Nancy Drew Cafe Press Shop Sale: Free Ship on $60+ Orders

Nancy Drew Shop FREE Shipping off orders of $60+ Sale!

WHEN: Sale Runs From Mar. 6 to Mar. 12, 2012

SAVE: FREE Shipping off orders of $60+

CODE: SHOPTM1

WHERE: www.cafepress.com/nancydrewshop

Be sure you're ordering from the shop page only--marketplace orders do not count for this promotion, so if you're at the main website and/or using search boxes to add items to your cart, those are considered marketplace items. You must order from the Nancy Drew shop page itself. If you have any trouble with the code--contact Cafe Press customer support (there's a phone number you can call right away) and they can help you with it.

Thanks for your support!

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2012 Convention Clues #11

Nancy Drew Blog Contest 

Open to all who are attending the 2012 Nancy Drew/Sleuth Con Convention out in AZ, comment on this week's Blog postings from March 4 through March 9 and we'll draw from comments to award some prizes which will be given out at the convention! I'll post the winners on the 10th. We'll have a contest next week too for more prizes.

This week's prizes include a coin purse featuring the Tandy Old Clock/Old Attic art in brown leather, Nancy Drew paper dolls, and 3 mini Nancy Drew convention buttons.

Remember when commenting--they are on moderation to weed out spammers that visit this Blog, so they will be approved as I see them, so don't repeatedly post your comment if you don't see it appear right away. Thanks!

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2012 Convention Clues #10

Nancy Drew Cowgirls

Wanting some ideas for what to wear or add to your costumes at the Nancy Drew Convention? If you're going for a western theme, you can't go wrong with western belts and buckles, stylish cowboy boots and hats, a stylized western shirt, and turquoise jewelry--lots of that!

What is everyone planning on wearing to the Sat. dinner banquet?

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2012 Convention Clues #9

Dolly Steamboat Tour

Just down the road from the mysterious Goldfield Ghost Town is the Canyon Lake area which features the Dolly Steamboat! While we might not find any "ghosts" on this steamboat like Nancy Drew did on the Haunted Showboat, we will be sure to enjoy the sights on the nature cruise following our visit to the Ghost Town.

The nature cruise is about an hour and a half and you can learn more about it and view photos at their website.

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2012 Convention Clues #8

Nancy Drew - Ghost Town 

In the revision of The Secret of Shadow Ranch, Nancy and her chums visit a ghost town and find some clues to the mystery at hand. Sleuths will also get to visit a real ghost town, Goldfield Ghost Town, outside Apache Junction, AZ during the convention. Attractions at the ghost town include a mine tour, reptile exhibit, museum, railroad ride, gold panning and much more including horseback riding or carriage rides. There a plenty of shops to find souvenirs and Kachina Dolls plus a bakery, ice cream shop and general store. You can have your own wanted poster made and take old-time western photos. Sleuths will also compete in a challenge for prizes. And that's just the first part of the day...

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2012 Convention Clues #7

The Kachina Doll Mystery - Review

A Few Fast Facts

Ghostwriter: Sharon Wagner

Illustrators: Ruth Sanderson, Hector Garrido, Linda Thomas.

Synopsis: When Nancy arrives at the McGuire's fitness ranch in Arizona, she discovers that the future of the ranch is being threatened by unexplained accidents. Teaming up with a ghost, Nancy begins her search for a precious collection of ancient Kachina dolls and hunts for her elusive adversary, who is determined to prevent the ranch from operating.

Growing up, I read the Wanderer paperbacks as they came out, and was really excited to read Kachina Doll. I grew up in the Southwest, and the Indian theme with the Kachina Dolls was very familiar to me. The ghostly Kachina Doll was fascinating, especially since Nancy didn't normally believe in ghosts and there was a real ghost/Kachina spirit in this book. Now that I live out in Arizona, the setting for this book is about 35 minutes from my house and I'm thrilled to bring this book alive for Nancy Drew fans at this year's convention. The resort setting will be perfect with it's desert/Superstition Mountains backdrop. I like how the ghostwriter also worked in the gold mining aspect of the mystery since that is a huge part of the Superstitions lore.

5 Fun Things About This Book:

1. George Fayne's quote, "No ghost is safe around Nancy."

2. We learn that when someone's trying to buy your land, trickery going on might just be their handy work!

3. This is quite a meal! On a horseback ride, they eat ribs, beans--traditional baked and Mexican refried with bits of hot peppers and onions, taco chips, green mound of guacamole dip, fresh fruit and vegetables, icy soda, and Indian Fry Bread for desert with powdered sugar or honey.

4. We learn that a nightstand drawer is a terrible hiding place!

5. The barn dance with the colorful Mexican paper flowers and other decorations sounded like fun.

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2012 Convention Clues #6

Hilili - Witch Kachina

The Kachina Legend

Kachina Dolls are immensely varied and colorful and special to the Navajo and the Hopi Indians. They form the basis for the mystery in the Nancy Drew book, The Kachina Doll Mystery. You may be wondering what they are and what they symbolize.

As this site explains it, they are "They are a representation of good and of evil, they answer prayers of the people and enhance life. They are representations of the Pueblo's beloved spirits." There's more detail in the meaning of Kachinas at this site that I recommend reading.

Though it doesn't fit into our schedule this year, we visited The Heard Museum in Phoenix where they have a large collection of Kachina Dolls that are quite lovely. If you have any down time or are spending some extra time in this area, you might visit the museum--check out their website here on the Kachina collection. They also have a page on interesting Kachina Doll Facts.

For a list of Kachina Doll meanings by name, click here. In The Kachina Doll Mystery, there were 6 Kachina's mentioned that were painted in the hall at the resort, though not all were named. Those named and their meanings:

Cloud Kachina - Represents the clouds in the sky, brings moisture for the crops.

Bear Kachina - Represents great power to cure the sick.

Eagle Kachina - Represents Strength and power, carries your dreams to heaven.

Prickly Pear Cactus Kachina - Represents the spirit of the cactus.

Mudhead Kachina - Well known Kachina dolls, acts as clown.

And on the outside wall was painted the Hilili - Witch Kachina is a guard Kachina known for the shrieking call he makes.

Jenn:)