“My favorite X Files episode is Season 1, Episode 20, "Darkness Falls." That must be because it's set in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, with a team of disappearing loggers, and feels very close to home. Also, I love that Mulder and Scully end up encased in the cocoons of a bizarre ancient insect hive. The whole thing reminds me of a horror story I wrote called "The Camber Horror." It also reminds me of the Travis Walton UFO abduction case (he was an Arizona logger).”
Jordan Hofer, co-author Little Gray Bastards
“My favorite episode is Season 3 Episode 69 "Jose Chung's From Outer Space." The scene of the smoking gray alien in a cage was masterful and hilarious.”
Charles Cassidy, author of Cleveland Ghosts, Great Lakes Folklore: Legends of the Five Sisters, Paranormal Great Lakes: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, Paranormal Mississippi River: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
“I tended to find the series' inconclusiveness a little maddening. But for the late Peter Boyle's award-winning performance (considering the actor tried to shun all horror/fantasy material after Young Frankenstein; he didn't want to get typecast) I would say CLYDE BRUCKMAN'S FINAL REPOSE. It was nicely sardonic, creepy and self-contained.
FYI, although I was much younger at the time when I saw it, the limited-run BBC TV series from 1979 THE OMEGA FACTOR had a similar premise to the X Files, a much lower budget, and lives in my memory as just as eerie, if not more so.”
Tom Baker, author of Midwest UFOs and Beyond, Indiana Ghost Folklore, Midwest Maniacs, Scary Urban Legends, and co-author of Haunted Indianapolis: And Other Indiana Ghost Stories
“My favorite episode is "Duane Barry" with Steve Railsback. That show really marks a certain time and place for me.”
Sherman Carmichael, author of UFOs Over South Carolina
“X-Files was one of my favorite shows. Never had a favorite episode. They were all great.”
Pamela K. Kinney, author of Haunted Richmond, Virginia,
Haunted Richmond II, Haunted Virginia: Legends, Myths, and True Tales, and Virginia’s Haunted Historic Triangle: Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, & Other Haunted Locations
“Golly, that is hard for me. I enjoyed many episodes on X-Files (original). The Jersey Devil, Ghost in the Machine, and Ice from Season 1. But actually, I think from Season 6, How the Ghosts Stole Christmas. Hope that helps.”
Enjoy the return of one of our favorite series this Sunday!
The following is a sample project from the new book The Fiona Quilt Block: 14 Projects from Sassy to Classy, which offers quick and easy projects that can put your over-flowing stash to good use!
The Caribbean
65"x 77", 12" finished block, 20 blocks
This easy-to-make quilt is similar to Coral Sea in style and construction. Although it has a tropical feel, the muted colors are serene. A coordinated fabric collection, batiks, or traditional cloth will work, as it qualifies as a scrappy quilt. The blocks are set in alternating vertical and horizontal directions, and a wide border increases its total size. The block size makes this quilt ideal for a large bed—just increase the number of blocks. Thank you to Hoffman Fabrics of California for donating the batiks.
Cutting: center 51⁄2"x 121⁄2", sides 4"x 61⁄2"
Strips are cut width of fabric. Because the outer border fabric will be used in the blocks, it is wise to cut the borders first and set aside. The remaining fabric may be used in the blocks. You’ll need 20 centers and 80 sides.
Centers and sides: Cut from each coordinating fabric 1 strip for centers measuring 51⁄2"x 40". From this strip, cut 3 centers measuring 51⁄2"x 121⁄2". Also cut from all coordinating fabrics 2 strips measuring 4"x 40". Cut from each strip 6 sides measuring 4"x 61⁄2". Extra fabric is available if more sides of a particular color are needed.
Inner border: From the inner board fabric, cut 6 strips measuring 11⁄2"x 40" and set aside.
Outer border: From outer border fabric, cut 8 strips measuring 8"x 40" and set aside. Cut 1 strip 51⁄2"x 40". From this strip, cut 3 centers measuring 51⁄2"x 121⁄2". Cut 1 strip 4"x 40", and cut from this strip sides measuring 4"x 61⁄2".
Binding: From the binding fabric, cut 8 strips measuring 21⁄2"x 40" and set aside.
Block construction: Follow the General Instructions (see page 10) and press seam allowances toward the center strip. (Diagram 22)
Assembly: Place the sewn blocks on a work surface in alternating vertical and horizontal directions. When you are pleased with the arrangement, pin and sew the blocks together to create rows of 4 blocks across and 5 down. Press the even number row seam allowances to the right. Press the odd number seam allowances to the left.(Diagram 23)
Sew rows 1 and 2 together, matching the seam intersections. Sew row 3 to rows 1 and 2. Sew rows 4 and 5 together, matching the seam intersections. Pin and sew the two sewn sections together (rows 1, 2, 3 to rows 4 and 5), matching seams. Press seam allowances in one direction. Measure and square top, and trim if necessary.
Measure quilt top for borders: Place the quilt top on a flat surface to measure from top to bottom through the center. Measure from side to side through the center, making sure to include the inner and outer borders.
Tip: Mark the quilt at middle and quarter points with a chalk marker. Mark the border strips at measurement points and use straight pins to align the border strips.
Inner border: See the binding section under General Instructions. Pin and sew 2 strips together, creating an angled seam. Pin and sew a paired strip to one side of quilt, and trim excess. Pin and sew the second pair of strips to opposite side, and trim excess. Cut the end of the excess strips straight and sew to the remaining whole strips. Pin and sew the third strip to the top of the quilt. Pin and sew the remaining strip to the bottom of the quilt. Trim excess.
Outer border: Sew 2 strips together, following the binding directions. Repeat process to make a second pair. Sew one pair to each side of the side quilt and trim excess. Repeat for top and bottom borders. Baste the three layers—top, batting, and backing—and quilt as desired.
Binding: See General Instructions.
Learn more Fiona Quilt Block projects in the The Fiona Quilt Block: 14 Projects from Sassy to Classy by Carolyn Perry Goins.
In this type of unusual preparation the potato slices puff up to airy, light potato pillows. Classically they accompany a juicy Chateaubriand, but they are also very well suited as a main dish on their own or as an accompaniment to dips and sauces
Ingredients For 2 Servings
1 lb. (500 g) potatoes, floury
Preparation
✪ Peel and wash the potatoes and cut them into approx. 1 inch (3 cm)-thick slices.
✪ Wash the potato slices thoroughly to rinse off the starch. Then dry them well while wrapped in a kitchen towel so there won’t be any splashing while deep-frying.
✪ Heat the prepared deep fryer to approx. 350°F (175°C).
✪ Place half of the french fries into the frying basket and lower into the hot oil. Carefully shake the basket while doing this so the french fries don’t stick to the basket but swim freely in the fat.
✪ Deep-fry for about 3 minutes.
✪ Remove the frying basket from the oil, let the french fries drip dry, and then place them on a paper towel for further drying.
✪ Repeat the process with the second half of prepared french fries.
✪ Increase the temperature of the deep-frying fat to 355-375°F (180–190°C).
✪ Place the first half of the prefried french fries into the frying basket and deep-fry them for about 1 minute until they are floating on top and take on a golden yellow color. Then place them into a sieve for draining.
✪ Repeat the process with the second half of the prefried french fries. Make sure the deep-frying fat reheats to the desired temperature between deep-frying passes.
✪ Lightly salt the french fry soufflés and serve them hot – for example with a cold pea sauce.
See more recipes in the new book French Fries: International Recipes, Dips & Tricks by Christine Hager & Ulrike Reign available here and at your local bookstore!
This cake is very refreshing. The orange juice in the cake gives it a welcoming flavor. The icing melts in your mouth. Try it in the afternoon with a cup of English breakfast tea or as a dessert after a spicy Mexican dish like chicken enchiladas.
Makes 1 (48 ounce) Bundt cake
For the cake:
2 cups sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup sour cream
¼ cup juice from orange
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
For the glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons fresh juice from an orange
⅓ cup butter, melted
1. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large mixing bowl, beat sugar and butter at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (2 to 3 minutes). Continue beating, adding eggs one at a time, until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes).
2. Reduce speed to low. Continue beating, gradually adding flour, baking powder, soda, and salt alternately with sour cream and scraping bowl often, until well mixed (2 to 3 minutes). Add juice from orange and orange peel. Continue beating until well mixed
(1 minute).
3. Spread into prepared Bundt pan. Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely.
4. In small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, orange juice, and butter. Drizzle over cooled cake.
This is an excerpt from the new book Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen: Recipes for Seaside Living by Linda Maria Steele.
About Time: Celebrating Men’s Watches
by Ivar Line
This celebration of high-end men’s wristwatches is a collection of essays, timelines, and more than 250 color photographs.
Available on Amazon
The Umami Factor: Full-Spectrum Fermentation for the 21st Century by Robert Rivelle George
You’re about to be introduced to the umami factor: the secret to sensational custom-made beverages, including spirits, wine, beer, soft drinks, and more.
Available on Amazon
Grill Skills: Professional Tips for the Perfect Barbeque: Food, Drinks, Music, Table Settings, Flowers
By Liselotte Forslin , Mia Gahne, Jan Gradvall, Bengt-Göran Kronstam, Catharina Lindeberg-Bernhardsson, Tove Nilsson, Mia öhrn
Would you like to be more confident in your grilling skills? Then this is the book for you.
Available on Amazon
Outdoor Carpentry: Make it Yourself
by Anna Jeppsson
Outdoor Carpentry is the first “tool” you need to fulfill all your dreams for a large terrace, a flowerbox, an outdoor kitchen, a fence, a shed, a small bench, an entire carport, or a whole array of other projects for the yard.
Available on Amazon
Small Ambassadeurs: The Legendary Light-Line Fishing Reels: The ABU Ambassadeur 2500C, 1500C & Related Models
by Espen Sjaastad & Karl-Eric Svensson
The Ambassadeur 2500C, a small casting reel capable of handling fine lines and light baits, was first produced in 1975. This book provides a comprehensive history and taxonomy of this legendary family of fishing reels, which is cherished and admired by anglers, collectors, and tournament casters alike.
Available on Amazon
Japanese Knife Sharpening: With Traditional Waterstones
by Rudolf Dick
This is the ultimate guide to sharpening with traditional waterstones for all owners of Japanese knives.
Available on Amazon
I Hate Picture Books...and other fun books by Tim Young
Tim Young is featured on the latest Let’s Get Busy podcast hosted by Matthew Winner. Tim talks about his inspiration for I Hate Picture books and other great things about children’s literature! Check it out!
http://bit.ly/Young_LetsGetBusy
Top 10 Books for Mother’s Day: From Schiffer Publishing
Give Mom what she wants most...a book! And time with you, of course.
Mommy’s New Tattoo: A Bedtime Story for People by Levi Greenacres
Mommy's New Tattoo is the story of a young girl who visits a tattoo shop for the first time with her mother, who is getting a tattoo
Dare to Bake: Cupcake Recipes to Awaken Your Sweet Tooth by Ady Abreu
Learn to bake new and creative cupcakes using everything from the standard vanilla and chocolate to fruits and vegetables.
Heavenly Hydrangeas: A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener by Joan Harrison
A comprehensive hydrangea handbook for the home gardener with expert advice on selection, planting, pruning, propagation, and providing basic care.
Living a Life in Balance: An Elemental Journey of Self-Discovery by Cael SpiritHawk
Begin to recognize the different energies of the elements that surround you, and how they affect your personal energy.
Grilling like a Champion, edited by Rudolf Jaeger
Discover the most modern methods of grilling and smoking used by real barbecue champs, and fire away!
Ambassador Dogs by Lisa Loeb
Discover the remarkable connection between dogs and humans through the inspiring stories of 24 dogs and the owners whose lives they have made better.
no lumps, thank you. a bra anthologie by Meg Spielman Peldo
Mom will love this playful gift book. It’s an uplifting and entertaining photographic collection of playful brassieres created from a wide and wild variety of common objects.
Pigments of Your Imagination: Creating With Alcohol Inks by Cathy Taylor
Discover magic! Join the vibrant, prismatic world of luminous alcohol inks. Mercurial, versatile, inexpensive, and wildly colorful, alcohol inks are one of the newest mediums to hit the art community.
Decorating Eggs: Exquisite Designs with Wax & Dye by Jane Pollak
Truly exquisite designs, intricate details, brilliant color schemes...on an egg? Achieve all this and more with ease while admiring the unbelievable beauty displayed in glorious color throughout these pages.
Fairy Homes and Gardens by Ashley Rooney and Barbara Purchia
In this richly illustrated book, 30 designers from around the world transform natural settings into enchanting displays that recreate that sense of wonder.
Schiffer titles from around the world for World Book Day!
What better day to celebrate a few of our favorite Schiffer Publishing books from around the world than World Book Day?
Click through for details on these engaging titles that highlight cultural diversity.
Face to Face: Portraits of the Human Spirit by Alison Wright, $75
Wright’s photography has been featured in National Geographic Society publications, Smithsonian, Outside, Time, Islands, and The New York Times, as well as a number of books. The recipient of the Dorothea Lange Award in Documentary Photography for covering child labor in Asia, and a two-time recipient of the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award, Alison travels the globe collecting raw, thought-provoking images. This retrospective of her illustrious, ongoing career features a portfolio of striking portraits of... read more.
Mexican Folk Art: From Oaxacan Artist Families by Arden Rothstein and Anya Rothstein, $39.95
This beautiful reference introduces contemporary Mexican folk art by featuring prominent artists from Oaxaca in southeastern Mexico. Their unique artworks are introduced and illustrated. Crafted from natural materials, their ceramics, weaving, woodcarving, embroidery, tin work, toys, jewelry, candles, dried flower crafts, basketry, and celebrations of Day of the Dead handicrafts incorporate unique blends of indigenous myths with ancient patterns from Zapotec ruins. These folk art traditions have been preserved for hundreds of years. This sampler features... read more.
Graffit South Africa by Cale Waddacor, $45
In a visual feast, hundreds of vibrant images showcase the work of South Africa’s most influential graffiti artists, which will entertain and inspire graffiti enthusiasts and art fanatics all over the world. Selective interviews with major graffiti personalities reveal their passions and inspirations and cover all aspects of the movement, creating a true representation of its evolution. Initially unknown for its graffiti scene, South Africa has now become a prime destination for... read more.
In the new book Contemporary International Tapestry by Carol K. Russell, tapestries from 40 top international artists representing three generations show the best examples of contemporary approaches to the handwoven art.
This one-of-a-kind collection of works was curated by the author, Carol Russell, for an exhibition at Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey, in 2015.
The exhibition runs until May 10, and gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We hope visitors will take away a new perspective on an ancient art form,” notes Carol K. Russell, exhibition curator. “Tapestry can and shall endure through the centuries, though its messages have become more personal. The art form has indeed evolved and become its truest self in the hands of individuals.”
Read more information on the book
Find the book on Amazon
Below are images from the opening reception at the Hunterdon Art Museum. A lively crowd of more than 300 attended the opening on January 11, 2015. The works of 40 tapestry artists from nine different countries are included in this exhibition. Photographs by David Harding.
Cathy Taylor has just launched the new book Pigments of Your Imagination: Creating With Alcohol Inks, which is THE essential guide for working with alcohol inks. From choosing which inks to use for each project to learning how to maximize your artistic potential, the book offers a broad insight into the expansive world of alcohol inks.
Check out the video to learn more about alcohol inks.
Everyone has seen the bumper sticker that goes something like this:
She who dies with the most fabric wins!
My speculation is that the bumper sticker owner might have a fabric or quilting addiction. Addiction is defined by Dicitionary.com as:
The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
I don’t know about the ‘severe trauma’ part of the definition (or maybe I do!), but merely substituting the word “quilting” for the word “narcotics” and you can see my point!! Quilting is habit-forming and I’m going to try and break down certain aspects of the addiction. I’m going to throw a disclaimer in right here – I am not trained to diagnose or explain anything, I am merely an observer and chronicler of the quilting animal and want to share my observations.
Quilters can display many ‘habit-forming’ behaviors; I like to break them into three categories: fabrics, tools and stash building. To see what type of quilter-addict you are, keep tally of the points in each category. When the points are added up at the end it will give you an idea about your quilting mental health status.
Let us start at the beginning with fabric. In the quilting world there is no ‘what comes first’ discussion, the chicken or the egg? In quilting, fabric comes first. Once that has been established, the conversation moves onto type of fabric. On the bus to basic training when Bubba meets Forest in the movie Forest Gump, Bubba tells Forest that he is a shrimper and goes on to describe at least twenty-five different ways shrimp can be prepared. Well, just picture me as Bubba and let me tell you about all the different types of fabric! Just kidding, there isn’t enough time or space here to list all the different fabric types.
If you are really brave, you will take the “Peldunas-Harter Quilting Addiction Test” below to see if you have a quilting ‘problem’ or if you are just ‘normal’, like me.
To take the test, simply award yourself the possible points for each category, and don’t cheat – quilters never cheat!!
Batiks (1 pt),
reproductions (Colonial, Civil War, 30’s) (1-3 pts),
specific color waves/pallets (1-3 pts),
blenders (1 pt),
fabrics by certain fabric designers (1-3 pts),
modern (1 pt),
traditional (1 pt),
Fat quarters (2 pt),
fabric bundles (2 pts),
jelly rolls/any type of pre-cuts (2 pts),
seasonal fabrics (1 pt),
sale fabrics (4 pts),
themed fabrics (1 pt),
fabric organizer system (to include bins, shelves, closets) (5 pts)
I have to admit that I’m a collector of batiks (1 pt), I’ve almost never met a batik I didn’t like, I collect blenders (1 pt) and I am partial to jewel-tone colors (2 pts for specific color pallet). I like pre-cuts (2 pt)! And who can resist sale fabric (4 pts)!? Too bad there aren’t more points for fabric organizer systems!! (5 pts) The fabric category has a possible 30 points. (I scored 15 pts)
The second category is tools! Who doesn’t like tools?!? As I look around my sewing room I see way too many tools to mention so I’ll try to stick to just the basics.
Sewing machines are the most basic tool in the quilter’s tool box – how many do you have and use? (1 pt per machine, up to 5 pts, not counting long arm machines – they will be addressed in a future article.)
Next come rotary cutter (1 pt per up to 3), cutting mat (1 pt per up to 2) and cutting ruler (1 pt per up to 5). Ten points max in this category.
Design wall (5 pts)
Sewing scissors (1 pt per up to 5 pts)
Rulers (1 pt per up to 5 pts)
Thread holders/thread ladders (1 point per up to 5 pts)
Of course I have all of the above and I count 26 pts (I only have one sewing machine in use!) out of a possible 40 points. As stated above, there are way too many tools to list and assign points here but I would like to name a few of my favorite tools. I surround myself with empty jelly jars which hold my various collections of scissors, pencils, colored pens, markers, glasses, small rulers, business cards and emery boards. I have a large book case (abandoned by one of my sons when he moved out) to hold binders, books, dictionaries and magazines. I could not live without my design wall which my husband made for me for under $12.00. Last but not least, I have a drafting table, used to cut out and assemble projects.
The third aspect of quilting addiction is what I call stash building, which actually encompasses many things. It can mean an obsession to make quilt related gifts, compulsion to collect quilt magazines, quilt gadgets, quilt patterns, fabric/items with a certain theme, machines, patterns, or buying large/medium/small amounts of fabric in general with no earthly idea of what to do with it – otherwise known as stash building! This is a difficult category to identify and assess points, but if I don’t start somewhere we will never get anywhere!
Started/never finished baby/child quilt for your graduating child/grandchild (2 pts/1 pt per)
This category has a possible 35 points, I have a few quilt gadgets (2 pt), I max out on the UFOs – who doesn’t? (15 pts), a couple points for fat quarters and yardage collection (2 pts) and there is currently a total of two charity projects hanging around – tisk, tisk (2 pts), putting me at 23 pts.
Peldunas-Harter Quilt Addiction Test levels:
24 and under: You just like to read quilting articles
25 – 54: You are at the “beginner quilter” level – I used to be you awhile ago.
55-63: You are at the “confident beginner quilter” level – careful, addiction is only 50 points away!
64 – You are at the “normal person quilter” level – notice I scored 64 points?
65 – 74: You are at the “used to be normal person quilter” – but you have started to spend too much time planning/collecting/traveling for quilting projects.
75 – 88: You are at the “obsessing about quilting” level – I ‘borrow’ fabric from you to finish my quilts.
89 – 99: You are at the “addicted/obsessing about quilting” level – I usually avoid asking you quilting questions as I’m afraid of what you might want to share with me.
100 – 105: You are at the “addicted to quilting” level – I write articles about you!
I hope you enjoyed reading about how I perceive quilting and addiction and please be careful of quilting events where cessation causes severe trauma!!
About Renelda Peldunas-Harter
A love of quilting and a desire to honor the men and women who defend our nation has culminated in this book. During her 25+ years as an active duty officer and reservist, Renelda Peldunas-Harter has always been fascinated with fabric, shapes, and color. As she and her family moved around the country with the military, she always found quilt guilds and after her final "promotion" to full-time civilian she has pursued quilting full-time. Learn more: www.QuiltedCora.blogspot.com
She is the author of the new book From Ensign's Bars to Colonel's Stars: Honoring Those Who Serve, available now.
This week Women's Wear Daily featured Southwestern accessories inspired by "Santa Fe’s artistic traditions and desert landscapes." Hats, purses, shoes, bags and jewelry from designers like Rebecca Minkoff, Yestadt Millinery, Paul Andrew, Eddie Borgo, Botkier and Stuart Weitzman showed off the colors and textures we associate with the Southwestern.
Above are pieces from Delphine Delafon, Christian Louboutin, Bluma Project, Charlotte Olympia and Aurelie Bidermann are displayed.
Inspiration for such fashions can be found in some Schiffer fashion books below:
Reassessing Hallmarks of Native Southwest Jewelry, $34.99
Non-Figural Designs in Zuni Jewelry, $24.99
The SFP LookBook: Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014 Collections, $45
Whether you're looking for a spooky children's book or want to dive into your Halloween movie trivia, we have the 'fright' books for you!
Pumpkin Cinema: The Best Movies for Halloween
By Nathaniel Tolle
Pumpkin Cinema recommends over 100 titles that are guaranteed to make your Halloween fun and frightening! Halloween only comes once a year, so you can’t afford to waste precious thrill time on a lousy movie! However, a great horror movie doesn’t necessarily translate into a great Halloween flick, and Pumpkin Cinema uses a simple set of guidelines to help you avoid the “boo!” blues: the films included here are fast paced, have essences of autumn (if they aren’t set on Halloween itself!), and have a trim run time (under two hours). The films included are, above all, fun to watch and share with others! In addition to descriptive film reviews, you’ll also find plenty of quirky trivia, various top 5 lists, and a special chapter devoted to the greatest Halloween television episodes of all time.
Size: 7″ x 10″ | 76 color & b/w images | 176 pp
ISBN13: 9780764347238 | Binding: hard cover
Zombie Nation: From Folklore to Modern Frenzy
By E. R. Vernor
The evolution of the zombie is explored in depth and includes historic accounts as well as a peek into the current craze. From whispered stories in voodoo legends and experiments in reanimation performed in the 1800s to recent events that elude to the scary possibility that such creatures really exist, you are in for a wild ride. Take a look at George Romero’s many contributions to the popularity of the living undead, with films such as Night of the Living Dead. Go inside with the incredibly popular AMC television series, The Walking Dead. Read interviews from people who are involved directly with zombie-mania, such as those who sell themed goods, ranging from bleeding mannequin zombie targets to Zombie Max ammunition.
Size: 6″ x 9″ | 80 b/w & color images | 112 pp
ISBN13: 9780764344503 | Binding: hard cover
Halloween Sleepwalker
By Thomas Freese and Fran Riddell
Age level: Early Readers: Ages 5-8
Are ghosts, witches, and scary creatures real? Around the fireside, Shelby Sherman Sanford’s family is talking about their Halloween fears. Mother, father, and older sister confess their frights, but Shelby says he is not afraid of anything – he wants to go out for a walk! Later that night, when the clock strikes twelve, it seems Shelby gets his chance to prove himself, as he finds himself outside in the neighbor’s corn field. A young witch welcomes him with an enchanted apple and one bite gives him the “second sight” of ghosts and monsters. A ride on the witch’s broom carries Shelby over the graveyard, past the church, and crashing into a tree to begin his adventure. But is it real or a dream?
Size: 9 1/8″ x 8 1/8″ | 33 color illustrations | 64 pp
ISBN13: 9780764343995 | Binding: hard cover
Into the Pumpkin
By Linda Franklin
Age level: Middle Grade: Ages 8-12
The fun of Halloween comes alive in this beautifully illustrated children’s book. The drawings, done each year by the author on the eve of Halloween, follow various “Halloween” characters as they prepare to celebrate this mystical holiday — pumpkins, witches, bats, ravens, black cats, scarecrows, spiders, ghosts, and more. Should they have their party in the graveyard or the pumpkin patch? Should they dress up or simply go as themselves? Take a ride on the witch’s broom and enter the pumpkin for a magical trip both you and your kids will not soon forget. Middle grades–ages 7-10.
Size: 8 1/2″ x 11″ | 24 drawings | 48 pp
ISBN13: 9780764341830 | Binding: hard cover
Schiffer Publishing Authors Win National Green Earth Book Award
Atglen, PA — Schiffer Publishing authors and their new book have been nationally recognized by The Nature Generation
with the 2014 Green Earth Book Award.
Inside A Bald Eagle’s Nest: A Photographic Journey through the American Bald Eagle Nesting Season, co-authored by Dr. Teena Ruark Gorrow, a professor of teacher education at Salisbury University, and Craig A. Koppie, a raptor biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field Office, won the 2014 Green Earth Book Award in the category of young adult nonfiction. The honor was bestowed September 18, 2014 during a ceremony and “green tie” reception at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Established in 2005 as the nation’s first book honor for environmental stewardship, the Green Earth Book Award is presented to authors and illustrators whose works inspire a deeper appreciation, respect and responsibility for the natural world among children and adults alike.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to The Nature Generation for their recognition of Inside a Bald Eagle’s Nest,” Gorrow said. “To be named a distinguished author, whose book inspires others to appreciate and care for the environment, is a tremendous honor. We also thank Schiffer Publishing for the opportunity to share this true story about the American bald eagle’s nesting season and for the collective effort dedicated to completing our project.”
Collaborating as the book’s authors and photographers, Gorrow and Koppie explore the Chesapeake Bay bald eagle’s nesting season through 160 images captured in natural habitats. They offer a rare glimpse of America’s national symbol as it prepares a nest and raises its young.
“Our goals include helping others understand the eagle’s way of life and inspiring environmental stewardship,” Koppie said. “By unveiling the secrets of this raptors’ world, we believe we can help others understand the ways in which all living things are uniquely connected.”
As part of The Nature Generation’s Green Earth Book Award festivities in DC, Gorrow and Koppie visited Patterson Elementary School to talk with students about America’s national bird, answer questions about their book, and discuss how students can take care of the environment. They partnered with Jessica Conley, lead ranger at Maryland’s Tuckahoe State Park Complex, to include a live American bald eagle in their presentation.
“Most of these students had never seen a bald eagle in the wild,” Conley said. “To see the excitement and look of awe on their faces was priceless. They had no idea how large an eagle is until I came out from behind the curtain.”
Conley and Ranger Ashlee Reinke performed portions of their Scales & Tales Outreach Program, available through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Maryland Park Service. An egg-crushing demonstration helped students understand the devastating effects of DDT. In addition, Koppie shared telemetry research and allowed students to interact with transmitting devices. Each fifth grader received a signed copy of Inside a Bald Eagle’s Nest following the presentation provided by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
“Patterson Elementary School’s mascot is the bald eagle,” Gorrow said. “Creating a personal experience for students with this majestic raptor hopefully inspired a new generation of conservationists, scientists and teachers.”
Hoping their book will be used as a learning resource to help others understand the eagles’ way of life, promote species and habitat protection, and foster environmental stewardship, Gorrow and Koppie are partnering with organizations nationwide including the National Eagle Center, Cornell Lab of Ornithology NestWatch, Pennsylvania Game Commission and Smithsonian National Zoo.
“…As a raptor biologist who has worked with bald eagles since the 1970s, I’m extremely pleased to see this book, not just because it’s a well-written and engaging story, but because it describes something no one would have imagined 40 years ago,” said Brian Millsap, National Raptor Coordinator with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “So sit back, relax, and enjoy a true-life good-news story!”
Inside a Bald Eagle’s Nest is available online through Schiffer Publishing, as well as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million. It is also available at many local booksellers and gift shops nationwide.
For press inquiries, to request a book, or to express interest in partnering with Gorrow and Koppie, please contact Elizabeth Martins at 610-593-1777 or [email protected].
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is a family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality books. Since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passions. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal, and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children. Visitwww.schifferbooks.com to explore our backlist of 5,500+ titles.
Through my experience of working with persons with disabilities I have discovered the incredible therapeutic power of doing artwork. Seeing the smiles of achievement in mixing color combinations and textural patterns has proven to me that artwork builds self esteem. Creativity sparks a sense of accomplishment that can be as meaningful as having a job and getting payment, especially for those who are unable to work in conventional ways.
My experiences as a direct care staff and teacher of both developmentally disabled and traumatic brain injured adults taught me about the importance of play as a way to combat depression and aggressive behaviors.
Water-Based Texturing is a collection of successful techniques that were used to help guide people with disabilities and artists of all ages in new directions. This book was written to encourage playful experimentation using the natural world as a source of inspiration and connection to the creative spirit in all of us.
Tucker Stouch ("Tuckie" to friends) is an acrylic painting teacher. She finds inspiration in being outdoors exploring the woods and fields of Southern New Jersey.
To learn about Water-Based Texturing, read more here.
