Learning Patience and Fortitude and Stepping Into Oneself

**THROWBACK POST**

September 24 2014:

Congratulations Thomas! He has reached 200 days with his LEGO photographer project. That’s 165 more days of fun pictures for those of you enjoying it and only 165 more for those of you tired if it! HA! This is teaching him so much about patience, fortitude, and helping him step into who he is. xoxo

Lego Man Photographing Team TLC 2014

P.S. …. It’s a published book now too! Wahoo!! Go here to see the book and book trailer … Biggest Little Photographer

Paper Towels in the Dishwasher and Dinner Outside and Alchemist

March 12 2017:

“The paper towels are in the dishwasher … along with the light bulbs.” – Me to Thomas yesterday as he was helping to clean. What you use the dishwasher for when you don’t use it and have extremely limited storage space. xoxo

**********************

We got to enjoy our first dinner outside today! Fist bump toast for that! Wahoo!

Busy, busy day of working on blogs and then more purging and organizing. About seven years of downsizing, purging, and simplifying and I still find more to throw out or pass on.

Space …. feels so good when it’s clear and not cluttered. Here’s a fun and sparkly picture I took a few weeks ago of a wee icicle shifting back into liquid. The Shift! xoxo

Melting Icicles from 2.22.17 for 3.11.17 Post

March 15 2017:

Come by and see Thomas and I tonight at Achemist Theatre! We’ll have a table with Biggest Little Photographer and D iz for Different!! Can’t wait to hear tonight’s message and the GREAT music! xoxo

Team TLC and Biggest Little and D iz for Different March 2017

March 18 2017:

Just home from Alchemist Salon for Giants [discussion group] …. Thank you Matthew McDowell and Jessica Levity Daylover of Alchemist Theatre (including ALL of the Alchemist chiefs). I am deeply grateful for the space, synchronicity, events, and discussions over these past three months.

I was moved in December 2016 to have as my 2017 theme, “The Shift”. I knew not what this entailed. Yet, I agreed to it, signed up, and jumped in with all my heart.

It has definitely not been easy, nor fun, yet the freedom from the past, and from anxiety and fear, is worth every freaking second! There is so much shift happening on so many levels and I am beyond thankful that part of the shift involves all of you. So much love …. xoxo

Camilla's 2017 Vision Board 1.14.17

Biggest Little Photographer to Capitol and Ranch San Rafael Park Visitor’s Center

February 19 2017:

Almost forgot to let you know! Biggest Little Photographer will have a permanent spot at the Capitol building gift shop. We received an email Friday from the manager and they are going to give him a chance! YAY!

Also, the Biggest Little Photographer exhibit is being installed this coming week at Rancho San Rafael Park Visitor’s Center. It will be there through mid April 2017. You go Little Photographer! xoxo

***************

February 24 2017:

Biggest Little Photographer is being delivered on Tuesday to the Legislative Gift Shop! Will have to see if they will take a picture for us. If not, we may take a field trip to Carson. YAY!

Nevada Legislative Gift Shop Purchase Order Biggest Little 2.24.17

Unexpected Side Effect and Rancho San Rafael and Wilbur May Center

February 6 2017:

An unexpected and wonderful side effect of Thomas’ book, Biggest Little Photographer, is renewed interest in my book published in 2012, D iz for Different. It was a great day to mail one to California. YaY!!!

Mailing D iz for Different 2.6.17

February 8 2017:

Got a new order of books! Now’s the time to get your copy if you’ve been meaning to order!

…. Plus, Biggest Little Photographer coming soon to The Wilbur May Center Gift Shop …. The order was placed this morning to coincide with the awesome Biggest Little Photographer exhibit currently being created for the Rancho San Rafael Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center will also host Thomas and I for a few public discussions about the book as the exhibit will run through April 2017. Plus, plus a private discussion about the book for children at The Children’s Cabinet. And perhaps planning a way for books to be donated to Children’s Cabinet too! Wonderful and heartwarming ….. xoxo

Biggest p8 - d

February 8 2017:

Biggest Little Photographer is on his way to the capitol building in Carson City!! I was contacted last week and the gift store manager wants to see the book. Yay! Hope she likes it!!! xoxo

Biggest Little Book to Capitol Gift Shop 2.8.17

Biggest Little Photographer Book Trailer

January 11 2017:

Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number EIGHT 2016 CamillaDowns.com blog post with the most views: “The Biggest Little Photographer by Thomas Darnell” ……. xoxoxoxoxo …….

The Biggest Little Photographer by Thomas Darnell

This was the post announcing the book trailer! FUN!! I still love how it turned out!!

The trailer … https://youtu.be/LYUOex6s5-s …. xoxo

The Fruition of a Desire

January 6 2017:

Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number FOUR 2016 CamillaDowns.com blog post with the most views: “Photo a Day for 365 Days – Thomas’ One Year Anniversary” ……. xoxoxoxoxo ……

Photo a Day for 365 Days – Thomas’ One Year Anniversary

This book represents the fruition of a desire. Yet, within that is the message that the steps along the journey of ones desire are what comprises life itself.

It’s sure to inspire with great quotes; almost all of which were chosen by Thomas ….. for ages eight to eighty and beyond!”

…. excerpt from the blog post …. “From Thomas’ last post on instagram … “LEGO MANS FACE!!!!! I can’t believe I’ve made it to this point. Last year I ordered some LEGO pieces including a camera. Then @CamillaDowns showed me an article about somebody who did a photo a day for a year. I said “Can I do that?”

That was a year ago, and I’ve took photos EVERY SINGLE DAY! There was a lot of times I wanted to quit, but my intuition said not to! Thanks for all of you who have followed me from there to here! I will still post often, so don’t worry!! P.S. I purposely never showed is face to make it somewhat a mystery.”

Biggest Little Photographer Enters Reno Stores

January 4 2017:

biggest-little-book-at-buy-nevada-first-shop-december-2016-3

Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number TWO 2016 blog post on CamillaDowns.com with the most views: “Biggest Little Photographer Arrives – We Did It!”

“This book represents the fruition of a desire. Yet, within that is the message that the steps along the journey of ones desire are what comprises life itself.

It’s sure to inspire with great quotes; almost all of which were chosen by Thomas ….. for ages eight to eighty and beyond!”

Biggest Little Photographer Arrives – We Did It

Biggest Little Photographer LIVE on the Radio

December 18 2016:

Did you know there’s a local and live radio show all about the newest books? There is indeed!! It’s the LRP Book Hound radio show!

Thomas and I were on the show live on Monday, 12.19, between 4-4:30 talking about Biggest Little Photographer!! OKCKQ 1180 AM in Reno, NV …. Live streaming at https://amm.streamon.fm/

We are so grateful to Jan for this opportunity and the entire crew at LRP for all they have done with bringing the book together. Oceans of thanks to everyone who has supported and cheered from the beginning and who continue to support Thomas’ creation! xoxo

biggest-little-book-at-south-valleys-12-9-16-1

_______________________________________________

December 19 2016:

Thomas was nervous to begin with, yet he got over that!! Went great and we had FUN!

Thomas and I were live this afternoon on OKCKQ 1180 AM in Reno, NV on the LRP Book Hound talking about Biggest Little Photographer ….

We are so grateful to Jan for this opportunity and the entire crew at LRP for all they have done with bringing the book together. Oceans of thanks to everyone who has supported and cheered from the beginning and who continue to support Thomas’ creation! xoxo

thomas-and-biggest-little-book-on-radio-12-19-16-1 thomas-and-biggest-little-book-on-radio-12-19-16-2 thomas-and-biggest-little-book-on-radio-12-19-16-3 thomas-and-biggest-little-book-on-radio-12-19-16-4

 

The Book Hound and Thank You and Where to Find Biggest Little Photographer

November 14 2016:

….. Coming soon to a radio (or internet radio) near you …. Thomas and I will be on a local radio show called “The Book Hound”; which airs LIVE on Mondays. We’ll let you know when the date is set. Wheeeee!!!!

Do we know anyone who knows anyone who owns/manages local gift shops or shops that carry locally “made” items? The book is printed here in Reno and almost all of the photographs were taken in Reno/Sparks/Washoe Valley/Virginia City/Tahoe. Thank you!! xoxo

We are also happy to offer the book for use as a fundraiser. Let us know.

date-day-with-thomas-june-2016-7

________________________________________

November 15 2016:

Thank you so much Theresa Garcia Grant for lunch, wonderful company, and for supporting Biggest Little Photographer. Look how graceful you are ……. xoxo

theresa-with-biggest-little-book-november-2016

_________________________________________________

November 15 2016:

Wonderful, fabulous, great news …..

Don’s Pharmacy will soon have Biggest Little Photographer for sale! So far in Reno the book will be sold at The Discovery Museum Gift Shop and Don’s Pharmacy …. and from us … Making the weekly trip to the post office tomorrow if anyone wants one mailed this week.

This is a picture of Thomas at a wonderful sacred Round Dance we took part in at the beautiful OdaBe!! Can’t wait for the next one!!!

Oceans of thanks and love to everyone for your support and kindness. xoxo

thomas-and-camilla-at-odabe-round-dance-9-25-16-9

_______________________________________

November 16 2016:

Biggest Little Photographer is on his way to Florida and Texas …. Must be the cold front that visited us today ….. Safe travels little man!!!!

mailing-biggest-little-books-11-16-16

______________________________________________

November 19 2016:

The Discovery Museum is hosting a book signing for Thomas next Saturday, 11.26, from 2-4! We will be picking up our 3rd order of books next week from LRP and that will put us nearing 100 books!

The Discovery Museum Gift Shop will also be selling Biggest Little Photographer! We will be delivering 20 books to The Discovery on Monday or Tuesday.

If anyone is interested in learning more about the book, hosting a book signing, carrying the book, or personally purchasing, here’s the link ….https://www.BiggestLittlePhotographer.com

We are happy to make the book available for fundraisers also. In addition, we are available to speak at events.

Oceans of thanks to everyone!! xoxo

ishot-109

________________________________________________

November 19 2016:

Worlds of thanks to everyone for the connections to local shops in regards to stocking Biggest Little Photographer! We are deeply grateful!! xoxo

We’ve got another to add! YAY! Buy Nevada First will be selling the book also. Wahoo! So the three shops so far are: The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, Don’s Pharmacy, and Buy Nevada First.

We are looking for connections to gift shops in Reno, Virginia City, Tahoe, Incline Village, and Sparks.

Here are a few reviews that we’ve received:

“I got the coolest package in the mail today. Just when I was getting homesick and missing the west coast this came at the perfect time.

“This book was created by the most amazing 8 year old I know who is the perfect example of determination and going after your dreams and he’s accomplished more in those 8 years then I ever will.

Thank you for warming my heart on this rainy Texas night. This kid is going places and has a positive message to share.” ~Gloria, Texas

“The book is absolutely beautiful and literally exudes all the love that went into making it!! A real treasure!” – Michaela, Reno

“Since your book arrived last week, I have read it a couple of times thru and also just looked at a few pages and smiled!

You certainly are to be commended for taking on and completing such a big project for an entire year! It is so lovely for you to have a dream come to fruition at your young age!The quotes were just perfect and so appropriate!

The message for me is to not take life for granted. Your little photographer took pictures of the ORDINARY and made them EXTRAORDINARY thru his camera lens and your vision. ~Patricia, California

thomas-young-blood-show-9-30-16-5