Portfoilo Site Update

New for 2010, I re-designed my portfolio website and now have a list of recent picture books I've been illustrating. The site is bilingual, English and French, although it's full of pretty pictures and not too heavy on the word side of things, just the way I like it! I am my own worst client, and a simple rehaul took more hair-pulling than it could have. Please let me know if anything falls apart while you're browsing, I wouldn't be surprised. Even though the site is pretty straight forward basic, my html skills are old and faded , which actually I am pretty happy about. Means I'm finally divorced from that 'techie' part of my old career. Code never ever made me happy like drawing does. Whooppee.
http://www.cassandrallen.com

Old Sailor Book Launch

One of my books is being launched next month in Melbourne. Unfortunately I cannot be there, I am snowed-in in Switzerland. But here are the details if you are interested. Click on the image for a larger view.

WHERE: The Sun Theatre, 8 Ballarat St, Yarraville VIC
WHEN: 2.00 PM Saturday 27 February 2010
RSVP: The Sun Bookshop, Tel: +61 3 9689 0661, info@sunbookshop.com

Baking an Aussie Bun

The lovely Anna is also baking a bun, and has a weekly record of the bun's progress during the current scorching Australian Summer. I love Anna's photos, not only of her ever expanding belly, but also the glimpse of her charmed Sydney life. Sets my mind dreaming of salty Summers I once knew, full of sparkling beaches, early morning cafe breakfasts with friends, and the smell of freshly ground coffee from the best made cafe lattés in the world.

Baking Buns

Yes, I have a bun in the oven. But every week bake a couple more. Edible wholemeal buns that is, often with grains and seeds and nutty goodness thrown in for good measure. One of my Not New Years Resolutions has been baking bread ever week. Actually this new habit started in December. It's laborious and long, but worth every bit of time and energy once those warm bread-baking odors start wafting from the oven. And a steaming fresh slice with butter, just to test if it's as good as the week before, well it just has to be done.

Hot Dog in Melbourne

Twenty centimetres of fresh snow overnight, and it's still bucketing down here. But on the other side of this big old planet, in Melbourne Australia it has been over 40 degrees. Hot dogs everywhere. This is Banjo. Exhausted but obviously found a good spot to rest, even making use of the cushion!

I Live Here

The snow stopped and the sun came out. The air was crisp, well below zero, but we were loaded with enthusiasm. We layered up and took ourselves out for a little Sunday afternoon walk around our town, entertained by the fresh layer of snow and the variety of fancy dog coats on parade.

Underwater World

Snow is falling outside right now. But I want to post some of my favorite photos from a recent aquarium visit. It is always so difficult to take good photos in one of those places, I am often disappointed with the results. I guess it is more about the experience. The Sunfish totally blew me away, what a weird and wonderful monster! With my latest children's book(a story set at sea) about to hit the bookstores in Australia, this adventure was more than inspiring.

Bonne Année!

What's Hot and What's Not

What's HOT this week?

1. A print bought from my Etsy store finally making it's way through the snowfields of Europe and arriving at the doorstep of a very patient customer in the USA.
2. Almost buying a cute little handcrafted paper bag, but deciding to hold onto my cashola and walk away. The very next day, receiving that same paper bag as a gift full of knitted booties for our Little Bean due in March 2010.
3. Needing a teapot, sending brainwaves to the second-hand powers in the sky before entering the Red Cross second hand store, and "voila" like magic, a pretty teapot was there waiting for me to take it home for a measly $2 (no chips or anything, whooppee).
4. Baking frenzy all week. It's been snowing. Snow makes me want to bake. I finally made Leonie's Apple Cake, here. Sooooo easy and delicious! Thinking of trying a variation with pears and ginger next time.

What's NOT Hot (at all)

1. Monsieur B has been under the pump at work, it's normal for this time of year. He's tired and stressed and needs to sleep, a lot.

(others at Loobylu)

More Snow

This is what I woke up to this morning. I am one happy enchanted gal. Monsieur B has red-hot Spanish blood and acts as if he has a terrible allergy to snow. Not me. I hope it snows like this all week!