Tuesday, January 7, 2014

a treasured year

For more than a few years now, this blog has served as my online diary and a place where I look to verify when things happened. Good thing for automatic dating on photos, too! A resolution or attempt for the New Year is to be better organized but I'll save those efforts for another post. Today, for my own sake, I want to stop and smell the roses of 2014.

January
I'll never forget this day. As I was running off to a meeting at my youngest son's school, I heard the tell-tale SHLUNK! of what had to be a heavy package hitting the floor from the front door mail slot. Already late, I still couldn't resist investigating as the timing was about right to receive the first copies of my book. In a hurried but careful happy-panic (hanic?), I opened the over-sized envelope which revealed two copies of Tinkered Treasures. I brought the books along to the meeting and like a proud, teary-eyed mom, showed "the baby girl" to teachers, the principal and friends. On the way home I stopped by the library to show my friend Bethany, who by the way, not only took the photo above but introduced me to blogging in the first place.

February
With a good friend living temporarily in London and a Valentine's Day publication date, how could I not jump at the opportunity to meet my U.K. publisher and see some sights along the way? My oldest sister Betsy volunteered to be my traveling companion (and security blankie) and we were off to London for three days and Paris for two. {find blog posts: february - april}

March
Still reeling with excitement from the publication of Tinkered Treasures and in the midst of pitching its follow-up (working title: Summer Treasury), I was approached by the brilliant Torie Jayne to contribute to her book and jumped at the opportunity to be part of something destined to be so special!

Publicity 2013
Meanwhile, publicity was in full force with my answering Q&As for magazine and newspaper interviews and even been photographed in the ol' Girlie Office a couple of times.

April
My first book signing! So many friends attended -- even longtime blogging buddy Karen Cox of A Scrapbook of Inspiration: so fun! The evening at Barnes & Noble went by in a blur. In April my family was also treated to a wonderful trip to Walt Disney World, courtesy of my dear in-laws.

May
In May I received and signed my contract for my second book, which would be called Seaside Tinkered Treasures. Pictured is one of the projects I had just finalized.

June
June found me racing toward getting book projects completed while the boys were still in school. Like a tinkered 'survival of the fittest' I revised my working list daily as stronger projects emerged and bumped others off. Ultimately I set-up a six-foot table in my bedroom so that I could work around the clock making glorious messes.

July
In the heat of the summer I was working on finalizing book text, reviewing contact sheets of BEAUTIFUL photographs and setting up local tinkering and signing events for the fall months. There were also days at the beach and this bucket list entry: seeing Paul McCartney play live!

August
Articles I had written in March were hitting the newsstands while I worked on new ideas and home tour features.

September
Better late than never, in September I had my official Book Party, held at the fabulous Providence shop, Kreatelier. {blog post}

Events 2013
October
By October Seaside Tinkered Treasures was pretty much wrapped with bits of final proofing left to do. After swooning over Rachel Ashwell's new book, which I had the opportunity to review for our shared publisher (PINCH ME!), I took a train to NYC to attend the book signing event held in SoHo. Once again, my sister Betsy was right there with me, along with her daughter Emily. I had a fabulous time and met Rachel and people from the New York office of Ryland Peters & Small/CICO Books. Having the chance to chat with my London publisher also in attendance, was a bonus!

November
My dear fairygodmother Fifi O'Neill invited me to have lunch with her while she was on location for a magazine shoot in my home state of Rhode Island. How very lovely it was to spend time with Fifi again (under more relaxed circumstances for me{blog post}) and at such a cozy, coastal cottage! I adore my "French mommy."

December
rps/CICO Spring 2014 Catalog
At the close of this remarkable year, I was writing articles, taking on new projects and eating way too many sugar cookies. I look forward to the new chapters that the second book brings along with it.

January
And here we are in the brand new year which I hope will be filled with health, happiness and prosperity for us all. And maybe even some organization ...

Thank you for reading!

xo
elyse






15 comments:

Jessica Rodarte said...

Happy new year! 2013 has been an amazing year for you! I don't tire of saying it- congratulations!! :) I hope 2014 is just as memorable.

ginger@bearbits said...

What a great year and so exciting! I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for 2014.

Congratulations!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Wow what a ride!!
Congrats on all your accomplishments and cheers to many more this year!
So glad you squeezed in a visit to meet us at the shop!

Vincent Zandri said...

Congrats Elyse. Your hard work and dedication are really paying off.
Vince

NanaDiana said...

Oh- I am so very proud of you- it is like I knew you when..... Congratulations on your tremendous success-you so deserve the recognition for the work you do! xo Diana

Rose Brier Studio said...

What a year this has been. I am so pleased for your success! You are the sweetest person and deserve all the best. I know 2014 is going to be just as wonderful!
hugs,
~Marilee

debi said...

You've had an amazing year! I hope the next one is just as exciting!

Theresa said...

Oh I can't wait to get book #2:) I have sure enjoyed the first one! BIG HUGS and thanks for the look back over 2013!

Unknown said...

Wow....so proud of you girl!! Keep it up!
Daisy~

The Blue Farmhouse said...

Congratulations on a awesome 2013...and I anticipate reading what lies ahead!

Rita

Mammabellarte Rita Reade said...

Elyse,
so happy to read what a wonderful year 2013 was for you. Wishing you an amazing, CREATIVE 2014.
Well done!
Your style and colors in your books make me SMILE.
Ciao Rita

Stacey@ Cottage Stitches said...

what a year for you! i had such fun reading this and all you had done, experienced and accomplished. Cheers to more of that to come this year for you! you have been such a great inspiration and cheerleader for me...thank you for believing in and pitching me! wishing you all the best in the new year, bobbsy!!
XO

Scrap for Joy said...

This is a wonderful post....it could easily be a great magazine article. Certainly a fine example of what hard work, persistence and talent can achieve! You accomplished in one year what most wouldn't even attempt in a lifetime! Bravo to you dear friend and a toast to an even more fun and exciting 2014!
Cheers!
xoxo
Joyce

Val said...

What a wonderful year. Congratulations on everything, and I hope 2014 is just as sweet. :)

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Holy Moly!!!! E, you have been so very busy! I have enjoyed reading articles written by you in the magazines and watching you blossom and fulfill your dreams. I am so very happy and proud of you. You are living out my dream to write for magazines.

Sending you hugs from California!!!

Becky

PS: how cool to meet Rachel and to have Fifi as your "French mommy". Adorable!