Adventures of One Sock *Kickstarter~~ An Update to Perks*

Most of my readers know that right now me and the YuckMouth daddy are knee deep in trying to fundraise for his new book *Adventures of One Sock*

Thanks to some really great friends I have a new list of perks in addition to the ones that will be awarded by the KickStarter fund. They are listed as followed.

Katrina Moody of Kat's Media and More
Is donating -


For donations of $100 or more Katrina will create for you 1 full blog graphic package, with a custom header, blog button, social media icons, etc. Then for the first 5 people who donate $25 or more they will get a social media graphics or blog buttons customized!!

So if you know any bloggers or people who run websites and are looking for a new design share this with them!! Its extremely worth the price and then some!!

Cynthia G of  CGregoryRun
Is donating -

For every donation of $25 or more a barrette that she makes from her wonderful stash!


Myself from Jars By Lisa

Donating -

For every donation $10 or more is offering up either an extra fridge magnet or bookmark

I am super excited for whoever gets a new blog layout!! 

Adventures of One Sock ~~ We Found An Artist!

I'm writing the blog jointly with the YuckMouth Daddy today. We have something special to share with our readers. I actually have a lot to share with you all so expect a lot of blog posts in the next few days.

First of all our search for an artist has proven fruitful! We were searching for someone who wanted to work on this project, that would stay with us ongoing. While I was worried how the new look would clash with the old look, I knew that when we found someone it would just speak to me and the Daddy and especially to Racer. This is after all his book, about him and for all the kids and families of children who have Autism.  So who did we find?

Well her name is Natalie S. I have a small bio about her that I will share.

Natalie Silva is a graphic designer/illustrator with over 4 years of professional experience. She lives in Houston, Texas with her 3 very spoiled dogs. She graduated Suma Cum Laude in 2008 and has since worked on several book covers and various other design projects. She is excited to be illustrating her first ever children’s book. 

You can find more about her on her website www.natalieannsilva.com

I had sent her pictures of Racer and of the dog Rodger and this is the beautiful piece she came up with!

We loved it!! Racer loved it and it was the look and feel I was hoping for! So we are excited and pleased to be working with Natalie S.!!

During all of this we have started a new KickStarter fund to help us raise the money to finish off the second book. We're hoping to have it finished by Racers birthday as this years birthday present for him. Last year we got totally lucky and his book proof actually came on his birthday!

If you are at all inclined to please take a look at the KickStarter fund here. We'd love the support of the community to get this book finished and out on the market! There are a few perks to donating as well, in addition to what goodies you can get by donating on KickStarter I have also created some One Sock gear! 

 Each one of these are fridge magnets with two images from the book. For each $10 donation made to the book you will get your choice of one of these magnets, that includes free shipping!

I can change the colors of the puzzle pieces in the background as well as the letters! But by donating you can earn some free book gear!

I also have bookmark sized ones for every $3 dollar donation. Same look just smaller! So please donate, and share if you can't!  You can check us out on our new Facebook page Adventures Of One Sock and check out the One Sock gear at both the facebook page and also on my jar page Jars By Lisa

We more then anything want to share Racer and Autism with the world! Autism hasn't defeated us it has made us stronger and we want to share this with the world!

Thank you friends and Family and readers! Your support throughout our lives has been a blessing!

Looking For An Artist By The YuckMouth Daddy

Walking to school one morning my son Racer asks me when was there going to be another Adventure of One Sock book. I looked down at him and told him soon. It's not like I haven't been trying, the story for the next few books are in place but just the whole funding of the book. I tried Kickstarter not once but twice and both didn't work out as I thought it would of. The artist of the last book, told me she doesn't promote books only draws them. She also told me that since I was doing a kickstarter project for the "One Sock" series that she would also charge $110 per pic. I'm thinking to myself, "Whoa, wait a minute", this is a lot of money. Because it's a Kickstarter project the price goes up? The book would be even more money than what I asked for on Kickstarter.

The last Adventures of One Sock, did okay but only okay. It made my money back but nothing much more other than entertaining many kids from all over the world. I understand that artists have their prices and they should get paid for what their talents are. But we live in place where the economy isn't as great as people think it is. For me as an artist, I would work with one's budget if I was ever asked to do a writing gig for them. But that's me and I'm a team player, I enjoy creating and making things come to life on paper.

I remember looking for a artist to draw my children's book and so many wanted lots and lots of money. I wonder if people lose their way and forget why they do what they do. Is it for passion or is it for money? I understand people should get paid for their talents but when one is starting off, we should all work together and collaborate and help one another to that higher place. I'm a true believer in helping those who help me with my career. I met quite a few people who get something and once they advanced upwards forget about the people who helped them get there. I'm not like that; I like to brainstorm and network and help with others on their goals in life. It's a shame to see how others don't think the same way. I really liked the artist who drew the last "One Sock" book, and as did Racer. Since it was his life story on paper it was only fair to show him the many different styles of drawings before picking the one we finally chose. 

After this book came out I put out my security book "Life After Wrap", I thought about putting out another "One Sock" book, but wasn't too sure since it didn't get the same reaction as my security book did. Even though the book is about my son's life with Autism, I was told that my book wasn't Autism enough. Go Figure. Maybe the timing wasn't right, were in a process of finding a new place to live and settling in the new place that we did end up finding. Time on the internet was limited to me so networking with others was sort of hard for me, also the interaction with the Artist just wasn't there. Once she finished with the drawings that was it. It was more of a biz deal rather than a collaboration deal. Never heard from her about how's the book going or I really liked your book or anything.

On my 41st Birthday recently the YuckMouth Mommy told me I had to get another book out for Racer's birthday which is in August and do whatever I need to do to make it happen. The last "One Sock" book came out last year on Racer's birthday so having another book out this year would make my son very happy on his birthday. So lately I been playing around the iPad and figured out how to make movie trailers which I did my first for security book that I posted on Youtube.

This time around I'm going to do my Kickstarter correctly and hope that I do find the right people to help make this dream of not only mine but my son's come true. The new artist I hope to find should be very ambitious and creative someone who is willing to collaborate with the project and not afraid to spread the word with their contacts. I will be knocking on every door to get this book made. I learned a lot from the last children's book which was my first time writing. I'm more used to writing action, horror and violence. I learned to make sure the editor is going to check the errors correctly and make sure my book is not only good for me but that it will once again entertain the many kids it did the first time around. If you would like to be a part of this project feel free to hit me up or if you know anyone who does don't hesitate in leaving a message. I think Networking with others can bring many possibilities into a great project. Stay inspired everyone!

Cute As Can Be~ Lil Boo Books Review

We are a huge reading family, so when I was approached to review two books by Daddy Bookins I jumped at the chance.


Daddy Bookins has two books out, the first being Outside with Lil Boo and book two is At the Zoo with Lil Boo.

With his trusty elephant by his side Lil Boo sets out to see whats going on outside. The story is a catchy tale of all the things that Lil Boo meets and sees outside. From ants, to birds, bees and so much more. The illustrations in the book are cute and engaging.

 
At The Zoo with Lil Boo is the second book in the Lil Boo series. This time Lil Boo with his best friend Onote the Elephant is at the Zoo exploring after he finds a mysterious key. As they roam the zoo they encounter many animals and each one comes along for the journey. Tired and lost at the end of their travels they lay down for a nap, when Lil Boo wakes he finds himself in the car on the way home....was it all a dream?





Daddy Bookins is the founder of the Peas and Bananas blog, you should really go take a look and a read. I'm loving the blogs so far!!


I really enjoyed reading these books with my kids. They loved hearing what Lil Boo was going to get into next, and they could relate to all the things they see outside and at the zoo. So far we've been reading these two book daily. I would recommend adding these two books to your home library, so here is where you can buy your own copy.


The YuckMouths give this 5 thumbs up!

YuckMouth Daddy and the Kickstarter

Today I would be doing the Special Needs Ryan Gosling meme but you should totally go check it out. Today I'm bringing you something special from the YuckMouth daddy.


Here's his story:

Last year I started a Kickstarter project, and it wasn't a success. I'm trying again this year to kick off 2012 right with another children's book of Adventures of One Sock. 

One Sock are true tales of my son's life and every day living with Autism. It's an Adventure living with my son and I started this children's book to show awareness to other parents with or with out a special needs member in their family. Everyone loved my first book of Adventures of One Sock "The Lion", and I wanted to share another Adventure with you called "My Dog Rodger".  

I'm looking for help with donations to make this project happen. The money donated will go to the Artist who did a very awesome job in the first book, and to publishing cost so I can send this book to school Libraries and other venues so kids from all around the world can enjoy such a good children's book. Come be part of a great project and help support awareness!

See what happens when One Sock gets a new family member, a small scrunty dog name Rodger. One Sock doesn't like how Rodger chews everything even his favorite stuff animal, crocodile. Read how One Sock tries to figure out why puppies like too chew so much.

Here are the links to both the first book 

https://www.createspace.com/3673430

http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-One-Sock-Roy-Ruiz/dp/1466239530/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331318699&sr=1-1

This is the Kickstarter page

Adventures of One Sock is a good read for every child and parent who's still a child at heart.

Apps In Review ~ Ten Giggly Gorillas

Since getting an ipad the YuckMouths have been all over the app scene! Other then the learning apps that I have tons of we have really gotten into interactive books. Now my kids LOVE to read but there is something about a book that comes to life when you touch different parts of the book.

Today I bring you Ten Giggly Gorillas , its an app brought to you by Wasabi Productions. That link will take you to their facebook page. I find it super easy to see whats going on with an app and to keep in touch with developers by following them on their pages. Plus it gives you insight to whats next!

 That link will take you to their facebook page. I find it super easy to see whats going on with an app and to keep in touch with developers by following them on their pages. Plus it gives you insight to whats next!

Ten Giggly Gorillas is a cute story about ten gorillas in a tree, you tickle each one till there is one left. The story is cute and easy to follow along. It gives you an option to read alone or have it read to you. The narrators voice is awesome as is the gorillas voices! Each of the ten gorillas say something different when touched and keep a eye out for the hidden toucan!  In addition to the book there is a memory match game with pictures of the gorillas as the cards.

The YuckMouths have quite a few books on their ipad but since downloading this one its been in constant play. They can't get enough of it! I highly recommend this app!!

YuckMouths give this app THUMBS UP!!

CreateSpace~~~ Why I Love to Hate You and Hate to Love You

So despite our current situation we have been trudging along, doing stuff to help keep our heads above water.

I promise Jill those jars are going out this weekend.....I'm a totally jerk about it seriously.

So here it is the YuckMouth daddy wrote a childrens book! WooHoo and all that good stuff I couldn't be more happier for him. Its funny and cute and its about Racer, he's excited, I'm excited and so is the hubs! Read his stuff here and you can now find him here on his very own tab  YuckMouth Daddy Blogs!

Ok so he got the copy back from the artist and he was ready to slap that bad boy into CreateSpace. For those that don't know that is amazons free self publishing site, the site itself is pretty easy to navigate through it should have been a breeze.

Boy was I wrong.

So lets keep this short and sweet cause I could blog for days about how screwed up this process has been. From not being the right size, to not having the correct cover PDF, then the pictures not being the right DPI. I live in the land of acronyms and these pissed me off to no end.

He's had to go back to the artist 4 times to get to fix stuff, first off being how CreateSpace has a 24 page minimum and the book is 22 pages!! Took us forever to figure out that  that was the problem, luckily the artist fixed it and it was off to the next section. The cover.....ugh! Lets just say I didn't know that it had to be a wrap around image. So after reworking the cover image A MILLION TIMES, I finally got something to work for it. Finished the process and waited for the approval email which can take up to 48hrs.

I'd say the hubs was excited, nervous and giddy, I was tired and ready to put my computer through the wall. Since he isn't very techie, and I am only in the sense that I like to "pretend" I know what I'm doing, I sat in front of the computer trying to figure this crap out.

So cut to 5 emails later, each one saying "Hey stupid! You got it wrong AGAIN!!" (ok so they didn't say that but still.....)

A email about how the cover had to be a wrap around image, duh...to having to then create a new cover, to the book not being sized right....fixed it AGAIN. Then BACK to the DPI problem...meanwhile this all creates a new restart for the 48hrs approval.

I've never hated my computer as much as I have right now!! I may never want to see the inside of a email inbox AGAIN!!

Anyways lets close this horror story with a "happy ending" (no perverts...not the kind you get at some seedy massage place) He finally got a "approval" email, I jumped on the computer ready to sell the heck out of this book! Ummmmm no sorry now we have to wait a WEEK to get the copy approval sent to him, THEN we can sell the heck out of this book. But I'm not keeping my hopes up.....knowing CreateSpace we'll have like another 48hr wait.

So in closing.....this book was loving written by the hubs but blood, sweat and tears have gone into creating it. Not my blood of course, but the hubs blood cause I may have to stab him once this is all done.