Books You'll Love: Just Being Audrey

I mentioned a while ago that Julia Denos was coming out with a new book, Just Being Audrey. And it was released this week! I was so happy to get my copy in the mail. How sweet to have a picture book about Audrey's childhood, growing up years and beautiful life. She really was such a beautiful person and brought so much joy to the world we live in. I've loved her since my first time seeing "My Fair Lady." And then my next film I think I saw was "Wait Until Dark." Even as a child I was hooked.

Just Being Audrey takes a spin on her life that we often don't think about. We tend to think of Audrey Hepburn as the "je ne sais quois" icon of the 60's that swept our hearts away on her cruiser bicycle wearing Wayfarer sunglasses and her gorgeous smile. But this book takes you into her life deeper than that.  The story takes you to her childhood upbringing during WWII, where her family directly felt the affects of the war. She wanted so badly to be a dancer, but she was too tall, her neck was too long and her body wasn't shaped right. All the things that made her awkward in a leotard were the very things that made her delightful as an actress. The book focuses a great deal on Audrey's "becoming" and how she lived and loved throughout her life.

And of course, the illustrations are just delightful, capturing Audrey Hepburns free heart and whimical character.

You can view the video trailer here:

Enjoy!

Audrey Love and Printable Valentine's cards.

Did you know that Audrey Hepburn had a pet deer? Yes. And did you know that it was a childhood dream of mine to have one too? Yes. So I know I've posted this before....but when I found these images a while back, I think I let out an audible, "Awwwww....."  I mean really. Who wouldn't want a fawn for a pet. And it really was her pet...the deer's name was Pippin, and she called him "Ip." Parties, car rides, long walks...they were always together.

I-LOVE-YOU-MY-DEAR-PDF-Download-Print-your-own-Valentines-Cards.jpeg

These valentines cards were inspired by Audrey's pet fawn mixed with my childhood dream to have a pet deer. And since Valentines Day is just a few days away, I thought I'd mention these PDF downloadable cards in the shop in case you need a little last minute love note.

They've been marked down,  and will be on sale for the rest of the week!

You can also get them in card form, and we're happy to send. They are printed on really nice textured soft paper...they have the feel of letterpress folded cards. So sweet!

I'll be posting a bit more about Audrey Hepburn this week. Somehow she goes really well with Valentines day.

Happy Monday to you all!

Color Stories.

Color.It's in everything we see. It'a all around, all the time. What does it say? And how do you choose to read it?

I've been thinking a lot of color stories. There are so many color combinations that I LOVE come from the every day things around me...but I just don't notice.  This year, I'm making a point to notice. These colors are making me tick this morning. Hoping for spring...hoping for spring...

{Photograph via with color notes by me}

P.S. And thank for all the cover love! I'll be showing you the inside soon enough!

A Christmas Goodnight Cover Release

"On a quiet but wondrous Christmas Eve, the nativity story comes to life,

and families everywhere celebrate the miracle of Christmas.

Nola Buck’s simple poetic text and tender illustrations by Sarah Jane Wright

make this gentle holiday goodnight book a joy to read and share with those you love!"

So, this is quite early in the game. But I had to share! My first picture book, A Christmas Goodnight, won't be coming out until the fall, but this is the first time that I can actually start releasing some images! It's so intersting: I've been working on this since August of 2009, and it's only just now that I can show you what I've spent the past year of my life doing:)

I won't tell you too much right now...there's still quite a while until any of you will be thinking about Christmas again. But, since you are all friends...and friends just want to share....I thought you'd love to catch a glimpse of what A CHRISTMAS GOODNIGHT is about.

Really, this post should be about my husband, friends and family who supported me all along the way. This has been my dream illustrate children's books...and I never realized that illustrating a children's book while mothering young children would be so challenging. But I've learned so much a long the way, which I plan on sharing a little later.

But for now: it's official.

A Christmas Goodnight

By Nola Buck Illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright

Harper Collins Childrens Books

Oct. 1, 2011

Not available for Pre-order just yet...hold your horses.

Merry Christmas!

Or rather, Happy Ground Hog Day!

Monday doodles.

I've mentioned that I've been working on my fabric designs....and this weekend as I was laying out colors ( in stripes...it helps me to see them interact really well) I started to see images popping up on top of these stripes of color. You know when you see certain colors, they make you think of certain things? Well, these boy colors that I am working with just made me think  "lions". It's always interesting to me how ideas come. Lately, my ideas have been coming through color. Certain colors make us feel certain things. Don't know why these colors made me think about lions, but they did.  And though I am not much of a digital artist ( I prefer to draw by hand even when I am working digitally) this little guy had to make himself known. He even had the guts to write some graffiti on my color chart. And though I don't have any lions in my fabric, I've been thinking a lot about lion's lately....and it makes me want to play with them more.  You might be seeing some more very soon!

Happy monday!

Giveaway.

We had so much fun doing giveaways over the holidays, and I have one more left! Warmth is an ETSY shop full of cute mice dressed up for all sorts of occasions.

You can get a pretty great sense of what she makes below, but you can also visit her shop here for a greater sampling. Linda will be giving away 3 mice: a $45 gift to you!

They are petit and sweet. How perfect for Valentines day!

This one is my favorite. Darling.

Giveaway instructions:

  • Leave a comment making sure to enter your name and email where it asks you to
  • Comments will be closed on Sunday Jan. 30th at Midnight EST
  • one winner will be chosen
  • Winners will be contacted via email
  • Readers can enjoy 20% off in her shop through the weekend by mentioning SARAH JANE in your order.

Best of luck to you!

Rocket Ship Diorama

January is the month of Birthdays: Both Addie and Ian turn one year older just 12 days apart from each other. Not only that, but the birthday festivities start right after the holidays. I feel rushed every year!

This year, Addie went for a Dress-up/Princess theme (of course!) and Ian for Rockets. It was simple, and no-fuss. I had grand ideas like I always do, but then toned it down by keeping it about the fun and not the presentation.

We had lots of activities, but the one I wanted to share was from Ian's party.  I planned on having the boys build rockets out of materials I was going to collect through the month. But....since I never collected anything, I came up with this idea at the last second.

Rocket Ship Diorama

Do you remember making dioramas in school? Yes I know. Very retro now, I'm sure. But I am here to bring them back. They are rather awesome, if I do say.

Here's what we did :

Materials:

PDF download of rocket figures

Shoebox

Styrofoam ball

Toothpicks

Thread or fishwire

Scissors

Glue or scotch tape

Sky or Space colored paper

Directions:

1) Cut out the paper figures. Girl and boy rocket people are a must.

2) Attach a toothpick to the back for mounting.

3)Wrap the inside of the shoebox with paper that will look like outerspace: dark blue works best, and it's fun to add glitter, stars, or whatever you want so that it looks super space-y.

4) Cut a styrofoam ball in the shape you need to make the top of a planet or moon

5) use fish wire to attach the firing rocket and planets to the ceiling of the  shoebox.

6) Be creative and add whatever you want to make it your own!

We were rather no-fuss about this, and let the little boys make them by themselves really. They loved positioning the rockets on their own. Even with paper they try to make things collide and explode:)

So, simple? Yes. Entertaining for a 5 year old? Yes and yes. Ian sleeps with this next to his bed so he can look into it before he drifts off to dreamland. Dreaming about green aliens and conquering the cosmos for sure.

Click here for the PDF download you can print yourself.

I'd love to see what you come up with!