Sunday, October 12, 2008

Surprises galore

Life is full of surprises. I haven't been blogging lately because I was off surprising by mother by arriving on her doorstep (from Melbourne, Australia to Portland, OR, USA) for her X0th birthday! (and I know she reads my blog so couldn't give any hint towards the trip here either!)


It was an absolutely wonderful time that I will never forget. And now back in Melbourne, I have come home to a few surprises myself.

First of all, a mail surprise, which is always so much fun! Recently I won a giveaway on flossy-p's blog of her Happy Happy Garden Card Pack. Now, I didn't actually know what this was at the time, but it turns out to be the most beautiful thing: a small series of cards, about half the size of a business card, with illustrations and phrases such as 'You have such a lovely garden' or 'Your tree is so tall'. The idea is to walk around your neighbourhood and 'sprinkle compliments' by giving out these random-act-of-kindness cards. What a great idea don't you think? The problem is, they are so beautiful!! I don't know if I can give them away! oh, it's going to be hard, but I'll try... In the little mail package wrapped in the coolest paper ever (top of picture) was also a bookmark and a flossy-particles tag. This made my day amongst all the junk mail and bills I came back to - thanks flossy!!!


and still more surprises, this one not so good. There are some major revisions to do to the roughs for the 4 book series I am working on. My art was well received, but it seems that the marketing department has decided that elephants are not 'sellable'. Who would have thought? So back to people it is. I see a lot of erasing and redrawing in my future... sigh.....

BUT, this last "surprise" lifts my spirits, as next Saturday Oct 18th is the launch of my book Surprise! at Eltham bookstore. I have seen one advance copy so far (which I have already given away), but next weekend I'll finally get my hands on a stack of em, so 'watch this space' for a giveaway!! And if you are in Melbourne and fancy a drive out of the city, please come along - all are welcome, especially kiddlies...



6 comments:

Mônica said...

You're right, mail surprises are the best! What a lovely giveaway you got, everything looks so beautiful!

And it's so cool to see your book all ready! Congratulations, Kim, that's wonderful!!

Alicia Padrón said...

Kim.. my friend! How wonderful to see your book and it is coming out so soon, how exciting!!! I wish I was in Australia so i could go to the bookstore.

What a pain about the elephant.. I loved him too. Don't you worry I'm sure you'll come up with something wonderful again. I know it is very disappointing to have worked s hard and then having to do something else now.. sigh.. I guess that is part of this business.

Sounds like you had a great time with your mom. I'm glad you are back! Missed you :o)

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

yay! woohoo....so many things going on! The book cover looks great!!

Too bad about the revisions...they are always a pain, aren't they? Who would of thought about the elephants. My guess is that someone in marketing just doesn't like elephants and all the sudden its not sellable. (I've heard of crazy stories like this!) Anyways, I am sure you will think of something fab.

Love all the goodies too. Lucky you!

flossy-p said...

So many bits of news in this post...

1. How wonderful that you surprised your mum. She would have been SO thrilled! What a special thing to share, fun too! :)

2. I'm so glad you liked your package, and that there was a little bit of colour in your mailbox to bring you some cheer. When you can bare to part with them, let me know how you went handing them out :)

3. Elephants? Not? Sellable? Tell that to Babar!!! Marketing people should know better, tut tut to them I say.

4. YAAAAAY! You're very own book launch!!!! Congratulations!!!!

AstridMueller said...

Hey Kim, I like your illos a lot. Don't be too sad that you have to do revisions, it's really awesome that you have a book deal. Congratulations!! Love the illustration with the flying cow too.

Thanks for stopping by on my blog!
Astrid

Anna Nadler said...

Very very cute!!!! Congrats on the book!!!!!!!