Social Media plans

 So we've started ANOTHER content on social media... Yes, there is always a new idea somewhere in the mix, this one reflects on how people are doing podcasts.

Now I get a bit confused in this, because it's a video of people discussing a show or a common interest, but it's supposed to be like a radio show. I never really looked into it, because why listen to the full recording when the video is right there. I never really put thought into listening to one. The ones with Disney stars and favorite sitcoms is very interesting at times, though.

For me though, I kind of make it a joke. There isn't really a podcast to listen to, but there is video content of what seems like the middle of one. So far, right now, we have 3. They are doing as well as any video on Instagram.

Check out what we call Ghost Interviews. These videos are mostly found on Instagram. Some have been placed on other social media, but it seems to only grow in this one spot. Weird.

Meanwhile, here's some new news we have for the Shiver and Fears monster drawing contest. Entries are now requested to be mailed! This year we have a smaller number of monster friends, only because we've been having a hard time collecting monsters. 

It used to be easy, but now that we have contestants coming from multiple places, it's time we start a system. It's too late to start this system now, but next year we'll be ready. As of now, we have a total of 10 contestants, so this years winner will come a bit quicker than last year's. In fact, I think last year we had so many entries we had to extend to October. 

Now, the question is where is the voting hosted? Last year we moved the voting system to another media due to TikTok losing an audience. This year we're giving it a second try. In fact, we ever decided to test our audience with a test poll. See it here

But there is one issue. Those who watch these videos on a divice other than a phone might not even know there's a poll there... and we've recently learned that the reason why things are quiet is that Shiver and Fears is being watched by non-subscribers. What does that mean? In order to vote, you have to have an account...

So how are people going to vote? Well we have a plan B JUST  for this situation. But if YOU want to cast a vote and don't have an account for TikTok, we'll have a place for you on YouTube. Just visit our channel every Saturday. In fact, go visit it right now. Every Saturday, a poll will be ready for you!

Monster entries

 So the Boo's Beastly Buddy Contest has started about a week from now. Everyone is turning in their monsters and so far we got some good results. Some monsters are creative, some monsters are bold, other monsters... are pretty similar. But they are all originals.

So this year we will be voting on Tik Tok this year, we'll see how that goes, last year was pretty slow, so it had to be transfered. In fact, I had to "hire" some people to be judges, just to get the polls running. It was weird, we've never had a struggle in votes, and for some odd reason, votes were just not coming in as fast.

Let's see how we do this year.

 Another thing being worked on is the Shiver and Fears logo for halloween. You know how Google has a special look for special occasions; well, I want a few myself. This is actually the orininal look, but the problem is, with the profile picture needing to be round, the jack-o lantern is kind of in the way a bit.

I must say though, I always looked the colors orange and black for halloween, but purple and green does make it a bit more errie... Who knew?

But maybe you like our new logo setup. Want to see it? It's posted on the YouTube channel now. Yeah, I must say it IS a bit early to be placing Halloween stuff everywhere, BUT it IS the next holiday to prepare for.

Now for those of you who are NOT entering the Beastly Buddy Contest. I ask that you try the Share Your Scare contest instead. No, there isn't a prize, but your video/ picture will be posted by Shiver and Fears SM, and you get the credit for it.

What is Share Your Scare? Just send a picture to Shiver and Fears of something Halloween related. A cooking recipe, a jump scare, a costume, or a decoration you made. The only rule is that it can't be fake, and you have to do it yourself.

Every now and then, people are sharing a product or a recipe or a DIY decoration, and I always wonder: are people really looking into trying this stuff? I don't want to just see it shared for everyone to see; I want to see someone try it themselves. That's where you come in.

Now this use to be a prize give away type contest, BUT no one ever enters. So there is just no need to hand away prizes for a contest no one cares about.

But MAYBE if you give it a shot, I might reconsider!

Customized Cards

 So for the past few weeks, I have been working on some projects. Well, I call them project, but it was almost like being in a lab. 

I've been testing somethings, ever since I made Shiver and Fears stickers, it's about time to place that on pause because the Shiver and Fears Monster drawing Contest is coming and it's about time to say goodbye to Promethus and Bubonic.

We have new friends coming in soon.

That's besides the point. The point is, what else can this Cricut machine do? And how can Shiver and Fears benifit from it? Well, one project I was working on was a shirt for a friend on his birthday, but shirts take a lot of time. Buying the size and color goes for the vinyl as well.

Well, to my surprise, I found myself making cards. It'll come in handy, because usually I buy them from Walgreens. I buy a pack for myself and a pack for the contest winner. This year, I might not need to spend so much money.

But then I started thinking, what other kind of cards could I make? Heart-shaped, star-shaped, photo-framed. WHOA! The ideas started to flow. Then it hit me: what if I were to make these cards for people? You know for them to give to others? Listen, store-bought cards are good and all, but what about a card you made yourself? Or at least one that I made? It could have shimmering, foil words. It could include cut out images. It doesn't even have to be a normal-shaped card.

So, that's what I think I'll do. I'll make an order form with suggestions just like they do with cake orders....

Whoa, whoa, whoa... Ok, I need to slow down. This could be just like the cups, and the pencils, and even the books. For now I'll just give it a thought. But hey:

What do you think?

Cricut Mania for Shiver and Fears

 I guess using Cricut machines are a popular thing. Along with 3D printers. Now, I do hope my creativity doesn't jump into THAT anytime soon.

I actually didn't think I'd be into a Cricut machine, but making stickers was a hard project to pass. But an idea came to mind that I couldn't pass: a cartoon character cutout! I've done a few before. But I had to draw the character piece by piece and glue them together. Fun, but difficult.

Now that I have a machine, it be fun to try making a character. So, I made one. You can see this creation on my TikTok channel. As for you, if you want to make this image... Blossom Cut Out Project I guess you can click here and make it with YOUR Cricut machine. Meanwhile

 this is what it looks like. I wanted to make the eyes glitter and the bow metallic, but I didn't have those materials yet. So for now, I'll just stick with the simple, basic look.

Now, besides cards (Which might be best to get a Cricut Card mat) and bookmarks, I just wonder what other projects I could start on?

Which reminds me of a goof I made earlier this year. So I used AI to create a birthday card image. For nearly a year, I've passed out this card to many people. 

This morning I needed to make another card, so with a machine, I decided to make it unique. When I printed the image out, how shocked was I that AI has the words HAPPY BRRTHDAY hanging on a banner!

Now if I had caught this months ago, I'd have fixed it, but this card has been passed around in video, ecards, and print out... in other word, it's too late to fix. And with the Beastly Buddy Contest coming up, there's really no point. Because by November the card will be nothing but a memory...

But next time I make this card. I'll make a blueprint first... It seems to work better that way!

Shiver and Fears Project

I've learned a few things using the Cricut machine. Something that doesn't seem to be announced first thing. Maybe it does; you just have to know where to read it. Well, here's a place to read about it. And I've learned some tricks along the way as well. Check this out.

All Cricut machines are different, that's for sure. I purchased a Cricut Joy and have learned it's NOT made for stickers. To make stickers, you need to request a print and cut, which is not an option for a Joy. Looks to me like all the others have that option.

Now, a Joy holds 4.5 by 6.5-inch sheets. Which means projects are going to be small. And gosh, I made some tiny cards. Not much I can do with that. I've also learned about the sticker situation that you can widen the perimeter to cut more around the image; the only issue is, the print and the cutting process don't align. I do wonder what's different WITH print and cut than without it. You have to be crafty without it.

Now, this is what ticked me off. On the app, you can choose a ton of cutouts to use, but of course everything comes with a price. And even though you do get free options, the best ones cost. Now, they aren't expensive, but making a project with a bundle of them is like buying some chocolate bars at 7-Eleven.

I also learned that you can have tracings made with a fine-point pen provided by Cricut. I tried making some stickers that way... But they didn't turn out right... I still have a few things to learn. Like when to use ATTACH and EFFECTS and other helpful things. Did I mention I'm still learning?

But I've learned a few things. There are a few things you can do to get images for free. One of the easiest ways is to find cutouts online... There was only one issue I had with that. You see

, this is a pocket bookmark, a new piece of merch we wish to create for Shiver and Fears books. Now, the issue is, they do have this cut out available, but of course you have to pay for it. I tried to find this image, but no websites make it easy to find. In fact, one > False help page said it would give a template, but instead it's just a way for them to get your email address. You don't even need a real email to get it. Believe me, it's a trap!

The image I'm showing you now was made by AI, but that wasn't easy because AI kept hesitating to make it. Asking questions and comments about how to make it, finally I got it.

But here is the best part. I learned that there is a way to copy and paste the image, and instead of saving the images on my computer, I save them on the app. Which I want to categorize, but I can only make 5 before having to pay for them. No worries though, I only need a BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS, and SHIVER AND FEARS for now. 

Not sure what kind of projects I'll be making once I purchase a Joy Ultra, but it will require some fine-point pens in different colors, vinyl, and cardstock.

Meanwhile, here's my first idea:

What do you think?

Shiver and Fears New Project process

 So just recently, I bought a Cricut machine. This idea came to me after purchasing a set of stickers from a website. This was a very time consuming progress. Raising money for it, making the order with a budget, and waiting for the order to be delivered.

Why not do this myself? The problem: die-cut cutting. Cutting an image with so many small edges takes a lot of work, especially when you want to make sticker sheets. 

But this was not as easy as I wanted it to. The cutting wasn't aligned 

This was because the machine I purchased was not made for projects like this. My Cricut machine has made great stencils and a great cutout of Boo the Ghost. And maybe a few bookmarks can be useful.

But for now, stickers are tedious to make. But soon, maybe in a few months, a new Cricut machine can be purchased.

As for now. How was the bookaversary?

Well, it went great. All our fans had come and learned about Shiver and Fears, then played a cleverly made scavenger hunt. As of now, the 3 winners of this game are receiving their prizes. It was one of the best times Shiver and Fears had, as well as Boo himself. Yep, Bo was there too!

Finally, Shiver and Fears' new book is ready for preorder.

 As of now, this book is presented in it orignal areas, such as Walmart (that's a popular one now), Books-a-Million, and of course Amazon. This book is set to be presented in August. So now is a good time to buy a copy purchase here. 

This story is about a boy who goes to a strange toy store and gets tortured by his own toys. Check out the crazy twist the ending has.

The reason why this story took so long to create was that I was taking my time writing it. So if you read our website blog, you'll see the plan for Shiver and Fears to write 10 books has been decided not to take action.

WAY too much pressure!

Unknown Music Craft

 Hey, if you're reading this, then I want to first explain that I'm still in Missouri. We are probably having lunch about now, but that's not what I wanted to share with you. 

I wanted to inform you that I remembered the song I created, but never published. In fact, I've created two songs.

The others have been published and can be found online.

 As of now, this is one of the songs I can find to share.

But I wanted to share my song It's a Mystery (Friends) I created this song just a few years ago for a friend.

The story behind this song is a bit sad, but it has a heartfelt meaning behind it.

So I have a group of friends, and we all have this one guy as our target. Now, before I explain, we joke with each other all the time, but this one friend who joke on a lot. I always assume it's because he's the oddball. The only one who is constantly out of the loop.

Well, anyway, there was a day I felt bad. I could tell he was trying to stay strong, but his feelings were hurt a bit. Made me think about what he thought about us, or even how those kinds of friends are feeling.

You see it on TV  all the time. The song It's a Mystery speaks about how you question your title in the friend group. Are you a friend or just a joke, and is it really worth your time?

Like I said, we'd joke with each other all the time. But you never know if there's ever a friend who might be hiding his true feelings because the "jokes" aren't so funny.

I wrote the song really just to say "I hear you. You're not ignored." To this day, we don't speak to him anymore. He's moved on to better things. 

 ... no, he didn't die. He's found friends he can relate to better. We do talk to him time after time, and rarely do we hang out. but we do hear about his success all the time. So in the end, it's a win win.

Now, the song needs some work, yes, but the message is clear. what do you think?