Still here...

So where have I been? To be honest, I'm not sure. I sort of feel like I'm drifting lately and have been all over the place.

I just lost my writing mojo there for a while and didn't feel like I had anything important to talk about...not that what's on here now it all that important. Maybe the word I am looking for is "interesting" and that's all relative anyway.

                                              Sometimes I do...

So what have I been doing? Well, I started the summer off by entering the Camp NaNoWriMo challenge and wrote 50,000 words! A pretty big deal...if only it would pay off. I think writing that much is fun, but tiresome so I haven't really written since and I may never enter that again, we'll see. I haven't touched the novels I am working on since then and it's got me kind of down. I want to make this published author thing happen, but I got so many rejections before, it's hard to get motivated to finish the series. I have had many other stories pop into my head and I actually got started on several of them a while back, but none are complete. I need something to jump start my creative mind so I can finish them and send out queries.
Got any ideas? I also thought about just publishing them myself on Amazon or the other sites, but I don't know where to begin and it all seems very daunting without any paid help.

                          "I only want to see you if you are feeding me..."

I did take a little vacation with the kids and my mother recently. It was fun, and challenging, but mostly fun like all trips with the family are. It wasn't a relaxing, lounging on the beach kind of vacation (sigh), but we did do a lot of things and I saw lots of my extended family over the fourth which was awesome.

                                         Steel Creek, AR

A few other things, little things, that I've done recently...renewed my interest in Kimono with the help of reading this blog. She wears her Kimono so beautifully and I love looking at her pictures. She's really funny too so it's a fun read. She is so adventurous, in my eyes. I could never wear Kimono way out here in this rural community where I am, unless it's Halloween (which I did once...sorry no picture). People would think I was a crazy weirdo...and they'd probably be right, I just don't necessarily want to show it in public. :-p
If I were in the city, I totally would. Anyway, it has me shopping online for some Kimono of my own...just in case I have the chance to wear it.

                                        Amelia Pond         &        Shaylee

I've also expanded my Blythe doll collection to the grand total of three (sorry no pic of #3). I wrote a guest post on BlytheLife.com (see previous post) and found two more gals that wouldn't totally drain my account...which is so hard to do with Blythe. Both sellers were generous enough to include tons of extras in the sale, such as clothes, shoes, etc. Those can add up very quickly...I've seen shoes, dolly size mind you, for upwards of $50! I don't own said shoes, but I can dream. I don't think any of my own shoes are that expensive. :-/
It's fun shopping for them anyway. Blythe has also opened my interests into other dolls and toys, mostly vintage, but some new like Monster High dolls,(I love all the interesting creatures), and Unazukin, (those are seriously cute).

                                         Kawaii

I've really been enjoying Flickr lately too and I have several pictures, though not great ones, of my Blythe and other things there. Check it out if you are interested.

                               "That giant chicken is giving me the stink eye!"

I haven't been cooking as much as I would like, but I am trying to change that starting this week. My DH has a weird and very busy work schedule and we don't even get to eat supper together very often, especially during the week, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't cook a full meal...right? Well, that's what I keep telling myself. In any case, I was tired of eating crap all the time, so I'll do my best. If you have any simple but tasty recipes you'd like to share...I'm open.

I will try to post here more often, though my reader list is small...thanks for following at all, I really appreciate it. I'd love some comments and for you to also check out my author blog. Let me know what you think there too (though it's been neglected also).

                                                   Lovely nature

My Etsy shop has gotten tons of hits lately, which is fantastic, though I haven't sold anything in over a year, not fantastic. I have plans to add some Blythe jewelry, but haven't even made them yet. (Sigh) Where's that creative kick I so badly need???

All in all, the summer had a great start and it seemed like all would be swell, but now it's nearly over (our kids start school on Aug 14!) and I feel I don't have much to show for it.

                                        So much to do and no motivation

If you have any suggestions to help kick start me. Let me know...

Thanks for reading!
Danna

Blythe Life Guest Post

I have written a guest post at Blythe Life. Check it out!

Thanks, Danna

Sale!

This month everything in my Etsy shop is on sale! Just use the code  Spring  and get 25% off. 

January--my month of celebration.

This month, I am celebrating myself as it happens to be my birthday month. I will turn 39 on January 30th and I still can't believe it. 

One of my greatest joys is my children.

I cherish the little things.

My very favorite feature is my aqua blue eyes. 

I am creative. 

It brings me joy to make things for others. (Granny's socks)

I can bake....

and cook, from scratch. (Curry Carrot soup.)

I live in a beautiful place...

I wrote two novels! (still working on getting an agent) 

I can appreciate the quirky things in life.

I can play a few songs on Ukulele.

Still amazed with new places.

I am sure there is more I can post here. I will when I think of it. 

dannastarr2002's photostream

dannastarr2002's photostream on Flickr.

One word for the day...

VOTE!

Halloween Costumes

Every year around September 1st I try to get the kids to figure out what they want to be for Halloween. It's not that I'm overly organized, far from it, it's just that I don't like to be up until the crack of dawn the night before making costumes. (though I have done that)

I try to make their costumes every year, but we have had our share of store bought ones as well.

This year my son wanted to go as some scary urban legend thing called "Slenderman" but I reminded him that he wouldn't be able to wear it it school anyway. He relented and we settled on Marty McFly from "Back to the Future."
All I needed to find was the puffy vest at the thrift shop and we would be good to go.

Here's the final result.

I made the Hover Board out of foam core and hand painted it. Unfortunately it's not functional...:)
I doubt we'll win any Comic Con cosplay contests, (say that five times fast) but I think it's quite passable for McFly.

My daughter is fascinated with penguins right now. She knew immediately what she wanted to be and I was quite happy that it was something simple to make.

Here's her final result.

The base is a black sweat suit and I added the details with felt. Easy to wear and warm for the chilly weather we are having here. She is happy with it, which makes my day.

Happy Halloween!

Danna