Ok then, I was waiting to post about this later today but it’s 3 something in the AM PST and it seems I can’t sleep because of all the excitement. And from the emails I’ve been getting, it seems many of you aren’t sleeping either. It also seems like the birds aren’t sleeping either (when did bird’s start singing at 1:30 am?) Come to think of it, how did I think I could sleep through the release of my first children’s book? It’s not everyday you release your first children’s book. But it is today, on a very special Creative Thursday: This is the official announcement that the first Creative Thursday children’s book is now available for pre-order right here!

Yippy!!!!!!

As I wrote in my email that I sent out a few hours ago, after countless questions asking me if I ever "thought of creating a children’s book?" ~ I finally did. :) It seems like the obvious next step, doesn’t it? Considering my present style that includes all these characters just asking for their stories to be told. If you’ve been wanting to know the stories of the characters as much as I do, then here we go!

For those of you following the blog, and the daily paintings, all of these "Olive" paintings might be starting to make some sense?! If you’ve been wondering why I’ve been particularly attached to my little "Olive" character lately, now you know why. Basically you’ve been getting sneak previews to some of the book illustrations over the last few months. Since there’s only one of me here, a girl’s got to multi-task.

"Who are you going to be today Olive?" is a story about a little bird named Olive who is just learning how to be herself. As I also mentioned in my email this is pretty much my autobiography thus far.

While I was approached by a publisher last year, in keeping with the indie design spirit I’ve decided to self-publish this edition and I’m releasing the first 100 hardcover for pre-order, numbered and signed at my website. They will be ready to ship in August 2008. Needless to say this particular project is very near and dear to my heart.
You should also know that while this is a "children’s book" ~ it was important for me to write one that I would want to own, one that I would enjoy as much as the kiddos. So with all of that said, I really, truly hope you enjoy this new addition to the growing collection.

thank you, thank you, thank you already for your thoughtful emails, blog posts spreading the news!! and book orders!

wishing you a very happy creative thursday! ...I’m going to try to get some sleep now.