allsorts

I adore Zinio! (and no, it isn't a kind of pasta)

Super pretty room, right? It's from the February 2011 issue of Country Living UK magazine. And I didn't have to scrounge around for a back copy, I read it on my iPad through Zinio! It's a nifty app that opened up the world of magazines to me... especially the ones that are difficult (and expensive) to get here in Dallas. And they have back issues! This one was full of lovely photos, that of course look amazing on the screen. And it looks like Zinio can be used on Android as well, so that's good news for non-Apple folks.

I realize that there is a way to order some of these magazines through Apple's Newsstand, where they are even a bit less expensive. But I don't like the Newsstand interface or how magazines are organized on it, or how you buy through iTunes which is frustrating to search, as everything gets jumbled up together. So until they sort that out, I'll happily stick with Zinio.

It's been awhile since I mentioned that I once livied in London. It was only for a year, but it left a lasting impression and cemented my affinity to Britain. The Brits have a fantastic eye for color, and a knack for creativity. So the ability to access these magazines is wonderful. I'm so inspired by them!

And it gets even better. Through Zinio I can even get Mollie Makes! When reports of this awesome British craft mag began to appear on the internet, I was crushed to learn that it wasn't available in the US. Well, it's on Zinio! So now I am one extremely happy pupster! (picture me dancing a jig)

Oh yay, the latest issue is out! Now you know what I'll be doing today. Well, along with choosing paint colors for the kitchen/laundry/den/study... yikes. Reading a magazine sounds much more fun.

Cheers,

Jenny

ps - anyone know if I can get Cath Kidston wallpaper in the US?

Remember Zoe? Now she's an interactive ebook!

This has been a day of learning for me. I figured out how to shoot video with my iPhone, how to get it onto YouTube, how to embed it in a blog post, and here it is! I decided it was the best way to show my latest interactive book for iPad. It features Zoe, my little rag-doll alter-ego and her annual indecision over what to wear on Halloween. And you get to hear my squeaky little voice! I swear I'm older than the 8-year-old I sound like. Ack. Maybe my next book should be about mice.  :o\

As you see, it's called On Halloween, and is available to buy online now by following this link --->On Halloween<--- And you can find my other interactive books there, too. A couple of them are even free!

So... a little more info. I'm still using (and very happy with) Interactive Touch Books online book-building tool to assemble and publish my projects. If you write and illustrate, and have a notion to publish a children's book on iPhone or iPad, you should seriously look into it. Zero cost, you get 70% of net sales, and no waiting for Apple to approve. It works like magic. Oh, and I just sold my 1000th book!

Winning!

Jenny

Alphabets, pirates and other sources of stress

Today I browsed the Vintage Children's Books pool on Flickr for alphabet books and found some real cuties. This one has the cutest text and inside illustrations...

And this one is a Pirates Alphabet. I wonder what arrrrrr is for...

Ah, arrrrrr is apparently for ring-tail monkey...

Great artwork, clearly this one was much loved in it's day...

More graphic letters. These would make great drop caps...

And I must offer an apology (again... I seem to do this a lot) for the gap in posts. There's so much going on right now! We're planning a big remodeling project, to finally address all the things we've meant to do since we first moved in. It's exciting but of course I'm dreading the disruption. Not to mention that we're incorporating much of our storage into usable space, so I've got to get rid of a ton of stuff. But in the end I am hoping sure the result will be well worth it. The part that I'm the most excited and freaking out about is that my current studio will be converted into a library/office and I will have to move every little thing upstairs to my new studio space. And if you've seen a photo of my studio you will realize what a daunting undertaking that is going to be.

And on top of that I'm switching computers, and learning Photoshop CS5, and continuing to work on interactive books! It's enough to make me run screaming into the street, except it is 105 degrees out. I'm not crazy, you know. 

In light of my stress level, I could use some suggestions for some lovely relaxing escapist books to read! Any ideas? Something that takes place in England maybe? In fact any place cooler than here would be wonderful!

Cheers,

Jenny

Ahem... presenting my newest ebook ~ Bunnyfur Imagines!

I am giddy-happy to announce the launch of my latest ebook! It is called Bunnyfur Imagines and I am really excited to spill the beans, as it occupied my time for the last several weeks (and had to be put on hold while I was ill). Longtime readers may recognize Bunnyfur and her outfits from my web site. I took that as my starting point and created this fun interactive story app for iPad and iPhone. Now Bunnyfur has her own sweet little cottage...

And you can dress her up and see her in the cheery scenarios she imagines.

I even created some more outfits for her, and gave each page lots of fun interactions.

Like my other two enhanced ebooks (Bunnyfur's Easter Eggs and Who Loves a Little?), I created this one entirely myself using the Interactive Touch Books web-based interface! With every book I make with it, I learn more things that I can do with my books. It is an awesome site, and it's free to use! Is that cool or what?

So anyways... here's how to find my latest book:

1) Download the ITB app from iTunes (click here) and load it onto your iPhone or iPad (skip this step if you've already downloaded it)

2) Launch the app on your device, select "Bookstore" and you'll find my books there!

I hopehopehope you and your favorite little ones have lots of fun with Bunnyfur!

Cheers,

Jenny