
thanks to nosy crow for doing such a great job in getting these lovely doodle titles out in the big wide world!
December 11th, 2013
Wonkybutton christmas jars and trinkets again!
the new batch!
i made them as hanging christmas decorations also. above is a photo of the tree decoration. (the deer one sold out at the lovely samantha stas pop up christmas shop on sunday)
here are the new christmas jars….. the deer is in red…
and the tree is in green.
the jars are slightly different also, but i really like the straight simplicity of the shape actually.
i also have more of them as cake toppers/table decorations which are the same as before.
December 11th, 2013
Roald dahl funny prize 2013
yesterday was a fun day out.
we went to booktrusts Roald Dahl funny prize awards in the magical Cambridge theatre (on matildas day off!)
was lovely sitting at the front. (we could never afford those seats if it was the real actual show)
mr superstar michael rosen did the speaky bits.
i love him, i found myself staring at him and smiling… i could watch him all day.
he just exudes warmth and fun like it is going out of fashion (which it is not by the way)
big fat hairy unforch, my book troll swap book didnt win. ah well
congratulations to simon rickerty with his book “monkey nut” which scooped the prize
also to jim smith in the 7-14 catagory for his book “i am still not a loser” (which as it turns out was very apt as he wasn’t a loser)
read more about it all on booktrusts webbysite
here is me getting a sit down (which i like to do when ever possible as i am really old)
was a fab day…. got to hang out with my uberdoober publisher Nosy Crow
and meet the wondrous sarah mcintyre (complete with teetery blue wig)
lovely too to meet fellow authors and illopeeps elys dolen , amy sparkes, sara ogilvie (whose illustrations i adore so very exciting), philip reeve , philip ardagh (plus his famous beard) and axel scheffler
what a day!
shame i was so blurry and zombified from not sleeping yet again due to little puky hot baby wriggling like an octopus in the night.
thanks booktrust for letting me be part of it all
x
December 4th, 2013
Wonkybutton Christmas Jars and Trinkets
i completely sold out of my deer/tree christmas jars and little trinkets so have got more on there way this week.
the trinkets were all supposed to be made into snow globes… but they looked so sweet and pretty i left some as they were and they were shnaffled up pronto. they can be used as funky christmas cake toppers or table decorations.
the christmas jars were intended to be snow globes. but i got scared of the responsibity of it all… what if the liquid leaked… what if the glue wasn’t water proof…. what if the distilled water and glycerin mix went all algaefied. i just couldn’t live with myself! so these christmas jars were the answer. they look lovely anf festive with the glittery paper backdrop and would look magical on any mantelpiece.
i am also making them up as hanging tree decoations. so watch this space!
December 4th, 2013
Lewes Artist and Makers Christmas Fair
we had a lovely time on saturday at the Lewes Artist and Makers fair.
SO many amazing people and creative talents. very inspirational.
check out
@magnifistanley @Tree_Moose @colourpositive @SamanthaStas
the wonderful Samantha Stas is doing a quirky little pop up christmas shop this sunday at her house with other designers/makers (me included) is going to be fun.. details to follow
November 29th, 2013
owl and pussycat limited edition layered perpex picture
buy a limited (1/20) layered perspex owl and pussycat framed picture tomorrow @ArtMakeLewes a snip at £45 oooh yeah
November 29th, 2013
Little wonkybutton christmas treats!
November 28th, 2013
Small wood engraving laser cuts with printed acrylic
November 27th, 2013
wonkybutton christmas angel brooches
these are some of my wonkybutton christmas angels that i have made as cute little brooches.
they are slightly smaller than the hanging decoration angels and have felt wings and backs.
i will be selling them at the christmas markets…. first one on saturday (see previous post!)
fa la la la la
(it is NEARLY december… so is it allowed to start to get christmassy… puuuurleeesse?)
November 27th, 2013
Lewes artists and makers christmas fair
i will be at the magical Lewes artists and makers christmas fair this saturday (30th november) with my wonkybutton stall
do pop in and say hi
there will be loads of amazing locals artists and makers selling special treats and gifts for you and your loved ones
October 31st, 2013
sausage doggy
we have a draughty under door and winter is creeping in… so i made this sausage doggy to exclude giraffes
here is his head…
here is his bum…
it was hard to get him all in the photo
(note the wooden cat looking at him suspiciously through the window)
he has a big packet of rice in him to make him nice heavy.
my daughter tries to ride him like a race horse
very funny
October 24th, 2013
Roald dahl funny prize 2013
oooh wow, so fab to be nominated for the roald dahl funny prize again… good old Troll Swap, you have done me proud
in very scarily good company unfortunately!
here is a blog post my fab publishers nosy crow have written (they have an amazing 3 books in the shortlist!)
you know it's going to be a remarkable day when Roald dahl follows you on twitter for a couple of reasons
1 he is my hero
2 he is dead
October 14th, 2013
wonkybutton snippysew christmas angels
here are some samples of my snippysew christmas angels that i will be selling.
they are £10 for a pack of 3 angels (love, peace and hope)
you can order them in raspberry or in teal.
they come with an instruction postcard and white ribbon and crochet trim.
they will look sweetly magical dangling on any tree or mantalpiece.
September 23rd, 2013
Hurrah for lewes brooches and keyrings
have made some perspex brooches and keyrings for lewes tourist information centre
and here they are….
i like the white speech bubbles best i think.
September 8th, 2013
wonkybutton last weekend of artwave
new bear new bear! ukelele bear was sold in the first week, so here is piano bear.
i think they are in a bear band
one last day of 2013 artwave
have more yummy cakes, including my personal favourite, date and walnut cake nom nom
eebee made some decorative paper collage cakes behind (which are not for sale!)
nearly 11am… nearly time to open doors
August 25th, 2013
bag of books summer party!
So this morning (after being up since 5am and up 5 times with baby boy in the night… yawn!) i did my troll swap event at the lovely buttercup cafe in lewes for the bag of books summer party.
it was lots of fun, and very messy!
here are the cupcake trays filled with buttons, sequins, pompoms and little felt teeth!
this was my favourite…. simple but really stylish i think.
i would buy this one.
fact.
a nice cheesy grin for the camera mister troll!
i just love the expression on this little troll here
this disco troll was particularly glitzy i must say
i love the little pointy teeth!
am hoping that all the children treated their grown ups to a fun troll puppet show later in the day
bag of books set up a book tent in the courtyard and made a fine display of my books.
i wish we could have hung around for the rest of the day as there were oodles of fun and exciting things to do there (my little girl cried when we left to go home to our artwave shop boo hoo)
am so pleased that the grizzly weather cleared up and we got some sunshine… hoorah
if you want to have a look at other things that went on in the day have a look at the rather fab little lewes blog.
ooh, and here is my lame big drawing of timothy limpet.
i find it always a bit odd drawing so big and standing to the side so that little people can watch.
that is my excuse for timothy having a bit of a squishy head.
and another tip, never draw lots of individual hairs… it takes ages and people get bored!
but a lovely morning.
thanks all for coming and making such wonderful trolls
and thanks for bag of books for inviting me to be part of their summer party.
August 24th, 2013
Wonkybutton pop up shop open for business!
bah, oh drats, it is raining, and the path has flooded…. let us hope it doesn't stop people stopping by…
…for marshmallow rocky road, oat and raisin chocolate cookies, banana bread or lemon loaf…
here we are, the worker bees
snippysews smiling and waiting for their new homes
unframed prints, silver jewellery and badges, there has to be badges
shelves all dressed and neat and tidy
books waiting to be signed and read
silly old rain rain go away, come back another day.
now to sit down and listen to the singing detective sound track and try and resist eating all the cake!
August 22nd, 2013
wonkybutton pop up shop… nearly there!
August 22nd, 2013
laser cut window pictures
August 22nd, 2013
wonkybutton pop up shop – jewellery
i am so thrilled and proud that my everso clever mum is exhibiting and selling her wonderful jewellery at my artwave pop up wonkybutton shop!
i just love these lamp glass chunky beads she makes
and she has made oodles of bright glass letters to for bespoke name mobiles
August 20th, 2013
Hairy Troll glove puppets
here are the blank glove puppets i have made in preperation for a couple of lovely book events…
including lewes bag of books summer party this saturday.
i will be at the buttercup cafe at 10.30 reading troll swap and helping children create their own hairy troll glove puppets
i will have pom poms, sequins and glue at the ready!
(yes yes i know, i am doing artwave that day also…. so the fact is i am a bit scatty at the moment and got all the dates jumbled in my head…. but will be racing back home after the event where my husband will be manning the fort)
my daughter and i tested them out to see if they would work….
… and dah dah… here are the results!
August 20th, 2013
origional collage children
a couple of framed pictures to be sold at artwave
i wanted to do a series of annoying childrens phrases…. but have only gotten around to these two.
more to follow hopefully!
August 20th, 2013
wonkybutton shop bits…
cat lamp is models own!
tea towels (which look lovely framed too)
tote bags
cloud mobiles (all strung and packaged and ready to go)
August 20th, 2013
wonkybutton sign
August 17th, 2013
starting to get my wonkybutton artwave shop ready…. gulp!
my husband laughs at me and thinks i am just playing shops like a little girl… i suppose i am.
and cafes…. hee hee!
August 8th, 2013
melancholy monster
another origional pen and ink drawing for artwave
i think maybe that the little bird is in love with the big monster.
this framed illustration is A4 and will be on sale in my wonkybutton exhibition in a couple of weeks.
August 2nd, 2013
framed origional pen and ink drawing for artwave
August 1st, 2013
sunday times review of troll swap
yes i know, this was a month or so ago, but give me a break! i have been busy ok and only just got around to blogging it.
lovely review though, and lovely company to be in also.
wish i had time to make a new book…. sigh…. sooon hoon…..
August 1st, 2013
framed A4 pen and ink origional drawings to be sold at artwave!
July 30th, 2013
artwave postcards
here is a little wave of artwave promotional postcards that i will be distributing in local lovely places (is coffee shops!)
so of course while i am there i will have to drink coffee and eat cake. it would be rude not to.
July 30th, 2013
laser cut framed pictures
this big bird is me…. and i am speaking to my two little baby birds saying “one day you will be bigger than me”
July 30th, 2013
picture framing…. part2
these are a3 giclee digital prints of some bespoke picture book compositions that i will also be selling and exhibiting at this years lewes artwave festival.
July 30th, 2013
picture framing…. part1
so while the baby sleeps i am frantically framing picture for 2013 lewes artwave
these are a4 gilcee digital prints of my bunnyrella series.
hopefully people wont mind the fact i have framed them myself- as it will make them much more affordable.
prints will also be available unframed.
July 22nd, 2013
le troll swap
July 22nd, 2013
handmade bear cards
some handmade cards i will be selling at this years artwave in lewes
these bears have nice sparkly tummies, what is there not to love?!
July 22nd, 2013
more brooches!
gearing up for my wonkybutton open house at the end of august as part of Lewes’ Artwave season
here are more brooches i will be selling (for £6.50)
i do hope people will come. am quite nervous and wonder if anyone will actually come.. what was i thinking?!
there will be nice cakes and bunting and lovely old music playing on the record player.
so if you live nearby or fancy a weekend jaunt to the beautiful town of lewes, please come and visit!
i guess if nobody comes, i can al\ways eat all the cake myself while i am waltzing about like a loon in my front room.
May 31st, 2013
collagey textures
today i have mostly been making nice collagey textures.
i love this bit
so messy
so fun
so immediate!
not saying what it is for though…. ooooh….. the suspense…..
May 31st, 2013
wonkybutton christmas angels
no i am not completely bonkers- i do know it is nearly june!
i’ve had these since before christmas but didn’t have time to make one.
at last i have had time to rustle one up.
this snippysew kit will have 3 in a set (pink, blue and orange) and are about 10cm high and to hang on your tree
(i didn’t have a christmas tree handy this time of year funnily enough)
May 30th, 2013
perspex cloud mobile
here is a sample of my lovely puddle machine (aka cloud) mobile that i might sell at my open house in august. i just need to rebalance the raindrops as they are not pleasing me in this configuration. other than that…. i like it.
May 23rd, 2013
new brooch samples…
a bird, a girl, a peacock and a lion walk into a pub…
… i mean, no, they don’t walk into a pub, they are just new brooch samples.
have been tweaked a little since this stage but thought i would share- cos i am just that kind a gal x
May 23rd, 2013
brooches a go go!
May 1st, 2013
wonkybutton broaches
wooohoooo!
i cannot tell you how excited i am about these!
in fact…. i am going to do a whole line of exclamation marks to celebrate
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 30th, 2013
bookbag review of troll swap
really pleased that wonderful Boogbag could see beyond the cheeky veneer and got the essence of my latest book “troll swap”.
have a read of it here
thanks bookbag, was a really considered and thoughtful response to the meaning of the story.
has made my day!
x
April 30th, 2013
hand illustrated baby cards
yes yes i know, i have made OOOOODLES of baby cards the last couple of years (having babies must be in fashion or something?)
as you might know,i am doing the lewes artwave open studios this year, and i am making hand made illustrated cards to sell. they do look cute….
April 26th, 2013
broach designs for wonkybutton
April 16th, 2013
my new picture book TROLLSWAP was out a week(ish) ago
hope you like the book!
x
April 16th, 2013
dolleebees and mister dolleebees all packages up!
April 16th, 2013
bunnies for charity
anyway, this happens to be for a very good cause for lovely and amazing emi howe who is raising money for kids cancer charities with her bonkers “The Pants Hat Project” (have a look at her blog HERE!)
i did these illustrations for her to auction at a fund raising event for charity.
so i hope they help raise a bit of money (fingers crossed)
i smudged a bit on the paper at the last minute…. so as this was REAL LIFE artworjk and i couldnt cheat on the poota, i made the smudge into a feature and added some flutterbys
look, bunnies in pants! (apart from one naughty bunny hee hee!)
April 16th, 2013
felted bunny picture for baby jodi
and i put it in a frame….
hope she likes it!
March 7th, 2013
brazilian goldilocks
what a way for me to celebrate world book day… to be casting my peepers on the fabulous brazilian edition of goldilocks and just the one bear whoop whoop
February 19th, 2013
magical mix ups #3 "pets and parties"
it is sapphires birthday and all she really wants is a pet of her own (not a toad like boris though, maybe a nice sweet fluffy one with less warts).
their adventure in this book takes them to see amazing agathas animals at the theatre.
with acrobatic guinnea pigs, a magic rabbit and a dancing dog called darren.
if you need to know what happens… you will have to get the book and find out for yourself!
February 19th, 2013
magical mix ups in french!
February 19th, 2013
troll swap advance copies!
February 14th, 2013
lovely blog mention for goldilocks!
have a look here on illustrations 365 blog.
so nice to hear about my books weedling their way across the globe into the hands of people who take a shine to them.
makes me feel one lucky lady
thanks kelly, you are a gem
February 14th, 2013
wonkybutton lampshade!
i found a horrid old lampshade in a charity shop.
horrid fabric that is, but lovely big shape
so promptly bought it
ripped and snipped off the horrid fabric (keeping the fire resistant fabric on)
using the horrid fabric panel as a template i chopped up fabric to creat 6 panel peices.
then sewed it onto the lampshade.
then i sewed on a nice big trim on the bottom and a nice green and pink ribbon on the top and put it up in our little snug room.
i know i know, if you look closely at the middle picture, there is a little section of trim missing. i guessed, i mean miscalculated how much trim i needed… so need to go back for a little bit more and sew it on to finish it off good and proper.
but i love it! looks nice and homely and old fashioned, but with a wonkybutton twist.
very easy peesy, and very satisfying.
January 29th, 2013
boris and the wrong shadow US review
have a read of this nice review of dear boris from the states by penny klostermann on her book blog here
This book was my 2nd published picture book published by orchard….by the way boris is colin in the uk just to confuse everyone!
such lovely other comments by her blog readers too.
really means alot to me
thanks penny! x
January 23rd, 2013
mr hooty tooty doorstop
January 22nd, 2013
mudpuppy finger puppet robots!
on their website they appear to have made a typo as i am not credited as illustrator…. am going to email them pronto to rectify that though. i did draw them, honest!
January 17th, 2013
needle felted bird mobile
January 9th, 2013
kitty lamp
nothing to do with anything really, except that i bought this wonderful cat lamp in brighton at the weekend and every time we put it on we all feel very happy…. is that silly?
(please don’t answer that question)
January 4th, 2013
new baby quilt
remember a while back i posted up a design i did for a quilt for the new baby?
well my clever clogs mum made it into a real life actual thing and gave it to me for christmas.
it is very beautiful, i am sure the new baby will love it.
thanks mum!
x
January 2nd, 2013
magical mix up masterclass!
…and the princess sneezebelles family portraits are brilliant
Wowzers…. keep up the good work Leni!
ps, i will be returning the book back to Leni tomorrow as it needs to be back with its’ creator and her very proud mum. So much time and effort has gone into adding loads of funny details and added extra bits to make the book and story even better… i couldn;t possible keep it (even though i secretly want to!)
January 2nd, 2013
very nice indeed reviews for goldilocks and just the one bear
one by wonderful american librarian on Librarians Quest blog
read it here.
aw, such nice comments make me smile in my tummy and go whoop whoop in my brain, i do believe that this has made my year so far!
December 20th, 2012
merry christmas angels!
happy christmas everyone.
i do hope you all have magical festivities and a great creative 2013…. i hope all your dreams come true (just the nice fluffy ones of course).
if you fancy getting crafty and making some paper angels like these for yourself, then print out my template and decorate. it is easy peesy…. even i can do it.
if you do make some, do let me know, i would love to see them!
they look really sweet on christmas trees.
every year i do a new one for the children in our family, which means our angel troupe will get bigger and bigger and in the future make the tree bulge and bow.
fa la la la la from me x
December 20th, 2012
goldilocks and just the one bear in independants best of 2012 childrens books
how very nice!
Leigh Hodgkinson’s Goldilocks and Just the One Bear (Nosy Crow, £10.99) is a satirical re-writing of a favourite story. This time it is the bear who invades the home: a posh apartment owned by Goldilocks, now a fashionable wife and mum. Leigh Hodgkinson’s bright and stylish illustrations go happily over the top.
“happily over the top,” is that a good thing.. gulpo
if you don’ believe me (shame on you!) have a looky here
December 12th, 2012
shhhh… secret penguins!
December 9th, 2012
booksniffers pick of 2012
thanks to the lovely sniffing pug for including my “goldilocks and just the one bear” in your sooperdooper list of fab childrens books of 2012.
this news has made me oh so pleased that i might just reward myself with a biscuit (not a doggy one mind).
see the whole list here.
i am pleased to say i own about 90% of them (and the rest are on my christmas list!)
December 9th, 2012
wonkybutton postcards yey!
….at last, and this time the reverse is printed the right way up (i know this is wonkybutton, but i didn’t want anything THAT wonky).
also have my business cards…. but for someone who sits in a shed all day and hangs out with 2 year olds, i am not sure when i will ever get the chance to use them ha ha!
not sure when i will be able to get my etsy shop live though, as go onto maternity leave in a couple of weeks (eek)
November 30th, 2012
stars on canvas doo dah private view last night
was smashing to see them all up together.
this was the childrens illustration section
here is me grinning and generally being embarrassed at meeting one of my heros reece shearsmith.
his canvas is brilliantly creepy and not at all suitable for a small childs room (i am tempted though!)
what a great night, and a great cause… made me feel very proud to be a small part of it.
November 27th, 2012
lovely letter about my goldilocks book
November 23rd, 2012
"bear with me" sketch book ctd
in an envelope that will be most likely getting tattier and busier as time goes on.
November 23rd, 2012
stars on canvas auction goes live on ebay!
you only have 9 days and 6 hours to bid on your favourite “stars on canvas” canvas (all for a good charity)
all artwork is up on ebay, including yours truelys! we have the private view next week which should be fun.
November 23rd, 2012
"bear with me" ctd….
November 22nd, 2012
"bear with me" charity sketch book
i am involved in such a magical project set up by fellow illustrator jason ruddy called “Bear with me”.
30 amazing illustrators are involved and have a week each to draw a double page spread in the sketch book before they have to send it on to the next illustrator.
the book has a red bear character in, and it is fascinating to watch how his story unfolds.
at the end of the book/project, the book will be auctioned for the very good cause of Great Ormond street hospital.
i am the fourth illustrator to have the book. it was rather scary and daunting to see the real artwork of those superstars before me (catherine rayner, emma chichester clark,and sarah warburton)- so i have given it my best shot and will shortly be posting the book on to the fab chris haughton for him to do his thing.
i can’t give toooo much away at the moment, but here are a few little snippity snap shots of my work in progress. will add more later! But do keep checking in with the project (via facebook and twitter) to see how it grows and develops.
collage waves for a nice choppy sea
i wish i could keep the book or afford to buy it. it really is going to be something very special indeed by the end of it!
my little eebee girl was intrigued by the book and quite disappointed that i wouldn’t let her do a page, so here is her own! i think i will post it on as an extra… what do you think?!
November 7th, 2012
stars on canvas charity artwork auction
have a look at the willow foundations stars on canvas website
you can bid and buy a real live artist/celebratories artwork!
mine is up there, but it looks a bit too shiny for my liking- think they must have used the flash
it looks nicer in the flesh… i promise!
i think the bidding on ebay for each artwork starts towards the end of november- might be good for a christmas pressent hee hee?
there are lots of fab childrens illustrators there so do have a look
November 7th, 2012
wonkybutton shares the love!
this was meant to come back from the printers as a nice promo postcard to give to nice folk.
but the stupid printers printed the wrong thing (they printed my business card all big and postcardish)
so this postcard will have to wait a jiffy and be patient
the image makes me smile though so i wanted to share it
at least i will have huge big business cards now to give out to people for their handy huge postcard size wallets that they all carry around with them.
November 7th, 2012
snippysew instruction postcards etc
November 7th, 2012
snippysews- ready to go
November 7th, 2012
wonkybutton bunnyrella art prints
here are some photos of my bunnyrella series (one is missing as i gave it away and forgot to take a photo of it oops!)
i will be selling them in my etsy wonkybutton shop soooon(ish!).
in the meantime i will be testing the water with them up at the zero2illo live illustration conference that i am going to (and speaking at gulp) on saturday in nottingham.
October 11th, 2012
a nice picture of some buttons
one of my many boxes of buttons that i was a rummaging through earlier.
i love a good button rummage.
October 11th, 2012
Troll Swap proofy proofs!
this is timothy limpet (a rubbish troll)
and this is tabitha lumpit (a not very good at being good little girl)
the book needs a couple of teeny tweaks and will be out next year.
long live troll!
October 10th, 2012
new baby quilt design
and here is the quilt design… i think it is nice to have a happy scene with rain.
i love rain
so do ducks
so do children with wellies
i will blog when my clever mum has made the quilt… watch this space!.