Christmas Stockings

I had the distinct honor of making my Ella Amberley's Christmas Stocking. I began about 2 months before the season and finished up in time for Santa's appearance. It is hanging proudly next to her brothers, mom, and dad's. Even though the whole christmas thing is over, these are still hanging proudly from their mantle and I must say they could stay there until Easter and I would be happy. I could hide some eggs in those puppies--hey, maybe I've got something there?

Stone Coasters

New year, new projects

For Christmas I got busy and watched a YouTube video my friend Karen e-mailed me on making coasters out of ceramic tiles. I happened to have a box of white tiles in my backyard (doesn't everybody?) So, I got to work and cleaned off a couple dozen and made some for gifts. I have to say, there was some experimenting with the Stazon ink I used on the slick tiles, but I was happy with the results. One more craft I can do for not much money. Of course, the best part of learning anything new is the shopping part! I love Michael, whoever he is. I have made him a rich man!

writing is fun

I have to say the Nanowrimo worked for me for a while, then we went on vacation and I fell off the writing wagon. At 3000 words, give or take, I still feel accomplished. I have a story going now that I can continue working on and even though I didn't get to the goal of 50,000 I still feel good about making the effort. It also got me used to typing the story on my laptop instead of longhand then transferring it. That right there is a good thing.
My latest entry was to write to the editor of the Tribune about the mamogram recommendation to suggest age 50 for the first one instead of 40. I was soooo mad. My sweet neice was just diagnosed with breast cancer and she is 40. If not for the suggestion to begin mamograms at 40, she might not be here. I intend on sending the same letter that was published in the Saturday Trib. to Lois Capps, our representative.

A Novel Idea

November is Novel Writing month, so says NaNoWriMo, a website I signed up with that gives prizes for writing 50,000 words in a month. This is my first try and so far I have written 842 words in two days. Writing is usually quite a lonely hobby, profession, but when there are people all over the world writing, it becomes more interesting. You should try it sometime. Even if it just means writing in a journal, or a diary, it still refreshes the soul, gives breath to the psyche. I would be lost without writing. But, of course I procrastinate, get ideas and then don't take the time to write them down. Its all about accountability and tricking myself into taking action. In the case of a writer, it's more like inaction, sitting down long enough to write!
So, I will write every day, not editing, not re-writing, just the bare bones. That in itself is more enjoyable. Wish me luck!

A finished project

I finished the basket I started a month or 2 ago. Sigh...it seems like there's so little time, so many fun projects. I am always jumping from one to another. But, it is still enjoyable for me to see each block on my quilt for Ella done, each page of her scrapbook completed ( I finished her birth, working on first month and she's almost 6 mos. old)

My writing has taken a back seat for the time being, altho I still meet with my writing bud, Sue, we mostly talk about our beautiful grandchildren and how they enrich our lives! It's all good material for future essays, memoirs. Meanwhile, I use my writing skills to update my blogs. It is a good outlet and maybe some day someone will read one and leave me a comment. hint, hint!!

I won!

It's kind of hard to see, but my name is really on this award. I entered the Lillian Dean contest at the Cuesta Writer's Conference this weekend and received first place in the nonfiction/memoir category.
The contest required us to create the first page of a novel. The idea is to get the readers to turn the page and keep reading. I've attended this conference for many years, entered this contest before, but never received any recognition like this. Winning this award gives me a feeling of great accomplishment. My Mother was the inspiration for this piece and as I read it to the captive conference audience, I was feeling my mother standing next to me saying, "I'm so proud of you, honey."
Thanks, Mom, I miss you.