New piece on the Sunshine Smile Publications website...

The lovely folk at the Children's Book industry resource Sunshine Smile have just added a little showcase featuring my work - my designs  have never been called whimsical before - I like it!

Click on the picture below to see the article;

Nosy Crow Christmas Party...

I was honoured to be invited along to the Nosy Crow Christmas Party this week and had a really wonderful time - meeting some of my illustration/author idols was a real treat - I just hope my book will sit nicely amongst such amazing work!

Myself, Leigh Hodgkinson, Kate Wilson and Giselle Gimblett.

A wonderful mix of lovely people from my agent to authors to designers - I was in awe.
I am always the tallest and reddest I realise!

New interview in The Book Sniffer Blog...

I am very honoured today to have my work featured in that funny Pug-about-town's blog The Book Sniffer!

I really enjoyed being asked questions by a tiny Pug - he is incredibly cute and funny to boot!

Click on his image to whisk your way to the article :)

New 'Stretch the Sausage Dog' badges...

I have just added these seasonal badges to the Not On The High Street shop.

They would look smashing on a stocking or bag over the holiday period :)

Click on the image to head to the shop...

Interview with Lagom design...

I did a little interview last week with Lagom design who I co-create some of my greeting card designs with.

In the interview I talk a bit about my favourite things, inspiration etc.

To read the interview please click on the picture...

Crouch End range featured in Christmas Catalogue...

I just delivered another box of Crouch End mugs to the lovely shop 'Gift' and was pleasantly surprised to see my wares on the back cover of their beautiful Christmas Catalogue...

Click on the images to go to the Gift online shop...

'Seasonal Stretch' Advent Calendar now available...

...and the final Christmas product pestering is here - the Stretch Advent calendar!

Featuring Stretch in a cosy scarf and twiggy antlers, he is being helped by his robin pals who are festooning said antlers with baubles and trinkets.

There are no chocolates behind each of the 24 windows - instead there are 24 different images featuring Stretch in all manner of festive guises - here are two examples - such fun!

Children's Christmas carriers...

Hot on the heels of Stretch are my range of retro Christmas character bags inspired by the 1930's and 40's advertising cartoon characters.

All available now, again from Not On The High Street.com

'Stretch' Christmas tote bag...

A new tote bag design is now available at my Not On The High Street store - perfect for Christmas shopping or as an alternative to a traditional stocking.

Click on the image to be taken to the shop :)

'Stretch' Advent Calendar design...

I have finally finished the designs for this years Advent Calendar.

Here is the final image for the front - an enhanced version of one of my Christmas Cards.

The interior windows feature lots more of Stretch wearing funny Christmassy costumes.

Currently at the printers and cutters, the finished product will be available at the end of the month.

A mixed emotion morning...

I was just informed by Alex T Smith that Betty from Corrie died this morning so i'm very sad - she was a brilliant character.  I hope she will have fun with Blanche in the big Street in the Sky.

On a happier note, a lovely new Moo delivery arrived this morning containing my new Stretch Christmas Cards and new mini business cards which if/when I meet you I will be giving out willy nilly (whoever he is!);

Streeeeeeeeetch logo...

I completely distracted myself yesterday by designing a Stretch logo to go on the back of all his bits and pieces.

I should have been finishing off the advent calendar interior, whoooops!  (I'll do a bit of that today instead).

'Stretch the Sausage Dog' arrives!

Introducing my latest character 'Stretch the Sausage Dog'!

Stretch's favourite time of year is Christmas, so what better time of year to introduce him to the world (well a few people on Facebook and Twitter!)

He is available in the form of three Christmas Cards just now, but he will be available on an Advent Calendar within the next couple of weeks, and a full range of products and cards will be released throughout 2012...

Click on the first image to see him in his shop.

I hope you enjoy looking at him as much as I enjoy colouring him in weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

'Sliding Stretch'

'Seasonal Stretch'

'Sleepy Stretch'

Advent Calendar now available online...

Another seasonal post but as it's a chilly one out there it seems more forgivable today!

I sold a number of my 'Christmas Toadstools' Advent Calendars last Christmas in the shops of Crouch End and this year it is available online at Not On The High Street.com.

The calendar features the traditional 24 windows with a charming little design behind each window - no chocolate inside but the children that had one last year really enjoyed the pictures!

I'm currently working on a new calendar for this year featuring my new character 'Stretch the Sausage Dog' - more info on him coming soon.

Click on the first image to visit the online shop...

New signing with Little Tiger Press...

Well you wait for one book deal, then two come along at once - DING DING!

I'm happy to announce that I have just signed a two board book deal with Little Tiger Press.

The books are beautifully festive and will be out in time for Christmas 2012.

I can't show you anything at the moment but as soon as I can I will.

In the meantime click on the Little Tiger logo to take a look at their list - its quite expansive!

Beauty and the Beast sample spreads...

I think I can now pop a few examples from my second round competition entry - it was a fantastic exercise in scale, layout and colour - such fun!

Congleton Chronicle take 2...

My family spotted me in the local rag again this week - a nice little article thanks Congleton!

I should have sent them a couple of other photos though!

Congratulations to Loretta Schauer!

The winner of the Waterstones/Harper Collins 'Picture This' 2011 competition has been officially announced today and the winner is lovely Loretta Schauer who now goes on to create Michael Morpurgo's re-telling of the classic fairytale 'Beauty and the Beast'.

Below is the piece that appears in today's Telegraph featuring Loretta's Beastly character design!

More of Loretta's work can be seen on her website HERE

Waterstones/Harper Collins 'Picture This 2011' Shortlisters...

Here we all are at the event last week where we met Michael Morpurgo and the nice people of Waterstones and Harper Collins.

From left to right we have;  Tracey Smith, Matt Robertson, The Giant (Me), Elys Dolan, Loretta Schauer and Madeleine Hill.
Sophy Henn was also there but her daughter insisted they go to the Paperchase downstairs to do a spot of stationary shopping when this was taken.

I think my hands were stuck in my pockets and I can be seen here desperately trying to get them out without anyone noticing.

I believe the winner is announced officially tomorrow...

'Walkies!' card collection...

All 12 designs for my everyday dog card collection have just been been finalised - now featuring landmarks and assorted background elements.

The collection is called 'Walkies!' and will be available in shops towards the end of this year.

Nosy Crow Press Release...

I just received this lovely press release from Nosy Crow - aren't they lovely!  I didn't give them any sweets or cakes to make them say such kind words honest!

Something a bit different for C-C-C-Christmas...

There I said it - the 'C' word!  Sorry, but on my way home after an inspiring talk by illustrator Oliver Jeffers, I nipped into my local supermarket to get some milk.  I did a double-take when I spotted rows of MINCE PIES on the shelf.

I was quite tempted to purchase a box but I held back.

Instead I rushed home and created this new Christmas Card design.  So I saved some calories AND have a new design in the bargain.

The card will be available from Not On The High Street from October...

(The Gold colour will be a rectangle of lovely gold foil)

I'm in the 'Nosy Crow' Nest!

Well, if you'd told me a year ago that I was going to be on a list with Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo) and Leigh Hodgkinson (Limelight Larry) I would have told you to get off your flying pig and put the kettle on...

However it has just happened!  I am absolutely over the moon to be officially part of the Nosy Crow team and am very much enjoying commencing designing Tracey Corderoy's new title 'Shifty McGifty and Scarface McGann' which is very funny indeed!

Click on the link below to look at the Nosy Crow website;

Can you still put the kettle on though please - I'm parched!

Sewing 'Spot the Difference' Competition...

I thought it would be nice to have a little competition.  I have 10 sewing lady tote bags to give away.  This is out of pure generosity and has nothing to do with the fact that I have 10 sewing lady bags featuring a misprint!

Inspired by said misprint, I have devised a little 'Spot the Difference' for you to have a go at.

There are 10 differences and the first ten people to email me at steve@2dscrumptious.com with a list of them will win themselves a lovely cotton tote bag...

(Click on the designs to enlarge them)

Good luck!