CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--CROSS STITCH TIPS

Ever wonder why I chose a background of embroidery floss for the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog?  Simple.  I love to cross stitch!  I wish I had time to cross stitch more often, but it’s kind of hard to squeeze in a few relaxing hours of stitching when there always seems to be something else that needs doing -- like figuring out how to pay off dead hubby’s loan shark.  Someday I may be able to get back to my favorite pastime and wile away the hours with a piece of linen, a tapestry needle, and all those gorgeous DMC floss colors.  In the meantime, I’ve got some cross stitching tips to share with those of you who do manage to squeeze in some cross stitching time from time to time. -- AP  

To prevent linen, Aida cloth, and evenweave from creasing when not working on a project, roll the fabric in acid free tissue paper and place it inside a cardboard tube.  Use empty tubes from toilet tissue for small projects and plastic wrap or foil for larger projects.

If you prefer to use a hoop when you stitch, always remove your stitching from the hoop when not working on it.  Plastic hoops are preferable to wooden or metal ones which may stain your fabric.  If you prefer to use wood or metal, prevent staining by sandwiching your fabric between two sheets of muslin before inserting into the hoop.  Carefully cut out the muslin to 1” from hoop.

If you’re a mom, chances are you’re also the family chauffeur.  Ever think of keeping a project in the glove compartment of your car?  Pull it out to work on while you’re waiting to pick up the kids from school or soccer.  No kids?  Bring your project along when you have a doctor’s appointment.  You’ll enjoy stitching a lot more than leafing through those outdated magazines in the waiting room.

Here are two tips for take-along projects.  Instead of balancing a chart on your lap, stitch half of each  cross stitch throughout the project when you can do so at home.  Complete the stitches whenever you have a few minutes of “wait” time.  Another tip is to stitch the perimeter of large areas of solid color.  Fill in the areas during those “wait” times.

Look for more cross stitch and other crafting tips in future columns.  Meanwhile, what are some of your favorite stitching tips? Anyone who posts a comment this week is entered into the drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR DOROTHY FRANCIS

                                            

It's Friday, and that means American Woman Book Club day. Today’s guest author is mystery writer Dorothy Francis.  Dorothy, an award-winning author, writes both children’s and adult fiction.  Although a native Midwesterner now residing in Iowa, she formerly lived in Florida and has a deep love for the Florida Keys.  Visit her at www.dorothyfrancis.com.-- AP 

THE CONCH REPUBLIC


Since spending winters in the Florida Keys, I’ve become interested in Florida history and I try to work interesting historical details into my mysteries.  It pleased me to read that reviewers at Publisher’s Weekly wrote that I do this without overburdening a smoothly written and suspenseful tale. 

While gathering ideas for EDEN PALMS MURDER, a taxi driver at Key West International Airport told me about the Conch Republic.  I didn’t know that at one time the mayor of Key West threatened to secede from the United States.  Why?

In 1982, the United States Border Patrol set up a blockade on Highway One north of the Keys.  It stopped everyone, including Keys citizens, from driving to or from the mainland.  Keys citizens felt they were stuck in the islands like barnacles on a boat hull.  Stuck forever?  Nobody knew the answer.  Today, few Keys citizens recall the why of the blockade.

The Key West mayor flew to Miami and raised a whopper of a fuss.  The media caught him in action.  He stamped his feet.  He waved his arms.  He shouted that unless the blockade was lifted, the Florida Keys were seceding from the Union.  Then and there.

Did he have the authority to do that?  He said he did, and the Conchs were so angry they never questioned his say-so.  This mayor began the rebellion by breaking a loaf of Cuban bread over the head of an onlooker wearing a U.S. Navy uniform.  The rebellion raised this irate man from Mayor of Key West to Prime Minister of a new nation.  He named this new nation The Conch Republic—at least that’s the story he told the media.  (The word ‘conch’ is pronounced ‘conk’ like a conk on the head.)

Cops hauled the new prime minister to an officer at the navy base in Miami and he surrendered to Union Forces.  The next thing he did was to demand a billion dollars in foreign aid—said it would be used to rebuild a Conch Republic in the Keys.

Of course the man didn’t get any foreign aid, and in time the blockade came down.  Memories and tall tales of those colorful days linger to present times.  In Key West gift shops a person can buy Conch Republic flags, mugs, and other items relating to those bygone days.

Yes, I used a version of this story in EDEN PALMS MURDER.  You can find it on pages 23/24.


Thanks for stopping by to visit us, Dorothy. And remember, everyone, post a comment this week to be entered into the drawing for a copy of Photo, Snap, Shot, by Monday's guest author and crafter Joanna Campbell Slan. Stop back tomorrow to see who won. -- AP

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR MARILYN MEREDITH/F.M. MEREDITH

It's Book Club Friday.  Today’s guest mystery author at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers is Marilyn Meredith. Marilyn is the author of nearly thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series and writing as F.M. Meredith, the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series.  Dispel the Mist is the latest book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, and An Axe to Grind is the latest book in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series.  Marilyn is a member of EPIC, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com.

Marilyn will be giving away a copy of No Sanctuary from her Rocky Bluff P.D. series to one lucky reader who posts a comment to Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers this week. -- AP

People often ask me why I feel qualified to write mysteries about people in law enforcement. My answer is, I’m probably not qualified. I’ve never been in law enforcement, but I’ve know a lot of people who are. Years ago, we had several police officers and their families as neighbors. We partied with them, our kids played together and I had coffee with the wives. The one thing I observed was how the job affected the families and what was going on in the family affected the job.

A few years later, my son-in-law became a police officer. Since my daughter didn’t like to hear his stories about what he did on his graveyard shift, he came to my house for coffee and told me instead. He even took me on a ride-along after making me promise I wouldn’t tell anyone I was his mother-in-law. That’s when I started writing my Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series set in a small beach community, much like the one I was living in at the time.

When I moved from the beach city into the foothills of the Sierra, I went on several ride-along with the local police department. One was with a female officer, the only woman on the department, and from 2:30 a.m. until 6 a.m., she didn’t get a single call. During that time, she poured out her heart to me about how hard it was working in a male dominated police force, and the difficulties raising a child as a single mother. Later, I interviewed the female resident deputy in the little town where I live, and I met a wonderful Native American woman who grew up on the nearby Indian reservation. These three women influenced the creation of  Native American Deputy Tempe Crabtree, the resident deputy of the mountain community of Bear Creek—which has a striking resemblance to the place I’m living now.

I belong to the Public Safety Writers Association that has many members who are or were in law enforcement. Though I sometimes ask them questions about how something might be done, I’m quick to add that the Rocky Bluff P.D. is my department and I can do it anyway I want.

My latest book in the Rocky Bluff series, An Axe to Grind, is about the murder of a stalker, though because it has an ensemble cast of characters, you’ll learn a lot about several officers on the Rocky Bluff P.D. as the murder is investigated.

My books are available in all the usual places—the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, as well as some of the earlier books in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, can be purchased from my website, too.  All the books are also available as e-books from Kindle and other e-book sites.

One other thing I probably should add about my books is my characters usually don’t use bad language and I always close the bedroom door.


Don't forget to post a comment to be entered in the drawing to win a copy of No Sanctuary.  Check back tomorrow to find out who won. -- AP

MONEY MATTERS WITH SHEILA--COUPON CODES

Posting today is Sheila Conway, American Woman’s money guru.  Even if you’re not in the financial abyss I’m stuck in (really, how many of you have a loan shark breathing down your necks?), in these economic times we can all use a little help making those Washingtons, Lincolns, and Hamiltons stretch a bit further.  Sheila will post from time to time, offering tips to help you do just that.-- AP

Sheila here.  And happy to be part of Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers even though I want no part of killers -- crafty or otherwise -- unless we’re talking about killing a few pounds.  I’m all for that, and thanks to health editor Janice Kerr’s post last week, I’m now walking more. 

Before I go any further, first, a disclaimer:  I am neither an accountant, a banker, nor a stock broker.  So I won’t be offering advice in my blog posts on the nitty gritty of finance.  No suggested stocks to buy.  No questions answered regarding IRAs or 401Ks.  No discussions on money markets vs. bonds.  What I will offer are practical tips for helping busy women make the most of the money they have.  Because when you do that, you wind up with more money. 

Today I’d like to tell you about a little used source of shopper savings.  We all clip coupons, right?  Personally, my dream is one day to have enough money that I don’t have to clip grocery coupons every week.  Realistically, that’s only going to happen if I win the lottery, and how realistic is that?  Especially since I don’t buy lottery tickets.  Enough about me, though.  How many of you check the Internet before you shop?

The Internet offers a wealth of discounts, whether you’re shopping online or the old-fashioned way by actually going to a store.  Whenever you order something online, first do a search of the retailer’s name, followed by “coupon codes.”  Even if the site isn’t offering any deals at the moment, there may be multiple offers still available.  I recently ordered some clothing from an online retailing who was having a 25% off sale.  The homepage gave the coupon code to enter at checkout to receive the discount.  However, by doing a quick search, I discovered another still valid coupon code that not only gave me the 25% discount but also included free shipping.  I saved an additional $12 by spending a minute or two doing an online search.

In addition, before going shopping or out to eat, you should make a practice of first checking the store or restaurant website.  Sometimes special offers are listed right on the website homepage, but often you have to hunt them down.  Search for the retailer’s name, followed by “store coupon,”  or the restaurant name, followed by “discount offer” or “coupon.” 

In these tough economic times retailers and restaurants are offering more and more incentives to lure in customers and diners.  Become a savvy consumer and take advantage of these offers.  

Have a tip for saving money or stretching your dollars?  Let's hear from you.  Everyone who posts a comment this week will be entered in a drawing to win a book donated by our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

COOKING WITH CLORIS--REAL MEN WILL EAT THIS QUICHE

If you’re a woman of a “certain age” you’re familiar with the phrase, “Real men don’t eat quiche.”  Those real men never tasted the quiche Cloris shares with us today.  Trust me.  ALL men, whether nerd or alpha male, will clamor for seconds and even thirds of this baby.  My teenage boys can each scarf down an entire pie in one sitting.  Good thing they burn up calories the way they do.  Their mother, on the other hand, has to settle for a thin slice along with a huge salad.  Oh, to have the metabolism of the average teenage boy…-- AP



CLORIS’S REAL MAN QUICHE
(serves 4)


Ingredients:
9” deep dish frozen pie crust
5 eggs
1 cup half and half
1 tsp. garlic powder
 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup chopped zucchini
1/4 cup cooked bacon, broken up into tiny pieces
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese


Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Beat eggs, slowly pouring in half and half, then garlic powder.  Mix together zucchini, bacon, and cream cheese.  Place mixture in frozen pie shell, covering bottom of pie shell evenly.  Pour egg mixture on top.  Sprinkle with mozzarella  and parmesan cheeses.  Bake 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bak and additional 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Cloris’s hot summer tip:
Make the quiche first thing in the morning and serve cold for dinner.

So does this recipe sound good to you?  Have a favorite you want to share?  Let’s hear from you. Everyone who posts a comment this week will be entered in a drawing to win a book donated by our Book Club Friday guest author.--AP

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR CAMILLE MINICHINO/MARGARET GRACE

I’m thrilled to have Camille Minichino as our first guest author at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers.  Camille is a retired physicist turned writer.  As Camille Minichino, she's published eight novels and a short story in the periodic table mystery series featuring Gloria Lamerino; as Margaret Grace, she's published five novels in the miniature mystery series featuring Geraldine Porter; and as Ada Madison, she's poised to release a new series, academic mysteries featuring Sophie Knowles. She also blogs at Killer Hobbies.

Camille has very graciously offered to give away 3 copies of her latest release, Monster in Miniature, to readers who post comments this weeks.  Check back tomorrow to see if you’re one of the lucky three.-- AP

Cozy Scenes, with a Twist

by Camille Minichino

My cute, folksy hobby of making dollhouses and miniatures has turned bloody.

Example: I was finishing up a lovely little lawn scene. I'd used an ordinary coaster for the base, covering the cork side with foam of different shades of green, and "planted" sweet yellow flowers here and there. I placed a 2-inch-high white wicker chair on the "grass" and added a cushion, a straw hat, some books, and an eighth-inch cup of macchiato. I knitted a tiny afghan and threw it over the back of the chair.

Darling, really. But something seemed off to me. Until I added a Winchester rifle and a few drops of "blood." That did it; I was satisfied. I'd turned the piece from a cozy sunny-day reading corner to a crime scene.

I used to favor charming and adorable—pink Victorian houses in 1-inch-scale (1 inch equals 1 foot of "real" space) with lavish ballrooms and tiny chandeliers; English country cottages with rooms full of crocheted carpets, painted wood furniture and miniature loaves of bread and cupcakes made of crafts dough.

But since entering the mystery writing community, my scenes have taken on a different twist. They're now cold and bloody. It figures: my outlets for donating the pieces are mystery conferences and mystery fans who win scenes from drawings announced on my blogs.

I still make cute dollhouses a couple of times a year and give them away to schools and hospitals as raffle prizes. But, I confess, it's the crime scenes that are the most fun. Over the years I've created an embalming room, a funeral parlor, and way too many bathtubs with a tiny hair dryer, boombox, or iron thrown in. Check out the gallery at http://www.dollhousemysteries.com for samples.

I can't wait to read Lois Winston's Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun and get to know Anastasia better. From the title alone you know it's going to be a great read, another of those times when crafts supplies turn deliciously deadly.

Thanks for letting me visit, Anastasia!

And thanks for stopping by, Camille, and also for offering copies of Monster in Miniature to three lucky people who post comments this week.  Remember, everyone, check back tomorrow to find out who the lucky winners are.--AP