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Gratitude for the Amazing Life Experience of Book Dedications
May
Gratitude for the Amazing Life Experience of Book Dedications by Kristin Omdahl
I have had so many incredible highlights throughout my career: being on TWO different TV shows; manufacturing my own brand of products (seeing my name on the labels or products themselves); reading my name on the spine of books for sale at the bookstore; being recognized in public; being asked for my autograph; reading so many emails from people telling me how I have affected their lives in a positive way; being the author of 20 books; being the independent publisher of nine of them; award-winning video producer; and the list goes on and on and on. Side story: I volunteered to be a field trip mom to the book store when Marlon was in 1st grade. He so proudly got to show the entire class that his mama had her own books with her name on the spine that day. What a surreal experience. The store manager and the teachers were quite surprised as well as the class!
Earlier today I was talking with my son Marlon and the subject of book dedication came up in conversation. I reminded him that I have exclusively dedicated all 20 of my books to date to him. His name changed along the way; when he was little I protected his identity by calling him Shark Hunter. And when he was older, we announced his real name publicly because it was ’embarrassing’.
The conversation made me wonder if it would be interesting to pull down all 20 books and read the dedications in chronological order. It was such an emotional experience we shared together. Because so many of you have been along for this entire journey, I thought you might enjoy if I shared it with you as well. And because many of you are new to my brand and business, I though you might like to enjoy it as well.
Below I have listed my 20 books (at the time of writing this blog post, I have authored and published 20 books to date), along with a photo of Marlon and me from the year the respective book was published, and the dedication I wrote in the book to him.
I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.
xoxo, Kristin
Wrapped In Crochet, 2008
Dedication: “To Marlon, my inspiration. John, for being an angel when we needed one.”
Crochet So Fine, 2010
Dedication: “To Marlon, my inspiration. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Seamless Crochet, 2011
Dedication: “To Marlon, my Shark Hunter and French photographer extraordinaire. You inspire me always. I love you infinitely.”
A Knitting Wrapsody, 2011
Dedication: “To Marlon, my Shark Hunter. I love you, sweetheart!”
Complements Collection, 2012
Dedication: “To Shark Hunter, your heart of gold and outrageous comedy continue to inspire and entertain me daily. I love you to infinity.”
The Finer Edge, 2013
Dedication: “I dedicate this book to my Shark Hunter. You are my inspiration to be the best person I can be, to work hard and smart, and to always have fun and smile. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Knitting Outside the Swatch, 2013
Dedication:
Beginners Guide to Knitting In The Round, 2014
Dedication: “To Marlon my Shark Hunter. As you become a young man instead of my baby boy, you continue to inspire me and challenge me to be the best person I can be. I only hope I make you proud, too. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
I Taught Myself to Crochet 18″ Doll Clothes, 2015
Dedication: n/a
I Taught Myself to Knit 18″ Doll Clothes, 2015
Dedication: n/a
Zen Art: A Coloring Book, 2015
Dedication: “To Marlon, my sweet and funny, newly teenaged son. You challenge me, inspire me, and entertain me every step of the way. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Crochet So Lovely, 2015
Dedication: “A special thank you to my Shark Hunter, my sweet, talented and good natured son. The seeds of my wonderful career began while you were still growing in my belly. Now, some twelve years later, I watch with ever-increasing pride as you blossom into the man you will become. You continue to inspire me beyond words. I feel truly blessed and love you so much.”
Continuous Crochet, 2016
Dedication: “To my sweet, smart, funny, caring and silly teenager, Marlon. Wow: my first time calling you a teenager in a book! To think that I picked up a crochet hook for the first time when I was pregnant with you. I’m so proud of how hard you are working toward your dreams. Your lofty goals remind me of when I was your age, and they help me to remember I still have big dreams, too. The world is our oyster. With big dreams, big passion, and hard work, we can do and be anything we strive to be. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Motif Magic, Volume I, 2018
Dedication: “This book is dedicated to Marlon. You are the reason I picked up a ball of yarn sixteen years ago and since then blazed a trail to make a beautiful life for us. I am so proud of the hard-working, strong-willed and determined man you are becoming.”
80 Handmade Gifts, 2018
Dedication: “This book is dedicated to Marlon. No matter what life has in store for us, we will always have each other. We share a dedication to hard work and staying focused on our goals. You inspire every day to laugh and have more fun along the way. I am so proud of you. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Layers: 18 Crochet Projects to Fit, Flatter and Drape, 2019
Dedication:“This book is dedicated to Marlon. You have grown up so much this year and I continue to be amazed by your strength, energy and ability to find the humor in everything. I am so grateful to be your mom. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Layers: 19 Knit Projects to Fit, Flatter and Drape, 2019
Dedication: “This book is dedicated to Marlon. You have grown up so much this year and I continue to be amazed by your strength, energy and ability to find the humor in everything. I am so grateful to be your mom. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
88 Crochet Stitch Encyclopedia, 2019
Dedication: n/a
52 Crochet Gifts, 2020
Dedication: “This book is dedicated to Marlon. this is my 18th book and I have dedicated each one to you. We have come a long way together. As you enter adulthood this year, you will be making more choices and taking on more responsibility than ever before. Just always remember, your mama is your #1 fan and will always have your back. I am so grateful to be your mom. You continue to inspire me in ways you’ll never know. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Be So Caring, Volume I, 2020
Dedication: “I dedicate this book to my son, Marlon. If it wasn’t for you, I might never have even written my first book. You are the most important person in my life, and the inspiration behind all that I do. I love you with all my heart and soul. I hope I have taught you by example that you can’t control what happens around you, but you can choose to never give up and never stop giving to others. I can’t wait to see how you are going to impact the world with your infectious humor and kindness.”
24 Crochet Hats, 2021
Dedication: I dedicate this book to my son, Marlon. My world is a better place because of you. You continue to inspire me to be a better person than I was yesterday. I love you with all my heart and soul.
Crochet Power, 2022
Dedication: This book is dedicated to my son, Marlon. This is my 21st book, launching just before your 20th birthday. Everything I have created in my career was driven by my desire to take care of you the best I possibly could. I am so proud of the fine young man you are becoming. Your heart is pure, your humor is contagious and your work ethic makes your hard-working mama so very proud. You inspire me every day to laugh more and be silly. I’ll always be your #1 fan. I love you with all my heart and soul.
Beautiful sentiments
Thank you!
That was a joy to read, thank you for sharing with us! What a great life you have worked so hard to provide for him. The love that the two of you have for each other shines in your faces in your pictures ! You have really given him your best and it shows. Single mom? You should give lessons…❣️
I have many of these books and enjoy everyone. Thank you for sharing your journey in the daily podcasts. You are an inspiration to us who share the sometimes lonely, but also craft of knitting and crocheting!! Thank you!
There’s nothing more special than a Mother’s love for her child ❤. Thanks for sharing your inspirational journey, your life, career and motherhood. Your a Mom a son can be proud of . We are proud of you too. Thanks for sharing.
It was fun seeing Marlon change thru the years. There is nothing like the love you have for your child/children! Thanks for sharing your precious memories!
This made me cry, because I know how you feel. Some day please tell us the origins of “shark hunter.” to you, Kristin and Marlon…and all you moms and sons out there.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories with us! You have inspired me once again with beginning of a graditute journal. I also have given my friends a journal each to write their thankful thoughts and feelings. Your inspiration is like a ripple in the water that keeps giving. Your a great blessing to me and others in our knit and crochet community! Thank you for every idea, creation, encouragement, kind word, and wonder woman spin you make for us! May the Lord give you the desires of your heart!
Thank you so much for your kind words! xoxo, Kristin
Oh I so enjoyed that ! Thank you for sharing , I’m now looking on Amazon for books you published, I had no idea some existed . I faithfully try to watch your you tube videos , I love the open chat , it is like visiting with a friend , if my hubby and I drive our rv your way , it would be such a pleasure to have a tea on the beach and talk yarn ! You are truly an inspiration! Love ya!
What an amazing and special dedication to your son! You have made the lives of so many people feel special too including me! Thank you so much