a little more

Indulge me in just one more day of book talk, will you? Because today I want to mention a few really special people involved in the book. This is by no means an inclusive "acknowledgements" - as you will see, I did just fine rambling on (and on) in the book as such. Rather, I want to share a few people whose work I thought you might like to see more of, if you don't know them already.

:::::: First, the cover photography by Jessie Fields, who managed quite amazingly to get all four of us in one shot just the way that only she can envision. I respect her eye, her skill and her energy so very much that I am greatly honored her photograph was ultimately on the cover of my book. That she happens to be one of my dearest friends is just icing on the cake. (As an aside, lots of you have asked why Steve wasn't on the cover...we all joke that the fold out flap on the front should really have Steve - off to the side as he was - juggling sippy cups, clothes, props and dangling treats. Oh, and doing jigs to make us all laugh. So yes, he's there. You just can't see him.)

:::::: On the inside pages of the book, you'll find the beautiful illustrations of Portland artist Betsy Thompson. I was thrilled to have her work as a part of this project - both as chapter header illustrations and instructional illustrations for some of the patterns. I find her whimsical line drawings ever-so-charming and embracing of childhood wonder, and I'm honored they're woven into this book. Check out her amazing collage work if you haven't seen it before.

:::::: I also want to mention here, Jeffrey Yamaguchi, author 52 Projects: Random Acts of Everyday Creativity; and Zoe Weil, author of Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times for taking the time to read the book in it's early form, and for so generously sharing their kind words about it in the form of the 'blurb' on the back of the book. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was that they both said yes (I'm still in shock, actually). Each of their books (they've each written additional books besides those I mentioned above) has inspired me - and inspired the writing of The Creative Family - greatly.

In other book news, I started a The Creative Family Flickr group. I'd love for it to be a place you can share your family creations and activities inspired by the book. It's also a great place to ask questions about any of the patterns.

Thank you for all your sweet emails and comments yesterday. How much do I love the image so many of you painted so nicely for me - curling up with tea and the book? Gosh, there are no words for the feeling that gives me. A little overwhelming. And definitely lovely. So, thank you. After all this talking, I'm going to quietly slip into sporadic photo updates for the next few days as I get ready for Friday night's opening and book launch (5-8pm at Edith & Edna - more book event details here). I can't wait to share the results of all of that!

Comments

[The Simple Family]

HOORAY AGAIN!

[Michelle]

I just wanted to let you know I received my copy yesterday and can't wait for the opportunity to enjoy it tonight!

[Margaret]

Congratulation again! Revel in all the adoration you are getting...you really earned it. Good luck at E & E...I'm going to try to go and pick up an autographed copy!

[molly]

I love the idea of steve just out of view juggling the sippy cups and jumping up and down. that definitely should have been on the fold out flap! maybe for edition 2!!! :)

...ps. I just watched the how to make a button video. awesome. fantastic. that's my kind of humor.

[QALBALLAH]

You can stop plugging it now - we've all got it already. Now start plugging book 2 ;-)

Debbie
xx

[Rachael]

I got my copy this morning and am already half way through. It's fantastic!
My little boy has already decided that he wants to make the coloured pencil holder.

[rebecca]

You're all awesome!

I can't wait to get the book. Congratulations!

[Jane]

I just received my copy - and it's so beautiful! I can't wait to read it - although I have no children of my own (yet?), I had to buy it, as I can't get enough of your blog.

Congratulations!

[Heather, whatchabuildin]

So I got the book last night and my little guy (who just turned 3) and I sat down on the floor and paged through the beautiful pages. He really liked the pic. of the ocean and (I think) Calvin, because he "likes to go the the ocean too!" And then when he saw a pair of scissors with orange handles (just like ours)he said "those are scissors like ours, I go get ours." So he ran off and got ours and placed them next to the picture and said, "they match, pretty cool!"

A great book Amanda, thanks again. I look forward to meeting you at one of your book signings.

[Rain]

I received my book yesterday and have had some time to browse thru it and even read a few chapters. I love it!!! The projects are very doable AND beautiful. I have 5 children ages 13 down to 1 and I have been wanting to incorporate more of the 'creative' into our daily life. I'm already looking forward to your next book.
Many thanks,
Rain

[Anna]

Hello! I've been reading your blog for a while, enjoying it so much and have always been inspired in my own life when reading what you've been up to. We live in Sweden in a way that is a bit like yours only a couple of years behind! I have a daughter age 4 and another one age 2 and a babyboy who is 3 months old. I just want to let you know that I ordered your book from a swedish online bookshop and received my copy today. It's really a great book and a perfect compliment to your blog! Your words and ideas are spreading across the world and you should be so proud of what you've accomplished!
Loads of love to you and your family from Sweden!

[Eluciq Mama]

okay...you are my morning coffee blog...and this morning i couldn't be more excited...i know that my book is on its way in the mail as i type and just might be at the p.o. waiting for me to go pick it up.

your life inspires me...but in all honesty can be overwhelming...you make it look so easy and so i find myself sitting instead of doing. your words...your pictures...your guest bloggers...your children...everything just...well...just seems oh so lovely!

my husband asks me on a daily basis are you reading soulemama...the one you don't comment on...and my reply is YES! i don't comment because you have so many that do...i figure it would just get lost or could just be repetitive to all folks that idolize you...but today i am inspired...as i think it is important that you know that for every person that comments...well there has to be a dozen of us that don't... :)

Your blog is food for the soul...and it energizes me to move through my day! Thanks!

[Girl Named Ryan]

I've been a secret fan for a long time...just can't get enough of your great pictures, stories, and family! I'm single with no kids, but ordered your book today for future reference. :) So glad that there are great trailblazers like you and many others that are preparing the way for creative families of the next generation! Many, many blessings as you enjoy this season of excitement.

[betz]

got mine today, yay! Best of luck friday night. So nice you have a great local community (in addition to your vast cyber one) to share this moment with!

[jennie]

anxiously awaiting my pre-order - usually with amazon you get the pre-order the day it is released, but nothing yet. :-( hopefully it will surprise me today since it's my 30th b-day! :-)

[Oona L]

~Thank you so much for writing the book. It is so inspiring........I already have lots of ideas to do with my toddler :) Some I have realized that we do already just never thought of it as creative living.......Makes me feel like we are doing a good job with our son.
~So Many thanks to you for your blog, your flickr groups and your book. Can't wait for the next one :) Good luck with the opening. I wish I could just come to Maine :)
~Have a great rest of the week!!!

[Dharmamama]

Me, since I read others' comments here that they had received their copy:

http://xkcd.com/281/

Should be here *any minute*!

And can I just say, I am SO freakin' glad it's April, I can't *stand* it. Happy Spring to you!

[Catherine C. Schwartz]

Mentioned your blog on mine today...thought I'd let you know :)

[kat nicholas]

That's so funny that someone else mentioned that their son liked the picture of Calvin standing in the ocean - that's the same picture that my 2 (and a half!) Charlie saw and said "what's HE doin'? Look! There's a boat! He standin' in the ocean?"
Great book Amanda! Can't wait for the next one!

[kerri]

There is something you inspired without evening knowing.

After reading your blog forever, I saw the page where Zoe Weil commented on your work. From there I checked out her Humane Education Program.

I started my M.Ed in Humane Education in February. During the interview process, I mentioned your work and blog and how it inspired me to be a better person, at home and in the classroom, especially through creating art.

I am so excited to read your work in paper form.

[Sara]

I am obsessed with your blog and have been waiting for months for your book! I didn't want to preorder, because I didn't want to wait for it to arrive in the mail. I rushed out to our Borders yesterday and picked up a copy. I've been dying to sit down with it...alas, my oldest turns five today so we've been very busy here. But I must find time to make the birthday crown before the celebration begins! What a beautiful book! Congratulations.

[Polly]

I think it's fair enough to bask in your success for a bit longer! I also read your blog every day. It's so positive and cheerful and kind and life-affirming. Thanks. Polly x x x

[greenemother]

Oh, the mailman came today, but still no book!!:( I almost feel like running out now to get it and then giving the one in the mail as a present!!! I'm so happy for you! Good Luck with the big opening Friday.

[nathalie]

this is really amazing!!! i feel a huge joy to know this is happening to you. i can't wait to get my copy of the book. your are an amzing woman (mama, wife, all those wonderful facets of living a life as a creative woman). wish you the best!

[Lisa Z]

I saw your book at Barnes and Noble today here in St. Cloud, Minnesota. They had one copy--hopefully they'll soon need more!

It is lovely, so lovely. Your writing is beautiful, which should be no surprise since I read your blog but still it's different to see/read it on the printed page.

A couple more first impressions, which are a little odd but here they are: the book's size is smaller than I thought it would be, don't know why I pictured it bigger (not longer but actually up and down and across bigger) AND there are less pictures and more words than I imagined. Neither is bad. I don't know, I guess I just thought since your blog is FILLED with photos that your book would be too.

But as I said, your writing is so nice that I didn't miss the photos.

Can't wait for your next book!

[Carol]

I'm waiting with patience for my book to arrive. I live in the UK, so it's taking just that little bit longer. I'm so looking forward to receiving it.

[Carrie]

I don't have children yet, but I think a book like yours is better to read before you have children,which is why I bought it at my local book store yesterday. I am really enjoying it,and I know I will love it to the last page.

[Allison J]

I just got my preordered copy from amazon today and I adore it! Thank you for putting in the pattern for the pants! I will be making these tonight!!!!! The entire book is very inspirational.

[Wendy]

Hi Amanda, I just read your book and I LOVED it! I am so excited to do some of the things you mentioned. In fact, today my kids and I did the alphabet gratitude thing and it was so much fun and good for all of us. I really like what you said about toys too. We have a room full of toys (mostly gifts from others) that rarely get played with. Oh, and I loved that you made a cake for "Dunk". You are building so many wonderful memories for your children and I am so thankful that you have shared these with others on the blog and the book. You are an inspiration.

[Kelly]

Congrats on your book! I can't wait to get mine in the mail (slated for Saturday delivery, oh the wait!!).

[elizabeth]

oh, happy day! my book arrived! gasp, ups delivered it to my neighbor! when she called i literally dropped everything and ran outside to get it from her...in my pajamas and bedhead. yes, it was THAT important! way to go, amanda. thanks for sharing the love. and thanks for mentioning your readers in your acknowledgements. i adore the size even though it was smaller than i imagined. the whole package is right on. loving every second of it~

[granola_girl]

I was so excited to call my local bookstore today and find that your book was available. I think it is absolutely amazing and inspiring just like your blog. As a mom of a 15 month old who embraces attachment parenting I find your blog, your words so comforting and helpful. Thank you for all that you do!

[denise]

It has been so fun sharing in some of the journey you took to get the book out there. Congratulations.

[erin]

my copy came today! it is lovely, amanda. you should be super proud of yourself.

[Hannah]

Our pre-ordered copy arrived this afternoon in the UK. I can't wait to get stuck into it! My son and I love reading your blog - thank you so much for sharing :o)

[sadira]

I want to chime in with my congratulations on such a wonderful achievement (not to mention the daily inspiration on the blog...but this one you get to hold in your hands!) I was at my mother's last night, looking through her copy...and I was so very impressed and very excited for you...I need to go out and get my copy now!

[Ula]

Amanda, I received my copy today and I just love it! Bravo!
Ula

[Beckie]

I just got my copy today, I am sooo excited to read it ;) It's funny, my receipt says it's been on pre-order since July of last year!! Seems like is hasn't been that long has it? It's just so beautiful! Congratulations on a job well done!

[Sarah Jackson]

Congratulations Amanda! I'm a snotty, cranky-pants writer at comedy central in NYC, not exactly in your demo. But your skill and passion for your work transcends all;-) Wishing you continued success.

[Kate Johnston Tucker]

Thank you, Amanda! You are an inspiration. Your blog has been offering such a lovely moment in my day for sometime now. And having just received your book, I must offer my congratulations! Cannot wait to share your creative ideas with my two daughters, three and one. Thank you for sharing your life, loves, and inspirations.

[Ms. Ellaneous]

I too have been a long time reader but have never commented. I have been inspired by your stories and pictures to remember what I have forgotten as my children get older, the magic, the coziness, and spending time creating with them. Thanks! I'm going to get your book tonight and plan on coming to your book signing in Hadley with friends in tow. Thank you again and congratulations!

[m]

Oh I hope this won't be the last of the book talk! I haven't ordered your book yet, but remembered last night I have an unused gift card and I think I know exactly what to buy with it! ;)

[Michelle]

Can you stand just one more note of congratulations? Thank you for mentioning that your book was in the parenting section, by the way, I'd been wondering where to look for it. I went to the bookstore with my babes yesterday, but it hadn't come in yet (probably held up in a box in the back room - I used to manage a bookstore, I know how that goes) but I will continue to check for it until it gets on the shelf. Have fun at Edith & Edna, wish I could be there, too.

[Debbie Rosenkranz]

Yeaaaaahhhhhhhhh! I received the mail late today...very late. But, I was so excited becasue YOUR Book is here!!!! I am so happy! Woooohoooo! Inserting a little Happy Dance. My 2 and 1/2 year old son Zade thanks you too.

[yasmin doran]

Can't wait to receive my oder from Amazon - my b'day on Monday s hope it comes then! Congrats

[shawn]

I LOVE it! I had promised a 'giveaway' on my blog, this will be perfect!! Who wouldn't want that? Great job, already looking forward to book 2.

[Madeline Rains]

At our h-school playgroup today, the first thing that my fellow soulemama fan and I said to each other was, "did it get to you yet?", meaning your book of course. We are in happy anticipation here in Georgia. Though this copy will end up in Sydney where I am sending it to my brother and his wife who have a six month old. One of the next one's will be for me.

[Jenn]

Got the book today - LOVE THE BOOK. Thanks for sharing your life and inspiring me to be closer to the kind of mother I want to be.

[kosenrufu mama]

i' m going to get your book and i can't wait for it, my compliments again !!!

[Teresa]

You have given us a gift to inspire us with our families. For me my first grandchild. Like you I want to slow down and enjoy the moment.