Refreshment & Curiosity for May 2024

May 16, 2024

Hello, Friends! and Welcome, Spring!

Summer Plans

My 5-year-old great-neice told me she’s been making a list of things to do this summer. So far, it includes swimming, the beach, and a tea party. She’s also been “working on writing a story” with pictures and she wouldn’t mind learning how to play the guitar or piano. How fun is that?!

It is easy for the summer to fly by and before we know it, the kids are back in school and the routines begin again. What thing or things might help you rejuvinate before it is time to turn focus toward the upcoming holidays?

Making time to use our creative juices can reduce stress and help our brains. Creativity comes in many forms – brainstorm until you find one you want to try this summer. You could join a class, group, learn online, or just find a quiet corner and experiment. This article begins with some great suggestions: The Art of Destressing: How Creativity Creates Less Stress

Do you have books on your “Unread Bookshelf?” Maybe you want to be intentional about taking time to read this summer. Once read, you can decide if you want to keep the book or pass it along to a friend or charity.

My “Summer Fun List” includes trying a new tea house in PA, making ice cream, taking an online calligraphy class I paid for several years ago but never watch, read a book on my unread bookshelf, Army Surgeon (published 1944) by Genevieve Fox, crochet some amigurumi cat lovies, continue illustrating my book (a mix of business with pleasure), eating ice cream, and enjoy spending time outdoors in PA. Oh, and maybe host a tea party for my “littles.”

What is on your “fun list” for the summer?

Aunt Kitten Book Update

Each time I think Keep Going, Don’t Stop can’t get refine anymore, someone gives me great feedback and I’m back to editing bits and pieces. I can’t wait for you to read it! As an example, the first few lines I shared last time have been changed to:

Sneek peek #3:

(Mama:)

Hippity skippity dippity bread
Time for bug breakfast so leap out of bed.

 (TreeFrog:)

Coming! I’m hungry! But after I’m done,
can’t I stay home and just play in the sun?

Thinking of camp makes my tummy flip flop,

Then my heart pounds and my legs lose their hop.

(Mama:)

I know it’s scary, there’s so much unknown.
You know Aunt Kitten, you won’t be alone.

Camp is a place to explore different skills.

You might find something that brings your heart thrills.

Some things will fizzle or drizzle or flop.

That is OK! Just keep going, don’t stop.

Illustrations

As with the text, my illustration style and even medium have changed!

If you’ve been around me for a while, you know that there are some young women in their 30’s, some that I’ve known since they were in 2nd grade. I refer to them as “My Girls.” Several studied art in college, including Nicole, who introduced me to watercolor pencils. She even came over to demonstrate how to use them. I’m smitten!

Here is an 18 second speed-painting video of Tree Frog “Hurkle-durkling” before he gets out of bed. I drew the picture in pencil, outlined it with a thin Sharpie, colored it with watercolor pencils, then smoothed it out and blended it with water. The sky was painted with watercolor paints.

I never thought I could draw or paint. Yet, the more I experiment and am courageous to play without self-criticism, the more I’m delightfully surprised at how much fun I’m having. What is your favorite creative medium? Have you tried something new this year?

Book Bonuses Question

As I look towards publishing my next book, I’m thinking about possible book bonuses to give as a thank-you gift to those who pre-order. What type of resources would be helpful to you or others who are interested in picture books? Some ideas are:

• A YouTube read-aloud video of the book
• An audio of me reading the book
• An audio of me reading the book including a sound for page turns
• Being entered into a drawing for a set of my two books
• A PDF of lists of picture books to read, organized by topic
• Coloring pages
• ???

Happy Summer Rejuvinating and don’t forget to include ice cream!

-Kristin Emily Friend 🐾

PS – Hit reply to this email or, if you are reading this online, leave a comment below. I’d LOVE to hear from you.

PPS – Reminder: There’s Only One You with Aunt Kitten is a great conversation and encouragement starter with the Littles in your life! It includes 4 copies of the below page to fill out. Available here on Amazon.