The Blood, Sweat and Tears of My Book, French Vintage Decor

I’m sharing the blood, sweat and tears of how my book, French Vintage Decor, came together. It’s now ready for pre-order! French Vintage Decor is a DIY book that contains 70 new projects that you can complete yourself at home!

French Vintage Decor | Jamie Lundstrom

I just put together the landing page for the sale of my book. It seems so weird to type those words. It’s not like I don’t remember writing my book. And writing my book involved staying up til 2 am most nights writing and editing over 10,000 photos, working during the day on at least five projects at a time each day, photographing each step-by-step process in the daylight, heading to Michael’s, Home Depot and Canadian Tire countless times, ordering more supplies online, redoing projects that were complete fails, crying over the complete fails and worrying about not making my deadline, stabbing my knuckle all the way through with an exacto-blade (it’s just healing now and that was October!), picking off countless splatters of paint from my hardwood floors in the dining room, kitchen and living room where multiple projects were laid out at a time, and proofreading and formatting my manuscript more times than I wish to count. Oh I remember and I will never forget each step. I won’t forget all the juggling like between picking up the kids from school while waiting for the paint to dry on a project at home and praying that the sun doesn’t dip too soon to take photos. When they say writing a book is like having a baby, they weren’t kidding. But I wasn’t at my desk like a true author tap tapping away on my keyboard, I had a paintbrush in one hand and a camera in the other. And when I put those two items down at night, my hands shared the keyboard with a glass of wine. All during this time, I somehow managed to put out some of my best Christmas posts AND take new house photos for Romantic Homes Magazine. I still don’t know how I managed it all.

But I wouldn’t change any of it.

You have to truly weigh the costs when given an opportunity of writing a book like this. It will take blood, sweat and tears. I didn’t have a social life for 5 months and it was a rare occasion when I hit the gym. I did weigh the costs hard and at one point during contract negotiations, nearly walked away. But it’s always been my dream and somehow, somebody was watching my work and I was contacted by the publisher for this adventure.

I could have easily said no but instead I said yes.

At first it’s euphoric then reality sets in and you realize dear god, I have to do 70 projects in 4 months!  But I was up for the challenge and I finally had the courage to get the ideas I’ve had spinning around in my head for years but have been too afraid to put out there in the world. I realize that is odd to say because I run a blog and I’m faced with the daily task of what to write about but I have pages and pages of ideas for projects and even after the book, I still have tons of ideas! You see, I lacked the confidence that people might think my projects are weird, my style is odd or antiquated or they’ve seen something like that somewhere or another. I’m not thinking about any of those things now. I have always wished to write a book and I just poured my heart into making things that I wanted to make. I really got into the rhythm of my projects and was proud of them. Then when I sent it all off to my publisher and my heart sank a little. Now everyone will see what I’m really made of. These are some of the thoughts that were going through my head:

Who is she to write a book?

She’s not from France! What does a farm girl know about French items?

She’s no expert, I could do that better than her.

My French Vintage style is something I completely made up. I love the look of French or European items and vintage/thrift store finds/antiques that I find and repurpose put it altogether. If anyone wants to make up their own style, they are welcome to and they can write their own book 😉  And I’m sure it will be fabulous because it’s made from their blood, sweat and tears.

Writing a book has been an amazing experience. Knowing everything that goes in to a book and how it gets published has been truly a blessing and I have a whole new respect for authors. And I would definitely do it all over again given the chance again.

So today I’m sharing the chapters of my book and some photos of some of the projects.

And I’m also going to ask you for a huge favour. In order for my book to get searched on Amazon, it needs to have at least 250 pre-orders. If it doesn’t, it’s much harder to sell when it gets released on June 12th. So I’m asking if you could please pre-order a book before June 12th! I’d be forever grateful.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click to read my full disclosure policy.

French Vintage Decor

I could never be where I am today without your love and support. You are the most loyal readers and have been reading my blog and supporting me all this time for which I am eternally grateful.

Here are the chapters and some photos of projects that are included:

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom /chapters included - So Much Better With Age

Here is a sampling of the projects that you can make from my book!

La Baguette Bag

 

 

 

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / baguette bag - So Much Better With Age

Antiqued Mirror with Spray Paint

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / antiqued mirror -So Much Better With Age

Trumeau Mirror with Plaster Technique and Piping

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / trumuea mirror - So Much Better With Age

Gold Leaf Frame with Pressed Lavender

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / gold leaf frame So Much Better With Age

Old Locket on Canvas Art

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / old locket on canvas- So Much Better With Age

Scrollwork on Canvas

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / scrollwork on canvas - So Much Better With Age

Framed Needlepoint

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / framed needlepoint - So Much Better With Age

Press for Champagne Sign

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / press for champagne sign - So Much Better With Age

Cheese Safe

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / cheese safe - So Much Better With Age

Long Linen Bulletin Board

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom /long linen bulletin board- So Much Better With Age

Antique Labels on Brown Bottles

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / brown bottle collection -So Much Better With Age

Leather Antique Book

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom /leather antique book So Much Better With Age

Drillbit Holders with Lavender

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / drill bit holder - So Much Better With Age

Rustic Tray

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / rustic tray - So Much Better With Age

Dried Flowers as Art

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / dried flowers as art - So Much Better With Age

Piping on Furniture

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom /piping on furniture - So Much Better With Age

Paris Building Table French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom /Paris building table - So Much Better With Age

White and Gold VanityFrench Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / white & gold vanity - So Much Better With Age

Cheesecloth Tablecloth

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom / cheesecloth tablecloth - So Much Better With Age

Basket Bag

French Vintage Decor by Jamie Lundstrom /Basket bag- So Much Better With Age

Here is the landing page of my French Vintage Decor! Be sure to stop by and
order my book!

French Vintage Decor

 

 

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14 Comments

  1. I am so proud of you baby! So many late nights, a few tears, and even your blood. You poured it all into this book and it shows. You are a super talent hun and I love you so much!

  2. Your book looks amazing Jamie. I’ve always envied your style and I love that you have stayed completely true to YOU in creating this book. From the subdued hues to the elegant simplicity, every project speaks of a handmade journey and the love of what you do. I appreciate how much work it was to put this together in such a short time period and you should be very proud of that effort. Can’t wait to see it in print… well done!!

    1. Aww, thank you so much, Kerryanne! The feeling is completely mutual, my friend. Thank you for your love & support.
      Big hugs, Jamie

  3. I actually stopped breathing as I scrolled though your projects. They were that beautiful and SO unique. I don’t know of anyone else offering this type of book, you are filling a huge void and, I dare say, are a trend setter, my dear! I’m so glad you said “yes”, for all of those of us that are learning from you. Soon it will be time to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labor. For now, I am heading over to pre-order your book for gifts for friends and family!!

    1. Sarah! When I read your post it made my tear up! That’s so kind of you, friend. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to respond. What would I do without all this loving support!
      Hugs, Jamie

  4. Oh this is so exciting! You will be my first feature at Thursday Favorite Things tomorrow and I will shout out your new book on FB and IG! Maybe you can autograph my copy ha ha! Congrats talented blogging friend!

    1. Oh my goodness, thank you so much, Amber! Email me your mailing address and I can send you a signed bookplate to stick in your book!
      Hugs, Jamie

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