Tuesday Tip: Writing to the Writers

As we are in the middle of the Bookish Fashion Delights series I thought this would make for a good tip…

Do you have a favorite author (or say, lots of favorite authors)? Have you ever read such a good book that you thought, “Hey, I wish I could thank the person who thought this up”? Well, if you answered yes to either of those questions read on dear friend!

I love to read – always have. I also love to write – always have (again). So, I started writing to some of my favorite authors thanking them for their bookish gems & seeking advice for an aspiring writer. And guess what (no fooling), I started getting responses! (Sorry your writer does need to be living for this. No epistles to C.S. Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, & Jane Austen.) =(

Here’s how you can write to the writers:
1) Find a book your author has written & look on the copyright page (at the beginning of the book (usually)), & find an address for the publishing company. (You can also search for your author on the web & see if they have an e-mail address on their site.)
2) Use this address with your author’s name 1st & then “c/o” (“in care of”). See example:
Grace Lin
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
3) Be sure to leave your name & address & express that you would love advice or an answer to any questions you asked, etc. Be prepared to wait, but more often than not you’ll receive a reply… & I’ll tell you, it’s lovely to hold a letter written & signed by a hand that has written such wonderful tales!

I’ve received letters from Ann M. Martin, Suzanne Fisher Staples, Annie Dalton, & Margaret McAllister (to name a few)!

Plan A Visit To "Grace's Garden Walk" - Blog Interview!

I’m not sure exactly how I stumbled upon “Grace’s Garden Walk” (that’s usually how friendships start, I’ve noticed, at some unnamable moment), but I’m so glad I did. Grace is a newbie to the blog world (I know how that feels =), & if you follow me (& her link =) to her lovely garden path you will find the musings, dreams, & thoughts of a lovely Daughter of the King. I had a little “cyber chat” with Grace about her blog, & we’re kindly lending you a peek…

THE INTERVIEW:
Bess: Why did you choose to create & keep a blog?

Grace: I decided to create a blog because…I thought it would be really fun! In the past, I had read a lot of other people’s blogs & it inspired me to start one of my own. It really encouraged me to see so many Christian ladies sharing their blogs.

Bess: What’s a reader likely to find on your blog?

Grace: Readers are likely to find my…sewing projects, stories, & daily activities.

Bess: Fill us in on some of your hobbies.

Grace: I have a lot of hobbies including: sewing, writing, reading, lettering friends, blogging, card making, cooking... You can find more of my pastimes at my blog.

Bess: Take the first letter of your name & create 1 word (that starts with that 1st letter) to describe you! What’s the word?

Grace: A word that would describe me is…grateful.

Bess: Tell us about your relationship to Christ.

Grace: I want to please & serve the Lord in all I do, & want Him to direct my path in life.

"Grace’s Garden Walk" LINK:

http://gracesgardenwalk.blogspot.com/

So, take the path less traveled & visit Grace’s blog for a perfect garden stroll. Spring is in the air, & it’s a lovely time to be in the garden! (P.S.: Tell her Bess sent you! =)

Bookish Fashion Delight: Alice (+ Freebie)

Oh, Alice! What a strange & curious tale you have!

Alice's Adventures in

Wonderland

(& other Alice titles) by Lewis Carroll

Oh dear, I've shrunk down to the size of a dormouse!

Now, I've shot up like a telescope!

What I've donned: white detailed top - Faded Glory (yard sale); blue & white striped dress - Old Navy (thrift store); white skirt (to give the dress a little more length & fullness) - Isaac Mizrahi For Target (Target); red mary-janes - Alice Crocs (appropriately named =) (crocs.com); black knee-highs; pocket watch necklace - borrowed from the White Rabbit (just kidding; I made it myself)

***

There's lots of excitement about the new "Alice in Wonderland" film from Disney. I'm curious about it myself! Check out the link below to download "Alice's Theme" from Amazon for free! Snag this while you can, who knows how long it will last! =)

LINK (Track 1): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039F67GE/ref=dm_sp_alb

Lewis Carroll Quotes:

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."

"No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise."

><>><>><>Follow God's Purpose><>><>><>

Love,

-Bess-

Free Bronte Book - Hurry

Random House is offering a free advance copy of a new book: Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael. I've never read this book, so I don't know how it will be (but I like the title). Hurry, these are while supplies last! =) Free is so great!

LINK:
http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/features/RHPGgalley/romancing_miss_bronte.html

Bookish Fashion Delights

Hello all! I’m excited to announce a new series of posts to soon come to Bess’ Bag: Bookish Fashion Delights! In the coming days I will be posting fashion inspired looks (from my personal wardrobe) inspired by beloved book characters & authors. Ever since the Jo March photo shoot for Rebecca’s Little Women challenge ("A Young Lady’s Blog"), I’ve been itching to do more. So, check back & while you wait here’s some hints to what will be coming soon…

P.S.: I’m a finalist in Rebecca’s Little Women Challenge in the categories: Little Women Photo Shoot & Little Women Inspired Post! If you haven’t, go check it out (see sidebar button) & vote for me (well, as it says, if I’m your favorite). Thanks!

Tuesday Tutorial: The Petal Pusher Bag

This tutorial was inspired by a few different sources – (I’m copying their links below the post for ya). Anyways, I’ll just say it started from a J.Crew petal-covered backpack & went from there after a couple of wonderfully crafty bloggers got involved…& now for my version…

Directions:

I started with a plain canvas bag with wooden handles (I found mine @ Hobby Lobby Craft Store – I’ve actually had it for a long time & not been sure what to do with it). My white petals came from the Dollar Tree (I just love that store =) around Valentine’s Day, but you should be able to find some somewhere now (check wedding supplies). At 1st I thought I’d sew the petals on, but after many finger pricks & other various calamities, I gave up & brought out my old pal the hot glue gun. Starting at the bottom of the bag & working up, I glued on the petals (overlapping them so most of the canvas is invisible). TIP: glue near the top of the petal (not much glue is required to hold the petal in place), & with the next row slightly overlap the top, because the hot glue can make a darker-looking spot on the petals – which you don’t want visible). When I got to the top of the bag, I folded the top part of the petal under, so it’s not showing (again be careful gluing – you don’t want dark spots near the top of your bag). Lastly, I tied a beige ribbon to the handle in a bow, & fray checked the ends (I used a glue stick to do this =)… & there you have it…The Petal Pusher Bag.

Isn't it cute? I really like how it turned out! Just perfect for spring (though, while I’m typing this, I can see snow out my window…O, Spring, where art thou?

My Inspiration…
http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/2009/08/guest-blogger-happy-together-with.html
http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2009/09/super-easy-petal-clutch.html

"The grass withers & the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever."

- Isaiah 40:8

Disney's Got A Contest!

Well, the lovely Disney's hosting a challenge, & I'm just so excited (no, I'm not talking Mickey-Mouse-Disney). Disney: a mommy, preacher's wife, & fabulous crafter over at "Ruffles & Stuff," is to whom I refer. She created the book clock tutorial I previously posted. The contest centers around ruffles (what else =), & there are some GREAT prizes up for grabs for the winners. Click the button on my sidebar for more! I can't wait...

Oh yeah, the contest runs from March 1st - April 2nd. Disney will be posting more, so continue to check out her blog!