News about Our Progressive Story and Malice Basket

PROGRESSIVE STORY NEWS

"A Crafty Kind of Murder," the progressive story written by the Killer Hobbies Blog Sisters morphed into a novella. Yes, folks, weighing in at 12,000 words it's a book! We even threw in a recipe for you! As you can imagine, when six authors put their heads together the result is a combination of murder and mayhem. But we've finally gotten this gem polished to perfection. Be sure to add your name to our followers list because the installments will start Sunday, May 2, and run through the next Sunday, May 9. You won't want to miss a word of this exciting, fun, and puzzling mystery.

THE PLOT

Here's the lowdown on the story:

What happens when seven crafty sleuths try to take a hobby holiday? The tangled web of crime follows them! They might be amateurs when it comes to crime detection, but these women are professionals in the world of handicrafts and hobbies. Join scrapbooker Kiki Lowenstein, miniaturist Gerry Porter, needlearts expert Betsy Devonshire, pet-sitter and attorney Kendra Ballantyne, rubber stampers Rocky Winchester and April Buchert, and crochet enthusiast Molly Pink as they put their heads together to solve the worst sort of murder possible, the crafty kind!

MALICE DOMESTIC BASKET

Speaking of the Killer Hobbies Blog Sisters, we've also worked together to create this stunning basket:

Oooh, I know you want to take it home with you! Well, it will be auctioned off at Malice Domestic, which starts the weekend of April 30 and runs through May 2 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.

The live auction will be held Friday night, April 30th, beginning at 9 p.m. Our silent auction will run all day Friday and part of Saturday, with the last chance to make bids possibly until 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Unfortunately, we can't tell you which donated items will be in the live auction versus the silent auction. So if you love mysteries and you want a chance at the craft basket, I suggest you take Friday, April 30th off from work and come to the whole convention. According to Program Chair Barb Goffman, "It's going to be a blast!"

The full schedule is available at Malice Domestic.

WHAT'S INSIDE

Here's a list of what's inside that "Killer of a Craft Basket"--Blackwork (HB)by Monica Ferris; Murder in Miniature, Mayhem in Miniature, Malice in Miniature and Mourning in Miniature by Margaret Grace; A Stitch in Crime by Betty Hechtman; Double Dog Dare by Linda O. Johnston; Photo, Snap, Shot and The Best of British Scrapbooking by Joanna Campbell Slan; Wild Goose Chase, Stamped Out, Inked Up, Old Maid's Puzzle, and Ocean Waves by Terri Thayer;a cell phone purse quilted by Terri Thayer; an eyeglasses case crocheted by Betty Hechtman; a “Witchwork” cross stitch pattern inspired by Monica Ferris; assorted ribbons, an Origami kit, a magnifying glass,and three packages of adorable miniatures from Margaret Grace; and three pairs of scissors,the basket, knitting needles and yarn from Joanna Campbell Slan.

The Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis

A Special Report
By Fay Zerb

I have been asked by Joanna Slan to write a little something about our miniature museum (the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis). This group was started in 1989 because a group of ladies were concerned about their miniature collection because their kids weren’t interested or didn’t have the space to keep them. The ladies didn’t want their stuff ending up in a yard sale. A lot of people downsize or go into a different living arrangement, and we get their stuff. Most of the things we have came from families once the miniaturist died.

When Owners Die

Several museums have folded once the owner passed away. (Joanna’s note: This, sadly, happened just this year to the entire Delaware Toy & Miniature Museum.) A lot of the museums were started by wealthy people had quite a collection of stuff, and they started their own museum.

How the Building Fund Started...and Plans to Expand

The group started sponsoring local miniature shows in 1991 to make money to buy a building for our museum. We actually bought our building in 2000, renovated the building and opened in 2001 with our first floor open to the public. Since then, our volunteers have been renovating the second floor, and we hope to open that level to the public this year.

The museum still sponsors miniature shows in the spring and fall where dealers from all over the country come to display and sell their miniature creations (dollhouses, roomboxes, dolls, furniture, food, landscaping, and everything imaginable) to the public.

Our museum is run by an all-volunteer board of 15 people. Our general members help staff the museum during our open hours. The museum costs a small fee to enter. If you are interested, you can visit the museum's website: http://miniaturemuseum.org/ and look at some pieces of our collection, information about the museum, information about the miniature show and much more.

Fay Zerb

Where Will Your Treasures Go When You Are Gone?

Note by Joanna: Fay’s post got me to thinking. What will happen to your hobby when you die? Have you thought of finding a good home for your collection? Does your family know who might enjoy or benefit from your supplies—that stash you haven’t used? Take a moment this week and write a letter of intent. I don’t know how legal it would be, but surely it might help your family make good decisions about your belongings. After all, you can't take it with you.