I just got off the phone with fun Liz who did a beautiful book of her mom’s story last Christmas. (her mom is one of the enthusiastic young ladies in photo)

We were catching up and I told her about this genealogy conference I’ve decided to exhibit at (my first ever) and how I’m kind of nervous. I mean, what is a genealogy conference like? Who goes to these things? Will I meet people who like my work? And I picture sitting there all alone at my little table, ugh.

Fast forward 2 split seconds…fun Liz agrees to attend the show with me! One more split second and we’re scheming about booth design, which restaurants to eat at, and how we’ll get started on her Dad’s story while we’re there. FUN!

That makes my day. My month. And the best part? I’ll finally get to meet this fun Liz. Until now, we’ve been phone friends only.

I love my job.

p.s. In case you’re interested the conference is in Philly, September 3-6. And yes we’d love to see friendly faces there. Am pretty darn sure Liz and I will be among the youngest there, so am now recruiting my other clients!

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(photo of ny public library via flickr by T.SC)

Am sitting here at NY Public Library for a final hour before heading home.

Something about a library just calms me. And, in today’s case, cools me. I’m hot and tired from lugging my heavy books all over town like a crazy book lady!

We had a fun trunk show last night and I met some great ladies I’ll get to make books for in the coming months. Very excited. For those in a shopping mood, here are some of the talented women selling their wares last night:

www.tracymatthewsdesigns.com

www.livandfig.com (am especially loving her personalized dogtags)

www.sobella.com

www.cakehousedesign.com

And of course, it was so great to see my lifelong friends while I was here. There is nothing quite like an old friendship.

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Happy summer solstice tomorrow!

p.s. this photo is from a memoir in progress…couldn’t resist that cute little white ruffly swimsuit.

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I’ll be in NYC next week for a trunk show a friend is hosting. So… a) Let me know if you have interest in coming to the show and I’ll provide you details, and b) I’ll have my sample books and some time Wednesday if anyone would like to meet up to talk about a book idea for your family! It may seem early, but this is actually a perfect time to be thinking about a book for Christmas gifts!

Let me know!

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Am trying to start on a book right now and am having a bit of designer’s block.

So being inspired by all things vintage, I headed to my collection of my grandparent’s old books I inherited. (OK OK, technically no one wanted them and they were headed for Goodwill when I snatched them up. My Grama just shook her head asking, “Why on earth do you want these old books, Kimmy?!”)

For inspiration, of course.

So what do you think? Am I crazy for thinking this is a great little book cover? I love the simple title, centered with those stars and the triple lines wrapping around the spine.

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I love this book. Robin wanted to make a book for her brother-in-law’s 40th. But really she wanted to honor the amazing couple that he and her sister have been since the day they met.

She gave me some great photos, lyrics to a Jack Johnson song they love - “Better Together”, a great dedication - “From the moment you started dating you were better together.” and some priceless quotes from their two kids, ages 4 and 3.

And here’s what we made.

I am telling you, I think direct quotes from the mouths of kids are just about the cutest thing ever. I love how Robin even wrote down the “um, yeah” before “i love poppa”.

Precious.

Thank you, Robin! I’m excited to meet you next week!

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I’m taking a mini break this week in California to visit friends and remind myself what sunshine is all about!

I’ll be back in Seattle next week.

- k -

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