The start of something...

There has been a lot of this going on this year but in the last couple of months I can feel a change and things are finally starting to work again.  Phew...

Boxing Bull and Bear

I did this illustration for my Dad for his birthday and used it on the cover of a book I made for him, which of course I forgot to take a photo of. I often make books and journals for friends and family as gifts and without fail I give it to them before I take a picture. They're always unique so it would have been nice to document them! Oh well. I've seen a couple of them return from overseas trips, full of stories and adventures, slightly battered and well loved. It makes me happy to see that :)

The Projects Curated Markets at The Vic in Enmore

Hello my friends. I'm going to be at a new market this Sunday. The Projects Curated Markets are held at The Vic, one of Enmore's most loved pubs :) The market celebrates local makers and creators so there'll be lots of cool stuff for sale, and there's great food and drinkies at The Vic too. So what better way to spend a lazy Sunday? Head down there, grab a beer and peruse the clever and crafty goodness at the market. Hope to see you there X

Happy Mother's Day

This is a poem I wrote for my mum when I was little :)

May Eveleigh Artisan's Market on Sunday

Hi there! It’s been awhile, I know. Is anyone else a little amazed that it’s May already? The past few months have been busy. I’ve moved house again so have been enjoying unpacking and settling into my new space. I have a beautiful little sunroom which is my new studio and I spent the afternoon in there today stretching canvases and getting ready for the market on Sunday. Luckily this year Eveleigh Artisan’s Market falls the week before Mothers Day so it’s the perfect place to find that special something for your mum. You have cards and all things illustrated covered if you visit me of course! But there is also beautiful ceramics, hand printed textiles, jewellery, bags, artwork, prints and so much more, all handmade by the artisans and designers at the market. Come by if you’re free and say hello (details to the right). If you’re not in Sydney but would like to send a Big Toast card or gift, you can visit my online shop and I’ll be happy to post directly with a hand written note x

My mum

Mum with me as a baby in Yorkshire

With Mothers day just a couple of weeks away, I wanted to share with you just how amazing my mum is. She is always saying that she doesn’t know how she has 3 creative children when she herself is not creative. Well mum, I beg to differ. One of my fondest memories growing up (and I’m sure my brothers feel the same) was when it got close to my birthday and I got to choose which cake I was going to have for my party out of the Woman’s Weekly Birthday Cake book (many of you probably know the one I’m talking about, it has a train cake on the cover.) Mum’s cakes were amazing and always looked better than the book. I fondly remember the pool, the sewing basket, hopscotch and I also had a watermelon one year and a knitting cake another year where she hand piped all the stitches over the whole cake. When we outgrew that book mum would just make the cakes up herself, like when my brother wanted a machine gun cake for his 12^th birthday (as you do when you’re a 12 year old boy). So she made a template and creating this amazing M16 machine gun cake. I wish I had a photo to show you, it was awesome. She is also an incredible knitter and has a really amazing sense of colour. Here are some of her beautiful creations which I have proudly displayed in my new house…

The cutest chicken in the world sitting in my kitchen

My bowl of knitted veges

My little penguin friend. Look at his little feet! 

Strawberry booties mum knitted for my friend's baby

She’s amazing in many other ways too. Like when I moved last month she did the market for me with my brothers girlfriend Caroline, she washed all my sheets and blankets for me because I don’t have room to hang them at home, she brings me food when she comes over and is always sending me recipes she thinks I’ll like. She’s an amazing cook and is pretty much just the best all round. Thanks mum, love you lots xxx

Greeting Cards now in shop!

Hello there! I've been devoting some time to updating my shop and am happy to announce that my full range of Big Toast greeting cards are now available online, hurrah! Check them out here. Now there's no excuse not to send a real life card to your nearest and dearest. Let's be honest, they will love it so much more than an email or text message x