Miniatures Monday: New Wire Wicker Furniture

Well, maybe not so new. I had this furniture for a while, and now that I've made new cushions, I realize what a big difference color makes. I originally had some think black print and then yellow cushions on there. The new blue fabric and lace gives it a "shabby chic" feel. This is for the stained glass house I'm turning into a garden room.



I also repainted this brown wood buffet to include in the room.

Hero Dog Better than Some Humans?

Iowa - A yellow Labrador named Reagan discovers a sealed cat food bag in the middle of the road holding a horrible secret - at least five kittens - two of which were still alive - after the bag had been partially crushed.

The dog amazingly dragged the bag home to its owner, proving that love knows no barriers, or breed - and even surpasses the cruelty of some humans.

See the Tails Inc. video about the two surviving kittens here.

'Tis the Season: Free Miniatures Advent Calendars

What's more fun than getting a surprise each day? Check out a couple free advent calendars and get a little gift each day! Go back each day until Dec. 24.

AIM Advent Calendar 2011 - Note: You have to sign in to Scribd to view and download. - Direct Link

* Mini Treasures Wiki Advent Calendar - check out the "treasures" each day.

Christmas Sale! In Miniature Style II

Now until Dec. 31, get the pdf ebook version of IN MINIATURE STYLE II at a 20% discount at the publisher's site.

- See link here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A healthy, happy and safe Thanksgiving to all! Count your blessings (not the calories!) ha! (Scene - my miniature Thanksgiving table.)

Haunted Hot Dogs in Wisconsin?

If you're interested in the unexplained, check out my post today at Courtney's Haunt Jaunts blog.

Check out the pix, and you decide if Hot Rod Dogs is haunted...?

Short Christmas fiction: Christmas at the North Pole Compound - more eBook formats!

Got a Nook or other e-reader? My short fun Christmas story, CHRISTMAS AT THE NORTH POLE COMPOUND, is now available at Smashwords in several eBook formats (epub, sony, pdf, etc.) It also is available for Kindle. And it's less the price of a cup of coffee!

Feeling the holiday stress? Relax with a fun story and have a chuckle!

It's not all Fa-la-la and Ho-Ho-Ho at the North Pole Compound when Santa's elves find someone's stolen the gifts!

Can Chief Elf Investigator Finius Flaherty crack the case by Dec. 24th and save Christmas?

A Holiday Crime Story for all ages!

E-Readers - Got a favorite?

Today at Acme Author's Link, I'm talking e-readers.

Which is your favorite: Kindle, Nook, Blackberry Playbook? Follow the link and weigh in....

Welcome to fantasy author and illustrator Vonnie Winslow Crist

Today I welcome author Vonnie Winslow Crist, who has a new collection of fantasy tales out. The Greener Forest is an eclectic collection of (lucky) 13 tales with a "pinch" of poetry and several illustrations.

(The cover alone is a delight! And if you love fantasy art, check out the detailed and adorable maze she drew and is free at the publisher's site. See link at end of post.)

This charming book (print, eBook, Kindle and other formats) is sure to delight those who love the fanciful, with tales of spriggans, goblins, swan maidens, angels, dragons, ningyo, and other Faerie creatures. But all is not good and light -- there are some dark and uncertain times lurking between the pages.

About the book:

"In 'The Greener Forest' anything is possible. Silver maples sing in angel-song. Spriggans skulk about cypress knees and wreak havoc at an amusement park. The Applehead Lady's true identity is revealed by moonlight filtering through the branches of an ancient tree.

A scarecrow finds true love in an ash grove. And a wayward beech tree root sends a woman into the arms of a kindhearted giant. These stories and more lead the reader into the depths of The Greener Forest, where Faerie and the everyday world collide. There is dark and light, evil and good, and uncertain dusky gray lurking between the pages of this book. Discover that all is not what it seems at first glance, and wondrous things still happen in 'The Greener Forest.'"

Vonnie, who's been "drawing and painting as long as I can remember," was encouraged by an artistic grandfather to pursue her talent. She's since taught art for the Community Services Division of her local community colleges, illustrated magazines and books, taught poetry for 10 years for the Maryland State Arts Council's Artists-in-Education Program, taught creative writing, and more. Some of her work has been published in The Vegetarian Journal and Faerie Magazine. Learn more about Vonnie at her blog.

* Bonus: Download a free maze at Cold Moon Press, illustrated by Vonnie - a must see! You can also listen to an audio excerpt of the story, "Birdling" from "The Greener Forest" at the same page.

** BUY: THE GREENER FOREST

* Assorted links at Cold Moon Press

* (Amazon, print - click cover)

Show Seen 4: Dollhouse Rooms - A Room with a View

This is the last set of pix from the 2011 Wee C Miniatures Club Show in Elk Grove Village, Ill. And my favorite, I think. I've been saving things to make an Egyptian room and still haven't decided on the exterior. This is a great idea. (Please ignore the glare on the acrylic.) See the first pix on Day 1.



This is a clever, unique way to do the outside. Love it! Florence made the room look like books by using paper towel rolls with Styrofoam (TM) packing. She covered the edges and painted. It sure looks real. I love the portrait on the outside wall!