Big Smiles--Exploring Color to be Revised, Updated, Launched in 2016

Yesterday I met with my favorite editor, Stefanie Laufersweiler, about the book we're working on now--our fourth for North Light Books. We are so happy to be bringing this book back after a couple of years out of print. We still have lots of work to do, as this is a major revision and update. I haven't talked much about my book development process in the past (a total of seven books, going on eight), but I've decided to share some of my thoughts and experiences as I pull the book together with Stef's sharp eyes and sense of humor to assist me. Maybe you have dreamed of writing a book and will feel encouraged to give it a shot. Stay tuned!

Fresh start, thank goodness

I've been out of circulation for about a month, nothing life threatening. Insanity a possibility, though, coming to terms with the frustration of working on a frustratingly slow 8-year-old computer, deciding on what to buy, setting it up and installing programs. The worst is over, and not all that bad. I'm happy with the new HP (fassssssst)and Windows 7, so far. Seems like much easier access to everything, especially to my files stored on an external 1.5 terabyte hard drive, which my husband calls my Teradactyl. So, what's next?

Too much to tell in one blog. Big news is I'm doing a complete revision of
Creative Collage Techniques. I'm pleased to have my editor, Stefanie Laufersweiler, for our third book together for North Light. We met here in my studio yesterday (she lives near Cincinnati, I'm in Dayton)and went over my plans for the book. When we weren't exchanging photos of kids and grandkids or lamenting the woes of moving house (her) and setting up new computers (me).

But, about the book. Creative Collage Techniques has been in print for more than 16 years and is still a popular book, but I intend to update materials, techniques, and art. Virginia won't be able to work with me, but everything I do will remind me of the good times we had doing the first one. I'll be completely rewriting and adding a lot of new art--plus it will be expanded 16 pages over the original. I'm psyched!

First, though, I have to clean the house. The two of us don't clutter, but I still haven't figured out how to keep dust off the furniture. Had better get to work.