The scariest and most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life thus far was venturing out to North Adams, Massachusetts for my photo shoot with Storey Publishing. I wouldn't call myself "independent" by any means but this last year I have grown leaps and bounds partly due to pushing/challenging myself and living out of my comfort zone. My trip to North Adams was one of those moments in my life that I realized that I'm a lot stronger and braver than I give myself credit for. I learned a lot about myself during the "book writing process". One of the biggest hurdles I have had to overcome within myself is "self doubt". I also learned to not be afraid to ask for what I want and learned to say "no". These may be little things in the eyes of others but to me they are steps to becoming a more confident and independent women... a woman that I didn't know was within me all along.
Here's the beautiful Inn that Storey Pub set me up in. It's called Porches and is beyond the most adorable place I've stayed in. Storey really rolled out the red carpet for me. They set up my plane flight and driver to pick me up at the airport. The hour drive from the Airport to the Inn was breathtakingly beautiful. We drove through little towns, hills and mountains. Gwen Steege (whom I've worked closely with throughout this last year) met me and took me out to a wonderful dinner.
This is my excited face upon arriving and checking into Porches. The room was amazing and was so luxurious. I felt like a Queen.
I settled in nicely in front of the fire place with this cat and a glass of Malbec. The Inn was so warm and inviting and the staff was beyond accommodating. Even though I missed Matt and wished he could share my experience with me and see everything I was seeing I knew it was something that I was to experience alone and that way okay.
The next morning I woke up ready to take on the world and met the staff of Storey Pub that have been working so hard with me on my book. I was beyond nervous but excited to meet everyone and to get the photo shoot started.
Storey Publishing is located in an old textile factory that has been rehabbed into local business's and restaurants and also has a museum as well. It's called Mass MoCa.
Books as far as the eye can see....
After meeting Alethea and Mars (the creative director and photographer) for my photo shoot, we dived right into setting up the images and taking pictures for the "how to" portion of my book. It was really exciting to be able to see Alethea and Mars working as a team to make this book come together. There were moment's throughout the day when I thought to myself, "this can't be all for me, can it?" or "is this really happening?". I had to pinch myself a few times to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
I also became a hand model....
This is the look of utter happiness.....
Alethea doing her thang'.
Gwen, Alethea and Mars.
As the sun went down we wrapped up the last of the images. It was a full days of work; I have never felt so fulfilled in my life. Writing this book has been an adventure I'll never forget. From the moment I met my Agent Martha (who whipped me into shape) to meeting with Deborah (Publisher for Storey), and working closely with Gwen, Alethea and Mars in North Adams. I still can't believe that I have written a book and that I'll be able to add "Author" to my list of accomplishments. Three years ago if you told me that I would have done all this I wouldn't have believed it. It's amazing how much hard work and dedication truly does pay off. My book "Crochet Taxidermy 30 Quirky Animal Projects, from Mouse to Moose" should be out this Fall in August.
xoxo
