Emily Rachelle Writes

I have news for you, my lovely readers. Take a look at this! I met a snake this weekend on spring break! But that's not the point, obviously.

Guys. You guys. I totally scored the jackpot for you today. Our Etsy sponsor for this year's blog party is an absolutely stunning artist:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtbyJessBuhman  She paints animals in watercolor, and let me tell you, I envy whoever wins this beauty. One lucky winner will receive an 18" x 24" print of that darling. Open to US only - again, sorry, my international readers, but shipping outside the US gets kinda steep. I'd say more about Jess and her art, but really, it speaks for itself. A photo is worth a thousand words. I'd say her paintings are worth five thousand each, at least. I'm not kidding. Whoever wins this, I will be jealous. I have never wanted to win my own giveaways this badly! a Rafflecopter giveaway

From Chapter Twenty-Seven: Rhea wanted to take off her gown, heavy with filigree and fur, and go to bed. A headache was threatening at her temples, and her eyes were sore and hot after her tears. After another pause, Ohnferead sighed, relaxed his arms from over his chest, and gave himself a little shake. Then he turned to Rhea. For a moment, the two stood gazing at each other. Then he stepped up to her and took her hands in his once more. He started to say something, stopped, then tried again. “I hope the people shall pardon you. Empyrean be with you, Rheúlea.” He bent quickly and kissed her forehead, then turned and marched out of the room. Don't forget to check out yesterday's post for an interview with Stacia, author and illustrator of Becoming the Chateran , plus a look at the cover!

Goddess Tithe by Anne Elizabeth Stengl A Novella of Goldstone Wood The Vengeful Goddess Demands Her Tithe When a stowaway is discovered aboard the merchant ship Kulap Kanya , Munny, a cabin boy on his first voyage, knows what must be done. All stowaways are sacrificed to Risafeth, the evil goddess of the sea. Such is her right, and the Kulap Kanya 's only hope to return safely home. Yet, to the horror of his crew, Captain Sunan vows to protect the stowaway, a foreigner in clown's garb. A curse falls upon the ship and all who sail with her, for Risafeth will stop at nothing to claim her tithe. Will Munny find the courage to trust his captain and to protect the strange clown who has become his friend? From the author: I had the fun of designing this cover—finding reference photos, inventing the composition, applying the text, etc.—but the actual artistic work was done by talented cover artist Phatpuppy (www.phatpuppyart.com), whose work I have admired for many years...

Rapunzel Slumber Party {Decor} Theme: Disney's Tangled;  Guest list: Girls, ages 2-8 Paper Lanterns What you'll need:  Scrapbook paper, scissors, glue or double-sided tape, craft wire, pen or pencil

Week Sixteen: Headband Upcycle Apologies, my dear readers, but I can't seem to find the place I first saw this project.  So we'll skip The Pin and The Link and go straight to The Test, because this project is so fun and easy I have to share it anyway!

Ten simple steps to your next favorite family film! 1. Pick a fairy tale.  You may immediately think of those centered around princesses and/or love stories, but considering the Arabian Nights tale that Aladdin was based on, it's not actually necessary for a princess or love story to be the key point.  All you really need is either (a) a girl who is or can be made into a main character, or (b) such a boy who does not have a significant other in the story.  Some that I've found: The Princess and the Pea , Brother and Sister (love that one!), The Twelve Dancing Princesses , The Canary Prince , Maid Maleen (I've read an amazing adaptation of this one), The Silent Princess  (really cool one), The Thirteenth Son of the King of Erin , Thumbelina , The Young Gardener , Catherine and Her Destiny , The Six Swans (another favorite of mine).

Week Thirteen: Toilet Paper Tube Pillow Boxes {all photos linked to source} Note: Thursday's post was probably not worded as well as it could have been.  I intended it to sound like "We should love people all year, not just Valentine's Day."  Instead I feel like it came across more as "I hate Valentine's Day, such a dumb idea!"  Please know this was not what I meant! The Pin: do it yourself toilet paper tube pillow boxes

Week Twelve: Handmade Photo Key Chains, Part Two {all photos linked to source} {See part one here .} This was a particularly long project, which in turn means this is a particularly long post with a lot of photos.  It might slow down your computer or take a while to load. The Pin: mod podge photo key chains

Week Eleven: Handmade Photo Key Chains, Part One {all photos linked to source} This was a particularly long project, which in turn means this is a particularly long post with a lot of photos.  It might slow down your computer or take a while to load. The Pin: mod podge photo key chains

And here they are!  The winners of the Christmas Talent Contest.  Unfortunately, we didn't receive many entries in this contest. :( Actually, to be honest, I only received two.  It was sad. But. I'm planning future contests, so hopefully next time we'll have a better turn out! Meanwhile, enjoy the images created by the two readers who *did* enter, Emily Van Eaton (blog reader who also won a recent giveaway) and Eddie Russell (little brother of yours truly). ~Emily Van Eaton ~Eddie Russell

Today's another day for announcements - of the winners of Pinterest projects by me!  Let's jump right in. The winner of one crayon wax piece is... *Drumroll!* Emily Van Eaton! The winner of one sticker quote canvas is... *Drumroll!* Sara Wicks! The winner of one hot glue quote canvas is... *Drumroll!* Kelley Roach! And the winner of a set of hand-painted floral glass jars is... *Drumroll!* Miranda la Barge! Congratulations ladies!   I'll be emailing you to get your mailing information.  However, since I'm currently in Indiana on a last-minute Christmas vacation, your prizes won't be mailed until I get back in early January.  Thanks for your patience! If you didn't win, don't worry!  There's still a few weeks left in our party, and I'm not out of presents yet ;)

So, my lovely readers, remember those Pinterest Report posts I've been doing on Saturdays?  Well, I love testing ideas from Pinterest; I love creating; and I love sharing the results with y'all.  But I've run into a problem: I have more art than I have wall space to display it.  Plus I really want to make more pieces like the ones I've done!  So, in order to clear up space in my room for more creativity and fun, today I'm opening up a five-day, up-to-four-winners giveaway of pieces by yours truly! Here's what you can win: And here's the Rafflecopter entry form! a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm really excited about today, my lovely readers, because I'm finally getting to try something on this blog that I've planned for a while - a contest! Who: Anyone, from any country, follower or non-follower, all ages. What: Christmas talent contest! When: Today through midnight, December 27. Where: Email all entries to newyorksnowflake (at) gmail (dot) com. No attachments, please.   All entries must be in the body of the email. How /Rules: Send me any photo, scanned/photographed artwork, poem, story, song, etc. that is original and PG- or G-rated .  You may enter multiple forms of work (i.e, a photo and a story), but you may not enter more than one of the same format (i.e, two stories).  Each entry must be a separate email.  Stories must be 300 words or less .  (I'll be a bit lenient for a few words over, but please respect my time and do your best to stick to that limit.)  Since this is a Christmas contest, entries must be winter or holi...

Week Eight: DIY Sea Glass Look {all photos linked to source} The Pin: sea glass paint

  Week Six: DIY Painted Bobby Pins {all photos linked to source}   The Pin:     Nail polish bobby pins  

  Week Five: DIY Melted Crayon Art {all photos linked to source}   The Pin:   Naptime = Craft Time! Melty Crayon Art  

    Week Three: DIY Spray Paint Art (Sticker Version) {all photos linked to source}   The Pin: Again linking to my own since I can't find the original pinner.

  Week Two: DIY Spray Paint Art (Hot Glue Version) {all photos linked to source}   The Pin:   I couldn't find the original pin, so I used mine. Elmer's glue, let it dry overnight, spray paint  

Sorry this is late!  Apparently Blogger's schedule feature decided to break down, so this didn't go up on Saturday as planned. I'm not a huge art person. The only artist names I know off the top of my head are the basics: Rembrant, Monet, Raphael, Da Vinci... and also Kinkaide, my mother's favorite.  I just enjoy art as art.  Paintings of pretty people or scenery are something I accept without trying to find out the history of a particular piece or painter. If you asked me my favorite artist, I'd probably say Monet.