By: Paula,
on 4/22/2014
I had some big illustration projects lately, and below is a little snip of one of the finished illustrations. Can you guess where the scene takes place? I think I made it too easy. : )
By: Molly Blaisdell,
on 11/10/2008
Today's high five comes from one of our brilliant golden coffee cuppers, readergirlz Diva, the divine Holly Cupala. Holly is a shiny author (yea! Firefly fans). Her first book is called A Light That Never Goes Out will be coming soon from HarperCollins. I have already read this book and it is revelatory.
Holly's advice to us today: Keep trying to do the thing you're meant to do. And here is her heartfelt high five:
Holly is the one writer in this universe who makes me a braver, better person for knowing her. She is proof to me that no matter what big and black and bad evil thing the world throws at you, a loving heart can flip that back with joy, healing, and beauty. Yes, she is one of those souls that has walked right through that valley of the shadow of death and made the choice to not fear the evil. On top of all that genius she writes fab books.
I think a lot of people are afraid of their hearts. They don’t want to feel too much. They don’t deal with their stuff. They tend to carry around big burdens that are better off loaded. I know that I’m one of those people. Holly has helped me be brave.
So, today the golden coffee cup mission is simple. Make the first step on the journey to get rid of some baggage you’ve been carrying. That person you’ve been meaning to call, the broken friendship, hurting family stuff, you know what your stuff is…deal with it.
The secret here is that you unencumber mental resources when you deal with your stuff. Dealing will get words flowing, folks. Only carry the stuff you need. Figure out what direction you want to go in and head out. I'm confident you will find your way, folks, trying is most of the battle.
Each of us has the right and the responsibility to assess the road which lies ahead and those over which we have traveled, and if the feature road looms ominous or unpromising, and the road back uninviting-inviting, then we need to gather our resolve and carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction. If the new choice is also unpalatable, without embarrassment, we must be ready to change that one as well. Maya Angelou
By: Laurel Gaylord,
on 12/28/2007
By: Betsy Bird,
on 3/18/2007
I was trying to decide what to do for this particular Video Sunday. Should we go the Peter Pan route and stay with the big public domain names out there? Should we instead swerve towards Harry Potter parodies and liven everything up with a bit of contemporary flash?
Not a bit of it. It's amazing how quickly decisions can be made when you receive an e-mail from author/illustrator Aaron Zenz telling you to check out a Russian version of Winnie-the-Pooh. Pooh doesn't like to talk much about his years trapped behind the iron curtain, but it's obvious that he did good work there. This little video is a sheer delight. As a commentator on Cartoon Brew pointed out, they get all the little details right. Pooh sighs heavily before beginning a sentence with Piglet. I love his little unattached feet and the sheer roundness of him. The sole similarity to Disney, as I see it, is the way in which he hits tree limbs as he plummets downwards from the honey. Judge for yourself, though.
Molly...did you know I was specifically praying for an encouraging word to take the first step??? Those words exactly. And here you are, not even knowing you were about to type the thing I needed to hear the most, the theme of CREED: carry only what you need. Be brave and take a step. Thank you.
Hi Holly,
No, I didn't know you were praying for an enouraging word to take the first step. I had no idea you needed these words. I'm glad they are helping you. You are welcome and here are some holy snaps: Snap! Snap! Snap! I'm adding Hallelujah, because this is exactly why there is a golden coffee cup.
Really nice post, Molly!