Blog 3

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…