A Puffin Explorer

Goodness! What’s got into me, more than one post in a week! This was a lovely rubber stamp that I vaguely remember being stamped onto the back of the hand of visitors to the 12th exhibition. I asked nicely if I could have one stamped into my Puffin Thinkbook – and I got it!

This was one of a whole set of Jill McDonald designs that appeared on button badges that were also doled out – yes, you guessed it, I’m going to post these as well.

A Puffin Explorer

Goodness! What’s got into me, more than one post in a week! This was a lovely rubber stamp that I vaguely remember being stamped onto the back of the hand of visitors to the 12th exhibition. I asked nicely if I could have one stamped into my Puffin Thinkbook – and I got it!

This was one of a whole set of Jill McDonald designs that appeared on button badges that were also doled out – yes, you guessed it, I’m going to post these as well.

Nice new things….

Well folks, I have just received my preview copies of the new Puffin Post – It has a bit of the old and lots of the new.

Sad to say, Fat Puffin is now officially deceased – as is Odway! TOMCAT has lost his steam powered looks and is now a more conventional PC. To be philosophical about it, however fond I am of the old characters and style of the old, the new generation needs something to be theirs and theirs alone.

I think it will be nice to have the club back for a new batch of puffineers. For those of you who find your way here after the launch – I plan to continue my trawl through the old puffin club ephemera for old times sake.

Nice new things….

Well folks, I have just received my preview copies of the new Puffin Post – It has a bit of the old and lots of the new.

Sad to say, Fat Puffin is now officially deceased – as is Odway! TOMCAT has lost his steam powered looks and is now a more conventional PC. To be philosophical about it, however fond I am of the old characters and style of the old, the new generation needs something to be theirs and theirs alone.

I think it will be nice to have the club back for a new batch of puffineers. For those of you who find your way here after the launch – I plan to continue my trawl through the old puffin club ephemera for old times sake.

Another sticky thing…

One of the better preserved exhibition stickers – not by Jill McDonald, and I’d love to know who did do it! This was a brilliant event that for the time was pretty epic. I still remember the twelfth show as being something pretty special.

I met Spike Milligan at this show and had my hero worship bruised by his confusion and anger that a Half-Irish boy could have an Islamic name. He is still a hero to me, and I have come to understand his views – however uncomfortable they make me feel – RIP Spike – Greatly missed.

Another sticky thing…

One of the better preserved exhibition stickers – not by Jill McDonald, and I’d love to know who did do it! This was a brilliant event that for the time was pretty epic. I still remember the twelfth show as being something pretty special.

I met Spike Milligan at this show and had my hero worship bruised by his confusion and anger that a Half-Irish boy could have an Islamic name. He is still a hero to me, and I have come to understand his views – however uncomfortable they make me feel – RIP Spike – Greatly missed.

Puffin Thinkbook


How many of you have one of these? This is the full spread artwork of the Puffin Thinkbook – designed, as always, by Jill McDonald. These blank paperback books were given away as prizes for competitions, and more importantly, on sale to members at some of the Puffin Exhibitions. That’s where I bought my copies.

I must have had a premonition that I would need a pristine copy to use nearly a quarter of a century later, because I kept one copy back from scribbles.

The spine of the book is the fountain pen which wraps around nicely. I’ve been toying with the idea of laser printing the design onto Duralabels and sticking it onto my Moleskine notebook – I think it would look pretty smart!

Puffin Thinkbook


How many of you have one of these? This is the full spread artwork of the Puffin Thinkbook – designed, as always, by Jill McDonald. These blank paperback books were given away as prizes for competitions, and more importantly, on sale to members at some of the Puffin Exhibitions. That’s where I bought my copies.

I must have had a premonition that I would need a pristine copy to use nearly a quarter of a century later, because I kept one copy back from scribbles.

The spine of the book is the fountain pen which wraps around nicely. I’ve been toying with the idea of laser printing the design onto Duralabels and sticking it onto my Moleskine notebook – I think it would look pretty smart!

A little bit of news…

Not a picture this time, just news.

I’ve been asked to go on BBC Three Counties Radio on Ernie Almonds show (?) to talk about the Puffin Club and the the upcoming new club ‘Puffin Post’ – it looks like it might be fun! If I can wangle the listen again facility for local radio I’ll put the link up for those of you who may be interested. Also on the show will be the well known childrens author, Jeremy Strong (www.jeremystrong.co.uk – with a slightly annoying sound effect on every page, but worth visiting!)

It’s on Monday 22nd September 2008, at 14.05 (or 2.05pm in old money), which happens to coincide with the relaunch of Puffin Post in London that evening!

A little bit of news…

Not a picture this time, just news.

I’ve been asked to go on BBC Three Counties Radio on Ernie Almonds show (?) to talk about the Puffin Club and the the upcoming new club ‘Puffin Post’ – it looks like it might be fun! If I can wangle the listen again facility for local radio I’ll put the link up for those of you who may be interested. Also on the show will be the well known childrens author, Jeremy Strong (www.jeremystrong.co.uk – with a slightly annoying sound effect on every page, but worth visiting!)

It’s on Monday 22nd September 2008, at 14.05 (or 2.05pm in old money), which happens to coincide with the relaunch of Puffin Post in London that evening!