A Cosy November Recap
November has been a month of cozy moments, creative reflection, and some much-needed mental health care. From my trip to Edinburgh, where I soaked in the winter magic, to revisiting some of my favourite designs and illustrations—like my gold foil Christmas cards—it’s been a time to slow down and focus on what truly inspires me. I’ve been diving into some great books, sparking new ideas for my creative projects, and reflecting on how I can bring more creativity into my work in 2025. In this post, I’m sharing some of my favourite self-care practices, a special project I’ve been working on, and what I’ve been reflecting on as I set my design and illustration goals for the upcoming year. Let’s dive in!
Nature’s Muse: Sketching Outdoors vs. In the Studio
As the days grow shorter and the leaves transform into a tapestry of colors, I’m embracing this beautiful season more than ever. Have you treated yourself to any delicious flavored hot drinks yet? There’s nothing like a warm spiced latte to chase away the chill! And speaking of cozy vibes, I’ve finally started watching Gilmore Girls—I can’t believe I waited so long!
As I soak in the gorgeous sights of autumn, I can’t help but reflect on how much nature influences my art. This season, with its vibrant colors and textures, truly gets my creativity flowing in a way that no other time of year does. What are you all enjoying about this wonderful season?
A Season of Inspiration, Reading and New Goals
It felt as if the weather changed instantly as soon as September arrived. I've redecorated my room, changing the setup and colours from summer pinks and blues to beige, green, and rustic orange to match the season. At the start of each new season, I find it's a good time to set new intentions and goals. This month, after reconnecting with some old friends and spending time with people who uplift me, I've felt a shift in perspective.
My love for old cameras and ‘The Housemaid’
Hi friends, in my last blog, I talked about embracing positive habits, with one of them being picking up reading again. I tried reading "The Thursday Murder Club" by Richard Osman, but I just couldn't get into it. It felt like a chore, and I wasn't enjoying it. There were too many characters, and the plot didn't thrill me as I had hoped. So, I set it aside and picked up "The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden, and it was so gripping...
Embracing New Experiences: Adventures in Bali and Developing Positive Habits
I hope you're all well and had a great July filled with many sunny walks. I love kicking off my months with the Wildehouse Paper monthly mood summary (I also love the aesthetics of that page). July was summarised as a month of embracing warm nights and deep connections, diving into the deep end to experience the sweetness of the present moment, and putting yourself out there to find acceptance. Do you feel like this resonates with your experiences with July?
Struggling with a creative block? Here are some tips to help you overcome it.
I thought creative blocks would be the right topic to talk about in this blog post, as this is something I've been experiencing for some time. Most of April was spent aimlessly daydreaming, mind blank at my desk but one morning I was reading through ‘Manifest’ by Annie Tarasova and came across a quote that said ‘Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it’ - Jack Canfield.
Sketch to digital: City of Stolen Magic book cover illustration
From the moment I learned about the Penguin Cover Design Awards, I knew I had to take part in it. When I saw they had a children’s book category I was so excited!