Dreaming of Dresses Book Launch ...

The June 28th Book launch for my daughter's debut children's book 

Dreaming of Dresses was everything Kate and I could have imagined and hoped for and so much more!

We are so grateful for the love, hugs, support, kind words, flowers and notes from family and friends .

It was a very emotional afternoon.

Being surrounded by those we love made the day more than just to celebrate Kate's book.

It was the meaning behind the book! That we are all connected and so much stronger together.

 

Creating these "photo frames" is becoming a bit of a tradition for me now.

I absolutely love painting them!

Here we are with the publisher of Dreaming of Dresses Marcia Allyn who owns Twin Horseshoes Publishing.

There were lots of fun moments leading up to the book launch including doing a live IG where Kate spoke about writing Dreaming of Dresses and I spoke on illustrating it!

This has all certainly taken me out of my "comfort zone" as public speaking has always been something I've shied away from! Getting braver the closer I get to 70 :-)  

Yesterday my husband & I spent the day in NOTL where we had tickets to see the play

"Wait Until Dark".  This is one of my favourite Audrey Hepburn movies and when we saw it was playing at the Shaw we purchased tickets immediately.

It didn't disappoint ... absolutely fantastic! 

When we arrived home I had a package waiting for me.

Marcia had very kindly sent me this fabulous water bottle!

💝

Many thanks to all who made the Dreaming of Dresses Book Launch a day we will always remember!

Dreaming of Dresses Author: Kate Dunn

Dreaming of Dresses Illustrator: Deb Dunn

Publisher: Marcia Ally - Twin Horseshoes Publishing

Photographer: Sidra Gul Photography

Venue: Eva Rothwell Centre 

Book Launch ...

With the book launch next month of

Dreaming of Dresses 

happening soon, I thought I would take this time to share some information about the venue.

The Eva Rothwell Centre is a community hub in which my daughter Kate (author of Dreaming of Dresses) is a board member.

It provides valuable resources, support and care for its community members, in particular children and teens.  Their literacy and education programming are what encouraged Kate to become a board member in January 2019.

Dreaming of Dresses will be added to their "imagination library" collection this summer in anticipation of their summer programming and camps.

Dreaming of Dresses Book Launch

Saturday, June 28, 2025

2-4 pm

Eva Rothwell Centre

460 Wentworth Street North

Hamilton, Ontario

Light refreshments will be served and there is both parking on site and street parking available.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

With gratitude and love,

Kate & Deb

 

Dreaming of Dresses . . .

My daughter Kate has had her first children's book published!

I had the great privilege to be the illustrator of this beautiful story. 

 Dreaming of Dresses tells of friendship, kindness, and believing in your own unique abilities, strengths and dancing to the beat of your own drum.

Our book launch takes place

Saturday, June 28

2-4 pm

Eva Rothwell Centre

460 Wentworth Street North

Hamilton, Ontario

Life is meant to be lived with joy, purpose and authenticity.

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken"

~Oscar Wilde~

Lots of fun activities are being planned!

RSVP information can be found in the poster above ☝

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Birds*Buds*Blossoms*Beauty . . .

May ~ the month where each walk in the garden brings with it new surprises!

We love watching the Robins as they splash about in the birdbaths with such joy that they nearly empty the bath out. Heads dipped and wings spread, this bird knows how to turn bathtime into a sacred ritual.

And just like that .... our lovely old (and somewhat worse for wear) Purple Sand cherry tree is in bloom sprinkling our garden paths with confetti blossoms.

A pretty pot of pansies

and the ants tickling the peony buds telling them it's time to wake . . . 

I look forward to Peony season each year. It's such a short season and there is always the question of

do I pick a few for inside or just enjoy them in the garden? 

the tried-and-true annuals like Marigolds have been planted in the window boxes 

and the red Geraniums fill our urns 

"May ~ the very word makes the heart leap.

Birds. Buds. Blossoms. Beauty! ... "

Eva D Kellogg

May

Short lived but so pretty in our garden and filled with memories, as so many of our plants are, 

the lily of the valley has spread.  What started as one plant many years ago 

because I wanted to make my sons High School Graduation boutonniere, has turned into 

a huge, happy patch. 

Wishing you a May

filled with Birds * Buds* Blossoms & much Beauty!

d xo 

 

Dances with the Daffodils . . .

~Happy Earth Day~

***

Beautiful daffodils 

A gift from my grand Suns 

who brighten every moment

of every day 

On this wonderful sunny and (somewhat) warm day,

I thought they'd be happier outside & sitting in a garden urn

surrounded by pussywillow branches. 

 "Then my heart

with pleasure fills

and dances with

the daffodils"

~William Wordsworth~ 

Time & Season ...

I subscribe to a number of newsletters that I really look forward to finding in my inbox.

Filled with positivity, insight, uplifting words, inspiration for the week, quotes . . . 

Hum Yoga & Meditation based here in Ontario, Canada is one of my favourites and I absolutely loved

yesterday's "... three beautiful ways to connect with spring energy" story.

Sonja Den Elzen, shared tips on connecting with the energy of Spring.

One in particular I gravitated too, in fact, I grabbed my camera and macro lens and headed outside after reading the newsletter to put the idea into action. 😊

Sonja suggested choosing a tree to witness from bud to bloom. 

Observe its journey - how the buds begin to swell, the leaves unfold ....

Make it your Spring companion and visit it a few times each week to observe its journey.

What a lovely way to connect & reflect with nature.

I decided on my own little lilac tree to document, which sits outside my kitchen window.

This little tree has brought so much joy, colour and intoxicating aroma for over 30 years.

I found her at the end of the season, for less than $2.00 tossed to the "as is sale" at the back of the White Rose nursery.

She looked a bit worse for wear after a hot season, and all alone, so of course I knew she was coming home with me and going in our garden :-)  

Not only did she plant her roots firmly the moment she hit new soil, but she has also continued to bloom every year.  She has withstood many harsh winters & squirrels sharpening their teeth on her bark, and some years she's bloomed heavier than others, but she never disappoints! 

And . . .  *every year* without fail, when the lilac is in bloom, the yellow finch arrive in our garden!

I had never realized how beautiful yellow and lavender look together until I saw a finch sitting on a lilac branch! 

(you can find a photo in my "Photography" page)

A few little friends stopped by the moment they heard the sunporch door open...

So back inside I went for a handful of walnuts.

 And of course, had to take a few photos of them enjoying their treat.

"Nature gives

          to every time and season

       some beauties

       of its own"

        ~Charles Dickens~

 

Welcoming April ...

We had a surprise with the weather yesterday as it snowed!

A day late for April Fools . . .  but unexpected.

Today, while there are still patches of snow on our lawn, it's 20 degrees C .

~Walk the Earth~

Walk the Earth with gentle feet.

Nod your head to those you meet.

Keep your faith in God above.

And in everything you do, do with Love.

~deb dunn~

I found the loveliest sheer ribbon ~ the finishing touch needed for a collection of wooden Crosses I've just finished painting.

My thoughts written lightly in pencil on the cross before I begin to paint can be found on the back of the cross where I have handwritten it in white ink. 

They can be found in my little Vintage Sparrow Studio Etsy shop

(link in sidebar)

~The Rosary~ 

Bead by bead, seed by seed,

faith is shown in each good deed.

Each and every day, the wisdom sown

yields a life's garden of your very own.

~deb dunn~

~Joy~

He fills my life with Joy

Have a wonderful day

~ deb & the sparrows~