So. *ahem* It's been a liiiiitle while since I've posted a journal entry. Additionally, in that time my subscription ran out and I haven't re-up'd it yet. Some of you may be asking what the heck happened to me... then again - considering the amount of views my deviations get, perhaps not. Oh, well - I'm feeling like sharing so you're gonna hear it anyway. Suck on that.

First I wanna vent for a sec and explain why I haven't been as much of a part of the da community as I was over the previous months. I became a little disillusioned with da for a while... it was just that I was seeing all of these (in my opinion) sub-par deviations with thousands of views and daily deviations that looked like jr high crafts projects. I think that I create and make things that are not only artistically beautiful, but they are also often intricate and complicated pieces of work. It seemed to me that my deviations were only being viewed and faved by a small group of my friends; and don't get me wrong - I am truly thankful and appreciative of their support, but at the same time, I am longing for some greater recognition. Perhaps I am just being selfish or maybe I just am not nearly as talented as I imagine that I am idk... but that is one of the main reasons I have not been around lately.

But besides that whining I just did I've simply been busy.

My man's daddy came to visit and helped him get our heat exchange system all set up (he calls it "the contraption" lol) so that we can have solar heat in our house as opposed to natural gas. YAY for going green! I am looking forward to being warm for the first time in a few winters and I'm pretty darn happy about it, I can tell you that!

I've been doing oodles of sewing and stuff, and I have about a billion unfinished projects sitting around my studio waiting to be done. I've been going mad making hats I just LVE them SO much! lol I have loads of stuff to make for the upcoming hols, a hand embroidered piece that I just started for my friend's wedding in December, my brother and niece's b-day presents to do, a few designs to finish for my friend Jen, and a bag to finish for immortaldesigns because she's finished my fabulous beaded Slytherin necklace! [link] And of course I have a plethora of projects that I'm making for myself - they always somehow manage to get smacked to the back of the line. lol But it's a good busy, right?

I've also been writing and editing, as always. I currently have a story in the anthology 'Deadly Dolls' with several other exciting female horror authors. It is available here [link] grab an e-copy and check it out! I have also been writing and editing for two anthologies set to come out at Halloween - the Ladies of Horror 2008 and the Gentlemen of Horror 2008. We are hoping to make it an annual series - it has several short stories or novel excerpts from each writer, plus a bio and some pictures - it's really coming out great! Check us out here [link] and here [link] and keep your eyes on us - you'll be able to order these books in electronic format, softcover, or hardcover to order - Halloween 2008! If you have an questions or comments - please let me know! Lastly I've been working on three different novels - one is something that I started years ago about a serial killer, it's a story that my cousin has always liked and encouraged me to finish, and I've decided I'm going to try to make it into a novel. It's probably about a fifth of the way done and it was all originally hand written on legal paper, and an excerpt of it is in Ladies of Horror 2008. The next novel that I am working on I have been describing as an Action/Romance, because I'm not really sure how else to classify it. It's about a female assassin and I think it's pretty exciting - it's got sex and blood and violence and humor and so far it's only to chapter six and has been in like five different countries. YAY! The last novel is one that I've just started but I already know it's gonna be good *grin* it's somewhat autobiographical... that is to say at least so far the beginning of it has been based on actual events and people in my life. It's gonna be horror and it's gonna be scary!

On top of all of my own personal shite (see above) the elections are coming up, so that garbage is all over every electronic media source known to man. Economy, world crisis, Obama, stock markets, Sarah Palin, global warming, blah blah blah. I try to pay enough attention that I'm educated but not so much that I get depressed - it's a fine line. *shudders* I hate all of that stuff and sometimes I wish I could just go on with being artsy and clueless. *le sigh* One thing I can tell you right now, though; is that I'd do dirty, filthy things to Todd Palin given half the chance. What? It's the truth. Which is more than can be said for most politicians.

I think that's about it......... OH! I almost forgot - going on two weeks now my obsession has been Steve Perry and I'm going to tell you all about it. Why? Because he has a voice and a nose and most importantly thighs that merit being written about. Being my age (which is 36) I was of course a fan of Journey as a kid - Open Arms was one of my first junior high slow dances and you couldn't listen to the radio without hearing some of their (or Steve's solo) hits. I have some old Journey on vinyl and cassettes, and a boy recorded "Journey's Greatest Hits" for me in high school and gave it to me with a mix tape on the other side. But recently for some reason (open heart chakra? hmmmm) I have just been SO into his voice *happy sigh* I love the tone and the pitch and the cheesy love songs and when he gets all rockin' and his hair gets sweaty and as I mentioned before those tight, tight jeans make his thighs just god-like. I know, I know - that's quite enough... but... if you ever liked Journey give some solo Steve Perry a listen and join me in hoping that he will make more music and tour again soon!!!

Ok, now that's really it. Srsly, you guys. I will try my bestest to write more often and stuff, I promise. lol

p.s. re: da Embroidery Guild - I have not had enough time to administrate that page, but I still hope to get it going, perhaps after the beginning of the year ^_^ thanks everyone who has been interested!