Cathy C. Hall Writes

I love Roald Dahl. Not in that “I want to marry him, or technically, his spirit” kind of way. Though I will admit to having a romance with his writing for many, many years.

Oddly, it was not until I was all-l-l-l grown up that I read his children’s writing. And then I fell in love all over again. So you can see why I was extra-specially pleased to find that September is Roald Dahl Reading Month. If you’ve got a young reader at your place, you will want to see how he or she can win something cool for reading Dahl’s masterful works. Makes me kinda wish I was somewhere between 7 and 13 again.

Go to his absolutely splendiferous website here to find out more. Clicking on any or all of the little squirting buttons (you’ll see what I mean when you click) is going to make your September complete.

And if you’re a writer thinking, “Sure, sure, that’s all well and good, but what’s in it for me, Mr. Dahl?” Then perhaps you should take a look at his advice ( Click on Roald Dahl, then Tips for Teachers, then Classroom Activities). Whether you’re a young or old writer, my splendiferous Roald makes an excellent point or three. Especially for a dead guy.

I just read in my local paper about the Yellow Daisy Festival here at Stone Mountain, Georgia. It’s HUGE. And full of crafty stuff. Some of the handmade items are truly works of art. Others leave you thinking about going home and trying to make that item yourself.

Which is why I remembered Alison Morris’ post on Shelftalker. Alison is leaving Shelftalker, but she left a ton of artsy links on book crafts before going. And honestly, a few of the DIY projects look simple enough that even I could do them. (Trust me when I say they must be VERY simple. Because a. I’m kinda lazy and b. I’m not that crafty.)

Like making bookmarks from paint chips that you can find here at How About Orange’s blog. Aren’t you always looking for a bookmark? I usually end up sticking a piece of trash in the book. Um, not like a banana peel. But, you know, like that receipt for paying my book fines. Maybe the next time you give someone a book as a gift, you can throw in a handmade bookmark. There’s nothing like a handmade gift to say, “I care about you. And I’m kinda cheap. But really, I do care.”

And you have to check out this totally cool vase made from a book. That’s right-a book vase! The directions are here at lillyella’s. Now, I’m not saying you should cut up your favorite book. But maybe that book that your sis-in-law gave you on the wonders of a macrobiotic diet that was really just an excuse to bring up the fact that you’re eating too much junk food? You could cut that book up and expend a few calories.

So, with that little, tiny nip in the air, maybe this is the weekend for you to try a little crafting yourself. You’ll find plenty in Alison’s post. You might even find yourself following some of these interesting, artsy blogs. And when Cathy C. Hall has another contest, you may find yourself winning a bunch of cool, handmade bookmarks.

Because I care about you. I mean, I may be cheap. But really, I do care.