Hello Friday! Friday is always a great day on the SCT blog and today we have something a little bit different for you. Designer Courtney Walsh is a great friend to SCT and today she is launching her brand new book A Sweethaven Summer!! You might be saying this doesn't sound like a paper crafting technique book and you'd be right, it's not. It is actually a beautiful novel and we asked Courtney to share a little bit about her novel and some artwork inspired by the novel, with you...
"Anne Shirley + Diana Barry. Richie Cunningham + The Fonz. House + Wilson. Wilbur + Charlotte. Laverne + Shirley.
There are few things in life as precious as a good friend. But true friendships are rare and relationships volatile. Things come between us and threaten to unravel the once strong cord that held us together.
I feel pretty strongly about scrapbooking and its ability to bring people together. So strongly, in fact, that I wrote a book about it…the first in a series of three.
The book centers around Campbell Carter, who finds a faded scrapbook full of her mother’s memories and secrets. It sends her on a journey to Sweethaven to find out who her father is…but what she finds is so much more. The town where her mother grew up. The long lost friends her mother left behind. The things that drove them apart.
In my own life, I have so many wonderful friendships, but the best ones aren’t without work. Every good relationship has a test or two (is anyone else married? And can I get an ‘amen’?!) But those solid friendships, the ones that stick…those are worth documenting. Don’t you think?
I created a layout about one of my dearest friends, inspired by the stories in my novel. I realized I had so few layouts celebrating the friendships that meant the most to me, so I got to work right away!
I started by pulling the colors from the photos. Blue and orange (two of my favorites)…then I pulled in some of my favorite mixed media techniques, layering book pages, sheet music and a page from the Anthropologie catalog onto the page with gel medium. I have a strong attachment to gel medium.
I dry brushed some orange paint over the top for a pop of color and began layering a strip of photos, a funky Glitz die cut card, my title (I’m a letter sticker addict), handwritten journaling strips and of course, the texture of flowers, buttons and trim. I wanted the layout to be a little funky, a little messy and a lot of fun. Just like my friendship with Mindy.
Friendships, especially ones you’ve fought for, deserve to be celebrated, and for papercrafters, documenting a friendship on a layout is the perfect way to celebrate!
Today, I’m celebrating the release of my very first novel, and I would LOVE to give a copy away to one Scrapbook & Cards Today reader! I am SO happy I found this magazine and know there’s a whole community of people who “get me” and who “get” this scrapbooking stuff!
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post for a chance to win! And if you’re interested, I’ve got a virtual launch party going on over on my blog where you can enter to win CardMaps vol. 2 and other amazing prizes!" ~ Courtney Walsh
Thank you Courtney and congratulations! So SCT friends, leave a comment below by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16th to win a copy of Courtney's brand new book (you can buy it here and here!). And, we'll even ask her to personalize it too...shhh! Good luck!
On another note, we are approaching 9,000 fans on facebook and are preparing for a big {prize} party when we get there...wink, wink! (For those not on facebook, don't worry, it will be open for everyone!!!) Can you help us hit 9,000 fans? Will you "share" us with your friends? We would love to have you come and "like" us so that we can get this {prize}party started! Just click here and click "like"!
That's it for today! We will announce last week's CHA winner tomorrow morning! Stay tuned!
~ Catherine
pssst...next week is Valentines...and we LOVE YOU! Wink, wink!
Congrats on your first novel! Awesome!
Posted by: Ashley Rock | February 10, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Wow--soundds like a great read. Congrats on your novel! I alos love your layout...it's a beauty! I'm off now to check out your party.
Posted by: Janet B | February 10, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Other then scrapbooking, reading is my next favorite past time. I'm always looking for a good book, and this sounds like its my type of story:)
Posted by: Angie Ashuk | February 10, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Congratulations on your novel, it must be such an exciting time for you. I would love to read it!
Posted by: Cilla | February 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM
I can't wait to read your book Courtney, and yes... we get you. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Erin Morley | February 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Perfect timing!! I needed a book to read and was lost on what to choose - I think I found it! LOL!!
Good luck to Courtney on the book launch!! Much success...haven't read the first one and I am already looking forward to the other books! LOL!!
Posted by: MargieH | February 10, 2012 at 11:10 AM
WOW how fun is this.. never read a scrapbooking novel before. Looking forward to reading it.
Posted by: Tam Taylor | February 10, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Congratulations Courtney with the book launh, I´m sure, it´ll go really well, and for the work here it´s absolutely awesome.
Posted by: Maryann | February 10, 2012 at 11:18 AM
a big congrats and i would so love to read this!!
Posted by: Nancy L. | February 10, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I am so excited about this! I'd love to win!!! Maybe since I'm a librarian, I will get lucky!!! Thanks!
Posted by: Kelly Massman | February 10, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I am excited about this book, Courtney! Thanks so much for the chance to win it!!
Posted by: Rebecca Lovell | February 10, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Besides scrapbooking, reading great novels is my second favourite hobby! If only I could figure out a way to do both simultaneously.
I'd love to check out Courtney's new novel. I feel I have been drawn in already.
thanks for the chance!
Posted by: Sharon | February 10, 2012 at 11:22 AM
This sounds like a really good read - I would love to win a copy.
Posted by: Liz Rempel | February 10, 2012 at 11:24 AM
How exciting, your first novel and what a wonderful subject, "Friends". Reading, friends and crafting, how better than this can things get. Congratulations and may this book be the first of a long writing career!!!
Posted by: Bevb | February 10, 2012 at 11:25 AM
I would love to win and read this book! Congrats Courtney!
Posted by: Janet Zeppa | February 10, 2012 at 11:27 AM
this book sounds great! Not too often I come across something that combines two of my favorite hobbies, novels & scrapbooking!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Tammy Lever | February 10, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Wow what a terrific accomplishment!!
Congradulations!! I can't wait to read it!
Posted by: Joanie G | February 10, 2012 at 11:29 AM
This book sounds awesome. Can't wait to read and suggest it to my book club and library. Thanks for chance.
Posted by: Rose Stannell | February 10, 2012 at 11:30 AM
I love to read books about crafts that I like to do. this sounds like a great book. Congratulations and best wishes to the author.
Posted by: MaryLouH | February 10, 2012 at 11:32 AM
This book sounds like great fun!
Would love to read it=)
Posted by: kazoulis | February 10, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Congratulations on your novel, it sounds wonderful!
Denise, OH
Posted by: Denise | February 10, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Courtney, congratulations on your first novel! I can't wait to read it!
Posted by: Tricia | February 10, 2012 at 11:37 AM
What a 'novel' idea! I would love to be entered! Congratulations to the author!!
Posted by: Nancy DeRosa | February 10, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Congratulations, I seriously hope I can get this in the UK.
Posted by: naomi_m | February 10, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Congrats on your novel. My son had his first release this past June. I have his book as blog candy http://triesmakingcards.blogspot.com. I'd love to win and read yours!
Posted by: terriavidreader | February 10, 2012 at 11:48 AM