Since I took a class in alcohol ink art, I have been hooked. I love experimenting with Tim Holtz alcohol ink and finishing my art pieces with doodles! Last month, I was encouraged by a poet friend to join a contest, Paws Backyard Wildlife Art Contest. I was hesitant at first because I'm not good at drawing, but I took the challenge. I thought I had nothing to lose! Why not make some doodles instead? As a creative explorer, I know there are ways to make up for what I'm not good at by applying new things that I've learned from my alcohol ink class, researching some doodles of animals on the internet, and most of all, by adding my own unique touch. 

This is what I came up with. :-)

With the help of friends and acquaintances, I was able to gather the most votes and won first place in the adult category. I was over the moon!

My joy was doubled when I found out that my goddaughter won first place in the 3-10 years old category. ​While I received a $150 gift card for my prize, she won an Echo Dot for Kids. 

​I thought the contest was a cool way to raise funds to support Paws Animal Wildlife and Sactuary's mission--to rescue, rehabilitate, and release orphaned or injured wildlife. 

Today, non-profit organization posted this on Facebook. 

For the first time I read my new book Will you Still Love Me? A Puppy Haiku Story. The kindergarten students loved it! One boy hugged me after I read the story. 

The third classroom I visited was the 1st grade. As usual, I enjoyed all their responses. This event reminded me how much I love book readings at schools. I will try to achieve this goal in 2020 - more book reading events!!!

I noticed that the recent Facebook book launches, both for children's books and poetry books, which I have co-hosted have not been well-attended. I'm not sure why. Maybe because of the following reasons:

1. People don't have time.
2. People are not intrigued anymore because I've already done several in the past.
3. People are bored because I haven't thought of anything fresh to offer.
4. The poets or authors I have selected to publish don't have a big fan base.
5. I just have not found the right people to invite. 

Who knows? We might have chosen the wrong time or day to host the book launch. It's hard to guess. All I can do is keep trying. For my new book, I decided to open a Facebook book page and hosted the book launch for one full week (December 23-January 1).

I'm so grateful that in 2010, Purple Cotton Candy Arts had published 3 children's books, one of which was written by me. I actually finished working on one more children's book by another author, but we are hoping her book will be picked up by a traditional publisher. 

Amazing Glass House: Haiku Storybook by Susan Beth Furst and my book, Will You Still Love Me? A Puppy Haiku Story just recently participated in the 2019 SCBWI BookStop. It was a wonderful experience for Purple Cotton Candy Arts to be showcased among other children's books. Even before the release of my book, I was able to see whether other people would like it. In the span of 3 weeks or so, I was able to receive some positive comments. 

Purple Cotton Candy Arts is also proud to have two new illustrators from the Philippines. Jiliane Vilches had just collaborated with me on two books while George Franco is currently working on another children's book by Michael H. Lester. 

I am so blessed and I am looking forward to more projects next year! Thank you so much, God Almighty! 

,
      “Where could one snatch a pair of eyeballs?” Witch Wanda asked.

      “Eyeballs? What are they for?” Vampire Vanessa answered.

      “I need it to make my grandmother’s Halloween potion.”

      “Have you been to the zoos, parks, or school grounds?”

     “Yup! But no way am I going to pluck the eyeballs of a monkey, a goldfish, or any human being. Here, at the Halloween party, is my last chance to find them.”

       “Come on! Let’s sample the treats!”

       Witch Wanda spotted the monster punch bowl beside the cobweb cookies. Inside the bowl, were creepy frozen eyeballs!
        
       That will do the trick!
​


Submitted as an entry to 

THE 9TH ANNUAL HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST!!!

Follow the link here. 

     

I still can't believe it! Thank you, dear Lord, for this wonderful blessing!!!! I'm on the front page of the entertainment section of Asian Journal. So grateful to  Thank you, Ate Fe Quisumbing, for letting me know that it's already out. I just found out that there are 4 editions - Northern California, Southern California, Las Vegas, and New Jersey/New York. This is the Northern California edition. To read the full article, here is the link. https://www.asianjournal.com/…/teaching-kids-a-deeper-appr…/ All articles are the same except for the layout and added pics. ​

Here are the links for the four editions:
https://issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition/docs/042619_-_san_francisco_edition
https://issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition/docs/042519_-_las_vegas_edition
https://issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition/docs/042419_-_socal_midweek_edition
https://issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition/docs/042619_-_new_york___new_jersey

​Incredibly happy that I won these two awards tonight at the Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA) Book Awards banquet. I am so grateful, Lord, for all the wonderful blessings you have given me this year. A big shout out to the whole team of Purple Cotton Candy Arts (Shloka Shankar, Kathrina Iris, and Kathleen Sue Lagamia) and my Filipino translator Angelo Ancheta! I am so fortunate to have you guys!!! Thank you so, so much!!!!