Saturday, January 7, 2012

One Book Made It!!



Well, this may well be the longest adventure yet! In 2010 the Next Chapter Book Blogging Group tried our first ever mail-around! Together we set out to explore The Happy Book
by Meg Leder and Rachel Kempster, both of whom encouraged us with enthusiasm. (You can hear my interview with these lovely ladies here.) The Happy Book is an interactive delight, full of prompts to share pictures, drawings, poems, memories and reminders of where we find joy. What a perfect book to share.

Interest was so high that I created four mailing circles with participants in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany and the Philippines. With loving care, my friend Danette even followed up on the book, checking to see where it had arrived, ensuring the receiver knew here it was supposed to go next. (See, I've seen quite a few mail-arounds that... um... well, never made the "around" part.) Eventually it became clear that the plan was really ambitious and that life, well, life has its own plans.

But even so, through all the distance, through all of the challenges, through all the things life threw our way...

One book made it home!


Thank you to everyone who added their joy to the adventure, whether it was in this book or in one that is still roaming or whether you joined in for our Friday happy check-ins. It really is true what they say: shared joy is doubled joy. Thank you for all the smiles.

If you're ready for more creative adventures, you can always find me at Jamie Ridler Studios. I love to see you!

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Happy Book: Complete

Our journey through The Happy Book is now complete. Please sign up for my newsletter using the sign-up form on the left to find out about The Next Chapter's next adventure. We'll be playing our way through another book in the summer and would love to have you on the adventure!

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Happy Book: Wrapping Up



What we're sharing this week: Happy Book Book Log Page 102 plus what's made you happy this year? Let's wrap up this year-long adventure by sharing the highlights of joy we've experienced in 2010!

And a very special thank you to Danette, Our Happiness Assistant

Working with this intoxicating special Agent of Mirth has been a delight! Danette brings a special magic to all that she does, including keeping the four flights of happy dancing across this globe. Danette has a signature laugh and I just know that when the books arrive in my mailbox, we'll all be hearing that beautiful sound rippling through the airwaves. Thank you, Danette, for being such a shining star on this happy journey.

Checking in on the Mail-Around: Where are the books this week?

Bliss: Mercedes in Georgia has the Bliss book!
Giggle: The Giggle book is with Helena in Toronto!
Mirth: breedale in North Carolina has sent the book to justdeezart in Pennsylvania!
Glee: The Glee book is with Sara at Soulspackle in New Hampshire!

When the books make it back to my mailbox, I'll be sending out an email to everyone involved in the mail-around to say, "They're back!" I'll be sure to share pictures and video of how the books have blossomed through their journey!

Be a part of the next Next Chapter!

I'll be running another book club in the summer of 2011. To be sure you don't miss out on the adventure, please sign up for my newsletter in the subscription box on the left. We're going to have fun!

Let's Share Our Happy Adventure!

Friday, December 3, 2010

The Happy Book: Week 15



What we're sharing this week: What would Joan Jett Do? Page 96
The coming week's assignment: Watch the video for more details.

Checking in on the Mail-Around: Where are the books this week?

Bliss: Mercedes in Georgia has the Bliss book!
Giggle: Helena in Toronto is getting ready to send the Giggle book!
Mirth: breedale in North Carolina has sent the book to justdeezart in Pennsylvania!
Glee: Sara at Soulspackle New Hampshire has the Glee book!

Let's Share Our Happy Adventure!

Friday, November 26, 2010

The Happy Book: Week 14



What we're sharing this week: Our favourite recipes.
The coming week's assignment: Watch the video for more details.

Checking in on the Mail-Around: Where are the books this week?

Bliss: The Bliss book is with Mercedes in Georgia!
Giggle: Helena in Toronto has the Giggle book!
Mirth: breedale in North Carolina has sent the book to justdeezart in Pennsylvania !
Glee: sm8del in Pennsylvania has sent the book to Sara at Soulspackle in New Hampshire!

Join in Anytime!

It's never to late to join in with The Next Chapter! All you have to do is sign-up in the box to the upper left, get yourself a book and play along!

Let's Share Our Happy Adventure!

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Happy Book: Week 13



What we're sharing this week: Tourist in Your Own Town. Page 160.
The coming week's assignment: Watch the video for more details.

Checking in on the Mail-Around: Where are the books this week?

Bliss: Mercedes in Georgia has the Bliss book!
Giggle: The Giggle book is with Helena in Toronto!
Mirth: breedale in North Carolina has the Mirth book!
Glee: The Glee book is with sm8del in Pennsylvania!

Join in Anytime!

It's never to late to join in with The Next Chapter! All you have to do is sign-up in the box to the upper left, get yourself a book and play along!

Let's Share Our Happy Adventure!

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Happy Book: Week 12



What we're sharing this week: Dorothy's Shoes. Tell us about your favourite shoes! Page 113
The coming week's assignment: Watch the video for more details.

Checking in on the Mail-Around: Where are the books this week?

Bliss: The Bliss book is with Mercedes in Georgia!
Giggle: Helena in Toronto has the Giggle book !
Mirth: Karen D in New Jersey has sent the book to breedale in North Carolina!
Glee: The Glee book is on its way to sm8del in Pennsylvania!

Join in Anytime!

It's never to late to join in with The Next Chapter! All you have to do is sign-up in the box to the upper left, get yourself a book and play along!

Let's Share Our Happy Adventure!