Children: Art Stuff and more...

My Children’s Boutique…

 Toy Box...

 Big Sister T-shirt...Hand painted shirts below...

 Happy Birthday Hand Painted Shirt...

I have been very busy like Santa creating gifts for all the future babies coming into my life in the next year. 




Everyone I know is pregnant and I couldn’t be happier for all of the future new mommies in my life. “It must be in the water,” and I must buy gallons of it STAT! Lucky for me they are all having “Bring your Favorite Children’s Book” themed showers. My friend Claudette is expecting twin girls this spring.

 It was fun to design a whole gift designed around the theme of my book for her twin girls due shortly. Along with my book, I painted a beautiful gold chair adorned with hues of purples and silver accents/designs with a matching angelic foot stool to read my children’s book in.

 I loved presenting her with this gift. It was such a treat for me to create it for her and her future family.

Roughly a little over two years ago I sat on a beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with my college friend (both single at the time) and predicted our life will soon change for the best. So, every night we made a toast, “The best is yet to come.” I scratched several things off my “Life List” that week.

 I held a baby monkey and zipped line through a rain forest. I could hear her screaming the whole time behind me. Ironically, the louder she screamed the better I felt. I was finally living the life I wanted like never before. I felt so FREE. It was long overdue. A huge chapter in my life was done. I closed that book and grabbed onto the new reins in my life. We were both afraid of heights but we both collapsed in joy when it ended. SO, after a blissful vacation the single ladies returned home. We literally landed back in the states, met our husbands and married within weeks of each other. She is now very pregnant so I created an Angelic Themed Toy Box (see Pic.) that includes my children’s book, Maurice’s Daughter for her. The post office loves me when they see me coming in. Designing children’s rooms and nurseries is such a thrill for me. I have done a few now in Florida. I am only hoping to do my own soon.

Good luck Mommy to be! I LOVE YOU.

Charleston's Barnes and Noble

Charleston Barnes and Noble and Charleston’s Capital Book Festival

November 6^th & 7^th

What a great event held by Capital Book Festival located at The Charleston’s Public Library. Over 5,000 people came through the library in one day. I think they set a record that day! Hundreds of authors and publishers were present from all over the country. Wonderful readings and lectures held all day. It is still a very surreal experience sitting next to prized authors and publishers. I feel like a fish out of water at most of these events. It is amazing feeling standing behind your book with posters flanked at each side of you advertising who you are and being questioned by customers eager to read or learn more about your book. Seeing your name in print still blows me away. 

I am always extremely humbled with every book signing and signature. Capital book Festival (see Facebook Page) produces several large festivals a year all over the south and will now have an annual event every fall in Charleston, South Carolina. A fun weekend with so much to enjoy. Literature and Art dance all over the city! There was a local art festival down the street with a fabulous array of artists selling their work. I found a great sculpture of a small antique bicycle with metal birds on the handle bars and a fun glass bowl where the seat was originally placed. I have it now hanging in my kitchen. It holds my fresh vegetables and it’s a great reminder of South Carolina.

 Sunday, November 7^th

Charleston’s Barnes and Noble was a great event too (see pic. above). The people at BN are always so much fun and excited to have us there. I was there with my Publisher, Lily Herndon Weaks and a couple other of her authors too. Growing up, I was always shy to look at the authors present in the book stores. They appeared as if they were “God like Sculptures” to me. Funny, now that I have my first book out the same shyness reappears within. My mom thoroughly enjoyed herself and made sure everyone in the book store knew I was there for a book signing. I actually felt like a 15 year old with the same old thoughts, “Mom, you are embarrassing me.”

Orlando Book Signing

November 20th-24^st, 2010

Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Last November I became an ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents) Member and was invited by Dr. Joan Kaywell from The University of South Florida to attend The National Convention at Disney World. Dr. Kaywell is the leading cause why The Kipple collection located at The USF Library (see Facebook Page) has grown substantially. It has over 1,500 signed first edition books (PLUS MINE) now housed in their private collection. ALAN honored about 10 students from all over the state ranging in grades 6-12. Each table had one Florida Author present with and Alan Award Winner. Before the luncheon, the Florida Authors had a book signing for everyone attending. It was a wonderful event and it was a pleasure to be included with. It is a great organization for young writers. Please check it out at www.Alan-ya.org. I was very proud to meet all the wonderful “Future Writers.” Later, they had a small cocktail party for about 500 authors and publishers. Hundreds mingled with Mickey Mouse and other famous characters. It was a pleasure to meet Michael Morris and Alexandra Finn from Harper Collins.

New Wedding Shower Invitations!

I was really excited about making these special wedding shower invitations. 

The funny thing is that the guests will not understand the funky collage until they are at the shower venue. It is in an old factory that has been restored and has funny & unique themed rooms.   

 Each room is decorated with a retro feel. Nothing seems to match and the swings and flowers are a hit that hang from the ceiling. They even have Hula Hoops for the guests to play with and use!

The event details our on the back of each card. 

The envelopes were stamped with colorful birds flying all over it.

Each card was uniquely made because they hold special hints about the couples relationship, family memories and funny stories on each one. 

There will be a raffle held at the shower for the lucky ones that have secret images hidden in the collage.

The invitations requested that the guest bring their invite to the shower for a special prizes.