Yes, I'm getting into the holiday spirit early this year. Earlier than even October, as I'm actually writing this on Sept. 30, but setting the post time to just after midnight. Tricky. I know.
It's mostly in preparation for a very busy (and creatively challenging) week. My good friend Stacy Julian has just finished writing a brand spankin' new book—so new, it doesn't even have a name yet—but it's a companion to The Big Picture. And starting tomorrow, I have two weeks to design it. Totally excited to do it, and nervous at the same time. I'm always nervous at the start of any big project like that. You always wonder if you're really going to be able to get it done. And usually, you do. With flying colors.
My colors at the magazine are changing a bit, too. I'm stepping away from my managerial roles as creative director, and jumping back into the creative role as the Simple Scrapbooks' art director. Sometimes people read mastheads, and for those of you who do, fear not, it's all good. It means I get to do more focused creative work for the magazine. And that is the stuff that makes me happiest.
So here's to a busy week. And only 30 more days until I pull out the bee costume.
Don't even think of asking me to be anything else.
AnnB says
I’m such a dork — I thought it was cool that I would be the first to post a comment. Anyway, looking forward to the full body picture of the bee — wondering if I missed an earlier post explaining the significance of the bee, but thinking… probably not, just a new stream of thought & obsession that I SO love. -me
Erin says
I just have to post a comment to see if it dates for tomorrow… looking forward to seeing you as a bee!
Dalne says
No doubts that you will BEE a great arts director. Looking forward to new Stacey Julian book. Can’t wait to meet the SS girls down under.
Kris with a K says
Oh, I am so excited! A new book by Stacy, as a companion to BPS, AND you are designing it!
Holy cow I cannot wait!
Christine Campbell says
As a graphic designer, I totally get that. As a graphic designer who scrapbooks, you doing Stacey’s book thrills me to my toes. Can’t wait to see it!!
Lisa says
Good luck with the book design. When does the new SJ book actually come out?
Kim K says
Reminds me of the Bee Girl in the Blind Melon video…remember her?
Congrats on your new role as arts director! Would love to know how many hours go into the your design part of Stacy’s book? Weeks? Months?
When is it expected in stores? Must preorder!
I hope this doesn’t mean you’ll be too busy for your own “next book”?
elisabet says
This is probably dating myself but I’ve always wanted the bee costumes from the Love and Rockets ‘No New Tale’ video.
Good luck with the book Cathy!
Jenn says
Well, if this book is as well-designed and beautiful as Aby and Wendy’s book, then I’m sure it’ll be all good!
You rock, Cathy Z . . . in any of the colors you’re in . . .
Maria says
I am sure you will make the new book shine…like everything else you put your creative mind into! Okay, now I am sounding a bit too stalkerish (is that even a word?), but we knew that already, didn’t we? LOL. What a happy BEE costume. Love it! 🙂
suetreiber says
you never fail to bring a smile to my face.
Heather says
HELP! Can you pease tell me how you get YouTube videos to post on your blog? Is that a feature peculiar to Typepad? I can NOT get this to work on my blog at all (I use Blogger) and would so like to have the ability to post wacky stuff I see there, in its entirely, not just links.
Love the bee costume, btw.
Sue says
Hey-
Maybe you could attend a premeir of the new Bee movie with Jerry Seinfeld. If you wore the bee costume I bet you’d be a big hit. And Bonus you could embarass your kids!
sherryann says
Cathy, the bee totally works for you. Can I borrow it next year?
Heather Sinkler says
Will you still be writing a column for the magazine?
Dorothy says
Good for you on going back to be the art director. You’re so good with design it’ll be a waste of talent not to use it!
Kelli Johnson says
oooh new book…I am going to be all over it 😉
Sharon says
I’m so nerdy I don’t even blog – much less post comments but when I found yours (blog, that is) in a way round-about way (talk about your grandma words!), I just had to say thank you.
On one of my pages – can’t put my hands on it now, naturally – I directly quoted the introduction to your first book – not a crafty kind of gal – scrapbooking makes me happy. Thank you for saying what I feel – it doesn’t have to be perfect – I don’t have to do what the “experts” say (whoever they are) – it just makes me happy.
You go girl!
Sharon says
I’m so nerdy I don’t even blog – much less post comments but when I found yours (blog, that is) in a way round-about way (talk about your grandma words!), I just had to say thank you.
On one of my pages – can’t put my hands on it now, naturally – I directly quoted the introduction to your first book – not a crafty kind of gal – scrapbooking makes me happy. Thank you for saying what I feel – it doesn’t have to be perfect – I don’t have to do what the “experts” say (whoever they are) – it just makes me happy.
You go girl!
Sharon says
I’m so nerdy I don’t even blog – much less post comments but when I found yours (blog, that is) in a way round-about way (talk about your grandma words!), I just had to say thank you.
On one of my pages – can’t put my hands on it now, naturally – I directly quoted the introduction to your first book – not a crafty kind of gal – scrapbooking makes me happy. Thank you for saying what I feel – it doesn’t have to be perfect – I don’t have to do what the “experts” say (whoever they are) – it just makes me happy.
You go girl!
Heidi says
Well, now I really like that costume idea. I love wearing ears too. (do bees have ears? LOL)
Katie Graham says
Good luck with the book design, know it will be amazing. I’ve got a MAC question. We hauled our brand new MAC (first time users) with us to Africa where we are living for the next 6 months. I’m telling you it is a hard conversions from the old Windows stuff. Especially word. Anyway, I want to down load some fonts but I have had NO Luck downloading anything so far. Do you have any tricks? I don’t have an Apple Store in Johannesburg to go and ask questions, sigh!
Thanks.
Trude says
What a perfect photo for you! I was a bee the year before last – sooo much fun. Except the wings started getting more and more cumbersome as the party went on… 🙂
That’s awesome you get to be more creative-y at work. Ain’t no truer words than “Whatever makes you happy”.
Christine Villacarlos says
can’t wait to see you in costume, Cathy 🙂