Report: Vogue Knitting Live 2014

Mar21

This is going to be an exciting year for publishing (traditional and none) events! One of these such events is Vogue Knitting Live 2014!

I’ve expressed in previous posts that I enjoy knitting and am thrilled to be able to purchase some knitting books finally!

When I got an alert that Voque Knitting Live was in town again – I couldn’t wait to go!

It’s such an amazing event full of vendors from around the world (and many that were local!).

Some were selling felting kits for amazing creatures.

Others were creating jewellery from repurposed knitting needles! (I bought some – it’s awesome)

One of the main things about Vogue Knitting Live are the opportunities to take some classes and expand your skills! I was happy to just browse the exhibition hall and pour over the beautiful books from Vogue Knitting and their magazines.

Perhaps one of the best things about the expo was the yarn drop at the end.

People gather under the hanging yarn and wait….wait…..wait for it to drop! It was pretty intense, but I was able to scout which hank I wanted and I snagged my spot just at the right time. When the scissors went cutting – boom! The hank I wanted fell into my arms.

Then I quickly jumped out of the way because women were pushing, shoving and diving for still hanging yarn! Quick a sight!

I’m so happy Vogue Knitting came back to Seattle to hold their expo, and I can’t wait for 2015 to roll around! I plan to be more prepared!

Vogue Knitting Live is travelling around the US! Check to see if it’s heading to your city!

Book Signing Adventures: Marissa Burt

Mar14

I meant to write about this wonderful adventure back in January, but oh how work gets in the way sometimes.

Well not today! I’m so happy to share this lovely book signing adventure with you!

Marissa Burt is a fantastic middle-grade author, her books are Storybound (1) and Story’s End (2) and she is also local! I first learned about her books when I lived in England, and sadly I couldn’t get them! Upon my return home they apart of the great haul I had requested from my library.

I adored them. I loved them so much I checked to see if Burt had any upcoming events. I went to her website and checked her events page. I saw she was doing a signing at a Barnes and Noble – but I didn’t see a start time.

So I tweeted her.

She responded that it had been an old event and I was so embarrassed!

However, all was not lost – because of this interaction the lovely Mrs. Burt tweeted me in November to let me know that she was doing a book signing event in December!

I don’t know how to describe the feeling. An author I seriously admired, remembered that I wanted to meet her and reached out to me.

Of course I went.

It was amazing.

She was so sweet, kind and approachable!

I’ve been making a huge effort this year to go to as many author signings that I can, but this one was unique to all the others. She chatted with me for like almost half an hour! I never expected (or should I say not used too) getting such kind attention from a talented writer.

She took pictures with me (sorry I’m still getting used to my iphone). We shared how we loved reading (and writing) what we wanted children to have access to and was wonderful to just speak to a writer that is passionate about children books!

I have never been more proud to support local and I know I am lucky to live in a state that is full of talented writers.

Thank you Marissa Burt for giving me the opportunity to meet you and speak with you. It was an inspiring opportunity and I’m so grateful for your kindness and encouragement!

To everyone else that reads middle grade fiction, or has children that age range that have a tough time getting into books – please, please, please check out her series. It’s adventurous, page turning and full of inspiring characters that kids need to be exposed too!

Isn’t her dress fantastic? I love it!

Update

Mar5

Just a head’s up – my internship for Seattle Health Magazine is almost at it’s end – meaning now it’s the current rush to get everything ready for printing time!

Also, for my regular job – we’re busy getting ready for all the big conferences of the year! (we also just finished up with the AWP last week – it was here in Seattle and amazing!)

My birthday is also coming up which makes it hard to focus on anything – it’s a big year for change!

Hang in there, I’ve been reading lots and can’t wait to share with you what treasures I have come across!

Later,

Ashleyisee

Happy International Book Giving Day!

Feb14

Spread the love of books!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Feb14

Happy special love day to everyone from me to you!

May you spend today with someone you care about – either romantic, family or friends!

ashleyisee

BooksILove: A Beautiful Book Recommendation App for iPhone

Jan30

HELLO lovelies!

Where, where, where have I been?

I have much content to bring you! Book signing events, more WA bookstores and reviews of books themselves! So much to discover and share with my dear followers!

However, I must admit that most of my attention has been on work, but as it’s related I can finally share with you what it’s all about, as it’s now available for iPhone iOS7!

I’m apart of the amazing team behind the BooksILove app!

We’ve all had those conversations – Over drinks, when leaving the office, on the bus, out shopping: A friend shares the amazing things about why they love the latest book they’re reading. But then, how do you remember afterwards? A scrap of paper? In a digital note? Was it just the author? Or maybe a bit of the book title? When you finally get the chance to head to the library or bookstore, are you able to remember what the book was? Although the discussion was productive, this spark of life for the book is essentially lost most of the time – BUT NO LONGER!

The BooksILove app is all about capturing and sharing recommendations about favorite books on the go! Here’s the press release from one of the founders, Elizabeth Dimarco, her wording is way better than mine:

“Our app allows you to send personal recommendations to friends and remember their favorites, too. Capture why you love a book by simply tapping icons that represent the best elements of the book. Do you love the hero? The plot? With over 75 beautiful icons available, you can pick exactly why you love the book and generate a thoughtful recommendation. Share your opinion with others via email and Facebook. Store your books, personal thoughts, and books recommended by friends, all in one mobile device.”

There is even a video on how the app works! Check it out!