Telling Stories

Scrapbooking Your Faith {Week FOUR} & A Fiction GIVEAWAY!

Week Four already of Scrapbooking Your Faith! Here's a little video about this week's prompt and a cool Pinterst Project I was able to put to good use to finish it off! 

 

I got to share my "I Believe" project on the Creating Keepsakes blog, but I wanted to share it here too because it's really important to me to document this particular topic.

The funny thing is, I've made LOTS of "I Believe" layouts, some are lists, others are just one belief that I can document...and it seems as much as my beliefs stay the same, they're always changing too. 

Anyway. That's the scrapbooking element this week, but I was inspired to take the prompt for this week and do something a little different. A mixed media project I can display as a constant reminder. 

The prompt for this week is: Create a layout or project that focuses on one word or key phrase you know God wants you to focus on. Could be for this season of your life, this week, this month... What is God's plan for you in this moment? 

Also, be sure to check out the video where I talk about the cool Pinterest find on how to make these super simple tissue paper flowers! 

They might be my new favorite thing ever. 

So how about a giveaway?

How was that for a random change of subject?

This week, I am sooo excited because I get to offer the chance to win all three of the books I reviewed this week AND a copy of my book, A Sweethaven Summer. 

I do believe these will all be autographed and ONE  lucky winner will get to add all four to their bookshelves! 

Summer is right around the corner, so how can you resist beautiful stories that tug at your heartstrings and transport you to other worlds?!! 

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I'll announce the winner NEXT Faith Friday! 

Sounds too good to be true. :) 

Nine Questions with Christian Fiction Author Rachel Hauck

 It's been a whirlwind of a day...took Adam to the airport for his trip to Illinois and got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on the way home. I could hardly wait to get back so I can share with you a little about the third and final book in my little "Prepare to be wowed this summer" series. 

Clearly I just made that up. 

Today we're talking with Rachel Hauck. Her new book, The Wedding Dress just arrived in my house this week and I can hardly wait to dig in:

Pretty, right? 

So, this is what amazon says about Rachel's new book:

Four brides. One Dress.

A tale of faith, redemption, and timeless love.

Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift . . . and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can't she find the perfect dress…or feel certain she should marry Tim?

Then Charlotte discovers a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new-shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and  timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been "redeemed."

Charlotte's search for the gown's history-and its new bride-begins as a distraction from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte's heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the timeless beauty of finding true love.

I'm sold. I am dying to crack this one open!! 

So, let's find out a little about Rachel... 

She read one of my very first drafts of Sweethaven and in so many ways was instrumental in helping get me on course. I've learned so much from her and feel like she is incredibly generous with her knowledge. That's one of my favorite traits. 

So, I asked Rachel a random assortment of nine questions intending to choose FIVE to share with you. But I love them all so what's the harm in a little extra info? 

Here are NINE questions with the fabulous Rachel Hauck: 

1. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would play you?

RH: Ack, I have no idea! Sandra Bullock! :) 

2. What was something unique about your own wedding?

RH: I chewed gum during the ceremony. A friend tried to take it from me just before I walked down the aisle but I was too nervous to give it up! LOL. We also had a ballet dancer open the ceremony with He Is Exalted.

3. What is something on your bucket list? 

RH: Give away a million dollars at one time. 

4. Is there another genre you'd like to try writing in someday? 

RH: Maybe sci-fi for my husband. He wants me to write Amish in space. 

hahahhaa. That one made me laugh out loud. My husband wants me to kill everyone whenever I get stuck. 

5. What is your guilty pleasure? 

RH: I love sitting in bed at night with my iPhone and just reading Facebook and Twitter posts! 

6.  If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would you choose? Don't say Jesus because he's already there. lol

RH: Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. Queen of Sheba, because she is fascinating. And George Washington. 

7.  If you could be any character in fiction, who would it be?

RH: Not sure I'd want to be a fictional character. Authors make bad things happen to them! 

8. What do you do when you need to relax? 

RH: Believe it or not, exercise. Or maybe chill to a TV show. We don't watch much TV but I like old reruns. 

9. Describe your perfect day. 

RH: Get up, hit the gym, have time with Jesus, eat breakfast, chat with my hubby, sun shining, easy breeze, write, then have dinner with hubby, maybe talk to a few friends or family, hear from my agent or editor.

I love learning about some of my favorite authors and tomorrow I'm inviting everyone back not just for Faith Friday but also for the chance to win all three of these books by all three of the sensational authors who've been guests on my blog this week!

If you don't want to wait, head HERE to pick up Rachel's book for yourself or HERE to read a little more about yet another FABULOUS author...

10 Questions with "Stardust" Author Carla Stewart

Perhaps you're gearing up for a little vacation (I'm jealous) and need some good reading material? This week I am here to help! Not only do I highly recommend Deb Raney's new book, After All, but I also have to tell you about another book that just released yesterday: 

This book is by another one of my favorite authors, Carla Stewart. I've talked about Carla's beautiful writing before, and I have to say, this new book is just as wonderful as the first two. There is MUCH to love about Stardust, but for me, it's the nostalgic, wistful feeling I got from the second I started reading. I absolutely LOVE Carla's soulful writing, deep with description and so good at transporting me back in time. 

Here's a little about the book: 

Shortly after burying her unfaithful husband, Georgia Peyton unexpectedly inherits the derelict Stardust motel from a distant relative. Despite doubts from the community and the aunt who raised her, she is determined to breathe new life into it. But the guests who arrive aren't what Georgia expects: Her gin-loving mother-in-law; her dead husband's mistress; an attractive but down-on-his-luck drifter who's tired of the endless road; and an aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia's past.

Can Georgia find the courage to forgive those who've betrayed her, the grace to shelter those who need her, and the moxy to face the future? And will her dream of a new life under the flickering neon of the STARDUST ever come true?

Because I didn't live in the 50's and 60's, the era this book takes place in, it's fascinating for me to get a glimpse of how things were during those pivotal years in our country's history. Carla paints vivid word pictures and her characters spring to life and stay with you, pulling them into their story and making you care. 

But don't take my word for it. You can get your own copy right HERE! I promise you won't be disappointed!

To celebrate the launch of this beautiful new novel, I asked Carla to play along with my "5 Questions." She is such an overachiever, she answered all 10 of the ones I sent over... so I get to share all of them with you (because this lady is a hoot...you'll fall in love with HER as much as you will her books!) 

1. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would play you?

Kathy Bates, of course. She’s a mess, but she has a soft side.

2. What's something about the 60's, the era you write in, that you remember vividly? 

JFK assassination. Coming into my 8^th grade class after lunch and hearing the news. I felt sick to my stomach. I think we all realized our fears of Communists taking over our country really could happen if even the President of the United States was vulnerable.

A memory that NO ONE but people from my adopted hometown has: There was a hangout called the “Katari” in the basement of a downtown building and decorated sort of hippie style. You could get cokes and listen to the jukebox during the week, and on Saturday night, they had dances with a live band. ALL the cool people hung out there and you could smell the pizza from “The Cellar” next door. Those were the days! 

3. What could someone expect from their stay if YOU were running Stardust? 

Fresh coffee any time of the day or night. Served in stoneware mugs and not Styrofoam or paper cups. 

4. What are three things you must have every day? 

Fresh coffee in a mug.

Time alone.

Prayer.

5. What's something most people don't know about you? 

That my parents bought me from a band of gypsies. You didn’t know that? Well, maybe you also didn’t know that I once played Abe Lincoln’s mother in my fourth grade play, which led to a lifetime love of character roles in stage plays. Now I prefer to invent the characters in stories. 

6. Is there another genre you'd like to try writing in someday? 

I’d love to write a literary novel. Or a family saga. 

7. What is your guilty pleasure? 

Reading. Especially on a beautiful day when I can take a book and a glass of wine to the patio and ignore the world.

8. Who are some writers you admire?

Jeannette Walls (The Glass Castle)

Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

C. S. Lewis

Dick Francis

Writing friends I admire:

Sarah Sundin 

Susan Meissner

Lisa Wingate

9. If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would you choose? Don't say Jesus because he's already there.  

Jimmy Stewart

Simon Peter

Katharine Hepburn

10. If you could be any character in fiction, who would it be?

Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Yeah, I know she’s a kid, but she surely grew up to be a woman who made a profound difference because of her childhood experiences. 

I'm so excited to give away not one or two but three books this week on my blog...come back tomorrow and find out how you can WIN Stardust!

Or, if you can't wait, head over to amazon and snag your copy today!

5 {FUN} Questions With Christian Fiction Author Deb Raney

Last night, after a very busy two weeks, I decided I just needed to breathe for an hour or two. No kids. No talking. Just me, alone with my thoughts. There's pretty much only one place to do that. Barnes and Noble. 

It is, without a doubt, my favorite place in the world. Ok, maybe that's generous, but understand my deep, passionate love for this store. 

I walked around, thinking about books, inhaling the Starbucks and dreaming up new stories...

And of course, I did some very important undercover work as well. 

I went into the Christian fiction section, found my book and a few of my friends' new releases and placed them all face forward on the shelf. I like to do my part. And it makes you feel somehow like you have control over whether or not someone happens to pick up a book you love (or have written.) 

I'm excited because this week, I'm sharing with you fun interviews from three of my favorite authors...all wonderful women who I consider friends.

And you'll have the chance to win the hot-off-the-presses
releases from all three of them. 

Swoony, right? 

First up is my dear, sweet Deb Raney. 

(This picture makes me want to cut my hair...) 

I call her "my Deb" which is a funny story for another day. You've probably heard me mention her, but maybe I haven't stressed to you how much grace this woman extends. 

After our first meeting, you'd think she would've done one of those pretend-I-don't-see-her-waving-at-me kind of things and run in the opposite direction...but so far, she still talks to me. 

Last year, at our writer's conference, my idiocy continued where Deb was concerned...I brought her this sweet little composition book not unlike this one:

Just to thank her for being so nice and answering so many of my writerly questions. 

At that time I was highly addicted to Coke. (The drink, not the drug.) It's an addiction that comes and goes (right now it's gone, thank God...) The night before the conference began, I grabbed a fountain Coke and took it back to my room. As I was setting my things down, somehow I got all tangled up (this happens on a fairly regular basis) and knocked the Coke upside down where it promptly tumbled into my purse and spilled all over Deb's gift. 

Any normal person wouldn't have given this sticky-gift, but I was so in love with the quote on the front of the notebook, I gave it to her anyway. 

Well, as you can see here, she is so gracious, she still has that Coke-stained notebook sitting on her desk (under the old school typewriter)...

I have many stories that celebrate my clumsiness, but I'll spare you.

For now, I have more important things to talk about...mainly, Deb's new book, After All. 

The thing I really love about this book is that it drew me right into the character's world, and in many ways, I felt like I made new friends. I found myself completely gripped by their stories and anxious to turn each page and find out more of what would unfold.

This is an author who knows how to captivate a reader, and I cannot recommend this book (and the whole Hanover Falls series) highly enough! 

So, in honor of Deb's new book hitting the shelves (truly, I found it at B&N):

(blurry photo courtesy of my iPhone)

Anyway...in honor of this awesome read...here are FIVE fun questions with Deb Raney! 

1. I'm not the only clumsy one...don't you have a funny story about your wedding ring?

I'm not sure it's funny, but if I don't laugh, I'll cry. And it's wedding ringS plural. I've only lost 3 of them. And I promise I really, really do love my husband and WANT to be married to him. But in spite of always carefully checking the prongs on my engagement ring, somehow, after about a dozen years of wedded bliss, the stone fell out. Lost in our house. I didn't vacuum for weeks. ; ) Wonder of wonders, a few months later I found it (in shag carpet, no less! And this was not a large stone.) We had the stone reset and I happily wore it for a few more years.

Then one night we were leaving one of our kids' basketball games and I felt something sharp, and realized, once again, my diamond was gone from the set. I didn't even try to look for it in that huge gymnasium––I wasn't even positive that's where it had happened. So I put my engagement ring, sans diamond, in a drawer and went ringless for a few years.

Fast forward a few more years and my novel had been made into a movie and Ken and I were invited to the film premiere in Hollywood! I did not want to go to the premiere of a movie called A Vow to Cherish without a wedding ring! But we had a kid in college and money was tight so I decided it wasn't the best time to buy a diamond. Mentioned that to my mom, who presented me with her beautiful wedding ring! To keep! (Her arthritic fingers wouldn't let her wear it anymore.) I wore it proudly to the premiere and for many years after. Then, one day, I looked down, and the diamond was gone! To this day I have NO idea how. Or why I'm SO hard on diamonds. I have both sets and someday hope to put stones back in them––but I think it might be wise to go with a nice rhinestone or maybe a CZ. : }

 

2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

That's SUCH a tough question because I have people I love all over the world! I love Kansas and the changing seasons, but now that two of our kids and three of our grandkids are in Missouri, it calls my name pretty loudly, too. If money were no object and I could fly to and fro with ease, I'd probably live somewhere in Europe! York, maybe––in the little stone cottage where my great-great-grandparents lived. 

3. Describe yourself in three words. 

Blessed. Content. Loved.

4. What is your favorite meal?

I adore breakfast for supper. Waffles, bacon and eggs with a great cup of coffee is a perfect meal, but especially in the evening! 

5. Tell us a little bit about your house and garden. How do they inspire you in your writing?

When we bought our house, it had a plain vanilla rectangle of a backyard with sparse grass and a few scrawny trees. My husband has recreated the Kansas prairie in our yard and when I'm there I think that must be a little what Heaven is like (minus the bugs and the wind, of course.) You can see photos (before and afters too) athttp://kansasprairiegarden.blogspot.com

So, if you're looking for a great read, I highly recommend this book (and the entire series) and will be bundling it with two more fabulous books for a fun giveaway on Thursday! 

 

"The Last Battle" by C.S. Lewis {according to my 11-year-old daughter}

You may or may not know that my daughter, Sophia is a HUGE bookworm. She reads faster than I do.

Which, actually isn't all that impressive come to think of it. 

She is always reading...so reading assignments are not a big deal for her. 

Usually. 

Recently, at school, she picked "The Last Battle" by C.S. Lewis to read and write a report on. She's in bed now (reading) and I happened to glance down at her report here on my desk. 

I thought it was my duty to post it here for your information. 

Because it's just that informative. 

And because someday you may need to arm yourself with an 11-year-old's opinion on this, the final book (I think?) in the Narnia series. 

So without further ado, I give you...

A Book Review of "The Last Battle" by C.S. Lewis.

As written by Sophia Walsh

"To start things off, 'The Last Battle' was a terrible book. First, there was no action! When I chose this book, I had HIGH (with a little upwards facing arrow icon) expectations for it. Those other books set the bar high! 

I tried to find the good parts in it, but I only found a few. Also, the storyline was not only slow, but hard to follow. This book was very boring, weird, hard to follow and pretty much stupid. 

I would NOT recommend this book to ANY of my friends. First, most of my friends have already read it. I'm pretty sure most of them would NOT read it again. Last, all my friends who haven't read it, would H-A-T-E hate it! 

Most of my friends have strong opinions so if I recommended it, I may get texts that say, "You like THIS?!" :) (she actually drew the icon for the smiley face)

If you haven't concluded that I absolutely positivley H-A-T-E-D this book, you can conclude that now." 

***

It should be said that as she wrote the last paragraph, her pencil was furiously flying (and jabbing) across the page. She wrote with so much hatred, er, passion. 

I kind of feel bad for old C.S. right now...but what can I say? Can't argue with that kind of decisiveness, right?

I hope her teacher has a sense of humor. 

Truth Is Power {Lost and Found by Ginny Yttrup} Part Two

There's so very much I could write about "Lost and Found." In so many ways, this book opened my eyes to my own issues. The way I've allowed myself to be too caught up in the world's opinions. The way I've maneuvered my life to try and become who I am expected to be. 

If there's one thing I've learned over the past five or so years, it's this. 

Truth is power.

I think we have a tendency, as humans, to hide our mistakes, our sins, our evils, and then they become the thing that plagues us. The thing that could easily take us down. 

But when you speak them out, when you confess your issues or shed light on your sins...a funny things happens, they can't hurt you anymore. 

Light and darkness cannot co-exist. So, when you pull something out of the darkness, it's filled with light...and while the process can be painful, the truth of it brings power. 

Once there's light, there's hope...and that thing you've been hiding can't hurt you anymore. It's no longer a weapon that can be used against you...

In Ginny's book, there's a paragraph I circled: 

It is so like her to act as though nothing has transpired between us. To move forward without a backward glance. An apology. An acknowledment of any sort. These are the times that leave me feeling crazy.

And that's how it can be when you're unsure, when truth isn't prominent in your mind. You allow other people to dictate the things you believe, regardless of what you know to be true. 

Why do we do that? 

Why do I do that? 

Reading the words in this book opened my eyes and helped me realize that while I've felt like something was wrong with me all this time, in reality the only thing wrong is that I wasn't allowing the truth to have the power in my life. 

Like I said yesterday, I feel like this book was a gift to me. A way for me to fully embrace the things God's told me to do and allow them to be the only thing that matters. 

And the scary part is that I expect to be tested with this again. And again. Until I get it down. Until I can fully embrace this revelation. 

To that end, here's what I know: 

1. I'm first a wife and a mother. My family is my #1 ministry. Anyone who tells you differently (in word or in action) doesn't have your best interest at heart. 

2. I'm called to be a writer. 

3. Not everyone in the world is going to like me. And that's okay. 

4. I can't worry about the opinions of others...because if I please one person, I'll likely not please another person. There are, after all, as many opinions as there are people.

5. God has a divine purpose for my life. (And yours.) 

These are some of my truths. I have to stay focused on these and not get diverted watching enemy missiles firing at me. 

In a few short months, I'll be walking back into familiar territory. The place where people know me as the person I always was, and I'm tasked with the trial of staying true to what I now know. And it may be difficult not to let myself get tied in to the things that used to be such a huge part of my life. 

You know, it's kind of like trying to change your personal style...if I started wearing dresses everyday, would people think "Who is she trying to be?" 

Maybe. 

But the fact remains that the hard lessons I've learned over the last two years are in me now. They can't go away just because I'm shopping at the same Target store I used to shop at. And I think, in many ways, Lost and Found taught me that. 

That it's okay to seek the truth. 

That it's wise to hear God's voice and act accordingly, regardless of what anyone says about it. 

That sometimes speaking your mind, when done with grace, isn't a bad thing. 

This is my truth. 

What's yours? 

By the way...you can visit Ginny on her website/blog HERE.

And you can buy your own copy of her incredible book HERE. 

When God Sets You Free {"Lost & Found" by Ginny Yttrup}

I'd just sat down to read a nice little story from an author I'd heard so much about. Her name is Ginny Yttrup, and her first book, Words, is one I've had on my "to read" stack for some time. Why I decided to read her second book, Lost and Found first was a mystery...until after I closed the back cover. 

Now, in hindsight...it's very clear. 

Pages 21-22:

"The object of our adoration can either sustain us or sink us." She bends down and picks up one of the red leaves fallen from the Japanese maple.

"What do you mean? God isn't going to sink us." 

She rubs the leaf between her fingers. "No, but He's not always the object of our adoration. Right?" 

"You're suggesting I adore Brigitte?" I laugh. "Really?"

She shrugs. "To adore someone is to revere them--to worship them. Isn't that what you're doing, in a sense, when you give someone so muh power in your life?" 

My heart sort of skipped and I went back and re-read that again. Especially that last part. The book is about a woman (Jenna) stuck in a verbally abusive relationship with her mother-in-law (Brigitte), and as I read, I identified with Jenna so clearly. It was as though Ginny's words were written for me. 

When I read this book, I had no idea we'd be moving back to Illinois. I'd spent my entire life there, and during those years, I'd always been the people pleaser. I followed the rules. I did what I was obligated to do. It's who I was. Who I'd always been. 

What I didn't realize was that by doing what I'm obligated to do, by constantly caring what people think of me, by worrying if I'd make someone mad if I stepped out and did what I thought God told me to do...I was essentially saying "These people's opinions are more important than what God says." 

Looking back on it now, I feel like this book was a gift to prepare me to go back to my old haunts but as a changed person. With a new perspective on life...

The story went on, and I thought maybe it was a fluke. Like maybe pages 21 and 22 were an accident. 

But then I reached page 121 and I read these words: 

"I need to persevere, I think." Then she sighs. "But..." 

...

"But...that isn't working. I'm"--her eyes fill with tears--"so weary. So tired." 

...

"I just want...more than anything...I want to please God. I want to do what He wants me to do. To handle things the way He'd have me handle them." 

I lean forward again. "Jenna, what happens when you dump your weariness on God? When you turn to Him and say, 'I just can't do it anymore?'"

She hesitates. "I...I don't do that." She shakes her head. "I don't turn to God during those times. Because I think I should be able to handle whatever is going on." 

Again, my pulse quickened. Was Ginny inside my head? Did she somehow base this character on me? At the time, I didn't know the author, and yet, her words were resonating with me. 

I was weary. I was tired. I wanted to do God's will but nothing seemed to be going right.

But God knew where we were headed...and he knew it was time to set me straight on some things. 

Because there are many forms of abuse. There are many ways in which people (friends/colleagues/employers, spouses, etc.) manipulate and control you.

They make you fearful. They have the final say. They are always in the right. And in doing what they do, they make you think there's something wrong with you. Like if you feel something is off, if you feel like you have to perform in order to be valued, that you're the one in the wrong... 

I always felt like that. That wanting the things I wanted (to be a mom and a wife and a writer and not much more...) was wrong. That by not wanting to be typical and play the role I'd been cast in...meant that something was wrong with me. 

But did it? Does it? 

For years now, it seems these kinds of personalities have been a part of my life, and as a result, I've lived in constant angst. Worrying what's being said or if I did something wrong or why someone isn't speaking to me...

And it wasn't until we moved to Colorado that I finally started to see that this isn't okay. I finally stopped being obligated. It's not okay for people to treat other people this way, but it's also not okay for me to allow myself to get so wrapped up in pleasing other people (who don't know God's will for my life) that I forget to seek first HIS kingdom. 

I'd forgotten who has the final say. I'd been unable to look at the things GOD says about me, too wrapped up in the opinions of a select few who ultimately have no bearing on my life.

I see now that the timing of me reading a book about someone on an identical journey wasn't an accident. In truth, I don't know that I'd have the strength to maintain my new convictions when I walk back into the familiar. 

I still don't know if I will, but I feel like Lost and Found was God's gift to me. It was God's way of saying "You're not crazy. You can do this. You will be okay." 

It was his way of reminding me what HE says about me is what matters. 

Nothing else. 

I realize that this pattern in my life will appear again, and I'll have a choice to bend or to stand. 

To remember page 213:

There is no punishment. 

No condemnation. 

Only grace. 

And to cling to that. 

Whose opinions do you focus on? Is it hard for you to break free of abusive or toxic relationships? What gives you the strength to do so?

More on this tomorrow...there's just so much to process...

A Sweethaven Page Map

This week, I have SO much to share...more on this crazy faith journey we're on and the first installment of  "Faith Friday" where I'm going to share "Scrapbooking Your Faith" (Or journaling/painting/documenting your faith) prompts to get you delving into your own faith journey...

But while I collect my thoughts, I have to tell you about something else I'm SO excited about!!!

This, my friends, is an exclusive Sweethaven Page Map designed by the amazing Becky Fleck to help celebrate my first novel, A Sweethaven Summer. 

Becky's first book, Page Maps, came out around the same time as my first book (I think) and wow, it just flew off the shelves. It is a book I keep out regardless of where we move. Since that time, she's also released Page Maps 2 and she has the most fabulous Page Maps website where you can create pages based on her sketches. 

Becky is not only amazingly talented, but she's wonderful to work with, she's encouraging and kind. I love when that happens. 

This sketch makes me so happy...and I want to invite you to join me in creating a page based on it too.

Here's my take: 

Rather than create a page specifically inspired by "A Sweethaven Summer", I decided to create a page about my life + "A Sweethaven Summer." More specifically, about this dream of writing my first novel coming true...

Having my first book signing is something I'll never, ever forget, so I wanted to document this part of the journey and Becky's sketch was such a great jumping off point. I find these sketches to be so helpful in sparking creativity. If you're ever stumped, hers is the website you need!

You can see I moved the placement of the flower/pinwheel element, mostly because I really loved this big Prima Flower and I really didn't have enough room for it in the bottom left-hand corner. But clustering it here with the photos made the whole thing come together. 

I then added three smaller flowers in place of that element to balance everything out. Those flowers along with the ones up at the top and the big one off-center create the visual triangle I needed to pull the whole thing together. 

So, do you want to give it a go?

To enter:

 Choose one of the theme prompts listed below and create a layout based on this sketch, in any size, any orientation, any way you want to interpret it and using any products you would like. Post a comment on this thread with a link to your entry.

The contest starts today and ends at midnight, Sunday, May13, 2012 (MST). This contest is open to everyone, everywhere!

THEMES:

• Create a layout about a friend or friends you haven't seen in a long time (or "create a layout that celebrates a special friendship). 
• Create a layout about a place that's special to you.
• Create a layout about a dream that came true (that is the theme of Courtney's sample page above).
• Create a layout about your first love.
• Create a layout inspired by the cover of "A Sweethaven Summer."

This contest will be running both on the PageMaps blog and on here on my blog, so feel free to enter on either one. 

What you can win: 

For more inspiration, grab your own copy of A Sweethaven Summer and spend a little time on the Page Maps site...there's SO much to see! 

What Made My Launch Party REALLY Special...

Hi, I'm Courtney, and welcome to my launch party. 

First of all, I would like to say that this is my favorite photo from the whole event. Me, looking dorky while Lyndsey tests the settings on her camera? Priceless. 

This post will likely be quite random. I showed you yesterday all the details of the party (which were amazing)...and today I get to share a bit about what really made it so special to me...the people. 

First, THIS is Lyndsey. When she's not kicking butt in the Crossfit gym or wrangling her four wee-ones, she's working serious magic with the camera...(check out her website HERE...if for no other reason than to listen to the song...it's super catchy.) 

Lyndsey is one of the first people I met in Colorado...and she has family in little Dixon, Illinois, my hometown...and her mom lives in Rockford, where I lived for almost twelve years. 

What are the odds of that? 

I adore this girl. And her photos are fabulous...and she came to my party and captured the entire event for me on film...how do I possibly thank her enough? 

*All photos in this post are Lyndsey's. She is pure genius. 

I wish I had a photo of everyone who came to celebrte with me, but sadly there just wasn't time...each person who showed up is etched in my memory, which is oozing with gratitude. 

I felt so grateful the entire night...

I was surprised when I saw my grandma walk through the door. She'd been in an accident the week before, but there she was...and I'm so happy she came. 

These are my girls. When I think back on my earliest friendship memories, these are the girls who are there...I went to high school with them, and even though I was a year younger, they adopted me and became my best friends. 

I haven't seen them in FAR too long (since college, maybe?)

...and as I stood with them, in my heart, I wondered, like the women in my novel, HOW did I let myself fall out of touch with them? HOW did I not make sure I stayed in their lives? 

Do they know how much I love them? Even when we don't get to talk every day (or even every year?) My only regret is that I didn't get to take them all out for coffee the next morning and catch up on everyone's lives...do you have friends like that? Ones you haven't seen in so long you're afraid to reconnect? 

Just call them. I think you'll be happy you did...

I was so shocked/happy/surprised/elated when my blog buddy turned real life friend turned up in Rockford for the festivities...Shannan and I met last year when she joined me for the ACFW conference in St. Louis. You can read about that joyous weekend HERE. 

She didn't even get upset with me when she tried to talk to me and I didn't respond because I had ear plugs in. Or when I spilled salad all over the salad bar. Or whipped a giant jug of Coffeemate out of my equally giant purse. 

True friendship right there. If you don't know Shannan, get to know her. You won't regret it. 

My Uncle Tim, who is an Illinois State Senator, rushed in the door looking all dapper and Senatorial. (Is that a word?)

He and my Aunt Terri have been at every major holiday and family function I can remember. I was so grateful they were there. Especially because I know how busy they are, what with all their political gallavanting and all...

My immediate family was out in full effect too...keeping me company, and in my dad's case, staying up way past his bedtime...

My brother and his family were there, but photos of my brother are sparse...he snuck out without my knowing it...and my sister yakked it up all night long...

(Isn't she purty?) 

My girl was there...but my boys opted to spend their evening otherwise engaged. I actually asked Ethan if he'd want to come and he said, "Um, that doesn't sound like very much fun to me." 

At least he's honest...

And, of course, Adam was there, bulging disk (disc? Will I ever know which way to spell it?) and all...

Looking back on those few weeks leading up to the party, I'm floored by the number of random things that pulled our attention...things like Adam's back and the threat of him having to stay home...it really was hard not to let that steal my joy. Thankfully, he muscled his way through it and is now fully upright. 

And that slight look of angst has left his face. 

Overall, it was a night I'll never forget...

And as we flew back to Denver, it occurred to me that I'll never have that kind of party, that kind of signing, that kind of support anywhere else in the world...because those are the people who've always known me...who knew me when I was a little dreamer and didn't discourage me from going after the crazy idea in my head. 

(This is my beautiful friend, Kim, who is expecting her first baby VERY soon...and her sister Jennifer and Jennifer's sweet daughter...who seemed to like the book...)

(Have you been to Sweethaven? It's a sweet little ride!) 

And while making new friends is one of my very favorite things to do, I can't forget these old friends... because they made me feel like launching my debut novel was really something to celebrate. 

And for that, I am eternally grateful. 

What about you? Do you have a place where you can go where you always feel uplifted and supported? Tell me about it...it'll make me smile...

The Launch Party {And the Event Planner of my dreams...}

I considered myself a fairly detailed person, however, when it comes to party planning, interior design or getting myself dressed in the morning, the details are often better left to other people. People with a flair for these things.

People like Lauren Wave Delamater.  (Click her name to visit her site!)

I've known Lauren for several years now. I got to take her engagement photos (seriously, how hard is it to take photos of people this beautiful? The answer: Not very.) 

Her mom is someone I consider my mentor, the woman who gave me the health kick in the pants I needed and helped me discover I have food allergies. 

She also gave me a lot of courage to set boundaries and tune in to what God was saying back when what he was saying was a little bit scary. (Not so unlike what he's been saying recently.) 

Lauren recently had a baby, but thankfully she is still planning events (like weddings, parties of all kinds and, in my case, the entire weekend of my launch.) 

Lauren was in the details. 

She suggested I do the signing at Barnes and Noble. She got me on television and in two different newspapers. She then turned her attention to the actual launch party, and let me just tell you... I didn't have to think of anything. Lauren did it all. 

*Photos in this post were taken by Lyndsey Lewis of LyndseyLew Photography...

When you're a busy working mom who is flying to a different state to launch a book, this is invaluable. 

She listened to what I wanted, read an early copy of my book and then planning her ideas with mine...and she did the most amazing job. 

She also found a great deal on these gorgeous tulips (which have special significance to Campbell...and to me...) 

No detail went unnoticed. 

From outside, The Next Picture Show looked like it was THE place to be...and it was. We had a ton of fun! (And the food was really good too!) 

I put together a couple of big baskets for giveaways/door prizes and everyone could drop their name in the basket for a chance to win. It was fun because people I knew won the baskets...and you know I love to give presents. 

I sat behind the table most of the night, but I had great company...

And around the corner, out of my view, this was going on...

Chatting, eating, hanging out, reconnecting...it was everything I could've hoped for...

Overall, I feel SO thankful I had someone like Lauren to take care of the details, to handle the little things (and many big things...) it saved me SO much headache. I walked in just before the party started and left on Cloud Nine. 

If you're in the Rockford/Dixon, Illinois area and you need an event planner, I cannot recommend this one high enough. She is professional, detailed and stayed on top of everything that I would've let fall through the cracks. Thank you so much, Lauren, for being such a huge blessing and helping my party go off without a hitch! 

(Thank you Aunt Terri for snapping this photo of Lauren and I! She was busy when Lyndsey was taking the last of our pics!) 

...when can we do it again? 

My First Book Signing {A Recap}

*All photos in this post were taken by the amazing LyndseyLew Photography. If you live in the Fort Collins area or in the Rockford, Illinois area, hire her!

Check out her website here.

In February, not even a week after my book officially launched, I got to go back to Illinois to celebrate. My event planner, Lauren, set up a book signing for me at the Barnes and Noble in Rockford where I wrote the majority of the first book in the Sweethaven series. 

It seemed appropriate then, that this would be the place where I'd come to rejoice in its completion. 

(my friend Kelly, who you can't see...she is gorgeous, talented and sweet...and I haven't seen her in years.)

I was nervous the entire flight there and all day leading up to the signing (partially because of the TV interview Lauren scored for me...which was EARLY in the morning and totally fun!)...but also because I kind of had that "what if no one shows up" feeling in the back of my mind...

Like planning a party and then praying people actually come. 

(my good friend Sheree, the most fabulous singer you'll ever meet...who cracks me up every time I see her. I love this girl.)

I can tell you without a doubt that there is nothing like coming home. Especially when you have something to celebrate. To be with people who were there when you decided "Hey, I think I'm going to write a novel..." people who didn't look at you like you had an arm growing out of your head...

(We can be sort of serious. Sort of.)

People who read early drafts and still cheered you on...who brought you gifts and stayed at the signing the entire day just because...and then told you they missed you and they were proud of you...

(My sweet friend Ronnie who is my constant cheerleader. What would I do without her?)

And while I know I've blogged about CYT before, perhaps I didn't realize the impact these kids had on me until we moved. Going to my first book signing opened my eyes to how very much I miss working with these guys...(they are SO talented...) 

(Evan, JoJo and Peyton...all part of our Godspell cast...and these boys actually purchased my book for their moms. Seriously? I love them.)

I also love that they keep me laughing...and asked me to sign their arms.

I obliged, of course.

These kids (and their parents) won me over a long time ago, and being back to launch my book reminded me of how special it was...I think I miss that side of our life more than anything else. 

There's just something about being able to encourage them when they're at this age... I honestly can't write about it unless I want to end up a blubbering mess here at my computer. 

And I don't...so I'm moving on...

(Patty & Natalie, the Super-Moms who brought Alex, Addison, Hannah and Kelsey out to say hi...)

...when they remember you and support you and come out to snag a photo with you...

(Hannah, who thought I might not remember her...but I did (and I do.))

What an incredible experience...and a sweet reminder of how amazing the support of your friends and family can be. All those "what if's..." washed away. I had people to talk to the entire time, a line down the center of the store and we sold out of books...

Jesus is so sweet to me...

I left feeling exhausted, of course, but uplifted and grateful more than anything. 

I'll never have a "first book signing" ever again...and I have to tell you, I couldn't have dreamt for a better one. 

I flew home the next day with a full heart, completely aware of what Gena Rowlands meant in Hope Floats when she said "my cup runneth over..." 

Because it surely did. 

The Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Big Prizes! Big FUN!}

Today is the BIG DAY! 

THE SWEETHAVEN SCRAPBOOKING CHALLENGE!

Before I tell you how this is going to work, let me share one last beautiful layout to inspire you courtesy of designer Leslie Ashe:

I'm a total scallop fiend, so this layout (and the one she has on her blog today) have me swooning over here!! And the topic of "Tradition" is right in lines with the story of Sweethaven...the tradition of going back to the cottages year after year, the tradition of sharing the scrapbook and documenting their memories...

Do you document your traditions? 

Don't answer that...at least not yet!

Let me tell you how the challenge is going to work. (And the whole thing makes me a little nervous because this is sort of like throwing a party and then crossing your fingers that people will attend...I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nerve-wracked!)

But here it is...the DETAILS:

Step ONE: Look over all of these gorgeous Sweethaven-inspired layouts...and then pick one as your inspiration piece.

Take a peek: (larger images if you scroll back for the last two weeks through my blog...there's SO much inspiration!!)

Any inspiration that comes to you, through the colors, the design, the topic or your own Sweethaven inspired layout if you've read the book, is eligible! 

Step TWO: Create a piece of art (any art...scrapbook page, paper crafting project, mixed media...there's really no limitation here to what you can do...) inspired by the piece you choose. 

Step THREE: Post your project somewhere on the internet (Two Peas, Scrapbook.com, your own blog, Facebook...anything goes here too!) But it MUST contain the words "inspired by 'A Sweethaven Summer'" somewhere in the title/post. 

Step FOUR: Link back here in the comment section of THIS POST and tell me a little about your layout and what project inspired you! 

Step FIVE: Tell all your friends so they can join in and be part of the fun! 

Step SIX: Watch my blog for the announcement of the WINNERS! 

Some of the amazing prizes include:

A $30 gift card to:

(Have you seen their gorgeous stuff?? If not, click on their logo and check it out!! Amazing!) 

This amazing new book by Vicki Boutin:

(Click the image for more info!)

Several stamps from Unity Stamp Company, including (but not limited to:)

 

 

 

 

 

A prize pack from Scrapbook Adhesives:

A copy of Card Maps Vol. 2 (which comes out this month!) 

An 8x8 gallery wrapped canvas (2 inch sides), like this one:

A Chipboard Mini Album from Maya Road, similar to this one:

7 Gypsies Accordian Mini Album: 

As well as product from Prima, Bo Bunny, Doodlebug, Basic Grey and MUCH, much more (I'm still shopping!) :) 

So, who's with me? Tell me I'm not going to be tooting my noisemaker by myself!

Anyone up for a BIG FAT PRIZE OR TWO OR THREE?

I plan to award THREE winners, and I cannot WAIT to see what you come up with!!! 

The deadline to submit projects is March 23rd, so you've got THREE weeks to create!! (And multiple submissions are okay too!) :) Get crackin', creatives!!

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {It's Almost Time!}

Lately, my son has been saying "I can't wait for Thursday" or "I wish it was Tuesday..." and I wasn't really sure why until I discovered that his dad bought him new goggles for his swim lessons...which are on Tuesday and Thursday. 

And that's a little bit of how I feel about tomorrow...I can't wait for Friday...because I get to recap all of these beautiful layouts and projects, (and share a new one) and then issue

...The Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge...

And perhaps I'll even let you in on what the prizes are going to be. 

That's something to look forward to, right? (I hope you'll consider joining in!) 

Tomorrow is also the deadline for the first draft of my third book in this series, A Sweethaven Christmas. And while I should be panicking a bit more than I am, I'm actually just really excited to start the next phase of writing a novel...the editing! {And thankfully, I have an amazing editor!} 

But I've learned not to squander a single day, so I'm beyond excited to share two gorgeous Sweethaven-inspired layouts from two gorgeous girls...and I promise I didn't give them a color scheme to work with, it just worked out that way! 

First up, Vicki Boutin, who scrapped a page about being a memory keeper...something all of the girls in Sweethaven would relate to:

Vicki has long been one of my favorite scrapbookers. I got to meet her at CHA one year, and I remember being awe-struck by how much she had accomplished that year. And I know from experience that every now and then you're going to create a layout that's just kind of a dud. You know, they can't all be winners...(at least that's how I'd console myself...) 

But I've never, in all these years, seen a dud from Vicki. 

What's more, she's giving away a copy of my book on her BLOG today!!

 And I may or may not have something super special to add to my prize package for tomorrow...

Here's a hint:

 

(Click image to read more about Vicki's new book!) 

Whether they intended to or not, Campbell, Jane, Lila, Meghan, Suzanne and Adele all became memory keepers...and I'm so glad they did, otherwise, I may never have gone to Sweethaven myself. 

Next, I get to share with you another gorgeous layout, this one by my new, beautiful friend, Jaime Warren. Jaime is an amazing photographer and scrapbooker and I'm so thankful I have the chance to work with her over at Webster's Pages...and especially thankful that she's created this Sweethaven-inspired layout:

Sweethaven is a town where the cottages are passed down through the generations...a place where people go to escape, to unwind, to decompress. Gosh, I'd love to go there right now!

Jaime ran with that idea, creating a page about the times her family spends at this cabin, a wonderful escape from the daily grind. 

So, have you been to Sweethaven? It's a way to escape the daily grind without even leaving your house...

And I'm happy to announce the winner of these....

Bethany Becker said...

I am learning to let things go and not to take things so personally. I am also trying to believe in myself and be more appreciative of the things I have. This post really means a lot to me and encourages me to continue on with improving myself and my life and to not give up! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

ReplyFebruary 29, 2012 at 07:50 PM

Thank you to everyone who entered! Bethany, shoot me an email with your address and I'll get these in the mail to you! :) 

See you tomorrow...for the BIG CHALLENGE!

5 Lessons I'm Learning Thanks to my Debut Novel. {And a giveaway!}

                             

Today I'm talking a little about my writing journey over at the Brave Girls Club Website. 

I'm sure you've heard of Brave Girls Club. Yes? I'm going. One of these days, I'm going to get out there and get my hands all painty and explore my life and how I can make it better. That image at the top is one of Melody's and it appeared at precisely the time I needed it most.

Funny how that happens. 

It's amazing to me to see how God has used this writing journey to teach me so very much about myself... about the things I need to keep working on...day after day, I learn something new. Like how to lean on other people. How to accept the help of others. How to admit to myself and everyone else that there's no way I can do it all. 

Oh, I pretend for awhile...but when I do that, it all comes crashing down on me. 

Today, on this reflective Saturday (I wrote this on Saturday), as I prepare to head out to the Barnes and Noble here in Loveland for a book signing, and my nerves are amped up and I'm scared, I think about the things I know for sure...

(Also Melody's art)

So here's my list: 5 Things I'm Learning...thanks to my debut novel:

1. God is always going to come through for you. No matter what. Even if it feels like the midnight hour. Even if it feels like he's forgotten you. I promise. He hasn't. Lately, I keep hearing the same phrase echoing in my mind... He has me in the palm of his hand...

2. Sometimes compliments are more jarring than criticism. They're scary because they bring out a different kind of insecurity...the kind where you want to sit down and explain to everyone that they're mistaken. Don't they know how frazzled you really are? Don't they see that you're the mom who forgot the permission slip? Again. 

3. Just at the time when you're sure you cannot go on for one more single solitary second, someone jumps in and throws you a rope. If there's no rope, then you can do it...even if you feel like you can't. 

4. When you put out a "fleece" and convince yourself it's biblical, you might be mistaken. Some experts say this is actually a sign of an immature faith. (When you discover this the day after putting out a fleece, it's especially fun.) 

5. You can't make people run to amazon and buy your book. And as much as you want to, you can't give them away...all you can do is be thankful...so thankful...that you have this opportunity...and then you can pray that God gets a hold of it and does what he wants with it.

You can't worry about what you can't control...

I'm learning, my friends...so much and so fast...and other things...REALLY slowly. Ha. But in honor of these many lessons, and in honor of my "Someone Threw Me a Rope" post at Brave Girls Club, I want to give away a copy of my book, A Sweethaven Summer...

The book is available HERE and HERE and on KINDLE, and NOOK...so if you don't win, maybe you'll join me for a little escape to Sweethaven!?

How do you enter? Simply leave me a comment and tell me...what lesson are you learning lately? 

To sweeten the deal, I'm also going to give away a spot in my new Big Picture Class, Scrapbooking Your Faith...

(Click on image for more information!) 

AND a copy of my first book, Scrapbooking Your Faith:

For additional entries:

1. Facebook a link to this post OR to "A Sweethaven Summer" on amazon!

2. Tweet a link to this post or to "A Sweethaven Summer on amazon!

3. Blog about either of these things. 

4. Sign up for my newsletter by clicking HERE. (I promise not to spam you. Cross my heart. I'm thinking 2-3 newsletters a year. I won't tell you if we get a new puppy or anything like that.) 

Also, I want to tell you that my sweet friend, Vicki Boutin has done a very brave thing herself...she's written this book:

Click on the image and find out you can WIN her new book...and come back here tomorrow for a very fun Sweethaven-inspired project from Vicki! (I can't wait!) 

:) Thank you. I'm feeling extreme gratitude today and I want to say thank you. I'd love to send you my books and see you in my class, so be sure to leave a comment today! :) 

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Point of View}

When you write, one of the first things you learn about is Point of View. I love the whole idea of jumping into a character's mind and seeing everything just as he or she would see it. I think this is where the time I spent in theatre really comes in handy...because acting is all about bringing a character to life. In every way, you inhabit the character. You become them. It's why some actors don't stop talking with an accent when the cameras turn off...because embodying another person is a mental task, and for the writer, not one to be taken lightly. 

It's also my favorite part of writing a book. 

One thing that struck me as especially fun was when I asked two scrapbookers to create pages about friendship...and they came back with two very different points of view...but they both used the same photo. 

It was like a visual representation of what a novel is all about. The nuts and bolts of it...seeing things through the character's eyes. It was completely unplanned but it made me smile. 

First, designer Leslie Ashe scrapped this adorable layout about a friendship that was meant to be...

We all have those friendships, don't we? The ones that are meant to be. The ones where you look back and can't remember a time you didn't know the person? Even if you've only known them for a short time. 

Female friendships are so complex. I think that's why I wanted to write about them... because they're volatile and full of drama...but on the other side of that is something so special. When you cross the bridge and find out you've still got someone beside you? Well, there's nothing like that. 

The funny thing was, that Wendy Hammer, the other lovely in this photo, also created a page about friendship...and look who she decided to document:

I couldn't love the journaling on this layout any more. I swear. I love the whole idea of documenting a relationship that means so much to you...and I love the way both these girls did it.

Two different styles, two different points of view...

One friendship that clearly means the world to each of them. 

I think I'm hormonal because I kind of want to cry just thinking about it... 

All that said, I have to tell you that A Sweethaven Summer is on sale today on Amazon...so if you haven't joined me in that utopian cottage town, maybe it's time? 

It's also available on Kindle and Nook, if you're a fancy technology lover...

And if you're really desperate, someone is trying to sell a used copy at bn.com for $146. 

Hey, to each his own. 

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {The Blessings of Friendship}

Friendship and Forgiveness. It's what I keep telling people my book is about. A Sweethaven Summer is a story about friends, brought together by a little town and a scrapbook. That's it in a nutshell...but friendships are rarely so cut and dry, are they? 

I am so blessed to have friends all over the globe, people I love even when I don't get to talk to them every single day (or even every single month.) People who "get me." 

It's a resounding theme so naturally, it deserves a lot of attention when it comes to this fabulouso Art Challenge I'm about to issue...(I'm thinking tomorrow I'll get all the details announced...and the prizes...well, I'll tell you some of them!) :) 

Anyway, it's easy to document your children's friends, but what about your own? What about those people you cherish? Maybe you've known them your whole life...grown up with them...or maybe you met at a particularly important point in your own lives and have been friends ever since. 

For my friend Anabelle O'Malley, part of friendship is the tradition of going to Disney with her girlfriends...a tradition definitely worth documenting...

Anabelle took photos from three different years--three different trips--and used them all on the same layout. Can you imagine if Anabelle's son found this years from now and tracked down these girls to hear more about what his mom was like when she wasn't on "mom duty"?

It intrigues me...the whole idea of it. I guess in some ways, I think when we play a "role" all day long, like "MOM"...it's hard to think of ourselves as anything else. But that role of "FRIEND" is so important... it shapes us and forms us into who we are...don't you think? 

What if you step outside the role you're most used to playing and focused instead on another role, maybe one you don't get to play often enough, but that you're so thankful for. 

The other day, I had a radio interview and they mentioned the idea of the gratitude journal...in my mind, scrapbooking and art journaling are largely about expanding this concept...talking about our blessings, focusing on them...keeping them in the spotlight. My real life friend, Liz Hicks, demonstrates this with her "Blessed Beyond Measure" art journal page:

I love that Liz's art journal pages are always so full of vibrancy and life...and to be able to document the blessing of a good friend is something that she (and future generations) will cherish. I love to hear stories about my mom's friends growing up...it won't be any different with our kids...

I think more than anything, they want to know us as people not just as the "warden in the prison of their life" (as I expect my daughter might say given that the mother seems to be the villain in the story she's currently writing...) 

But the truth is, friendship IS a blessing...a huge one that we should never take for granted. Our friends see us through so many storms, whether we realize it at the time or not. 

Check out Liz's blog for tons of great art journaling tips, techniques and prompts. You can find it HERE. 

Question for YOU: Have you created a layout or art journal page highlighting your friendships? Does any of your artwork focus on you? 

I'd love to hear about it...and if not, I'd love to hear why...

And I'd especially love for you to join in my Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge and create a page inspired by one of the beautiful pieces of art my friends have shared...but we'll get to that later! 

For now, I'll leave you with a documentation of some of my favorite friends...

People I don't live near anymore...but who I carry in my heart...

Happy Monday!

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {On Scrapbooking & Music}

This morning I had a radio interview set up by my amazing publicist, Jeane. She's more than a publicist, she's a friend...and this girl keeps my brains in check. (Did you know I had more than one brain?) 

One thing that I love about doing these interviews is the fact that I get to talk about scrapbooking...something that I've realized has been with me for as long as I could remember. 

Before there was patterned paper and embellishments and scrapbooking stores, I used whatever I found around the house...(not acid-free, mind you...) and the results were always just fine. Because I was telling my stories. 

Pulling that in to this novel has been one of the most eye-opening things for me...because even as I wrote it, I don't think I fully realized the impact scrapbooking has had on my life. And I'm not "caught up" and all my pages aren't organized in albums...but the stories have been told...and there they are, waiting to be told again. 

Scrapbooking is at the heart of A Sweethaven Summer...so when Scrapbooking Rock Star Jen Jockisch agreed to create a Sweethaven-inspired layout, I was so happy she chose to reflect on the "why" of scrapbooking. Jen has long been one of my favorite scrapbookers, with her fresh and funky style...

But when you read her journaling...gosh. I just get it. I get that need for the creative outlet...that need to lock yourself away and get lost in it for a few hours. I love every word of this journaling...not to mention the adorable design...

(PS...visit Jen's blog later today for a chance to win a copy of my book!) 

What is your creative outlet? I really want to know what you're into!!

Being able to pull parts of yourself into a keepsake...it's so worth it. Worth the time it takes... For instance, Becky Fleck of Page Maps fame, has created a layout focusing on a particular song...a song that ran through her mind all day long the day she had to say goodbye to a trusted friend:

Music is a huge part of Sweethaven...from the country lullaby Adele always sang to her daughter to Campbell and her mom's shared love of Norah Jones, to the faded memories that accompany "When You Say Nothing At All..." the soundtrack of our lives brings back memories quicker than anything...

So, yes, I'm a sucker for this hobby that's become a job and then a hobby again...it's something that brings people together, and for that, I will be forever grateful. 

Next week, I'll announce The official rules of The Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge and tell you how you can win some awesome prizes! {Which of these layouts will inspire YOU most?!}

Now. About this book...If you've read it, thank you. If you've told me your thoughts about it, thank you. It's consuming my life a little right now, although the rest of my life sure hasn't stopped or paused or even hiccupped...

If you haven't read it, it's now available for Kindle or in paperback right over HERE at Amazon...and in advance, I'll say a humbled thank you...because it means the world to me.

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {A Special Place}

When I was home at Christmas, I spent more time in my hometown than I had in many, many years. Living about an hour from there, I always drove to my parents' house and then drove home, but now that we live in Colorado, driving home every night wasn't an option. 

While I was there, it really sunk in for me how much your heart can be tied to a place. Whether it's the place where you grew up or the place you spent every summer or your grandmother's house...places are so much more than places...

When I was working for Memory Makers, I wrote an article about "Scrapbooking Your Stomping Ground." I guess even then, I knew there was special significance to the park I went to to practice for that audition and the train tressels where the entire senior class signed their names. 

I suppose that's why creating a small midwestern town where the streets are named after flowers and the Main Street is still a brick road came naturally to me...Sweethaven is every good feeling about small town USA I could muster...and believe me, I could muster a lot. 

I asked two amazingly talented friends to scrapbook a place with special significance, and these girls have created layouts that are sure to inspire. They're gorgeous! 

First, look at Linda Barber's (do you think she's related to Luke? A long lost cousin, maybe?) ode to LA. She moved there not long ago, and the city is finding a way into her heart...

I can't begin to tell you all the things I love about this layout. The colors, the sewing, the design... but I especially love the story...

I know first-hand how moving can challenge everything you thought you knew about yourself. There are still days I wonder if Colorado will ever feel like home...but Linda's layout, documenting this moment in her journey, reminds me that I need to do the same...

I don't even know what to say about this:

I told Linda this is why she's so "dream-teamy" (because she's on the Creating Keepsakes Dream Team.) I mean, really? A stitched title? It makes me want to send her all my photos and have her scrap them for me. 

And this sub-title treatment with the photo in the stitched frame is killing me...

I have sewing machine envy. It makes me want to learn how to use mine already! 

Have you scrapped your hometown? Your stomping ground? 

What about a vacation spot that holds a special place in your heart? Lisa VanderVeen, another California girl, created a two-page spread about Mackinac Island, a place where no cars are allowed...

It sounds heavenly to me...and it has a lot of the same elements that Sweethaven has...a town that takes you back in time somehow, to a day when things were just a little simpler. And even if things got complicated, they still felt simpler. 

It's funny how small-town living can do that. Lisa's layout is full of adorable little details (the wooden bike is such a cute addition to her title, I can hardly stand it.) 

And it spoke to my intense love of scallops...

So, what about you...is there a place you love, one that's captured your heart? One that you were smitten with from the very moment you stepped foot in it? 

Have you ever created a piece of art about it? 

Who knows...

Maybe that place is waiting for you right on the pages of a book...if you're looking to be transported, I've got just the one. 

Escape to Sweethaven (in paperback or on Kindle) right HERE. 

Maybe I'll see you walking down Main Street or having a donut in Sweets on Sweethaven... or perhaps we'll ride the old wooden carousel together or dip our feet in the lake down by the Boardwalk...

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {First Love}

I didn't set out to write a romance novel. That's not what A Sweethaven Summer is...but I couldn't NOT write in a little romance...and it seems there's nothing as sweet as those first few months of first real love...

I got to talk about it a little on this interview over HERE on Lisa's Blog. (I also got to tell you who I think should play Campbell and Luke if there was ever a movie version of Sweethaven... (If you've read it, what do you think?) 

Anyway, first love. 

It's sweet and moving and the stuff dreams are made of...so it was important to me that I include a love story in each book...and each love story is shockingly different. At different points in their relationships, the characters are all going through different things. Just like real life. 

My friend Stephanie Ackerman, whose blog Homegrown Hospitality is FULL of artisitc inspiration, read the book and sent me an email. It was such a kind email, I couldn't respond right away. I didn't know what to say. And later, she said this on Facebook...

"I just read a 316 page book in less than 24 hours and I have only ever done that one time (and I was on a lounge chair in Maui...) THAT is how beautiful the book is..."

Still, I had no words. 

But when this showed up in my inbox, the artwork she created right after finishing the book, I was dumbfounded...

The book, she said, made her want to scrapbook again...and it was so unexpected to hear that. The art journal, which she talks about on her blog, made ME want to go create... I mean, the layers of art on this thing are jaw-dropping:

...and creating a book to document your love story, as it grows and changes and shifts and becomes something you don't recognize, then stabilizes and becomes something, once again you can't live without...these are the stories that stop your heart...

And having a dedicated place for them? Priceless...

Don't you want to read Stephanie's story? Don't you want to see how it started? How it grew? This book, once she's done with it, will become a treasured keepsake, the story of two people who fell in love in a way that no one else has...because no two love stories are exactly the same...

It's strange getting emails that tell me things about this book I poured my heart and soul into. It's jarring, almost, and often, I don't know how to answer, what to say to express my genuine thanks. I still feel like I should send people presents to thank them for buying my book. 

And when my work inspires the work of an artist...well, that's just icing on the cake. 

I hope the work of these artists inspires you to participate in the Sweethaven Scrapbook Challenge... it's coming SOON, but I have a few more amazing things to share this week (and early next week) before I tell you what you can win! 

Play along, will you? 

And tell me...have you documented your love story? 

Finally, the Winner of the Sweethaven Online Launch Party Week Four is:

Linda Carson said...

My favorite drink is diet Pepsi.

ReplyFebruary 14, 2012 at 02:20 PM

Linda, send me your address and we'll get your prize on its way!

 

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Forgiveness}

Sometimes I think we, as writers, end up writing about things that are personal to us whether we want to or not. Forgiveness wasn't something I set out to include in this book, but I can't think of a more universal struggle. We all know we should forgive, but it's the how that escapes us... 

And sometimes, even when we think we're over something, it comes back to bite us later... and we realize that thing we thought we'd dealt with still holds up shop in our hearts. 

This is a strong theme through all three of the Sweethaven novels, and I think that's because it's a strong theme in my own life. I don't come buy forgiveness easily. It's not sitting on my doorstep waiting to be invited inside. It hides out in the dark spaces of the back yard... and if I want it, I have to go searching for it. 

And sometimes I do because I know it's what I need...but other times? I close the door, turn of the light and walk away, taking my bitter feelings with me, letting them fester... In Sweethaven, Jane does this a little bit. And she's justified...anyone would harbor anger in her shoes...but that anger, it eats us up... 

So she journals her through it. With photos. Like a paper crafter. 

I asked two incredibly talented paper artists to create pieces based on this idea of forgiveness... this elusive, yet freeing idea. They blew me away. 

Look at this art journal page by the insanely talented Tammy Tutterow:

It's SO gorgeous and I love the rectangular size of it. (I fully intend to create something this size!) 

But it's what Tammy said about the project that I find most inspiring...

Tammy: "At this time last year I was in a really tough place in life.  I had been hurt and deceived by someone very close to me and my world felt completely torn apart.  I tried to keep a very happy public face, but inside and in the confines of my home I was feeling complete devastation.  I didn't know where to turn or what to do.  I felt like I was swimming up river with a boulder strapped to my ankle.  

Although I have struggled with issues of faith my whole life, I knew that I had to surrender the pain to something larger than myself, that I alone could not fix the person, the situation, or my response to it.  Through everything, I knew that a large part of healing and moving forward would be in forgiving the person who had hurt me so deeply.  I couldn't even wrap my mind around how to forgive or even what truly forgiving someone meant.  I thought forgiving meant to just forget and to tell the person what they had done was ok.  It wasn't ok and I really wasn't sure I could ever let it go.  I am not one to share personal things or to reach out to others but I did and was led to some really wonderful resources.  One was THIS ARTICLE on the Focus on the Family website.  

At last I really started to understand what it meant to forgive.

As I sat down to create this project with the focus on forgiveness, I kept thinking of butterflies. When faced with difficult times and difficult situations at the hands of others, we can continue to crawl in the grief of the circumstances, or we can forgive, let go, and be free to fly.  It didn't happen overnight, but eventually I chose to forgive the person who had hurt me.  

At this time last year, I thought about the situation and concept of forgiveness every single day.  As I worked on this page, I realized I hadn't thought about it in weeks, maybe even months.  I think that was a sign that I had let it go and was finally flying free.  I chose to create the stamped images of the page so that they looked very fluid, as a reminder of the tears that were shed.  The symbolism of it though is that despite tears, there is beauty and vivid color and freedom to fly.  

The memory will never go away, but the pain does through forgiveness.  As I worked on my page, I searched for a quote to include about forgiveness and very quickly found one by H. Jackson Brown Jr, the author of Life's Little Instruction Book:

"Never forget the three powerful resources you always
have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness."  

Those were the three things I clung to in those dark days and those are the things that helped carry me through.

Tammy's story is so inspiring...I especially like that she mentioned that it doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't for any of us, does it? Not even the characters in my book have eveyrthing all wrapped up with a pretty red bow...

Tammy is still writing her story...you can find more of it on her blog HERE .

Stacey Michaud also tackled this subject of Forgiveness by scrapbooking about a relationship that helped teach her how to forgive: 

In this case, Stacey is also scrapbooking an important lesson, and it celebrates the fact that despite the hurts of the past, she could, with the help of a good friend, move past it and forgive. 

Take a look at Stacey's journaling:

What a gift, don't you think? The peace of mind that comes with forgiveness. 

I know, it's so easy to say that but even as I do I find myself mentally repenting and trying to come to terms with the hurts of the past...

How about you? Do you struggle to forgive? Do you journal through it? What helps you with those feelings of anger and hurt? I'd love to hear...

A Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Vacation Memories}

I am so happy to announce that A Sweethaven Summer is now available on Kindle! I've gotten some of the coolest emails from people who've read the book, but the most unexpected note is "this book has made me want to scrapbook again..." I've heard it several times now, and I'm almost surprised--but so happy--that maybe, somehow, reading it will inspire people to tell their own stories (in whatever way they choose.) 

Some people aren't as smitten with the book, however, which is evidenced by the first line of Sophia's new story: 

"Paige Jones was so excited that she got to see her friends again. She hadn’t seen them all summer since she had to spend it in a boring old cottage in Michigan." 

She asked me to "edit" it, and I didn't get much farther than that because it made me laugh. Sophia read the whole book in a weekend, and we've had many conversations since about what she thinks should happen to the characters. I have a feeling one of these days she's going to be my favorite brainstorming partner. 

Sweethaven instantly evokes the feeling of being on vacation, something I could desperately use right now...(but couldn't we all?) And in all of my scrapbooking, I'm not sure I've ever done a vacation layout...I don't remember one, so now I'm on a mission to get one made. 

My friend, Greta Hammond, created this inspired by Sweethaven layout, focusing on the subject of "Scrapbook a vacation memory..." 

There are so many things I love about Greta's layout, starting with the colors. She always has the best colors on her pages. But I especially love the way the journaling block breaks up the strip of photos on this page. It's just a clever way to get the story documented, don't you think? 

If you look carefully, you'll see all kinds of neat little layers on this page...just way too fun. 

So, are you ready to join in the fun? I'm putting together an awesome prize package (or two) to conclude this little Scrapbooking Challenge, and I'll announce all the rules very soon, but the plan is to have you create a layout based on one of these inspiring pages...(or, if you've read A Sweethaven Summer, you can create one inspired by the book from your own point of view!) 

Super fun, right? 

People are winning...and here's the proof!

The Winner of the Sweethaven Online Launch Party Day THREE goodies is: 

Anne Demos said...

I am a coffee snob! Hard to admit I absolutely LOVE Starbucks it is the ONLY Coffee I drink. Sumatra Bold is my favorite everyday. Carmal Machiatto Venti and Peppermint Mocha Venti are my special treats. Which I was trying to decide today what I was going to order when I come and see you Saturday at Barnes and Noble!!

ReplyFebruary 09, 2012 at 12:36 PM

(Anne Marie, send me your address!)

And the winners of Melody Ross's Soul Restoration Class (and a copy of "A Sweethaven Summer") are:

• Jessica Engel
• Julie P
• Rebecca Lovell
• Martha S.
• Tracie
• Laura L.
• Shannon Taylor

Girls, send me your address to claim your prizes! courtneycrops {at} msn {dot} com.

Congratulations to all the winners! I can't wait to get everything boxed up and shipped off...it's so exciting to send happy mail, isn't it? There's really nothing like opening the mailbox and finding a package waiting for you! 

I hope you all have a beautiful Monday! 

And come back all week for more inspiring art projects inspired by A Sweethaven Summer...I'd love it if you played along!

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {A Painful Memory}

The girls of Sweethaven are fighters. Their lives aren't all happy and jolly. What kind of cardboard characters would any of us be if we didn't have challenges, struggles, things to fight for...?

These women, like all of us, have been through their share of tragedy. And in this first book in the series, one of the characters, Jane, finds out that scrapbooking through it becomes quite therapeutic. 

In my own life, I've found that journaling and scrapbooking and creating art all give me the tools to tell a  story... painful or otherwise, and in doing so, somehow, I always feel better on the other side of it. 

And the most painful, most personal of memories are the ones you may be the most afraid to document...and also the ones that most deserve your attention...

Document a Painful Memory.

My friend, Jennifer Gallacher is a brilliant scrapbooker. Her layouts are so stunning and vivid and eye-catching, sometimes they literally make me gasp. On this layout, Jen shared so openly about a painful memory, the loss of her thirteen-year-old son, Joey. 

Isn't he handsome?

Yes, it's painful, but this is a huge part of Jen's story. 

A story I'll let her tell you herself...

"I lost my oldest son at 13 years old to the devastation of colon cancer. Joey had poor health almost his entire life, but he was always so happy. That's not to say that he didn't get down, but he never complained about the pain he was in. His battle with cancer and his passing was a terrible blow to our family. Suddenly we were left with a huge, gaping hole in our family and in our hearts.

As we have worked to repair those feelings of sadness and loss over the past five years, we try very hard to dwell on the happy times that we had together as a family. We also rely heavily on our faith. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't "talk" to my son and let him know that I'm proud of him, and that I miss him. I feel so grateful that I took so many photos of him even when he didn't necessarily love having his photo taken. I am even more grateful that through journaling and scrapbooking that I have recorded hundreds of memories of our time together. Now his sweet personality and beautiful smile is forever preserved for my children and my children's children--a priceless book of memories we'll always cherish."

Jen's story continues right HERE on her blog...

I can't think of many things more priceless than memories and photos of the ones you love.

The ones you've lost.

Scrapbook for the comfort of others. 

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to create a layout for Angie Smith. You might recognize her husband from the Christian group Selah. Angie's blog, and now her books, are inspiring, encouraging, amazing...but their story is not without pain.

Sometimes, documenting the hope found in the sorrow is also hugely important--for you or for those whose stories have touched your heart the way Angie and Todd's did mine. 

But where do I begin?

But maybe you're thinking, "I don't know where to start. It hurts too much..." 

Maybe you're scared to crack open the things that are holding you back, to speak them out loud so they lose their hold on you. 

So, today, I want to offer something amazing that can help you document the painful things, the things that are hard, the things you fear, the things that keep you from moving forward...

Watch:

 

My soul friend, Melody, is offering not one, but SEVEN spots in her online Soul Restoration class. 

Seven. 

And because I believe in the power of storytelling...in the power of all of us telling our own stories, through whatever medium we choose, I'm going to give away SEVEN copies of A Sweethaven Summer too. 

I've recently learned that writing a book is wonderful, but it makes you vulnerable in a way you didn't expect...and in some ways, that's scary...but in other ways, it's exhilarating.

I'd love to share it with you. (If you don't win, you can order your copy HERE or HERE!) 

How do I enter?

This time, just leave me a comment and tell me: Is it hard for you to document the painful parts? Would you rather turn away and forget all about them? Or do you find it helps to work through it...even though the tears may dot your paper as you write or paint or create? 

We're all in this together, girls...

Now, last order of business:

The winner of the Sweethaven Online Launch Party DAY TWO is: 

Margie Visnick said...

I think my word would be "light" to remind me to find the light and be the light...so important in all aspects of my life!

ReplyFebruary 08, 2012 at 06:39 AM

Margie, email me and claim your beautiful prizes! :) 

I can't wait to read your comments, your thoughts, your hearts...I hope you

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Inspiration {& some faith building...}

Before I talk Sweethaven...something has been on my mind. It helps to write it out, so here it is...

Sometimes it seems like I get knocked around a little bit just so I'll come running back to God. 

Like he takes a step away from me and leaves me to my own devices so I can see how incredibly futile my attempts are at doing everything on my own. 

I was talking to a friend the other day about how self sufficient we both are, and I think in many ways that makes it difficult to fully rely on God. When we were in the process of moving to Colorado, I had to depend on God more than I ever had in my whole life, and sometimes I wonder if he did all that--showed up for us so many times--just to prepare us for the next time he'd ask us to do something that didn't have a bit of sound logic in it.

Lately, I hear him, over and over, saying "Trust. Me." 

And I look back at myself in the midst of the storm (so far...it's still raging) and see a bratty toddler, whiny and pouty, throwing my fists in the air and expecting someone who was never invited to show up for me. 

And God doesn't work that way. 

It's a sobering realization...discovering I'm the only one hindering his work in my life. 

Go me. 

Is anyone else scared to do the things he's asking you to do?

Anyway...

This really has nothing to do with why I'm here though...posting on this here blog. 

I'm here because I want to share another Sweethaven-inspired layout with you as part of the Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge, and friends, it's PRETTY.  I have the pleasure of working with Jaz Lee over at Webster's Pages and her style blows me away every. single. time. 

Jaz decided to create a layout about some of her closest friends. They call themselves the "Joy Luck Club" (JLC are the first initials in each of their names.) The girls in Sweethaven call themselves "The Circle" and their old scrapbook is page after page highlighting their friendship...

Each page reveals a little more about each girl, about their lives in Sweethaven, about their friendships...wouldn't you love to have something so special on your bookshelf? 

And, I can't go without pointing out the incredible dimension Jaz has created on this layout. Her style is so intricate, it makes me drool!  Detailed and beautiful, she's captured these special friendships in a way that will be cherished for years. 

Do you love it? 

So, in the Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge, you could file this layout away as inspiration...a page on friendship, layered and detailed... (Does that get your wheels a-turnin'?) 

Now. 

I think it's time to announce some winners...

The WINNER of the DAY ONE Online Launch Party Giveaway (which you can read about in THIS POST) is...

Jodi Jardine said...

Shared on Facebook.

ReplyFebruary 07, 2012 at 10:16 AM

It's funny because I saw an email come in from Jodi yesterday and thought "Gosh, I hope she wins, she's been so faithful in entering! And wouldn't you know it, Random.org pulled lucky number 7 and she's our girl! Jodi, send me your address & I'll pack up your box!! 

Oh, and have YOU been to Sweethaven yet? If not...here's your ticket!

Too Cheesy?

I'm just darn overwhelmed. 

The end. 

A Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge

When I first started writing A Sweethaven Summer, I sat down and thought about all the things I love about scrapbooking. I wanted to find a way to incorporate those things into my story. And while the book is largely about friendship and forgiveness, it's all held together by this faded scrapbook, full of secrets and memories...

You can almost hear the laughter of the girls as they made each page. 

I'd love to write "An Ode to Scrapbooking" but it's getting late and I have a two-hour episode of Downton Abbey to watch when Adam's not looking. It can be done, yes?

The fact is, scrapbooking is storytelling. It's a way to tell your stories. An artistic, creative way to get your words on paper. And I believe we're all storytellers at heart...

I created this layout, inspired by A Sweethaven Summer: 

It's a simple, layered project celebrating the "Unexpected Friendship" I found in Deb Raney when I first started on this writing journey. 

In Sweethaven, Cambell finds a group of women who become her unexpected friends... and in so many ways, these are some of life's most precious gifts. Finding a friend when you aren't looking for one. Realizing they're a life friend, a kindred spirit...it's something to celebrate.

Techniques: I rolled up a few pages from the Anthropolgie Catalog ("If you can't afford it, make art with it" is what I always say!) and tied strips of Divine Twine around them to give them a scroll-like effect then adhered them to the page. I used the same twine to spice up the buttons and incorporated lots of foam squares to get that layered, dimensional look that I find positively swoony.

SO...Are you up for a challenge?

Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be telling stories about the book and sharing layouts created by some of my very favorite scrapbookers...

And then, I'm going to issue a challenge to YOU. You create any kind of artwork (Scrapbooking, mixed media, home decor--anything) inspired by the book or inspired by one of the pieces I'm going to share and you could WIN a big, fat basket of goodies.

Like, really big. And fun. And artsy. 

Because I love to give stuff away. 

Now that I got that out of my system...I want to share what I believe is the best photo of me ever captured in the history of the world:

Which is all the proof I need to understand WHY my son is plagued the fine art of the weird facial expression:

Over the weekend, several times my mom told me "there's a time and a place for self deprecation. You need to learn where the line is." Apparently telling someone who is buying your book that you feel you might be in need of deodorant is crossing a line. 

I can't help it. I like to self deprecate. (and in my defense, I knew the woman and she's funny so she didn't mind. I wouldn't say that to a perfect stranger.)

On that note, I won't say a word about this:

I will not even MENTION the ridiculousness of my hair in this photo. 

And I'll surely not mention that this was at 6:20 a.m.

And I won't say a single word about my first television interview (because I haven't watched it yet)... but you can, right HERE: Author of "A Sweethaven Summer".

That's that. 

I have to go ruin something in the kitchen now. 

Will you take the Sweethaven Inspiration Challenge?? Who's with me?

A Sweethaven Summer Online Launch Party DAY FOUR! {HUGE Giveaway!}

Clearly it's been a whirlwind since I got home last night at 12:30 a.m. 

This is the first chance I've gotten to sit down and even think about my blog, but it's been at the back of my mind all day...because I'm dying to tell you all about the weekend. Dying to spill all about the trip and the party and my first book signing.

There's SO much to say.

But all that is going to have to wait. Just for another day (or two...) because I promised one more giveaway. (At least until the next one!) 

And you know I LOVE giving my favorite things away...

But Wait. First...

I want to share two interviews that are up today that I was so, so happy to do...The first is on Novel Rocket and you can check it out HERE...

And You Can WIN!

Writer-friend Carla Stewart is giving away a copy of my book (and some Starbucks, friends...Yum) on her blog HERE. 

Now...for the goods.

This week, I'm going to kick off a little Sweethaven Inspiration...(and there will be more prizes in store...) but for today, I get to show you a lovely line up of fabulous goodies. 

And YOU could win them, sister. 

1. Hope Springs Folio

My laptop tote is so old, I thought about stealing this, but then I remembered The Ten Commandments and broke out in cold sweats. So, here it is on the docket for Day Four (which is technically day 7, but let's not be picky, friends.) 

2. Hope Daily Planner

(Side Note: Sophia just turned on The Hoedown Throwdown, so if I start insert "zig-zag, step-slide" into the text here, you'll know why...it's hard to concentrate with Miley wailing through the speakers...)

Anyway, the Daily Planner is super cute and has a magnetic closure, memo pad, to-do list, accordion storage envelope and keepsake bookmark...all of which are super snazzy. 

3. Hope Yellow Tee Shirt

It was also tempting to take this out of its lovely wrapper and model it for you, but I thought that might gross you out if you won a tee shirt I'd worn. But it's cute, right? And I like yellow. How cheery! 

4. Card Maps Volume Two

Friends. Do you know what this trusty little book has inside? Over 70 gorgeous cards from some of today’s top designers, more than 40 card sketches, step-by-step instructions for every card, and eight photo technique how-to’s!

Seriously. I want to give you this. Because it's awesome. 

4. 12 Notecards from The Emily Collection.

My friend Emily, is a stunning artist. Check out her ETSY shop HERE. These are The Rocky Mountain Notecards, which is fitting since I live a stone's throw from the Rockies. (They're pretty.) 

It would be fun to send these to you. 

5. Where Women Create Coffee Table Book

This book is so gorgeous and so full of beautiful spaces. Just looking at it is like an escape from the cluttered, stockpiled room I call my creative space. It'll take your breath away!

6. A Sweethaven Summer.

Well, yes, I would like to sign a copy to you! And if you're like my sister, you might read it on the plane home from my launch party and give it away to the woman sitting next to you. Even though I'd drawn pictures and dorky stuff in it.  

My sister has never met a stranger. Ferreals. 

Okay. Same drill! 

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what your favorite drink is (Starbucks or otherwise!)

2. Go to my snazzy new website and sign up for my newsletter! (Then come back and leave a comment saying you did so.) (Sidenote: I believe newsletters should only go out quarterly (if that.) I promise I won't spam your inbox.)

AND, if it doesn't work via my website (technical difficulties), just email me at courtney r walsh {at} gmail {dot} com and put "Sign Me Up" in the subject line.

3. Tweet this link.

4. Facebook this link

5. Blog about "A Sweethaven Summer" or this post. 

(Come back each time and leave another comment letting me know you've done these things. Five chances total! 

And come back tomorrow! I'll start announcing winners...AND share some inspiration from A Sweethaven Summer...

And if there was ever a time to say "Thank you doesn't seem enough"...it's today. It's after this last week. It just doesn't. I can't explain to you how very much it means to me that you all are on this crazy journey with me. 

It's like a big, giant warm fuzzy. 

And I like warm fuzzies. 

 

 

 

A Sweethaven Summer Online Launch Party DAY THREE! {HUGE Giveaway!}

Have you ever noticed how really good things are often overshadowed by really hard things?

Right now, I'm preparing to fly to Illinois with our whole family to spend the weekend doing the Morning Show on WREX TV (Tomorrow morning, and I'm very nervous), a signing at Barnes and Noble on Saturday and then celebrate my book launch with some of my oldest and dearest friends and family at The Next Picture Show in Dixon. 

But I'm also researching wheelchairs at Denver International Airport because Adam's bulging disk (disc?) seems to be just as bad today as it was four days ago. 

I admit, it's not easy for me to ask for help...but I will ask for prayers... because we could sure use them right now. I'm trying to focus on the good things, like the fact that I will get to see some people I haven't seen in YEARS this weekend...and for that, I am SO grateful. 

I'm also grateful for THIS POST (and humbled.) And THIS POST (humbled again.) I just don't have words...only emotional outbursts which usually happen in my garage...

So let's focus on that GOOD tuff and start DAY THREE of our online party!!

And it IS a party...today, a giveaway for the Coffee & Book Lover...and I've got some AMAZING prizes to share...

1. An adorable mug from Hope Springs.

I'm a sucker for a cute mug...especially one that's red on the inside:

This new line of awesome gifts comes from Hope Springs and they've got tons of really cute, unique and inspiring gift ideas. You can find this mug HERE. 

And what good is a mug without something in it? 

2. A Starbucks Gift Card

I trust I don't need to link you to the Starbucks website, but there will be a gift card in this package for one lucky winner. 

3. A spiral-bound journal from The Emily Collection.

Next, my friend Emily over at Imperfect Prose, has just announced some incredibly exciting book news of her own, but that's not all...she's an artist with the heart of an artist...and she's got this incredible new line of products all featuring her art. 

Today, she's giving away this gorgeous journal, so when you sit down with your coffee, you can easily compile your thoughts...

I think you'll love The Emily Collection, which you can find HERE! Emily's artwork is inspired and beautiful...(and she's having a giveaway of her own right now!) All kinds of celebrating going on! 

4. Hope Springs Notecards

 

The women in Sweethaven are brought back together after many years when handwritten letters arrive for each one of them...perhaps, over coffee, you'll write a note of your own...it's always a good idea to let people know you love them. 

5. Books by Hillary Manton Lodge.

Maybe you'll tire of writing and you'll want to curl up with a good book instead. Lucky for you, I can help...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two books by Hillary Manton Lodge are the perfect way to escape the craziness of life. If they seem well-worn or have coffee stains on the edges, this is because I needed to escape and took them with me to Illinois. 

(I'm kidding. They'll be clean, I promise. I only SOMETIMES give away books that are coffee-stained, right Paige?)

6. Playing By Heart by award-winning author Deborah Raney.

Deb is a wonderful writer with wonderful stories, and her books are definitely among my favorites. This one, a Christy Award finalist, is near and dear to Deb's heart...and I'd love to send it your way! 

7. Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble 

This is a new release by the wonderful Colleen Coble, who is as nice as she is talented. Her books are wonderful, so this is one I cannot wait to get my hands on! (But I'll be nice and send it to you when you win. I promise.) 

8.  The Art of Layers by Ronda Palazzari

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I've made no secret of the fact that the secrets of Sweethaven are brought back to life thanks to the faded pages of an old scrapbook...so what better way to celebrate that than with a little scrapbooking/papercrafting inspiration? Ronda's book is not yet released, so you'll be among the FIRST to have it. 

Lucky. 

9. Delight in the Seasons by Lisa Pace

I LOVE Lisa's work. She is elegant and beautiful in everything she does. Her first book, Delight in the Details is completley inspiring, and I know this one will be the same. You could win it!! (And then you may want to plan for a refill on your coffee...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally...

10. A signed copy of A Sweethaven Summer. 

Of course, I have to remind you if you don't win...you can get your own copy HERE or HERE  or HERE...

Because, you know, I REALLY want you to have a copy!!

Same rules as yesterday...

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what your favorite drink is (Starbucks or otherwise!)

2. Go to my snazzy new website and sign up for my newsletter! (Then come back and leave a comment saying you did so.) (Sidenote: I believe newsletters should only go out quarterly (if that.) I promise I won't spam your inbox.)

3. Tweet this link.

4. Facebook this link

5. Blog about "A Sweethaven Summer" or this post. 

(Come back each time and leave another comment letting me know you've done these things. Five chances total! 

I can't wait to choose these winners!! Thank you, guys, for helping me spred the word!! :) Hope you have a WONDERFUL Thursday!! (Wait. Is it Thursday?) 

Whatever day it is...hope it's happy!!

 

 

A Sweethaven Summer Online Launch Party DAY TWO! {HUGE Giveaway!}

It's surreal when people you know start reading your book. Something like running across a stage completely naked under the glare of a follow spot. You search for something to hide behind...but there's nothing. 

Not that I've ever done THAT before. 

But you're out there. Exposed. Showing all your cards...and somehow, the excitement meshes with the nervous energy which crashes into the fear and you've got this strange concoction that would make Dr. Jekyll raise a brow. 

My friend Jenn got an early copy of my book. She texts me lines she loves or tells me what parts she's on. It's kind of awesome. And, yep, surreal. 

There's a part near the beginning when you're first introduced to Lila, the beauty queen and southern belle. She's remembering a day when her old friend Suzanne first won her over, despite all efforts to dislike the girl. 

    While Lila envied Suzanne's low-pressure, I-can-do-anything-I-want-to attitude, she couldn't deny that Suzanne had drawn her in from the moment she gave her a hand mirror she'd found at a flea market. 

    "Just imagine how many other beautiful faces have looked in that mirror," Suzanne had said. "It made me think of you." 

    "Looks old." Lila took the mirror and turned it over. The glass had brown stains around the edges. 

    "But it's neat, right?" Suzanne's eyes widened. 

    Lila fought the urge to toss it off the way she brushed off every other kind gesture. "Thanks," she said. "It is really neat." 

    "I'm glad you like it," Suzanne said. "Even though it's old." 

    Lila held the mirror in front of her, catching her reflection. Suzanne pushed her face next to Lila's and grinned. "Yep. We're stunning," she said. 

    When Lila laughed, the pain of the morning skittered away. A morning of trying to please Mama. No one else had ever done that for her before.

Yesterday, I got one of the most special, most personal gifts I've ever gotten: 

With the most beautiful note that told me that when I looked in the mirror I should see myself the way other people saw me. 

And the thoughtfulness of that sort of settled on my shoulders and I thanked God that even in spite of many, many things going wrong (Adam's slipped disk may keep him from going to my launch party...) there are SO many reasons to be thankful. So many beautiful friends in my life.

The kind of friends you write books about...

So, today, my virtual launch party continues, with another {awesome} giveaway...

Today, a giveaway for the girly girl. Lila Adler Olsen is the girly girl of the Sweethaven crew...and I think she'd approve of this giveaway.

1. Your very own OLD, personalized Mirror. 

Photo Source

This isn't the one you'll get...yours will be personalized just for you like the one Jenn made for me. And I promise you'll love it. 

2. A Custom One {Powerful} Word Necklace by the Amazing Liz Lamoreux.

What word will you choose? Mine would most likely be "surrender..." because Lord knows I need to. 

3. Where Women Create's Book of Inspiration.

Photo Source

I have this book. It's GORGEOUS. I have an extra. I want to send it to you. 

4. Jeanne Oliver Designs Purse:

I seriously don't think this fabric could be any more beautiful. And the design is adorable. My sweet friend Jeanne has donated this purse and one of you lucky ducks gets to win it! If you don't win, you should head to her shop for yourself...there's some swoonerific stuff in there!!

5. "Poppies" Art Print by Melanie Douthit

It's no secret that I'm addicted to color, so Melanie's artwork is right up my alley! This gorgeous Poppies print is so perfect if it doesn't show up in your box, do NOT look at me. 

I swear I wouldn't dream of keeping it for myself. 

Melanie's Website and BLOG are worth the gander...go see for yourself!

6. And, of course, I'm giving away a signed copy of this guy right here:

Because I very much want you to have this book. :) 

You can get your own copy HERE or HERE or HERE...and I'm told it's coming for Kindle VERY soon so if you're waiting for that, I'll be sure to update when it's ready! 

So, how do I enter? 

I'm changing it up on you a little today...you get not FOUR, but FIVE chances to enter. Let me explain.

I actually thought to myself "let me 'splain" and in that little daydream I became this guy:

Wonder what it'd feel like to have a mustache. 

Hm. 

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what word you'll have put on the necklace. 

2. Go to my snazzy new website and sign up for my newsletter! (Then come back and leave a comment saying you did so.) (Sidenote: I believe newsletters should only go out quarterly (if that.) I promise I won't spam your inbox.)

3. Tweet this link.

4. Facebook this link

5. Blog about "A Sweethaven Summer" or this post. 

(Come back each time and leave another comment letting me know you've done these things. Five chances total! (I'll know if you're fibbing about the newsletter. I've got mad technical skillz.) 

(Are you afraid now that I just spelled that with a "z"?)

That's it. Easy as cake. (I've baked pies. They aren't easy.) 

And you can still enter yesterday's giveaway by clicking on THIS POST.

Thanks, you guys, for helping spread the word! I just can't thank you enough! It means THE WORLD to me!

A Sweethaven Summer Online Launch Party! {HUGE Giveaway!}

I used to wonder what it would feel like to wake up on the morning of my big book launch... to watch this thing I'd created go out into the world and you know, be free...

But I woke up the same way I always do...a little panicked and realizing I didn't make the kids' lunches last night. Worse, I'm out of jelly...and how do you make PB&J without the J?

On this, the morning of my book launch, I find myself wondering two things...

1. If I wear a long shirt, will anyone see the hole in the back of my yoga pants? 

AND

2. How do I properly say thank you to everyone who is a part of this amazing journey that I'm on? 

I'm risking it with the yoga pants, but #2 still has me stumped. I don't have the words or the means to convey how I'm really feeling at this moment in my journey. 

So, today, rather than get all sappy like I sort of feel like doing...I'm celebrating with A Sweethaven Giveaway...a virtual launch party to welcome this new book into the world...and friends, I'll be here all week...

Join me in Sweethaven with your own copy, available HERE or HERE or HERE! And it's always available on the Guideposts Website HERE. 

Now...for the good stuff...

The story of Sweethaven centers around a faded scrapbook...one that's full of secrets and stories of years gone by...so today, I'm celebrating with a scrapbooking giveaway...and here's what you could win! 

1. Webster's Pages' Palm Beach Collection Kit

With its beachy, breezy feel, this collection reminds me of Sweethaven, a little cottage town right on Lake Michigan. It's perfect for scrapbooking vacation, summer days, or even non-themed moments you want to remember. 

2. Unity Stamps

I LOVE Unity Stamps. And I love their BLOG! These beach-inspired stamps are a perfect complement to the Palm Beach collection, but could be used for so many fun scrapbooking and card-making projects! 

And this one: 

...is one of my favorites because I believe in creating yourself. In the book, Campbell learns this lesson for herself..and with a little help, she finally discovers how important it is...Both stamp sets are included in the giveaway!

3. Cardmaps Today vol. 2

It's FULL of gorgeous ideas and a copy could be all YOURS! (Lucky.) 

4. 7 Gypsies Interchangable Certifiable Round Stamp (Hand Drawn Seals)

I LOVE these things. They're just SO cool. Don't you want to win one? 

5. Scrapbooking Your Faith at Big Picture Classes.

I'm excited this giveaway will include a spot in my upcoming workshop at Big Picture Classes. This topic has always been near and dear to my heart, and I'm thrilled I get to share ideas on ways to document your faith for future generations through Big Picture. 

But I can't give you a spot in the class and not give you...

6. Scrapbooking Your Faith

My first book. I'd love to send it to you. 

7. Hope Springs Magnetic Closure Journal.

This new line of journals, cards, totes and apparel will make its way into this online launch party...there are some CUTE things I can't wait to share...but for today, it's this journal that wants to come home with you. And I'm a sucker for a cute journal. 

8. Chatterbox Wood Veneer Scrapbooking Album

It's really sassy, don't you think? 

9. A Sweethaven Summer

You didn't think I'd do a giveaway and NOT offer this book, did you? My goal is to get it into the hands of as many people as possible. I might even give a few away in the airport this weekend. 

If I'm feeling brave, that is. 

So, here's how to enter: 

1. Leave me a comment right here on THIS POST. 

Easy right? 

BUT, I need help spreading the word...so I'm offering  Three extra entries...

1. Tweet the link to this giveaway.

2. Facebook the link to this giveaway. 

3. Blog about Sweethaven and/or this giveaway. 

Each time, come back and leave another comment. Up to FOUR total. 

And tomorrow...the party continues with MORE giveaways that I cannot WAIT to share! :) 

I've Got a Website!

I cannot believe it's really here. And I didn't expect to feel so nervous about it. This week, A Sweethaven Summer officially launches (tomorrow) and we fly to Illinois for my very first book signing at Barnes and Noble, the launch party and my first television appearance. 

I've done a GREAT job of not focusing on any of that, but yesterday, while I scoured shelves for the right shoes, it hit me. Dropped right on my head like a piano from a ten-story building. 

And I got REALLY nervous. 

And when I get nervous I get...well, not very nice to be around. 

So, I'm choosing to stop focusing on that and share with you something really exciting...my BRAND NEW WEBSITE. 

You can see it HERE. 

My crack Designer, John Kitchen at Studio 22, gets MAJOR points for patience. It's not fun working with someone as indecisive as I am. Truly. 

(Right, John?) 

We started this at least a year ago and he waited for me to wish-wash my way through it all until we finally settled on something clean, simple and easy to read. 

The great part is, you can sign up for my newsletter!

(And if you do, I promise to write one!) :) 

It's really happening...I'm shocked, but here it is. Tomorrow is the BIG day. 

Will you come back and see what fun stuff I have in store? 

Before you answer, let me announce the winner of my giveaway on THIS POST. You guys. Seriously. Your friendship stories had me in tears. I LOVED every entry so I chose one at random. 

Bree said...

First friendship memory: I was 4 or 5 - we lived in Vermont - simpler time, simpler life. As often as I could, I'd walk down our driveway, across a field and to Sara's house. We did everything together. We were besties!

PS - I am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my pre-ordered copy of the book. I open my front door 3 times a day seeing if I missed the delivery man leaving it on the front step! I've cleared my evenings this week so that whenever it arrives I can tear into it!!! I wasn't going to comment and throw my hat in the ring for the giveaway, but I have lots of friends who'd love a good book, and one that included scrapbooking!!! Pick me pick me!!

ReplyFebruary 02, 2012 at 08:11 AM

Bree, send me your address & I'll send you my book! 

TOMORROW'S THE DAY!!!! I can hardly wait!!!

Today's the Da...Wait...This Just In...{Win a COPY of Sweethaven!}

Well, here it is...

Launch Day. 

A day of balloons and streamers...and yet, here I sit with an empty bag of Doritos and a bottle of water...

Pondering how to launch a book that isn't available anywhere (except for pre-orders, which are, you know, awesome.) That's right...because of you guys, A Sweethaven Summer is out of stock on both Amazon  AND Christianbook.com, which I think deserves a round of cupcakes. 

What kind would you like? 

Me, I'm thinking lemon with almond cream cheese frosting. And a cup of coffee. 

Gosh. For someone cutting out sugar, that photo is dangerous.

Perhaps you've pre-ordered a little happy reading to accompany this treat? I recommend this:

Too obvious? 

Truly, I'm overwhelmed that there are books leaving Amazon and CBD rendering their shelves empty of Sweethaven! I mean, where do I send the thank you notes? You guys have been SO supportive, I don't even know what to say...

But this does change my launch plans. All that FUN stuff I had planned? I'm just gonna put that on hold...I've got my finger on the launch button, but I'm resisting the urge to push it...but it's BIG and you're going to want to check back so you don't miss out. 

You are. I promise. 

It'll be better than Doritos for breakfast.

Still...I cannot let this day pass by without some celebrating! So, here it is. Sweethaven is all about the friendships of a group of women, so let's talk about our own friendships. 

Tell me...

What is your earliest memory of friendship? It can be anything having to do with new friends, old friends, making friends...Anything goes!

Leave your answer as a comment on this blog and I'll choose one winner to send a signed copy of A Sweethaven Summer. Spread the word! A Sweethaven Summer will be back in stock SOON...and then we're going to have a REAL party!

 

Thoughts Like a Game of Pinball

Today, I feel scattered. Like, my mind is struggling to grasp concepts and sentences and my to-do list. I'm flailing a bit for all I've got to do. I spend ten minutes on one thing, walk away and then spend twenty minutes trying to remember what I was doing before. 

Does this happen to anyone else? 

I've got little to offer today...only a random list of what's shooting around in my brain at this precise moment...

Here it goes.

On The Post Office.

1. I've been spending a lot of time at the post office. The lady there knows my kids now and asked me yesterday if I was "finishing up my project." Books don't work that way...I think maybe you're never really finished...?

In case you're wondering, going to the post office right after school is never a good idea unless you have a very good bribe in place. 

Mine is almost always Sonic Happy Hour. Yesterday Ethan should NOT have gotten his slushie, but I gave in and took the Wii away instead. I'm a softie. And a meanie. 

It's an art I've mastered.

On Prayer.

2. When you ask God to answer your prayers and he does, you can't pretend you didn't hear him. (I know, darn it, right?)  He'll find you out. If the answer is scary, you still have to move forward, it's like having a trade secret and not doing anything with the information. Action is necessary. And sometimes, even when you know it, it's still the most difficult thing in the world. 

On The Booty.

3. Yesterday I got the bookmarks and postcards my publisher sent for marketing purposes. I'm not gonna lie...they're pretty. I affectionately call this "the booty" because it feels like treasure. 

Was that corny?

On the Dress Hunt.

4. After school yesterday, Sophia started bugging me to take her shopping. For my launch party dress and hers. I'd like to state for the record that if Justice doesn't stop with all the ugly tie-dye, I'm going to boycott. Once and for all. What happened to you, Justice? You used to have such cute clothes!

I've found I'm incredibly indecisive and...Sophia and I have totally opposite taste. 

So far, I have two contenders...this one:

...which will require hose and heels. 

Problematic. (Need I remind you how clumsy I am?) 

And this one...

...which has pockets. And polka dots. And a cute red belt.

I tried this one on because my friend Jenn texted me the picture and she knows her fashion. I think trying to shop without her is a mistake. 

{This photo is a good reminder of what happens when you fail to keep up with your hair coloring.}

On the Party.

5. I am picking the food for the launch party and wondering if it's too late to have a few pizzas delivered. Probably not the ambience we're going for, eh, Lauren? Maybe I should've had a pajama launch party...that seems more "me." (That's a total joke, by the way.) 

I'm also addressing real-life invitations after Vistaprint messed up my order and then promptly sent me a whole new batch. At first I was going to say "eh. No more Vistaprint" but their stellar customer service has made me change my tune. I'm a fan. 

On Television. 

6. Let's be real. It's a waste of time. I don't care. I love it. At night, after everyone is in bed, Adam and I always watch at least one show. It's one of my favorite parts of the day. Lately we've been trying out a few new shows:

Adam's new fave:

And mine: (which I've yet to convince him to watch...)

That's all I've got for you today. My life is riveting, don't you think? 

 

10 Ways YOU Can Help an Author Out

This weekend, the kids and I headed out to Barnes and Noble for the book signing of author Amanda Cabot. Her new book, Summer of Promise, has just been released, and I got myself an autographed copy. 

Isn't it pretty? You can get one HERE. This is the first in a new series, so I'm really looking forward to turning in the manuscript for Book #3 in the Sweethaven series so I can dig in! 

It was fun to say hi to Amanda, and I think Sophia especially thought it was cool to meet another author...but the whole trip got me thinking... about ... what else? Sweethaven. 

Pre-order yours HERE!

THIS is the week. The official launch week for A Sweethaven Summer. I had to pause for a second and shake my head...I still can't believe it. You know when you work on something for so long and then suddenly, your big day arrives? Well, that's Wednesday for me...and I'm super excited. 

And freaked out. 

And giddy. 

And nervous. 

And...

Yeah, cocktail of emotions all over again. 

Adam finished my book this weekend...

...which was oddly nerve-wracking for me, even though he's my biggest cheerleader. 

Lots of people have emailed to find out what they can do to help with my launch, and I never know what to say...so I spent a little time thinking on it...and if you're serious and you really want to help, I've got a comprehensive, bullet pointed list of things YOU can do to help an author out. Any author, not just me, though if you help me, I'll pay you in small bills.

Just kidding. I don't have any small bills. Or large ones either for that matter.

Alright, here it is. 

10 Ways You Can Help An Author Out:

When you see a book on the shelf of your favorite book store, it's easy to assume that an author has already made it. I mean, the book is out, right? It's published. People can buy it! But what you might not realize is that in a sea of books--some great, some well, not--it takes much more than landing on the shelf for a book to become a success. 

So. If you love an author (and I love many)... there really ARE ways you can help them out. And most of them are super easy and cost you nothing! 

How's that for a win-win? 

1. Buy the book. 

Source

Don't look at me like that. I know it sounds obvious, but truly, this isn't always the first thing on our minds. Buying the book is the first best way to help an author out. My publicist, Jeane, coined a phrase I'll love forever..."Buy a book, save an author." 

Word.

2. Shout it from the rooftops!

Blog, Tweet or Facebook about the author and/or book you love. Sharing it with your friends and/or followers is one of the simplest (and maybe most effective) way to help out an author. 

3. Request an interview.

Most authors love to answer questions (I'm such a sucker for those little surveys. I think I could do them just for fun!) about their books, their writing process, their inspirations... If you write a blog, why not do a Q&A with the author of the last book you read? 

4. Write a review on Amazon.

I'm going to add this one to my weekly to-do list. It's very important. I will often finish a book and just be so sad to close the back cover, but it rarely dawns on me to go to amazon and tell readers they NEED to read this one! It's so easy to write reviews, so next time you find a book you love, drop by the page and give it a five-star rating! The author will thank you! :) 

5. Add it to your Good Reads page.

Ok, I confess. I'm totally new to Good Reads, but this is a great way to share the books you love, get ideas on books your friends' love...another great way to get the word out! 

6. Pin it!

Find your favorite books and create a pin board for them. Pinterest is so easy and so fun--and getting that visual out there is SUCH a great way to spread the news! 

7. Ask your library/bookstore to carry it! 

Many bookstores are happy to order books for you, so if you notice your local store isn't carrying your favorite author, ask them to. Same goes for the library. The more people you can introduce to an author, the better the chances of a book catching on. 

8. Give it as a gift for a fellow reader.

My mom and I often swap books. I can't tell you how many authors I've introduced her to and vice versa. Because of this, we've created fans of new authors that will go out and look for whatever's coming next. Same is true for your reader friends. If you pass the book along and they like it, you've created a new fan for that author.

And it's always nice to give gifts. 

9. Bring it to your book club.

I wish I had a book club. I think about it all the time, how fun it would be. And perhaps I've romanticized it a little because of my affection for The Jane Austen Book Club, but the next time your club votes, bring up a title they may not know yet. All those people reading the book can really help an author out!

10. Make up songs about how great it is. 

Okay. Just kidding. But "9 Ways YOU Can Help an Author Out" just feels like an incomplete list. 10 is a rounder number and my love for round numbers is deep. 

So, what have I missed? What are some other ways YOU (and I) can help our favorite authors out? And have you done any of the things on my list? Do tell. 

Choosing the Wardrobe for Your Book Launch Party! (Help!?)

I've told you a little bit about my launch party, or at least shown you the space in this post. Yesterday, an article ran in my hometown newspaper about the book and the launch and it was pretty exciting... why then, was the only thing I kept thinking..."What am I going to wear?" 

I have no problem admitting I'm far more comfortable in a pair of yoga pants and a cozy sweatshirt than in a dress and heels...but I don't think that's appropriate attire for this celebration. But it's not just because I prefer an elastic waistband (at least when I'm at home) but because I truly do not have a good eye when it comes to fashion. 

For these pictures...

Source

...my friend Jenn picked out half our clothes. 

And I'm a scrapbooker! I understand color! But when I wear jewelry, I feel silly, like I'm playing dress up. And we all know what happens when I play dress up...

I know you're jealous of the corset. 

So. I'm looking for a little advice. 

I started a Pin Board for some of the dresses I found and then promptly started thinking it would be so much better to wear pants. Now I'm just a jumbled up mess with two weeks to figure it out (and highlight my hair, which, I have to tell you, is looking dangerously goth-like. I have no idea when my hair got so dark...but it's freaking me out.)

So. Here's a few that I've found so far. I think this one is my favorite, but I'm concerned about it being sleeveless. I mean, we're talking February in Illinois. It's not going to be balmy.

Plus, my concern here becomes accessories. Heels could be problematic and I don't exactly have a tan right now. Who am I kidding? I never have a tan.

I'm bordering on transluscent. 

I know what you're thinking "you'd have to leave the house to get a tan." 

Those, my friends, are just details. 

Dress #2. My friend Heather is getting married in August and she's asked me to stand up in her wedding. While perusing bridesmaids' dresses, I discovered this "special occasion dress":

Which is basically the same dress as the first one, huh? I like the neckline but again, same issues... accessories, shoes, and legs that look nothing like hers. 

To combat the sleeveless issue, I started thinking about something more like this: 

Which, frankly, I'm pretty sure I can't pull off. Also, I feel like maybe if I wore that I'd need a big tulle bow on my head. 

And that's just not a good look. 

And, for the record...neither is this:

(Sorry, Kenley Collins, this is not my fave.) 

So, fashionistas out there...what do I wear to a book launch party? One that's a bit dressy...can I get away with pants? If so, what kind of pants? Maybe I'm going about this all wrong...maybe I should just wear something casual? 

What do YOU think? Help a fashion-challenged sister out!

It's a Whipped Cream Kind of Day...

In the wake of seeing this dream come true, I have to be honest, I've been riding the roller coaster of emotions from one side of the amusement park to the other. My brain tells me I should shout it from the rooftops. 

I WROTE A BOOK! 

But in my heart, I find I'm quiet. 

I've been watching this over and over...

 

And while, in theory, this makes me so happy, to see these three Swedish girls creating a rhythm section on empty cottage cheese containers, and wondering how many hours they spent practicing before perfecting it... I mean, that's smile-worthy, right?

But maybe it's the combination of their voices, the way the harmony haunts...the emotion it evokes is not, as I originally thought, happy. It's more pensive. Or moved. Or something.

Yesterday I spent the day wondering if I'm hormonal, but decided there's a part of me that just wants to exist for a moment...to watch this part of my story unfold instead of always being the one turning the pages. 

At any given moment, I feel like I could burst into tears. Whether that's just gratitude or stress or happiness or elation or flat tiredness...I'm not sure...but what I'm feeling can't be characterized by a word or two.

It's a cocktail of emotions. 

My friend Jenn is reading my book right now and she texted me something I'd written in it that I'd almost forgotten. I guess, in many ways, it sums up what I'm feeling perfectly.

Early on, Campbell (my protaganist) , having just lost her mother, travels to Sweethaven where she meets Luke. If you're not in love with Luke at the mention of his name, you will be. He has that effect on women...

Luke owns the local cafe and coffee shop in Sweethaven, where Campbell's gone, scrapbook in hand, to piece together her mother's past...and find her father. She orders a medium latte with no whipped cream. Luke hands her a large latte with whipped cream and tells her she looks like she needs it...

And then, this...

    Campbell walked to the end of the counter and waited for his attention. 

    "How's your drink?" 

    She set the cup on the counter. Curiosity got the better of her. "What'd you mean by that?" 

    "By what?" 

    "I look like I need a large. I look like I need whipped cream. Do I look that bad?" She scolded herself for asking. Her insecurity bled through like a wound through gauze. 

    He shrugged. "My mom always says 'sometimes it's a whipped cream kind of day." 

    Her face warmed into a smile. "And you think I'm having that kind of day?" 

    "If I had to guess." He opened the cash register and shuffled some bills around. "Do I have to guess? Or do you just want to tell me?" 

Sometimes I find myself in these characters...and I suppose in many ways that's the kind of day(s) I'm having. A Whipped Cream Kind of Day. 

I suppose pure gratitude and amazement feel this way? When someone tells me they bought my book, they're reading my book, they've finished my book...it does something to me...it humbles me and amazes me and makes me feel so thankful. 

This morning I woke to an email from a friend who'd just finished A Sweethaven Summer. It was incredible to read her words--kind words that I want to write on the pages of my heart so I never doubt or fear again. As writers, we put ourselves out there...we open ourselves up and lay bare in front of all the world...

It's a volatile place to be. 

I wasn't anticipating this mixture of emotions. While I want to celebrate and amp myself up and fully embrace this moment...I find myself feeling quiet.

Content to exist for a moment on this whipped cream kind of day. 

What about you? What do you do when you're having a whipped cream kind of day? I can't be the only one...right?

 

If you have A Sweethaven Summer in your hand, I'd love for you to email me a picture of yourself with it for something fun I've got planned... 

You can send it to courtneycrops{at}msn{dot}com!

If you find yourself in need of a copy, it's available for pre-orders HERE and HERE and officially releases February 1st! 

 

What IS a Scrapbooking Novel?

It's funny, now that my book is officially in print (though not officially released until February 1st,) I've had a few interviews and one thing that people, of course, want to know, is how does scrapbooking tie in to this story? 

It's funny, when I pitched this book, I was feeling very burned out on scrapbooking. I didn't think I'd ever go back to it because I'd written everything I could think of to write about it through the two books and lots of articles for Memory Makers. But it's funny how you sort of come full circle sometimes. 

Sometimes all you really need is a little breather from something--anything--and when you step back into it, it fits again. And you remember all the reasons you loved it in the first place. 

My friend Shannan (aka Flower Patch Farmgirl) and I at ACFW in September. Can't WAIT for this year!

I get that way with my kids, in fact. Some days I just need a break from them...and when I take one--even an hour, I come back completely refocused and remembering all the reasons I love them. Never begrudge a woman her alone time is what I always say. 

Well, not always, but I'm going to start saying it have it tattooed on my forehead. 

I started this novel by thinking about what it is I love about scrapbooking.

1. It gives me a visual way to tell my stories.
2. It allows me a chance to share my photos.
3. My kids love to look through their books and see what they used to look like...(and how hammy they were.
4. It's a wonderful creative outlet. 
5. The products are just stinking adorable. Really. 
6. I like the idea that one day, long after I'm gone, my family will still have something of a record of who I was...

(How's that for morbid?)

So, taking all of that into account...I started to envision a story where the scrapbook was the thing that brought these women together (or back together). 

As kids, they'd all get together at the end of the summer and take all their photos, all their memories and add them to scrapbooks. A marathon weekend of telling their stories. And then they got older and life got in the way and there are secrets and hurt and pain...and the scrapbook is the only thing that tells what it was like when their friendships were happy. 

And that's a powerful thing, don't you think? To go back and read through the journals of a time when you were truly happy, truly thankful or joyful? It can remind you of what's really important...and for the characters in A Sweethaven Summer, that's exactly what happens. 

The scrapbook is the thing that brings them back to Sweethaven, back to abandoned friendships--where they can face their fears and mend their fences. 

Could a scrapbook really be so powerful? 

I think so. I think anything you share with your friends, whether it's art or quilting or knitting or card-making or Scrabble, anything that binds you to others will always have the power to do so, and the unique thing about scrapbooks is that they tell your stories.

They hold up a window to the past and let you look inside...even just for a moment. 

So, what is a scrapbooking novel? In this case, it's a novel about friendship and forgiveness, about second chances...and about love. But at the heart of it all is a big book of pages that tell stories of years gone by...of the girls they used to be...of simpler times.

I don't think it matters how you tell your stories, only that you do.

Because everyone has a story...what's yours and how are you telling it? This stuff really interests me, so join the conversation & leave a comment...LOVE to hear your thoughts...

A Sweethaven Summer officially releases February 1st! It's available for pre-order HERE and HERE and HERE. If you buy a copy, I'll personally pledge my love to you forever and ever. That's worth something, right?

If You Give Your Husband Your Debut Novel...

He’ll read it and start to cry. 

When your husband cries,

He’ll get in touch with his sensitive side.

When he gets in touch with his sensitive side,

He’ll do you favors. 

When he does you favors,

You have more time for fun.

When you have more time for fun,

You end up on the beach in Puerto Vallarta.

source

If you want to end up on the beach in Puerto Vallarta…

Give your husband this novel.

When A Dream Comes True

I'm not going to lie, every time I look at one of my books I sort of feel like I'm going to either explode or pass out--which is kind of an interesting feeling. 

Reading the words in the book are SO different than reading them on the screen. I just can't explain it. But it's aboslutely boggling my mind! The books are out of stock now at Amazon, so I'm hoping they order loads more! And I'm SO thankful to everyone who has ordered a copy. I'm overwhelmed to say the least. 

The book is still available at HERE and HERE! :) 

It's just so pretty. 

I can't tell you how many people have commented or sent me emails that they, too, dream of one day writing a book. There's a great need for encouragement in our world, so let me offer this...

Just do it. 

(I know. Real original.) But truly...even if you've never had anyone tell you you can, I'm telling you right now...you can.  Whether its art or scrapbooking or writing or music...whatever it is you want to do, just do it. It starts there. And then, you have to work. 

And work some more. 

And your work may never see the light of day, but if you can find the join in the doing...it's worth it. Don't you think? To spend your days creating or doing what you love? 

It's worth it. Your dreams are worth it. 

I felt so uplifted yesterday with all the support for my dream...I don't even know what else to say. 

I'm blessed. 

I'm thankful. 

I'm dumbfounded. 

I'm speechless. 

And I wish for every one of you to discover those feelings. So, what dreams are you going after? What dreams are you afraid of? What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? 

How it Feels To Hold Your Debut Novel in Your Hands...

There is so much work involved in writing a book. When I first started A Sweethaven Summer, I admit I was clueless to what it was really going to take. I had no idea how much I would learn and grow as a writer. No idea how many times I would change things, chop chapters, edit out entire storylines. 

I think I walked into this wide-eyed and green. 

Sometimes I think that was God's way of protecting me...because if I'd seen the task before me, I'm not sure I would've had what it took to go through with it. It's NOT easy to write a book. 

Just like it's not easy to have children...

But look at the reward:

Photo by LyndseyLew Photography

I didn't know how I'd feel when my book finally got here. After two straight years of thinking about it, what would it be like to hold this baby in my hands? 

Yesterday started with a bit of bad news. I found out my books had been delivered to our rental address, the house where we lived when we first moved to Colorado. You might remember I had a few complaints about the landlord. When I found out the warehouse didn't have my updated information, I panicked and imagined my precious delivery tossed away without an ounce of care. 

Then I called my sister and had a meltdown. 

By lunch, my husband was tired of my "what iffing" and "this-is-oh-so-terrible-ing" that he sent me a message "I'm just going to drive to the rental and get them." 

Turns out, they'd been there for several days and as I suspected, no one let us know. That's a rant for another day (but really?) And why don't forwarding orders apply to packages? 

Anyway, my knight in a striped sweater came home at lunch, two big boxes in hand...and we went in for the big delivery. I wish I was actually dressed in something cute with my roots done and a bit of makeup on, but it is what it is...

This is the moment I held my book in my hands for the very first time...

 

And yes, I'm still 100% beaming! Everything about it is surreal so I'm trying to stop and inhale and take a moment in the middle. Last night, Adam read the first 100 pages (some of them out loud, which was just embarrassing...) And Sophia started telling her friends they could have copies "because we've got a whole box of them here." 

My day went from the gutter to the clouds in a millisecond. I'm on something of a roller coaster...and I'm loving every second! :) 

The book is shipping early and you can get it at Amazon right HERE. 

ETA! I just found out Amazon is out of stock, so you can go to Barnes & Noble or CBD.com if you want to find the book!! 

When Inspiration Hits (Or "Where'd you get the idea for your novel?")

When I first signed with my agent, she shopped around the first novel I'd written. It was a Contemporary Romance called Saving Dr. Willoughby and while it may never see the light of day again, it's still near and dear to my heart. I consider those early attempts hugely important in teaching me about story structure and what it really takes to write 75,000 words.

The trouble was, it wasn't unique enough. We needed a hook. So, Sandra asked me if I had anything related to scrapbooking. Scrapbooking and I have been on this journey together for a long time. I'm always shocked at the ways it keeps popping up--this hobby I fell in love with--then hated--then loved again...God's used it to change the course of my life time and time again. 

Who woulda thought?

Anyway, the truth was, I did have a scrapbooking-related novel brewing in my brain. The idea came to me after I spent some time here:

Some incredibly generous friends gifted us a whole week in their cottage in this little community called Bethany Beach. It's right on Lake Michigan, and it's filled with history. Founded in the early 1900's, it's the kind of place where cottages are passed down through the generations. People spent their whole summers there, on the beach, soaking in the sun and falling in love with the charm of a place that seemed to transcend time. 

It was here that I started to imagine a group of old friends getting together to reminisce in a place like this, which became "The Commons" in the world of Sweethaven:

I imagined these girls growing up and bringing their children here to spend their days on the beach:

Where they'd all let go of the worries of real life, if only for three short months each year. Their kids would become lifelong friends and carry on the tradition of documenting their days, their secrets, their dreams...in the pages of a scrapbook. 

They'd explore nature and marvel at God's creativity:

(Have you ever seen something so amazing...?) 

But of course, there would be trouble...Secrets to come between them and split them apart, leaving the scrapbook in four pieces, buried and forgotten...until one day...

The grown daughter of one of those girls shows up, knocks on a cottage door and re-opens the world of the past, the memories she's only read about in the pages of her mother's scrapbook.

It's amazing how sometimes inspiration strikes when you're not really looking for it. I keep wondering "What if they'd never introduced us to Bethany Beach in the first place?" Would the idea for this story have ever entered my mind? 

Would my kids and the way they enjoyed the beach (and eating the sunscreen container) ever have become something to write about?

I suppose inspiration really is everywhere...when you're looking for it. You never know when it's going to hit. 

Will you be ready when it does? 

So, a question: Have you ever found inspriation in an unexpected place?

 

The Perfect Space to Celebrate a Book Release

Christmas went by way too fast and very soon I'll be back in the swing of normal life. I'm holding onto the last few days of vacation because I know I'm going to need the rest for what's up ahead...not only is CHA just around the corner, which means increased busyness with Webster's Pages (because we have some gorgeous new collections coming out...) (Speaking of which, did you see our blog today? You can win an entire collection just by leaving a comment! Check it out!) but it also means that my book will be released in just over one month. 

Which, I can tell you, doesn't seem possible. 

Here's the final final cover:

One of the things I've been doing here in Illinois is squaring away the details for my launch party, which will be in early February. I was a bit on the fence about it, whether to do it in my hometown, Dixon, or an hour away in the town we lived in for eleven years, Rockford...I guess sometimes you just go with your gut. 

Because look:

(Sorry about the dark photos, I'm without Photoshop here in Illinois...)

This art gallery is the same one I used as the inspiration for the Sweethaven Art Gallery. I remember searching for the right art gallery to describe, one that had history and looked like it could be part of the row of businesses on Sweethaven's Main Streeet. Around that time, I discovered The Next Picture Show in Dixon. Right on Main Street. 

At the time, I wasn't thinking about my launch party...but it seems so appropriate to hold it here. 

We met with the owner yesterday and my decision was solidified. This is the spot. I can't wait. I mean, I can, because there's still much to be done, including figuring out catering and making sure I can get my books in by the date we've planned. The whole thing has me bubbling with excitement and of course, already thinking about what in the world I'm going to wear. 

I guess when I started this journey (years ago now), my mind wasn't latching on to these sorts of details. I tend to think more about the work of a project and less about the celebration. But in February, even though I may not be quite finished with the manuscript for the third book in my series, I will take a day to stop and celebrate. 

With live music and appetizers and artwork all housed in the perfect place. 

Who knows? Maybe you'll join me?

Handmade Holiday Giveaway...to spread Christmas Cheer

Oh, how I love Christmas. It finally hit me yesterday how wonderful last Christmas was and I got really excited to do it all over again. Nevermind that I haven't really started shopping. Or wrapping. 

I'm having too much fun putting together amazing gifts to giveaway on my blog! 

So, for the last of the handmade holiday giveaways...for the cozy Christmas lover in your life.

This, to start:

• A copy of Kristen Chenoweth's new Christmas CD (which I admit may be open when you get it because I know someone who might put that on her itunes before sending it off. How tacky am I?) 
• A copy of Susan May Warren's new book, "Baby, it's Cold Outside." (With a glowing endorsement from my mother who read it in one day. I cannot WAIT to read it for myself!) 
• A copy of "Love Finds You on Christmas Morning by Debby Mayne and Trish Perry
• A copy of "Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii" by Robin Jones Gunn (This is me trying to help you put up with the snow by escaping to Hawaii...)
• A beautiful, glittery snowflake ornament
• A canister of Archer Farms Milk Chocolate Peppermint Crunch

I will confess to you that I had another jar of Hershey Candy Cane candies to send along, but for some reason, they've been rendered useless. 

Namely because I ate half of them. 

Sorry 'bout that. 

But there's more! My friend, Sasha is giving away this fun Christmas print:

...which is no longer available in her shop, BUT she has TONS of other awesome gifts in there, so check it out HERE. 

The package will also include:

All of the Northridge Publications are SO well done. I mean, they're just gorgeous, and I happen to have an extra of this one. You will LOVE it. You can take all the ideas as they are or change them up for other events throughout the year. 

Then, I have this guy:

Scrapbook & Cards Today. This magazine is total inspiration, believe me. 

I've also got an adorable Flip Note Pad from the amazing Kelly Rae Roberts:

If you don't know Kelly Rae's artwork, you're seriously missing out. Her book taught me how to paint and while I'm still learning, it was kind and gentle in leading me into the world of mixed media. 

Also, I have a copy of this book:

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner. 

Susan is one of my favorite authors. Of all time. I LOVE her books, so naturally, I cannot wait to read this one. It's her newest release and it could be yours all yours! Check out Susan's Website for more information...because if there's a reader on your list, this is a GREAT one to give!

I'm also throwing in one of these guys:

Not because it has anything to do with Christmas...but because it's mine and I like to give it away. :) 

So. To recap:

I know. Get on with it. Tell me how to enter...

Ok. Hold your horses. I'm getting there. I want you to fill in the last part of this sentence: "It's not Christmas until..." 

And leave your answer in the comments. 

The other holiday giveaways are STILL OPEN (just until THIS THURSDAY!) so feel free to add comments to those too. For extra entries, Facebook, Blog or Tweet about this giveaway, then come back and leave another comment! 

I can't wait to give these away!!

Good Luck and Happy Tuesday!

Handmade Holiday Giveaway...for the creative in your life

***Scroll down for more awesome, artsy giveaways!
You still have a few days to enter!***

Well, here we are. Another Friday. Another week closer to Christmas. Yesterday Sophia opened the Advent calendar and said "Only seventeen more days till Christmas." 

It was at that point I had a heart attack and died. 17 DAYS? I haven't done a darn thing. It's like I got our tree up, rewarded myself a medal of completion and promptly forgot everything else I needed to do. 

I LOVE giving stuff away. It's one of my favorite things...and today is a doozy...For the creative in your life. Yes, that person (could be you!?) who loves to make things with their hands, listen to artistic music, pine over the written word... Just look...

(Now is when I start to get giddy.) 

Some of you may know I work for an AWESOME company. Webster's Pages. And by awesome, I mean, really, really awesome. I know God set me up giving me this gig and I think he wanted me to find a friend in the co-owner, Brandin. Brandin is the genius behind all the designs...and the Santy Claus behind this part of the giveaway. 

Look:

That'd be a now expired Black Friday Box. Come Home for the Holidays. It's chock full of beautiful scrapbooking product--perfect for the papercrafter in your life. (Or you!?) 

Incidentally, this week was HUGE for us over at Webster's Pages and we've just announced some really amazing things, like...a Design Team search! Go check it out pronto because this is one company you will LOVE working for. (Plus, we've got awesome freebies on our blog today!!)

Now, we could call it a day right there, but come on! It's Christmas! 

So next up...for the word-lover in your life:

I have an autographed copy of Carla Stewart's second novel, Broken Wings. Oh, my. If you don't know Carla, I can tell you this...reading her books is a pure treat. Like, better than chocolate, girls. Carla is the kind of writer whose words stay with you, whose descriptions transport you and whose stories move you. This book is amazing. I LOVED every word of it.

Since one of the book's main characters is a jazz-singer, Carla had the wonderful idea to sweeten this giveaway even more...She sent along an extra something special...Harry Connick Jr. 

Not THE Harry because I certainly wouldn't be passing him along (he'd be playing piano duets with my husband)...but a 3-disk set of his jazzy music. 

Perfectly swoony.

Speaking of which...many of you probably already know my friend Becky at Farmgirl Paints. I'm not sure how I discovered her blog, but I've been a faithful reader for awhile now. Becky, like me, recently picked up and moved her family across the country...and she, like me, has a daughter whose love for the theatre led her to the stage. But more than that, she's a sweetheart and a friend I'm very lucky to have. She makes these super cool leather cuffs and she made one specifically for the winner of this giveaway:

...because really, weren't we all made at home? 

I love it. There's sort of a double meaning there and the cuff is adorable. Check out Becky's Etsy shop for more goodness.

Have you had enough yet? Because I sure haven't...get this next prize:

Copies of Where Women Create, Where Women Cook and the newest addition to their family of publications, Where Women Cook: Celebrate! I love looking through these for ideas, inspiration and eye candy...if you haven't seen them before, they're simply inspiring. 

They even make ME want to learn to cook...and that's kind of a miracle. 

Finally, one last thing...because this gift package is for the creative in your life, I'm giving away a copy of my first book Scrapbooking Your Faith. 

I'll even sign it for you because all those years of doodling my name have to pay off someday, right? 

So, let's recap: 

• Webster's Pages Black Friday Monster Kit (Come Home for the Holidays) 
• Autographed copy of Carla Stewart's novel Broken Wings
• 3 Disk set of Harry Connick Jr. CDs
• Handmade cuff from Farmgirl Paints
• Where Women Create/Where Women Cook (3 publications in all) 
• Autographed copy of Scrapbooking Your Faith

Friends. If you don't enter this giveaway I WILL. I might just enter under a false name like Bitsy. 

So. If you want to enter, you must answer this question: 

Sophia has been asked to sing a Christmas song at our family's Christmas Eve gathering. Naturally, I offered to provide back-up but I was met with a stink-eye. What Christmas song (carol or otherwise) is your favorite and would you most like to hear on Christmas Eve?

Tweet, Facebook or Blog this giveaway for another entry (and then come back here and leave another comment!) So up to three additional entries!

And don't forget, there's still time to enter any of my giveaways this week (starting Tuesday!) And any of these things on the list would be fabulous gifts if you're going shopping this weekend! 

Happy Friday!

For the Hopeless Romantic...another giveaway!

It's my anniversary this weekend. Well, Adam's too, cause you know, I didn't marry myself. 

Here's one of our engagement pictures. TWELVE years ago. 

Holy darn, we're getting old! (Incidentally I want to add as a PSA that this haircut was absolutely the WORST to grow out.) (And who cuts their hair off right before their wedding?) 

Anyway, I'm not a lovey person. Affection is NOT my middle name. But I can appreciate the importance for a little romance every now and then...so today I'm giving away a prize package to spread the LOVE...

Inside this romantical package you will find: 

The entire Walk in the Park series by award-winning author Annalisa Daughety...

She's as cute in real life as she is in that picture. And super sweet too. Each book in her Walk in the Park series is set in a different national park...

Clever, right?

You can put yourself in the mood for romance with this series (and check out Annalisa's website for information on her other books...they make GREAT Christmas gifts!)

In this prize package you'll also find this guy right here:

A handpainted chalkboard from my sweet friend Jenn Schmidt, who is way too crafty for her own good. Jenn is one of those friends you just thank God for every single day, and you better believe I do. This little chalkboard is a GREAT reminder to leave love notes for your one and only! Pretty romantic, right? 

Also in this package...

A Starbucks gift card, two mugs and some gourmet hot chocolate. 

(Disclaimer: What you see in the photo of the whole package is not exactly what you will get. I'd use the excuse that my back hasn't given me the chance to get out and get the REAL stuff but the truth is I'm a total hermit who needs coaching in order to leave my home.) 

The reason I want to include the hot chocolate, two mugs & Starbucks card can be credited to my sister and brother-in-law:

I love these two. They have a "Hot Chocolate Date" tradition where, even when money is tight, they get their hot chocolate, sit down on the couch and catch up with each other. I can say from personal experience this is SO huge in a relationship--face to face time where you're just staying connected about more than logistics. 

So, I wanted to equip this winner with the tools to have a proper hot chocolate date.

Lastly, girls. Make yourself smell good! 

This is by far my favorite fragrance. It's light and subtle and doesn't give me a headache. I'm including a 10 oz. bottle of lotion and a 10 oz. bottle of shower gel to promote peace, love and good body odor. 

Today, in order to enter, simply leave a comment answering the following question: What is something romantic that Adam and I can do on our anniversary this Saturday? Babysitter is all lined up...but I'm fresh out of ideas! Can you help a girl out?

For additional entries: Blog, Tweet or Facebook this giveaway! (up to three extra entries)... 

And remember, you can go back to the beginning of the week and enter those Handmade Holiday giveaways as well! I won't pick winners till all the days are done! :) 

I leave you with the image of young love:

Happy Thursday!

Handmade Holiday Giveaway...it's a big one!

Today is the day. The kick-off of my attempt to brainwash you to buy books and handmade goods for Christmas this year. 

Wait. Does it still work if I tell you I'm doing it? 

Here's the deal...they always say "Buy a book, save an author..." and it's true. With the state of publishing right now, it's more important than ever to buy books, so if you're a reader or know someone who is, what better Christmas present can you find? 

On top of that, and this is something near and dear to my crafty-little-heart...so many artisans, crafters and designers offer such UNIQUE items, they're perfect PERFECT for your holiday gift giving. 

So, to kick off this week of brainwashing gift-giving, I am excited to introduce you to my friend, Jeanne. 

Jeanne and I go way back. And usually when I say that, I'm talking about someone I met an hour before and I'm using my sarcastic voice...but in this case, I'm being sincere. We grew up in the same tiny Christian school and her sister, Amy, was in my class. I still have vivid memories of their big old house, of Amy's birthday party at Showbiz Pizza, of watching Jeanne and the rest of the older, COOL girls play volleyball.

Fast forward to 2008(ish) when my first book was released. She got in touch with me to tell me how excited she was and bought two copies to give away on her blog. Before it was cool to do blog giveaways. 

Trendsetter, she is. (I said that in my British accent.) 

I had no idea she had this growing business...no idea she designed clothing and jewelry and beautiful ruffly, girly purses:

No idea we had so much in common...

And, I also had no idea we'd move to Colorado a few years later and live only a couple of hours away from her. She helped me acclimate to this new place and told me I would love it here. Even when I wasn't so sure. 

Well, this past weekend, Jeanne launched her new collection. Just in time for your holiday shopping...and yes, it's a stunner. Jeanne is able to pull styles from the past into the present day, giving it all her own unique flair. 

I got myself an early birthday present in her shop over the weekend:

It says "sold" because it's going on MY wrist. And I can't wait till it arrives!

So, I'm a big fan...so I wanted to share Jeanne's shop with you because I know you'll be a fan too! Even better...guess what I get to give away today? From a new addition to Jeanne's line: Little Jeanne...

You can win little girl's dress & messenger bag:

Or this little dress if you've got a wee bit:

And a little girl's cuff:

This one says "I Believe in You" but you can choose which one you want. 

But that's not all! This is quite the artsy giveaway, so what better to accompany it than a book about an artist? My new friend Kate Lloyd has just such a book! 

First off, this is Kate:

I met her on the hotel shuttle at the marketing seminar we had with our literary agency. (We both have the same agent.) I was thrilled when she told me about her book, A Portrait of Marguerite. 

A book about an artist? I'm all in, baby! (I said that in my Buddy Valastro voice.)

So, we get to give one away. (And by "we" I mean "I" because I'm the only one here.)  I thought it made the perfect accompaniment to the other beautiful items one lucky duck is going to receive! 

About the book: When single mom Marguerite Carr's son leaves for college, she feels as though her life has lost its purpose. When a friend drags Marguerite to a drawing class—her first since college—she rediscovers her long-lost passion for painting, finds unexpected love, and begins a relationship with God.

It sounds like such a beautiful story, no? I can't wait to read it myself! 

To Enter:  Leave me a comment here on the blog (not on Facebook) and answer the question: What do you most want for Christmas this year? 

For extra chances to win, you can Blog, Facebook or Tweet this giveaway and then come back and leave another comment saying you did so. (So up to three extra chances to win!)

Help spread the word so we can support artists, designers and authors this holiday season! 

And have a Merry Tuesday. :) 

So, You Want to Be a Writer...

I often hear that as a writer, I should blog about writing. I confess it's not the first thing I think about. Writing about writing seems hard when I know there are so many others out there who are already doing such a beautiful job. 

But, writing is a huge part of my life. And one of the biggest blessings of this life is this chick right here:

Pardon the grainy photo. iphone + hotel conference room. It's to be expected. 

My agent, Sandra Bishop has done more to shape my writing career than anyone else I know, and I've had the opportunity to hear her speak wisdom into my life on countless occasions. 

I have never regretted it. 

Sometimes I don't like what she says (she doesn't always bring good news...) but I always love the way she says it. Clear, concise wisdom infused into your writing life. And now you can get a little bit of that wisdom for yourself...

(And the best part is, you don't have to travel to a conference to do that...you can sit right there...in your pajamas if you want to...and gain all the wisdom of this brilliant literary agent.) 

Sandra is teaching a course at Writer's Digest & if you're a writer or a wanna-be writer then, yes, you most certainly should take part. 

Sandra tells me she's going to discuss "the importance of keeping your readers in mind while you write as well as the mistaken notion that it's possible to write a cross-over book". In addition, you'll learn why your bio and platform are more important than ever. 

You'll also learn: 

How to watch trends that inform you where your idea may be best received

Common misconceptions about the benefits and risks of writing for one market or the other

Specific tactics authors can employ to help them make a switch between markets easier

The course starts tomorrow and will be 100% worth the time and investment. Check out the Writer's Digest Website for more information on Sandra and this incredible offering. 

So what about you...have you ever considered writing a book?

Do tell. I love to swap dreams. 

                                                                           

Sandra Bishop was invited in 2009 to join MacGregor Literary, an agency consistently listed among the top five dealmakers on Publishers Marketplace. Prior to agenting, Sandra worked in the marketing department of a major CBA publishing company, and made a living as a freelance writer for nearly a decade.

In her second full year as an agent, Sandra defied the lingering cries of the falling economic sky and placed 30 books for publication. In 2010, Sandra enjoyed the honor of being named “Agent of the Year” by ACFW, a national association of authors who specialize in inspirational fiction.

Sandra represents fiction and nonfiction authors in multiple genres and with varying levels of publication background. She is as hard working as she is likeable, and is proud to have helped several of her authors reach milestones early in their literary partnership. Sandra is awaiting membership status in the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR).

Sandra is only open to new clients by referral, and unpublished authors via writers conferences.

When there are no words...

My last post was all about me making light of all the things I seem unable to keep up with around here. Let's face it, we can't all be domestic goddesses. Some of us are just better at self deprecation then housekeeping.

Truth be told, I'm floundering a little...so I don't have a lot of extra words floating around. Only guilt.

And Jim Gaffigan quotes. (Chip Chop Chip? What does that even mean?)

And pictures of my girl before she got her hair cut...

 

That's all I really want to share today...pictures...

In spite of her hair, I think she's beautiful. And lately there are days when I want to strangle her but more often I want to hug her and tell her I"m proud of her. And I do. 

The other day when I was working on projects for my Papercrafting book, she sat with me in my office, doing her own creating. She made this:

It's a prayer jar. I didn't help her at all. I didn't even give her the idea. She just wanted to make a jar where she could tuck in her prayers. 

That sort of amazed me. She has a big heart, but her faith she mostly keeps to herself. It always surprises me when I see it coming out...and then I remember that I'm the same way, really. 

She's also picked up another one of my habits (though this idea didn't come from me either)... writing notes to herself on the mirror. Affirming love letters to herself. Nothing makes me happier...

She got that idea from a devotional she's reading written by a girl about her age (and her mom.) 

Sometimes I forget she's not this tiny person anymore. She's got a mind of her own. She needs independence. She needs to spread her wings a little. 

Never mind that the last time she "spread her wings" we found her on the other side of the neighborhood (where she isn't allowed to be) and is now grounded for the rest of the week. 

Those are just silly details. 

Speaking of details...

How about two winners of the Preschool Hands-On Bible??

The first winner...

Sharon said...

Courtney, I'm not quite sure why I have never visited your blog...but I suppose He drew me to it tonight with the post on FB about winning this :)

Good luck to me!

ReplySeptember 29, 2011 at 08:33 PM

and the second winner...

AnnaMarie said...

Ok this is pretty freakin' awesome!! :) How uplifting to be involved with a project like this...and love that it is experiential - it will really help the children to process the stories. Even if I don't win, I am so ordering one for my preschooler!! :) Thank you for the opportunity to win! :)

ReplySeptember 27, 2011 at 09:45 AM

You ladies need to send me your address so I can send you your Bibles! 

Thanks to everyone who entered! Hope you're having a great Tuesday. (Is it Tuesday?) 

 

My First Hands-On Bible Giveaway

Once upon a time I thought I would be an actress. I had NYC dreams that most likely gave my poor mom a heart attack, a stroke and a strong desire to drink from a flask stuffed in a paper bag...but eventually I wised up. 

I'm gonna blame my change of heart on the cow unitard:

There are so many things wrong with that picture. Like the fact that I thought it was okay to scrapbook it. 

And years later, put it on my blog. 

I have no shame.

In college, one of my theatre professors told us "If you can make a living doing anything else and be happy...do it."  I know what he meant. If there's a way to work theatre into your life without making it your everything AND you're still happy...do it. 

Years later, I'm lucky enough to still have the stage in my life. We're kicking around the idea of producing a show here in Colorado, but in the meantime, we're writing another show for Christian Youth Theatre in Chicago. A new production of Hercules. I thought I'd share the first tidbit with you because this is the song that's making me cry all over myself...

 

To tell you my husband is ridiculously talented would be redundant. When he's singing, writing or playing... fuggetaboutit. I am loving where he's taking Hercules...far from the Disney version, to be sure. 

This leaves me wondering 1. How to write a script worthy of this music and 2. How to segue into my next point. (By the way, don't you think it should be spelled "segway?" I mean, come on, Webster. Way to confuse us.)

Months ago now, I got to work on this awesome project:

It's a Bible for preschoolers put out by Group and Tyndale. I wrote several lessons for this Bible and in all of the freelancing I've done, this was by far the most weighty. 

I'm helping kids understand the BIBLE. That's a big deal. I had to pray a LOT. 

And drink a LOT of coffee.

But, the editors at Group knew how to make it accessible to kids even younger than my Hobbit. 

It's very experiential for the child. You read the story, but you also do activities along the way. So your kids aren't just hearing the words, they're doing something to help them remember the words. 

As a mom, I'm thrilled with the way this Bible turned out. As a former children's pastor's wife, I would order them for every pre-school classroom. 

As a blogger, I am lucky enough to give a couple away. Surely you know a child or a church who would benefit from this book. Leave me a comment and I'll draw two winners this Friday. 

You can read a review HERE and watch a video of a mom actually using the Bible with her kids here: 

 

I'm thankful I got to work on this book. It's one of those things that I feel makes a difference. It matters. That's pretty awesome. 

So, do you want one? Leave a comment and you could be the lucky duck who wins!

 

The ACFW Conference Experience; Take 3

I'm home now, sitting in my office. The sound of my husband writing a song in the next room offers a soundtrack to my rambling mind. In front of me, a few stray pink and white candies are strewn across the desk from the bag of Good & Plenty I bought before I left.

What can I say, they were on Clearance. 

Which is strange, sorta. They're like the red-headed step-child of the candy aisle. I could tell you I felt sorry for them, but the truth is, I just like candy. 

Judge away. 

My mind cannot seem to grasp the past four days. I can't  wrap my brain around the experience this year, and I'm not sure why. I'm feeling exhilarated, excited, ready to write, anxious to tell you about my books and yes, perfectly exhausted. 

The truth is, I can't properly put it into words. There's still too much to process. I know I won't do it justice...and in the back of my mind I think "Does anyone care?" And then I think...

I do.

I think I may have to blog about it in bits, because there's far too much to take in...

For instance, I have a book coming out February 1st. It's called A Sweethaven Summer and it combines my love of storytelling with my love for scrapbooking. I still cannot believe it.

At the conference, I did my first (brief) interview. My first time talking about the work I've been slaving over for a couple of years now...to the press. I still cannot believe it. 

I had a chance to talk to so many amazing, inspiring people...to build a community, a tribe, if you will...and all this time I thought I was an introvert. I still cannot believe it. (No, really...I can. not. believe. it!)

The thing I love most about this conference is the people. Hands-down. I was reunited with one of my all-time favorite people in the whole world...

Deb Raney. I know. I blog about her a lot. This is because of the impact she's had on my life. Prolific and wise, this woman is so generous with her knowledge. I am so lucky she is my forever friend. 

I also got to meet one of my editors, Rachel Meisl from Summerside Press. Another highlight. 

She is kind and knowledgable and so, so gorgeous. 

I interrupt this blog post to tell you that the song Adam is writing is making me cry...while I'm blogging. This could get ugly. I wish you could hear it...the song, not the crying...the crying is sort of a downer.

And I'm not one for evoking depression.

And of course, my agent...Sandra Bishop.

Do you know what's it like to have someone who is always on your side? No matter what? It's not something to take lightly because it's rare...and I have that in her. She isn't my agent as much as she is my friend and I'm overwhelmed by her willingness to believe in me. 

Truth is, it has me feeling like "God, why are you so good to me?" 

Darn Adam. Darn song. Darn tears.

Speaking of which...I arrived in St. Louie on Wednesday night where I came face-to-face with my long-time blog-friend Shannan. 

I plopped myself in the car and glanced at her and it wasn't until five minutes later I realized this was the first time we'd met. 

There are certain people you just know you're meant to be friends with. And then you realize one day they aren't just friends...they're life friends. 

That's Shannan for me. She and I are very much alike...and yet, very different. She is far more giving than I am...selfless and so, so kind. When you walk away from time spent with you, you feel uplifted. 

I want to be uplifting. 

I knew we'd hit it off just from our many phone conversations, but I had no idea that she'd close the toilet lid every time one of us used the bathroom (she has a thing about standing water.) Or that she'd force me to keep talking until 2:30 a.m. every morning about Tim Riggins and then order me to put my ear plugs in so she could go to sleep. 

I felt like I was at sleep away camp only this time I didn't wet my bed OR get homesick. 

And now, here I am, back home, with far fewer Good & Plenties then when I started this blog post and the melody of a nearly complete song dancing through my mind...but the images of this week are still with me, and I can't help but feel a little sad I have to wait another year before I can go back. 

(with Deb & author Tamera Alexander)

I am marveling at the goodness of God for putting the passion of this calling to write  in my life in such a clear way and then surrounding me with people to help me  navigate my way through it. 

(Dear friend Carla Stewart. This woman is the real deal. I'm so happy she "made" her picture with me.)

The writer's life may be a solitary one, but this community has blessed, inspired and encouraged me. Without competitiveness or haughtiness, but with pure grace and humility. 

I still cannot believe it. 

Thanks for letting me ramble on a little about this week. It's such an important part of my year...

I'm wiping my cheeks dry now...and going to sit beside my husband so he can play this song for me...I think it's a winner!

The Me Project by Kathi Lipp

Ever since I finished Made to Crave, I've been wanting a new book to usher in my morning. Typically, I only have about twenty minutes before I start work, but sometimes that's all it takes to focus my day. 

I was so excited when I found this book: 

The Me Project by Kathi Lipp. 

I have to admit, my desire to read non-fiction has waned some since I started reading so much for a living, but there's something about this book that I cannot help but love. 

I think it's the author. 

She pretty much looks like someone I want to be friends with. 

And the more I read, the more I'm sure that's the case. 

Kathi's no-nonsense approach to getting your head screwed on straight makes me laugh, but it also speaks to me right where I'm at. Kathi weaves biblical truths right in the middle of realistic situations and offers practical ways to, as the title says, "live the life you've always wanted." 

The best part is...the suggestions in this book are doable. I get the distinct impression the author understands what it's like to be so busy you can't keep your head from spinning--and I love when someone offers to help me put an end to that! 

So far, I'm loving this book. It's helping me to define my goals and dreams and then come up with a realistic plan to achieve them. If I were in the business of giving stars out, I'd surely give this one four...I highly recommend this book for anyone who's looking to make your passion a reality. 

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Most women in the midst of careers, marriage, raising children, and caring for parents set their personal goals aside. The Me Project provides women with fun and creative ways to bring back the sense of purpose and vitality that comes with living out the plans and dreams God has planted in their hearts. Kathi Lipp’s warm tone and laugh-out-loud humor will motivate women to take daily steps toward bringing purpose back into their lives and give them the confidence they can do it in spite of busy schedules. A woman who reads and applies The Me Project will - discover the unique plan God has for her life and her role as a wife, mother, worker, or volunteer - gather a community of like-minded women who want to make their goals a priority - change her attitudes toward her roles in life, as well as how she approaches her personal goals This handy guide coaches women to do one simple thing toward achieving their goals each day for three weeks, bringing a sense of vitality and exhilaration back into their lives.

About the Author 

Kathi Lipp is a busy conference and retreat speaker, currently speaking each year to thousands of women throughout the United States. She is the author of The Husband Project and The Marriage Project, serves as food writer for Nickelodeon, and has had articles published in several magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman and Discipleship Journal. Kathi and her husband, Roger, live in California and are the parents of four teenagers and young adults. For more information visit her website: www.kathilipp.com

 

 

Maggie Goes On a Diet

This morning Adam told me about a new children's book he read about called Maggie Goes on a Diet. In my opinion, the book should have a subtitle: Maggie Goes on a Diet...and then spends the rest of her life in therapy.

The book is self published, which makes sense because I can't see any sane editor allowing this book to be printed. I spent the morning reading articles about it, and all I can say it...

What in the world is this guy thinking? 

The book is targeted at children as young as 4, written in rhyme like a typical children's picture book and sends the message that if you're not thin, you aren't popular. And if you aren't popular, well, then something is wrong with you.

It starts with Maggie, an overweight fourteen-year-old, getting teased and bullied because of her weight. 

And of course, Maggie turns to food to comfort herself. Notice the two-fisted binge in the dark in front of the open refrigerator?

I understand that this is actually fairly realistic. Kids (and adults) do turn to food when they need comfort, but I think the book's author, Paul M. Kramer, is sending the wrong message. 

He's telling little (little) girls not that they should "eat healthy and exercise" as he claims...but that if they aren't thin and beautiful, no one will like them. 

Tired of being teased, Maggie starts her diet. She dreams of skinnier jeans...

...it's that image of the jeans that keeps her going. (Tell me, does this image send the message that Maggie just wants to be healthy? Or is this about her looks? About wearing a smaller size?) 

And what do you know? Maggie discovers that she's a talented soccer player. In fact, she becomes the star of the team...and that makes her popular. (I'm curious if Maggie has had soccer training up until this point or did she just magically "catch up" with all the kids who've been doing this since they were four?)

Kramer says his goal was to encourage kids to eat healthy and exercise, after all, obesity in America is an epidemic. 

And he's right. Obesity certainly is a problem in America. But if I didn't know better, I'd think the author wanted to poke fun at the overweight kids himself. 

I was an overweight kid. I was teased for it. I know kids can be mean, and guess what? I went on a diet. That diet looked a lot like anorexia. If kids are taught at the ripe old age of four that if they go through puberty and develop a little differently than their peers--if they put on a few extra pounds through the middle as they grow, that they aren't good enough...how does Mr. Kramer think that's going to turn out? 

Here's a hint:

(I'll just point out that the girl in the mirror looks wonderfully healthy to me.)

I believe we have to educate our kids on being healthy, on eating healthy and exercising--but not so they can achieve "popularity and fame." Healthy is a somewhat all-encompassing term that includes mental health, and sending the message that Maggie is worthless when she's overweight is a great way to turn anorexia and bulimia into an even bigger problem than childhood obesity. 

Mr. Kramer claims he's amazed at the public outrage over his book, and he's probably hoping this turns into dollar signs when its released in October, but as a mom of a ten-year-old who grew up striving to fit a certain mold, who did whatever it took to become thin and popular including making myself throw up after every meal, I can honestly say this book deserves the public outrage.

If Kramer were smart, he would've consulted with professionals, learned how to send a positive message to encourage kids to love themselves--even if they're a few pounds overweight--and wrote a story about self acceptance on the path to total health. Instead, he's chosen to write a book that, in its own way, bullies girls into believing lies--that unless they do something about their chunky middles they will never be good enough, popular enough and gosh darn it, no one will like them. 

You tell me, does a book like this deserve a place on your child's bookshelf?

If so, you can start saving now for the years of therapy to undo its damage.