A Merry Little Christmas

Hope your Christmas is a little calmer than this guy's!

The fun elf and scene are by doll maker Nancy Cronin.

Merry Christmas!

Today: Van Gogh Injures Self

Today marks the day in 1888 when Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, suffering from severe depression, cut off part of his left ear while staying in Arles, France. He painted himself later with a bandaged ear in the painting titled, "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear."

For two months previously, Van Gogh had been working with fellow painter Gauguin, who had came to stay with him in Arles. Tensions developed and Van Gogh threatened his friend with a knife before injuring himself. He was hospitalized in Arles and checked himself into a mental institution in Saint-Remy for a year.

While hospitalized, alternating periods of madness and creativity resulted in some of his best known works including Starry Night and Irises. Van Gogh died in July 1890 at age 37, two days after shooting himself.

Better watch out! Don't throw that snowball!

Just on the news this morning - nothing worse than a big mob fighting in the streets huh?

But this time it was a giant snowball fight - and the cop objected to his car being hit jumps out with his gun.

I say good to see a bunch of young kids having fun - not doing other fighting - throwing punches or with their own guns!

Holy cow! Granted, it's a stressful job, but this guy needs some Prozac or a vacation!

** Read more

** Watch the video

Christmas Memories & In Miniature - Pink Saturday

Today Beverly at How Sweet the Sound asked everyone to share some of their Christmas traditions for Pink Saturday.

The favorite Christmas tradition, of course, was waiting for the arrival of Santa and opening the gifts! Here's a pic of me with my little pile of loot! I love the silver tree (which is popular again!)

I admit, I don't remember much. We were a Christmas Eve family, celebrating then and relaxing on Christmas Day. I still enjoy spending Christmas morning in church, hearing the Christmas story, singing carols, and going home to open gifts, watch a movie and enjoy the day.

These days, I enjoy decorating many trees - in miniature, of course. I wanted to show a few I've done.

This Christmas scene is in half-inch scale set in a small glass terrarium.

One thing about miniature - you can have lots of gifts! ha! This is a scene on a shelf in a vintage medicine cabinet on my kitchen wall.




For a change of pace, I decorated this tree for my smaller scale Halloween house. I painted it black, wrapped it in iridescent ribbon and put small clay eyeballs on the branches.


** Don't forget to check out my fun Christmas story, "Christmas at the North Pole Compound." See ebooks. Click on cover link in side column.

First Graphs: Mary Cunningham, author of Cynthia's Attic, The Magician's Castle

Today we resume our feature, FIRST GRAPHS, and welcome Mary Cunningham, author of the Tween fantasy-mystery book series, Cynthia's Attic.

In THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE, book four in the series, when a magician's fiancee disappears through the magic trunk, friends Cynthia and Gus must find a missing page from a spellbook or Cynthia's family could be ruined.

The pair travel back to a 1914 Swiss castle to get clues from the magician's grandmother and follow tree tunnels, end up in an enchanted garden, and scale the Alps. A trip 50 years in the future may give them the answer—but at what price?

** Comment and you might win a free download of Mary's new Cynthia's Attic Christmas story, "Christmas with Daisy" **



Excerpt, Chapter One, THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE:

"An-neeee!" I reached Cynthia's bedroom moments after the Beatles record began blaring.

"This is just like the gramophone I saw at the circus, Gus, only you don't have to crank it! What's it called?" Her face was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Gramophone? She sounds like my grandmother. "It's called a record player, Annie, but, you're making too much noise! We can't let anyone know you're here. Not yet." I shut off the record. Too late.

"Who are you?" A tall, frowning teenager, arms folded, stood tapping her foot in the doorway.

"She's with me, Danielle." This was bad. The last person I wanted to see was Cynthia's cranky older sister. "Her family is just visiting and, uh…Cynthia and I said she could hang around with us since she doesn't know…anyone…" My voice cracked.

Fortunately, Danielle didn't care enough to stick around and ask more questions. "Whoever you are…no more noise! I'm trying to practice." She stormed out of the room. "Pests."

I slumped onto the bed, head in hands, knowing this was just a preview. How was I going to explain-away Annie's appearance? Or…make that, disappearance. Now, where did she go?

** Learn more at the Cynthia's Attic blog

** BUY:

Miniatures & Books Collide - Christmas at the North Pole Compound, new ebook cover!

My miniatures collecting has again influenced my writing.

The new cover for my Christmas ebook, "Christmas at the North Pole Compound," features one of my favorite elves and a few miniatures from my Christmas dollhouse.




About Christmas at the North Pole Compound:

It's not all Fa-la-la and Ho-Ho-Ho at the North Pole. Chief Elf Investigator Finius Flaherty is on the case. Can he find the missing gifts - and save Christmas?

In the story, Chief Elf Investigator Finius Flaherty is not only alarmed by the decrease of Christmas cheer (it's enough to threaten Rudolph's ability to pull the sleigh, he says!), but is even more disappointed that crime has come to the North Pole – and is most likely an inside job.

Excerpt:

"Before I continue, let me introduce myself. I'm Finius Flaherty, Chief Elf Investigator. No, I don’t bake cookies. I leave that to the West coast cousins.

My branch of the family was hand-picked by the big guy for his security team at the North Pole. Big responsibility, though I’d prefer to sit on a beach in Florida.

Not that I don’t enjoy my job. I do, but unfortunately, our services have been needed more in recent years. Christmas spirit doesn’t prevent crime, you know. We’ve been feeling that lack of spirit lately ourselves, too. Just ask Rudolph. This is a real hazard as even the smallest drop in Christmas cheer influences his ability to pull the sleigh. Can’t have it dragging now, can we?"...

*** BUY: Christmas at the North Pole Compound

12 Days of Christmas Winner and Halloween Winner!

Camille Minichino is the 12 Days of Christmas winner!

And as I'm so slow.... Lone Dollier is the Oct. winner! Marilyn H - got your address on my other computer! Thanks for everyone's interest!

Now back to writing.

Next a poll - what writing topics to discuss?

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 12: Night Before Christmas - To All a Good Night!

Welcome to Day 12 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go to day 1.)



'Twas the Night Before Christmas

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"

* * *

Merry Christmas and thanks for visiting! Wishing everyone God's richest blessings, the best of holiday cheer and a wonderful 2010!!

(Photo: Santa and his favorite reindeer by Lucie Winsky.)

** Enjoy part 2 of the slideshow of artists' works featured during this year's 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 11: Night Before Christmas, Up the Chimney He Goes!

Welcome to Day 11 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go to day 1.)


As we are nearing the end of the story, enjoy the slideshow featuring the work of various miniatures featured in the past 12 Days of Christmas - in miniature.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

Make a Smilebox slideshow

** Next: 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature - Day 12

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 10: Night Before Christmas, Santa at Work

Welcome to Day 10 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go to day 1.)


'Twas the Night Before Christmas




A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,


Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

* Photos: The two incredibly cozy sitting rooms with fireplaces are by Jody Raines. Jody's secret: these are only scenes! (very clever!)

The scenes were staged in a homemade lightbox her husband made from plywood with windows on the top and sides covered with layers of sheer interfacing to allow light to come in at each side for photographing. The back of the room is foam core board covered with various wallpapers/scrapbook papers which can be changed to create different back walls.

See more of her photos at Flickr and visit her blog.

Jody has been collecting "for over 35 years at least" beginning with a dollhouse she had as a child. she is now building a house for Joanna, her youngest daughter age 10.


** Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 11