Where've you been?

Contrary to any rumors saying I actually found the edge of the earth and fell off, I am still around! I kind of got caught up in reading a series of books (several times) and seeing it's related movie (a few times). The problem was, that after all that - my own characters were wide awake and their story had to be told.

I'd written a manuscript many years ago in a series of journals. It was never shared with anyone and then was lost forever. This didn't bother me so much, since the only reason I put it to paper was to get David and Rachel to quiet down. Well, they are no longer happy with being quiet and forgotten.

So, Darkness Calls has risen from the ashes. It is not the same story that it was back then. By the third chapter, things were different and continued to spiral onto different paths. I think it's better for the changes, but I guess I'm the only one that will ever know for sure.

Before the story was finished, we started beta reading with a few of my friends. They got busy with their own lives and the revisions of early chapters slowed down work on the remaining story. So I am finishing the story and doing a few revisions of my own before it goes back into beta.

If the story does not make it to print, then I will publish it online. I promise not to hide it under a bush this time. In the meantime, I'm working with a couple of published authors as their beta. It helps me to learn and grow and this is a good thing. I'm also reading a lot of fan fiction and making connections with those writers as well.

Paper crafts: ATCs, LTCs, Cards, stamp carving and general rubber stamping as well as my pottery have taken a back seat until the writing process is finished. I'll get back to it... I always do. It calls to me!!

12 Days of Teacher Gifts

It's that time of year and Morgan wanted to do a Christmas count down. We put together 12 gifts to give her teacher this year! She has had a hand in each and every one of these projects! I don't want to spoil the surprise, so you'll get to see them after she's left for school with her gift in hand. Know this, she's organized them over and over and still chooses something different when it's time to leave!

Are you ready to count down with her?

First Day of Christmas = Magic Pouches



You've seen these, you give the bow a tug and it pulls out the gift. Morgan wrote a verse on the tag that says:

In this season of family, fun and shopping trips to the mall, I wish you a moment of peace... and hot chocolate!

Recipe

Stamps: Season of Joy set by Stampin Up

Ink: Real Red, Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, Garden Green

Paper: Generic CS from Sam's Club (almost out!!)

Extras: Crop-a-dile, snail adhesive, Ribbon from Ms

OH.. the mug in the picture was not given away. It's my personal mug; one of the first that I threw on the wheel. So... now you know what I'm drinking from whenever I'm crafting!

Stamp Something Challenge

Stamp Something posted this sketch on Friday the 14th and here is the card I made last night for the challenge.

This was fun!  I got to use my Stampin Around Illuminated stamp for the textured mat behind the sentiment.  The stamps are from the Seasonal Whimsy set.   I sure hope you like it!