Macaroni Moon October 2008

I have had my first children's book illustration job, for Paula Green's Macaroni Moon. It's a book filled with funny poems for children, with lots of word play, and it will be published in February 2009. I had to come up with about 100 illustrations, as well as hand-lettering all the headers.

Dead People's Music November 2008

My novel will be published by Random House NZ in April 2008. So now I am onto the task of coming up with a cover. These are my explorations to date; images found off the internet, permission pending, and a few of my own illustrations.

Food diary November 2008

I have started on a project in which I draw everything that I cook for dinner each night. I put a lot of effort into cooking, and mostly it is ignored or else rejected by my children. Sometimes they are elated -- mainly if I give them sausages and pasta. I have also been hard at work on my garden this year, so I wanted to record all the home-grown vegetalbes I consumed. I have even started a blog -- maybe that's a foolish idea.

Sunflower dress November 2008

After I finished writing my novel, I told myself that I'd give myself time to make some things. Muesli, christmas cards, bean teepees. But mostly I wanted some new clothes. I had bought this fabric, embroidered natural linen, exactly a year ago, but it had been sitting in a cupboard ever since. Using a classic slip dress pattern, I modified it to make it A-line. I put it on as soon as I had snipped off the loose threads. Walking home after buying my two-year-old a lemonade iceblock, a woman in a hijab stopped me. 'What a beautiful dress,' she said. I was surprised -- I'd assumed my bare arms and legs might have offended her.

Silky green top November 2008

I also made this top: I bought the fabric in 2004 when I was still working at DNA design. I didn't have a pattern for it, so I thought I would make one up. The silk organza was a b*tch to sew, but the floaty-quality was forgiving. The seams are a touch snug underneath the armpits, but there's nothing I can do about it -- just wear it until it tears apart on me!