Saturday, July 25, 2009

Stop by Tombow booth 335 to say hi at the CHA Show!

A last minute invitation to everyone out in Twitterland, Facebook Island and Linked-in Avenue....stop by American Tombow's booth #335 at Orlando's CHA Summer Show Tuesday July 28 through 30 and do a make n take project with me! I'm teaching marker blending techniques using the awesome Tombow Brush Pen markers and blending pen. We'll be exploring techniques like Scribble Blending and Faux Watercolor, as well as Shadow Blending and Faux Chalking.

For anyone who is chemically sensitive or who is careful what chemicals and toxins they breathe or absorb through their skin, THESE are THE markers for you! I am VERY chemically sensitive and cannot even come within several feet of solvent-based markers and inks without triggering a reaction. But I've been using Tombow markers for almost 20 years without one single problem!

And, these markers are available in an incredible color range! If you were a kid like me who wanted to use every color in the crayon box, you will be blown away! The results you can achive with these markers and the techniques I will be teaching rival watercolor, airbrush and chalk effects.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the CHA Summer Show!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

CHA in less than 10 days!

Wow, I can't believe I fly out for CHA in just 9 days! I think my fingers are permanently stained with ink from all the show prep.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Back from ALA...next stop CHA in ORLANDO!

I'm finally rested up from the grueling weekend at ALA. Walking the show and networking with fellow SCBWI members and publishers was awesome, but it was exhausting when combined with a daily 5 hour commute. And, of course, this was a whole different audience than what I am used to at trade shows. I only saw librarians and related personnel instead of retail buyers. It was definitely a learning curve to absorb it all.

The Sunday afternoon book signing at the SCBWI booth was a bit disappointing since there was little traffic that late in the day and the author table was set so far back from the aisle it was difficult to engage anyone who walked by. But it was still pretty awesome to have librarians coming up to me while I was walking around and comment when they saw the author ribbon on my badge!

My hat got many, many comments, too. This is the second show where people have asked me where they can buy a hat like the one I was wearing, complete with all the pins showcasing my illustrations. I'm wondering if I should start manufacturing decorated hats......

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Will you be attending the American Library Conference (ALA) in Chicago this weekend?

If yes, please stop by and say hi!

I’ll be exhibiting with SCBWI at Booth #1626 on Sunday, from 3-5 pm. I'll be signing books available for purchase at my publisher's booth, Scarecrow Press Booth #2428. I'll also have periodic appearances in my publisher's booth where I'll be giving away handcrafted bookmarks featuring some of my original line art from my new book Animals and Teens: The Ultimate Teen Guide.

See you there!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

First Stop-ALA Conference!

What a shock to turn the calendar page to.....JULY! This month promises to be jam-packed with w-a-a-a-y more than one month can hold. Here's a sneak peak ahead:

The huge annual ALA (American Library Association) Conference runs July 11-13 at McCormick Place, Chicago. I've never attended this show so I will be experiencing it for the first time. Unlike the trade shows I'm accustomed to attending or exhibiting in, this show is similar to a consumer show except the attending "consumers" must be professionally affiliated with a library or educational institution. Attendees can also purchase books on the spot without having to purchase quantities--something not done at most "wholesale only" trade shows.

In addition to walking the show with fellow SCBWI members, I'm also scheduled to sign books and speak about my school presentations, programs and workshops at the SCBWI booth on Sunday, July 12 from 3-5 pm. This week I've been getting all my promo materials and hand-crafted bookmarks created. I definitely do not want to go into this show tired or stressed! The days will be fun, but very long and tiring. I need to remain high energy and full of enthusiasm throughout the show, but especially during my 2 hour time slot at the SCBWI booth.

NEXT....Orlando! The CHA summer show has been moved to Orlando this year. And, this year, I'll be demoing and doing make 'n take projects for Tombow. If you are going to be at the CHA show, please stop by booth 335 to learn all kinds of marker blending techniques and tips using the absolutely, fantastic Tombow markers. Unlike others on the market, these markers have no odor and are perfect for people like me who are chemically sensitive. I have just LOVED using these markers for many years! And these markers LAST forever. I've had other brands wear out or dry out within months but my Tombow markers not only have lasted for years, many of my pens are still perfect after over 15 years! These markers feature both a brush and bullet tip so you can color both small and large areas equally well. Perfect for rubber stamping and other paper crafts, as well as creating faux watercolor looks.

On a more personal note, our baby cockatiel is already 5 months old. That's still a little baby for these birds, however, since they can live to be 25 years or more. Not only is he quickly learning whistles and short melodies ( I SO want him to learn every Sugarland and Toby Keith song...), he's already beginning to form word sounds and phrases. That's incredible for a bird this young since most cockatiels don't begin talking until they are at least a year old. Hmmmm...looks like we've got ourselves a BORDER COLLIE cockatiel! Sure fits right in with out Border Collie pack....

Until next time....happy 4rth of July to everyone! Stay safe! We'll be hanging out in the basement trying to disguise the fireworks and explosions by playing movies until our sound sensitive Border Collies can turn back into their normal crazy selves instead of velcro dogs.