Just recently, I joined the Northern California Publishers and Authors. It didn't take long before I found how to volunteer to the group. I stepped up to the plate and decided to make the table decorations for the upcoming Book Awards Banquet. Out of some old pages of a book, I got my hands busy in making these paper flowers. 

It sounds daunting at first when I was asked if I could make some, but after searching for some videos on YouTube, I bravely gave it a try. I knew it would be fun after a few attempts. 
​If you want to learn how to make them, here are the links from YouTube. Just pick the flower you want from the five samples that I took a picture below and watch the video. Don't be afraid! It just looks very challenging, but once you patiently follow each step, you will soon see the rewards of your courageous attempt. 
​TAKE NOTE: To be a creative explorer, you have to come out of your comfort zone and be an intrepid beginner in trying new things. ​

1st flower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyFcxB7pSZk
2nd flower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70qo0GFYXL0
3rd flower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evH2dYgVvFM
4th flower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tne5d2fDYao
​5th flower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VW2UWzq7Ew

If you like to attach it to a pencil, use some thin wire and flower tape. 

All the way from India, a precious smile from a child fills my heart with joy.

I love receiving pictures such as this. I can tell just by looking at the picture that the child is enjoying my book. I hope when Atharva grows up, he will still look back on Frankie's story and remember how the book had made him laugh even after many readings. 

I had a blast with my best friend, Sonja, at the Sky Room Event Center at the Country Club Lanes on Watt Avenue, Sacramento! The crowd, live entertainment, Hawaiian style buffet, raffles and silent auction, and giveaways were fantastic! I hope to be there again next year. :-)

Here are some kids with their books and snap jewelry. 

Here's Robert who bought two books for his granddaughter, Jordan. I signed the book for Jordan, but I didn't get to meet her that night. Robert said he saw my book on Good Morning Sacramento. That was cool! 

​I woke up yesterday morning with an email from Tina Macuha. She wrote that she had shown my book on tv. OMG, I missed it! But I was over the moon to find out that she forwarded me the video link. I couldn't wait to share this on Facebook. lol 

​Please copy and paste the link below into your web browser.  

​http://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/show/live-video/video-3825328-weekend-book-club/  
This is just a snap shot of the video. 

​If you want your book to be featured, email Tina Macuha at gooddaytina@kmaxtv.com to let her know you are interested. I gave a little info about my book, where to buy it, and then told her a book in the mail would follow shortly. I mailed her a copy of the book along with a printout of my email to the channel 31/CBS 13 studios. It was as easy as that! I was lucky that I mailed my book last Monday and it took less than a week for her to select it. 

Here is the mailing address.

CBS13 Offices & Studios                                  
2713 KOVR Drive                                                
West Sacramento, CA 95605  
Attn: Tina Macuha Weekend Book Club

If you are around the vicinity of Elk Grove, my books are now available at Gifts from the Heart of Elk Grove. It's located at 9685 Elk Grove Florin Road. While visiting the story yesterday, I met this little girl, my very first buyer. She is soooo cute!

Here is a bigger picture of my books on display. My book, Zoobooloo, is not included here because I ran out of it. I will be selling copies once I get my new box of orders.

     Here are more photos of kids who had enjoyed my books published by Purple Cotton Candy Arts (PCCA). Thanks to grandmothers, aunts, and uncles who love encouraging kids to read!

     Most of the buyers of my children's books are grandmothers. I say these grandmothers are wise because they strongly encourage children to enjoy reading. I  met one grandmother that bought 5 book titles! She said that she'd rather have her grandkids read books than play games on the computer.
     Speaking of grandmothers, one approached my booth at the Franklin Community Library Friends Craft Fair at Elk Grove and told me that she bought my book The Magic Paintbrush three years ago for her granddaughter. Her granddaughter happened to be with her so she introduced me. To my surprise, she was much taller than I expected! She was much taller than me! lol I was so thrilled when she agreed to have her picture taken while holding a copy of the book.

     Fortunately, I bumped into her at the 2nd annual Craft Bazaar for Project R.I.D.E. at Elk Grove. I didn't know that she was still interested in reading my books until she asked her grandma to buy her a copy of Mud Spots and Candy Sprinkles. That made my day!

      Here's another kid at the Franklin Library who was happy to go home with my book. Her mom also bought some lava bead bracelets from me, the very first ones that I had ever made.

     These two sisters were at the Franklin Library selling crafts with their mom. They were excited to see me again at the Citrus Heights Lions Club Holiday Craft at Fountain Square because they had been wanting to own a snap bracelet. This is always a hit among kids!

     Here are two more sisters enjoying their snap bracelets at the Rusch Park Community Center Arts and Craft Fair.

     The Magic Paintbrush is still the number one bestseller! I met this girl at the Annual German Christmas Market.

     The second top seller is Zoobooloo.

     My snap bracelets sold like hotcakes at Land Park Breakfast with Santa and Craft Fair at the Holy Spirit School. Here's a photo of a girl showing off her new purchase!

     This girl bought a red snap bracelet from me from a year ago. She walked by my booth to buy another one. These photos were taken at Breakfast with Santa at St. Ignatius Church.

     Kids love playing with the snap buttons. They find it amazing how it snaps on the bracelet. You should see how their eyes lit up! Adults usually say that it's a clever idea. I wish I were the one that invented the snap bracelets lol But I am proud to say that I have made them possibly to be worn by kids and adults because I make the bracelets in different wrist sizes. These pictures were taken at the Antelope Lion Club Craft Fair.

     The girl who photobombed the first picture found a way to convince her mom to get her own snap bracelet.

     Last but not the least, this one is another highlight of my last year's holiday craft fair. For years, I have made children get excited about these hand painted shells. I hope I can find time to make some more.

Jeffrey is already in fifth grade but he still enjoyed reading Frankie Loves to Burp. I asked him what his favorite part was and he answered, "Every part!" 

I was tickled pink to find out that Ayla's favorite book is The Magic Paintbrush. I am also thrilled that she started going to Kindergarten last month after enjoying her trip to Disneyland, a dream come true from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
​
If I had a magic paintbrush like Alexa, one of my wishes would be to make her free of cancer. May she have many more years of laughter, fun, and adventures with her family and friends. If you want to follow Ayla's struggles and triumphs, here's her Facebook page - #Aylastrong        https://www.facebook.com/groups/1559799374338373/