inside "Outside the Lines"

Reading at Borders Books

So here I am reading my book outloud to a group of 30 attentive patrons at Borders Books in Ames. I was nervous and a bit scared. Not sure what the evening would bring. Had a moment where I almost couldn't do it then finished. Now I have another reading at the public library in Audubon. I am feeling much more confidant about this one. I know what works and what doesn't and what to do and expect. Whew...thoses firsts are always the hardest!

So what's new?

What's new in the studio? Some serious rhinestones. I got this piece from an estate sale recently. It is FABULOUS! It was made by the Schreiner Co. of New York. I did a bit of research on it. It is called an opera bib. Schreiner worked for Christian Dior until 1939 then he started his own company until 1973. His pieces were made one at a time instead of mass produced. He was well known for his inverted stones- meaning he put the facets on the outside. It's an interesting mix of colored glass stones and pearls and turquoise. I am thinking this piece was made in the late 50's. It weighs one pound. When I tried it on I felt like a queen!

my oldest best friend

My oldest best friend in the world bought a copy of my book. I shipped it out all official like with a printed invoice and printed mailing label. We've been friends since the 4th grade. She has a blog and had this to say. She is really ,y best friend ever in the world.

Outside the Lines

A few years back someone handed me this poem and said- this made me think of you. The poem was about being different. Not fitting in. How lonely and yet liberating it can be at the same time. She was right. I've always been different. I've looked at the world from a different view than most of the people around me. Not so easy when you are a kid but it fits now that I'm an adult. This poem called "Coloring" inspired me to write and illustrate a book about growing up and not quite fitting in. The title of my book is "Outside the Lines". Writing a book is alot like being pregnant for the first time, and going through editing and rewrites is alot like childbirth. The hardest part of wirting the book for me was letting my publisher (Smiling Stone Soup) take the "protoype" copy and show it to bookstore owners. What if they didn't like it? What if...What if...What if...I cried. I felt like I did when my oldest daughter left home for college. I was glad to see her spread her wings and fly. I knew she could do it because of the foundation we laid for her but still... letting go isn't easy. So now my book is 'out there' and people like it. Borders ordered copies of it to sell this fall.