I’ve been researching childrens books recently, thinking about maybe designing my own. I love the idea but when it comes to making up stories I am rather lacking so it might be a while. We went to a few carboot sales over the weekend and I got lots of lovely books, most for only 20 pence. Some of them are so lovely I had to share them with you.

I’m amazed how all the different styles of illustrations, some simple, some complex. The drawings have to suit the stories and characters and the wording has to be simple yet effective. I feel that creating a childrens book may not be as easy as it looks.

If you have any childrens book favourites I would love to know so I can check them out.

Mr.Pusskins by Sam Lloyd
I love that he looks so grumpy but is a big softy really, a bit like our Oscar.

My Cat Just Sleeps by Joanne Partis
This book is adorable, the illustrations are magical and the story is really sweet. This book is pretty much about our lovely Artemis who is asleep 90% of the time

This is from a book called Bus Fuss which I nearly didn’t buy because it was so tatty but I’m glad I did. It seems that it’s no longer available to buy (it’s from 1990). It’s a lovely story about a man who takes his dog on the bus in his bag and a woman who takes her cat on the bus in a basket. You can imagine the chaos it causes.

This week I’ve been on the look out for cool craft cat projects. I love to sew and crochet but during the summer I’d rather be outside. The weather is wet and gloomy today and it made me think about autumn. It’s always when the weather starts to get worse and days get shorter that I find myself digging out the crochet hooks and fabrics.

Here are some of my favourite patterns I found on Etsy, there are more in the Treasury I created.

Pocket Pals by Gingermelon

Stress release cat by Sashakulakova

Primitive Cat Penny Rug by PalmettoPrimitives10

He likes bow ties and dancing.

He loves cake

He hates swimming

I don’t think there’s anyone out there who hasn’t come across Simon’s Cat.
I still remember seeing the first video he did and I was totally in love with his style and watched it many many times. I think it’s still my favourite of them all.

I got his first book as soon as it came out and I might have to treat myself to the more recent one. Perfect coffee table book for cat lovers!

If you haven’t already, head on over to the Simon’s Cat Website and check out the films section. They are all awesome and definately worth a watch.

Until now, I had been doing my drawings in Photoshop. I decided to try and learn how to use Illustrator seeing as it’s supposed to be great for, well, illustrating! I’m finding it difficult, drawing with vectors. I have a lot to learn!

Our beautiful chickens were killed by a fox the other day. We’re so upset :(

I’m not sure if this is too gloomy or not, I like it though :) Bit different to the colourful cats that I posted in my previous blog post.

I’ve always loved drawing but have been put off because I can never get the colours right when I scan them in. The solution, paint and draw in Photoshop, that way they are just the way I want them on the screen and I can print them out. It’s also a lot less messy and I don’t have to spend lots of money on paints. It takes longer though, these took quite some time. I think that’s because I’m still learning though.