Tooting My Horn

I’m embarrassed to be writing this post.  I hate to blow my own horn.  I don’t even like to talk about my writing, or myself.  But if I don’t tell you what I’m up to, how will anyone know?

Sooooo, I’d like to announce that I’ve released two new Mantua-Maker historical sewing patterns this year.

#1880-15 

1870 - 1890 Sunset Knoll Polonaise, Redingote, and Tea Gown

   Three major variations for dressy or severe styles.  It can be made as a ball gown, an evening gown, or as a working woman's plain, tailored redingote.  Personally, I love the Tea Gown version.

#1880-29 

1880 - 1895 Artistic Classical Gown

    While it really was worn by the Artistic set, this dress with its Grecian-style undergown are perfect for a masquerade.  It's surprisingly simple to make, and I think it looks wonderful.  (I know, I'm biased. :-)

My other news:

I’ve also opened two shops on Etsy, an online marketplace for handcrafted items.  My first shop, MantuaMakerPatterns, was intended for my historical sewing patterns, but my mom asked by to sell her bead work and my dad’s silver jewelry.  I said, “Sure thing!”

Four jewelry boxes later (and more still appear intermittently!), I opened a shop for them – I wasn’t sure how many more boxes would appear.  Not feeling terribly original that day, I named it MomNDadsJewelry. 

I hope you’ll have a look.  I’ve included links to both shops in my side bars.

What have you accomplished lately that you’d like to share?

Happy Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday. The nights are getting cool – a bigger deal in Texas than you chilly-weather folk can imagine. The occasional tree has changed colors, and my sweetgum is a gorgeous shade of burgundy. Kids drop by in costume, begging for candy. I adore costumes, even the store-bought kind.

Only five children wandered so far out into the boonies this year, a record for this house. When I lived in town I’d get hundreds of Trick or Treaters, but a few miles on a dirt road discourages most callers. But I was pleased to see my youngest grand-nieces and nephew, who arrived as a sorceress, a princess, a cute little devil in a red dress, and Mrs. and Baby Santa Claus.

I have a bit of news – I’m honored to have been invited to join the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog. That means you’ll hear from me on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Thank you, Lydia, Laura, Danyelle, and the retiring Zoe – I hope you new endeavors go well.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Current links for writers - October 4

Sorry - this will be my last post for a while. My internet connection is about to get spotty.

Constructing Your Story Goal at Advanced Fiction Writing

Dialogue: the bare essentials by Jordan McCollum

Internalization, Silence and Avoidance at TalkToYoUniverse - What don't your characters say aloud?

Antagonists in Contemporary Fiction at Kidlit.com

Crunches and Munches at The Alchemy of Writing - Do you read your work aloud?

Got Rhythm? at The Blood-Red Pencil

A Delectation of Supernatural Collective Nouns at Gabrielle Edits

Color Commentary: On the Colors of Horses by Judith Tarr at Book View Cafe

Defeating Your Inner Critic Part I - Track the Problem by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker

Writing Nowadays–Counting Words by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Behind the Scenes... "The Call" at Rants & Ramblings

Waiting for My Book's Publication Date, Guest Post by Aggie Villanueva at AuthorCulture

CONTEST

Wisdom--Drivel--Whatever at Seekerville