vol.25

Yay!

Well, I did it! I deliberated, and finally sealed the deal. I am sooo thrilled to have this finally finished up, and I am sure you are all tired of hearing about my "project." :) It is now final though... you can order your copy of ZoOo Love through blurb, and if it comes as fast as mine did... you just may have your very own copy in your hands by the end of this next week. :)

I ordered my second copy in hardback form, and I am really excited to get it. See the badge here in the right sidebar underneath my picture? --------->

If you click that badge you will be taken to blurb's website and you can preview the first 15 pages of the book... how exciting is that!!!? I have to thank my husband, when I showed him the book (in paperback form) he said "wow honey, I am really impressed. It seems more exciting now that you see it printed" Yup! So tonight when I had the new version uploaded (a few changes were made) I called him into see the book review, and once again he managed to act genuinely interested! :) More brownie points for him.

I do think I will probably eventually add a copy of the book to the shop, but not until I put enough money back to order 10 copies. With both mine and Jaydon's birthday's this month, and tax season... now isnt a good time. Plus, I like that you can have your choice of paperback, or hardcover. For those of you wanting a more affordable option, the paperback is much more manageable.  :)

So... about the changes. The lion made it into the book after all! He did however replace the zebra. When I got the book in the mail I looked it over and the zebra was not quite as clear as I would have liked, fortunately the lion looked just as happy in his spot. :)

I already have the perfect theme for a new baby book... it is in the planning stages! I even began a few sketches for it. But. I'll spare everyone baby book talk for a month or so before I start in on it again. ;) I REALLY REALLY appreciate all the positive support from all of you. You definitely helped me make a few crucial decisions.

Well, I think I am going to call it a night... if anyone has any questions on the baby book feel free to ask!

Its HERE super early!!

Yay!! Guess what came in the mail WAY before it was even estimated to ship? ZoOo Love! Yep, it sure did! I am really really happy with how it turned out. No white edges on the pages, and only a few minor changes need to be made before I order a new batch of books for the shop. I would like to order 10 at a time. Not only would I save on shipping, but it would also allow me to take a 10% price break, helping me to keep these somewhat affordable. I am considering letting people reserve they're own copy. Maybe pay half now, and then the remainder when the books come in. That would really help me come up with the initial chunk. I also think that I am going to take some of these down to the local boutique here in town. Hmm... lots to think about!

I had a "happy more then willing to help model". :) Of course she came with a price, after she was done she said, "I did a good job I think I need a treat" Who's raising this child I ask!? :) Certainly my daughter wouldnt think good behaviour was rewarded with a treat?

free shipping, and a new print!

Free shipping on all 8x10 prints. I have the free shipping scheduled to end on Tuesday, but I may end up extending it through the rest of the week. It probably just depends on how busy (if at all) things get. :)

Jaydon is planning to take me to ikea for my birthday (or soon after) and some extra spending money is a must! I am really really wanting to buy a new computer desk. I am currently using my mom's computer armoire, and since they are planning to move into they're house sometime in the next couple of months... I will definitely be wanting a new solution! :) I'll have to show you what I have been "dreaming" up in my head for my craft space. It has been somewhat of  challenge trying to stay practical... especially since we are not too sure what house we will be moving into (if we ever get our home improvement projects finished up!) so in a way I am steering away from what I really want, and trying to think somewhat simple... so that I can really get what I want after we move. Hmm... you'll have to forgive me, I think I am typing as I am thinking... so of course it is coming out all jumbled like. :)

Ok- So I mentioned a new print, but in all actuality I have TWO new prints to share. :)

and they lived happily ever after

...and love like no other

I really wanted to get the panda bear in a print. He is soo cute and cuddly! Well, I hope you all are all well. I have really enjoyed reading your suggestions for a future free downloadable print, such creative readers I have! :) Please keep the inspiration coming!

Help me design a free print for you!

Hello everybody!! I have some really good news for all of you. :) Jen over at the lovely indie Fixx blog has had a wonderful idea that I am really excited to share, and be a part of. :)

Basically, she realizes that the economy could certainly be better for a few of us... and to help brighten a less then desirable situation she has invited a few artists' to participate in what she calls "Feed you soul. The free art project."  This is what Jen has to say of the project:

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“What is this Feed Your Soul: the free art project?” 
Well, every month I will share FREE ART with you from artists that I have invited to participate in the project. Each invited artist will contribute one print that you can print out on some cardstock and frame or even just thumbtack to the wall.

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Sounds pretty good huh? I love it! :) I am really excited to be one of the artists; invited to participate along with these other VERY talented people. :)

Berkley Illustration
Browington Forest
Michele Maule
Tricia Mckellar
Things are Better with a Parrott
Stephanie Fizer
Unconventional Ida 

So... back to the title of this post... I need your help! It seems whenever I ask for inspiration, you people give it to me like no other! :) I have a couple different ideas, but I think I am really feeling the pressure to please with this project. I mean I want it to appeal to the vast majority. So... when you think of a print based upon the slogan "feed your soul" what comes to your mind? Are there any quotes, or themes? colors? anything? :) I told Jen I thought I would be able to be one of the artists' participating for March so I need it done by the first of March. :)

Can't wait to hear your ideas!! Oh- and I am also offering free shipping in the shop, from Now till tuesday. :) I'll try and get a more official post up on that later today. Along with a free shipping banner in the shop. :D  

ZoOo love update...

Thank you soo much for sharing all your opinions regarding the perfect cover for ZoOo love. :) I finished the book MUCH earlier then I had planned, and am SO happy to say that the first book is in the printing process! :) I went ahead and ordered my "test" copy with the lion as the cover in paperback form. It seemed the lion was winning most of your votes (including the mom to be who inspired the book idea!) with the panda coming in at a close second. I'm thinking that I would like to eventually have both covers on hand for ordering. That way everyone can be happy. :)

I kind of assumed that I would be ordereing hard cover books... but I do think that there are advantages to both. Hard cover will probably be more durable, but the paperback will probably be easier to write in? So I guess I am kind of divided?

Here are a couple more of my favorite pages from the book. :)

It is estimated to ship on the 25th, which happens to be the day after my birthday! :) I am HOPING that this book turns out perfect, but I am expecting I have a mispelled word or two. :) I tried ordering a baby book I designed from lulu... and had the worst luck getting the pages printed without white edges. Even though I designed them as a full bleed layout, and used the measurements they suggested... it was a very frustrating process. So, hopefully blurb will deliver. Even though they are more expensive.

Again, thanks so much for generously giving your opinion, you made it so much easier to decide. :)

I just cant decide!

I kind of had fun designing these... which cover appeals to you the most? The lion illustration wasnt used inside the baby book, so I am kinda partial to using him on the cover? But not sure...?

sneak peek at "zoOo love..."

Wow! Its been a few days since my last post. I think it safe to say I am neglecting my blog! However, I do have a few reasons for that. :) It is mostly the result of having way too many projects going at once! I am also filing taxes for the first time, and although I kept EVERYTHING from last year... it was most definitely not organized. :) But anyhow, I'll save all those details for another post. Since the title of this post is sneak peek... I better get to it! :)

I think my hardest part had been trying to work with a square format. I was trying to incorporate text I already had typed for Journey's baby book to cut down on time. So, using the square just wasnt working. I decided to use another company who makes photo books, blurb. We will see how that goes. :) I also opted to have more then the original 40 pages, in order to do double spreads like the one above, that way I can still artistically add my animals. :)

I also had a hard time deciding wether or not to use all 4 colors like the original zoo series art prints. As you can see I decided I kind of liked the look of bright colors throughout the book. :) So there you have it a sneak peek! I am planning to release the book early april. However, I really hope to have it done by the end of march! That is when the baby who inspired the book is "scheduled" to arrive. :)

I used my own handwriting for the titles. These pages are sized at 8x10. :)

Oh! I also got to make a trip to ikea with my parents last weekend. :) They needed to pick up flooring for their house, so Trin and I came along for the 3 hour drive. Which made it our third saturday away from home!! :) Anyhow, I grabbed an awesome (office) chair in the "as is" section... for 54% off. It happens to be an office chair I have wanted for months now! So, I really scored there!! :) Pictures to come...

One more thing, I am hosting a giveaway over at Shey B's blog. She makes the cutest camera straps, and contacted me about hosting a giveaway. I said yes! So be sure and stop by her blog for your chance at entering. :)

Well, hope you all enjoyed the peek!

I'm back!!

First of all, thank you for all your comments/advice and for wishing me the best. :) The wedding was fun and tiring all at once! I showed up at the church at 8:30 to photograph the girls getting ready. I took my last picture at 6:30 PM. :) It was a full day, and let me tell you... Jaydon had a new appreciation for me at the end of the day. Being Mr. Mom to two little girls for a (busy) day was taking its toll. It is so nice to feel appreciated. :D

I honestly feel like I just barely "survived" the ceremony. Certainly not my strong point! It is so hard to be everywhere at once, and try to be prepared for the next move. Anyhow, the fun really began after the reception, Gideon and Brandi had planned some pictures of the two of them at various locations around Olympia. They were flying out for Hawaii the next morning, so were not planning to drive far that night. We didnt leave the reception as early as we had hoped, so our daylight was really limited. Me and the Groom's sister (who is also REMARKABLE with a camera) jumped in with a good friend of ours and he chauffered us around town following the newlyweds. :) My favorite location was the old capitol building in Olympia WA. I received permission from Brandi and Gideon to post some of they're pictures... so since I know your dying to see SOME pictures.. here they are! :)

and some more....

and here is some from the new capitol...
 

Whew! Thats alot of pictures. :) I am still editing even more! We had two other locations besides the capitols, but these were some of my favorites, as I was most anxious to get to them. :) I do have more uploaded on flickr

Well, I had best get back to editing... I knew some of you were wondering how it went... so I wanted to give you an update. :)