2 books out and a giveaway!

Mandalas for the Inspired Artist is out !!!!!
The book I am in, along with 3 other artists. Louise Gale, Marisa Edghill and Alyssa Stokes, published by Walter Foster Publishing !

 YEAH!!!!
I am so excited.
 I love how it turned out.
 Lots of big bright art to hopefully inspire people!
Each of the 4 artists included all have very different styles so you get to see a variety of ways to create mandalas.
Alyssa has wonderful arranged mandalas of flowers and food!
Marisa has a cut and paste collaged mandalas that I am planning to try.
Louise shows her way of creating her beautiful organic looking mixed media mandalas.
And I show how I start my watercolor mandalas with a compass. Using a compass might seem more intimidating to some people than just letting a mandala grow out from the center, but I find it very simple and relaxing. Hopefully looking at the book you can see how easy it is to do and will try it yourself if you have never made a  mandala.

You can get the book on Amazon
But
wouldn't it be more fun to get it from me...
In my Etsy shop where I have a signed copy along with a postcard of one of my mandalas!
OR
you can leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy from me!!!!
To be entered in the giveaway just leave a comment telling me what you create that relaxes you,
anytime before next friday.




Then my second big news...

The Bee Queen's Message

I did it.

 I finally finished my children's book and put it up for sale on Blurb with my coloring book. 

It is the story of the Bee Queen and how she calls the crows to help her send a message to all the children of the world.

 Here's the cover and the Queen's message....

I have been working on it for ever it seems and I have posted photos in progress in 2 or 3 posts before. And NOW FINALLY...
You can get a copy on Blurb
and eventually Amazon 

but I am not sure how to do that yet.
and in my etsy shop once I get my physical copy in the mail.

 And you can see a preview on the big thumbnail to the right of my blog...

Yes, it is more expensive than a similar book of it's size in the store, but then it is self published and unique! I don't know if there is a cheaper way to self publish, but so far I do like Blurb. I ordered myself a few copies so I will see how it looks.

Plus you can buy a swatch of fabric on spoonflower that you can turn into a fabric Bee Queen and another to make into the Raven named Fair from the story. And there will be fabric that has honeycomb and bees just like the cover. I would love to have a gift set that I can offer on etsy with the book, fabric or premade doll and an iron on and temporary tattoo of the bee Queen's symbol. and maybe a necklace  of the Queen's symbol as well.
and a mug and jar of honey....
(You can tell I have been having fun with this idea!)
then I even wanted to make a tiny cupcake out of fimo clay for the doll to give to Fair like in the story as well.

Please check it out!
Thanks for stopping by
and don't forget to leave a comment telling me what art relaxes you to be entered into my giveaway!
Happy paint party friday!