Lettergirl

Wednesday Book Club.

A few titles on my library reserve list:

Japanese Quilting Piece by Piece

Little Book of Lettering

Dreaming in Color, an autobiography by Kaffe Fassett

Gluten Free Canteen's Book of Nosh  (love the blog already)

What's on your list?

Giveaway winner!

Congratulations, Terry, you are the winner of the bookplate stamp! 

Gina, My head says: A book on your life as an artist, yes, your journey. I would be interested in the transformative changes that have taken place over time: influences, constraints, the path itself, patience and perservance. Or maybe a children's book. I don't know if you are inclined in this direction, but thought/felt this might be for you. Terry

You have your choice of designs and whether you'd like red rubber or self-inking.  Please email me with your preferences. 

And thanks to all who entered.  As usual, I wanted all of you to win.  When I set up the giveaway on Wednesday morning, I felt a bit flippant about it: hey, I want to write a book!  But in reading your responses, and even in giving myself the nudge to think about it more seriously, I got excited about the possibilities.  I especially appreciated the advice of the woman giving the presentation I went to, as well as reader Gisele, who both reminded me:  when you write a book, you spend a whole lot of time with it, so it better be a subject you want to spend a lot of time with.

I've done just a teeny bit of research into self-publishing.  I envision my book as a lovely hardcover with thick pages and photos that fill up the page...unfortunately, I may have to trim that vision a bit as even I don't want to spend upwards of $60 a copy.

I was also reminded of one of my very first posts on this blog, back in May 2008, when I was thinking about opening an etsy shop.  Writing about it here, soliciting advice from my (handful of) readers, made the prospect real for me.  It was another six months before I got it together to open my etsy shop...which now accounts for about 3/4 of my business.  In the same way, writing a book has become a real possibility for me, and my ideas are taking shape.  Thank you for the encouragement, and for sending me on my way.

Wednesday Book Club + a giveaway.

Today I'm going to a meeting with the Magic Wand Collective and getting my feet wet with the idea of publishing a book.  I've had this in the back of my mind for awhile, and I'm  not even sure when I'd jump in, but it's time to at least learn a little more.

Here's where you come in:  any suggestions for a topic?  I have a few ideas, but I'm curious to know what my loyal blog readers think.  And to sweeten the pot, I'm having a giveaway:  one of my handwritten bookplate stamps.  Just leave a note in the comment with your thoughts on what I could write a book about, and I'll draw a winner on Monday morning, November 5th.

The winner gets their choice of the Elizabeth bookplate (top photo) or the Perfect bookplate (bottom photo) in either self-inking or red rubber. I can't wait to hear your ideas!

Wednesday Book Club.

Yes, I already know I'm a bit of a book snob, but here's one we can all agree on:  Moloka'i by Alan Brennert.  I was really stuck in a rut from July through September, reading all books by the same author (and they were good, but not great).  Enjoying time with my family in the summer, moving into the studio, and making stuff...I just didn't have the energy to look for anything better.  Then I was in a car with three other women for two hours last month and made some reservations at the library as we road along, easy peasy.  Ann recommended this one, and it's been a perfect fall read:  based on the history of Moloka'i, it follows the life of one girl with leprosy as she is quarantined there at the turn of the century.  (The settlement for lepers actually remained at Moloka'i until 1969.)  Next up, Elizabeth's recommendation:  The Language of Flowers. 

Wednesday Book Club.

Nicole Hunn of Gluten Free on a Shoestring has the best food photos on her blog, hands down. I love her Nutella Cookies and I can't wait to try the recipe for Pumpkin Crack Cake (seriously).  So when she announced that her new cookbook would be available in just a few weeks, I signed myself right up.  (And if you preorder you'll even get a free ebook of Nicole's favorite recipes...like deep dish pizza, which I'm planning to make this very weekend.)  Between  you and me, it really doesn't matter if you even make any of these recipes on your own:  looking at the photos is pretty darn satisfying in and of itself.

Wednesday Book Club.

I'm first in line at the library as soon as they get this one in stock:  Little Stitches by Aneela Hoey.  (It was published in August, and now it's October...what gives?  Did the librarians sneak all the copies home first?)  There's something about fall that makes me eager to get out my stash of embroidery floss (which I've been hoarding since the 70's).  You can see more of Aneela's work on her blog -- inspiring!

Wednesday Book Club.

It's true:  I enjoy reading about books almost as much as I enjoy reading books.  I read about Read This! in the local newspaper a few weeks ago.  (So, not just reading about books, but reading about books that are about books.)  Edited by the owner of a local indie bookstore, it is a compilation of lists and anecdotes from indie booksellers around the country.  For more book reviews, commentary on the industry, and local book celebs, check out editor Hans Weyandt's blog here. 

(And, for the record, I also enjoy reading cookbooks almost as much as I enjoy cooking.  Even when I spend 2 hours making gluten free potstickers from scratch, which is a pretty big effort for a Tuesday night, but which were delicious and worth every minute, I really thought it was more fun to make them than read about them.)

Do you have a favorite source for book reviews?  Goodreads?  IndieBound?  Please share!

Wednesday Book Club (on Thursday!).

I admit I bought this one right out of the gate, no waiting around for me.  Although when I read Gretchen Rubin's first book, The Happiness Project, the time and place were exactly right:  I started when I was in Alabama visiting the Alabama Chanin Factory, and finished at a cabin on the north shore of Lake Superior.  (Both places were perfect for reading, dwelling, and writing feverish notes in the margins.) 

Right now, I have a lot on my plate that's not at home -- mainly, the process of moving in to my new studio -- and that's where my focus is, so I'm not ready to be distracted by a book called Happier at Home.  But I will be, someday, and when I am, the book (and a pencil) will be waiting for me.

If you've already read this one, I'd love to hear your thoughts (unless you really didn't like it, in which case, please keep that to yourself!). 

Attention local theater lovers!

Just in case you are looking for something to do next weekend...Guards! Guards! is at the Historic Mounds Theatre in St. Paul and it is hilarious.  It's based on the book by Terry Pratchett and includes some very memorable characters (including an orangutan who rocks at charades and, well, my daughter, who plays a brown-nosing member of a secret society that conjures a dragon).  They are also doing a "pay what you can night" tonight if you like to stay out late on a school night. (I have a hard enough time staying up late on a Saturday night!)

Wednesday Book Club.

I ordered this book on a lark -- great reviews, and I pretty much love everything from STC Craft.  A delightful surprise (make that a capital D).  Heather Ross shares both her beautiful artwork and the methods she uses to transfer her designs digitally.  There's even a DVD with images you can use to create fabric, and some projects for using it are included in the book.  Like these adorable pillowcases:

Heather Ross Prints is a feast of inspiration.  You can read more about it on her blog here.