CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--PERLE COTTON CARNATION

Make a dozen of these Perle Cotton carnations in the colors of your choice for a crafty bouquet that doesn’t need watering and won’t wilt, turn brown, and drop their petals.

Perle Cotton Carnation

Materials: one skein DMC #5 Color Variations Perle Cotton (your choice of color), floral wire, 12 white stamens, green floral tape, two green silk leaves, pliers, scissors, ruler.

1. From floral wire cut one 16” piece and six 4” pieces. Fold each piece in half.

2. Cut the loop at one end of the skein of Perle Cotton. Remove the labels, unfold the skein and lay flat. Cut the 18” length skein into six 3” lengths. Remove knot.

3. Place two pearl stamens on top of each of the six cut pieces of Perle Cotton.

4. To form petal, place one section of Perle Cotton with stamens centered between folded end of small wire. Twist wire together. Repeat for remaining five petals.

5. Twist all six petals into fold of larger wire. Secure with floral tape, wrapping around base of petals and top 1/2” of wire.

6. Twist on the leaves.

7. Continue twisting floral tape from bottom of leaves to end of wire stem.

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--ANASTASIA TALKS ABOUT MOSAIC MAYHEM

Every once in awhile, an author booked to do a guest post disappears. Repeated email reminders go unanswered. Such was the case with today’s scheduled guess. However, sometimes the universe works in mysterious ways, and that, too, is the case today because it enables me to tell you about the latest way author Lois Winston has put my life in danger.

When I discovered Lois had decided to have Zack Barnes, my tenant-turned-lover, jet me off on a three-day romantic European getaway, I figured it was her way of making up for all the crap she’s dumped on me over three books and a novella.

Boy was I wrong! Within hours of arriving, Lois has me staring down the barrel of a gun. I should have known I couldn’t trust her.

Parc Güell

Mosaic Mayhem is the second of the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mysteries and takes place in Barcelona, Spain. Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite:

Not again! I stared down the barrel of a big black bad-ass gun pointed at my chest. Ever since last winter when Karl Pollack, my not-so-dearly-departed husband, died suddenly, people have been trying to kill me. First, Karl’s loan shark. Then a crazy co-worker. Most recently, a hired assassin.

My name is Anastasia Pollack. I’m a debt-ridden, pear-shaped, middle-aged single mom, and crafts editor at a woman’s magazine. I’m also apparently a killer magnet, not only in my home state of New Jersey but also across the Atlantic Ocean in Spain.

Worst of all, unlike my three previous run-ins with killers, I had no idea who this guy was or why he wanted me dead. He apparently didn’t speak English, and my Spanish is limited to a few words and phrases picked up from watching Sesame Street years ago with my kids. My Catalan is non-existent.

So much for a quick getaway to Barcelona.

After the relief of finding that my passport hadn’t expired, I thought my biggest problem would be arranging extra care for my semi-invalid mother-in-law during my three-day absence. Silly me.

I landed in this situation thanks to Zack. When Karl dropped dead, leaving me with debt that rivaled the gross national product of an average third-world country, I was forced to rent out the apartment over my garage and move my studio to my dingy, unheated basement. Little did I know at the time that my new tenant, award-winning photo-journalist and possible spy (although he vehemently denies the latter) Zachary Barnes, would segue from renter to lover.

Zack looks like his DNA cavorted in the gene pools of George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, Patrick Dempsey, and Antonio Bandares. What he sees in me, I’ll never know, and yet here we are—a couple. I’m not complaining.

I’d spent most of the summer working a second job every weekend, and I was beyond exhausted. So when Zack invited me to tag along with him while he photographed architect Antoni Gaudi’s Parc Güell for a National Geographic spread, I cashed in some of my comp time and packed a bag.

Torre Rosa ceiling

We arrived in Barcelona early in the morning, dropped our luggage at a hotel off Plaça de Catalunya, and headed to the park, a fairytale inspired masterpiece that resembled a miniature city. While Zack took a meeting with the director in Torre Rosa, the park’s museum and former Gaudi home, I wandered the enchanting grounds and buildings, snapping photos of the whimsical Hansel and Gretel gatehouses, the Sala Hipostila marketplace with its multi-domed ceiling, and the main terrace, ringed with an intricately decorated serpentine bench—all embellished with Gaudi’s trademark mosaics. I planned to use the photos as part of a feature on mosaic art for a future issue of American Woman, the magazine where I worked.

Sala Hipostila mosaics

Afterwards, I set off on one of the many trails weaving through nearly forty acres of steep hillside in order to enjoy some of the spectacular views of the city spread out below. I was in a secluded area with no one else around when a bear of a man with a short dark beard that did little to hide his acne scarred cheeks stepped from the wooded area onto the path in front of me. Like so many other men on the streets of Barcelona, he wore a red and gold soccer jersey, but unlike all the others, this guy accessorized his outfit with a deadly weapon.

A gasp froze in my throat.

He might as well have been speaking Swahili for all the good my Sesame Street Spanish did me. Zack had warned me that pickpockets trolled the streets of Barcelona, preying on hapless tourists. He hadn’t mentioned anything about armed gunmen, but common sense told me I was being robbed.

“Take it,” I said, dropping my handbag at his feet. But this was no robbery. He didn’t scoop up my bag and run. Instead, he grabbed both the bag and my arm.

Mosaic Mayhem is a novelette, available as an ebook.

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TRAVEL WITH ANASTASIA AND LOIS--BARCELONA

Barcelona from harbor

Author Lois Winston (she who writes those books about me) and I are giving Serena a break and taking over the travel column for the next few weeks. Lois cruised the Mediterranean back in May, and I tagged along, at least in my imagination and hers. Of course, Lois being Lois, she didn't exactly let me enjoy the trip. I wound up getting kidnapped. You can read more about that tomorrow and in Mosaic Mayhem, the latest Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery.

Today we’re going to tell you a little bit about Barcelona, the first stop on our trip and the setting for Mosaic Mayhem.

fortress overlooking the Barcelona harbor

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, is a gem of a city that sits on the Mediterranean. It’s founding is steeped in legend heralding back to the time of the Romans. Today it contains one of Europe’s best-preserved Gothic-era medieval city centers as well as the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudi’s Modernista style architecture and modern skyscrapers.

La Sagrada Família

La Sagrada Família, a basilica that looks like it was constructed from wet sand dripping from the heavens, is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Spain. Begun in 1882, the design and construction were taken over by Gaudi a year later, and it’s still under construction today. (If you look at the upper right of the top photo, you'll see a crane from the construction site.)

Parc Güell

Mosaic terrace at Parc Güell

While working on La Sagrada Família, Gaudi lived in a house situated in Parc Güell, a masterpiece of municipal gardens, mosaic-clad terrace walls, and fanciful architectural elements reminiscent of the witch’s house from Hansel and Gretel. 

La Rambla

La Rambla is a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard filled with shops and restaurants that runs for three-quarters of a mile through the heart of Barcelona from Plaça de Catalunya to the harbor.

one of the courtyards that branch out from narrow alleys off La Rambla

Barcelona is also home to many wonderful museums, including Museu Picasso which houses an incredible collection of Picasso’s early work and plays a pivotal role in Mosaic Mayhem.

MONEY MATTERS WITH SHEILA--FRESH VS. FROZEN

photo by Jebulon

Bait and Fish

I learned something interesting the other day that I’ll bet most of you didn’t know, either. Most fish are cleaned and frozen aboard ship right when they’re caught. So all that “fresh” fish you see displayed on ice at the fish counter in your local supermarket is most likely previously frozen, then thawed.

If you’re shopping for fillets such as tilapia or salmon, skip the fish counter and head instead to the frozen foods section. Thawing the fish yourself can save you about half on your fish purchases, and the quality will be the same. The only difference? You’re thawing the fish instead of the supermarket.

COOKING WITH CLORIS--CUPCAKES WITH AUTHOR GINA GORDON

When her dream of becoming a mafia princess didn’t pan out, Gina Gordon went after her second dream of becoming a writer. And she hasn’t looked back. Gina, a self-proclaimed happily ever after junkie and cupcake connoisseuse, loves spinning contemporary tales of knee bending first kisses, unconditional love and super-hot sex. Learn more about her and her books at her website.—AP

There’s nothing a cupcake can’t fix.

At least that’s what my heroine, Liv Crawford, believes in my contemporary single title, A Taste of Trouble. It just so happens, I completely agree.

My borderline obsession with cupcakes began when they exploded onto the culinary scene a few years back. Yes, I was a bandwagon jumper. But can you blame me? They are so cute and delicious and versatile. They are perfect little treats to celebrate happy news but more importantly, they are the perfect pick-me-up when you’re feeling down.  I’ve cried many a tear into my cupcake icing.

In A Taste of Trouble, Liv has spent years testing out different recipes.  As the new owner of a cupcake bakery, she spends her days crafting delicious and visually stunning works of art. It’s her passion. Her purpose. I can relate to that because that’s how I feel about being a writer. But when it comes to cupcakes, the only thing I’m passionate about is eating them.

Early on in the book, Liv describes a Guinness Chocolate Cupcake. Now, I’m not going to pretend that I can bake or even come up with a recipe that’s all my own. Instead, I direct you to the My Baking Addiction blog for the recipe that was the inspiration for the cupcakes in the book.

So if you like cupcakes and things that are sugary sweet, try A Taste of Trouble. Oh, and there may even be a mention of French Macaroons.

A Taste of Trouble

When Liv Crawford decided to pursue her dream of owning her own bakery, it was no surprise that she forgot to add “maintaining a serious relationship” to her business plan. Not when she believes a cupcake can fix anything, even loneliness.

Jake Miller isn’t concerned about being lonely. He’s cast aside his playboy lifestyle to pursue something more meaningful, his passion for photography. So, when his boss asks him to pursue a beautiful woman and coerce her to his office for a disguised meeting—no matter what it takes—in exchange for the opportunity to turn his hobby into a career, he jumps at the chance. At first sight, Liv awakens his long-buried desire for commitment, but his secret mission could ruin his hopes of keeping her.

Despite Liv’s commitment to swear off relationships to run her bakery, Jake quickly becomes her number one distraction. Yet, even her misgivings can’t tame the heat as they straddle the line between love and ambition.

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CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--PHOTO COLLAGE MONOGRAM

Photo Collage Monogram

Materials: large Masonite letter (available in craft stores), white spray primer, acrylic paint in your choice of color for background, sponge brush, family photos, copy machine, scissors, glue stick, X-acto knife, clear plastic adhesive sheet (such as Contact Paper) large enough to cover letter.

1. Prime Masonite letter. Allow to dry.

2. Paint sides and front of letter with acryllic paint. Allow to dry.

3. Make black and white copies of photos, reducing size if necessary.

4. Cut out photos and glue in desired positions to letter. Allow glue to dry thoroughly. Trim photos to edge of letter with X-acto knife.

5. Carefully apply clear adhesive film to top of letter. This can be tricky. The easiest way is to cut a piece slightly larger than the Masonite letter. Pull away the backing sheet on one edge and tape the two corners of the sheet, sticky side up, to a flat surface. Slowly remove the remainder of the backing sheet and tape down the remaining corners. Place the letter face down over the adhesive sheet. Using a scissors, trim away excess close to letter. Turn the letter face up and burnish the film. Then using the X-acto knife, trim the remainder of the  film even with Masonite.

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR SUZIE TULLETT

Suzie Tullett is a full time writer, lucky enough to live between the UK and France. When she’s not tapping away on the computer creating her own literary masterpiece, she usually has her head in someone else's. Learn more about Suzie and her books at her website. -- AP

Extreme Knitting!

I loved all things crafty when I was growing up. I learned to knit at quite a young age, proudly storing my wool, needles and patterns in a purpose bought knitting bag. My sisters and I often sported our aprons as we spent afternoons baking pies and cakes with Mum and out in the garden we’d attempt to grow sunflowers, an impossible task in the cold north of England.

As I got older though, my interest waned. Time was taken up with work and raising two sons – neither of them interested in anything remotely homemade, unless they could eat it, of course.

Lately, however, I’ve been dipping my toe into the crafting waters once more. The knitting needles and the patterns are out of retirement and it’s all thanks to the fact that I’m soon to become a grandmother.

Naturally, I’m way too young – for the role I mean, not the activity. But I’m happily throwing myself into it regardless, determined my grandson will be the best woollen clad baby on the planet.

Obviously it had been a while, and I had to start with something simple. So when my son and his wife spotted a baby blanket they quite liked, I thought, hang on a minute, and did what all good crafters do. I stopped them in their tracks and said, “Don’t buy one, I’ll make one!”

I mean, what could be so hard about knitting row after row of horizontal stripes? Especially when looking at the shop bought version, these stripes weren’t particularly uniform.  So off I went and bought the wool to begin the task at hand, and two hundred stitches on the needle later, I was merrily click-clicking away with the best of them.

Well it was all going quite well until I realized my mistake--that I may have overdone it on the number of stitches front. However, I’d gone too far to simply turn back and start all over again. And I so wanted them to have the design they’d chosen…

 

So I just kept on knitting and knitting to the designated pattern requirements, all the while hoping for the best. But just look at what I ended up with! Yes, that is me holding it up and yes, I am standing in front of a tree!

Little White Lies and Butterflies

A child of the nineties, Lydia Livingston is different. The last thing she's ever wanted is to be superwoman; she knows first-hand that 'having it all' isn't everything it's cracked up to be. As far as she's concerned, when it comes to job versus family, it's a definite case of one or the other. And while most women her age have spent years climbing the corporate ladder, she's made a career out of bagging her perfect man. At almost thirty and still single, Lydia wonders if she'd made the right choice all those years ago. And realizing the time has come to take stock, she goes against her family's wishes and banishes herself off to a distant land--all in the hope of finding a new direction. At least that's the plan.

But Lydia Livingston isn't just different, she's misunderstood. A fact she knows all too well. So when the totally unsuitable Sam comes along, she decides to tell a little white lie, re-inventing herself as a professional chef--not exactly the best new identity to come up with for a woman who can't even cook. Of course, the last thing she expects is for him to find out the truth and start blackmailing her. Let alone find herself roped into catering for a local wedding. But with things going from bad to worse, her madder than mad family also turn up in something of a surprise visit, intent on celebrating a birthday she has no intentions of celebrating!

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