Dec 1, 2012 |
It’s here. It’s ready. And it’s live. After many months of planning and a few recent late nights of editing, the time is finally right to jump in the deep end.
The Unemployment Cookbook commercial is now available for viewing:
I have faith in my cookbook. I believe it’s pertinent and timely and fulfilling… in more ways than one. And even if my campaign fails, this experience is a huge success.
I learned how to create a video from start to finish.
I carefully chose rewards that reflect investors’ interest level.
I did all this while working a full time day job, and still managed to put food on the table and keep a clean house.
Yeah. Things are looking up. And I couldn’t be happier.
To view the complete Kickstarter campaign, click here. I’d appreciate your feedback. Feel free to post any comments or suggestions either on the Blog or contact me through my Kickstarter link.
Happy Eating!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 30, 2012 |
This should be my fourth installment of my TGIF posts. But I’m just impatient. I finished all hurdles with KICKSTARTER except for one: their review process. It’s going to take a day or two (or so they tell me) before my Campaign can go live. You’ll be the first to know!
I’m thrilled that I finished my simple video. A no-frills Cookbook deserves a no-frills Commercial, and I’m really proud of it. Not to mention, I’d never edited a video before except vacation photos… so I think I did pretty well.
Today my Boss is out of the office. I’m pleased that she trusts me and my coworker to run the business while she’s out. Yesterday she took time to nearly apologize for correcting me. She thought I was upset at her for nitpicking. Not at all! I’m upset that I still don’t know everything. See… impatient!
Tomorrow starts my #25PhotosOfChristmas on Instagram. We’re also waiting for that. Time to dig out your Ugly Christmas Sweaters!
I do hope today is a fast day. But with it being a Friday, the last day of the month, no Boss in the office, and me eagerly waiting approval from Kickstarter, I just know I’m going to be impatient.
All. Day. Long.
That’s okay… as Scarlett says, “After all, tomorrow is another day…”
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 29, 2012 |
I finally did it. I made the video for my Kickstarter campaign to fund the Second Edition of The Unemployment Cookbook. I was hoping to have the link here for your perusal, but Kickstarter needs to review and authenticate my video. I understand. I’d hate for someone to think they’re watching a short video about a cookbook only to find I’d accidentally uploaded the 12 Cats of Christmas.
It’s not an Oscar-winning video. It’s not meant to be. It’s meant to be low-budget. Simple. But substantial. Just like the Cookbook itself.
The fundraising will start in a few days. But the video… the video is magic. This shadow of a thing on my To-Do List, this nagging tug that’s been there for months is finally crossed off. Satisfactorily.
I felt the lightbulb above my head illuminate as I realized I’d been thinking too much. I didn’t think I could do it justice. I was trying too hard. A simple Cookbook deserves a simple project. I’d been thoughtful of how to really sell the Cookbook. I had a brilliant marketing plan conceived and waiting to be acted upon. I had reviews. Soundbites. Aroma-Vision. At least, that’s what I wanted.
But I don’t have those. And I don’t need to. It sells itself. I just need to get the word out.
And now that I have, I can get back to the business of writing.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 28, 2012 |
Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? What made it nice for you? Was it the food? The family time? The shopping? Or the R&R before the busyness really kicks in?
Ours was a little mix of everything, and it was the best we’ve have in a very long time. Our home is decorated, I’ve been working hard on the Blog all day, and Dot has been able to see her friends who are home from college for the weekend.
Sometimes I think we’re the Bailey’s. You know, George Bailey from IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. One of my favorite Christmas movies. There’s just something about George as he struggles to come to terms with failed dreams, only to realize his reality is far more fulfilling.
My reality is far more fulfilling than my failed dreams, and it keeps leading to the fulfillment of many more authentic goals. There are unreached hopes, but there is still Hope. There are a great many challenges, but the ability to climb those mountains.
It’s a bit symbolic of my Favorite Christmas Mug.
My Favorite Mug
Dot gave me this mug nearly ten years ago. I love it. Every year, I take it from the recesses of the Special Cabinet and enjoy the first Christmas Mocha in it. This year after my first and only use, I discovered cracking in the bottom that allowed dishwater to seep in and weaken its structure. Thankfully, I realized it before the mug shattered. It’s now relegated to being my Favorite Unusable Mug, and will forever be enshrined with our Holiday Decor. I will treasure it always; how it came as a gift of love, held nourishment and offered entertainment, and now is something forever beautiful to look at. Perhaps I’ll fill it with candy canes, or just plastic holly berries. It’s changed and compromised; but I’ll never discard it. It will serve a new purpose.
I treasure this Holiday season so deeply. For the past several years, that Holiday Spirit has eluded us, hidden in the shadows and been cast aside when it tried to enter. This year, it burst through on its own, completely captivating us with its magic.
Dot’s Tree
I can’t possibly explain how or why. I just know that this year, with all it’s scattered family and reduced budgets is still going to be the best Christmas we’ve had in a very long time.
I wish a multitude of the same to you and yours, no matter what or how you celebrate.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
“What’s the Word?” Wednesdays is a link-up that allows other bloggers and readers to share whatever they want to talk about. Think of it as a virtual coffee date with some great friends. What’s going on in your world? Tell us all about it!
A few things to remember:
- Each week’s link-up is valid from Wednesday through the following Tuesday. So if you link a post today, you can still come back and link another post tomorrow! In fact, you can link up as many posts as you want.
- If you add a link, please put the badge on your post as well.
- Each week has a new link-up. Please make sure you grab the correct Badge Code.
- Be sure to check out what others are posting, and even leave a few comments.
- You can now show your “likes” by voting for your favorite links.
So, c’mon. Join the conversation. After all, a great coffee date is one where everyone gets to chat, dontcha think?
Nov 27, 2012 |
KLUTZ Review
“Mom. We haven’t watched TV at all tonight.”
How great a statement is that?
Dot and I spent the evening crafting with our Klutz books. Earlier, she and her friend Megan reviewed MINI CAPSTERS JEWELRY for me.
Mini Capsters Jewelry
We’re a crafty bunch.
KLUTZ donated four of their craft books for our review; and they’re just waiting for one lucky reader to win a set all their own!
KLUTZ Assortment
MINI CAPSTERS JEWELRY, FASHION FORMS, WICKED COOL FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS, and BEADED BANDS.
Here’s what we loved about the KLUTZ books:
- They’re fun. Not in an oh-what-a-nice-way-to-spend-a-few-minutes way. But in an oh-my-gosh-this-is-so-much-interactive-fun-look-how-creative-we-are way.
- The guidebooks are just that: Guides. You can totally change up the colors and mix designs. Whichever book you’re working with, your project is Your Own.
- They’re all inclusive. Nearly everything you need (except scissors and maybe a little extra glue) is included. The products store neatly within the covers.
- The variety of projects is astonishing. We’ve had KLUTZ books for making Fairy Dolls, Nail Art, and an assortment of jewelry making.
- The directions for each project and book are detailed, illustrated, and very easy to follow. There’s no confusion as to what this means or how that reads. It’s very easy, which makes for a much more enjoyable crafting experience.
- If you run out of supplies, you can either visit your local craft store or order extra supplies from Klutz online.
Here’s what we didn’t like:
- The included products don’t always come in our favorite colors. The Beaded Bands that I worked with was limited to blues, browns, and oranges. I’ve never been a big fan of blue but I have to admit, I’m quite happy with the finished product.
- With Fashion Forms, the paper was double-sided. Which means you have to decide which pattern or color you’d like to use. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s both and there’s not enough to make two complete outfits with one sheet of paper.
- Some of the books and projects are more suited to smaller, pre-teen fingers. My adult fingers didn’t always cooperate when threading tiny beads.
- With some projects, the work seemed a bit tedious. Dot wasn’t thrilled with all the tracing and cutting she needed to do in order to complete one Fashion Form. But once she got the hang of it and saw her first finished project, it was worth the effort.
Having said all that, the Fun definitely wins out, no matter which KLUTZ book you’re crafting with. And since a picture’s worth a thousand words, here’s our Statement for KLUTZ:
MINI CAPSTERS: Choosing a Size
MINI CAPSTERS: Pages of Designs
MINI CAPSTERS: Finished Projects
WICKED COOL FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS: Unique Techniques
WICKED COOL FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS: Baubles and Beads and Charms; Oh My!
FASHION FORMS: Templates
FASHION FORMS: First Project
FASHION FORMS: Pretty Papers
FASHION FORMS: Final Runway
BEADED BANDS: Small Beads. Big Effect.
BEADED BANDS: Finished Project
We each had our own favorite KLUTZ book. Mine was the Beaded Bands. I’m already thinking of different color combinations and bracelet styles to keep making these for Dot and myself. Dot’s always been interested in fashion, so the FASHION FORMS is her pick. With a little bit of scrapbook paper and craft-store embellishments, she’ll have plenty of runway-ready projects.
Want to share the fun with some girls on your Christmas list? Or maybe you need a little creative vacation of your own. Puh-leese. Would I even post this if there wasn’t a way for you to win it? You can always count on me!
Just follow the links in the Rafflecopter entry form below. Just like KLUTZ, it’s just that easy!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
