One of the things our publisher does is have each of their authors create a short video about their book. A movie trailer of sorts – but for a book.
Artisan suggested we hire a little film/editing crew to do it, but like true DIYers we took it as a fun challenge to see how much we could do ourselves. So we came up with an outline, wrote a little script, hired a local video genius to shoot it for us (who also happens to be our brother in law) and edited it ourselves in Final Cut Pro back in March. And now that we’re two months away from the official book release date (Nov 6th, aka Election Day) we’re finally allowed to share it! Wahoo.
We had to finish the video so early because our publisher needed it for a spring sales conference in March, so as soon as we got back from Hawaii the pressure was on (see how bare the trees are in this pic?). Thankfully all of the projects were already finished for when we shot all of the book photography over three weeks at our house in February, so one day of shooting video and setting up little impromptu vignettes wasn’t too tricky. It was actually really fun.
The funniest thing is that we handed in our outline for all of the projects in the book about a year before this video was shot, so finally seeing the projects in real life in a polished format like this (since it was well before we saw any final book proofs) was kind of surreal. I guess it’s akin to baking a cake for a year or two and finally getting to taste it.
The weirdest part by far was recording our nerdy little voice over (while sitting in a closet using our iPhones) and layering that in there. Allow us to share this reenactment so you can picture it (Burger was playing the role of “Supervisor”):
And for those of you at work who can’t watch videos, here are a few still shots (there are a lot more sneak peeks of various projects in the video though):
We’re so relieved to finally be able to reveal some of the projects in the book – even if it’s only a small portion for now. Thankfully in less than two months the book will be out (you can pre order it here) so all those kitties will be out of the bag. Can’t wait! Free the kitties!
Have you guys ever written a video script and attempted to make a somewhat polished little YouTube ditty? It’s kinda fun, right? The clothesline concept was all John’s – and we love how it allowed us to squeeze in a few bonus project peeks. I’d say previewing 15 projects in a little over a minute is pretty speedy, indeed. You know we like to cram stuff in there (slash are terrible secret keepers). Woot!
Oh my gosh! You guys are stars!!!! I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m going to watch the video on my lunch break (1 more hour!) but for now I am loving the gilded lamp & the dresser. Most books I borrow from the library, but this one I GOTTA HAVE!
Seriously can’t wait!!! 2 months seems so long, but I know it’ll be totally worth it ;) you guys are the best! xx
Can’t wait to do the state project! Nice work guys!
Adorable. Can’t wait to buy the book!
You guys are so cute!
I cannot wait for your book release in november–our first little bundle of joy is also expected in November…hospital reading? I think yes!
xx, Montana
Aw, congrats on your little bundle!
xo
s
Yeeahhhhh!!!!!! I can’t wait for November 6. That video is just perfect. You guys are the best, congratulations!
Woo Hoo! SOOO excited to buy your book! :) I was super excited to see the clip about stenciling a rug…I was just considering doing that for our dining room rug. Yay! I don’t know if I can wait all the way until Nov to see how to do it though! ;)
So cute! Book pre-ordered and I can’t wait! Good call on calling keeps on the dresser. Love it!
I can’t wait!!! Do you have a travel schedule yet to promote the book??
We’ll have all of the tour stuff finalized in a few weeks. Can’t wait to share those deets!
xo
s
Aww! So cute! You guys are endlessly charming, and the video captures that perfectly! I’m super-excited to get my copy of the book in the mail come November! What a great treat to bridge the gap between Halloween and Christmas! ^_^
You two are just so gorgeous. I love catching up on all your latest projects and fun with each other,Clara and of course Burger. I live in Perth, Western Australia so you are most definately international stars. (Well in my book anyway.) Looking forward to lots more of you all. I have already pre-ordered your book.Your video is so cute by the way.
Aw shucks Jo, quit making us blush. Haha.
xo
s
Ohhh….So exciting! Can’t wait for the book! Looks great guys.
That. Is. The. Cutest. Video. Ever!!! I seriously watched it multiple times. And I love how Burger came prancing in in the very first scene. GREAT JOB! I thought I was pumped about the book when I pre-ordered a couple of months ago. Words can’t explain how excited I am….Like Saved By The Bell Jessie Spano excited except without the pills.
Hahahahahahahahahahahhaha.
xo
s
Can I just say that “free the kitties!” made me laugh really hard. HAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG! Free the kitties!!
Haha, thanks Jenn! I’m in a weird giddy mood today.
xo
s
Such a cute video! I watched the video before I read the beginning of the post and am mega impressed that you guys edited that yourselves. Can’t wait for November!
Ahhh, love it!!! You guys are so darn cute! What an inspiration your book will be. I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Sherry, your smile lights up a room!
Yay! It’s almost here! Great job on the video. I loved the gradient dresser. I don’t blame you for keeping it! haha I just pre-ordered my book! Can’t wait until it comes out! That will also mean all this election crap at my job will be over so the release date will require a celebration of some sort! :)
Ahhh, I am SO excited! I don’t think I have ever been this excited, like ever, for a book to come out! Not even the Twilight series, if you can believe that!
Oh my gosh, you’re making me nervous. I hope you guys love our book :)
xo
s
Don’t be nervous, it will be fabulous! And I am sure there will be many of us who read it cover-to-cover the day it arrives at our door! (Not sure how to comment under your post, which is why I replied to my own)
Aw thanks Amanda! It’s so funny how 80% of us wants everyone to buy the book and 20% of us is afraid for anyone to buy it out of insecurity and what-if-they-don’t-love-it fear. Hahah! We poured our heart into this baby, so it feels sort of weird and vulnerable, haha.
xo
s
If it makes you feel better, am currently refinishing our kitchen cabinets – something I never would have even attempted to do before reading your blog. So far about 1/3 is completely done – cabinets rehung and everything. And the hubs LOVES them – he thinks they look like new even though they are 40 years old. But there is this small part of me that is thinking “what if I didn’t do a good enough job? Could I be paying closer attention to detail? what if after all this work we decide we hate them and just want new cabinets?” But you just gotta keep on trucking. I think at some point in any project you have that moment of fear, but in the end, you are accomplishing something you never even thought possible. For me, it’s refinishing the cabinets. Even if they come out terrible, I did it myself and that’s what matters. So what if your book doesn’t end up a NY Times Bestseller (it will)? You guy WROTE A BOOK! Big pat on the back for you!
Aw, you’re so sweet. Thanks Amanda!!
xo
s
Also I’d like to just say for the record that I may have come up with idea # 129 simultaneously. Haha, jk but we do have small framed fabric that we love! Thanks for the decor confirmation I’m not weird.
Haha, you’re totally not weird! We’re hoping the book is a nice mix of I-never-thought-of-that, I-thouught-of-that-but-didn’t-know-how-to-do-it, and I-already-did-that-so-where’s-my-high-five moments. Haha. We just smashed a whole lotta classic and less expected ideas together and called it good :)
xo
s
Awesome! So happy for you both. You are going to be very busy!
Awww…love the video! We’re so used to seeing still photos and hearing your “voice” through typed words – it’s fun to see you guys in live action and see your personalities shine. Makes me even more excited to get the book!
Can’t wait for the book – we are moving across the country on November 1st, so the timing couldn’t be better for DIYing our new house! Can’t wait to put your book to good use!
I LOVE the gradient painted on the dresser!!!! OMG makes me want to go thrift store-ing for a dresser I can do that too!! I preordered your book a month ago I am so excited for it to arrive on my doorstep!
Ah this is so exciting! I feel like I have been on this journey with you guys since reading your blog all these years. Congrats on your accomplishments. Y’all should be proud! Can’t wait to get the book!
Aw thanks Meredith! It still doesn’t seem real. I think maybe when we see it on a shelf in a bookstore it’ll finally sink in.
xo
s
I’ll have to watch when I get home from work! I really love the paint a gradient idea though. We’ve been wondering what to do with our boring ikea dressers, and that’d be so fun!
Any idea when the book tour schedule will be released? Nashville sounds like a pretty great stop to me.
Wahoo! We’d love to end up in Nashville! Things are still getting finalized, but in a few weeks we should be able to share the whole tour schedule with ya!
xo
s
I second a vote for Nashville. We have a great city and tons of fun places for kiddies and dog babies alike :). I feel like a kid in class saying pick me pick me!!!
Had to watch video twice bc there was so much crammed in there! Love it and so excited. Btw you two are just so cute doing what you do
You two are way too cute! You make me want to hug my hubby :)
I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove it!! Can’t wait for some new ideas!!!
Love love love it! Cannot wait to get my preordered book! This just made my day!
This is great! You guys continue to amaze me. As a fellow NJian, love the state art and I was totally hoping $herdog’s would win the Battle Royale that was taking place. Can’t wait to get my copy of the book. It’s been preordered since it was on Amazon and I’m sure it’s going to be worth every penny.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
Hip Hip! Love the sneak peeks! The book is on pre-order and I cannot wait for it to arrive! Congratulations on all your hard work!
LOVE the video! So excited to see all that the book has to offer!!
Hey Guys!
Thanks to you too i got totally insane with DIY;)Did some things before i discovered your lovely blog. Maybe i send you some pictures some day;)
Greetings across the ocean from Bavaria (Germany;)
Lena
Aw you’re so sweet Lena! Would love to see pics! Wave hello to Germany for us!
xo
s
I’ve pre ordered mine from amazon.co.uk because I live in Scotland. It’s showing up as being released the 5 th of November. It is also showing up as 251 ways to paint craft etc. quick you need to think of some more things lol.
Haha- all of those ideas are in there, some just got renamed as “Quick Tips” so they’re not counted in the number (but are still crammed in there). Wahoo!
xo
s
that was so great!!!!! remember that time you (sherry) got so excited about the pinterest challenge that you held burger and man-screamed about how great it was?! picture me doing that right now with my daughter’s stuffed animal. that’s how excited i am about seeing your book at my doorstep!
Hahahahahahahaha. I love it.
xo,
s
Hi Petersiks! I’m a long time lurker, and enjoy your blog everyday while I’m taking a break from lab work. I offer you my hearty congratulations on the completion of your book, and your promotional video is very cute and personal! I am not really much of a home designer (you’d be horrified at the state of my house, but grad school doesn’t leave much time of $ for home design, and I lack any “vision”), however your blog and home are such a source of inspiration AND aspiration! I look forward to checking out your book! Congratulations, again!
From your NC neighbor,
Aadra
Aw thanks so much Aadra! You’re so sweet.
xo
s
Awesome, awesome, awesome……..just awesome. You are making the world a better place. Truly you are. How many people can say that?
My best, Lynn
(hugs and high fives)
Oh Lynn, you’re so sweet.
xo
s
oh my gosh. y’all are so cute! i cannot wait to get my copy of your book!
Love, Love, Love! You guys are such an inspiration! Can’t wait to see the book! xo :)
Ugh. You guys are just way too cool for me. :) Love the video!
Super anxious for the book! I love how you guys put NEW projects in your book, unlike other blogs that have been published. Usually those books come out with things that we’ve all seen before. So cheers for keeping us on our feet!
The video was awesome. Well done! I make videos just like these for a living & love to see what other come up with.
Also, please please come to Orlando for a book signing! It’ll be a great trip since there is plenty to do here :)
We’d love to end up in Orlando! Will keep you guys posted on those tour details as soon as they’re finalized!
xo
s
I can’t wait for my book to come!! And you two are absolutely adorable! I loved the state art scene with that sweet little kiss thrown in for good measure. I’m happy your personality and love, for each other, diy, and decorating, just shine through! Congratulations on everything!!!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!!!! I CAN’T WAIT TO HOLD THE BOOK IN MY HANDS!!!
Umm, your video totally just made me cry!! I’m so happy for you guys. (and happy that my HUHsband has already pre-ordered me a copy for Christmas – he can’t keep a secret to save his life) So – hugs and happy thoughts are being sent your way :)
Oh Laura, you’re so sweet. We have the best readers ever. Sniffle.
xo
s
I can’t wait! It’s like a real-life Pinterest board. Only this time I’ll (hopefully) be doing the projects instead of thinking about them :)
“Free the kitties!” BWA HA HA! You guys are super adorable. (The image in my head was to dramatically open the bedroom door and my two cats very lazily plodding out of the room only to jump on the couch and curl back up and go to sleep)
We’re starting a “homeowner’s club” amongst our friends (all of us that are recent first-time home buyers and DIYers) and I’m looking forward to picking up your book. (LOVE the gradient dresser btw – that’s my living room color scheme!)
Haha, now I’m laughing at the lazy cat visual.
xo
s
Your video made me tear up a little. So excited for you guys and even more excited to get the book. Its been pre-ordered for weeks! Congratulations!!!
Aw thanks Danielle, that’s so sweet. Sniffle.
xo
s
Aww, so cute! There’s so few videos of you guys together! And the projects look awesome, can’t wait until November!