I did not even get the chance to remind you I was going, but I am now back from a business trip to China! As part of my "Real Job" requirements, we started off at the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, then worked our way up the coastline to Shanghai. 8 cities in 16 days made for a pretty full itinerary, but it really was a fabulous trip this year, and I managed to stay well for the whole trip this time!
We had the last weekend off, where we were able to do some sightseeing and headed off to Beijing to walk the Great Wall.
We had not counted on the snow (only packing summer gear) so we had to buy winter woolies!
It was absolutely stunning and beyond anything I could have imagined!... and colder than anything I could have imagined!
Of course I missed my husband terribly, but I managed to work out buying a local simcard for the phone so that we could make international calls really cheaply! (Last year my mobile phone bill was nearly $500 during my time away!!)
There's no rest for the wicked, heading straight back to work last week, and getting stuck back into my new series of books this weekend! I still feel like I could sleep for a week, but the thought of Christmas holidays on the horizon will keep me going.
I'm expecting the proofs from my last book to arrive next week, and it's due to be released in May next year, so that's pretty exciting too.
So, things are back to "normal" in my over-busy life!
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Sunday, November 22, 2009
I'M BACK
Monday, October 26, 2009
BY MY BEDSIDE
Decided to participate in this when I spotted it here. It's all about sharing what's on your beside table. Well, you can see that I don't really have a bedside table as the bed is pushed right up against the wall.
That's my favourite Terance Conran linen we received for our wedding, and I still love it! Needs updating now, but it's such beautiful quality that it's still like new.
Anyway, no bedside tables, but what I do have is these really cute little nooks where I tend to stack up lots of reading material..... and what's a nook, without nick knacks?!
Raymond J has bought me a copy of Into the Wild to read during my China trip (I loved the movie, and have the sound track too!) 
This soft toy dates back to my days of working for a plush toy company where I had the great privilege to work with this talented artist to create this gorgeous plush toy. It's always been a bit of a favourite of mine. Her name is Ruby Red Shoes.
I thought I'd finish up with a sneak peek at the view from the bed. Of course the dog is not normally allowed on the bed, but it makes a cute photo!
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Sunday, October 25, 2009
FUN IN THE SUN
I am off to China at the end of this week (as part of my full time job)so this is the last weekend I will get to spend with my husband until mid November! With my freelance work keeping me busy during all my spare time, I would confess that Raymond J has been a bit neglected of late, so I promised him a full day off together this weekend. (....um, yep, only one!)
The beautiful weather enticed us outdoors where we found a local market in Chewton (near Castlemaine. We picked up some yummy organic bread, some fresh fruit and some spices.
This collection inspired us to picnic in the beautiful Castlemaine Botanic Gardens. It was lovely to have a day out with the family!
The rest of the weekend was spent with more REJECTED characters! But they are coming along nicely. Makes these look a bit wrong now!
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Friday, October 23, 2009
On my desk...or in the BIN!
Character development would have to be one of my favourite stages of book illustration. I love creating different poses and drawings to help work out personality and the final look of the character. I also love getting input from the team you are in development with as it always seems to challenge you to push your work to the next level.
Having said that, here are some REJECTS that never made the cut!
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Sunday, October 11, 2009
No rest for the wicked!
Phew, another busy weekend almost done. It was lovely to have the weekend at home where I managed to:
Work on some characters for my next book project.
Help my husband start our veggie patch.
With some help from the dog with no eyes! (Long overdue for a haircut!)
I even managed to find some time to bake a banana cake!
...not to mention the housework, laundry...oh, and accidentally getting my hair cut as short as PINK's latest cut! No pics of that - I'm still recovering!!! (But I do love it!)
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
ILLUSTRATIONS FINISHED = FREE WEEKEND
This is my last free weekend for a bit as I get ready to take on the next batch of new books, so we thought we'd better get out of the house and explore local while we can. Here's a visual summary...
Check out the BLOG HERE, but visit the store if you can!
....Paumes, Mixtape, Pepper mint....
...where pages like this...
....inspire me to want to do something about this....
I really need a studio!
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
ON MY DESK
Well, so much for blogging more often! I guess I just have to accept that I really can't do everything! Excuse the mess, but I thought I'd share some evidence of why I've been too busy to blog!
I'm in the thick of things with the final artwork for my latest book. I've spent a lot of time fussing over the best paint to use, as well as the best colour mixes. It's been wonderful to get back to some hand painted work and it's coming together nicely.
I also have my next book project lined up and am really excited to be working with these ladies in particular! Obviously I can't say too much, but I am already looking forward to starting some new books.
Anyway...must go - lots to do!
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