Grace Lin Makeup

So, I admit that I occasionally google myself. And when I do, I usually come across a professional make-up artist by the same name. So, it seemed rather serendipitous that Alvina hired her for the wedding. And since I was a bridesmaid, I was going to get my make-up done too. Yes, I, Grace Lin Author/Illustrator was going to be made beautiful by Grace Lin Makeup!

And she definitely had her work cut out for her! The early mornings and late nights of Rain Dragon and the time change had left me rather haggard:

But about two hours later and with the labored efforts of not one, but three professionals:

I turned into this!

Grace Lin Author/Illustrator and Grace Lin Makeup!

I don't think Rain Dragon recognized me!

on my desk monday

I returned from LA to find this waiting for me in the mail:

It's a poster from a school I visited in February signed by all the students! Wasn't that sweet? I  miss doing school visits, though I am a bit worried about how I will juggle them and Rain Dragon when I return (already scheduling for Spring 2013!)

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
sand
shāzi
沙子

fortune cookie friday

"Sometimes silence is the best answer. "
-Chinese Proverb

Pocket Pacy in France and Sweden

Young reader Kaylin took Pocket Pacy to France and Sweden! If you recall, it was my own trip to France that inspired the first Pocket Pacy, so seeing these photos made me a little sentimental.

Here is Kaylin and Pocket Pacy at the Eiffel Tower:

Maybe she met the Pocket Pacy I left there!

At  Laduree:

yum!

Versailles:

I missed this teapot on my trip!

And Monet's Garden:

A bit more difficult to find than mine!

But this Pocket Pacy also got to go to Sweden! Here she is at the canals:

Lucky Pocket Pacy! Thanks so much, Kaylin!

Day in LA

With much trepidation, but much determination, the Sasquatch and I packed up the Rain Dragon for her  first airplane trip.  I was so afraid we would be the parents with the screaming baby that everyone gave the stink eye. But Rain Dragon was a little angel and slept the whole way, not crying once (though she did honor us with an incredibly poopie diaper).

good baby!

She slept so much that very early the next day she was ready to go and explore LA:

she's wearing the red shoes from hong kong!

We walked along the canals in Venice:

where a pair of ducks led us:

to a row of flamingoes:

past the starship enterprise:

to muscle beach:

to the storm troopers:

to finally...yes...A DRAGON!

Rain Dragon didn't see the likeness

By then Rain Dragon had seen enough and went back to sleep:

goodnight, baby!

on my desk monday

I know it's summer because our local farmer's market has opened again. The Sasquatch, perhaps out of habit, brought home these gorgeous lilies. In the light they are the color of the moon and remind me last summer when I was struggling with the rough draft of Starry River of the Sky.

Maybe these will inspire a new story. I hope so!

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
seashell
bèiké
贝壳

finished!

The wedding cake topper I made for Alvina's wedding is finished:

And she is getting married today! Happy Wedding Day, Alvina!

fortune cookie friday

"Do not believe that you will reach your destination without leaving the shore."
-Chinese Proverb

Pocket Pacy Picture of the Week

Young-Min would take Pocket Pacy to her grandfather's house. Isn't that sweet?

*Don't forget, you can win your own Pocket Pacy by doing a drawing just like this! See details HERE!

on my desk monday

I hope you've noticed that I'm going to be doing a booksigning in LA this Sunday! Because of Rain Dragon, I don't get to the west coast often and I don't think I'll be getting out there again soon (so please come to the signing!). In fact, the only reason why I am going this time is because my oldest friend in the world (meaning the person I've been friends with for the longest time, not her age!) is getting married! Yes, Alvina,  aka Melody from Year of the Dog, is getting married!  So, of course, for such an event I had to go! And because it's such a special event, I'm also making a personalized wedding cake topper for her:

This is really the first creative work I've done since Rain Dragon has arrived. She wants to be held all the time, so it's been a little challenging. However,  I've been making it work:

Maybe it will make the artwork even better! We'll see!

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
ocean
hǎiyáng
海洋

fortune cookie friday

It takes a year to make a friend, but you can lose one in an hour."
-Chinese Proverb

Pocket Pacy Picture of the Week

Tyler would bring Pocket Pacy to a volcano! That is an exciting adventure!

*Don't forget, you can win your own Pocket Pacy by doing a drawing just like this! See details HERE!

ten weeks later

Back in May, I posted about my last school visit of the year and walking at the the beach in Maine:

Before

Well, ten weeks have passed and I'm again taking a walk at the beach in Maine:

After!

on my desk monday

This sweet cherry hat was sent by my friends at the Elephant Trunk's Bookshop (Isn't that a great name for a bookstore?). I particularly love it as I have an affection for cherries (which is also why I adored the cherry swatch in the 100 Wishes quilt that my friend Barbara O'Connor contributed).  The hat is on my desk after Rain Dragon shrugged it off during a bout of restless sleep. But she was so cute while it lasted:

Thanks, Elephant Trunk's Bookshop!

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
parade
yóuxíng
游行

fortune cookie friday

"Words are mere bubbles of water, but deeds are drops of gold. "
-Chinese Proverb

Book Signing in LA

I'm making a very rare appearance on the west coast!

On Sunday, July 22nd author/illustrator Anna Alter and I will be signing books at Pages Bookstore in Manhattan Beach. Please come! Like I said, this will be a rarity--I don't make it out there that often and I don't think I'll be going out there again soon. Please spread the word!

 To make it fun, I'm going to give away five pocket pacys to the first five people who ask for them. Get there early!

 Sunday, July 22nd
 1:00 pm
904 Manhattan avenue
Manhattan Beach, ca 90266
 pagesabookstore.com
t: 310-318-0900 (if you can't make it, call & order a signed book!)

Pocket Pacy Picture of the Week

Jenna would take Pocket Pacy to see the Liberty Bell!

*Don't forget, you can win your own Pocket Pacy by doing a drawing just like this! See details HERE!

chasing rainbows

Around this time last year, I was at ALA, running around New Orleans. This year, I didn't go to the conference and I admit I felt a tad left out. So, instead, the Sasquatch and I packed the car (and Rain Dragon) for a weekend in Maine. As we left, it poured rain but by mid-drive a rainbow and a half began to appear:

It accompanied us the whole way:

And as we got closer to our destination, we began to wonder if we were actually going to find the end of the rainbow with its legendary treasure:

Guess, what? We did!

Rain Dragon at the end of the rainbow, the better than a pot o'gold!

on my desk monday

I'm finally writing my thank you cards for all the lovely baby gifts we've been receiving. Sorry they are so late!

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
vacation
jiàqī
假期