Greetings and festive salutations!

Hasn't this year flown past! I can't believe we are almost at Christmas already. It has been another strange year to say the least, but for me, creatively it has also been more than I could have wished for! Three new books released - Lucy and Copper, Warna Manda Baby and The Last Dragon, two more under way and a very special project recently completed which I have to remain tight lipped about for the time being, but you'll hear about it first here and let's just say there are bilbies!
So let's get into it!

With the development of my new Ponyfoot Christmas range this year, I'm thrilled to share that this wonderful collection of pony antics has now been licensed to Pony Nut in the UK! Run by fellow pony mad husband and wife team, Dan and Naomi, they now have a fabulous collection of greeting cards available online, for fellow pony mad folk across the big water. So if you have friends in the UK, please share and spread some pony joy.

Ponynutgifts.com

Early October I managed to do a long awaited research trip to Tasmania, visiting different types of rainforests, learning about their bio diversity and immersing myself amongst the giant trees. Why? For the last two years I have been writing and developing another story of my own (yes, it takes me this long). In a nutshell it is about a little boy who rescues a sapling but then in turn the tree ends up rescuing him. It touches on bio diversity, climate control, sustainability and so much more. It's heavily reliant on visual literacy and getting my facts right, even though it is a fictional picture book, is always so important to me.

So I took upon the services of a forest ecologist for two solid days - Yoav from Giant Trees Expeditions. What he does not know about trees is not worth knowing - it was both fascinating and mind blowing. Brain overload to say the least!

I learnt about trees as witnesses, as ambassadors, as places, as people and landmarks. If you are planning a trip to Tassie, please look him up - based in Hobart, it will be a highlight... and say hi from me :)

More to come about this story soon hopefully, but I'll be working on these drawings over the next two months, and definately a tree painting.

My research for the wrens is now complete! I'll be storyboarding this over Christmas as well as drawing trees. All of the little wrens I have been watching are now out of their nests, happy and thriving. Their parents (and in this case, also their big brothers) are so devoted, it's been so insightful to watch. I can now share that this little book, which will be published by Little Book Press, will actually be a little book! At just over 200mm square, it's going to be perfect for little kids hands. I haven't worked out how I am going to paint this yet but I will share some of my exploration techniques when I get started, so you can really follow the whole process. It's been two months of research and I'm yet to start drawing.

I do typically work on two books at once. This story has been written by very talented local Adelaide author, Mike Dumbleton. The reason I continue to illustrate other author's stories (and will continue to do so) is because I learn so much from their writing and it's a lot of fun bringing somebody else's world to life :)

More Christmas designs have been added to my Redbubble store and there is still time to order! Lots of ideas for stocking stuffers.

I totally endorse supporting your local book store over Christmas - books make a fabulous gift. But if you would like signed, personalised copies, I'm most happy to oblige. Please email me for multiple book orders so I can save you some postage, but otherwise simply go to the base of my website Store page to place an order - I can still get these out in time for Christmas. Be sure to let me know in the notes who to sign it for :)

If you haven't visited my Facebook page recently then quick, jump on before 5pm today as you have two chances to win signed copies!

Something to share for the Festive Season. I started making gingerbread with my son, Joshy, when he was little. I'd mix it and he'd cut out the shapes (and eat a lot of mixture before it made it to the oven!) So it became kind of our tradition. Now my family won't let me in the Christmas door without it!

Enjoy... it is seriously delicious :)

• 250gsm Blue Gum Honey (my choice is Beerenberg)
• 1/2 cup raw sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tablespoon butter (organic is best)
• 1 teaspoon each of bi carb soda, ground ginger, mixed spice, cinnamon
• 3-4 cups plain flour and add more as you need it.

Pre-heat oven to a moderate temperature.
Warm honey and butter then add sugar at the last minute. Combine and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add eggs and dry ingredients, then start to add flour and stir - this will give your arm a workout. Keep adding flour until not sticky. Roll out to about 1cm thick (remember to flour board and your hands) and cut shapes (tip... dip your cutters in some flour to stop them sticking). Bake in oven 10-12 minutes until just golden. If you think they need to be more golden they'll turn out like rock cakes like the first time I made them. But hey, they make good coffee dunkers :)

Thank you, each and every one of you, for being a part of my creative world this year. Have a wonderful Christmas. Who knows what the New Year brings but let's hope it's a fabulous one!
Take care, stay safe and keep creating.