New AIM Magazine for August

The new AIM Magazine (Aug. #36) is out.

I have an article on fast food and a how to for a fast food fish sandwich in it. See download page. (You may have to sign in to Scribd.)

Book Blogger Hop 7/29-31: A New Book You're Reading?

Decided to join in on the BOOK BLOGGER HOP at Crazy for Books.

** This week's question: Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can’t wait to dig into.

My answer:

I have several books I got a a garage sale, a rare YA stack! The one I keep looking at, curious about it, is WITCH & WIZARD by James Patterson. I may be the last person on the planet who has not yet read one of his books, and hearing about his writing methods with numerous co-authors makes me curious. As he also jumped into the YA field, I found this book intriguing.

Of course, as usual, I have several books I'm reading at once. I'm also reading, THE FULL MOON BRIDE, Shobhan Bantwal and THE HUNGER GAMES.

About Witch & Wizard:

Grade 5–9—Wisty and Whit Allgood have magical powers, but they don't know it. At least they don't know until they are arrested by the guards of the New Order, which has just come to power. Their parents have always been into herbs and plants and predictions; they don't send their kids to typical schools, and when the teens are allowed to take only one item each to jail with them, they send a drumstick and a book with no words that are visible to the naked eye. The kids start to get an inkling of what they can do when Wisty bursts into flames when she gets angry, and before long she is turning people into creatures and conjuring tornadoes, and lightning bolts shoot from her hands. The bulk of the book takes place when Whit and Wisty are locked up in a reformatory where they are bullied by the guards. ( - From School Library Journal).

Miniatures Idea: A Seashell House

Martha Stewart has a selection of interesting ideas for what to do with seashells - including an easy-to-make cardboard house covered with shells.

* Get the Instructions

Two Sentence Tuesday: Mystery to Romance....

Thought I'd join in on Two Sentence Tuesday at Women of Mystery.

Just finished reading a fascinating romance-crime story, The Dowry Bride by Shobhan Bantwal. (Great author of India-based tales. Come back on Aug. 24th for my interview with her regarding her latest book, The Full Moon Bride.)

In The Dowry Bride, a young bride overhears an extraordinary conversation, voices speaking of a plot to murder a wife who hasn't produced a child and whose family failed to produce the promised dowry... her.

Two sentences from The Dowry Bride (page 99): With a shudder Megha came awake from the sinister darkness of the foggy backyard to the brightness of the room, blinking-the scream still inside her throat. Her heart was beating so frantically it seemed ready to jump out of her breast.

My two sentences from the diner mystery I am reworking (pg. 99):
The giant picture window had a big hole in the center like someone had shot it out, except a gun didn’t do this. She eyed the palm-sized piece of red brick on the floor, thankful it hadn't hit any of them.

** Share your two sentences you read and you wrote. What are you working on?

Miniatures Monday: In Miniature Style II really mini!

Working on making up some items and making kits for the tote bags in In Miniature Style II.

A few of the items for the bags: pencils, and small books of course! (Non-opening.) Here's a completed tote I made before.

In Miniature Style II Print Sale!

The print version of In Miniature Style II has been updated (fixing pattern order and a couple things)

Good news is it's now on sale for $12. (Eligible for free shipping on Amazon if you're buying $25 anyway...)

EBook and other formats still available. (See link above.)

Writing: Too Much Nodding and other People Problems

Thinking I was "done," (really?) I let my wip (work in progress) sit a couple days, though deep down, I knew there was a problem I needed to look at. Nodding. As in She nodded, I nodded, Nodding, he, etc.

My characters nod. A lot. Nodding seems to be my oft-used, abused, and overused word. Going through the manuscript, I'm changing, fixing, deleting all those nods. After a while, though, the brain gets numb in thinking up new things to say.

So, share: what's your over-used or "fave" word or phrase? What do you put in exchange? And I'd love any suggestions for fixing mine (other than cutting off the characters' heads. Problem solved. haa!)

Books for Sale - Mini and Doll Related

**US shipping tbd; International, may cost more; not responsible for loss w/o insurance. click profile to email me. All books in very good and good condition. (Yes these are "real" full-size books!)


Doll dressing inspiration, wonderful details! Stunning costumes in The Tyler
Wentworth Fifth Anniversary Album. 176 pgs, hardcvr. Reverie Publishing (2004) VG condition.Collectible! Selling on Amazon and eBay, $55 and up. For Sale: $40 (or best offer) plus shipping.(RARE!)

In the five years since her introduction by the Tonner Doll Company, Tyler Wentworth has risen to the top of the world of fashion dolls. This book is a comprehensive collector's reference to all things Tyler, and a commemoration in words and photos of this groundbreaking doll. Entertaining and informative, this book offers a unique collection of facts, fiction and photographs. In this book, Tyler's storyline continues and is illustrated by new photographs featuring her and her friends in settings from their lives, such as Tyler's apartment and the fashion runway. Well-known contributors such as A Glenn Mandeville, who traces Tyler's place in the history of the American fashion doll, and Louise Fecher, as well as fashion designer Timothy Gunn, discuss Tyler's importance in various arenas. Masterful photographers Ernest Padro-Compos and Barry Sturgill pay homage to the doll in beautifully styled pictures, exclusive to this book. The collector's reference section shows every production doll and outfit ever made, with identification information as well as collector's notes, including nearly every exclusive and one-of-a-kind.

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British Teenage Dolls, 1956-1984, Frances Baird, 2004 New Cavendish, hc, 195 page. Great pix,history, clothes, dolls - Blythe, Charlie's Angels, more. Fun history. Sells for $30 (different cover). Selling for $20 plus shipping.
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A Beginner's Guide to the Dolls' House Hobby, Jean Nisbett, reprint GMC 1997. 120 pgs, sofcover. Oldie but goodie, good information, how to's and nice pix. Still a popular seller and good guide. VG condition, $10 plus shipping.

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The Doll's House Sourcebook, Caroline Clifton-Mogg, Abbeville Press, 1993. 208 pages, softcover, oversized. Wonderful, inspiring book, beautiful large color photos. Lots of gorgeous rooms, scenes and inspiration. $15 + shipping.
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Inside the World of Miniatures & Dollhouses, A Comprehensive Guide to collecting and creating, McKay, 1976; softcover, large size, 240 pgs, good condition, slight wear on cover side ends. Good overall information and photos, all b/w. Includes section on making basic furniture, bench, fireplace, etc. Good guide. Selling for $8 and shipping.

New Summer Mysterical-e - Mystery Interview and New Books

The summer issue of Mysterical-e is out!

My new Author Snapshot column features an interview with mystery author Deborah Ledford and shares new books by Bernadette Pajer, Victor J. Banis, John Lindenmuth, Ed Lynskey, Jeffrey Siger, Melodie Campbell and Jan Christensen.

Happy Reading!

Miniatures Thursday: Flowers for the Half Scale Tudor House

A few photos of a couple other things I made for the Half Scale Tudor House.
I made some of the flowers and others (plus the great birds!) I got in anniversary swaps from the Yahoo Half Scale Group and other swaps.



I made the cabinet a while back as I wanted something with a mirrored back. The fence is two pieces of the wood fencing you can buy at the hobby store. I glued it together, added shelves and cut out small brackets as I thought it would be a great display for a garden shop.

* See the door and links to other half scale house pix