Jun 26, 2012

Sapphire Sun (The Lost Magic, Book Three)

I am SO excited about my new book, Sapphire Sun, coming out this Winter 2012/2013 through Central Avenue Publishing! In case you missed it, here is a sneak peak of the cover:




I will share the exact release date as soon as it has been finalized but until then, here's another little teaser from Sapphire Sun, the sequel to Silver Dew and the third book in The Lost Magic series:


You can't escape the past. You can try to forget but it never truly leaves you. It is a part of
who are you are; it has shaped you, it will shape your future. It is the shadow behind you.
You can't outrun it, you can't hide from it or deny it - the past will always exist. Who you
once were is still a part of who you are today. This, I now understand.
My name is Gracelynn Stevenson. I tried to destroy The Lost Magic. I tried to erase the
past. I tried to make things go back to the way that they once were. I failed. And now all
the happiness I thought I had found, has been lost to the shadows...


Suzi

Jun 10, 2012

Adventures in Kindergarten: Rubber Boots & Elf Shoes

This week I thought I would feature a fun and unique blog by a colleague (and friend!) of mine that shares the adventures, learning, creativity and fun from her Kindergarten classroom. Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes is a fantastic blog by Sandi (or Mrs. Sandi), friend and teacher to many a charming munchkin, brilliant educator and Masters degree holder, and wearer of both rubber boots and elf shoes (I have also seen her in the classroom dressed as a pirate, an 1880's school ma'am and a "west-coast" Cinderella, to name a few!).


Sandi describes her blog as...
"Kindergarten adventures: inside, outside, creating, exploring, building, imagining, growing, usually messy, rarely quiet, always fun."



Sandi's classroom is a fun and welcoming place full of learning and exploration. What I love about her blog is the huge variety of posts in such a friendly, fun and accessible format. Not only does Sandi share her classroom's adventures, activities and creations through photos and short, entertaining posts but she also offers free printables, shares videos, introduces us to new books to find and new blogs to follow, and a ton of great craft and activity ideas (that fellow educators and parents will both love). Not to mention the occasional giveaway and guest blog posts! At Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes you will not only share in the joy, spontaneity and creativity of a Kindergarten classroom, you will also learn new things and might even make some new friends - and isn't that what Kindergarten is all about?



Go check out Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes HERE and please "like" this fantastic blog on Facebook HERE.

Thanks!
More fun features yet to come.

Suzi

Jun 1, 2012

Family, Photography, Music and Mommyhood: Jodie Gallant Photography

The next blog I've chosen to feature is from Jodie Gallant Photography.

Jodie is a friend of mine who has two young sons, is a very talented artist and musician, teaches music, and is also a professional (and successful!) photographer. Jodie's blog documents her photo sessions (both formal sessions with clients and her informal adventures in photography), keeps people informed about her recent artshowings and publications, and showcases her current works.



You can see from Jodie's blog the amazing and fun balance she has found between raising two little boys, being a mother and wife, working hard, expressing herself artistically and living a music-filled and inspired life. She goes to awesome outdoor locations all over Vancouver Island, photographs kick-ass bands and musicians, captures breath-taking nature stills and stunning candid shots, not to mention the high-quality and professionalism of her more formal studio sessions. There is a fresh and expressive edginess to her artistic style that is reflective of the music, art and joy in her life. I find all of Jodie's photos to be bright and beautiful - there is just a really good energy to all of her shots that isn't filtered out by the lens. Some people take photographs, Jodie captures moments (wow, that sounded cheesy - but I stand behind it!).



As soon as Jodie picked up her first DSLR camera (in just 2008!) and started learning more about photography, she knew this was something she wanted to pursue as a career. And it's a good thing she listened to her heart as she is pretty darn talented and has already found success and recognition for her skills. Her photos have been recently published in magazines such as The Fernie Fix and showcased at events such as The 2012 Coconut Bangers Ball. Jodie has expanded her business to offer a huge range of sessions to her clients, from weddings, to business/corporate shoots, to pets and family photos, to bands and musicians (see the full list here)!



Go check out Jodie's website and blog. And "like" Jodie Gallant Photography on Facebook to stay up-to-date with her recent events, specials and the occasional giveaway!

I'll end this featurette with a quote of a quote from Jodie's website that is definitely well-said:

"Like a kick in the butt, the force of events wakes slumberous talents..." 
Edward Hoagland


Still more features to come! Thanks for reading.


Suzi