Conference: OVER!

Ok, yes it has taken me quite a while to get back on my blog writing horse. But in my defense I did just finish writing a whole novel! So that's my lame excuse. ;)

However I have a confession. I am not great at keeping up with journals even though I enjoy writing. But to counteract that I may have to scale back from my intense blog regimen that I was on before the Writer's Conference. I wanted to write about Victorian things and add a recommendation on the end every day but I think if I'm a little easier on my blog then I will be more apt to keep it going. With that being said let me tell you about the conference!

The Writers' League of Texas Conference was a blast and it was even better then I expected it to be. Yes, the weird and wonderful prevailed again and I got some real positive feedback on my story. I am currently doing more rewrites on the novel and am waiting to hear back from some agents. So yay!! Honestly I wish I could live in that world every day. Surrounded by writers and readers and lovers of the word. Ah...what heaven that would be. I made some very nice friends there and found out I had a pretty good pitch as well.

And so to tie in my blog theme to my life I wanted to show you the steampunk necklace I made and wore to the conference.



It was an easy piece to make, except for taking the watch apart. It's basically two pieces. The front part is a vintage wrist watch turned backward and I attached the chain to it with some epoxy glue. Yep, that baby ain't coming apart. I got compliments on it and everything. I had been considering selling my jewelry pieces on Etsy.com because a lot of people sell steampunk jewelry on Etsy. But really I'd just be selling it so I can buy more steampunk jewelry. Hmm, kind of defeats the purpose. So why not just make my own?

Anywho, soon I'll be posting on the lovely jewelry box my sister got me for my birthday. Stay tuned and keep after your dreams!

Cross my Fingers and Say a Prayer

To all my wonderful blog readers who I've so long neglected I send my sincerest apologies.

I hope when I start this thing back up in two weeks you will not have lost all your confidence in me as a faithful blogger.

Currently I've been so busy, bordering on the ridiculous, finishing up my novel for the Writer's League of Texas conference I'm attending next Friday. I know I mentioned in my last post that I was almost done two weeks ago but this is the future me telling the past me that you are wrong about that! You are not almost done at that point past me. Get comfy.

Anyway. That's the reason why I've put off writing in Treehouse of Wonders for so long.

I probably should have communicated all this earlier but to be perfectly honest I didn't think anyone would really miss the blog if I didn't write. But since that time I've had a number of people tell me I should post again so that has let me know I have an attentive audience and I thank you for that my dear blog readers.

So until I return, be on the look out for the weird and wonderful in your own every day world. I look forward to blogging about my new treasures and discoveries I've made since I last posted as soon as the conference is over.

Until then, may God bless you as you live and breath and in all sorts of weather. :)

"A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit."
-Richard Bach

A Pretty Penny for a Pillow

Oh dear. Forgive my absence my dear readers. I have been working very hard to finish my novel. It's nearly done, but it's taken me away from the joy of writing in my blog.

But I thought I'd do a short little post for today. So here goes...

You would be shocked, shocked how hard it is to find a decent old fashioned pillow.

I mean, between weird fabrics, lack of embellishments, incorrect sizes, being overly boring or overly bright, finding a good throw pillow has been like searching for Montezuma's treasure.

The closest I came was a few weeks back when I was sifting through a home decor store.



This pillow I found was so close to what I'd been looking for. It was large enough. Had a nice Jacquard fabric pattern. Had some lovely tassels as well and do you want to know how much it was? A little over $300!!!! For a pillow?! I'm sure it was from a famous designer or something but holy cow! It was just crammed in the back room of this little shop. For that much it should be in a museum. Maybe it was stuffed with gold or something. I don't know.

I am one stitch away from sewing my own pillows. They might look a little ghetto but maybe that will make them look all the more authentic. Yeah, corporate America, you've dropped the ball when it comes to mass producing throw pillows. The search goes on...

Rene's Recommendation: Flightpath Coffee House

http://www.flightpathcoffeehouse.com/


This recommendation is for all you Austinites out there (or for any one visiting our fair city). Of all the coffee shops I've been to, Flightpath is one of my favorites. It's a big comfortable shop that's quiet, inviting and unique. I personally like that they feature local artist's work there, and they make a mean steamer (steamed milk + flavor) to boot. So if you're looking for a good coffee shop, fly on over to Flightpath. It's where all the cool kids are hanging these days. ;)