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!
Congratulations on your first Novel! Would love to win!!! My favourite 2 things built into 1!!!!
Posted by: Tara Wiley | February 10, 2012 at 11:48 AM
As an avid reader, this book is definitely something I'd reach for in a bookstore, but would LOVE to win! Thanks SCT.
Posted by: Susi | February 10, 2012 at 11:50 AM
WOW! The novel looks fab! Can't wait to hold of a copy! This is a 'must' read! Thank you so much for the chance to win! Love love love your layout inspired by the book - I really must scrap some more 'friends' pictures - all my pages seem to center around my kids! WOW - almost 9000 fans! I'm already a huge fan and follower - will share it on Facebook though! :-) x
Posted by: Kerys | February 10, 2012 at 11:51 AM
So very excited for you -- I can't imagine writing a book.
Posted by: Marilyn Nimmo | February 10, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Great prize...besides crafting I'm an avid reader!
Congratulations!
Posted by: Gail L. | February 10, 2012 at 12:04 PM
I just added this to my list of books I want to read! Congrats on your new book! I'm looking forward to reading all three!
Posted by: Renee | February 10, 2012 at 12:06 PM
The book sounds great and it combines two of my favourite things to do scrapbooking and reading how perfect is that?!
Posted by: Lisa H | February 10, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Wow what a wonderful accomplishment. Scrapbooking is such a great hobby that I share with many wonderful friends. I would love to win a copy of your novel. Thanks for introduction and I will be sure to look for it soon if i am not the lucky winner.
Posted by: Lynn | February 10, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Congratulations on your novel!!!
Thanks for the chance to win this lovely giveaway.
Val Rodrigues
www.crieartezzanato.blogspot.com
Posted by: Val Rodrigues | February 10, 2012 at 12:12 PM
ooh some fiction that really sounds like a fun read
Posted by: Fifi-T | February 10, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Oh! I would love to read this book. It sounds great and I have added it to my list of books I want to read.
Posted by: Jena Baker | February 10, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Congrats on the novel. How exciting.
Posted by: Vicki Wilson | February 10, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Congrats on your novel. It sounds amazing. It's always great to find other "friends" who love scrapbkooking and cardmaking as much as I do!
Posted by: Sheree Delaney | February 10, 2012 at 12:18 PM
So cool, congrats! Can't wait to read it!!
Posted by: KellyG | February 10, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Congrats on your novel! Would love to read a novel geared around scrapbooking!! I know deep down, what I'm doing for my child, will be held dearly by her years from now!
Posted by: Anna Petitt | February 10, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Amazing...so much talent! Hope your novel sells well!
Posted by: Karin | February 10, 2012 at 12:33 PM
congratulations to courtney....sounds like a book that I'd enjoy!
love the "friend"layout too!..it's beautiful!
Posted by: michelle | February 10, 2012 at 12:34 PM
What a swell idea for a novel. I'm now very curious about it. Congrats!
Posted by: Julie Mitchell | February 10, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Congratulations on your novel. It sounds like a perfect getaway for a cold winter afternoon! Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Posted by: kae crist | February 10, 2012 at 12:36 PM
A book about scrapbooking!! Oh-I would love to read it! Congrats!
Posted by: Karen conner | February 10, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Congrats Courtney, on the book!
Posted by: Melinda T | February 10, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Would love to win this. Have been reading an american scrapbook series so already into the idea of a series on scrapbooking. Had dreams once of writing my own novel. Too busy for that it seems.
Posted by: shyone | February 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM
very cool. I love seeing these things go hand in hand as they are my two favourite things to do. Scrap and read.Way to go Courtney!! I don't write books, but I would love to read it!! Beautiful page by the way. You' re right. friends are sooo worth it! I am blessed:)
Posted by: Joyce Horst | February 10, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Congratulations on your book Courtney! It sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: centralnyscrapper (Brenda L) | February 10, 2012 at 12:58 PM
congrats on the book! Would love a copy.
Posted by: conniemelancon | February 10, 2012 at 01:01 PM