Spring in my Step

Today for the fist time this year (granted there have only been 14 days!) I woke up with a literal spring in my step, I skipped into the kitchen and the reason..........
I feel a lot better, 2011 has so far been a blur of colds, sickness and backache. I knew I felt better when I asked myself if I wanted a coffee and croissant for breakfast and the answer was a resounding YES!
The 2nd reason.......today is the day I start story boarding the first ever Belle & Boo picture book!
Now I know we have self published 'Bubbles Before Bed' and it has done tremendously well, but this next book is a full blown 38 page, full colour, hard back picture book to be published by Orchard books if all goes to plan this Autumn.
I say if all goes to plan, because an autumn publishing date requires finished art work by the end of April, if not sooner
GULP!
I have been in the very, very fortunate position of being approached by publishers for a while now, mainly at first from the States that have found Belle & Boo via Etsy. Etsy is an amazing showcase for your work, its not just Belle & Boo by any stretch of the imagination, a good number of my Etsy artist friends have been contacted by all sorts of interesting people and companies. Now just because you are approached does not mean anything happens and there have been numerous reasons along the way why we are only just now entering into a publishing deal. The main reason if I am honest is I haven't felt ready. Before starting Belle & Boo and before I went traveling I illustrated picture books, which I loved and felt very privileged to do, but like all jobs there were draw backs and I wasn't ready to rush back, that is until now. Now feels right, now I see Belle & Boo as animated little characters, I see them running, chatting and heading off on big adventures (well big for a little child and a small bunny!) Orchard is a wonderful company I have been lucky enough to work with them in the past and Kate and I couldn't resist the gorgeous goodie box they sent, with musical presentations and homemade bunny biscuit (no photo of those I am afraid as Kate and I and her children polished them off immediately!



OK so thats enough chat now I need to get sketching, I promise to keep you updated along the way, even it's only to vent my stress about deadlines!

Before I go 2 pretty pictures, thank you to (Ana)belle's mum for sharing this cute picture of a Boo coat far from home in Australia.