It's that hectic time of year when our heads can get a bit worn out and frazzled, and the very best cure for the scatterbrain blues is one totally excellent diary. Oh, did you see that we have one for sale? We're mighty chuffed with the new 2014 frankie journal, largely because of the lovely artwork by illustrator Sara Hingle. To celebrate the awesomeness, here's a little interview with the creative lass about what goes into designing a whole year's worth of pages.

What was the creative brief for this year's diary? Pretty and floral!

How long did it take to think up the illustration direction? It didn't take too long... my brainstorming immediately took me back to the late '80s when I would pour over a diary of Mum's that had birthstones and birth flowers in it, together with all of her special notes and important appointments jotted throughout. While the artwork was a touch on the cheesy side, I loved it and haven't forgotten my special stone and flower to this day.

Take us through the process from brainstorming to sketching, and then the final designs. For the birth flower illustrations: brief, brainstorm, samples, sourcing reference images, pencil and water colour work, scan, Photoshop touchups. For the pattern design: as per above, but with a lot of trial and error to get the pattern repeat and colours working. Cups of tea and Scotch Finger biscuit consumption is imperative at each step.

Which is your favourite plant featured in the diary? I would have to say both the poppy (August) and the marigold (October) are my faves. A little co-inky-dink that some of my best pals were born in these months.

What was your favourite part of the process? Scanning the pencil and water colours. It is very satisfying hearing the chatter of the scanner acknowledging all of my hard work.

How did you get into illustration? I moved interstate and didn't have too many mates to start with, so I made friends with my pencils. Luckily, this sad fact had a good ending with both (real) friends and some illustration jobs ensuing.

What do you love about what you do? What's not to love? I get to be hands-on creative and can work from home with my support team (dog, cat, babies).