Archive for September, 2008
Guest Blogger: My Friend, Shelly
You know the cartoon Tasmanian Devil, which for some reason looks nothing like a real Tasmanian Devil? Well, that’s what I look like right now. My friend, Shelly, who was a reader long before I ever was, shared some book passages with me, and I’m going to make a Guest Blogger of her, and have [...]
It’s Quiet Here
Yeah, I know. You’re all wondering where the next rock picture is, aren’t you? Lots of travel and prep this week for the trade show this weekend. It’s liable to be quiet around here. Then again, there could be more to share than usual. Just not today. So here’s your rock.
Larger-Than-Life Lara
What’s on my nightstand? Larger-Than-Life Lara, by Dandi Daley Mackall. I read a YA novel earlier this week, but I’m not going to mention it because I didn’t especially like it. Actually, I’m still not sure what I think of it. It was weird. Larger-Than-Life Lara, however, is proving a fun read. When Lara Phelps [...]
Weekend Site-Seeing
This week we’re going to head over to Jen Robinson’s Book Page. Jen reviews kids’ books, picture books through YA novels. Tons of them. I think I read a lot, but Jen makes me look like a reluctant reader. She also writes a weekly newsletter, Growing Bookworms. Honestly, she’s so prolific, she can fill my [...]
It Takes a Village, or Critique Group
Two members of my critique group are nearing the end of extensive novel revisions, getting ready to submit cover letters and sample chapters to agents and editors. Emails flew yesterday as the whole group chewed over the Big Revelation in Elsie’s ghost story. Between the six of us, we had probably four different interpretations of [...]
Paperclip Addition…or Addiction
Hey all you Needlework Nutshell readers, Fellow Nuts, Jane and Angi, had some questions about the gluing phase of the paperclip project from the September issue. As a result, I’ve added to the tutorial. I hope that makes things clearer. See what happens when I get hold of the camera? This is a granite tor [...]
Class Prep
My excuse for making yet another bracelet in this same pattern (as if I need an excuse): class preparation. I’ll certainly be well prepared. I can make one of these with one hand tied behind my back. Do you think that’s pushing it? Well, you get the idea. I’m going to overstitch the edge with [...]
Deadline #1: Check
I submitted my first batch of materials for the Vocab Fun project today. Submissions generate a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I’m excited because I like what I came up with and am proud of it. Whatever happens next, I did my best, and that feels great. I’m anxious because I went ahead and allowed [...]
For Cathymk
Remember that New Pattern Puzzle Contest we had here, oh, last month? Cathymk asked to see answers to the puzzles. A reasonable request to which I readily agreed. What neither of us expected was that it would take me this long to get them posted. Uh…sorry Cathymk. I didn’t forget. I’ve been thinking about you [...]
, by Ellen Ruppel Shell
, by Elizabeth Strout.
