Hello!

Thank you so much for all of your birthday wishes and encouraging comments about the book shoot. Thank you also to those of you who have pre-ordered. Even my sister has pre-ordered, ha ha, we’re excited about this as you can tell. Soaking up every second of it and storing up positivity in case we should need it anytime soon.

Some of you asked some questions in the comments left on the last post and I have answered them below.

I’ve also had some emails asking about a book tour. This is being arranged. If you would like a signing to take place in a bookstore near you then please use this form to send me all the details you have about the bookstore, the location of the bookstore and whether or not they have signing events. You can suggest any bookstore you wish but the bigger the town the more likely it is for the signing to take place as more people will be able to attend. The book is being published next Spring so we are starting work on all of that fun stuff now.

Lindsay, Edinburgh says:
August 11, 2011 at 10:42 am
It all looks too, too idyllic – words fail me. Will you be sharing wardrobe details?

Cherry – Hello Lindsay. I will certainly be sharing wardrobe details. Still working all of that out but all clothing credits will definitely be in the book if not elsewhere also.

Nicola says:
August 11, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Happy Birthday Cherry. So glad Robert is home. The perfect birthday present. Also congratulations on the book. I will definitely be getting a copy. I think I am a frustrated Cherry Menlove at heart. I would like to know more about how the book came about. Did people see your blog and think it would make a good book? Did you have an idea for it already or was it something you worked out with your team? Plus how your vision becomes reality. It just all looks and sounds like an amazing process and so exciting. I am very jealous. It has rained all week in Newcastle. I am not sure where our summer has gone. Fingers crossed for good weather for both of us in the next few weeks. Take Care. Nicola

Cherry – Hello Nicola. Great question as I don’t think this is explained often enough. Yes, people saw this blog/website and based on what I wrote about, photographed, craft projects, recipes etc and the types and numbers of people who read this site I was offered a book deal. My publisher was keen for me to be part of the creative process, for which I am very grateful, but at the same time they surrounded the project with highly skilled individuals who knew exactly what they were doing.

Yvonne says:
August 11, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Happy, happy birthday, Cherry! Your book is going to be simply smashing in every way!! Will we be able to purchase it in the USA via Amazon? At this point, looks like we can only pre-order it via Amazon UK?? I plan to buy it one way or another. Lovin’ the behind the scenes. As always, thanks for sharing.

Cherry – Hello Yvonne. Yes, you’ll most certainly be able to order the book from Amazon USA. The book is being published worldwide and is not just for the UK.

verónica says:
August 11, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Lovely Cherry: first of all Happy birthday! I’m 36 too and it’s wonderfull!
Question: Will your book sale it in stores or only in internet?
Congratulations for all the good news
Love
Verónica

Cherry – Hello Verónica. The book will be in for sale in book stores and online.

Sarah says:
August 11, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Wow, thanks so much for sharing that I really, really enjoyed it!!
Are we going to be able to pre-order the book Cherry?
S x

Cherry – Hello Sarah – You can pre-order the book by clicking on the pre-order link at the bottom of each recent post and I shall be adding a large button to the site which you will be able to click on to pre-order also.

Marilyn says:
August 12, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Happy Birthday, Cherry! I can’t think of a better gift than having your family reunited at home.
I loved viewing the behind the scenes pictures and hope you post more. I do have a couple questions:
Was the wardrobe used, from your closet or was it brought to the shoot by the stylist? The reason I ask is that I love the red/white polka dot dress you’re wearing.
From the way Ned is looking at Nikki, I’d say he has an eye for a pretty girl already.
Marilyn (in Dallas)

Cherry – Hello Marilyn. Some of the clothing is mine but some has been sent to the house by various designers/stores. All the clothing, apart from my old, shabby bits, will be credited in the book and possibly elsewhere too.

As the shoot went on we all found we had to dig fairly deep for energy reserves. We had one day when the weather failed us so we had to re-arrange all the people who were due at the house for eleven am and work on some inside shots instead. Thankfully for us the people who were due to be at the house to take part in the shoot were all able to come at four pm instead. NEVER been so relieved. Here is a picture of the art director, Nikki, and I grappling with some candles that we were trying to light in a rather strong wind……..the candle idea was scrapped.

Keiko adjusting some of her interior shots.

Me hanging out the sofa, up to my elbows in fabric, and generally having a good time. Shall I tell you why? Because I’d found out that morning that Robert was on his way home. It was raining outside but for once in my life I didn’t even care.

Garry (in a t-shirt only worn when painting) and Nikki setting up a shot that involved lots and lots of billowing fabric. If you like fabric then it’s possible you’ll like this book.

Truly being dressed and styled by her Mummy. They were fantastic that day, very well behaved (as were all the children) and we got the shot we needed within an hour.

Bless you, Daisy.
May your heart and soul always be this open and kind.
I love you, Aunty Cha-Cha

Deep in conversation in the kitchen.

What plates should be used?

How should the food be photographed?

Would it not look better this way?

Fascinating for me but a little nerve wracking at the same time because I’m a home cook and not a chef.

Geniuses, both of them.

Keiko, who shoots food more beautifully than I’ve seen in a long time and Nikki, who along with Phil (not pictured) worked as the home economists on the shoot. The home ec’s make the food to be shot for the book. Both Nikki and Phil have worked with all the top chefs and here they were in my kitchen making my food. This was the hardest part of the shoot for me as I was nervous about the food even though Jodie and I had carried out several test recipes on all the dishes. I needn’t have worried for a moment. Both Nikki and Phil were so generous and I’m really looking forward to the second half of the shoot when the food gets slightly more complex and a little more involved.

Each and every person got their hands dirty and mucked in. THAT is what made the shoot work.

Even my Dad was roped in to string balloons on the last day. There was a bit of a buzz in the air that afternoon as we all knew that the week would come to an end with the opportunity for us all to enjoy a wee drink outside. It made us work extra hard to get it all done.

The sun was going down over the day and over the first part of the shoot.

People were chatting and drinking and eating and yawning and feeling tired but good. I love that feeling. Feeling tired on its own is rubbish but feeling tired and good is wonderful.

As I was snapping away outside I was suddenly aware of the fact that Robert was no longer there. I looked up to our bedroom window and saw that a light was on in the room. He had snuck away and gone up to rest.

I knew then that the first part of the book shoot was over but that Robert and I had another journey to begin together.

I love you and thank you so much for reading. Don’t forget to send me you book tour requests by using the form on this page.

And if nobody suggests doing a signing at Waterstones on Piccadilly or Barnes & Noble on The Grove, I’ll just have to set up a table outside them both on my own!

Cherry x

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Related posts:

1. Behind the Scenes from my Book – Part 1
2. Our Twin Baby Shower – Behind the Scenes
3. Behind the Scenes – Oh Dear!
4. Liberty of London Decor8 Book Launch
5. Cherry Menlove, My First Book – Published Spring 2012 by Orion/Hachette

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