So I couldn't do it! I failed at my 21 day blog challenge. Bring on the rotten fruit pelting. But I tried, really I did. And right now I don't feel so bad. Because:

The LA Conference was wonderful. I have less than zero pictures of it -- one picture of a spider trapped in an overturned wine glass and one shot of Mark McVeigh's Fancy Mancy designer sandals. Why didn't I take more photos or hen peck some blog entries via iPhone? Because I was having too much fun talking to hilarious and/or inspirational people and drinking side cars, that's why.

My brain was ringing the whole of the conference. There was so much to take note on and remember for future use and so many sparks of ideas flying around that I had permabrainbuzz (in German that would be der dauerhaftes-Gehirnsummen-kanick-kanackt.)

Not until my plane ride home with Jolie (future author of the Cuppa Jolie blog) when I was 30,000 feet above the conference did I get a moment's peace. And then:

BAM!

Lots of ideas came flooding out. A story I put aside a year ago as dead suddenly presented itself with images and ideas for a new beginning and ending. A snippet of midnight conversation from a lovely editor friend came back to me as a better theme for a picture book I'd started in October. Questions I'd had on my favorite Bun Family started to get answers. Bless you, Alaska Airlines and your lack of comfort, food and entertainment!

And now how to get it all out and what to work on first? I don't know. I do know that Yuyi Morales gave one of the most generous and helpful illustrator talks I've ever heard at a big conference. Get her on the circuit! She had great tips and on working with acrylics and listed a bunch of cool supplies and tools to try. I will start there -- going to steal some pennies from fountains and head to Daniel Smith now.

But before I jump in a fountain this morning I'm easing back into life at home with a quick sketch up above. It is from something a friend wrote. This isn't conference related -- I didn't see any Power Mothers in LA at all. I saw really nice moms with their really nice kids or business ladies sans kids. And I saw no tv or movie celebrities, except Rachel Cohn says she has a tiny cameo in the upcoming film version of the uber-fantastic YA novel Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

How is everybody doing? Where is Jolie's blog? Should I start a petition on my blog to get her to start a blog some time this millenium?

Did you know that Kim, Laurie, Holly and Martha have blogs? Check out Holly's super fabulous and well-deserved good news!