Vicki Batman's Blog, page 81

.@VickiBatman - #handbag Monday: Aren't you a sweet girl #MFRWorg

  ~ #Handbag Monday ~
  

I found this baby on eBay and was intrigued by the stitching as the background is done in horizontal stitches. I like that it is done differently than the basic needlepoint stitch I tend to favor. The girl is done with petit point. And the flowers in basic needlepoint.
 
Here's a close up:



Isn't that interesting? And the picture of the girl is precious. This image reminds me of a folk art picture.

This one makes a great evening bag. The black fabric is like suede, probably a felt. There is no picture on the backside.


Obviously, you've noticed I favor needlepoint handbags. Do you favor a particular style?

.@VickiBatman - #Movie Maniac: Finding Vivian Maier

The movie theater had teased about this docu/drama for months. Many articles had appeared in newspapers. Everyone was astonished. The story was that intriguing. All was summed up in one question: Who was Vivian Maier?

Once upon a time, a young man bid on a trunk which held a woman's photography past. What he found astounded him--100,000 photos--and ultimately, many experts, even the families she worked for.

The woman, Vivian Maier, worked as a nanny and had a passion for photography. She took her charges and traipsed over the city, photographing kids, old, young, unusual. She had a great eye.

The young man, John Maloof, brought her work to galleries and in this unforgettable film which explores all facets about Vivian. I highly recommend this film.

For more information, go to: website

@VickiBatman - #Movie Maniac: Finding Vivian Maier

The movie theater had teased about this docu/drama for months. Many articles had appeared in newspapers. Everyone was astonished. The story was that intriguing. All was summed up in one question: Who was Vivian Maier?

Once upon a time, a young man bid on a trunk which held a woman's photography past. What he found astounded him--100,000 photos--and ultimately, many experts, even the families she worked for.

The woman, Vivian Maier, worked as a nanny and had a passion for photography. She took her charges and traipsed over the city, photographing kids, old, young, unusual. She had a great eye.

The young man, John Maloof, brought her work to galleries and in this unforgettable film which explores all facets about Vivian. I highly recommend this film.

For more information, go to: website

@VickiBatman ~ What flits and flutters

What flits and flutters tell us
Butterflies are quite enjoyable to watch. They fly and land. Play and fight. Eat and rest. Utterly beautiful.
Recently, on my travels, Handsome and I went to a tropical butterfly conservatory. Most of them were from Malaysia which has the most species of butterflies, 1,180. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_butterflies_of_Peninsular_Malaysia/
A few pictures of the ones I could take:
              But why post about butterflies, VB?
This is one of those circumstances where you tell people about something wonderful you saw and to do so, you must use descriptive words. For example, the blue one when folding his wings, shutters away the blue. I see beiges and browns making him look like a moth. Open, I see the black veining, the incredible opalescent blue.
Before I snapped the shot, he played with another butterfly. They flew at each other and dove and darted like two fighting kites. Yet, I felt they were just dancing. Joy filled me as I watched their interaction. He came to rest on the Norfolk pine (a brilliant green with stubby needles) like he was panting. I longed to stroke him and take in his velvet. But couldn't. The docent said touching them removes their version of skin cells.
I also observed a large beige male moth. This guy stayed in a cocoon for 360 days and after hatching, only lived for 4 or 5 more. He does emerge at the large size. His antenna were fatter than the butterfly's slender ones. He rested on a feeding dish, not moving, rarely closing his wings. Knowing he would pass soon made hurt and sadness move in my chest.  
Many years ago, Handsome went to Malaysia for a speaking engagement. He brought back this:  
Sometimes, description is about the details. It's about using the right words to paint a picture for the reader. Do you notice the tiny things or the big picture?

@VickiBatman ~#handbag Monday: #vintage Margaret Smith for Easter

 
~#handbag Monday~  Hi! Vicki here on #handbag Monday instead of a guest from the past few weeks. You know I am a big fan of vintage Margaret Smith handbags. This beauty showed on eBay a few weeks ago and yep, had to have it.  
     Isn't the color gorgeous? And I love the flap with the closure and the different matching handles. In fact, I wanted to carry it to a wedding reception; however, I decided the dress was too formal and went with another selection. Then Easter rolled around and I thought perfect, but no. Easter plans changed too. Sigh. Here's the biggest surprise: the bag was less than $20.00.   What's the lowest price you've paid for a bag (free doesn't count)?  *************************************** Poinsettia handbag: Week 8 I took a week off from needlepoint when traveling and caught up with another love: reading. Back to work and here's what's up with the Poinsettia handbag. 

You will notice on the side panel, I'm still filling in black. I had to use a different dye lot and the color is a bit different. I am pretty sure I am the only one who notices and when the bag is fabricated, no will notice at all.


@Vicki Batman ~ #Movie Maniac: an old western, The Ox-Bow Incident

  Handsome and I were watching/reading...something and this movie was mentioned because of the ethics involved. Handsome was intrigued and not long after, it aired on TCM. Was I glad I watched it.

The premise is three innocent men are wrongly hanged for the murder of a rancher.

Think about that--three innocent men. And a posse out for blood. Some of them have doubts and are over-ruled. All will live with their decision.

"The Ox-Bow Incident" is a 1943 American western film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes, Anthony Quinn, William Eythe, Harry Morgan (Col. Potter from M*A*S*H*" and Jane Darwell (Ma Jobe from "Grapes of Wrath"). It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. In 1998, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

#PlottingPrincesses @VickiBatman - A Laugh a Minute

Laugh a Minute
You may have noticed my tagline: Vicki Batman, sassy writer of sexy and funny fiction.
I never thought of myself as being funny until a friend said something. I was like me? Really? I'd always appreciated books with humor.  And when another friend pressed in my arms #4 Janet Evanovich, I sighed with contentment after I read it, thinking someone who wrote what I liked to read. Naturally, I gobbled all of them up.
When I began writing, I noticed funny words crept in my work. And so did creepy witty dialogue. And I played havoc with internal dialogue. And found smiley faces in the edits.
After several of my short fictions were published in the True magazines, I let my girlfriends read them and watched and listened for their reactions. I saw smiles, snorts, giggles, ha's, etc. I knew then I'd done my job and done it right.
Finding a good funny word doesn't usually come through on my first draft. I have to work it-work it-work it. And when I go back later on and read what is there and it makes me smile--even after multiple thousands a gazillion passes—then I know all was done correctly.
So here's a treat from my funny romantic suspense/mystery, Temporarily Employed (coming soon!). My heroine Hattie, another sassy gal, is eyeing a guy with suspicion after he asks her out to dinner:   
No frisking and no arrests were—so far, in my book—a good thing. Knowing he was Sarah Anne’s older brother, I found eliminating him from the stalker, murderer, and rapist categories easy. The something in the truck line sounded similar to approaches used in past dating experiences. For instance:
“Want to come up and look at my etchings?”
Translated: A roll in the hay.
Or the ever popular “Would you like to meet Mr. Lizard?”
Translated: Mr. Wiggly Worm.
“How about coming to my place for a drink?”
Translated: To ply me with multiple drinks and the requisite roll in the hay.
I hadn’t fallen for those then and wouldn’t be a sucker now.
He stuck his hands on his hips. “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not a stalker, murderer, or rapist." 
Apparently, he could read minds. "Just a minute." I closed the door enough to release the chain, then opened it. “Why can’t you just tell me whatever it is?”
“No. I want to show you—-”
“Not a Picasso?” I asked.
“No.”
“Not an iguana?”
A perplexed expression crossed his face. “A what?”
“Not your pet worm?”
“What pet worm?”
“Not—”
“Look, I don’t know what you’re thinking. The only worms I know about are for fishing."
 
*I have to add that I was once asked to "come up and see my hamster"—lolol.
How did I do?  Do you like to read funny books?

 

@VickiBatman ~ writer Marilyn Baxter shared a #handbag and we ooohhh and aaaahhhh

~Handbag Monday~

If it's Monday, its #handbag Monday. Today, I welcome a TRUE writing friend, Marilyn Baxter. Let's take a peek at her special bag:

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This is my first Coach purse.  Even on clearance and with a % off coupon, it is the most I’ve ever paid for a purse.  But I love it!  I joked that given its value I should probably will it to my oldest granddaughter.  And then I decided it would be a great way to display my ashes after I’m dead and gone.  The purse, a vase of lovely flowers and my photo.  Yes?  Expensive as the purse was, it was still cheaper than the cremation urns I’ve looked at.  I think it would make for a classy funeral.  Don’t you?

I said that I love the purse and here’s why.  Aside from its gorgeous color, it meets my “purse specifications.”  Mine are pretty basic:  inside zipper pocket, inside pocket for my cell phone, roomy interior and an outside pocket for my car keys.  This one meets them all.  It actually has 3 outside pockets – one on the side away from the camera and one on each end. 

Do you have purse specifications?   Let’s compare notes.

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Blurb for TEA FOR TWO:
Take one tea shop-owning divorcee, add a new-to-town attorney and two meddling grandmothers and the result is a romantic brew that will make everyone's dreams come true.

Find TEA FOR TWO: Amazon

Thank you, Marilyn, for being with me today!

@VickiBatman ~ #Movie Maniac: The Lunchbox

  "The Lunchbox" is WONDERFUL! From India about a friendship that comes together over a misplaced lunch box. In a way, it reminded me of "You've Got Mail" and "Little Shop Around the Corner," but with a different ending that fit the movie. And I also thought an interesting peek into life in India--the trains, friendships, food, bureaucracy.  The trailer teased Handsome and moi and we were not disappointed. 

@VickiBatman ~ Thoughts on a dad and iPad

Last week, an article appeared in Publisher's Weekly about a Dad who only lets his son read on an iPad.

Here's the link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/the-ipad-dad-who-wont-let-son-read-books/story-fni0cx4q-1226868554082?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=429981508a-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-429981508a-304641145%3Fsv%3Da50d8c3c2f180781e34eb420678cdaee#.UzmMsr0lzmc.facebook

To summarize, Mr. Fallah says,  “I think reading a story on your iPad is a good way to show kids what reading should be, it’s a lot more fun, things sparkle.”

He comments on the fact that all kids books on iPad are "better than normal books." And mentions the ability to "highlight" words. He likes how the book reads itself to his son and "don't have to be there." He did say he reads with his son, though.

When I put this up on Facebook, my how people had stuff to say. I am especially fond of the whole "What do you do when electricity goes out and the battery fails" camp.

So what do you think?