At the beginning of the New Year, I began my search for a word. Something to focus on for my life and purpose. I was drawing a blank. This was unusual for me. Then it came to me. My focus would be on my line of chickens! This year I was going to draw 500 of them. Why 500? Why not. By the time I finish, I am sure I will find a place for them. I’m already up to 109 and having a jolly good time of it.
I’m still honing my book, The 12 Days of Christmas.
Stay tuned!
To remain creative, sometimes an artist needs to step away from the project they are working on and do something completely different. That is what I did in December.
Felt, embroidery floss, needle and thread, trim, beads, ribbon and stuffing. What fun! I’m already wondering what to try next on these cold wintery nights.
Ahhh summer nights. I love night ball games with my grandkids. It’s easy going and fun to watch the kids try their best to win. The kids on each team come from different backgrounds with different stories. Some are sad as the kids have to deal with so many adult issues but at the game, all of that takes a backseat as they cheer each other on. it’s heartwarming to be sure.
It’s good to get out of the studio after a long day of class homework and enjoy summer. It comes with the smell of fresh mowed grass, flowers, fields ready to harvest their hay and more. I think that is why I love summer. Slowly we make our way to late summer and fall. Each season having its own activities to indulge in and also new smells. I love the transition and I savor these days before winter days are upon us.
Early mornings are my favorite. Often I bring my breakfast outside and eat with the birdies! Good morning world! Hello Summer!
“It’s time for a story Briley” said Burl as he opened his favorite book...
Whimsey Books Studio – Home to Leslie Ann Clark
(joined SCBWI in 1999)
In this day and age of violence, anger and all the seriousness of chaotic grown up STUFF, I felt the deep desire to create simple stories for children and parents to enjoy. I imagine parents cuddled up with their little ones and taking precious time out of their busy days to share stories filled with love, humor, warmth and a wee bit of adventure tossed in.
I remember only two times my parents read to me and the way it made me feel. I felt all was right with my little world. I felt loved and cared about. My own children always begged for “…one more story mommy”. When they were tiny they simply brought me an arm full of books and plopped on my lap. My grand kids did the same thing. Those are the things that make for a loving home and they show our children the value of time spent together.
If you are a publisher, I have many books ready to submit in the form of text and dummies and some color two page spreads.
Whimsey Books Studio is where I live on most days. It’s a fine little studio filled with love and light.
If you see something on my website (leslieannclark.com) that tugs at your heart , contact me at imleslie@zohomail.com
Every year I get a word for the New Year. I happily bounce into the next year with wings on my feet. This year is different. I am patiently waiting. I think it’s going to be a very important word so I have to search it out. God does not leave me wordless! I will find it!
Did you get a word?
I found another lost post this morning. Since I’m too tired to walk, I will just pretend that this was today!!
This morning I went for a nice walk. I almost always end up in a coffee shop sometime during my walks. Coffee shops draw me in. They are full of people and people are interesting! Everyone of them has a story. While sitting in Ziggies this morning I see mostly men. Sitting across from me is a man with shining white hair. He is bent over the newspaper and chasing down his seeded bagel with warm coffee. His newspaper is spread out before him. I wonder what he did for a living when he was working. Is he married? Is he widowed? What did he look like when he was a little boy? Where did he live? What is his story?
The man in front of me is graying, but not retired. He has his work papers spread out before him and he looks entirely too serious for this time of the morning. He has a real coffee cup, not a paper one. He has on a nice dress shirt, Dockers, matching socks and black dress shoes. He could be a lawyer or even a teacher. I try to guess.
As I sip my coffee I watch the two girls behind the counter making a tall whip creamy chocolate drink for a young girl who looks to be a track star. Miss track star leaves and more customers pour in. None of them stay, all leave for work or play.
There is one more man sitting on the couch. His white curly beard is out of control. He has a vacant stare as he drinks his coffee slowly. I wonder about him. Has he anyone to love him? Another man sits down on the couch across from him and Mr. Vacant begins talking about the fire that has been on the news and then he chats about the hot summer forecast in the newspaper. The other man barely listens to him. Mr. Vacant goes back to his vacant stare. I feel sorry for him. Does he have family? Does anyone care about him?
And so that is my coffee shop morning. I am off to finish my day. It will be full with drawing chickens and preparing for my visit to NY. Still, I will remember my morning walk and those people who crossed my path.
Once again, it is time for the 2nd Big Peepsqueak Give-A-Way!
Will you be the winner?
Will you get a box in the mail full of Peep goodies?
This time around, the prize is for both of my books, “Peepsqueak”, and “Peepsqueak Wants A Friend,” AND a Peepsqueak plush toy!
Are you up for it?
Here are your 2 easy instructions:
1. If you have not read Peepsqueak yet, go to the story link below and listen to Brad Mendleson read it aloud.
2. Go to the Amazon link below, and give me a review. So I know you are entering the contest, start your review with the words, “I LOVE PEEPSQUEAK!”. If you have read the second book, please feel free to review it too. At the end of two weeks, I will take the names off the Amazon site and put them in a bowl and pick the winner!!! You will be able to watch me draw your name!! Here are the links!
Peepsqueak story link: http://www.readmeastory.tv/category/read-me-a-story/
Amazon review link: http://www.amazon.com/Peepsqueak-Leslie-Ann-Clark/product-reviews/0062078011/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_3?ie=UTF8&pageNumber=3&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
Please SHARE this with others. Peepsqueak is waiting for you!!
love, Leslie Ann and Peepsqueak!
Peepsqueak LOVES BEARS! …. and so do I!! I LOVE toys! I love weird toys, stuff animals, special teddy bears, and more. Having three grandsons gives me a great excuse to buy MORE toys! I took a trip to the thrift store just this week to look for action figures! I ran them through the dishwasher and stowed in my big toy trunk. Three more trucks are sitting near the book-case in the “YaYa” room. Its great fun! On Tuesday I played “Superhero”! My youngest grandson loves the stuffies! Including my own little Peeksqueak plush by Merry Makers. If you want to order one, you can go to the website, or call them.
retail orders online at http://www.merrymakersinc.com and retail and/or wholesale orders at 888-989-0454 or via email at merrymakers@merrymakersinc.com
They are a great toy company. I want ALL THEIR TOYS! ha ha!
You can also find Peepsqueak on his Facebook page. I am going to have another book Give-A-Way as soon as the new toy gets here! Peepsqueak and I are so excited! I may also put it on this Word Press site so stay posted!
Place your order online or by calling retail and/or wholesale orders at 888-989-0454 or via email at merrymakers@merrymakersinc.com.
Pajama Day! I love the thought. A day to stay inside, kick back, and coast. A day for breakfast in bed! Toast, eggs, coffee with cream and strawberries on the side with a good book or magazine to follow! Aaaahhhhh!!
As much as I love the idea, I rarely do it! The last Pajama Day I had was when I had the flu three years ago! ha! I suppose it is because I associate pajamas with the END of the day, with going to sleep. … and personally, I would rather be AWAKE!
Perhaps I will get in my pajamas just before dinner. Perhaps I will make eggs, toast, coffee with cream and strawberries on the side for dinner and cozy up with my good book for the evening. Yes, Pajama Night!!
A Hankie A Day!
September brings cooler days…. but it also brings “Quilt A Fair” to the Boulder County Fairgrounds. I love to attend each year. I go every year for both inspiration for my job, and… for … HANKIES!!
I just love those brightly colored works of art. They seem to tell me a story. No, not about the noses they have wiped! haha! but about the designers who came up with the idea for each hankie. I thought I would share with you my newest in my collection!
I have a funny story about one of my hankies. I went on a walk one day and somehow my hankie fell out of my pocket. I was so sad to lose one of my favorites. Just a couple of days later I FOUND it on my walk! Funny how a simple hankie can bring a smile. I know… I’m weird that way. haha!
Summer days bring flip-flops, sandals and bare feet. What fun to get out the bright red nail polish too! Color color color!
But, alas, as the summer days are waning, I am trading my colored toes for my warm fuzzy socks. I can almost hear them in my drawer asking when they can come out to stay!
The wood stove is beckoning me too. The nights are cool… our covers come up to our chins.
“Where are my scarves? Its cold outside!”
Oh the beauty and fun of Colorado! Four definite seasons and I love them all. …. BUT, my favorite is sock season!
But then you knew that didn’t you? I was thinking about starting a sock chain letter. …..
The last few months of preparing for Surtex have been grueling at times. It is amazing to think how sitting at desk is so hard on your body. Today we took some time off for a nice ride through the parks in town. The roses are peaking everywhere. We passed garage sales, people walking dogs, and once in a while the smell of breakfast was in the air. That always makes me smile. Our bicycle built for two was a very good investment in time together many years ago.
After months of prep work, Surtex 2012 is history. It was a great time of meetings, and visiting with other artists. It almost feels like a dream now that it is over. I am filled with ideas and hope for the future!
Here is a picture of Margaret Anastas, my editor at Harper Collins, me, and Annie Stone, Margaret’s assistant. It was so fun sitting at Harper C. and visiting with everyone who worked so hard on Peepsqueak and his promotion. I do love my HC family. They had a nice breakfast for me and we all met in the Harper Collins library. I wish I had a picture of Jeanne Hogle. She was my graphic designer. She escaped the room before I could snap her picture.
After our meeting, I packed up 30 books and headed to the Javitz Center in a doozy of a rainstorm! I LOVED that cab driver for picking me up!!
Messing around with my friends Jane Shasky and Megan Halsey during my Peepsqueak book signing at Surtex. Everyone was in such a good mood!
Here is my teeny tiny room at the Best Western. I was surprised at how small it was, but in the end, it was cozy and I was so glad I stayed there. It was a good retreat after a busy day.
Can’t forget my sweet agent Alicia Dauber. She had everything running smoothly!
Outside my window all the horse drawn carriages were lining up. New York is so full of LIFE!
As amazing as the big city is, it is always nice to come HOME! I had to get my zinnias planted!! Now it is back to work for the next show!
My nose is running! I have been sitting on the couch all day!! Sometimes it is okay to be lazy. The body needs a little TCL. I am not used to being in slow motion.
In Blue Skye Studio, creativity seems to happen somewhere between MESSY and CLEAN! If my studio is too messy I cannot work. If my studio is too clean, I sit there frozen, unable to become inspired. Soon the sketchbook comes out, the pencil is poised and the wonderful creative process begins! Before long, ideas begin to flow…. and then, suddenly…..everything is MESS again! haha!
Oh little Snofolk, I’ll take that ice cream! 
I played in the snow with my Snofolk today. I colored hats, scarves and passed out rosy cheeks for all of them. There is ice cream, sherbet, and snow cones for all. What’s YOUR favorite flavor?
I really do love summer. What I love the most is being outside and doing those things that cannot be done in the cold of winter. I may be take a long hike, ride my bicycle, sleep with the windows wide open, garden, having picnics, eat my morning breakfasts in the backyard, read a book in the shade of the tree, drive with the windows down…. the list goes on. We simply must pack it all in before the snow flies! Today I am sketching. No t.v. … no radio… just listening to the birds and the bees fly by. I think I better get another glass of ice cold water and lemons! I love you summer!!
Aaahhhh childhood! Tis a time of make believe, wonder and fun! My cousin just sent me this picture from many days gone by. It made me laugh out loud!!! It is with great thanks to my parents and grandparents that I was raised with music in the house. My dad and uncle were barber shoppers but long before they started that up, we spend time together in the basement around the piano singing songs. It was great fun! This shot was taken while visiting my cousin. She is the little one on the left… sooo cute! Every child should be given the opportunity to sing their head off! It is good for the soul!!
“LIPS” Bench at University of Denver
Have you ever thought about kisses? I mean, really thought about them? What a funny thing to do. Big smacker kisses! So funny! Human beings make me laugh sometimes. A kiss can be simple and sweet or passionate. A few weeks back we were in front of a bookstore. There in front of all the people walking by were two older people kissing like crazy. It was so weird. ha!
I suppose anything can become weird if you think about it long enough…. like… like…… sleeping! Every night you brush your teeth… climb into bed, turn off the lights… and sleep. You have to stop everything to do it. I know one lady who could not sleep. She was so scared at night that she did not sleep for days. Soon she started seeing things that weren’t there. How funny that we have to recharge our human bodies with sleep. …. just thinking….
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