a number of things

They're here!

The books just arrived a good 8 days early! I have no idea why, but who am I to question?

So if you were wanting a signed copy from me, they are now available in the shop. If you would like a chance to win a free copy, just leave a comment in today's post by Sunday 9am CST. I think I will give away a copy a week all through October. I am so excited. :)

P.S. ~ Jennifer over at As Cozy As Spring just posted a sweet review of the book. Thanks Jenn!

P.P.S. ~ And thank you to another Jennifer who just posted a very kind review of her own! (**And another one from Sara of A Shower of Roses!)

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Thank you so much to everyone who commented! Congratulations to Beth with comment #31! (chosen by random.org) I will start up another giveaway next Thursday. :)

"This looks awesome! I need something like this for my boys. It is on my need to buy list now.
Thanks for offering a giveaway!
Beth"

 

polishing

I always seem to get wood polishing urges in the fall. There is just something about the soft warm glow of freshly polished wood ware that goes with breezy days and crisp, cool nights. I really love functional, utilitarian objects made of wood, and the older the better.

Long ago I had tried my hand at making my own wood polish, but I was not happy with the results. I recently decided to try again and this time used the Woodmouse's recipe for inspiration. Mine is roughly the same proportions, except that I used sweet almond oil (because that is what I had) which I found took a bit more than 1/4 cup of bee's wax (per 1 cup of oil) to get the consistency I wanted.

I just put the oil and the bee's wax into a wide mouth pint jar and set the jar into a pot of water as a makeshift double boiler. I left the polish right in the jar, this way there were no other containers to clean wax out of (I used a clean, wood paint stirrer for stirring).

Ah, autumn. Now bring on the cool!

 

book update

For those of you who would like a signed copy of Tin Cups & Tinder, my copies are still on track to arrive on October 8th. For the rest of you, however, it is now live on Amazon! It went up late last night. I really did not know when it would be on Amazon because when you "release a title" to them, they tell you it could take up to 15 days for it to appear on the web site. They also tell you that the page will be built in stages and so might not look "finished" for a few days. Wow. So much to learn in this whole self-publishing adventure. And what an adventure it had been :)

 

a book trailer of sorts

Yes, it's another stop motion movie. I have to give all the credit for this idea to my 11 year old, Caleb. When I was looking through the hundreds of photos that were taken for this book he said, "Mom, we really need to make a stop motion video to advertise the book." Ah, my little marketing man. :)

All of the reviewer copies have been mailed and I have opened up a little Big Cartel shop for selling a few books. (You will see a little text link under "About" in the top right sidebar.) My copies will not be in until the 8th of October, but it will (hopefully) be available on Amazon before that. (I'll be sure to let you know!) I really like the whole Big Cartel format and am thinking seriously about moving my Etsy things over there. (Like I need another project.)

Have a fabulous day!

 

PS ~ The music ("Final Reel") is once again from Scythian's Immigrant Road Show Album (Used with permission.). Love those guys.

 

pleasant diversions

The credit (blame? just kidding.) for my latest distraction must go to the lovely Jennifer of as cozy as spring and her amazing yarn. Years ago I had tried spindle spinning with some beautiful cotton that we had grown, de-seeded and carded. Little did I know then, that cotton (with it's short staple) is a very difficult fiber to learn on. So, after several frustrating attempts, I gave up and put the spindles away.

Then I saw what Jennifer was doing. And after a few encouraging emails from her, I was re-inspired to give it another go, this time with wool. Now our clumsy first attempts are a long way from perfect, but oh this is fun.

So far I haven't had near the time to play with these amazing toys as I would like, but Anna is loving it. She is having a blast and is spinning up a storm.

Thanks, Jenn!

 

Tuesday

Autumn is in the air, I can feel it. As hot as it has been lately, there is a change in the wind and in the light. I can feel the soup making and pie baking urges coming on along with our tradition of ditching school in favor of picnics and walks in the woods. I know from experience how those crisp breezes (when they do finally get here) wreak havoc on my ability to concentrate and all I think about is getting outdoors.

Proof reading of the book is nearly done and I am looking so very forward to having this little (or not-so-little) project completed so that I can enjoy my favorite season with one less distraction and also work on some artsy things that have been on the back burner. I will probably have a few review copies (proofs) in a week or so, if any of you blog-y types would like to review one. Shoot me an email if you are interested and I will send them out on a first-ask first-get basis. :) 

***Thanks for all the review requests! All the copies have now been spoken for. I will email all of you ladies with the details.

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

 

coming soon

Well here is a sneak peak at the forthcoming book cover. This project is different, in many ways, from my first two books. I suppose the most obvious difference are all the photos inside and the use of less watercolors and drawings. This is what really worked best for this adventure, as it was (more than the other two) very much a group effort with so much wonderful input and help from the boys (and the girls too).

Below are a few glimpses of the interior in the most recent proof. We are shooting to have it available (on Amazon and here) by the first week of October, but there is just the smallest chance that it could be a bit earlier.

We really are excited that this project is near its completion. The whole little book is only 8.25" x 8.25" and 108 pages. If you would like to peruse the contents pages, I have them right here. :)

Have a fantastic weekend!

 

humming bird love

The little guys are back for the fall and my Rosie (definitely a bird girl) is enthralled. She has named this fellow Red (for his ruby throat) and he sits nearly all day in the crepe myrtle by the window trying to protect what he sees as his feeder (Not a very good picture, I know.). They chirp and dive and buzz by incredibly close as we sit on the porch swing.

Yesterday, this book arrived and became an instant favorite. The photos, oh my. And such a sweet story for all ages. Soon after we finished reading it I just had to put the dvd onto my wishlist.

I hope some of you also get to enjoy the hummers on their way south.
Autumn is coming!

 

wordless Wednesday :: book outtake