Tag Archives: travel

SCBWI Prairie IL Writer’s and Illustrator’s Day

 

thank you to prairie illinois SCBWI

I had my very first keynote speech earlier this month, and I am still buzzing! SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) has chapters all over the United States and the world. The Prairie Illinois chapter had an amazing lineup this year, and I'm not just tooting my own horn here. They had established authors as well as up-and-coming authors (<-- that's me!) in addition to publishing-industry professionals like my art director for TUMBLE. I was really humbled to be included in the lineup. 

Michael Leali was the first keynote speaker, and I am glad I didn't know that going in because my anxiety may have taken over. Leali is the author of the award-winning middle grade novel THE CIVIL WAR OF AMOS ABERNATHY, and his keynote speech was so very moving and inspiring. I was able to be a fly on the wall for a few of the sessions and learn new things.



At the faculty dinner, I finally met the lovely and personable Sarah Aronson who cross-marketed her book BRAND NEW BUBBE with my book ABUELITA AND I MAKE FLAN last year. I got to meet illustrator Denise Holmes, too! We've been internet friends since I started making my way back into the art and design world in 2016 or so! Natasha Tarpley shared a bench and some fresh air with me. Denise and Natasha, thanks for being great lunchtime buddies! 

I was even able to reconnect with my friend Beth Schneider who lives in the area. Beth and I exhibited  our surface pattern and illustration work at Blueprint and Surtex pre-pandemic. Feels like a lifetime ago.

The entire SCBWI IL team, faculty members, and membership were so incredibly welcoming. I couldn't have asked for a better first-time-faculty experience. November is shaping up to be quite a month!

(Please note: authors and illustrator names have been linked to their books via Amazon affiliate links)

Fear…

of heights and flying.

In 1988 we took a cruise that went to Alaska and one of the things I absolutely wanted to do was walk on a glacier but to do that I had to over come my fear of the above mentioned two things… heights and flying in helicopters.  But it was worth the angst and I would do it again.  The helicopter landed on the glacier and left us there for about a half hour to explore and take pictures. The glacier was bitter cold and we were fitted with heavy boots to keep our feet warm and jackets if we needed them.  We did.  When the helicopter came back for us it then flew us to the top of the Mendenhall glacier, what an awesome sight.

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https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/rdp-wednesday-fear/

 

What Has Changed Recently With Remodeling?

Benefits Of Kitchen Remodeling

Normally, the kitchen is the most used room in the house. The kitchen is one room that people normally gather around to make stories and share available snacks. The reason as to why the kitchen is considered to be the most important part of the room is basically because it is the place where the meals are made.Since it is the core of the house, many families would want a very functional kitchen that is attractive to every other person.However, they will still get to worry that the remodeling fee may be so expensive. If making the decision of whether or not to remodel one’s kitchen, he or she should look more into the advantages that remodeling the kitchen comes with. This article is important because it will outline importance of remodeling the kitchen.It is very important to note that kitchen remodeling does not really have to be done all at once.

You should know that when you remodel your kitchen, you make it more functional. Normally, it is believed that if you happened to buy someone else’s home and still use his or her kitchen then you are typically using that person’s idea of what made their kitchen functional. It is important to note that what may have been functional for them may never be functional to you.So when you remodel your kitchen, you will be making it functional for you.

Remodeling the kitchen would also increase your home’s value.This is majorly important in that when you remodel your kitchen, you will be increasing its value when you want to sell your house. Since people will be attracted to the kitchen, they will be buying your home with the price you give them because they would not want to miss out on the kitchen. It is important to acknowledge the fact that no one requires a complex kitchen. You should ensure to be in possession of a kitchen that is smart, very inviting and user friendly no matter what. Note that if your kitchen is user friendly, inviting and smart then you are allowed to increase the value of your home.

The other benefit of remodeling your kitchen is that it will make the time spent in it more enjoyable. It is important to note that a remodeled kitchen will make one enjoy their time in the kitchen whether they are just cleaning or cooking. No one ever wants to spend their time in a dark and boring kitchen to prepare meals. Otherwise, people would always fancy being in a kitchen that is very bright and meets all their needs whenever they are cooking or just cleaning. So remodel your kitchen no matter the price because in the end it will be worth the while.

Lessons Learned About Kitchens

The Beginners Guide To Additions (What You Need To Know To Get Started)

Overwhelmed by the Complexity of Houses? This May Help

What You Need to Know About Roofing

A good roof is one of the most essential parts that every building whether a home building or a business building should have. It is therefore important for every person to ensure that there are the right roofers who can do the right roofing for his or her building under construction or when replacing an old roof.

Every home or any other type of a building requires to be properly protected from any kind of a damage and hence because of this, it is important to ensure that you have the right roof that provides maximum level of protection to your family as well as to the whole building. By having a good roof for your home or for your office, you are guaranteed of the right protection form any kind of a bad weather condition that might be having any side effects to your health especially strong wind, rain, snow or even from strong sun rays.

It is therefore important to make sure that you have the right roof for your home by having the best roofing services as a good roofing generally help to improve your home in a great way and hence resulting to a lot of comfort when living in such a home. It is important for every homeowner to make sure that he or she takes time to look for a good roofer who can provide him or her with the best roofing services since roofing is one of the crucial things that can either improve your whole house or even make it worse depending on how it is done. Roofing is something that has to be done by clearly following some important guidelines that are put forward to help the roofer come up with a good roof for your home or office. Some of these roofing tips that any homeowner or a roofer can employ when replacing a roof or even repairing the roof are discussed below.

To every roofer or a homeowner, it is necessary to ensure that you keep the gutters of your home clean always as this is one of the tips that can help you have the best roof for your home. Regular gutter cleaning is one of the helpful roofing tips that can greatly help to prevent any kind of debris from accumulating on your roof as well as prevent algae from growing on your roof. Cutting any overhanging branch on the roof is another helpful roofing tip. It is necessary to make sure that you regularly eliminate the various leaks on your roof by sealing them.

Roofing is important as it contributes in m ensuring that your home has the best curb appeal. The other benefit that comes with roofing is improving the value of your home and hence making it easier to sell.

Why not learn more about Experts?

If You Read One Article About Houses, Read This One

The Best Advice About Remodeling I’ve Ever Written

How To Get The Best Plumbing Services

The right person for the job can be found if you consider various factors. The first thing and through their website you can get this information. Asking the local businesses and neighbors can help know about their reputation which should be the second thing.

Asking for their estimates should the third thing and to know about it you should ask for their estimates. Enquiring about their license and practice within the state is another thing you need to do. These are some of the major things to look out for in a professional plumber.

Evaluation of work and prediction of any occurrence of problems as well as a solution of the same should be done by a good plumber which in return helps you save money in repairs.

During emergencies is when most plumbers are called in and then there is not enough time to look around

You can gather all the information you need to know about a plumber and know him/her better especially if they are recommended to you by someone. Whoever if it is an emergency case then there is no enough time for the recommendation.

In emergency Case’s the first place to find help will be from the internet. Institutes of plumbing also provide good plumbers. You can find registered, qualified and vetted plumbers from plumbing institutes. Making phone calls should be the next step you will take after choosing the right plumber.

You should not fall into the trap of hiring the first plumber that you called. Describing the problem in detail helps to get their quotes. Make sure that you know all about their hour rate charges, when they start their rates as well as finding out when they start their rates.

If unhappy with the work of the plumber then take up the issue with them but do it calmly. Starting with work properly done is the best way to complain if not satisfied with work done and you should do that in writing.

Evidence collected when work was in progress should be attached. Mostly many plumbers don’t complain when rectifying this issues. Sometimes this does not work and you can report the plumber to a trade movement if he is a member. Nothing will go wrong if you follow this too.

With this kind of information you can make informed decision in choosing the right plumber.

A good plumber should not be expensive but on the other hand he/she should offer quality services.

Those are basically the things to consider in choosing the best plumber.

How I Achieved Maximum Success with Additions

How I Became An Expert on Bathrooms

News For This Month: Houses

The Importance of Working with a Real Estate Company to Buy a Home

The process of looking for a new home could be fun since you get to visit many different houses. It is also an opportunity to look for the ideal house where you will spend your future in. The internet provides a platform where you can look for a suitable house. However, it might not be the best option compared to working with a real estate company is way better. Your realtor is able to advise you on the best kind of houses and locations. The agent is also able to work within your price range to get you your dream house. There are a number of benefits that you reap from working with a reputable real estate agent.

Realtors have enough experience in this field which means that they are well knowledgeable about the market. They also have access to many homes since not every home seller wants to list in on the internet. This is because many people prefer to sell their houses through realtors to avoid attention from many people on the internet. Consequently, you are able to widen the scope of houses you view to determine which one is your favorite.

Before a house is listed to be sold, a realtor has to look at its condition which ensures that you get several good options. The realtor is able to advise the seller on the necessary changes that should be made to the house before he presents any buyers. Real estate agents have the best negotiation skills when it comes to buying and selling houses and is able to convince the seller to give you a discount. Without the right negotiation skills, you would not have the ability to acquire a potential home that would meet most of your requirements. Emotions might overwhelm you when making negotiations for a house, therefore, it is advisable to hire the services of a real estate expert.

You are able to save time and other resources when you work with a real estate organization. This is because they are well aware of any individuals who want to sell their houses. A real estate company sends an agent to the house of a seller who has contacted them to sell their house so that its value can be determined. This process is important since home sellers are able to give a rough estimate of the price they would want to sell their house for. This makes it easy for a realtor to find the right house for you in the location you want since he knows what houses meet your needs. All the difficult work of moving from place to place looking for a house is done for you by the real estate agent.

Short Course on Realtors – Getting to Square 1

Case Study: My Experience With Houses

We moved, Irma came and went, we’re okay!

I need to catch you all up! I want to get the blog back up and running, and things are finally settling down enough to get back to it...



My little family moved back to Florida in May. When I say 'back', I must say that Florida is my home state. It's where I was born and my family has resided for the last 50 years. So, when husband got an offer, we packed up, left California, put an offer on a house from the 60's and moved to an island between two rivers near Florida's Atlantic coast.

Lots happened this summer between tradeshows and new-home tasks and starting a new school...

And then Irma.

I was beyond terrified by the size of the storm. I hadn't lived in hurricane country in over a decade, it's a new-to-us house and we have big trees all around the house. I evacuated us as fast and left as early as possible just in case. My art is now at a nearby co-op gallery, and after I checked on the art gallery, we shuttered the house, packed up supplies and drove north. And drove. And drove. And drove. We made it to Georgia in pretty good time, and the next morning I drove some more and we made it to a friend's house where we watched from afar the storms progress.

Every day, we were glued to the noaa.gov site watching the very slow progress of the storm as it headed toward Miami (where much of my family resides). The predictions of the storm's path kept shifting from east coast to west coast of Florida, but it didn't matter. Hurricane Irma was so huge, if you were in Florida, you were gonna feel it. In fact, even in north Georgia we felt Irma's winds. Even that far away from the center of the storm, we were out of electricity for a few hours. Once we knew the storm had passed, we made our way back.

As we drove back to Florida, we saw a lot of fallen trees and blocked state roads. When we got back home, it was dark, but we could tell some of the traffic lights were out. Electricity had just come back online, and we were a boil-water notice for a while BUT, there was water coming out of the tap. I'm counting our lucky stars there was no significant damage to our house (just a small leak in the front entryway)!

I've included photos so you can see the nearby boardwalk after the storm. As of this writing, a few weeks after, boats that lost their moorings are still tipped over the former boardwalk edge. Piles and piles of foliage and debris are still on people's curbs, but they are receding each week.

Cocoa Village Park, 9/2017

Boats that lost their moorings, 9/2017



Insider Tips: Showing at Printsource



Hello Blog Readers,

Thanks for stopping by! We recently exhibited at Printsource NYC in January with my art collective, Finch & Foxglove, and I wanted to share with you my experience in case you're trying to figure out what tradeshow is best for your work.



- Why Printsource? -
Printsource NYC is known for having apparel industry buyers attend the show to purchase prints for upcoming collections. We have several artists in Finch & Foxglove who have great patterns for apparel, accessories, and home decor and we thought their work would be better served by exhibiting at Printsource (as an alternative to Surtex for example).



- What was it like to exhibit at Printsource? -
The show is 2 days. The venue is cozy and the atmosphere was relaxed, professional and friendly. I found it to be more comfortable than Surtex which can be visually/energetically overwhelming at times. The booths are smaller in general than at Surtex and the prices are more reasonable for the emerging artist.



- What to bring? And, how to sell your work on the show floor. -
Buyers that came to our booth ranged from small one-person shops to mega corporations. This meant we had to be ready for anything! Our exhibit consisted of hanging indoor vinyl banners, covered tables, and lots of prints both printed on paper and on fabric! We had promotional materials to give to potential clients and we had a way of collecting their information to follow up with them.

Selling on the show floor is thrilling! Be ready to take orders with a receipt book so clients have something to take with them as proof of the purchase. Many take the physical paper print with them along with their receipt of purchase. If you're selling digital prints, as most of us are, be ready to send files within 24 to 48 hours. This takes a leap of faith in many cases. We're taught not to give raw files until we're paid, but very few clients paid in cash on the show floor. The rest paid through invoices. Almost all clients wanted to buy the work outright (rather than do category licensing or category buyouts). Be ready with prices that you'll be happy with and don't show work you don't want to sell!

- Closing Thoughts -
Overall, I really enjoyed Printsource and will definitely exhibit there again. I found the level of clientele matched our work really well and we came away with lots of sales. Compared with Surtex,  which is more of a licensing tradeshow, income from licensing can be slow to trickle in and the initial expense is prohibitive for many emerging artists. Sales from Printsource were either immediately paid or paid within a month of the exhibit (we had just 1 exception to this due to the negotiation process).


Once Upon A Time There Was A Train To MV …

Mid-June every summer of my childhood my mother and I would start our trip to the Vineyard.for the entire summer  There was no I-95, not that we had a car anyway… no, our train travels would begin in Newark, New Jersey and end in Woods Hole.  Yes, WOODS HOLE, trains used to go right to the ferry.

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We would take a train from Pennsylvania Station in Newark, NJ to Pennsylvania station in New York city where we would have to run from one end of the station to the other to board the New York/New Haven & Hartford’s train on the Old Colony line called the Day Cape Codder, which would take us all the way from New York City to Woods Hole, MA. That’s right, all the way to Woods Hole.Pennsylvania Station was built in 1910, covered nearly 8 acres, extended 2 city blocks and was one of the largest public spaces in the world.  Its 3 year demolition began in October 1963.  It was replace with another Penn Station which Madison Sq Garden sits atop… it’s functional but not as beautiful as the original:)

 

Day Cape Codder

100_8757The train stopped at what is now the staging area for cars waiting to get onto the ferries. The tracks ran under the overpass in the left corner of this photograph.  It was literally only steps from train to boat.  A comfortable and luxurious way to travel in the days when lots of people didn’t have cars and the road system left a lot to be desired anyway.

The trains had dining cars with each table dressed in fancy tablecloths and crisply ironed napkins.  The waiters and conductors were always the same and seemed to remember me from year to year… made me feel special and grown up. Train service to Woods Hole ended in the 1960′s.

(Woods Hole circa 1890’s)

(circa 1950’s)

The ferry, the Nobska/Nantucket would take us to MV.

We’d land in Oak Bluffs and our relatives would be there to greet us, and three glorious months on the Vineyard would begin.

We traveled light, I would have my favorite doll, Beverly, and my teddy bear with me and my mother would have a small suitcase with a few belongings in it, the rest of the things… like ALL my toys we sent to and from the Vineyard by Railway Express.

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It took days for the rest of our things to arrive and I would watch every day for the Railway Express truck to arrive.

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and then summer on the Vineyard would officially be under way:)

 

 


Newport, RI continued …

Believe it or not, no more mansions :)  just a little of this and a little of that.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame.

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Portuguese Discovery monument

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Sunset at Breton Point

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deb

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And this and that…

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This concludes my posts about the trip to Newport, RI … I think:)

(photographs by my daughter Deb and myself)