Vendor's Market and Treasures that Didn't Make it Out of My House

This past weekend I had the pleasure of being a part of a wonderful vendor's market at All Through the House & Red Barn Mercantile in Okotoks, AB.

If you know me you will also know that I am an absolute FREAK for anything antique, vintage, industrial, shabby chic or rusty so this event was the perfect place for me to show my wares and make connections. It was an stellar day of meeting wonderful new people who have the same passion for all things old and pretty as I do (not to mention it was pretty darn cool to make some money to help feed my treasure hunting addiction as well.)

This is my booth at the market. Of course Monika and Karin from All Through the House and Red Barn Mercantile had everything organized and were amazing hostesses.

Sometimes when I find treasures there are a few that definitely wouldn't break my heart if they didn't sell. That little iron doll bed has found a home with me. I loved it from the start and don't know how I could have ever thought I could live without it. It's probably why I didn't try super hard to sell it. MINE!!! That orange chair stayed with me as well. I have visions of it painted red or cream with a French pattern or burlap coffee bag cushion added for comfort. MINE!! And for some crazy reason I have grown attached to the two colorful bird pictures with the black frames. They just grabbed me. MINE!! Also, three of those antique wooden radios have been claimed for my home. YAYYY!!

I love hunting for treasures and always items are purchased with the intention of reselling them to a good home, BUT sometimes these treasures don't even make it out of my house again because I really have fallen in love with them.

 This large gold plaster frame went directly from a flea market to my bedroom. It is now hanging lovingly beside another gold plaster frame. They will live happily ever after.

 NEVER do you find a complete wash set with a pitcher, basin, shaving cup, soap dish and cup. How could I possibly let these beauties go? Yep, had the same issue with the pretty chamber pot and salesman case as well.

 I have decided that I need to start collecting ironstone. Don't know why, but I love it. This milk pitcher and bowl are the perfect start to my collection.

 How could anyone walk away from these cute inkwells. They are a family and it would just break my heart to separate them. This grouping is from The Netherlands.

This one is gorgeous!! She was all alone at the same flea market I purchased the gold frame from. Nothing this pretty should ever stand alone. That's why I saved her and I believe she is very thankful.

Ya...I seem to keep some of my finds as rewards for a job well done. I put a lot of hours looking for just the right things to add to my collection and OH, add to my goods for sale as well. Just feeding my addiction.

My Interview with Simon Rose from Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook

An interview with Vanessa Canevaro

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was raised on a farm outside of Muenster, Saskatchewan and have been writing since the age of six and have absolutely fallen in love with the whole process. I am a history fanatic and love when a piece I am working on involves historical research and study. My life is absolutely amazing as I am the mother of 3 young men and the wife of a most supportive husband. I believe that books should be full of imagination and take a reader to places they have never been.

What is your latest published work?

My latest published work is Zero the Superhero – a first novel for ages 6-8.

Where do you get your ideas from?

All my children’s books ideas have come from life with my 3 sons. Believe me; having 3 boys has given me lots of material.

What are you working on right now?

I have three projects on the go right now. My first full length adult historical fiction novel Of Lions and Lambs is currently in its final stages of the editing process and will be released in 2013 and I’m working on part two of this series, The Devil’s Redemption. Book two, Zero the Superhero, The Island of Mr. No! is also in progress.

Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring authors?

Do what you love to do and dabble in different genres because you don’t want to limit yourself. If you want to write a children’s book, do it. If you want to write a book of poetry, do that! A writer’s limit is only the limits the writer puts on herself.

Do you have a crazy story about an aspect of the writing life, perhaps from a school visit or event?

I was at a funeral in my hometown and a lady came up to me after the mass and asked if I was Vanessa Canevaro, the author. That was the first time someone had recognized me from my picture on the back of my book, I Want a Dragon and I have to say it was pretty awesome. I did receive a letter from an 8 year old girl asking if there is a book two to I Want a Dragon, she said the ending ‘haunts’ her, that was cute.

Is there anything else you'd like to add, such as a website or blog?

www.vanessacanevaro.com, www.vanessacanevaro.ca

Holy Moly it's Been a Long Time Since I Posted!!!

YIKES!!! I didn't realize it has been such a long time since I last posted on my blog. 

So, I guess now that spring has sprung it's time to clear the winter cobwebs from my brain and start getting to my blogging again. Sheesh, November was my last post. Whoopsy :)

My amazingly awesome editor Ricki has been busy editing my novel, Of Lions and Lambs and I am so EXCITED!!! Only two chapters left and it will be finished. This novel has been 2 1/2 years in the making and finally it is so close to being completed. YAYYY!! Now, all I have left to do is finalize the cover (which I think I have already done thanks to an incredible artist, Daniel) and send that baby off  to Smashwords  because I plan to release this novel as an eBook first, I think. Maybe.

Actually, I am undecided what I should do. On one hand I would love to have that baby as a thick paper book. The kind of book one can really dog-ear and high-lite all the great parts in. But, on the other hand launching as an eBook first is so much easier. Let's just say I am undecided and go with that.

I have also started book 2 of this novel series, The Devil's Redemption. Actually, I have two different outlines going for this book, sooooo...yaaaaaa. I'll see where this ends up.

Lately, I have been getting the urge to go junking. I absolutely love the hunt for old rusty-rustic things and with spring comes everyone's need to get rid of all their great junky stuff. I just can't wait to see what treasures I find waiting to be brought home to add to my decor or repurposed or sold again to feed my trash to treasure addiction.

Spring is a funny time for me. It's like anything is possible in the spring. I guess that's because with spring comes rebirth of the Earth and with that brings the feelings of new hope. It's never too late to start over or do a redo of your life. Life is sort of funny that way, it can take you one direction and then totally turn you around and lead you down another path. That's the great thing about life it's yours to chose, so there is always hope.

Peace out!!

Christmas Decor 2012

Such an exciting time!! Christmas is right around the corner and the decorations are already up. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am a Christmas FANATIC!! I love absolutely everything about Christmas and the feelings that go with it. All the Mason jars have been strategically placed around the kitchen with white lights in or behind them to give that special festive glow and flameless candles are spread throughout the living room for a Christmas hue.

Book Signing Events

Come join me and my books 'Zero the Superhero' and 'I Want a Dragon' at Chapters Chinook at the Chinook Mall in Calgary, AB. 'Zero the Superhero' - Saturday November 3, 11:00-3:00, and 'I Want a Dragon' - Sunday November 4, 11:00-3:00.

 

WHAT? THERE IS A DRUG THAT MAY ELIMINATE CANCER AND BECAUSE THERE IS NO MONEY IN IT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES DON'T WANT IT?

This absolutely BLOWS MY MIND! CTV News did a report on a cancer drug DCA, that could very possibly cure cancers such as brain, breast and lung cancer.  Because the drug has no patent and any drug company can produce it, no pharmaceutical company wants to touch it because it will not make them money.

An estimated 186 400 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Canada in 2012, with an estimated 75 700 deaths caused by the disease. And, because there is little money to be made in this possible cure, a drug that can be bought in bulk by universities, pharmaceutical companies do not want to produce it.

CTV News report on DCA

I did not believe that in this progressively thinking and health conscious era a price could actually be put on a person's life. Apparently I am wrong. Because there is not a buck to be made in saving the lives of millions, millions will suffer. How sad!

The Perfect Book Cover

Today I am working out ideas for the perfect cover for my historical fiction novel, "Of Lions and Lambs".

This is an integral part of the whole publication process because the book's cover can actually make or break a book's saleability factor. The cover must have important "grab and buy" appeal, must be eye catching and give the reader a brief understanding what the novel is about; so color, graphics and the overall presentation is imperative when creating this masterpiece. I'm all about the shiny, sparkly, jazzy take-advantage-of-my-A.D.D. type-book covers, but is this typical for all? Children's book covers must be fun, bright and active, but what about adult novels?

What do you look for when grabbing a book off the shelf? Before you even get the chance to read the back cover blurb, what draws your attention to the book? Is it the color? The picture? Or just the author it is written by?

Eye catching, colorful, fun

Bright, dynamic, exciting