Participate in National Craft Month with me!

Soundwave Avatar

Every “boost your creativity” book and website I’ve talks about the benefits of physically taking a pen or marker to paper and making something. The DIY culture has taken off in a big way and the maker culture is even reaching all the way to the White House.

In an earlier post, I talked about how March is National Craft Month. I’m definitely using March as a motivator to get some of my own projects done. What can you do? I thought this article had some good high-level tips to get involved, but I’d like to talk about ways we can tie this back to comics, fiction, and games.

Things like designing or decorating:

  • Bookmarks and Book Covers
  • Dice Bags and/or Book Bags
  • Character Portraits
  • Props or In Universe Paraphenalia
  • Book/Game Trailers

Of course, there’s really no end to the geek hobbies you can engage in, either. The point is not to be good at what you’re doing — just to do it! Have to start somewhere, right? Here’s a few sites that have some cool patterns and the like:

Have any sites to recommend? Contact me via this link and I’ll round ’em up for another post. Otherwise? Get to craftin’!

    Mood: I saw the sun. I’m in shock.
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: There is no nation like caffeination.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: HAH HAH HAH HAH HA H
    In My Ears: The Son of Flynn remix by Daft Punk/Sander Kleinenberg
    Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed
    Book Last Read: Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
    Movie Last Viewed: Can’t remember. It was some horrifically awful “but my husband t’aint really dead” movie.
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


Recommend Me Redux (Or Things That Aren’t Books)

As a follow-up to yesterday’s post where I inquire for your profferings of book recommendations extraordinaire, today I am asking for things other than books that have been on my mind. Mind you, this is an amalgamation of the bizarre and the eclectic, as I am wont to explore within the reaches of my sordid mind.

I start with the recipes I’m searching for, and it goes downhill from there. Also, I use the word “favorite” a lot. I make no apologies for the overuse of a word necessary to prompt you into recommending all, or one, or none of the things on this list. Nor do I make any inferences that you absolutely must share things that bring you joy from the deepest, darkest regions of your soul. Hey, I’m not the only one that has a heart seeped in shadow. That I know to be true.

* The “best” pie recipe of the fruit or chocolate variety
* A stunning bolognese recipe
* An amazing coffee drink that you feel should be shared year-round
* Your favorite Halloween tradition
* Best, absolute, must-listen to British band in the manner of The Doves, Muse, or Elbow
* Favorite female non-emo musician or artist
* Cross-stitch patterns for Final Fantasy, cats, and the phrase “self-rescuing princess.”
* Favorite meal-worthy vegetarian recipe
* A blog for a writer whose books you read. NO CHEATING!
* Someone you’ve worked with on a creative project that you’d kill to work with again
* Favorite Cthulhu-related item that is not a book
* An artist who sells prints of She-Hulk that aren’t boob-tastic
* Knee-high combat boots that don’t look like they were built for ‘tweens or Hot Topic goths. (Yes, I said it. Shocking, I know.)
* Favorite acrylic paint
* Favorite miniature painter (link to pics, puh-lease?)
* A craft-related blog that isn’t flowers and nature scenes
* Star Wars cross-stitch or some form of embroidery/beadwork that isn’t geared for kids
* Gothic/Victorian-era Halloween decorations of the raven, skull, or spider variety
* ANYTHING SKULLS (Only not real ones. That would just be silly, incriminating, and potentially icky.)
* Favorite cookie recipe. Dammitall! DAMODAR! I am hungry!
* The time-waster you feel guilty about but have no regrets over
* How do you podcast? Record music?
* The ugliest, most frightening sweater you have ever seen
* A picture that makes you laugh
* Best con experience evah!

    Mood: Hungry. Can’t you tell? And a *touch* sarcastic, I suppose. “Just” a touch.
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: I think there’s something in my coffee.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: I have to be good, I have to be good, I have to be good.
    In My Ears: I have no idea what this crap is. Thanks, iTunes!
    Game Last Played: Tetris
    Movie Last Viewed: The Raven
    Latest Artistic Project: In progress!
    Latest Release: “Fangs and Formaldehyde” from the New Hero anthology through Stone Skin Press




Looking for Monica’s books and games that are still in print? Visit Monica Valentinelli on Amazon’s Author Central or a bookstore near you.

Archives

Back to Top