Thursday, October 27, 2011

We are Hip-Hoppin it with My Little Shoebox!!

Good morning Unity Stamp Co & My Little Shoebox Peeps!!
Aren't these joint hops fun??
If you have just stumbled across my blog, then you need to do this hop right and head on over to the Unity Stamp Co. Blog to start (hint: there are prizes involved.)

This week, we were so lucky to get to play with some of the MLS products that coordinate with the Unity Stamp Co. co-branded stamps!!
I love the mix of these two companies!!!


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Little Miss Sunshine
*My Little Shoebox Enchanted Garden Collection
*Palette Burnt Umber ink pad
*Martha Stewart border punch
*watercolor pencils
*Nestabilities labels die
*American Crafts pearl brads
*corner rounder


Now you need to hop on along to ***Norine Borys' blog***

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Writing on Wednesday...First Aid in a Snowstorm

Right now I am in the process of writing three different books and playing at a couple of others. I switch back and forth depending on my mood because they are all different genres. My excerpt for today's writing is from the book A Bewitching Snowstorm.

Writing this book is a different process because, simply put...I am not really using a process on this one. It's weird. I sit down to try and plot it and it just doesn't work with this book, so I just keep writing and every single time I write on it, something happens that surprises me. It's the most bizarre writing process. I don't even know if it's possible to come out with a decent book this way, but for now, it's working for me.

BTW, I already have an earlier scene posted from this WIP that explains how Todd gets hurt. You can find it HERE.

As she came back in the room, he noticed that she a first aid kit, some rags, a bottle of Jack, and a steaming bowl of water all on an old fashioned wooden tray. She nodded to the bowl that she carried, “Luckily the house has an old gas stove that will work in any weather.” She spread her supplies over the coffee table and reached toward his shoulder to remove the blanket that was still draped over him. “This is going to pull a bit as I remove this other dressing. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I am sure that I will survive.” As she started to pull on the tape, bolts of pain started shooting down his arm and abdomen. Todd gasped and grabbed her arms with his uninjured left hand. “Okay, let’s try doing this a different way, just to take the edge off. I get that the Jack is for medicinal purposes for the infection, but I am thinking that we should utilize its deadening qualities for this. Do you mind getting me a glass?”

Maggie nodded, “That’s actually a good idea.” She went to a cabinet on the other side of the room and pulled out a cut crystal highball glass and poured several shots of Jack into it and handed it to Todd. She tried not to notice the shaking of his hand as he reached out to grab the glass from her. Todd’s eyes were looking a bit glassy and he had a sheen of perspiration on his brow just from what little she had done. God, she hated hurting him like this. “I am sorry.”

“Not your fault. Damn deer.” Todd was drinking the potent liquor like it was tea, but he had a feeling that getting drunk was the only way that he was going to make it through this without passing out…again. He drained the first glass, and lifted the empty highball up to Maggie. “Let’s fill this up one more time, give it about 10 minutes to take effect and then we can try again.”

She looked at him worriedly, but grabbed the bottle of Jack. “Okay, but you can’t accuse me of getting you drunk without your acquiescence.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her and teased. “Does that mean that you plan to take advantage of the situation, because I am totally on board if that’s your plan.” He looked at her breasts and saw the nipples harden and grinned a lopsided smile. Yep, the Jack was definitely achieving the desired effects because he seemed much more relaxed. “So why does someone as pretty as you live way out here all alone?” He looked into those gorgeous violet eyes. If he hadn’t been watching, he wouldn’t have ever seen the pain that flashed across them, but it had definitely been there before she hid it quickly.
“I don’t live alone.”

“What?!? Aw crap, you’re married aren’t you? Damn, damn, damn.” Todd now looked like a pouty little boy who had just had his favorite toy stolen.

Maggie laughed as she took away his now empty highball glass. “No, I am not married, or involved, or committed, or dating. I live here with my cat, Lacey.”

“Oh no, that’s almost as bad. You’re a cat person??” Todd looked genuinely morose. “I really, really don’t like cats.” Except for the ‘cats’ came out sounding like ‘cash’. It was definitely time to work on his shoulder again because Todd appeared to be soundly medicated with his Jack Daniels.

“No worries, big guy. I don’t think that Lacey likes you either since I haven’t seen her since you arrived.” Maggie looked around the room wondering where she had gone to, but not seeing her, decided to concentrate on Todd once again. She reached toward his shoulder and this time managed to get the entire dressing off.

Todd gasped in deep breaths as he said,“Damn, that hurts like a mother-fucker.” Todd looked down at his swollen, red, oozing shoulder. “Hmm, it doesn’t look too good either, does it?”

Maggie was concerned. No, this definitely didn’t look good. Todd was well on his way to a raging infection if they didn’t get this under control. “No, it’s not good. Listen, Todd, you are getting a really bad infection here and we have to get it under control. That’s why you are still running a fever. Right now, this is full of puss. I need to drain it and then we are going to have to clean it with alcohol. After that I can make up a medicinal poultice for it which will help it heal and hopefully sooth it some, but I am not going to lie to you…getting to that point is not going to be pleasant.” Maggie looked up into his eyes, her own eyes full of sorrow, as she started pulling her medical supplies out of her first aid kit.

Todd tried to give her a cheering smile. “Well, talking about it isn’t going to make it any easier for either of us so let’s just get it done. I don’t suppose I could have any more Jack could I?” He glanced over at the bottle a bit drunkenly.

“Unfortunately, no. It was probably a bad idea to let you have as much as you already have had while you are running a fever, have a possible concussion, and haven’t eaten much for the last 24 hours. Believe me, a hangover and puking isn’t going to make any of this feel any better.” Maggie tried to give him a brave look.

“Okay, well let’s get to it then, right?” Maggie started to reach for his shoulder again, but Todd stopped her and looked into her eyes. “Distract me. Talk to me. Tell me about yourself. Anything to keep my mind off what you are doing over there.”

Maggie looked startled, but she understood what he was asking. She took a deep breath and started sharing, her voice more than a little shaky, both about what she was about to do and what she was about to tell him. “You were right. This house is too big for just me. My husband and I bought it three years ago. This was our forever house. You know the one where we planned to raise our kids and grandkids.” Her voice took on a raspy quality as she cleaned his shoulder. “Last year we were out in a snowstorm a lot like this one, when we were in a wreck… a bad one. Mike was killed instantly when we hit the tree. His side of the car took the brunt of the impact.” Maggie took a deep shuddering breath and worked at lancing the puss out of Todd’s shoulder. She could feel the muscles flinching under hands as she worked, but he didn’t utter a word. The only sound was his hiss of indrawn breath at the pain, but she continued her story and continued working. “I was trapped in the car with Mike’s body. I knew that he was dead, but I didn’t want to leave him. It was my fault. I knew better than to mess with the Winter Fairies when they are in a mood like that, but I was cocky that my magic could keep him safe. I was sure that my own powers were stronger than theirs. I was so wrong.” By now, the tears were rolling freely down her face, but she continued to work with sure, steady hands, trying to work quickly so that this torture would be over for both her and Todd.

Todd was breathing heavy and he had sweat rolling down his temples. He could barely breath the pain was so bad, but he had to interrupt her story. “Wait, what? Magic? Fairies? I don’t understand.”

Maggie leaned him forward and placed a towel behind him and reached over for the Jack Daniels, and now her hand started to shake. Right before she poured, she looked him in the eye. “I know you don’t. Most mortals don’t, but I am a Magic Fairy.” Her eyes flashed, and she poured the Jack directly into his shoulder wound. Todd screamed, the shock and pain reverberated out of his eyes as he passed out



These are my words so you are not allowed to copy, alter, or re-print them anywhere else without my permission. ;o)



Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Monday Meanderings....

So, did you see this month's Unity Stamp Co. challenge?

"Autumn Harvest"

I thought it would be fun to gather inspiration from this poem,
or something that reminds you of Autumn!

Autumn Harvest

I been thinking about summer ending
fall beginning, about Halloween
and all the children dressed in glad array.
I been thinking
about apple cider, good to drink
pumpkin pie
and the sounds of trick or treat.
I been thinking
about the days getting shorter
and the wind and rain
making the leaves fall to the earth again
acorns and pinecones, late blooming flowers
harvest, candy apples, I been thinking.
- Linda Seaver
Create a card, layout, or project...whatever you'd your heart desires...
For a chance to win 100 random stamps
and a free kit of your choice valued at $45 or under!



Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Fright Night
*Pink Paislee papers (purple, orange)
*MME paper (black polka, stripe, and swirl)
*K&Company journaling paper
*brads
*Misc circle punches
*Maya Road journaling block



See the Unity Challenge page for contest details and other examples!!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Photography Friday....Details

For today's Photography Friday feature, I just took some photos of the details around my house. Mainly this is just an exercise to try to become more artistic in my photography with everyday objects...

So, here are some of the details around my house...











Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Writing on Wednesday....Margarita Party

Last week, I told you about the book that I am working on for NaNoWriMo. 
The book is called Operation: Endgame
You can see last week's post for the story overview. 

I don't plan on actually doing anymore writing on it until November besides plotting and character work, but I did give in and write the very first scene of the book a few weeks ago.

 This is it, although it is still pretty rough and will probably go through a few more revisions before I am real happy with it...

Prologue
May 10th, Present Day

Cassie switched off the blender, stuck in a straw through the top, and moaned in appreciation, “Yum. I am the Queen of Making Margaritas.” She yelled out into the backyard at her best friends, Julie and Penelope, “Refills coming right up! Those glasses better be empty and up in the air ready for more of my fabulously perfect margaritas.”

Cassie was smiling and laughing as she sauntered through the back door, carrying the pitcher of margaritas and her own glass, already topped off. Classes had ended the day before at Texas Tech University, where all three of them worked in one capacity or other, and they were spending the day, lounging by the pool, and celebrating the end to another academic year.

As a military history professor, Cassie would be headed to England in two weeks to spend the summer as a guest lecturer. The year before, Cassie had acted as a military strategy consultant on a video wargame. It became a bestseller within three weeks of release and had remained there ever since. The fact that Cassie had an interview on the video extras had made her a celebrity and in high-demand as a guest lecturer.  It promised to be a crazy summer, but for now, she was celebrating the freedom from responsibility and drinking accordingly. This was their third pitcher of margaritas, and all three of them were pleasantly buzzed.

 They were at Cassie’s cozy little bungalow just a couple of blocks from the campus. She loved this house and had lovingly restored it when she had inherited it from her grandparents, while she was still in college. That restoration had included the addition of this oasis that she now called her backyard. Chris, Jake, and she had spent two whole summers transforming it, but the work had been worth it. There were terraces filled with mood lighting, easy-to-care-for plants, outdoor speakers, and the piece de resistance….the pool that beckoned all of them in the West Texas heat.

Today, it was Julie and Penelope that were beckoning her to come refill their empty glasses from where they sat in the shade of the outdoor umbrella over the café-style bistro tables. They were her best friends, next to Chris and Jake, but the three girls could not have appeared to be more different.

Julie was the tiniest of the three. She was a physical therapist at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and also filled in as a physical trainer at the Fitness Center on campus. Her dark black hair was cut into a cute little pixie cut that fit her small frame and many times, she was mistaken for someone in junior high. At least, that was the case until she turned around and said person got a glimpse of her rack which would make any Playboy bunny envious.

Penelope owned the local bookstore, which was located in one of the old Victorian houses adjacent to the campus, and taught yoga at the University Fitness Center. She had wavy honey colored long hair, startling jade green eyes, and a free-spirit attitude that made everyone love her from the very first. She was vivacious and outgoing and didn’t meet anyone that wasn’t an immediate friend. She was also flighty and a bit scatter-brained, but most people just learned that was part of her charm and overlooked the fact.

Cassie was the last of the three. She was tall, with a thick cascade of auburn hair. She had grown up in Lubbock with her twin brother Chris, and had the Texas drawl to match. Having spent her early days running around with Chris and their best friend, Jake, she had always been a tomboy and very athletic. Now she channeled that athleticism through her running, which was almost like a religion to her. It was how she kept the margaritas from going to her hips, how she sorted through her lesson plans, and worked out the stresses which came from working at a high-stress University system. Also, it kept her fears about all the boys at bay so that she could sleep at night.
They were her best girlfriends. Put the three of them all together and they were every man’s wet-dream fantasy come true.

Cassie re-filled their glasses and then flopped down into one of the empty chairs. Julie looked at her. “Have you heard from any of the boys lately?”

“Colton called Sunday. He’s doing okay, although I still don’t think that he’s dealing well with Dianna’s desertion.” Cassie’s forehead scrunched up as she considered her older brother’s pending divorce and his current situation. “Right now, he is safely ensconced behind a desk playing commander in England. I am looking forward to getting to spend a little bit of time with him over the summer, so I am hoping that the desk duty continues.” She gave a mischievous grin, “No matter how much he hates it.” That grin quickly turned into a scowl though as she continued. “He said that he didn’t know where Jake and Chris are stationed, but he was lying to me.” Chris was her twin brother and Jake was her best friends. They were both part of the special forces, Chris a fighter pilot and Jake a PJ, and constantly in too much danger for her liking.

Penelope looked at her questioningly. “Why do you think that he was lying?”

Cassie shook her head. “I know my brothers too well. I could tell it from his voice. Besides,” she said, her voice cracking, “I am having nightmares about Chris. Something is wrong. I know it.”
Both of her friends suddenly looked worried. As twins, Chris and Cassie had always had a connection that most other people didn’t have. They simply knew when something was wrong with the other one. Cassie continued, “I am sure that I will hear something soon that Chris broke his toe or something and then I will feel stupid for getting all worked up, but until I hear that, I just don’t have a good feeling.”

Suddenly, a doorbell rang from inside the house. “Oops, no more maudlin anymore. Come on girls, it’s the start of summer. Drink up and I will go see if whoever is at the front door wants to join us.” Cassie bounded into the house, while Julie and Penelope shared a look of concern.

These are my words so you are not allowed to copy, alter, or re-print them anywhere else without my permission. ;o)




Monday, October 17, 2011

Unity Stamp Co. & Spellbinders Two-Day Blog Hop!

Welcome to our Two-Day Event!!!



You should be joining me from Kazan's blog

if not then head to the beginning on the Unity Stamp Co. blog.
With all the blog-swaps that are happening out there lately, 
I can't think of one more exciting than when
 the amazing women of SPELLBINDERS get together
 with the rockstars of UNITY STAMP COMPANY!
We can't wait to show you a special line of coordinating products featuring SPELLBINDERS dies 
and SAMANTHA WALKER for Unity Stamp Co. rubber stamps!  


Not only are we thrilled to be collaborating on such a special 2-day event, but ONE of you will win ALL of the coordinating stamps and dies from the Samantha Walker collection!  We will also have 1 winner each day from the comments that will receive 1 Samantha Walker stamp set and coordinating dies.
So be sure to enjoy our hop both days, 
leave comments on all of the blogs each day and check back to see if you won! 

(winners will be posted on Wednesday, October 19th on the Unity Blog and Spellbinders Blog)

I have two cards to share with you today using the
and the coordinating dies from 



Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Blossom Stackers
*MME paper stack
*Martha Stewart border punch
*Fancy Pants pins
*StazOn jet black ink pad
*pop dots


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


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Blossom Stackers
*MME paper stack
*StazOn jet black ink pad
*Fiskars border punch
*twine
*button
*pop dots



Now please head over to ***Linda's blog...


Friday, October 14, 2011

Photography Friday....Sunset on the River

I know that I have mentioned it here before, but I am going to mention it again.
I come from a family of very talented photographers.
A family that LOVES autumn. 
So we have started an annual Autumn Challenge to capture the images of Fall.
There are 10 of us that participate and we try to post a new photo every day. 
That means, I am taking LOTS of photos this time of the year.
The photos below were taken at sunset at the end of our road.
Yes, we are lucky to live on a river with all the gorgeous vignettes that entails..





This last picture below is the one that made the final cut and was posted on the Autumn Challenge blog for the day that I took these photos....

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Hip Hop for Awareness October 13

Good morning Unity Peeps!!
Today, I have a couple of breast cancer awareness cards to share with you using the October Kit of the Month: Faith, Hope, Love...Live By It.
Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Oct kom
*various punches and dies
*ribbons
*buttons
*Making Memories paper collection

*******
This second card uses this month's sketch challenge
It was already posted on the challenge blog, but I never posted it here.

Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Oct kom
*watercolor pencils
*MME paper collection
*ribbons
*corner rounder


Now you need to hop on over to Jimmi's blog...



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Writing on Wednesday...NaNoWriMo


It takes place every year in the month of November. 
The goal is to write 100,000 words (or a complete novel) in a single month. 
That is not a light thing.
 Overall, my goal the past month has been to write 1000 words a day. 
That's pretty easily do-able.
 Over the last week, I have up'ed that to 2,000 or 2,500. 
That's infinitely more difficult.
 For NaNoWriMo, I need to be able to write 3,000+ words every single day. 
It's NOT going to be easy.

My hope is to have my novel entirely plotted and planned. Yes, for that month, I am concentrating on a novel that I started in my head about 9 months ago...it's actually a trilogy, based on a family from Lubbock, TX. It's romantic suspense.

Yesterday, I wrote a brief description of it and thought that you all might like to read the story blurb.


Operation: Endgame

Jake's world fell apart when his best friend, Chris, died after his jet was shot down. Jake was in charge of the mission to recover Chris when he was shot down, but Jake failed. He failed a second time when he gave into his grief and passion and slept with his other best friend, Cassie, Chris' twin sister.

It's been six months since his world fell apart and he lost both his best friends, and now Cassie is in danger. She is being stalked and Jake is determined that he will not fail again. He will keep her safe, both from the danger that's stalking her and his own lust that threatens to overwhelm them both.
And because you all know that I like visuals on my posts, here are photos:

Cassie:


Jake:

These are my words so you are not allowed to copy, alter, or re-print them anywhere else without my permission. ;o)








Monday, October 10, 2011

Monday Meanderings- A Bit of Everything....

Good Monday Morning everyone!!

Sorry about last week. 
I just up and abandoned the blog here, didn't I? 
It wasn't intentional. 
I got caught up in a series of books.
Then I got sick.
Then I was simply too behind to do anything.

But now I am back!

Crafty Meanderings
Whoa! 116 comments on my Authentique & Unity blog hop post!?!
Thanks y'all!

AND I didn't even share my FAVORITE Authentique card that I have created lately...
aww, I just love this card! Is that wrong to say? hehe!! 
I just want to stare at it because it makes me happy. 

Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Glowing Hours
*Pink Paislee paper collection (green papers)
*Lily Bee paper collection (b&w damask)
*ribbon & trims
*Nestabilities labels die
*flat back gems
****

Writing Meanderings
Well, the same things that kept me from blogging last week, also kept me from writing, but when I did get some time to write, it was very successful. It's been a really good writing week. So, I need you all to chime in. I have been working on both 
and 

So, I am leaving it up to you. 

Which one would you like a new excerpt from for the Wednesday Writing post???

Chime in & VOTE!
****

Book Meanderings
So, I mentioned that I got caught up in a book series last week. The book series was the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead. Did you know that there is a whole group of us that have created an online book club group, The Chick-Lits.

Well, this month's book is the first book in the Georgina Kincaid series, Succubus Blues:

Our chit chat about it doesn't start until the 15th, so you still have time to read it and join us!
Here is a brief story overview:
Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid. 

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical? 

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore—free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't. 

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny. . .

It is such a good book (and series) and I am really excited about our discussion of it. 
Come join us!!


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