Yummy childrens illustrations...

What is it about old childrens books that I love so much - the colours? The fresh illustrative styles - they're quite graphic in nature. I dunno but I find them really inspiring. It takes me back to being a little girl (I'm pretty vintage myself) and curling up on a cold afternoon in front of the fire with a new picture book, mmmm the smell of the pages and the crackle of the fire - bliss!

Hello long lost bloggers!

Goodness me, a bimonthly post is a bit rubbish isn't it?? Well it's sunday morning, I just made myself a big cup of Jo and a fried egg sarnie and settled down to catch up on the blogging world so I expect any minute now my sleeping babe will awake!

Amazingly I've managed to keep my business afloat and growing, new updates are my new range 'Fur & Feather' came out last month and is selling well. I have a fantastic new agent for the SE who's bringing in tons of new accounts and doing amazingly well. I also have a development with a company in Dubai who are setting up a moonpig type business and want to license my designs. I've also ventured into prints for a new company called 'Beautiful Pea Green Boat' who launch next Saturday, so it's all good.

I'm struggling to have time to create sales myself and I can only do the bare minimum for so long before it all catches up with me. My good old mum has stepped in to help and has taken on my orders and dispatch for me which is a god send and should free up more time for me to get stuck in to some marketing and design (in my sleep!).

Of course I'm a bit frazzled but we're through the toughest baby bit, she's still waking every 2 hrs to feed but 3rd time round I think I've become invincible! I just feel very lucky most of the time that I have a job I love and a gorgeous family, yes it's blinking hard work and I never have a minute to myself but I'm very happy and that's priceless.

Back from my hols..

I had such a lovely break I was actually a bit tired and grumpy when I got home which is not like me, I miss living by the sea sometimes, the urban lifestyle is hip but sometimes I crave big open spaces! No that's not the beginnings of itchy foot syndrome again, I've had enough moving to last me a life time. Did you know I have lived in 27 different places in my life, which is ridiculous and verging on nomadic.

Spending my birthday afternoon on the beach collecting shells and crabbing was perfect. At about six, when the shadows were long and the wind dropped it was just beautiful, the light was incredible and the skies dramatic.

The girls made me this heap of cup cakes for breakfast (they were very keen but it was a bit early for butter icing so I saved them for lunch!)

On a more contemplative note...

A dear friend of mine has just discovered her mother is seriously ill and only has months to live. It's so hard seeing a friend so upset but these times are when we need to look at our own lives and question what we're doing.

Being a sensitive soul, I often think about making the most of my life and what's important. For me, it's making great memories with my family, my husband and my children. It's been a long journey but the small things in life are the best for me. Waking up and cuddling my children, really talking to my husband - sharing our good days and bad days, having a glass of wine with friends or a big meal with family. Community and charity work too - sometimes doing a good deed makes you feel happier than the person who benefits from it.

We think we love the material things in life but nothing fulfills us more than good relationships. On that note, I leave you to your Easter weekend, call a friend, see family, go for a walk and a long chat, enjoy the great people and simple things in your life.

And how cute are these slings???

Have baby will travel - I love these slings from Big Mama Slings, you can have them made up in your own fabrics too. You know if anything stands still long enough in my world it gets pimped or patterned!

I spend a hell of a lot of time carrying my bubs so I may as well design myself the most gorgeous sling to do it with! 9 weeks and counting - I'm ticking those to do's off on an hourly basis.

A very gorgeous retailer...

I'm supplying Toby Tiger with my cards. I absolutely adore their clothing ranges. You can find them in The Lanes, Brighton. They also supply to lots of outlets across the country. Hmmmm, I feel a spend coming on!

Chorlton arts festival

Roll up roll up... This weekend I'll be selling at the crafts market, within St Clements Church on High Lane, as part of Chorlton Arts Festival. I also have to give a plug for my daughter who's exhibiting at Battery Park and has her first opening (at the age of 9!!). Here's one of her sketches - they are way better and more stylised than anything I could do. She has a knack of capturing peoples expressions with a little squiggle here and there.

I can feel in my bones that this fair will be a good one. Watch this space for the post fair feedback from both of us!

I'd just like to add that in a whole sketchbook this was the only non smiley face (for all you amateur psychologists out there) and that it isn't a picture depicting my meaness to my first born!

BIZ NEWS FLASH: Also went to the printers yestrday to discuss the next range - very excited. Am also waiting for acceptance to do the hottest (and blinking expensive) trade fair in London. Hope they let me exhibit!