Lampshade Lady Book Teaser

Here's a teaser of sorts. I love this poster! It is a visual quick shot of my book projects for The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life. Looking back over the poster lets me reflect where my year has taken me and all the things I have figured out how to do or at least do wrong the first time... Starting the book process is no romp in the park, but at midlife it gave me a chance to use my design skills in a new way.

In high school I had been yearbook editor one year, about half way through working on my book I realized how similar it was to putting the yearbook together. I am thrilled with my book designers efforts for my book and must say the hardest part was just handing over a years worth of efforts and walking away. The part of me that loves of graphic design was envious not to be in on the design decisions but best let the book designers do what they do best!

Sales and Marketing is the next 101 for me. Keep you posted, I have tried my hand at Facebook and starting to see the potential, perhaps. Haven't twittered yet. Still getting my blog in order; my web guy is just back from a few months of skiing. I've got ideas lined up for him. Thinking about a lampshade kit to go along with selling my book.... A couple cool size frames not available in kit form yet. Oh see, there is still so much to learn as well as a sense of accomplishment.

It's been a great couple of spring days here in Southern Vermont. You know it's spring when I finally get skiing. We had a glorious day of full sunshine and 50's skiing at little Bromley Mountain on Sunday. It had been ages since we had skied at Bromley and how fun to run into old ski buddies.

Yesterday I got to keep my shop door open and come out of hibernation. I was finding all sorts of outside projects at my shop. The yard looks so grungy after the snow has left. I raked up a few of the leaves and campfire wood from the Winter Solstice Party. The bulbs are poking out of my garden, the hollyhocks are looking strong and the birds are yapping at me to fill the feeder again. I do love having afternoon tea on my porch soaking in the warm sunshine. It's makes winter all worth while.

Lampshade Lady Book Cover

I am so happy to be able to show you all my first book project. At last, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life. It has utterly consumed my time the past couple of years, but mostly in a good way. It has challenged the me to go beyond my day to day shop life which is a really good thing. I always love challenges and it has certainly been humbling; those of us over 50 (just...over) that haven't always used computers........yikes. With the help of all my editors, Kathleen Hackett, my co-writer and wonderful photographers Ryan Benyi and George Bouret and most wonderfully the Potter Books design team I think we've put together a pretty sweet book and those of you that know me know that I don't like things too sweet, but just sweet enough- can't miss that little funk thrown in.
The book won't be out till August, but stay posted. It seems pretty close after all the hoops and jags. Come take a class and get a sneak preview of my projects. My February classes are almost full, but lots of room in March, April and May.