BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR JANE K. CLELAND

Our guest today is Jane K. Cleland, author of the Agatha-, Anthony-, Macavity-, and David-nominated Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series. Dolled Up for Murder, the seventh in the series, is a tale of rare dolls, the Civil War, and obsession. And a cat named Hank. Her first non-Josie short story, “Last Supper,” appears in the June issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. In addition, Jane hosts The Writers Room, where she interviews guest authors for broadcast on cable and online. More information about Jane’s books is available at her website. -- AP

Smuggling Dolls

by Jane K. Cleland

If the dolls in the seventh Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, DOLLED UP FOR MURDER, could talk, ah! the tales they’d tell. Some would talk about the little girls who played with them, whispering to us about how they were imaginary friends and trusted confidants. They’d explain how they felt when those little girls outgrew doll-playing and left them in a closet or a toy chest or on a shelf. Others would talk about how they were used for smuggling.

There’s a Civil War-era doll named Nina who, it seems, came to America from Europe with her papier mâché head filled with morphine or quinine, an effort orchestrated by Southern sympathizers to get medical supplies past the Union blockade and into the hands of sick Confederate soldiers. Nina lives in the Museum of the Confederacy, by the way, in Richmond, Virginia. Nina hid medical supplies. Think what else could be hidden in dolls’ heads or in their hollowed out legs, or under their clothing, strapped to their little bodies. Jewels, perhaps, or illegal drugs, or military secrets… or who knows what else.

Dolls of all kinds have been used for smuggling for as long as dolls have existed, and smuggling itself has been going on for even longer than that. I am a realist, so I get it. If you have something to smuggle, you want to find a container that’s not likely to attract attention. I may understand the smuggler’s motivation, but to my mind, there’s something especially distasteful about using dolls for illicit purposes. Dolls represent innocence, or should. When a drug dealer or a spy or a thief use dolls to stash contraband, it isn’t merely breaking the law. It’s a betrayal of innocence.

Yikes! I hate thinking about that. So does Josie. Instead of thinking about how dolls can be abused, let’s do what Josie does when she’s upset or confused. Let’s talk cats. Josie finds her Maine Coon cat, Hank, and cuddles with him, chatting, venting, and sometimes asking his opinion. Since smuggling dolls is so dark, I thought I’d include a brief excerpt from Josie #7, DOLLED UP FOR MURDER, that isn’t. Here’s Hank as you meet him on page 33 in DOLLED UP FOR MURDER:

Downstairs, I made a beeline for Hank’s area. He was curled up in his basket, asleep. I squatted beside him and stroked under his chin, his favorite place to be rubbed. Second favorite was his tummy.

“Hank,” I cooed, “you’re such a good boy. Are you a good boy, Hank? Yes, you are. What a good boy.”

Hank’s fur was mostly silver with charcoal and apricot highlights. His vet called the color chinchilla. Hank had lived at Prescott’s for just over a year now, ever since Gretchen had spotted him wandering around outside. We hadn’t been able to find his owner, so we’d adopted him. It had taken him about a minute to settle in. It had taken me about two minutes to fall in love with him.

“I’m leaving a little early, Hank. I’ll see you tomorrow… okay?”

He turned his head just enough to lick my hand. His eyes stayed closed. I stood up and he settled back in, curling into a tight little comma. 

I don’t actually know anything about smuggling, of course. I write fiction. But I do know about needing comfort and solace and friendship, and I certainly know about the power of cats. Here’s Hank, just so you know.

Thanks for joining us today, Jane! -- AP

THIS WEEK'S BOOK GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thanks to everyone who stopped by this week and a special thank you to author Karen McCullough for being our Book Club Friday guest and offering a copy of A Gift For Murder to one of our readers. The winner this week is Leslie. Leslie, please email your mailing address to anastasiapollack@gmail.com. I'll forward it to Karen.

COOKING WITH CLORIS --GUEST AUTHOR LIZ LIPPERMAN

Food editor Cloris McWerther has invited Liz Lipperman, author of the Clueless Cook Mystery Series, to take her place today. Liz has a yummy recipe as well as a copy of LIVER LET DIE she’s offering one lucky commenter today. To learn more about Liz and her series, check out her website. http://www.lizlipperman.com/ -- AP

First off, thanks to Anastasia for inviting me here to share one of the recipes from my debut novel that releases today (SQUEE). Here’s a short summary of LIVER LET DIE, the first in the Clueless Cook Mystery Series from Berkley Prime Crime.

Jordan McAllister, a wannabe sports reporter who follows her boyfriend to Dallas, gets dumped, and ends up in a small Texas town where she lands a job writing personals. When an opportunity opens to fill in for the culinary reporter who's rehabbing a broken hip, she jumps on it, thinking it’s one step closer to writing that sports column she wants so badly. The problem is she was raised in West Texas, the only girl with three brothers who needed her outside every day to even up the sides for football games, and although she can throw a razor-sharp touchdown pass from 50 yards, she can’t cook her way out of a box of macaroni and cheese

           

Her first assignment is reviewing the new steakhouse in town where she inadvertently orders foie gras (fatty duck liver) that ends up untouched and shoved into a borrowed purse. Back home she discovers that she has ruined her friend’s beautiful handbag, but that's nothing compared to finding her waiter from the steakhouse murdered outside her door, along with her name and number in his pockets. Now she’s the prime suspect as well as the main course on the murder menu.

The concept for LLD was hatched when the editor read a straight mystery of mine that she loved but couldn’t use because she was looking for a cozy series – a “foodie” to be exact. Growing up number eight of nine children, I knew I couldn’t pull off a gourmet series, and the idea of a sports nut like me suddenly thrust into a position with her own food column seemed like the way to go. Personally, I am a great casserole cook, since that's what I ate growing up. So, when Anastasia asked me to post a recipe, I headed straight to the back of LLD where there are ten wonderful ones, mostly my own. Since my girl doesn’t cook, she uses her friends’ recipes for her column after they slap on a made-up foreign name to make them fancy. Here’s the first recipe that she publishes. Trust me when I tell you, you're gonna love it. The good news is that the low fat version tastes exactly like the real thing.

Budin de Papitas Fritas con Pollo (Rosie’s Potato Chip Chicken)

Yields 6 servings

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, rinsed and cut up into bite-sized pieces

4 stalks celery, chopped

1 package (10 ounces) sliced almonds

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted (or for low fat version, use ¼  cup butter and ¾ cup low fat mayonnaise)

1 tablespoon dried onion flakes

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

Nonstick cooking oil

10 ounces grated cheddar cheese (about 2½ cups)

1(7.5 ounce) bag of potato chips, crumbled (can use light chips)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl mix the chicken, celery, almonds, butter, onion flakes, and pepper. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick cooking oil and add the chicken mixture to the dish. Top with the cheese and then the chips. Bake uncovered 30-40 minutes, or until filling is bubbly and chips are golden brown.

Berkley is sending a copy of LIVER LET DIE to one lucky commenter today and I will add a signed tasseled bookmark with this recipe on the back.

Thanks for joining us today, Liz! The chicken recipe sounds yummy, whether in English or Spanish. What do you think, readers? Post a comment for a chance to win a copy of LIVER LET DIE. -- AP

THIS WEEK'S BOOK GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Thanks to everyone who visited Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers this week. We hope you'll stop back often and please tell your friends about us. We have lots of great posts and guests planned for the future. 


This week we had visits from two authors who offered copies of their books as giveaways. On Thursday Deborah Sharp paid us a visit and offered a copy of MAMA SEES STARS, the latest book in her Mace Bauer Mysteries series. The winner of that book is Nancy. 


On Friday, author Clea Lane paid us a visit and offered a copy of GREY ZONE, the newest Dulcie Schwartz mystery, to one of our readers. The winner of that book is Anne.


Ladies, please send your mailing addresses to anastasiapollack@gmail.com. I'll forward them on to Deborah and Clea so they can send your books to you.

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- GUEST BEAUTY BLOGGER AUTHOR DEBORAH SHARP

Today is International Literary Day. In celebration, beauty editor Nicole Emmerling has invited a special guest blogger. Former reporter Deborah Sharp left the sad stories of the news biz behind to write the funny Mace Bauer Mysteries. She demonstrates unusual dedication to verisimilitude. She trekked 120 miles on horseback across Florida to “feel’’ the trail-ride setting for her second book. Far too many times, she donned hideously tacky bridal garb to promote her last book, set at a wedding (Mama’s fifth). Viewers of NBC’s Today got a glimpse last year of Deborah sporting her … uh, Mama’s … veil when she appeared on the program. She has no idea how she’ll top that stunt for the release this month of MAMA SEES STARS. You can read an excerpt from the first chapter of MAMA SEES STARS right here.  Or, you can check out Deborah’s website here.

In honor of International Literary Day, Deborah is giving away a copy of MAMA SEES STARS to one of our readers. All you have to do to enter is post a comment to the blog. In addition, for those of you with Kindles or Nooks, MAMA DOES TIME, the first book in the Mace Bauer Mysteries, is now available for a limited time as a FREE DOWNLOAD. Click here for the free Kindle download, and click here for the free Nook download. -- AP

Thanks to Anastasia and the gang at American Woman for inviting me here today. I’m going to turn things over to “Mama,’’ from my fictional town of Himmarshee, Fla. Mama loves nothing more than talking about beauty, preferably her own.

Hey, there! Mama here. I wish y’all could see Ms. Author – not a dab of makeup, not even lipstick, dragging her butt around the house in her sweatpants. You’d understand why it makes sense to have me guest star today to talk about the beauty benefits of aromatherapy.

I know from personal experience how scents and essential oils from flowers and herbs can help a person through tough times. When I was married to Husband No. 2, I’d have been nuttier than a squirrel at a peanut festival without my potions. If breathing scented steam under a tented towel keeps you from sticking your head in the gas oven, well that’s a good thing, isn’t it?  You can’t be beautiful if you’re dead.

My middle daughter Mace refuses to take my advice about aromatherapy, along with just about anything else: Hair. Clothes. Matters of the heart. I just know she acts obstinate to make me crazy.

Now, she’s somehow managed to land this handsome detective, Carlos Martinez. That’s despite the fact she makes no effort whatsoever to take advantage of her God-given looks. The two of them even got over that little misunderstanding about him trying to send me to prison for murder. To me, that says they’re meant to be together.

I just hope Mace doesn’t screw it up.

I have half a mind to hide an aromatherapy lamp in her house, fill the basin with distilled water and a few drops of the essential oils of flowers and plants known to be, well . . . stimulating, if you get my drift. Okay, they’re aphrodisiacs. We’re all adults here.

Well, I’m getting the signal from Mace to stop discussing her private life and get to my task.

I’ll tell you one important thing, just like I tell the folks at Hair Today, Dyed Tomorrow beauty parlor. Pregnant women, people getting medical treatment, and those with sensitive skin should be cautious with aromatherapy. In fact, it’s probably a good idea for anybody to check with their doctor first, just to be sure. Essential oils can be strong. Don’t take them internally. Don’t apply directly to skin. Always mix in just a few drops with a “carrier’’ oil like almond, apricot kernel, or even a light olive oil, to rub on your skin.

Here are a few things you might like to try:

* Oil of lemon helps you think clearly. Dilute two drops in a tablespoon of almond or some other oil, then massage a bit onto your temples. This potion can also calm emotional outbursts and improve communication. I’m going to slip a little bottle in Mace’s purse since she always manages to say the wrong thing around Carlos.

* Are you plagued by body odor? Nothing pretty about that! Don’t worry, sage can help. Rub some of the dry, powdered herb under your arms. Or, use one teaspoon per cup for tea.

* Neroli oil, made from orange blossoms, is linked to blushing brides and wedding nights. Maybe that’s why it makes a good massage oil to enhance matters in the bedroom. A sniff before public speaking also calms stage fright. I’ve never used neroli in the latter way. About the former, I’d rather not say.

If you find yourself near Himmarshee—the Gateway to Palatka – stop by Hair Today. I’m the salon’s aromatherapy expert. I’ll give you a free 10-minute consult if you mention my latest adventure, MAMA SEES STARS. Did you hear I got a part in the movie those Hollywood folks came to shoot down here? Of course, there was that little matter of a murder. Still, everyone said I killed when they filmed my scene … well, I don’t mean killed literally. That’s just the way we movie people talk.

Mama, it’s always a pleasure having you stop by! (You, too, Deborah!) Readers, remember, if you’d like to enter the drawing to win a copy of MAMA SEES STARS, post a comment. Since it's International Literary Day, tell us what you're reading. Or tell us your beauty secret. Or just stop by to say hi. And don’t forget to either include your email address or check back on Sunday to see if you’ve won. We’ve had a lot of winners recently who haven’t done either, and we have no way of contacting you. -- AP

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR ADA MADISON/CAMILLE MINICHINO

Today we welcome back mystery author Camille Minichino, the author of three mystery series. Her akas are Margaret Grace (The Miniature Mysteries) and Ada Madison (The Professor Sophie Knowles Mysteries). Check out her website to read the first chapter of The Square Root of Murder, her newest mystery.  

Camille is celebrating the release of The Square Root of Murder with a giveaway for her fans. Post a comment to enter the drawing to win a miniature scene featuring three books of your choice similar to the miniature-in-progress in the photo below. -- AP

Too Cute to Live

Look what I found in a local miniatures store. A lovely Vermont country house in half-inch-scale. (That's an Oreo by the door for reference.)

It was so cute—freshly painted, beautifully finished wood floors, a charming porch—I almost didn't buy it. Too pretty. What could I do with it except place equally adorable tiny furniture in the rooms?

"How come it's on sale?" I asked the clerk.

"Small defect," she admitted, pointing to a window on the first floor. Sure enough, one pane in a multi-pane window, made of plastic, was split open.

My spirits lifted. "Great," I said. "That's where they broke in."

The clerk gave me a sideways look, but I was happy. I had my crime scene.

In my mind I was already placing small pieces of glass (plastic) on the floor under the window, tipping over the darling living room chairs, smashing the dainty lamp, breaking one leg of the miniature coffee table.

It's not just miniatures. There's something about crafts and murder that have a natural connection. Whether it's knitting needles or utility knives, scissors or toxic paints and resins, our crafts tables are a storehouse of offensive and defensive weapons.

Taking my cue from the Famous Deadly Glue Gun, I even managed to use beads as a weapon in "The Square Root of Murder," the first in my new academic mysteries, featuring college math teacher and beader, Professor Sophie Knowles.

Although most miniaturists I know have elegantly furnished Victorian or Tudor dollhouses or Cape Cod cottages, they sometimes stray from The Cute with risqué scenes. In fact, every miniature show I've been to has a few brothels, strategically mounted higher than kids' eye level. But other than the fascinating CSI thread a few years ago, there aren't enough miniature crime scenes to enjoy.

My heroine is Frances Glessner Lee, the Chicago heiress who built meticulous miniature crime scenes (even knitting tiny stockings for the background) and used them to teach criminal investigation procedure to cops. It's worth a look at her "Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death."

My most elaborate dollhouse is a mortuary, fashioned after the building where my Periodic Table Series protagonist lives. Gloria tiptoes past mourners on her way to her kitchen and trips over a trocar when she goes down to do her laundry next to the embalming room in the basement. It wasn't easy to fashion an embalming table out of foil, but I had to DIY, since no miniatures stores seemed to have any in stock.

When I buy a set of dollhouse dining room silver, you can bet that I'll pick out the tiny knives and sprinkle them with blood—uh, paint—in case there's a mini-murder by a mini-serial killer eluded by mini-cops.

Comment to enter the drawing to win
a miniature similar to this one. 

A Tip

Just to prove I'm not always turning cute into deadly, here's a bloodless tip to accent your dollhouse or room box kitchen or living room: lay bell pepper seeds, enough to cover a nickel, on a paper towel and let them dry. Then place the seeds in an old contact lens/bowl, or a similar "found object," and you have chips ready for munching (by a very small person).

It's a project fit for family viewing. No crime scene tape needed.

Thanks for joining us again today, Camille. I’m jealous of the lucky reader who will win one of your miniature scenes. Readers, don’t forget to comment in order to have your name entered in the drawing. -- AP

THIS WEEK'S BOOK WINNER

Thanks to all who stopped by this week at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. We hope you'll come back often and also tell your friends about us. We have lots of exciting posts and guests planned for the months ahead. I’d also like to thank Dorothy Howell for being our Book Club Friday guest and offering a copy of Clutches and Curses to one of our readers who posted a comment this week. The winner this week is Cynthia. Cynthia, please email your mailing addresses to me at anastasiapollack@gmail.com, I’ll forward the information to Dorothy, and she’ll mail the book to you.

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR LONI EMMERT

Today’s mystery author guest is Loni Emmert. Loni has worked in entertainment for thirty years but had an itch to write fiction—specifically mysteries with a strong romantic edge.  To hone her craft she joined writing groups Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America. Drawing from her experience Lights! Camera! Murder! is her second published mystery. She is a Southern California native and also writes articles on writing and related topics. Learn more about Loni at her website. 

Loni is giving away a copy of Lights! Camera! Murder! to one lucky reader who posts a comment to the blog this week. -- AP

Hollywood and Vine. Mann’s Chinese Theater. Pacific Coast Highway. Paramount Pictures. The Walk of Fame. Capitol Records. Sunset Boulevard. The Hollywood Sign. These are just a few of the famous sights that I am privileged to enjoy daily and some of them inspired me to write Lights! Camera! Murder! a murder mystery that takes place on the set of a soap opera. I think part of the fun of writing is bringing interesting locations to the attention of the reader.  Personally, I know that when choosing a book I definitely look for unusual settings that I have not had the opportunity to visit. That way I get to learn about a new place and travel vicariously along with the characters.

Because I work in Hollywood and know the town intimately, I was able to bring to life some famous settings for my characters to visit, though some names of locations were changed to protect the innocent. An example is my fictional movie studio, Olympus Studios that I created from my experiences with two real studios, one of which I worked at a few years ago. I kept Barney’s Beanery—a restaurant famous for having celebrity diners such as Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin as regulars during their heyday—the same as my characters enjoyed a meal there.

By setting my story in Hollywood I hope to give readers that have never had a chance to roam around Tinsel Town a bit of the celebrity experience.

In my first book, The Leaf Peeper Murders, the locale I selected was small town New Hampshire, again a fictional town, modeled after a real village that I had visited several times. The amazingly beautiful fall foliage becames the colorful backdrop for two murders, and I hope, brought some New England feeling to readers.

One of the most important aspects of a story is the setting. The location of the story itself becomes a character and can add rich texture and color to the plot. One of my favorite movies, Under the Tuscan Sun, might not have delighted me so if it took place somewhere else. The images of Tuscany were a vivid vehicle to transport the viewer to another place. In fact, the villa itself is quite a character that brings many challenges to the main character. While the story itself is important, the surrounding scenery of the story is just as important, creating a unique ambiance for the characters to react to and grow from.

Loni, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure many of my readers will be running out to pick up a copy of Lights! Camera! Murder! but before you do, readers, post a comment. You could be the lucky person who wins a copy. Don’t forget to check back on Sunday to see if you are. -- AP

MALICE DOMESTIC & FESTIVAL OF MYSTERY

Author Lois Winston, who writes about my life in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, recently attended the Malice Domestic mystery convention in Bethesda, MD and the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, PA where she met many of my fans. (I suppose some of them are her fans, too.) So today Lois and I decided we’d muscle aside the usual Thursday line-up and present some of the photos Lois took at these events.

Author Lois Winston and Midnight Ink Acquisitions Editor Terri Bischoff

Not only did Lois meet many wonderful mystery fans during both events, she also got to meet our Midnight Ink editor, Terri Bischoff, and many of her fellow Midnight Ink (M’Inkers) authors.

Malice Panel Members: Cathy Pickens, Lois Winston, Judi McCoy, Jess Lourey and Donna Andrews

Lois took part in a panel, Funny Gals, Dark Books: An Intellectual Look at Humor in Mysteries. The panel was moderated by Cathy Pickens and besides Lois, included authors Judi McCoy, fellow M’Inker Jess Lourey, and Donna Andrews.

author Lois Winston answering host Cindy Silverblatt's questions at New Authors Breakfast

At Malice Domestic Lois also took part in a New (to Malice) Authors Breakfast where fans ate while the authors talked about their books. Of course, Lois told everyone about me.

author Lois Winston signing a book for fan Jaime at Malice Domestic

M'Inkers at Malice Banquet: Vicki Doudera, Lois Winston, Terri Bischoff, Deborah Sharp, Jessie Chandler, Kathleen Ernst, Alice Loweecey, Alan Orloff, Beth Groundwater and Jess Lourey

Saturday evening the M’Inkers took over two tables at the annual Agatha Awards Banquet where M’Inker Alan Orloff was up for an Agatha for Best First Novel. Sadly, Alan didn’t win, but as he said, it was an honor just to be nominated.

author Lois Winston at Festival of Mystery

Sunday morning many of us drove to Oakmont, PA where the Mystery Lovers Bookshop hosts their annual Festival of Mystery. The festival attracts over 350 readers and librarians each year, is co-sponsored by NPR affiliate WDUQ-FM, and benefits the Carnegie Library Bookmobile. Over 50 authors attended the event this year. Richard Goldman and Mary Alice Gorman, along with many volunteers, put on this fabulous event where people line up for hours ahead of time to be the first ones in the door. 

Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, PA

M'Inker suite-mates at Festival of Mystery: Vicki Doudera, Jess Lourey, Alice Loweecey, Lois Winston

Mystery Lovers Bookshop apres Festival of Mystery pizza party

After the festival, Richard and Mary Alice hosted a pizza party for all the authors back at the store. The Mystery Lovers Bookshop is just outside Pittsburgh. If you’re ever in the area, it’s a great place to visit, have a cup of coffee, and buy mysteries.

M'Inkers at Mystery Lovers Bookshop: Beth Groundwater, Jess Lourey, Alice Loweecey, Alan Orloff, Lois Winston and Vicki Doudera

 Lois arrived back home late yesterday and is already back working on chronicling the third book in the series all about me.
Anastasia Pollack

THIS WEEK'S BOOK WINNER

Thanks to all who stopped by this week at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. We hope you'll come back often and also tell your friends about us. We have lots of exciting posts and guests planned for the months ahead. I’d also like to thank Jane K. Cleland for being our Book Club Friday guest and offering a copy of Consigned to Death to one of our readers who posted a comment this week. The winner this week is BPL Ref. Please email your mailing addresses to me at anastasiapollack@gmail.com, I’ll forward the information to Jane, and she’ll mail the book to you.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- LACE TRIMMED EASTER EGG

Our final Easter egg craft uses scraps of lace, ribbon, and pearl trims. 

LACE TRIMMED EASTER EGG

Materials:
1-7/8” x 2-1/2” Styrofoam egg
24” lengths of ribbon, lace, and pearl trims
sequin pins

Today’s decorative Easter egg requires no gluing. The lace trims are attached with sequin pins. Begin by pinning the widest trim to the bottom of the egg. Wrap the trim over the top of the egg and back to the bottom, securing with pins. Trim. Using the same trim, repeat, bisecting the first layer at the top center of the egg. The next widest trim is attached in the same manner to cover more of the egg. Keep adding trim until the entire egg is covered.


Readers, don't forget to post a comment to be entered into this week's drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- PEARL COTTON EASTER EGG

Today’s Easter egg craft helps you use up all those scraps of pearl cotton leftover from needlework projects. Don’t have any pearl cotton? Use embroidery floss or yarn.

PEARL COTTON EASTER EGG

Materials:
1-7/8” x 2-1/2” Styrofoam egg
#3 pearl cotton in various colors
tacky glue

This is about as easy a craft as you can get. Simply apply glue to the egg. Then wrap lengths of pearl cotton around the egg. Begin at the center of the egg and work outwards toward the top and bottom of the egg. For ease in working, poke a piece of heavy gauge wire or thin dowel to the bottom of the egg and hold the wire or dowel as you glue on the pearl cotton.


Post a comment, and you could win the book being given away this week by our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- POMPOM EASTER EGG

If you craft, you most likely have pompoms leftover from other crafting projects. Today we have another Easter egg project, one that will help you use up some of those leftover pompoms.

POMPOM EASTER EGG

Materials:
1-7/8” x 2-1/2” Styrofoam egg
5mm - 15mm pastel and white pompoms
tacky glue

This is about as easy a craft as you can get. Simply apply glue to the egg. Then glue the pompoms randomly around the egg. Begin at the center of the egg and work outwards toward the top and bottom of the egg. For ease in working, poke a piece of heavy gauge wire or thin dowel to the bottom of the egg and hold the wire or dowel as you glue on the pompoms.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- EASTER EGG PLACE CARD HOLDER

Peter Cottontail is on the way. So for the next several Mondays, I’ll be showcasing Easter egg crafts. But these are not crafts made from real eggs. I never saw the sense in spending hours to decorate real eggs, only to have them cracked open and eaten. It’s like all those reality TV baking shows that showcase wedding cakes that sell for thousands of dollars. The cakes are beautiful, and I really admire the artistry, but give me a break! Five grand for something that’s going to get cut up and devoured? Some people obviously have too much money. I can think of many other uses for five grand.

So here at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers you’ll find Easter eggs that will last from year to year. Make a dozen or so and toss them into a basket or bowl for a centerpiece. But first today, directions for making an Easter egg place card holder.

Don’t need place card holders? Just make the button covered Easter eggs.

EASTER EGG PLACE CARD HOLDER

Materials:
1-7/8” x 2-1/2” Styrofoam egg
3/4” wood spool
1-1/4” paper clip
2” length of 1/4” wood dowel
acrylic paint (your choice of color(s)
assorted small pastel and white buttons
tacky glue
paint brush
colored paper for name card

1. Paint the spool as desired. Allow to dry.

2. Glue one end of the dowel into the spool and the other end into the bottom center of the egg. Glue the paper clip into the top center of the egg, leaving 3/4” extending out the top. Allow glue to dry.

3. Glue assorted small buttons to egg.

4.  Print out guests’ names on colored paper. Trim to approximately 1” x 2”. Insert into paper clip.

THIS WEEK'S BOOK WINNER

Thanks to all who stopped by this week at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. We hope you'll come back often and also tell your friends about us. We have lots of exciting posts and guests planned for the months ahead. I’d also like to thank Carola Dunn for being our Book Club Friday guest and offering a copy of Requiem for a Mezzo to one of our readers who posted a comment this week. The winner this week is Pat Dale. Pat, please email your mailing addresses to me at anastasiapollack@gmail.com, I’ll forward the information to Carola, and she’ll mail the book to you. 

FROM HEROINES TO RELUCTANT SLEUTHS

Author Lois Winston, who tells my story in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, is the guest blogger at Fresh Fiction today. She talks about switching from writing romance to writing mysteries in an article called From Heroines To Reluctant Sleuths. Personally, I'm thrilled that her keyboard is firmly planted in the mystery world now, because I have many more adventures for her to share with you. And I'm also loving the spotlight. -- Anastasia

THIS WEEK'S BOOK WINNER

Thanks to all who stopped by this week at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. We hope you'll come back often and also tell your friends about us. We have lots of exciting posts and guests planned for the months ahead. I’d also like to thank Kate George for being our Book Club Friday guest and offering a copy of MOONLIGHTING IN VERMONT to one of our readers who posted a comment this week. The winner this week is petite. Petite, please email your mailing address to me at anastasiapollack@gmail.com. I’ll forward the information to Kate, and she’ll mail your book to you.