Greetings!

Hi! I'm Molly Patton, a writer and artist from Portland, Oregon.

I have written/published two books:

Caitlin the Magnificent (Caitlin Bradley #1) (2020) is a novel for kids ages 6-10. For more information and to find out how to purchase it, click here!

Just South Of Normal (2010) is a YA novel and is aimed at readers 12 and up. To find out more, or to learn how to get your own copy, click here!

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LINKS GALORE
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BLOGS

My main blog is Gen Y-er On The Loose, at pdxtra.blogspot.com. Topics include: life, books, travel, vintage magazines, movies, humor, LEGO builds, and lots more! I've been running this for over a decade, so there's a lot to see there.

If "old stuff from the past" is more your thing, check out Yoretown, at yoretown.blogspot.com. Old yearbooks, found journals, vintage photos, creepy antiques... if it's old and slightly dusty, it's probably there.

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ETSY

https://www.etsy.com/shop/yoretown/

I've had an etsy shop since 2015. "Vintage treasures & fun for the whole family" is the tagline, and that's what I try to offer! 

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INSTAGRAM

@yoretown is my primary account, and I post a lot of different images... some color, some vintage, some odd.

@MoMakesStuffUp is my dedicated LEGO-related account.

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FACEBOOK

Keep informed on all my latest writing-related news on my FB group... here! (If that link doesn't work, search for "Molly Patton Writes Books & Stuff" on Facebook.)

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YOUTUBE

Molly Makes Stuff Up is my LEGO vlog -- set reviews, build show-offs, how-to's and more.

MylaEllison is where you'll find most of my old Sims videos, including my 2007-2011 web series, Ella, More Or Less.

Alligator Juice is a channel where I used to post old commercials and TV things. Unfortunately, I no longer have access to it, but there's some fun stuff to be seen there.

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OTHER THINGS

Yoretown.tumblr.com/ -- Vintage photos that I have bought or found... digitized and posted for your amusement.

I have two Flickr accounts for LEGO photos. This is the link to the old one (no longer updated) and here is the link to the newer one!

Anne Of Green Brick Gables - The classic story... but illustrated with LEGO!

Playing Around Portland - A personal photography project in which I take abstract photos at (mostly) local playgrounds.

A Digital Portfolio Of Some Of My Art - Exactly what it says!

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RECENT NEWS

I've had the privilege of guesting on the Christmas-themed podcast Advent Calendar House, hosted by Mike Westfall, twice in the past year....

Raggedy Ann and Andy In The Great Santa Claus Caper (1978). Yes, the special is exactly as bonkers as its title suggests, and we lovingly tear it to bits. Podcast episode released 12/14/21. Hosted by Mike Westfall. Also guesting: Adam Pope.

Family Ties: A Keaton Christmas Carol (1983). One of those Family Ties episodes I saw as a kid and my brain never totally forgot. Plenty of BTTF references, even though it came out 2 years before BTTF? Podcast episode released 7/3/22. Hosted by Mike Westfall. Also guesting: Joey O.

I recently contributed two articles to BrickNerd, a LEGO blog -- one about about finding cheap LEGO in the wild, and the other about the history of LEGO horses.

Caitlin The Magnificent (a Kids Novel)

Meet Caitlin Bradley. She's a little sister, a big sister, and a twin. She's also a feisty third grader with a big imagination! Whether she's trying to win the school reading contest, attempting to become Student of the Month, or agreeing to be a junior bridesmaid in her big sister's wedding, Caitlin will have plenty of opportunities this year to do what she does best - shine!

About Caitlin

Name: Caitlin Marey Bradley

Age: 8½

Siblings: Ella, Oliver and Emmie

Pets: One cat, Cocoa

Likes: Reading, playing pretend, being the center of attention.

Dislikes: Chores, school fundraisers, being ignored.

Favorite Foods: Chocolate cake and brownies, hamburgers, chips, and watermelon.

Caitlin & Oliver

Caitlin and Oliver are twins, but they have different interests and different friends. Both kids like sports, but Caitlin likes baseball and soccer best, while Oliver prefers basketball. Another big difference between the two is that Caitlin loves being the center of attention, and Oliver would rather not be in the spotlight. Sometimes Caitlin feels jealous of Oliver because he has an easier time making new friends.

Come along with Caitlin as she journeys through a crazy, surprising, and sometimes magnificent third grade year!

Caitlin The Magnificent 

Caitlin Bradley #1 

(2020)

Released May 10, 2020!

Recommended Ages: 6-12

Approximate Reading Level: 3.5

The paperback is now available on Amazon!

Or get a digital copy instead, also on Amazon!

Want to stay updated on the series? Join my Facebook group, or just bookmark this website!

Just South Of Normal (A Novel)

a novel 

by Molly Patton

It's official -- everyone in Ivony's world is going crazy.

Her dad's getting remarried.

Her neighbor keeps harassing her to babysit for her two bratty kids.

Her 4-year-old sister is showing early signs of delinquency.

And her two best friends? They've decided to start dating -- each other.

It's not easy being seventeen. Senioritis is no joke. 

If Ivony somehow makes it through this coming year alive, she'll be shocked.

And maybe a little smarter.

Possibly even a little stronger.

Just as long as all this weirdness doesn't send her completely over the edge!

Ages 12+

Get The Paperback

Amazon.com

Lulu.com

Get A Digital Copy

Barnes & Noble/Nook

Amazon.com

Also available on iTunes!

About Me

I was born in 1980. Since I was very small, I've loved to create things. These days, my interests include writing, photography, drawing, playing the piano, LEGO, and other forms of art.

I have a mom, a younger brother, a sister-in-law, three nieces (b. 2014, 2017 & 2020) and a cat named Maya Mayĺ. I live in Oregon.

From 1998 to about 2002, I attended Mt. Hood Community College and earned my associates' degree in general studies. In 2001, I transferred to Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon, where I earned a B.S. in Humanities in 2003, with a writing minor.

While attending Mt. Hood, I was a part-time nanny for an adorable baby boy who is now all grown up. While at WOU, I worked as a notetaker and reader of books onto tapes for people with disabilities. 
From 2003 to 2007 I worked at an elementary school as a teacher's assistant, dealing with kindergartners and sixth graders and every age in between. In 2006, I started nannying again. I spent the 2006-2007 school year taking care of three elementary-aged children. In late 2007 I nannied for my cousin's baby boy in Seattle. In January of 2008, I returned to the elementary school. I was there for two more years, then went to work at a middle school for a few months. I then spent another six months back at the elementary school (ping-pong ball much?) Then in 2011, I was hired at another elementary school, and I was there until 2015, at which point I returned to the first elementary school. I stayed there for 6 years, then transferred to yet another elementary school in 2022. 
I have many creative projects going on at any given time. In July of 2010, I published my first novel, Just South Of Normal! Eight years in the making, I was really happy to finally see it in print! My most recent novel is called Caitlin The Magnificent, and it was released in May, 2020. I hope it will be the first of several in a series.
From 2007 to 2011 I wrote/directed/voiced a web series called Ella, More Or Less. I went through a phase of taking abstract photographs at playgrounds and I posted them on yet another website of mine: Playing Around Portland. These days I build a lot of things out of LEGO, many of which can be found here. If you want to stay informed of my latest exploits, be sure to read My Blog!

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Favorite Movies: The Back to the Future trilogy, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Peter Pan, Titanic, Pollyanna, Mary Poppins, The Parent Trap, Candleshoe, The Goonies, The Princess Bride, The Boy Who Could Fly, Flight of the Navigator, The Wedding Singer, Ever After, Pride & Prejudice, Little Women, My Girl 1 & 2, The Lord of the Rings, Dear Frankie, and Anne Of Green Gables

Favorite TV Shows: Lois & Clark, The Pretender, Wonderfalls, Mystery Science Theater 3000,  Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Community, Full House, The Office (US), DuckTales, Robin Hood, Extras, Quantum Leap, Call The Midwife, Merlin, Rick Steves' Europe, Jeopardy, We Bare Bears, The Good Place, The Queen's Gambit

Favorite Actors/Actresses: Drew Barrymore, Robby Benson, Gerard Butler, Anna Chlumsky, Kevin Costner, Caroline Dhavernas, Chris Evans, Colin Firth, Megan Follows, Harrison Ford, Jodie Foster, Michael J. Fox, Sarah Polley, Natalie Portman, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane

Favorite Musical Score Artists: Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard, Cliff Eidelman, Jay Gruska

Books I love: Just as Long as We're Together, Tiger Eyes, and Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself, by Judy Blume; Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson; Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine; Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli; the Harry Potter series; Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery; From The Mixed-Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsberg; Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Books I loved as a kid: Beverly Cleary books, The Baby-Sitters Club, Sleepover Friends, Sweet Valley Twins, Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry

Favorite Games: Roller Coaster Tycoon, The Sims, Paper Mario, Mario Kart, Rock Band, the Nancy Drew PC games, LEGO Harry Potter and Indiana Jones.

Ella, More Or Less

Ella, More Or Less was a Youtube-based web series about a teenage girl named Ella Bradley. The first episode premiered in 2007 and the last full episode was produced in 2011.

When the series began,15-year-old Ella's family had just expanded with the arrival of twin baby siblings, Caitlin and Oliver. Her parents had bought a new house in a new neighborhood... right next door to a cute guy named Gray (who Ella developed an instant crush on) and his geeky younger brother, Gus, who soon became Ella's best friend. Over time, Ella and Gus became more than just friends! 

Other characters on the show included:

*Bethany, Ella's younger and sometimes-annoying cousin (see episodes 3, 5, and 7)
*Kacey, a classmate whom Ella befriended in episode 8 (first introduced in episode 4)
*Burk, the school jerk (see episodes 2, 4, 8, and 9)

Filmed using the The Sims 2, and edited with Ulead VideoStudio 7 and Pinnacle Studio 12 Ultimate, Ella was one of the first Sims series to use voiceovers instead of subtitles. The episodes were between six and ten minutes long, and there were episodes are 14 in all, plus many vlogs (mini-episodes told from Ella's perspective.) 

Unlike many "animated" TV series, the characters on Ella aged in real-time. When the series began, Ella was at the tail end of her 9th grade year. Three-odd years later, Ella and Gus were off to college. Caitlin and Oliver, who were infants when the show began, are in elementary school, now. And there was yet another new addition to the family in 2011.

Though I have no plans to make any more episodes, Ella's story continues in my new "Caitlin Bradley" book series, the first of which is now available! For more info, click here!

And now for the episodes & vlogs...

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Below you will find all the Ella, More Or Less episodes that were produced. The most recent episode is listed first, then the next-most-recent, and so on.

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Ella's Most Recent Vlogs:

Vlog #10 - October 15, 2012
Vlog #9 - August 1, 2012
Vlog #8 - June 25, 2012

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Ella's Blog - Read about Ella's adventures during the summer of 2012!

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Episode 14: All In The Family


View Episode

After finishing her first year of college, Ella is feeling pretty grown up -- but is she ready to hear what Gus has in mind for their future? 

Added: 29 October 2011
 

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Episode 13: Everyone, More Or Less

View Episode

Ella and her friends and family members all had very different experiences over the summer of 2010 -- some exciting, some embarrassing, some just plain bizarre.

Added: 23 November 2010

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Ella's 2009-2010 Vlogs:

Vlog #7 - May 29, 2010
Vlog #6 - April 20, 2010
Vlog #5 - April 3, 2010
Vlog #4 - February 8, 2010
Vlog #3 - February 1, 2010
Vlog #2 - January 2, 2010
Vlog #1 - December 21, 2009

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Episode 12: The Truth


View Episode

It's the moment of truth: Ella is at Gus's house, just minutes away from letting him in on her true feelings. How will he react? Will he feel the same way? And should she even bother to tell him, or should she make a run for it while she still can? 

They say the truth will set you free, but what if it just makes everything more complicated? 

Added: 31 October 2009

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Episode 11: Just Between Us


View Episode

It's been a few months since Ella first realized she had a crush on Gus, and things haven't been the same since. First off, it's totally awkward trying to talk to him, now. To make matters worse, a new girl -- Alyssa -- has caught Gus's attention, and Ella and Gus have started to drift apart. Her other friends keep encouraging Ella to tell Gus how she feels about him, but can she do it? Will she? 

Added: 18 June 2009
 

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Episode 10: Winter Wonderland


View Episode

The Holidays are here again, and although Gus is spending Christmas in another city, Ella has plenty to be happy about -- especially when a surprise snowfall arrives on Christmas morning. But it soon becomes apparent that the snow has no intention of stopping, and before long it's sending Ella's mood plummeting. Plagued with an acute case of cabin fever, Ella is desperate for something to get her mind off her boredom. And before long, it settles on a certain someone... 

Added: 24 January 2009

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Episode 9: Brotherly Love


View Episode

One day in October, Kacey and Gus bombard Ella with separate pieces of bad news. Well... bad news for Ella, at least. As more of life's inevitable changes come her way, Ella prepares to deal... and prepares to make some possible changes of her own. 

Added: 16 October 2008
 

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Episode 8: In My Life


View Episode

In the midst of dealing with the academic nightmare known as "group projects," Ella makes a new friend, Kacey. But when Ella chooses to hang out with Kacey instead of Gus one Saturday, Gus gets upset, and Ella feels guilty. She wants this new friendship to work, but she doesn't want to lose what she already has. Is it possible to have both friendships, or will that just make life too complicated?

Added: 19 June 2008
 

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Episode 7: How I Spent My Spring Vacation


View Episode

The Bradleys head to Lake Meriwether for spring break, bringing along Ella's cousin Bethany. Ella's not thrilled about Bethany coming, but she figures at least she'll have someone to hang out with, since her parents are always so busy with the twins. But when Bethany makes a new friend at the lake, and starts spending all her time with her, Ella is jealous and lonely. Why is it so easy for some people to make friends? Why is it so hard for Ella? Well... maybe it's not as difficult as she thinks! 

Added: 28 March 2008

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Episode 6: The Year Without A Christmas Tree


View Episode

It's Christmastime! The lights are up, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is out on the lawn (okay, so he's been there since October), and the presents are bought and wrapped. There's just one problem: the Bradleys don't have a Christmas tree! At least not a good one. Tiny, pathetic plastic trees don't count. Ella's parents have their reasons for the treelessness, but as far as Ella's concerned, Christmas is ruined. Or is it? 

Added: 31 December 2007
 

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Episode 5: Thanks For Nothing


View Episode

Thanksgiving is no simple holiday. Before the big day, the house gets an overhaul, Ella's mom dives into a cleaning frenzy (and drags an unenthusiastic Ella along with her), and somewhere out there, an unsuspecting turkey is plucked for the cause. Then there's T-Day itself, in which Ella's bratty Bradley cousins make Bethany look like a little angel. Ah, nothing quite like family get-togethers to drive a person bonkers!

Added: 22 November 2007
 

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Episode 4: Bad Day


View Episode

It's the first day of school, and nothing is going right for Ella. In fact, things couldn't get much worse. Gus is sick, Burk the Jerk is jerkier than ever, and school is boring and trivial (like THAT's unusual!) But no matter how bad today is, tomorrow is a brand new day. So it's bound to better -- right? 

Added: 29 October 2007

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Episode 3: Space Invasion


View Episode

When Ella's mom announces that Ella's 7-year-old cousin is going to be staying with them for a week, Ella doesn't think much of it. That's before she learns Bethany will be invading her bedroom! This second-grade terror bounces on beds, shakes her booty at any given opportunity, and won't stop bugging Ella. And when Ella's mom won't stick a Return To Sender stamp on Bethany, Ella enlists the help of the one person who might be able to restore her mood.

Added: 26 August 2007

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Episode 2: Ella's Wild Ride


View Episode

After she has an embarrassing dream about Gus, the last thing Ella wants is to have to face him. But no matter how hard she tries, she can't seem to avoid him. Gus really wants to be Ella's friend, but Ella's still sensitive, due to friendships gone awry in her past. She agrees to join Gus for a Saturday at the Fun Center because she expects Gus's brother ("the hot guy") to be there too. The day turns out to be full of surprises -- and possible changes of heart. 

Added: 3 July 2007
 

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Episode 1: New Girl Meets Boy


View Episode

Ella Bradley, age 15, has faced a lot of changes in the past few years. Her family (which grew from three members to five in February when "the twins" were born) has just moved into a new house -- their fifth move in three years. But this place is different. For one thing, there's a hot guy living next door, who Ella has a great view of via her telescope (though not for long!) And then there's the hot guy's brother, Gus. He seems like a total geek, but first impressions can be deceiving... 

Added: 4 June 2007

Entertainment Encounters

ENTERTAINMENT ENCOUNTERS

(I like to keep track. You're allowed to think I'm strange.)

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Writers I have met or seen in real life: Bruce Campbell, Chelsea Cain, Dave Barry, Heather Vogel Frederick, Karen Karbo, Lois Lowry, Mavis Tofte, Meg Cabot, Patricia Reilly Giff, Ridley Pearson, and Will Vinton.

Actors/Celebrities I have met or seen in real life:

(At conventions): Adam Baldwin, Allison Paige, Amber Benson, Ashley Clements, Cary Elwes, Chris Sarandon, Christina Ricci, Christopher Sean, Dan Fogler, Daniel V. Gordh, Devon Murray, Ellie Darcey-Alden, George Takei, James Hong, James Phelps, Jason Isaacs, Laura Spencer, Mary Kate Wiles, Matthew Lewis, Maxwell Glick, Michael Rosenbaum, Nina Senicar, Oliver Phelps, Phil Brown, Scarlett Byrne, Summer Glau, Tom Welling, Wallace Shawn, Wes Aderhold

(On sets:) Alexa Davalos, Billy Burke, Chris Powell, Christian Kane, David Giuntoli, Dom Deluise, Erika Marozsan, Eva LaRue, Greg Kinnear, Kristen Stewart, Nancy Travis, Reggie Lee, Robert Pattinson, Russell Hornsby, Sasha Roiz, Toby Hemingway

(Kids In The Hall Show:) Bruce McCulloch, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson

(Wheel Of Fortune taping:) Pat Sajak, Vanna White

(Rifftrax! Live taping:) Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, Michael J. Nelson, Trace Beaulieu (he was in the audience!)

(Other:) Armin Shimerman, Bruce Campbell, Corey Feldman, Curtis Hanson, Dean Cain, Jeff Cohen, Jesse Eisenberg, Joe Pantoliano, Lea Thompson, Teri Hatcher

Autographed photos of: Alan Young, Courtney Peldon, Dean Cain, Jamie Denton, Megan Follows, Christina Ricci, Beverly Garland, K Callan, Phyllis Coates

Live Concerts: Steven Curtis Chapman (1997), Billy Joel (2007), REO Speedwagon/Loverboy (2013), Big Daddy Weave/Citizen Way/Lauren Daigle/Jason Gray (2015), Jeremy Camp/Mercy Me (2016), Weird Al (2019)

Musicals & Plays I've Seen: Absurd Person Singular, The Addams Family, Aladdin, Anne & Gilbert - The Island Love Story (x2), Anne Of Green Gables: The Musical, Back To The Future, Beauty and the Beast (x5), Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, Frozen, Guys & Dolls, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe (x2), Love Letters, Mary Poppins, The Miracle Worker, My Fair Lady, Once Upon A Mattress, Persuasion, Peter Pan, The Phantom of the Opera, She Loves Me, The Sound Of Music, Wicked. 

Awards & Nominations

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

OREGON STATE FAIR RIBBONS 

2010

3rd Place - LEGO Creations, Original Design - Adults, 5+ Years

People's Choice Award for LEGO creations - September 3rd
Made In Oregon

3rd Place - Scrapbook, Single Page - Fair Theme - 5+ Years Experience

2nd Place - Scrapbook Double Page Design - 5+ Years Experience

2011

1st Place - Building Blocks, Original Design (Lego + One Other Type) - Adults, 5+ Years

Best In Class - Building Blocks/Lego - Adult Division

Special Award - Building Blocks/Lego for Grandma's House

3rd Place - Scrapbook, Single Page - Fair Theme - 5+ Years Experience

2013

1st Place - Building Blocks, Original Design  - Adults, 5+ Years
There Was An Old Lady Who Lived In A Shoe

LEGO CONVENTIONS

2012: 

Bricks Cascade, Portland

BrickCon, Seattle
101 Bricks Winner

2013: 

Bricks Cascade, Portland

BrickCon, Seattle

2014: 

Bricks Cascade, Portland
1-Handed Speed Build Winner

Bricks By The Bay, Santa Clara
Honorable Mention for Brown Bear Goes For A Stroll

2015: 

Bricks Cascade, Portland

2016: 

Bricks Cascade, Portland

BrickCon, Seattle
Master Build Qualifier (Top 20)

2017: 

Bricks Cascade, Portland
Trophy for Cascadia By Train (Art/Collab)

BrickCon, Seattle
Master Build Qualifier (Top 20)
Honorable Mention for "Details in a Small MOC" for American Kitchens

2018: 

Bricks Cascade, Portland
Master Build Winner
Trophy for Doll House (Art/Collab)
Trophy for American Kitchens (Architecture/Interiors)

BrickCan, Vancouver, B.C.
101 Bricks - 2nd Place
Master Build Honorable Mention

BrickCon, Seattle



2019:

Bricks Cascade, Portland

BrickCan, Vancouver, B.C.

2020:

Bricks Cascade, Portland
99 Bricks Winner

BrickCan (virtual)

BrickCon (virtual)

Master Build Unlimited Winner

2021:

BrickCan (virtual)

BrickCon (virtual)

2022:

Bricks Cascade, Portland

BrickCan (virtual)

BrickCon (virtual)

2023:

BrickCan 

BrickCan Yourself photo winner (1 of 3)

Bricks Cascade, Portland

2024:

Bricks Cascade, Portland

Honorable Mention for Antiques

BrickCon, Seattle

Master Build Qualifier

Also...

I participated in nanowrimo in 2005. And subsequently vowed "never again."