Ocean Waves Scarf

I finally finished my Ocean Waves scarf. It was meant as a birthday present for a friend way back in April but it ended up making a lovely bridal shower gift. Hey, something blue, right?!

The pattern is simple: CO 21 stitches, size 10 straights or circulars. Knit 3; turn. Knit 3. Turn and knit 6. Turn; knit 6. Turn again and knit 9. Turn; knit 9. Turn and knit all stitches. You'll then be on the other side from where you started. Repeat the 3, 6, 9 knit and turn pattern, then knit across back to the other side. Keep repeating until scarf is desired length. I used 2 skeins of worsted weight yarn. 

Here are the pics!

Vibrant blue with sparkles throughout. I love this color!

For a greater ruffled effect, they make yarn specifically for these types of scarf but I liked this yarn so I went with it.

Next in my knitting queue are the baby socks for my friend, with matching hat, and then I have some nice sock yarn begging for a turn.

I'm also reading Midnight Crossroads, by Charlaine Harris, and editing is about finished on "Ravens" so I'm waiting for cover art to be done. Look for a release date around mid-June.

I've been doing some editing and proof reading jobs (for other authors), which I love, so I'm eager to get more of those tasks lined up. 

In the meantime, I'm gearing up to complete "Straw Houses" and bracing myself for next weekend: graduation at the high school where I work. My stepson is also graduating so plenty to do next weekend for sure!

What have you been up to lately?

Misunderstood Monsters

I've been working on a book for my youngest daughter, Madyson, who is eight. She likes supernatural things and also girls who are heroes and "plucky" like she is. It is REALLY HARD for me to dial back the gory content. Now, Madyson is the type of kid who LOVES gory stuff but let's be honest, I can't put the kind of things in this book that I did in "Sideshow" or in "Ravens" because it's way too graphic. But I think I'm doing a good job so far in making it Madyson-friendly. The age-appropriate gory stuff won't happen until a later chapter but here is an excerpt of Chapter One-The Werewolf's Errand from the book I am writing for her, called "Misunderstood Monsters":




Chapter One-The Werewolf's Errand


Greta Goldfinch sighed and drummed her slender fingers on the steering wheel of the black 1939 Lincoln Zephyr. The car was a gift from Mr. Tepes, since she was his emissary during daylight hours. But sitting in an alleyway waiting for a werewolf was proving to be a very boring babysitting duty, whether or not one was immersed in the luxuriant leather seating of a meticulously restored classic car, or not. She checked her watch for the fourth time, impatient. Molly was due home from school within the hour and if furface didn't hurry his fuzzy rear end, she was going to leave him at the butcher's shop. Granted, he wasn't currently in werewolf form but the name still applied.

Driving the underage werewolf around during daylight hours, when he was clothed in his human skin and human clothes for that matter, was part of her new job working for Mr. Tepes. This new job was not too trying, as jobs went, though relocation had been somewhat troubling. Mostly the position consisted of driving around, doing errands, paying bills, and a little light housekeeping at the rather grand home that the vampire shared with his werewolf nephew and a frightening looking fellow described as an "old family friend". The three bachelors kept the place pretty neat, so there was never a great deal of laundry or dishes to care for, and Greta found the job to be rather mundane. After all, one would expect a certain element of danger, or perhaps a little excitement, when working for employers who were supernatural.

Greta sighed again and checked her watch a second time. She could not imagine how her husband, Joseph Goldfinch, had done this job for so many years. Not that he'd done the housekeeping bit, but Joseph was Mr. Tepes' daytime representative for six years before he died. It still brought tears to Greta's eyes, over a year later. She remembered that terrible night as if it were yesterday...





Madyson and Kitty reading! I love this :)

What was your favorite book to read as a child? Your favorite chapter book? Picture book? Young adult book? There are so many to choose from!

Blog Tour: Jeanne Bannon

This week's featured author is Jeanne Bannon, author of "Invisible."







Here is a bit about Jeanne and her work:



Blurb

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...

 

For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose.

 

Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”.

 

Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…

 

Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.

 

A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.

 

Bio and links

Invisible, a YA paranormal romance, is published by Solstice Publishing and has been optioned for film. It is an Amazon bestseller both domestically and internationally and has received wonderful reviews.


I've also had several short stories published and won first place in the Writes of Caledon Short Story Contest two years in a row. My novels, The Barely Boy and Dark Angel were finalists in the 2010 and 2011 Strongest Start contests. Another of my short stories, "Thom's Journey" is part of an anthology entitled A Visitor to Sandahl and is available on Amazon.com.



I've worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years, first as a freelance journalist, then as an in-house editor for LexisNexis Canada. I currently work as a freelance editor and writer.

Links:

 

Twitter: @JeanneBannon

 

FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeanne-Bannon/182120961844916

 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/user/jbannon4398

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Jeanne-Bannon/dp/1466368756/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318029462&sr=8-1

 

Solstice Publishing: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/invisible/

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12586579-invisible

 

www.jeannebannon.com

Blog Tour: Olivia Gracey

It's very rewarding to be a part of a publishing group; as part of our marketing and bonding, some of us are doing a blog hop, hosting other authors on our blogs. I had the pleasure of reading Olivia Gracey's novel, The Allow Factor, and encourage everyone to check it out here. Here is some information about the author, Olivia Gracey:

What am I working on?

Currently marketing for my book “The Allow Factor”  that was released through Summer Solstice Publishing May 5th. In my spare moments I am jotting down the sequel to “The Allow Factor” called “The Psyco Effect” in hopes of having it wrapped up by the end of summer. Then I will be approaching part three in the book series.

My latest piece “Sailing Alice Marie” is pure romance and fiction. It’s one of those books you just get lost in while your toes are busy digging in the sand. It is currently with my Agent being shopped for a publisher.

How does my work differ from others of it’s genre?

It’s relatable yet dreamy. There’s a guy that may not be the perfect guy but maybe the guy you just dated. The one who broke your heart and kept coming back for more. There’s advice and aha’s along the way to make you question your heart and show you how worthy you are to be someone’s forever Bride. 

Why do I write what I do?

This particular book was written for all my broken women friends. I wanted to reach out to them, show them there is healing, you don't stay broken forever. I feel the need to help and build them up back to the woman they once were. Only this time, stronger, wiser, and more beautiful. I’ve yet to meet a woman that I couldn’t relate to. I’ve been there, broken, and I want to be that voice that’s there for them to remind them of what the Good Lord has in-store for them.

Women are natural responders. You give love to us you get love seven fold. It’s the way we are designed. You hurt us, well you know…

How does my writing process work?

Spontaneity and prayer. I do not plan to write I write when it hits me. Ideas come at me full force and when they do I am forced to jot them down or record via voice memo into my phone.

I never have a clue where it’s going or where it ends up. There are times I’ll start off thinking it’s going one direction then a character or idea will pop up and stir it into another. I love getting into the head of my characters. So deep sometimes, that they are sitting right next to me telling me how they feel.

I’m my worst critic. “I don’t know why anyone would want to read my book!” But I know in my heart the story is good when it makes me laugh or cry. And the best part comes when I don’t remember even writing that line. That’s my WOW factor. 

Three things you should know about me.

The Good Lord always has my back…

My greatest accomplishments in life are my two boys

I love to write!

Please follow me at  http://www.Facebook.com/OGracey

Follow my blogs at http://www.OliviaGracey.com

Prom: Age...not 17

I never went to my own prom. I left school early, did some college time, quit that too...anyway, I suppose I missed out on a few experiences. Now, I am nearly finished with college finally and have a great job as a teacher's aide at a local high school. The prom theme for this year's crop of seniors was "Monte Carlo" and the call went out to staff for volunteers to help with all things prom related. That included card dealing (without money/gambling of course). After the third such cry for card dealers I finally volunteered my services and that is how I finally ended up going to prom at the ripe old age of not seventeen.

This prom thing turned out to be pretty nerve wracking. What to wear? Dress up or not dress up? Go all out or be "normal"? I asked the teacher in charge of prom who helpfully replied, "Oh, just wear whatever. No uniform or anything." Well, ok. But now what? 

I'm lucky my friend Heather is great with fashion and makeup because otherwise I would probably have worn jeans. Ok not really but I was definitely overthinking it. She had me come over and we discussed the pros and cons of two black dresses with a vaguely Egyptian/Greek theme. I didn't have Monte Carlo, so Caesar's Palace would have to do. 

Heather has a fantastic blog called Waisted Dreams that everyone who needs fashion or beauty tips should check out. Plus, she has great stories and weight loss ideas there too. She did my hair and makeup for prom: 

Getting curlers!

Curlers done...on to makeup!

Ok I look solemn here but only because I wasn't supposed to look yet. Oops!

Greek goddess hair? Check! Diva-rific makeup? Check!

Oh yeah. I love it!

Feeling sassy!

Holy cleavage Batman...yes I covered those up before I left! Good thing I took this picture or I'd never have known. Certainly my husband wasn't saying anything...sorry about the strange lighting. You can't see my makeup very well here but it still looked amazing an hour after Heather did it. She is talented! The only difference here is lipstick. I put that on all by myself. Heather did everything else! You can't see my shiny eyes very well in this picture but I got many compliments on them. At prom. From teenage girls. That's hard to do!

This picture makes me sad. I almost didn't post it. I've gained a lot of weight...but now I'm determined to either love it or fix it!

After all the bobby pins came our and I washed as much makeup off as I could manage at midnight, I still was just me. Only I finally made it to prom and you know, it was kinda fun.