Complacent cats and custom-made comic books

Above: my mom-in-law's cat, Duffy. Duffy is extremely affectionate, particularly toward those who are allergic to cats. Like me.

Jeff and I spent the weekend doing Christmas stuff with his family and mine. For Christmas this year, we put together comic books for each of the nephews and nieces on his side of the family. I sent out short e-mail surveys last month, asking for info to help us make stories that much more custom-made for each child -- favourite TV shows, for example, and anything exciting that had happened during 2008.



It was fun to see the kids' reactions as they opened their gifts from us. Though the youngest wasn't all that impressed at first...he yelled, "I DON'T LIKE IT!" and tossed his storybook across the room. But he warmed up to the idea of getting a book as his Christmas gift when his mother read it to him later in the evening, and pointed out that HE was the star of the book. Heh.

Soon the kids were all reading each other their own storybooks and comparing adventures.

We used Comic Life to put together the comic storybooks, using a combination of photos from our archives, plus the occasional artwork by yours truly.

Fun to put together and fun to give. :-)

Instructables and Gifts For Writers

I just discovered Instructables, a site where you can find out how to make or do all kinds of interesting things with community-contributed instructions. Try typing something into the search field -- be warned that this site is a potential HUGE timesink!

I spent the weekend working on gifts for our nieces and nephews. Anyone who (like me) is hoping to make as many Christmas presents as possible instead of buying them should definitely check out this site. Continuing on the theme of scaling back Christmas, Julie has posted instructions in response to a recent Blathering about how she made 30 "make your own cookies" gift bags in two hours.

Also, if you're looking for affordable gift ideas for a writer friend, please do check out my Holiday Gift Ideas For Writers, Librarians and Bibliophiles list.

I'm going to be in the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, woohoo!

I got a letter in the mail today saying that my application to participate as a Marcher in The Santa Claus Parade has been accepted. And guess what? I'm going to be a GOLDFISH! Is that cool or what?!?

And no, I have no idea what goldfish have to do with Christmas or Santa or winter. But I don't care. I've always wanted to be in The Santa Claus Parade, yay! I won't find out what my Marching Goldfish costume looks like until I arrive on the morning of the Parade, but supposedly it will fit the measurements I sent them with my application.

THANK YOU to Alison George for passing her Santa Claus application form to me!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. Thanks for all the Halloween feedback. I went out and bought some more candy. I'd love to see pics of anyone's pumpkins, decorations, etc. -- feel free to post your URL. I'll take some pics as well.