A to Z Blog Challenge: L for Miniature Lingerie

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge 2013 (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Today's letter is L 

Here's a small corset in a box I made a while ago. Love this stuff!

More minis and stuff are my website.

A to Z Blog Challenge: K is for Miniature House Kit

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge  2013(click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Today's letter is K  for Miniature House Kit

Thought I'd share the before pictures of a miniature house before it's all pretty.

This is a half-scale house I bought partly built. I usually like to build it myself from the beginning - and now I know why as I made several changes! I blocked in some windows and had to remeasure the front windows as I wanted more wall space. I didn't want the house to be colonial but am giving it more of an old stone-stucco house look. I'm adding a base to build a shed with a pantry on the one outside wall and a small greenhouse for plants on the other side. 

The living room was stained dark so I lightened it up by painting the walls and part of the fireplace ivory. The ceiling will be stuccoed after I paint the staircase opening. I also am adding a staircase but had to make a small landing that has to be turned since the stairs enter from the back instead of the front. A lot of planning. You have to keep steps in mind when you're doing a house like this. But in the end it's worth it!  In case you're wondering, the strip on the outside of the wall is electric tape for lighting the house. 

A to Z Blog Challenge: J is for Miniature Jar

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge 2013 (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Today's letter is J

I have a couple easy tutorials I want to add yet, and hope I'll find a day to fit them in.

For now, here's a fun tea display stand I made... 

The easy display includes a jar made by gluing two pony beads on top of one another. Top with a gold brad, fitting the prongs inside. Then glue an appropriate label to the front. You can use this method to make food and perfume jars. Use clear, colored or the frosted color beads for perfume jars.    

The square tea jar uses a small square wood block covered with aluminum tape. Add a jump ring on top to simulate the opening. Add a small food or other label to the front. The tea box was purchased.

A to Z Blog Challenge - I is for In Miniature Style II

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Today's letter is I 

The most fascinating part of creating in miniature is, done right,

 it can be enough to fool the eye into thinking it is real.

It's a unique experience to enjoy the trappings of real life shrunk down to Lilliputian size.

It's even more fun to do it yourself.

I love decorating in miniature, figuring out the interior design, picking the colors and the items that make a miniature house a home. The top view of my logo includes two room interiors - the left is part of a small scene set in a birthday card. The right is one of the rooms in a half scale shadow box house. Below is my favorite room from my miniature "Dogcatcher's House."

The room is one of the projects featured in my book, IN MINIATURE STYLE II. The book includes profiles of other miniaturists' work, photos and over 40 how-to projets. Available in print, eBook and PDF. 

A to Z Blog Challenge - H is for Miniature Handbags and Purses

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Today's letter is H for Miniature Handbags & Purses

Many prefer modern styles in miniature, but Victorian and past decades are always popular in miniature. There's something appealing about making super frilly and feminine items  that you see only in a museum or in old photos. (See more of my miniatures.)

While the thought of corsets doesn't sound too appealing, (though the steampunk crowd has made them look really good,) you have to wonder what it would be like to dress in the silkiest, prettiest, most feminine of Victorian gowns with all the accessories, even if just for a day, right?

A to Z Blog Challenge: G has to be for GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

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Today's letter is  G for  Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie!

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my upcoming zombie book, being published in August.

Check the GirlZombieAuthors blog for the cover reveal contest.  
(Last pieces  being shown today; contest ends 4/10 with full cover)

But here is one of the title cover pieces:

For fun, here're the puzzle pieces  of the cover (part of them): 

Here's the synopsis:

Life can suck when you're sixteen. It can suck even worse when you're not-quite-dead.

Sixteen-year-old Rebecca Herrera Hayes faces every teenager's biggest nightmares: bad skin, bad hair, and worse . . . turning into one of the living dead.

   Becca's life changes forever when her cousin Spence comes back to their small Wisconsin town carrying a deadly secret—he's becoming a zombie, a fate he shares with her through an accidental scratch.

   The Z infection, however, has mutated, affecting younger persons like her, or those treated early enough, differently. Now she must cope with weird physical changes and habits no girl wants to be noticed for. Then she meets Gabe, a good-looking part-Z like her, and fears falling for him. After all, how can he, who shows hardly any Z symptoms, be interested in someone like her?

   But time is running out... Becca needs his help as she and her cousin Carm search for their missing mothers and fight off hungry Zs.

   Most of all, she needs to find something, anything, to stop this deadly transformation before it is forever too late...

A to Z Blogging Challenge - F is for fancy miniatures

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

My friend Kitty has a knack for making all kinds of things, as well as working in clay. Here are a few things she sent me in one of our recent swaps. We're both working on lady's shops which let you indulge in all kinds of fancy and feminine things no longer in style (or you would't be able to afford or maybe wouldn't want to wear!) She, of course, is much further along on it than I am!

A to Z Blogging Challenge - Everything gets made in miniature

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Today's letter is  E for Everything Miniature!

Yes, eventually everything gets made in miniature. Honest.
I had to share this: I was watching The Hobbit movie (pretty good, tho too-much-fighting! and again was struck at how amazing that hobbit house is.

Well..... someone actually made it in miniature.

You have to see this!!! 

Miniature Hobbit House 

The cool thing is it will be touring libraries in Australia.
Wow, would be incredible to be able to see this in person!

A to Z Blog Challenge 2013 - D is for Miniature Dresses

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Today's letter is D for Miniature Dresses

The fun of miniatures is making things that look real, but are much smaller. There's is something amazing about seeing a fancy ballgown or dress in miniature. Here are some simple sundresses I've made and I hope to try my hand at some fancier dresses yet. 

My dresses below are very simple compared to some work by some other artists,but I had fun making them (and they are for sale - link at website). For fun,  - check out these amazing Miniature Dresses by Felma  (scroll down for more photos in the right column on her blog.)

(See my other miniature dress with links to a few more.)

A to Z Blog Challenge 2013 - C is for Miniature Candy Room

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

(I feel like the Romper Room lady.  (Holy cow, that's a You Tube clip.... haven't seen her in years!) Remember her?)

Today's letter is C - for candy box. A Miniature Candy Box Room, to be precise. 

My friend Gigi gave me this box one year for Christmas which was great for two reasons, 1. Belgian chocolate! and 2. the box. It made a great room once hubby cut a hole in front. The furniture is half scale (a half inch equals 1 foot so a "person" is about 3 inches tall.)  I made the furniture from a d. Anne Ruff kit for those who know the hobby. The furniture is made of cardboard and fabric. Those are real family pix I shrunk and put on the mantle, too.

See more pix at my website miniatures page (see Candy Box Room link).

A to Z Blog Challenge 2013 - British flavored Miniatures

Thanks for coming back for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)


So today B is for.... British.

Here are some of the miniature albums I made for my Tudor Tea Shoppe. And yes, they also have miniature photos inside. See the tea shop and the other British items I made here.

A to Z Blog Challenge 2013 A is for ....

The only fool today may be me (ha!) since I decided to sign up again for the A to Z Blog Challenge (click link to see the 1,000+ blogs enrolled. yes that many!)

But it is a great endeavor, encouraging you to blog daily from A to Z during the month of April.

(And if you like horror and all things zombie, I and my co-bloggers will also be blogging daily over at GirlZombieAuthors so be sure to check it out.)

Here at this blog I'm going to concentrate on my miniatures and other crafty type subjects, probably with some dogs thrown in.

So to start it off... nothing too fancy - A is for .... all my miniatures.

I've been creating in miniature for 10+ plus years and I still love making things.  

See a few of things I've made at my website - click on miniatures.

This is one of my favorite projects, The Dogcatcher's House. (click link to see all the photos.) Feel free to guess - how many dogs are in the house?)

Cover Coming for GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

The game's on! 

Today is the day!!! Cover reveal game for Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

Check out the details at the GirlZombieAuthors blog. Be sure to comment so your entry in the contest is counted!

Free zombie books Friday - Afterbirth and Cure by Belinda Frisch

Author Belinda Frisch has a Friday Freebie!

See her blog.

Calling all bloggers, social media mavericks, and mavens! 

If you're into z-fiction, I'm giving away FREE e-copies of Cure and/or Afterbirth to those willing to feature these books on their Facebook page, G+ page, or your blog. 

Simply copy what I have here (description and links), making sure to snag the covers, for one or both books, and link to your post in comments. Leave me a way to get in touch with you (E-mail, twitter handle, FB, or G+) and I'll get you a code for a free copy of the book of your choice. Cure is the first in the series, but if you've read it, Afterbirth is available, too.

Help me spread the good word. Tell your friends. Whatever it takes. Over-achievers may be in for some additional swag. 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/YUcrsK

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/106EZDc

NOOK: http://bit.ly/VWMVaR

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/YnAhxk

Print: http://bit.ly/Zud653

The survivors of the Nixon Center escape struggle in a post-apocalyptic world where the walking dead aren't the biggest threats. 
Working from a remote, mountain cabin, Dr. Howard Nixon is determined to salvage what is left of his experiment.

Allison escapes him, clinging to life and with no idea what's happened in the world.

Zach is looking for her, but time is running out.

Reid lives holed up in the Nixon Center and waits for his revenge.

Tension is high as both Miranda and Carlene's pregnancies come to term. Miranda, faced with the possibility that her delivery might cause her to become infected, is forced to seek help from the only other person who knows what has happened: Dr. Michael Waters, the physician who sent her to Dr. Nixon in the first place.

All roads lead back to Strandville where grudges resurface and old decisions must be answered for. Scott, Miranda, and Michael return to the center to face-off against their pasts and each other as Michael's secret agenda comes to light.

For those who haven’t started the series, BOOK 1 is available on all platforms.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/12CyWuI

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/14z6NEZ

NOOK: http://bit.ly/KvSgRM

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/QnRp6L

KOBO: http://bit.ly/Z818RV

Paperback: http://bit.ly/15HU3ty

**Runner-up in the General Fiction category of the 2012 Halloween Book Festival

**BOOK ONE of the Strandville Zombie Series

Medicine meets horror in this thrilling escape tale about the evil men do in the name of progress.

Welcome to the Nixon Healing and Research Center, playground for the maniacal Dr. Howard Nixon whose medical research has him dabbling in the undead and has the women of Strandville disappearing.

Desperate to find a cure for the lethal virus which turns its victims into zombies, Nixon kidnaps Miranda Penton, a security recruit with a past that won't let her go. He doesn't count on anyone coming looking for her, least of all her ex-husband, Scott.

A warning call brings Scott to Strandville where he bands together with a team of locals determined to bring their own loved ones home. Together, they infiltrate Nixon's staff, hatching a plan that releases not only the surviving women, but the virus on those left in the hospital.

Nixon locks down the center to contain the spread, turning patients, visitors, and staff into a dangerous horde that is almost impossible to escape. Miranda and the others fight for their lives. The town of Strandville is ground zero for the zombie apocalypse and Miranda must get free because the fate of humanity lies with her unborn child.

About the Author:

Belinda Frisch's fiction has appeared in Shroud Magazine, Dabblestone Horror, and Tales of Zombie War. She is an honorable mention winner in the Writer's Digest 76th Annual Writing Competition and her novel, CURE, is the runner-up in the General Fiction category of the 2012 Halloween Book Festival. She is the author of DEAD SPELL, PAYBACK, CURE, and AFTERBIRTH.

New Mysterical-e Author Snapshot is up!

 
The new Mysterical-e Author Snapshot features a Q&A with the author of the new Haight Ashbury urban fantasy series,  plus spotlights on Hannah Reed, Beverle Graves Myers and Amanda Lee's latest...

Cover Reveal coming for GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

* I'll be having a picture game as part of my cover reveal for GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie. It'll start Saturday 3/30 and go through 4/8 at the GirlZombieAuthors blog.

 Be sure to come by; you could win a book or ebook!

Zombie doll artist interview

Meet an incredible doll artist whose work is definitely unique! See GirlZombieAuthors interview.

A Room Sweet Enough to Eat

Have you seen the Chocolate Lounge made entirely of mmm Belgian Chocolate in a shopping mall in Belarus?

Read more about it here.

Story on Dog Rescuers Wins Dog Writers Assn. Maxwell Medallion

Just got the medallion in the mail!

A story I wrote on Wisconsin dog rescuers and fostering, "Foster Families for Pets" by freelance writer Christine A. Verstraete was chosen as the winner of a Maxwell Medallion for Best Feature in a Mainstream Magazine by the Dog Writers Association. 

The story was published in the Jan/Feb 2012 PRIME Magazine, Kenosha News. 

   The story was chosen as the category winner at  the association's banquet on Feb. 10, 2013 in New York City.  See awards announcement at DWAA.org.

* See link to story at website.

Creatin' Contest Dollhouse Winners....

Cool! Lots of eye candy here at the Hobby Builders' Supplies Creatin' Contest winners galleries. Several galleries of dollhouse pix to sift through. Have fun!

Happy Valentine's Day! Story at King's River Life

For fun, I've got a story reprint up at King's River Life Magazine. Stop by and read "Say It With Flowers."

Books or film?

I admit I'm a book person. Love to read and then see a movie. This time I did the opposite and... wow! See post over at GirlZombieAuthors: Books to Film....

The beginning... sharing the first lines from GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

Until I put the first chapter online, here's  a teaser - the first few lines from my upcoming GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie... see the GirlZombieAuthors blog....

Happy New Year! New banner for GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

Made a new temporary banner until I get a cover... can't wait to see it! Keep checking back for details....

See synopsis on website.

A Happy Accident.

By Carlene Rae Dater

My husband came home from work one day a few years ago and said, “I’m going to a week-long seminar on Amelia Island off the coast of Florida, want to come alone?” Silly man – he had to ask? Little did I know that besides having a wonderful time on the island, I would wind up writing a book about the place and yes, there’s a dog in this book too. Here’s what happened:

While my poor husband was sitting inside attending the seminar, I walked to the local Chamber of Commerce and got all kinds of maps and brochures of fun things to do. The best find was a walking map of the city. Amelia Island is full of wonderful old Victorian homes and many of them have been turned into Bed & Breakfasts. I was so busy gawking and drooling (who wouldn’t love to have one of those houses?) when I realized, somehow, I’d gotten off the route. I looked up and saw a dilapidated old Victorian, sad and disheveled. Well, I’m a writer so the first thing that popped into my mind was….”What if….What if…”  The house was obviously empty and had been for some time. I knew I had to write a story about it and also knew that I would never remember all the details of that house, so I hurried back to the business district and bought a disposable camera. That’s a good tip for all you writers out there. NEVER think you’ll remember places – you won’t. Take photos to jar your memory.

The story began to jell on the plane trip home and once I got to my computer the book almost wrote itself. The title is: Stormy Love (www.whiskeycreekpress.com & www.amazon.com) and it’s in both e-book and paperback formats. Here’s a short blurb:

Jillian Bennett’s world falls apart when her fiancé dumps her. Then unexpectedly a mysterious aunt dies and leaves her a Victorian House on Amelia Island off the coast of Florida. Jillian pulls up stakes, vows to start a new life and moves to Florida to open a bed and breakfast, only to discover she’s inherited a dump. Jobless, near penniless and out of options, she has no choice but to stay.

Seth Falconer, a local cop, thinks the house is the hub of drug activity and suspects Jillian of being involved. His beloved sister died of an overdose at the house and he will do anything to find out who supplied her with drugs. Once his investigations prove Jillian’s innocence, they join forces, solve a mystery, find an unexpected treasure, and fall hopelessly in love.

                                                      

Did I mention there’s a dog in the story? Jillian moves into the house to start renovations. She keeps hearing a dog barking in the forest behind the house. She investigates and finds a white pit bull chained to a tree, without food or water. She manages to untangle and unchain the poor dog, takes him home and names him, Snowflake.

Stormy Love is a mystery with plenty of twists and turns and of course a bit of romance. Snowflake is one of the main characters and he winds up saving Jillian’s life.

I really love this book (do I say that about all my books?) and especially love the cover. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Doggy tip:

Is your poor dog always scratching, whining and nibbling at himself? You know it’s not fleas and figure he’s allergic to something but what do you do to relieve his stress? Try this: Go the any pet store and get a bag of Missing Link. It’s a fatty acid you sprinkle on the dog’s food. Missing Link will lubricate his skin and make his coat shine! I’ve used it with all my dogs for years and get raves about their beautiful coats.

If he’s still itching, try giving him some Benedryl. I get the generic brand at the drugstore, and it’s much cheaper. Of course check with your veterinarian first but….my vet is the one who told me about it. My poor girl, Tara, had terrible allergies as a young dog. I took her to a veterinarian dermatologist and the vet gave her a patch test – just like humans get (probably cost the same too). The doc determined that Tara was allergic to just about everything – but not food. I tried giving her injections but….neither of us like it. That’s when my wonderful house call vet, Dr. Alice recommended Benedryl. Tara was on it for about six years until I was finally able to wean her off of it completely.

The New Year is going to be a busy one for me, so this will be my last blog for Candid Canines. I have agreed to teach more writing classes at the local college, I will be doing intensive training with Duke so he can be a therapy dog, I have a website and three blogs of my own to keep up with and of course I have my own books to write.

I’ve enjoyed my time with you all and remember if you have questions or comments, you can always find me at: carlenedater@sbcglobal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May you and your family be blessed, prosperous and may all your dreams come true!

An Original Miniatures Christmas Story - The Thief of Christmas Present by author Robert Walker

   To celebrate the Christmas season, I'm linking to the original Christmas story penned by fellow author Robert Walker and illustrated with dollhouse miniatures.

The story, The Thief of Christmas Present is in two parts, so be sure to come to follow the link to part 2 at the bottom of the story. Start below.

Merry Christmas!


    
               * See part 1 of The Thief of Christmas Present here **

Quote from the story:

"No, no mom! I don't let anyone reach into my dollhouse and take out anything, not the figurines, not the furniture, and certainly not the presents under the tree."

Story on Wisconsin Dog Rescuers and Fostering Nominated in 2012 Dog Writers' Association Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Dec. 15, 2012

     A story on Wisconsin dog rescuers and fostering by freelance writer Christine A. Verstraete ("Foster Families for Pets," Jan/Feb. 2012 PRIME Magazine) has been nominated for a Maxwell Medallion in the Feature in Mainstream Magazines category of the 2012 Dog Writer's Association of America awards competition.
    Winners will be announced at the association's banquet on Feb. 10, 2013 in New York City.
* See images and story links at my website nonfiction page.    

** See awards announcement at DWAA.org.

As Long As There's a Leg on Each Corner....

In previous blogs I’ve written about my love of big dogs, specifically Labrador retrievers and how I’ve included them in my books. Well, I confess – I added a little dog to one of my earlier novels. It had to be a small critter for the plot. The books is, Call Sign: Love and it was the number one best seller on Fictionwise in August of 2009.

My protagonist, Cyndia Simmons (she explains that her first name is pronounced just like Cynthia, but without the lisp) has a Chihuahua that she named Thor. She gave him a big dog’s name to give him confidence.

I got the idea for this book while working at the San Diego Sheriff’s Department as a volunteer. I was with the department for over two years, learned a lot and loved my “job.” I wrote a non-fiction book about my adventures, An Extra Pair of Eyes, www.writewords.com and www.amazon.com and had fun with that but, I felt I just HAD to write a romance too. Of course as with all my books, there’s a mystery and a bit of humor. In this case, the mystery revolves around a man running naked through the small town of Oakdale, with only a brown bag on his head. Here’s the synopsis:

     Cyndia Simmons is searching for a new career and the love of her life, but there’s a problem. She grew up in a family of law enforcement officers and swore never to marry a man with a badge. She refuses to even date men in law enforcement—which is rather difficult, considering that she’s a dispatcher at the Sheriff’s Department Communications Center and all the men she meets wear guns. Then she meets Todd Witlow. He’s handsome, kind, and generous—and he’s a deputy. Although Cyndia does everything she can to avoid him, destiny keeps throwing them together.  

     Todd is on the fast track through the ranks at the Sheriff’s Department; he knows that’s best done alone, but when night after night he is forced to listen to Cyndia’s husky voice over the radio, he becomes determined to meet her—and more.

                                                                      

Call Sign: Love is available at: www.writewordsinc.com and www.amazon.com

Doggy tip for today.

                How to Remove Small Blood Stains from Carpet, Fast, Easy & Cheap

It’s happened to all of us. You cut the dog’s toenail to short and a few drops of blood fall on the family room carpet. Or your dog works on a raw hide chew too long and soon blood is dripping from her mouth. Sometimes the animals play too hard and you find the result, blood on your carpet. I’ve lived with dogs most of my life and have come to the conclusion that if you live with critters, you’re going to find spots of blood on your rug. Not to worry. There’s an easy, inexpensive way to remove blood stains from your carpet. I got this tip from my veterinarian and have found it works every time!

1.      Pour a little water on the stain – just enough to dampen the area.

2.      Take normal table salt and sprinkle it on the fresh stain to lightly coat it.

3.      Gently rub the salt into the stain with a clean, wet cloth.

4.      The salt will break down the protein in the blood.

5.      With a dry cloth blot up any remaining moisture from the area. The stain is gone!

6.      When the spot is dry, smooth the carpet area to blend the fibers with the rest of the carpet.  Using a coin really brings the fibers up and blends them. I’ve found quarters work best.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature and an original Christmas story

Seeing that I have so much up on the blog already, thought I'd again share the annual  12 Days of Christmas in Miniature links beginning today.
 (Image: Gingerbread house by Christine Verstraete)

Each day's post links to the next day, so be sure to come back to this post and follow the links starting from Day 1 below.

A link to the first day will also be in the left column of the blog until Christmas.


There is plenty here to keep you busy until Dec. 25 and put you in the Christmas Spirit!


                                              12 Days of Christmas in Miniature:  

                                                      2008 posts: Day 1 
                                                     
                                          * Original Christmas story by Robert Walker,
                         "The Thief of Christmas Present" - also begins on Day 11 (in two parts)

                                                      2009 posts: Day 1



   BONUS!  An Original Christmas Story, "The Thief of Christmas Present" first shared here in 2008 (see above link also) by author Robert W. Walker, - with miniatures photo illustrations!
         ** See Miniatures Christmas Story


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 

Miniatures Advent Calendars

Enjoy a feast of minis and how-to projects with the Mini Treasures Wiki and Artisans in Miniature (AIM) Advent Calendars... see links and open a door each day until Christmas.


* Artisans in Miniature (AIM) Advent Calendar - here
* Today  12/13 is my project page #13 - direct link

* Mini Treasures wiki Advent Calendar

Black Dog Syndrome

     Black dog bias is a veterinarian and animal shelter phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter-colored animals. Black dog bias is also known as "big black dog syndrome." Shelters often use the term BBD, or big black dog, to describe the type of larger dark-colored mixed-breed typically passed over by adopters.

     Some people believe that during the pet adoption process some potential owners associate the color black with evil or misfortune, and this bias transfers over to their choice of dog. Additionally, many shelters feature photo profiles of their dogs on the shelter website. Because black dogs do not photograph well, lighter-colored dogs have an advantage with potential adopters browsing the site. Whatever the reason, black dogs often languish in shelters for a long, long time through no fault of their own. I’ve decided to buck that trend by putting black dogs in my novels.

     I already shared Ray Charles, my blind, black Labrador retriever from The Colors of Death. When I started writing my humorous mystery, Roman Circus, I knew there would be a dog and son of a gun, a black one showed up! My heroine, Harmony Jane Jones, finds a black puppy in dire straits and rescues him. You’ll just have to read the book to find out how! Here’s the beginning of Roman Circus.

            

Monday I dashed out of my apartment wrapped in a towel after my shower to get the newspaper. My cat, named Cat, closed the door, locking me out. I was late for work.

            Tuesday my office computer crashed. Unfortunately, I had neglected to back up my work for a while - I think it was a year. My boss was not happy.

            Wednesday the Number Ten bus flattened Cat. After corpse retrieval and burial arrangements, I arrived late for work. 

            Thursday, my car died. I had to take the Number Ten bus with all its horrid memories. I was late for work.

            Friday, I got fired.

            Saturday, Eric, my boyfriend of two years, broke up with me after he decided he was still in love with his college sweetheart, Bruce.

            Sunday I picked up the classified section of the newspaper and saw this ad:

                                 “Life treating you badly? Ready for a change?

                                     Run away with us. Come join the circus.”

           

           So I did.

            Roman Circus is available at: www.nobelromance.com and www.amazon.com

     Doggy tip: if your canine friend has dry itchy skin, before you go to the vet for expensive tests, try this. Get a bag of Missing Link. You can find it in any pet store. Missing Link comes in granules that can be sprinkled on your dog’s food. It’s a fatty acid that lubricates your dog’s skin and makes his coat glow!

This entry is a bit short but it’s difficult for me to write about dogs right now. On November 16^th we lost our beloved 10-year-old yellow Lab, Tara. She was a very sick girl, and nothing could be done, so I held her and told her what a wonderful girl she had always been and how much we loved her. The vet sent her to the Rainbow Bridge to play with Shadow, Dingo, Princes, Talbot, Clarkie and Molly while she waits for us.

Till next time – kiss your dog , tell her you love her and hold her tight.

New Shabby Dollhouse

Had fun decorating this one.... Wanted to try this lighting idea for a long time. The brick technique also is in my book, IN MINIATURE STYLE II.

** House is the Greenleaf Primrose (Assembled Dollhouse Dimensions:
13” W x 12” D x 16” H)

The house interior is sand-painted stucco. Outside is Spackle-stucco. Tile on bottom floor and a unique trellis-pattern coated mat on top floor. Lace curtains. The top floor has original flower lights using petal beads.

Ready to move in. The house is for sale, comes as shown. Contact me at website or click profile here at the blog.

Bottom floor

Top floor has unique lit flowers for lights; single on left, trio on right

The Next Big Thing: Girl Z, zombies, mystery and more....

Just wanted to share again about The Next Big Thing - the blog that keeps on giving. It's still going around...

Everyone’s doing The Next Big Thing.... what is that?

Ten unique questions....

Peg Herring talks about her new mystery... I talk about my upcoming YA book, GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie. 

I also link to a couple other authors who share about their books and stories, including Stephen D. Sullivan, who’s writing sci-fi and horror, and Gail Ferrelly, who talks about her Thanksgiving-themed short story... See details and links on my website blog - http://www.cverstraete.com/1/post/2012/10/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop-week-15.html