Lately I've had fun experimenting with cork stamps. I carve them myself from corks leftover from wine and champagne bottles.Here's what one looks like:Here's how to make your own:1. Sand your cork so that the face of it is as flat as possible.2. Choose a simple shape. If you don't trust your art ability, find a small clip art image. Either glue it to your cork or draw it on the flat edge of the cork with a felt tip marker.3. Carve out the image. … [Read more...] about Cork Stamps and a Contest
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Decorating Composition Notebooks
This is a perfect time of year to buy composition notebooks at a great price. Big box chains like Walmart and Target, as well as drugstores like Rite Aid and CVS, all have these notebooks at reduced prices.I suggest you grab a handful and have a notebook decorating party.Above are a few of my faves. (Starting upper left, going clockwise)1. Nana--I started with a red background color on the front and back. Tip: Lightly sand your notebook cover to … [Read more...] about Decorating Composition Notebooks
It's My Story, Damn It! — An Interview with F. Paul Wilson
F. Paul Wilson will be appearing at the Love Is Murder Conference, Feb. 4-6, in Chicago. 1. Paul, you've said you don't believe in gore on the page. You prefer to make the gross/horrific stuff happen in the reader's head. Would you tell us more about that and why it works so well?I tend to go by the maxim that less, if done properly, is more. I've been through med school and a rotating internship that included surgery. I've dissected a human … [Read more...] about It's My Story, Damn It! — An Interview with F. Paul Wilson
What a Burglar Won't Tell You–But You Will Wish You Knew!
Here are some safety tips from reformed burglars shared by Dr. Sarah Layton, Corporate Strategy Institute. These are useful tips … [Read more...] about What a Burglar Won't Tell You–But You Will Wish You Knew!
Winner of the Kiki Lowenstein Fan Club Tee Shirt
Jane Jeffers Thomas won the Kiki Lowenstein Fan Club Tee Shirt.I put all the commenters into a random number generator, and Jane won.Meanwhile, I'd like to introduce all of you to my talented and beautiful cousin, Andrea Hazel Hamilton, the watercolorist. You can read about our family reunion at the Killer Hobbies blog. … [Read more...] about Winner of the Kiki Lowenstein Fan Club Tee Shirt
Lois Hirt Looks for the Smiles
Lois Hirt writes a column called "Dental Scraps." She's interested in dental references we include in our mystery books. After she read Photo, Snap, Shot, she donated it to the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore!I was happy to meet Lois, and to share the fact that I've had GREAT experiences with my dentists. In fact, I think so much of my dentist in St. Louis that I even named a character after him: Dr. Mike Wallace.Lois posted on DorothyL … [Read more...] about Lois Hirt Looks for the Smiles
