Happy New Book Birthday- French Country Cottage Christmas

My New Book is HERE!! It is book birthday for my new book French Country Cottage Christmas!

French Country Cottage Christmas Book

It is hard to believe that the Christmas book is FINALLY here! It has been a almost a year since we finished shooting for this book. After that there was editing and layouts and all the things that go along with putting a book together before handing it off to the printer. And when you hand it off- it is with mixed emotions for me. A book is like a baby. You nurture it and shape it and watch it grow into it’s own person. And when that baby is grown up- you have to let it go out into the world even if you aren’t ready.

Christmas Book

I always wanted to write a Christmas book. Did you know that? I love Christmas. I love twinkling trees and fairy lights and ambiance everywhere. I love the scents, music, family fun and all the magic that is in the house during the season. And I work with Balsam Hill- so decking the halls and being inspired by Christmas is my thing. But my agent advised against it when I mentioned it. Being that there is such a short season for Christmas books- it would not be considered a year round seller. But it just so happened that while my publisher and I were chatting about another book idea- they had a request for me to do a Christmas book. And my editor asked if I would be interested in working on a book about Christmas. I didn’t have to think about it. And so- we shifted gears and the Christmas book became the project.

A creative & quiet project

Can I just say that I absolutely love working on books? From start to finish- they are such a creative project that starts in one place and changes as you work on it. And though I have a vision or an idea of what the book should look like when I start- I also feel like as I am working on it, the book unfolds and shows me what it needs to feel complete or at least more complete. I am certain that drives my editor crazy. (I apologize Madge!)

I mentioned we started with 12 trees of Christmas for example- but…. that just didn’t feel like enough trees and enough different ideas. So 12 became 25. And honestly, when I first picked up a pencil and jotted down a chapter on the ’25 Trees of Christmas’ I looked at that and wondered if I was crazy. But I answered my own question when I nodded and said ‘yes, I am and I am also Christmas crazy and so, 25 Trees it is.’

During the over a year we worked on this book, there was also a lot behind the scenes that went on. Unlike a blog where I am sharing thoughts and projects as I work on them- a book is a more hidden project. I have so many behind the scenes stories and videos to share with you. And I cannot wait to share so much more about the book and about the stylings and trees that didn’t make it into the pages.

But today, it is all about welcoming French Country Cottage Christmas and sharing it with you all. Sharing a new book is such an emotional thing for me and my heart is definitely on my sleeve. This book would not be without you. I am so grateful for each of you being here and supporting me and my blog & my crazy ideas all year long. I hope that you enjoy this new book as much as I enjoyed creating it.

I would so appreciate a review on Amazon if you do enjoy the book- and would love to know your favorite tree or styling or inspiration if you found one in the pages!

Happy Wednesday!