The Fun of a Formula!

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Following a Pattern

There’s something delightful about repeating a formula you have already created and filling it with new creative content. I am having the fun of writing a second ebook in a series on Tips & Tricks, this next one is the joy of Christmas, and I will use the same layout I designed for Children’s Parties Tips & Tricks!. 

Creating an Atmosphere

At the start it takes time putting together the ‘look’ of a book – I start by choosing a font that conveys the feeling of joy that matches these light-hearted subjects, decide what colours look best for chapter headings and illustrations, and then create a shape that will read clearly on mobile screens.

Using a Template

Having a formula helps make life simple as there’s no need to spend time making the same decisions again, and my mind is free to deal purely with imagination as I begin to fill pages with ideas for Christmas Tips & Tricks!.

A Surprising Journey into a New Adventure!

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The Inspiration

While tidying my bookcase recently I came across an old folder full of my children’s early birthday party themes, the hand-made invitations now marked with age, ideas for games and creative food treats bringing sparkling memories of fun and surprise. As I held each one they seemed to be saying, ‘You can bring me back to life!’

The Folder Led to a New Idea

I realised it would be fun putting together a book of simple ideas for children’s parties which also could be used for amusement and fun activities at any time. It’s exciting creating new illustrations that give joy, and always a pleasure to share from experience knowing my trusted tips and tricks would delight and surprise children all over the world, plus save time and energy for party planners! I immediately picked up pen and paper….

Something Old – Something New

… and stopped! Surely this was the perfect chance to use digital drawing? I took up my iPad, and with that wonderful excitement always present at the start of something new, I watched my lines taking shape on the glass screen of a digital tablet.

Pages began to turn into partiesI It was thrilling watching them come to life, and I felt very happy with a stylus in hand. Every now and then when one of my illustrations didn’t quite have the vibe I wanted, I would simply go to my desk and paint it with brush on paper in the old familiar way, knowing that in time I will understand the digital program more fully and be able to complete any visual ideas I have digitally.

Why Wait for a Party!

The way I live my life is to find simple joys in as many ways as possible and there are so many ideas in this little book that can be used daily to delight and surprise. It’s easier to persuade your child to eat fruit if you turn it into a little boat, choose fruit as the hull and ‘hoist the sail’. If little kids are coming to visit you can create a flotilla of boats by putting them all together on a plate – clear glass can look like water, a blue plate like the ocean, and it’s your fun and enthusiasm that becomes the main ingredient in making food more appealing by encouraging their imagination. The book is now available! Click fun ideas below…

Easy creative ideas for designing a special party for your child – or simply for ‘everyday’ fun and amusement – price is a cup of coffee! Click Here!

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone!

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Trying My Hand at Digital Drawing

Do I want to give it a go, that is the question! I love pencil, paper and paints, they’re familiar friends and with a cup of clear water for washing my brushes and a sheet of white paper, I’m ready to begin my day.

So why would I step away from something I know well, pick up a modern stylus and walk towards what may possibly be a steep learning curve! Especially when simplicity is what I’m about! Why complicate things when, for me, sketching in the traditional old fashioned way feels so good?

What I Discovered in the Digital World

It thrills me to know my iPad has everything I need for sketching, hidden inside. At a moment’s notice I can be drawing under a leafy tree or sitting happily on a train with digital tablet lightly on my lap, stylus in hand, sketching to my heart’s desire. There’s no need to have water for mixing colours, no rags for spilt ink, no packing up pencils, paints or brushes, and the very thought I can take my iPad anywhere with me is liberating and fills me with joy – it’s amazing really what the digital world has to offer, it’s pretty close to magic!

I like the software Procreate, and my challenge first and foremost is to keep my traditional style unchanged so that the next animated book I’m working on, Looking for Fun with Maddie, has the same visual feel. Will I be able to hold on to my style of simple lead pencil lines and watercolour painting?

Finding Joy in Simplicity! - Gentle Apps for Toddlers

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A Problem Solved!

There is joy and strength in simplicity and I have brought it into my books and apps for children – a quiet beautiful place of interactive animation where your child can learn screen skills and build confidence without being distracted by loud noises and fast action.

Promise of Joy

Simple joys are good for children and it gives me pleasure to share my interactive picture-books with mums and dads knowing they can trust them to bring happiness and quality active screen time shared together – little ones will also find pleasure playing these animations on their own.

Early Education

Learning screen skills is an important part of a toddler’s young life and it’s important to make it fun!

In lindybelinda books and apps you will find 16 different scenes for little kids to explore at their own pace, discovering one thing at a time, with realistic sound effects bringing everything to life.

They will also have fun playing with drag and drop puzzles which teach hand eye coordination as they learn how to place objects with care – which in turn brings a sense of wellbeing when they start and complete a project.

My Passion

I have always been fascinated by the visual world of line and colour – especially when movement is involved. To draw a leaf ready to fall from a tree is a delight – to make it float through the air – almost magical!

The Thrill of Discovery

A lifetime of art and creativity has led me to the world of animated children's books…

My illustrations are painted in the traditional fashion on paper using watercolour, pencil and ink before being scanned into the computer ready for animating – which brings them to life! It always feels like magic to see a hand drawn cat blink for the first time. 

My Story

For the past 25 years I have loved playing my harp at weddings and although very enjoyable, music is invisible to the eye, and it is the visual world that gives me the biggest thrill – so when asked recently to illustrate a children’s book for the Sydney Jewish Museum, The Gap Was Wide, I found myself surrounded with colour and paints – and knew I was home.

From Prince Charles to Painting!

The end of my harp playing career was marked by a very special occasion when I was asked to play at a State Dinner for Prince Charles at Admiralty House, Sydney - it was a magical evening I will never forget, and remember driving home as if in a dream through avenues of purple jacaranda trees in full flower.

I was very excited when I saw the first publicity for my new adventure into interactive animated books and apps – it came quite unexpectedly in a local magazine where the editor had chosen my illustration of a little cat which took on the appearance of looking quite smart and formerly dressed for the occasion!

The Bay Magazine - April 2019

How it All Began

Why did I start this new animated adventure? I was watching my granddaughter having fun tapping her iPad and squealing with joy as the screen came to life showing doors opening and closing – and the child in me wanted to do it too! What fun I could have creating drawings that change with a simple tap.

Huge Difficulty!

Then came the struggle! I assumed I could simply book into a class and put my hand up as a shortcut to learning everything I needed to know, and just begin – but there were no classes teaching interactive animation, other than serious diplomas for clever complicated gaming, and I was lost!

For the first time in my life I had to teach myself everything I wanted to know by going online searching for answers. It’s not my preferred way to learn and I missed the security of sitting in class with a teacher at the ready for support! It was hard work and took a long time – and I nearly gave up.

It was simply the thought of cats hiding under leaves popping out and making me smile that kept me trying - and when I finally turned that corner and learned the skills necessary I experienced that wonderful ‘over the moon’ feeling of complete delight.

Smooth Sailing

The dream finally became a reality. Looking for Cats was my first interactive animated book with realistic sound effects published on Apple Books – and I was beside myself with excitement!

Lindybelinda books began to grow and with help, and a lot of work, I’m now publishing interactive Apple Books and Apps that are full of fun. This encourages children to develop their interactive screen skills by observation and play which brings joy and laughter as they learn.

Tap and discover brings out the child in you!

… and it’s a Great Price!

Find Free Giveaway! www.lindybelinda.com

Catch a Glimpse of the Fun - Play this Video!

Gentle Apps for Toddlers with 16 Different Scenes for Kids to Explore!

www.lindybelinda.com