I had such a great time at Bouchercon and visiting San Francisco in general. My dear friend Camille Minichino was in charge of the craft rooms at Bouchercon, and she just did a bang up job.For those of you who aren't familiar with Bouchercon, it's the conference named for Anthony Boucher, and it's the largest mystery conference in the world. The setting rotates from town to town, and since I'd never been to San Francisco, I was happy to have a … [Read more...] about A Blast at Bouchercon
scrapbooking
Fall Wall Hanging
The colors of fall inspire me! I love my photos of fall scenes, and I didn't want to hide them away in an album. So I started collecting twigs, and then I came up with this idea.Here's how I made my fall wall hanging:1. Tear a piece of cream muslin 6 1/2 x 15 inches. 2. Using a cross-stitch and embroidery floss, stitch on the three twigs.3. Add a colorful ribbon tied in a bow. Attach the ends of the ribbon to the hanging with buttons.4. Matt two … [Read more...] about Fall Wall Hanging
You Say Tomato. I Say Album.
To celebrate the release of my friend Avery Aames' new book, The Long Quiche Goodbye, I decided to turn a cheese container into an album. Yeah, I'm always looking for a way to recycle!1. Cover and backside. I used a rubber stamp of a tomato, colored it in, and adhered it to the round with green masking tape. I also used red masking tape to cover the sides of the round carton.2. Insides. These are coasters I picked up at restaurants. I drew my … [Read more...] about You Say Tomato. I Say Album.
Flip Flip Album
This is a really cute album (okay, I'm bragging, sorry!) that's easy to do. I made it from fun foam. First I cut the shape of the flip flop 3 times. Added the strap and flower to one shape. Glued a second flip flop to that first shape so that the ends of the strap were inside the "sandwich" or the middle. I added the foot. The toenails are packing tape over colored paper so they are really shiny! And last of all, I put on the flower and the … [Read more...] about Flip Flip Album
With Deep Appreciation
Once in a while, someone does something so kind and so unexpected that I just want to dissolve in a puddle of tears. That happened to me last Thursday at the Howard County Library. I was invited to by Jacquelynn Morris to be a part of their "Mysterious Women" Panel discussion. My friend Elaine Viets had suggested me. Being on a panel with Elaine was a career highpoint. She's been a wonderfully supportive friend and mentor. Back when I lived in … [Read more...] about With Deep Appreciation
Scrapper's Block…and the Page for Malice
I read in one of the scrapbooking magazines that the one color that scrapbookers found to be the one they shun is...PURPLE.This intrigued me. I love purple. In fact, I love all colors. Why would this one be so readily avoided? I wondered. Then I saw my new book cover--purple and pink. Hmmm. Kevin Brown, the genius who does my covers, seemed to be able to work with purple. Fast forward several months. I agreed to again contribute a custom-made … [Read more...] about Scrapper's Block…and the Page for Malice
