It has been a long time coming…forever, it seems.
It was November of 2014, when Tim whisked me and my mousie Eliza off to NYC
for the 1st performance of the season,
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, performed by the New York City Ballet
in the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center.
It was before Eliza visited Rachel Ashwell's The Prairie, in Round Top, Texas...
Her Tutu and Tiara were brand new and crisp and the little silk ribbon ties were tied in neat little bows.
These days, she's a bit shabbier …but it suits her…
she's comfortable in her own mousie skin.
So finally, her story of that wonderful adventure to New York City is coming to life.
On the 4th of July, the inspiration for the cover came, and I retreated to my Storybook Studio.
Tiny fraser fir branches and a grapevine wreath….
and pinecones….
I worked feverishly…knowing that this book needed to be ready for Christmas,
which meant it needed to be ready for the shows and sales and events in the fall…
so friends could actually HAVE the book for Christmas..
Which meant, I had to get busy.
Eliza seemed relieved when I informed her I was working on the very last illustration…
for the very last page of the story.
And so she didn't mind posing one last time.
She's been so patient….
And then, yesterday, as I was adding the final touches, we received the phone call.
I could now add two letters after her name and alongside her image.
™
A Trademark …Eliza the Mouse™ now has a trademark.
This means that she is protected.
It also means there are so many possibilities down the road, for her.
This verse seemed fitting for the Doily Page of the new book..
It is with a happy heart that I announce to you our little book is ready for pre-ordering!
The 52 page tale, in its white matte laminate hard cover, will measure 6"x9"
(Pictured below, is the title page)
I have prepared the pre-order listing in my Etsy Shop
if you would like your book personalized and autographed.
The first 50 copies will be signed and numbered.
When the book goes to printing, I am certain Amazon will also provide a pre-order feature,
as they did with the Prairie book.
Once again, Thank you for your Support, Your Patience, and Your endless comments, emails, cards, and messages of encouragement. Those are the things that keep me going.
Blessings, friends.