tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523205754648995202024-03-04T23:08:57.585-08:00Rambling MeatJessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-40748720649075603082017-05-11T13:19:00.000-07:002017-05-11T13:19:39.884-07:00New York Times live drawing interview!Hey everyone!<br />
I finally get a chance to breath a little and sit down and update my blog! Phew! The past few months have been a flurry of activity and travel that I will try to catch up on in a few posts soon, but for now I wanted to share my live drawing interview that I did a few weeks ago with The New York Times Children's Book Editor Maria Russo. I still am pinching myself that it actually happened. It was such an honor and SO much fun to chat with Maria while getting to draw live in real time for Facebook. In case you missed it here's the Facebook link:<br />
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https://m.facebook.com/nytimes/posts/10151146327034999<br />
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You can see me work and learn a bit about my process, upcoming project, and which animals I DON'T like to draw!<br />
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More to come soon on my other recent activities... stay tuned!<br />
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jxoxo<br />
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<br />Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-15866745346394302282017-01-15T09:53:00.000-08:002017-01-17T14:01:01.042-08:00Laundry Day Book Launch and Youthcare Drive!<br />
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<span class="_4n-j _3cht fsl">Wow! It's already time to welcome my third picture
book, Laundry Day, into the world! It will be held at Secret Garden Books in Seattle on February 7th at 7pm. Not only will I be doing a book
reading and giving out goodies, but I am also organizing a donation
drive at the launch for YouthCare, a Seattle non-profit that helps
homeless youth in the city. If you plan on coming, see if you could
bring one (or more) of the items below. We'll be clipping up the donated
items to a laundry line in the store in conjunction with my book's
theme- hanging up laundry! <br /> <br /> Any donations will be so greatly
appreciated for this truly heroic Seattle institution! Here's a current
list of items that YouthCare needs:<br /> <br /> New underwear<br /> New socks<br /> Backpacks<br /> Jeans and coats<br /> Alarm clocks<br /> Plus sized clo<span class="text_exposed_show">thing & shoes<br /> Reusable Water Bottles<br /> Sleeping bags<br /> Blankets<br /> Travel-size hygiene supplies<br /> New razors<br /> Dental Supplies<br /> Gift cards (Target, Fred Meyer, QFC, etc.)<br /> Orca cards & bus tickets<br /> <br /> I hope you can make it to the launch! <br /> <br /> For more info about YouthCare, visit: <a href="http://www.youthcare.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.youthcare.org/</a></span></span>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-59043778172832078232017-01-10T15:51:00.001-08:002017-01-10T16:03:40.278-08:002017 and... we're OFF!Aye Carumba! It's already 2017 and I am already behind on my blogging. (Good thing I didn't make it a new year's resolution to blog more!)<br />
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I'm so happy to start off the new year with some fun news!<br />
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On January 28th form 9-10am, I'll be participating in a webinar series for SCBWI (YAY!). I'm joining such children's books greats as <a href="https://taralazar.com/" target="_blank">Tara Lazar,</a> <a href="http://www.joshfunkbooks.com/" target="_blank">Josh Funk,</a> and <a href="http://lindaashman.com/" target="_blank">Linda Ashman</a>!<br />
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I'll be chatting away about polishing person style (for your books that
is). Finding your voice both visually and with words is no easy task,
but we all have it in us! Here's a link for more information and how to
register for the webinars:<br />
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https://inlandnw.scbwi.org/events/from-bright-idea-to-the-final-page-turn/<br />
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I'm always excited at ANY opportunity to geek out and talk about picture books and the craft of making them. So join me and the other amazing writers for some serious geek out time!<br />
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There's more to chat about, but I'll just make another post, so I feel more encouraged that I'm blogging more. ;)<br />
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Happy 2017!<br />
jx <br />
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<span data-offset-key="dhf8a-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-42432869329051878572016-11-20T15:53:00.006-08:002016-11-20T15:53:43.346-08:00Is it still 2016???There would be no way of knowing from reading my blog!<br />
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Apologies for the lack of updating since June.<br />
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I'll update soon with a WHOLE BUNCH of news, I promise. But for now here are the highlights over the past five months to whet your whistle:<br />
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<li>Golden Kite Award and SCBWI LA National Conference <span style="color: red;">(OMG amazing!)</span></li>
<li>Summer at SAM open artist <span style="color: red;">(Super fun and a perfect excuse to draw outside!) </span></li>
<li>Finished making a book with my husband <span style="color: red;">(BEST collaboration ever!)</span></li>
<li>Won the Washington State Book Award <span style="color: red;">(WHAT????? YES! OMG!!!)</span></li>
<li>Picture Book Panel for the Seattle Public Library <span style="color: red;">(SOOO much fun, I could talk about books all day!!!) </span></li>
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I will elaborate on these amazing items soon- hopefully in a post Thanksgiving haze next weekend...<br />
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BUT Until then- I'll be riding <a href="http://www.bookweb.org/news/sherman-alexie-charters-bus-tour-seattle-bookstores-indies-first-34961" target="_blank">a party bus with Sherman Alexie </a>and a ton of other amazing writers for Indies First this coming weekend. Oh yeah!!! It's going to be CRAZY!<br />
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And if you are in Seattle, come to one of our stops!<br />
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I'll also be doing a <a href="http://www.spl.org/audiences/children/chi-calendar-of-events#/?i=2" target="_blank">story time at the Seattle Public Library on December 3rd</a> and their <a href="http://www.spl.org/audiences/children/chi-calendar-of-events#/?i=4" target="_blank">winter book fair on December 17th.</a> Stay tuned and come out if you can!<br />
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OKAY!<br />
More to come!<br />
Until then, HONK HONK! BEEP BEEP! TOOT TOOT!<br />
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jx <br />
<br />Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-14552168905367498412016-06-24T09:50:00.000-07:002016-06-24T09:50:42.878-07:00Urban Craft Uprising this weekend!Hey all!<br />
I wanted to mention that I'll be signing and selling copies of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Before-I-Leave-Jessixa-Bagley/dp/1626720401/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466786851&sr=1-1&keywords=before+I+leave" target="_blank"><i>Before I Leave</i></a> this weekend at the <a href="http://www.urbancraftuprising.com/" target="_blank">Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle!</a> (UCU is an AMAZING and huge indie craft show where you can buy oodles of amazing wares from crafters both local and abroad.) I'll be there to draw in books and I'll have some fun little giveaways for folks to enjoy too! <br />
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Also, my husband <a href="http://www.aaronbagley.com/" target="_blank">Aaron Bagley</a> will be drawing in copies of the book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rocking-Fatherhood-Dad-Bes-Staying/dp/0738218774" target="_blank">Rocking Fatherhood</a></i> which he illustrated. The books author, Kris Kornelis will be there signing as well! <br />
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So come on out for some book and crafting fun. The signing schedule is below. We'll be at the UCU booth. Hope to see you there.<br />
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<br />Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-20577564802987260512016-06-20T12:33:00.003-07:002016-06-20T12:33:46.402-07:00Good News!Hey everyone!<br />
I've been meaning to share some recent good news with everyone. <i>Boats for Papa</i> was given the Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text for 2016! I'm so thrilled by such a great honor. This book means so much to me and to have it acknowledged by SCBWI is sooooo huge!<br />
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Thank you so much! I even get to put a big shiny gold sticker on my book!!! woo hoo </div>
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I will be accepting the award at this year's SCBWI Conference in L.A. alongside other amazing and talented peers in the picture book world. Ahhhhh!!!<br />
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And if that's not enough, just this past weekend my second picture book <i>Before I Leave</i> was reviewed in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/17/books/review/19bookshelf-moving-day.html?_r=0" target="_blank">New York Times Book Review!</a> I'm having another one of those "am I dreaming?" sort of moments. To have received a review once was a lifetime achievement, but twice??? Uh-mazing.<br />
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Okay, glowing moment over. But I had to share it online so one day when I'm old and forgetful I can go onto my blog and get a reminder for this cool moment.<br />
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jx<br />
<br />Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-58813357662096475022016-04-24T16:49:00.002-07:002016-04-24T16:49:54.003-07:00Thank YOU!<br />
Hey everyone!<br />
I've been meaning to write a little something about my amazing school visits that I went to during February and March. I went to the Silverwood and Pearson schools in Washington and then was down in Portland and visited Jason Lee K-8, Hiteon Elementary, and my alma mater Chehalem Elementary! I talked to over 250 kids among the 10 class presentations spanning k-5th grade. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! I loved getting to share my books and my book making process with so many awesome kids. All of the classes were so engaged and respectful and they asked great questions. They even sent me stacks of amazing thank you letters and drawings! Opening the mail was like Christmas morning!!!<br />
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It was such a fun experience especially to go back to my old elementary school and walk the halls where I spent 1st-6th grade. So much had changed and yet so much was different. I even gave a presentation in my old 5th grade classroom! Needless to say that was a surreal experience being in the same place I once was 24 years ago-sitting on the carpet watching a picture book illustrator talk about their books and book making process- but now I was the one standing up in front of the class talking about my very own books. (AND they let me go in the Teacher's Lounge and have Rice Krispy treats!-BOOYA!)<br />
<br />The privilege of making picture books has been one of the highlights of my life- achieving a lifelong dream and getting to share it with the world is something that is hard for me to put into words. And it turns out the sharing part was even more rewarding than I'd hoped it could be. I loved every second of sharing my passions with kids and I hope that they took away even the smallest bit of inspiration from my visit. I looked out onto a sea of little faces, and saw myself staring back at me. It was a moment that transcended time. Rarely does one get such an opportunity to experience their life in such a full circle manner, and I am forever grateful to have had the chance.<br />
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<br />Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-35358092691764597872016-03-04T14:22:00.002-08:002016-03-04T14:22:12.315-08:00Book EventsHey everyone!<br />
Things have been BONKERS busy the past few weeks since my book launch! Most notably I have some super fun book events coming up... like starting tomorrow!!! I'll cut straight to it and not waste more time and list them here:<br />
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March 5th- Storytime, Third Place Books, Ravenna, WA 12pm<br />
March 6th- Storytime, Once Upon a Time, Queen Anne, WA 12pm<br />
March 12th- Storytime, Powell's Books, Portland, OR 12pm<br />
March 19th- Storytime, King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, 11am<br />
March 26th- Storytime, Mockingbird Books, Seattle, WA 11am<br />
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Notice that I do have a book event coming up in Portland as well as Salt Lake City! Come on out with the little ones for reading, drawing, signing, and some fun giveaways!<br />
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Hope to see you!<br />
jxJessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-28058256638121238372016-02-13T13:34:00.001-08:002016-02-13T13:34:48.123-08:00Exciting week!Hey everyone! <div>It's been an exciting week leading up to my book launch this coming Tuesday! I've had more hedgehog fun as well as had a couple of interviews! Before I get back to preparations, here's the latest hedgehog montage from the past week and my interview links!</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks to Jama Rattigan for making me a hotTea on her blog this month:</div><div><a href="http://jamarattigan.com/2016/02/11/hotteas-of-childrens-literature-jessixa-bagley/">http://jamarattigan.com/2016/02/11/hotteas-of-childrens-literature-jessixa-bagley/</a></div><div><br></div><div>And huge thanks to Don Tate for inviting me to Brown Bookshelf this month as part of the <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>28 Days Later </b>campaign which celebrates vanguard African-American children's book authors, as well as emerging and established authors who are flying "under-the-radar" of teachers, librarians and parents.</span></div><div><a href="http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2016/02/13/day-13-jessixa-bagley/">http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2016/02/13/day-13-jessixa-bagley/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Okay, back to it! Enjoy the hedgies!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oTnDKfR8TWeMQ9hyphenhyphenL9PwCF11dsNKOhCb1SUKVr1LfGSEnJJZoKjjxc7ZJhz-9PMzdQSROrM0Ldq7UQHDn50N5VD-lOmmg230QUWpTXIkAKuBGzbUfwAUqcqDcQZu8yBYBbRwcBxduoQ/s640/blogger-image--1042123709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oTnDKfR8TWeMQ9hyphenhyphenL9PwCF11dsNKOhCb1SUKVr1LfGSEnJJZoKjjxc7ZJhz-9PMzdQSROrM0Ldq7UQHDn50N5VD-lOmmg230QUWpTXIkAKuBGzbUfwAUqcqDcQZu8yBYBbRwcBxduoQ/s640/blogger-image--1042123709.jpg"></a></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-55662490684997871392016-02-02T09:54:00.001-08:002016-02-02T09:55:29.228-08:00Two weeks until the book launch!Hey all! <div>Just two weeks until <i>Before I Leave </i>makes it way into the world! I'm super excited and have a bunch of fun school visits and readings planned after the launch! I'll post the schedule in the next week or so. For now, here are my most recent hedgies from my hedgehog a day postings!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJlnpL-BTUySN7ELWRL_InwURlL44KZU3hweeTIAGnbfEt4xL3HaVaxCJMXNFxn3BSug6PhwvZi5WzF6vUQkx73BnjkHePUgKwB98VeoNrAnmg-i3m1kBYFpfAOgtTRMpC54tzuD-_2U/s640/blogger-image-1679671400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJlnpL-BTUySN7ELWRL_InwURlL44KZU3hweeTIAGnbfEt4xL3HaVaxCJMXNFxn3BSug6PhwvZi5WzF6vUQkx73BnjkHePUgKwB98VeoNrAnmg-i3m1kBYFpfAOgtTRMpC54tzuD-_2U/s640/blogger-image-1679671400.jpg"></a></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-59644532997510015842016-01-25T08:21:00.001-08:002016-01-25T08:21:10.730-08:00Nine days of hedgehogs!Hey everyone!<div>The book launch for my second picture book <i>Before I Leave</i> is just a few weeks away and I've been sharing out a drawing a day of Zelda the hedgehog on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as a way to celebrate the leading up to the launch. Here are my hedgies from the last nine days. Enjoy! And find me on those other platforms to follow along! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJ1tH0zutPs7dSQ2K0_hMsUe5u5-xswXwdRT6VRxiZnypxbEsTNLeDSeYX9K0pbH6Z1z-mox1bEbtiCsUkRoT0Yn2nD0buEQy9it3K_wFcvvJL5wR9KmSO4BXH7ZnR2dzjsef9eG7RvQ/s640/blogger-image-1850838789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJ1tH0zutPs7dSQ2K0_hMsUe5u5-xswXwdRT6VRxiZnypxbEsTNLeDSeYX9K0pbH6Z1z-mox1bEbtiCsUkRoT0Yn2nD0buEQy9it3K_wFcvvJL5wR9KmSO4BXH7ZnR2dzjsef9eG7RvQ/s640/blogger-image-1850838789.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-39835799833127920952016-01-21T13:30:00.000-08:002016-01-21T13:30:35.192-08:00WrestleMania!!!Hey everyone!<br />
I've been tweeting about this and posting notices on Facebook, but I wanted to mention that I will be part of a Twitter Event this evening for the 2016 <a href="https://wrestlemaniareadingchallenge.pgtb.me/0bm1b6" target="_blank">WrestleMania Reading Challenge! </a>Say what?! Oh yeah! The awesome <a href="http://www.yuyimorales.com/" target="_blank">Yuri Morales</a> will be joining the conversation as well!<br />
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The details are below! Follow along and participate! <br />
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<b>What: </b>Twitter Party with @WWEmoms (invite <a href="http://www.theonlinemom.com/thursday-january-21-special-wwemoms-twitter-event/" target="_blank">
here</a>)<b><br />
Date:</b> Thursday, January 21<sup>st</sup></div>
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<b>Time: </b>7-<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1865497578" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">8 pm ET</span></span></div>
<b>Hashtag to follow for party: </b>#WWEmomsJessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-28527794865245109012016-01-16T20:19:00.005-08:002016-01-16T20:19:59.164-08:00It's 2016 ALREADY?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wowza wowza! Where did the time go? I feel like I just posted in my blog and it's already been over two months! So much has happened in my little corner of the world. The holidays were so much fun, a bit of a blur now, but I really did savor every second as much as possible. I was even fortunate enough to do a couple of interviews over the past couple of months. I was on the Podcast <a href="http://storybookspotlight.com/ssp-64-jessixa-bagley-boats-for-papa/" target="_blank">Storybook Spotlight</a> hosted by Karen Santhanam.<br />
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It's sad to 2015 go because it was the best year of my life so far, but 2016 is already off to a great start!<br />
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In book world, there was much talk about <a href="http://www.hbook.com/2016/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/calling-caldecott-2016-ballot-2-now-open/" target="_blank">Boats for Papa and the infamous Caldecott Medal,</a> but alas, it was not meant to be. It was so exciting and flattering to be included in conversations with some of my favorite illustrators, it made me feel like a winner! I DID however get listed as one of the <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb" target="_blank">Notable Children's Books for 2016 by the ALA</a>- such a HUGE honor!!!<br />
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I have to also make a special call out Sam Juliano for his generous and loving <a href="https://wondersinthedark.wordpress.com/2016/01/04/caldecott-medal-contender-boats-for-papa/" target="_blank">review of Boats for Papa</a> on his blog. It was such a special review, I was truly touched.<br />
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And with the new year comes the launch of my second picture book, <i>Before I Leave</i>, staring the adorable hedgehog Zelda (pictured above). I've been lucky to receive a couple of starred reviews already from <a href="http://www.slj.com/2016/01/reviews/books/before-i-leave-by-jessixa-bagley-slj-review/" target="_blank">the School Library Journal</a>, <a href="http://publishersweekly.com/978-1-62672-040-4" target="_blank">Publisher's Weekly</a> and a lovely review from <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jessixa-bagley/before-i-leave/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a>! This was such a fun and sweet book to work on I'm excited for the world to see it on February 16th! As always you can pre-order through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Before-I-Leave-Jessixa-Bagley/dp/1626720401" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, but whenever possible, buy local and support your indy bookstores! And if you are in Seattle on February 16th, I am having a book launch for my book at Secret Garden Books in Ballard at 7pm. Hope to see you there!<br />
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AND in leading up to my book release, I will be posting a hedgehog a day until February 16th.<br />
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So much more to come for 2016! I can't wait. I hope you have a happy happy new year!<br />
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<br />Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-35449438562143550372015-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:002015-11-08T08:00:05.696-08:00Reviews! Hey All!<br />
So after an exciting day of blogging in the stratosphere for <a href="http://taralazar.com/2015/11/07/piboidmo-day-7-jessixa-bagley-activates-her-muse-plus-a-prize/" target="_blank">PiBoIdMo</a>, I thought I'd give you a quick update on some current news from my picture book corner of the world.<br />
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My next picture book <i>Before I Leave </i>(Roaring Brook Press, February 16, 2016) has already received two great reviews! This lovely review by <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jessixa-bagley/before-i-leave/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a> and a <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-62672-040-4" target="_blank">STARRED review from Publisher's Weekly! </a><br />
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I'm so excited for this next book to come out! I can't say how much I loved painting my little hedgehog and her anteater friend. The book is about cherishing the last moments with a friend before you have to move away, something as a child I went through several times.<br />
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It's available for pre-order through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Before-I-Leave-Jessixa-Bagley/dp/1626720401/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446917818&sr=8-1&keywords=before+I+leave" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or see if you can pre-order it through your local bookstore!<br />
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I can't wait for February!<br />
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jx <br />
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Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-1306448394072382342015-11-07T09:19:00.001-08:002015-11-07T09:19:30.236-08:00PiBoIdMo!Hey everyone<br />
Happy fall! You might already know that November is National Novel Writing Month (<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">nanowrimo</a>) where you take on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Pretty awesome I know! Well, it's also Picture Book Idea Month-or PiBoIdMo. <a href="http://taralazar.com/piboidmo/" target="_blank">PiBoIdMo</a>'s challenge is to come up with a picture book idea every single day for the month of November.<br />
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It's very fun and freeing to just let your ideas flow without letting them get too precious or (like me) end up stifling your creativity. So I'm participating in PiBoIdMo this year AND today (Day 7 of the challenge) I am guest blogging on the site! Check it out:<br />
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http://taralazar.com/2015/11/07/piboidmo-day-7-jessixa-bagley-activates-her-muse-plus-a-prize/<br />
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Thanks so much to Tara Lazar for asking me to chat about my inspiration!<br />
jx<br />
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<br />Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-32303100538982594032015-10-06T20:26:00.001-07:002015-10-06T20:26:31.913-07:00IntentionsWhoa I know- two blog posts in one day- I'm probably blowing your mind. But this came up in a conversation earlier today with a friend and he encouraged me to share it. The conversation was about my audience for Boats for Papa. It's come up several times that there is some question about who the book works best for- children or adults. So here were my thoughts on the matter:<br />
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"I genuinely created this book with children in mind. I myself was
basically Buckley, and I know there are many children out there who have
absence in their life. I felt so different from others because my
father wasn't there everyday. But my mother was-something I only began
to realize and appreciate the depth of once I became an adult. So by
sharing my story, I hoped to create something that would make a child
connect to the content in some way-so that they would feel safe and
loved and not alone. Absence takes so many shapes and means different
things for everyone, and maybe some young children don't have personal
experience with it, but knowing you have love still around you is
something I feel that every child (and adult) can benefit from. And
hopefully creates conversations about compassion for others who do have
personal experience with it. So I hoped that even if absence isn't a
connection for the reader, that love is.<br />
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The overwhelming byproduct of this book touching adults in an emotional
way has been beautiful, but wasn't the motivation for the work. I
honestly had no clue that adults would feel so strongly about it. I felt
I had created something that was touching, and I hope that everyone who
reads it at least understands its heart in some way, but adults weren't
the target at all. I just got a letter from a friend who shared that
he wished he had this book when he lost his father when he was 6. And so
many others have shared they felt a level of personal healing from
reading it and yes- these were adults. But another friend says every time they
read the book and they get to the part when Buckley thanks his mama, he turns
around and kisses her! And I just read a Facebook post about a friend of a
friend who's son "finally connected with a book about grief" and he
asked her to read it twice and then he made a boat. I totally lost it. I
understand that a child emotional depth is different than an adult-but
something made him feel and connect when he read it. And that is what I
am so humbled and honored to be apart of. Whether I'm helping the 6 year
old in real life or the 6 year old inside an adult, I can't tell you
how much that touches my soul."<br />
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And I will add that I didn't write the book expecting children to cry when they read it. I know that is more of an adult reaction to the story. <br />
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Hopefully that can shed some extra light. I know though that art is only part what the creator intends and the rest is what the world feels from receiving it. I think that is an exciting and beautiful process and I welcome the discourse. <br />
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jx<br />
Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-22236907739734928322015-10-06T20:09:00.001-07:002015-10-06T20:09:08.433-07:00One crazy summer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Well summer, she came and went, and I'm left looking back wondering how/where did the time go?!!!</span></div>
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So I'll step back and do a catch up just so I know what happened over the last few months:</div>
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So June 30th was my amazing, fun, and emotional book launch for Boats for Papa! (I sort of dropped off the blogging radar after it happened). It was, in short, one of the best moments in my entire life. I was surrounded by friends and family all sharing in the exciting culmination of a life's work. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin22wwmMMhyphenhyphennwog0hHr34Zo4PVL-BDHzmN7UUkbb8-__ppOQ81zin3wH7S5uonCJcBwQ319ep6nEz0lxkrG8tyvXgjq-pB_zUQnsK0pBR5cPKa67N0arGO1NGsEfmwN0aHKt4cWyK3Dw4/s640/blogger-image-1675484416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin22wwmMMhyphenhyphennwog0hHr34Zo4PVL-BDHzmN7UUkbb8-__ppOQ81zin3wH7S5uonCJcBwQ319ep6nEz0lxkrG8tyvXgjq-pB_zUQnsK0pBR5cPKa67N0arGO1NGsEfmwN0aHKt4cWyK3Dw4/s640/blogger-image-1675484416.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here is a me with Neal Porter (Roaring Brook Press) my AMAZING editor who surprised me and flew out for the book launch. Needless to say there were many tears of joy hat night. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV65DZhQQbsmxAUqJXjpR1jE9opkxcV3LEJjM-6dBlwqjk-CDAqil7iNjR73aqUaVb9MBbKwzwZZaMdAekGj0mANgXpyUe6ZTSqD78QqS8nHPJs9UzPILDnlt5udG1IL21-uRcP6s9nSQ/s640/blogger-image-1546481334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV65DZhQQbsmxAUqJXjpR1jE9opkxcV3LEJjM-6dBlwqjk-CDAqil7iNjR73aqUaVb9MBbKwzwZZaMdAekGj0mANgXpyUe6ZTSqD78QqS8nHPJs9UzPILDnlt5udG1IL21-uRcP6s9nSQ/s640/blogger-image-1546481334.jpg" /></a></div>
It was one of those nights that I wish I could relive over and over again! So much fun! AND I even made a cake shaped like a boat (like Buckley's Mama makes in the book).</div>
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After the book launch, I took a bit of a breather-for like a day- but I really was working hard already on Laundry Day, my third picture book. So was basically doing that for the rest of the summer. </div>
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I recently did Story time at Queen Anne Book Company in Seattle for Boats for Papa! It was very fun and I have never been so nervous in front of a group children under the age of 4. </div>
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Also this summer, SO MUCH great press for Boats for Papa has been pouring in. It was reviewed in the <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2015/07/08/review-of-the-day-boats-for-papa-by-jessixa-bagley/#_" target="_blank">School Library Journal</a> <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2015/06/21/short-stack-books-float-many-boats/GpWINcAxavTuFVxYbcZyTK/story.html" target="_blank">Boston Globe</a>, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/best-young-adult-and-childrens-books-for-july/2015/06/30/01653dc6-144a-11e5-89f3-61410da94eb1_story.html" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>, listed on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/minhle/when-it-rains-it-pours-50_b_8026340.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post's</a> top 50 picture books of 2015 list, and then a month ago it was reviewed in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/11/books/review/13bookshelf-lettinggo.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NY Times Sunday Book Review</a>! I'm just floored and humbled by the love its received. I couldn't be happier!</div>
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In between the book work (evenings & weekends), and my day job, I spent the summer with my husband and my son as much as possible. The rigors of working on a book sometimes mean little time for play, but I tried as best I could to maintain a good life/work balance. I've also been writing a lot. Trying to keep new ideas churning for future books.</div>
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And the just finished Laundry Day and sent it off to my publisher last week-YAY! I loved working on such a fun book about two little mischievous badgers. It's totally different that my other two books in a really fun way. </div>
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My second book Before I Leave comes out in February which blows my mind! So I'll have to gear up for that in the upcoming months. I have some other pots on the stove for sure. But for the time being, I am going to try and breath, relax, and celebrate being finished with my book!</div>
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I'm sure there are more things in between that happened the past few month. But that's all my brain can recall at the moment...</div>
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I have learned though that emailing and blogging were the great sufferers of my time slicing-hence the terrible delay in blogging. But I'm slowly catching up.<br />
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I hope you all had a great summer and are as excited as I am that it's fall!<br />
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Jx <br />
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Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-72492751033300384742015-06-30T08:46:00.001-07:002015-06-30T08:46:53.921-07:00Final boat-final day-BOOK LAUNCH DAY!It's finally here! BOOK LAUNCH DAY! My number one & last boat of #30boatsin30days is ready to set sail! Thanks for following along this past month! Now the excitement really begins!!! #BoatsforPapa is officially out in the world! Grab a copy at your local bookstore!!!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP2W0EiaTmcqszTsgMBxqeDdAB1pdHx_CodzEtqwp_76sMalixNcG10DR8_11_GjFhhsLjexl9XuPyGz7TEuSdwldXZ9wPbFNqqDWpdhDhlh9M6Pe7OIDrIWfBa4qvzgVFn4EULBYNQU/s640/blogger-image-1531555305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP2W0EiaTmcqszTsgMBxqeDdAB1pdHx_CodzEtqwp_76sMalixNcG10DR8_11_GjFhhsLjexl9XuPyGz7TEuSdwldXZ9wPbFNqqDWpdhDhlh9M6Pe7OIDrIWfBa4qvzgVFn4EULBYNQU/s640/blogger-image-1531555305.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>It is also available online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Nobel! </div></div><div><br></div><div>This has been such a fun project this past month as I've geared up towards the big day. I'm soooooo excited to have reached this milestone moment in my life! Today is the birth of my picture book career and the culmination of my dreams and hard work from my entire life. It's all I've ever wanted to do. It's this such special moment in time and I've made the best book I could make to start my journey. It's a part of my heart and soul and I'm honored and humbled that I get to share it with the world and leave it behind for others to experience. And if I'm dreaming, don't wake me up.</div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-32040709123158421502015-06-29T08:38:00.001-07:002015-06-29T08:38:21.293-07:002 days until launch!Today's<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">#BoatsforPapa </span>#30boatsin30days is a galley ship. It's a sailing vessel that is propelled mostly by rowing! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ucQChDgJIUdpNhihfXaDXxgUfXj4Ug14kdoL3FBLWzSbPQ6SAwYQCg3zxSBEdaVQBA1_1cAIGFzwTl4wBro_y4yKUWryOPgoQK2bG1AnNYOv1PM93ggPqjSmT5gJ8jNvwlOX01k-y5k/s640/blogger-image-1841241751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ucQChDgJIUdpNhihfXaDXxgUfXj4Ug14kdoL3FBLWzSbPQ6SAwYQCg3zxSBEdaVQBA1_1cAIGFzwTl4wBro_y4yKUWryOPgoQK2bG1AnNYOv1PM93ggPqjSmT5gJ8jNvwlOX01k-y5k/s640/blogger-image-1841241751.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> </div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-57872671314373316702015-06-28T12:15:00.001-07:002015-06-28T12:15:55.899-07:00Only 3 days left!<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today's #30boatsin30days boat is a 19th century warship called "Frigate." #BoatsforPapa</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTxYONmVWGqxFsTJX1Ejm0RhpLpbmjsiP4J00mpXhqtDJsUN2x2qzPflOjK9laMbbV4hI6D_QpbPUNJ84Tqz4nw-JG9CB1BjzI_mEaA0GHOHtaCHaRetHiFIihwL8zoxcMciDxOZ7VPc/s640/blogger-image-1934896618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTxYONmVWGqxFsTJX1Ejm0RhpLpbmjsiP4J00mpXhqtDJsUN2x2qzPflOjK9laMbbV4hI6D_QpbPUNJ84Tqz4nw-JG9CB1BjzI_mEaA0GHOHtaCHaRetHiFIihwL8zoxcMciDxOZ7VPc/s640/blogger-image-1934896618.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These are some of my most favorite boats. They make me think of pirates and the movie "The Goonies."</div><br></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-40352035008465494002015-06-27T08:23:00.001-07:002015-06-27T08:23:43.281-07:004 days to go!<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today's #30boatsin30days Boat fact: The lookout point on the upper part of the main mast on a ship is called the "crow's nest." #boatsforpapa </span><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwb3_0bP9DF0qZno3-4dBT_jYlxDXFLjBL_095uJ0xCymjYq1Qo-AufibTgxGgRQ0M7TAm9rxEDOn5fKhy2G0tHM6B11TiyOM2IjWGXUw6pyLEAz3KlfIhVV9i2ArWwYn4zZGS6SEyTE/s640/blogger-image-532007605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwb3_0bP9DF0qZno3-4dBT_jYlxDXFLjBL_095uJ0xCymjYq1Qo-AufibTgxGgRQ0M7TAm9rxEDOn5fKhy2G0tHM6B11TiyOM2IjWGXUw6pyLEAz3KlfIhVV9i2ArWwYn4zZGS6SEyTE/s640/blogger-image-532007605.jpg"></a></div>I love these parts on the old ships. Though my fear of heights wouldn't make me a very good lookout.</div></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-30798494082810615512015-06-26T16:33:00.001-07:002015-06-26T16:33:17.878-07:005 days!!Today's #30boatsin30days is a caravel- a 15th century Portuguese sailing vessel used for exploring during the Age of Discovery! #boatsforpapa<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRukS8K7_7OxHhF5s1FklmMGdAsWK2Pt0TQ31yf3bNNBubwMmsMlOhjDqI8awVflINDS0kKLvWsYIMAvkwsrIAI38y58i_mNSovAfHAPzlrVpQVYYTuPzXRD0IOGvHxqCaAsiFyAfETlE/s640/blogger-image--869787144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRukS8K7_7OxHhF5s1FklmMGdAsWK2Pt0TQ31yf3bNNBubwMmsMlOhjDqI8awVflINDS0kKLvWsYIMAvkwsrIAI38y58i_mNSovAfHAPzlrVpQVYYTuPzXRD0IOGvHxqCaAsiFyAfETlE/s640/blogger-image--869787144.jpg"></a></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-75549371631176355962015-06-25T13:21:00.001-07:002015-06-25T13:21:54.614-07:006 days!Today's <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">#30boatsin30days</span> boat is a pusher boat which is designed to push barges! #BoatsforPapa<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UWQwC2wvZyMVjqAktVD5Oxqj_2tD8sHDvu13FnEBj2c3qNrLl2Kk-qI0NMHaqEjNGXEL8AiYT1uCqRWlzXh8g4bSfeHZpFqI-eDM5zflmmrlo6F0KYTT0__1aCKVEbQ1u8pD8xuXqXY/s640/blogger-image--1740310393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UWQwC2wvZyMVjqAktVD5Oxqj_2tD8sHDvu13FnEBj2c3qNrLl2Kk-qI0NMHaqEjNGXEL8AiYT1uCqRWlzXh8g4bSfeHZpFqI-eDM5zflmmrlo6F0KYTT0__1aCKVEbQ1u8pD8xuXqXY/s640/blogger-image--1740310393.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love the big fancy ships, but some of my favorites are rusty old barges and tug boats. There is something magic In the power of these quite small boats.</div><br></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-11562119072141522015-06-24T12:46:00.001-07:002015-06-24T12:46:50.615-07:007 days!Today's <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">#30boatsin30days</span> boat is a Bermuda Sloop- a sailing vessel from Bermuda in the 17th century! #boatsforpapa <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbAQAVhLoToQqPM8f069k9XjZtu_kEFUt9zqGqpMubptgnjZoOktnKwn0pdeYkTdJ374mgQmBHvVCG5vmiZiLwWWMDVgQqSBZDmJLw0J325c_gvfhW3KmSSpJMX1RYOupGo1b0KC0hks/s640/blogger-image-882145920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbAQAVhLoToQqPM8f069k9XjZtu_kEFUt9zqGqpMubptgnjZoOktnKwn0pdeYkTdJ374mgQmBHvVCG5vmiZiLwWWMDVgQqSBZDmJLw0J325c_gvfhW3KmSSpJMX1RYOupGo1b0KC0hks/s640/blogger-image-882145920.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252320575464899520.post-2944105220737773422015-06-23T15:54:00.001-07:002015-06-23T15:54:14.727-07:00Yo ho ho!8 days to go!Today's #BoatsForPapa #30boatsin30days Boat fact: When pirates seized a ship they'd have to ready it for piracy by reinforcing the decks to support the weight of heavy cannons. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_oi0eT6SAtTSUynTUsi1PGmfTui9QhIPr1ak2qjSmvSNKXwwFfQw6knC4qrSXrbX5fsnAZtSRW92AoMc0MKF_rv8etYIi_jSvfm1Huegp4lQUx7isLZ-xf15UtirjzL8wt4ctQj622M/s640/blogger-image-1176232898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_oi0eT6SAtTSUynTUsi1PGmfTui9QhIPr1ak2qjSmvSNKXwwFfQw6knC4qrSXrbX5fsnAZtSRW92AoMc0MKF_rv8etYIi_jSvfm1Huegp4lQUx7isLZ-xf15UtirjzL8wt4ctQj622M/s640/blogger-image-1176232898.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Jessixa Bagleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530922604298042910noreply@blogger.com1