Grace Lin's Blog, page 117

deck the halls...

with birds of jolly!

With our past year's origami ornaments mysteriously missing (perhaps accidentally recycled!) I decided that the decorations of this year's tree should be a bit more durable. So when over the summer, my friend Anna purchased these strings of birds:

I had my Christmas tree inspiration!

With a little internet research I found this lovely (and FREE) pattern from Spool and began to sew (by hand still because I am scared of my sewing machine). It made me quite happy. I used up leftover fabric from my computer case, wedding and old clothes--that bright red fabric with the white flower is from a 70's dress of my mother's!



I let Squatchie stuff the birds which is why they are so plump. I think some of them look like dolphins. But they still looked nice on the tree, don't you think?


fa la la la, la la la LA!

book talk tuesday

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER by Barbara Robinson

IndieBound Description: The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

My Thoughts: This is a funny book that you can't help but be a bit touched by at the end--the perfect book to read while holiday traveling!

on my desk monday

Mailing prints for customers at my etsy shop! Yay! Thanks so much for your patronage!

(by the way, if you wanted to buy one of my prints or get a personally autographed book for Christmas, you should probably order today so that it gets to you in time)

fortune cookie friday

"Better to go than to send."
-Chinese Proverb

all is brighter

This is the only house on our street really gets into the Christmas spirit. Every year it is so bright that I am convinced it more cannot be done to it. But I am always wrong.

fudge factory

Every year, I try to make homemade sweet treats as holiday thank-you gifts to the publishing people who worked on year's past books and/or the new year's upcoming books. All authors know that even though there is only one or two names on the front cover, books are really group efforts. And usually really important contributors like copywriters and designers are easily forgotten. I try to remember them at least once a year!

Though, most likely, these publishing people would probably prefer I use the time I spent baking to actually finishing my work (since I always seem to be late), but when the treat is for them they can't complain--right? Ha, ha! It is really my devious way of fitting in some holiday fun!

This year, enamored with mentions of fudge making in some of my children's books (most recently "Adopted Jane" by Helen Daringer)I was determined to make fudge.

However this was a bit tricker said than done. After failing with a traditional recipe, I decided to use Martha's Stewart's Foolproof Fudge Recipe. With my friend Ranida, we achieved success!

And began our little fudge factory, working late in the night like elves!

creating an endless supply of both white and brown chocolate fudge:

Unfortunately, because it took me so long to perfect the fudge I wasn't able to spend as much time on the decorative label and the packaging wasn't as colorful as years past, but I still think it's fun:

And if you get my newsletter, you can download the label to use yourself!


Hope your holidays are sweet!

book talk tuesday

ALL OF A KIND FAMILY, by Sydney Taylor

IndieBound Description: Meet the All-of-a-Kind Family -- Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie -- who live with their parents in New York City at the turn of the century.

Together they share adventures that find them searching for hidden buttons while dusting Mama's front parlor and visiting with the peddlers in Papa's shop on rainy days. The girls enjoy doing everything together, especially when it involves holidays and surprises.

But no one could have prepared them for the biggest surprise of all!

My Thoughts: It was only as an adult that I learned that this book (the

on my desk monday

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon in Chinese! I'll have to get my Mom to read it!

fortune cookie friday

"The miracle is not to fly in the air, but to walk on the earth."
-Chinese Proverb

Ling and Ting paper dolls for you!

I'm so thrilled there has been so much good news recently for Ling & Ting (as well as a New York Times Best 2010 Notable Children's Book, Ling & Ting is a a recommended holiday gift by the San Francisco Chronicle)! I truly hope this book finds its way into the hands of many young readers for the holidays!

As an added incentive, I've made a special activity to accompany the book. Here are some Ling & Ting Paper Dolls! These paper dolls are ready for you to color and cut and are completely FREE. It is my small holiday gift to you!

Hope you like everyTING and everyLING!

Just:
1. download HERE !
2. print (preferably on a lightweight cardstock)
3. color (any way you want!) & cut
4. dress! fold the clothes flaps over Ling and Ting and let them wear their warm winter booties or their party dresses!

fyi, these paper dolls are for personal enjoyment only and copyright remains with the artist. aka, print and play as much as you want, but print and sell is wrong.