Calendar Girl…
I have been a wee bit distracted with a little project over the past week or so…
my folding basket is erupting like Vesuvius
and my garden is crispy at the corners
and my patio is ankle-deep in leaves
to prove my level of distraction.
Sometimes my life just like totally gets in the way of my ‘art’…
or, as my hubby likes to call it:
‘are you still on that computer?’
.
I asked a little while ago if readers thought I should put together a calendar of Bush Babe shots – images of some of the strange characters, amazing outlooks and breath-taking action from my life here in rural Australia. And apparently you thought I should.
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I asked a little while ago if readers thought I should put together a calendar of Bush Babe shots – images of some of the strange characters, amazing outlooks and breath-taking action from my life here in rural Australia. And apparently you thought I should.
All 25 of you… heh!
.
Now I am not expecting to do a Pioneer Woman here, and hit the New York Times best-seller list (*applause, applause*) but it would tickle me to know that someone, somewhere, is enjoying a ‘Bush Babe moment’.
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Now I am not expecting to do a Pioneer Woman here, and hit the New York Times best-seller list (*applause, applause*) but it would tickle me to know that someone, somewhere, is enjoying a ‘Bush Babe moment’.
Perhaps they might find themselves smiling at a cheeky goanna, as I did when I shot this fellow (with a Nikon) on a drive through the paddock one day.
Or gazing in awe at a massive wedge tail eagle slowly lifted
from the burnt-orange dirt road,
as I did when travelling with my family late one afternoon.
Or even admiring the saturated hues of a red-fruited cactus
Or even admiring the saturated hues of a red-fruited cactus
against a vivid blue sky,
as I did while exploring with Mr Incredible one day.
In my (overactive) imagination, this calendar might infiltrate
In my (overactive) imagination, this calendar might infiltrate
some corners of my home state (Alpha or Redcliffe or Atherton),
trickle through some mailbox elsewhere in my country (Adelaide or Perth or Tassie),
and maybe even find its way into some far-flung wall of a home
in Pennsylvania or Paris or Tulsa or Montreal.
.
How utterly COOL would that be?
(Heck, I’ll be stoked if Dash’s teacher comes good on a order for one!)
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I admit that I have been a little obsessed with this project (those around me here will testify to this unreservedly) and I managed to chose most of the month’s images based on those you suggested here and here.
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I admit that I have been a little obsessed with this project (those around me here will testify to this unreservedly) and I managed to chose most of the month’s images based on those you suggested here and here.
(Thanks so much! What the heck would I do without you?)
.
The front page has caused a little more pain –
.
The front page has caused a little more pain –
and a whole lotta earache for my long-suffering hubby,
and random family members and hapless visitors to Granite Glen –
having morphed from this:
to this:
to this:
And then …
to this:
And then …
Mr Incredible (who bills himself as the ‘concept man’)
came up with this cracker idea:
He suggested I take a snap of my trusty battered Nikon
and add one of the favourite images from this blog.
It took some fiddlin…
but here ’tis:
You like-ee?
I reckon I married a keeper.
.
It’s being sent to the printers this week…
Any more advice peoples?
Lord knows I cannot make a decision on my own!
23 Comments
Debby
Good for you! If you want to make a button for ordering, I'll bet you that you have a number of readers who would be proud to put that order button on their blogs for you.
Mind you, I've no idea how to do such a thing, but I bet it can be done…
Mom L
Oh, wow, Mr. I is right on target! That is awesome. Oh, BB, I definitely need at least 2, but I'll have to see what the price is for the US!!!
Country Girl
I actually like BOTH the Australia covers. The sepia one is beautiful. The blue one is maybe more marketable.
This is excellent. Who is doing the printing, if I may inquire?
S. Etole
Yes, I came from way across the ocean and it was well worth the trip … what wonderful photos here.
Leenie
All good. My fav–number two. But recommed you drop the word BUSH for the Yanks. Kinda like us naming our kid "Willy" or using "root" all over the place to mean "cheer for and support" but gets snickers from the UK
Jenni
What a brilliant idea for the cover! I never would have thought of something like that. Good job, Mr. Incredible!
Jenni
Oh, and you too BB, but that was a given;o)
Cactus Jack Splash
Great idea
jeanie
Good to hear he is good for more than fritters!! 🙂
Kate
Love Mr. I's cover idea! It's really cool. And i'm excited for the calendars. I'm good for two at this point…unless i win the lottery 🙂
My good friend from here in Utah was just accepted into grad school in Sydney and i'm so jealous!! I looked at getting a job there but it's really hard to get a work visa. We'll see what happens.
At least i can have a bit of the Bush with me through your calendar!
traceelements
He's very clever isn't he! I like it.
I don't think the word Bush can be dropped, because that's just what it is here.
(The sad thing about the cover of a calendar is that once you hang the calendar you never see it!)
Looking forward to ordering it BB! Good on you for persevering with it, and good on Mr I for supporting you.
Jayne
W00T!!!
Love the last one suggested by Mr Incredible, it's really eye-catching and curious, well done on picking such a clever bloke 😉
If you have to drop the word "bush" from the cover use "outback" instead, it's instantly recognisable as having Aussie origins 😉
Elizabeth from the Gold Coast
BB you have done well in both the calendar stakes and the husband stakes….Spectacular art work.
Anonymous
Mr.I, great idea!
BB – When you get this whole thing rolling along steadly, concider choices (themes); 1. The bush, or 2. the wildlife (anamials not yours) or, 3. livestock, horses cattle etc. Just thoughts – Bill
Wendy
Go the Incredibles! What a team – great end result. I have to agree with a couple of my fellow commenters – Debby's button on the side bar is a great idea. Can it be linked to Paypal or something? I'm no techno wiz, but I think it would be a great incentive to hit Buy Now.
Pity too about the Bush connotation – however I think that is really the Australian term – and technically are the photos from The Outback? I guess you have to factor in where you are directing your marketing.
Well… that enough of me sprouting off! I think the calendar is a grand project and I can't wait till they are available. Will it really be for 2010? Get ready for some orders!!
Anonymous
That man is just full of surprises 😉 Will you be shipping to Canada??
signed
Theresa in Alberta (Canada eh)
Mikey
I love that last pic! Yep, he's a keeper 🙂 That was a great idea and just gorgeous 🙂 Make an order button!
BUSH BABE
Wow… what a lovely response!! Thanks guys – you keep me going, that's for sure.
Deb – I have taken your suggestion to heart and done up an order page here: http://bushbabe.blogspot.com/2009/10/bush-babe-calendar.html
There is a button at the bottom of the page for anyone who'd like to pop it in their sidebar. I will of course reciprocate links from the bottom of that page with a supporters list. Quid pro quo, my dears! (Anyone else think of faver beans when they say that?)
Mom L – you say the nicest things! Keep me posted on that grandchild of yours please!!!
Country Girl Kate – thanks – I am finalising that now. Could be an international printer – waiting for final quotes.
S. Etole – welcome and thanks!!
Leenie – thanks – you know I thought long and hard about this, but really, it's the name of the blog. And it really IS what Aussies call the country here – we just have to train y'all, is all. (I don't actually expect you to be re-trained, but perhaps it'll cause a smile before you open up to the month pages!)
Jenni & CJS – you are too kind!
Jeanie – oh he's good for lots of stuff. Fritters 'n' all!!
Kate – ta – and I'll have my fingers crossed for you!!
Trace – I agree. I'm stickin' with it!
Jayne – you are right. TECHNICALLY I wouldn't call Granite Glen the outback. We are too close to the coast (like only three hours drive). WHen the landscape gets really flat out at about Alpha and Jericho, I'd start calling it outback. Cause I am like TOTALLY technical. Heh.
Elizabeth – couldn't agree more with the hubby part. And appreciate the compliment. *blushes*
Bill – there is a selection this time – some landscapey, some animals, some action, some horses. So you don't get bored. Perhaps if this is a success, I might get 'thematic'.
Wendy – Thanks heaps. Your comments have helped me decide to stay with the final look. Time will tell if it works!!
Theresa – definitely shipping to Canada – including Canadian holidays too!
Mikey – kinda sorta done. Check link on sidebar or in Deb's reply above. Let me know if you can make it work.
Thanks everyone!!!
Hugs
BB
River
Is this going to be available in the shops or only by ordering through you? It's beautiful
Leenie
You are right, BB. Let them snicker. The calendar is a winner. Hope you can find someone good to market it. Whatever you do, don't get so successful that you quit blogging. There are a lot of us out here who would dearly miss our Bush Babe fix.
I have learned so much about your beautiful land. I did't know the dif between Bush and Outback. (well, there are all those restaurants with Outback on them, but that's another story). You've introduced me to bottle trees, goannas and a new kind of rodeo. I just thought Australia was the cradle of outrageously handsome men like Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Mr. Incredible. Not to mention talented ladies like Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchette and BB.
Scotty
Yep, Mr Incredible hit on a great idea for the cover, BB, I like it, and I'll be ordering one myself as soon as I can.
Congrats on a good job.
BUSH BABE
Scotty – thanks – and thanks for your order (too quick off the mark, and wins a bonus!!)
Leenie – stop it already! You are making me blush a storm up here … I really appreciate your feedback (and please don't ever hesitate to give me constructive negative feedback – I am tough!!). It was good to understand that the 'bush' references might need to be explained in Yanky land. And I shall do that more clearly. Oh, and I fear to ever meet you – I will be a sad disappointment in the movie star looks department!!!
River – Hello. Welcome. And yes. Just through me.
And to answer Bill here, I will try and jot a personal note on each calendar.
Reminder: the calendars are limited edition and I shall only re-order a batch if I get enough interest early on. If you'd like any for Christmas please don't leave it to the last minute!!
Thanks to everyone reading for showing interest in this project…
🙂
BB
zippo pine
This is such a wonderful calendar and 2 of them are on the way to switzerland