Artful Readers - January 2013

I am a bit late in posting this as we have been quite poorly here this last wee while. Anyway, better late than never!! My first book for the Artful Readers group was “A Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin. I did not enjoy the book and really struggled to get through it. I usually love anything in the fantasy genre but just couldn’t get into this at all. Then I realised I had read this book before. Not literally but it was very similar to a) the Dune series by Frank Herbert b) the Lord of the Rings books by Tolkein and c) The Galactic Milieu series by Julian May and I felt I was reading an amalgam of the three with a bit extra thrown in. I know many, many people who love these books but unfortunately I am not one of them. The book is based on a dynastic struggle for the crown of a large but divided kingdom, achieved via intrigue, murder, betrayal and even incest. Apart from the feeling of déjà vu, I found it difficult to engage on a personal level with any of the characters. The “main” character in this particular book, who is the lord of the Northern kingdom, seemed the only interesting personality but even he seemed to behave completely out of character later on in the book and then was killed off anyway so there was not much that made me feel I wanted to continue with the series and plough through another FIVE books in total (with another one to come yet I believe).

I hope you enjoy my artwork to go with the book. I am trying to master the digital program Craft Artist Professional as one of my challenges for 2013 and this piece is part of that challenge.

Lynn x

Happy New Year

WOW it can't be January already?? I haven't had any mojo recently and have been really busy - as well as my crafty space isn't in my home at the moment and I am just not creating as much as I did as most of my previous crafty time was in the evenings.

To try and counteract some of this sloth I have joined Darcy's Artful Readers Group. We chose 12 books at the beginning of the year and commit to reading one a month, do a review and make something creative based on the book. As this combines my two of my three very favourite things, how could I let the opportunity pass by lol??!

They are to be books you have not read before. Here's my 12. These are not in any order, although I confess to having already already started A Game of Thrones as this is the set book for my Book Club this month (2 birds anyone??!!).

1. A Game of Thrones - George RR Martin
2. Robots and Empire - Isaac Asimov
3. Alive - Piers Paul Read
4. Lustrum - Robert Harris
5. Sepulchre - Kate Mosse
6. The Crimson Rooms - Katherine McMahon
7. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
8. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
9. Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne
10. The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bukgalov
11. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
12. The 39 Steps - John Buchan.

I'm back!!

Helloooooo!! Well things went on for a little longer than hoped for without the telephone lol!! BT in their infinite widsom seem to take an eternity when things like new poles are required but I am now back and my crafty space is all sorted so I will be joining in in Blogland again.

Eeeek!!

Well we have had no internet for NINE WEEKS, which is why it's been so quiet on here!! It's back today and now I have no craft room as we move in just over 2 weeks. I do hope to be back creating and blogging at the end of October - first I just need to have my nervous breakdown lol!!

Cute Card Thursday #223 - Patriotic

This week on Cute Card Thursday we are going all patriotic and want to inspire the patriot in you. Tt may be a famous person from your country, a famous place/landmark, your flag, colours or just a special time of year...whatever being patriotic means to you!

We are sponsored by Tiddly Inks this week and every entrant has a chance of winning a fabby prize of a $10 gift certificate!!

I have used freebie papers from a magazine (Simply Homemade) with linen and kanban card from PDA Card and Craft. The Penny Black image is coloured with Promarkers and Copics. Flower Ribbon is by May Arts.

Cute Card Thursday #222 - Signs Here Comes Summer

 
It's absolutely torrential rain here and blowing a gale today so I sure wish the theme on this week's Cute Card Thursday comes true lol!! The DT produced some awesome summery creations and we have a fabby prize to be won too from our fabulous sponsor so please pop on over to the blog for all the details.

For this card I've used Stampin' Up card with Basic Grey papers. The Sugar Nellie image was coloured with Promarkers and Copics and I added some Windsor & Newton mica medium to her wings. The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards, the jute ribbon was from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and the other bits and bobs were freebies.

Stampsmith Challenge

The monthly theme from The Stampsmith Challenge is "Humoro(u)s Birthday". I've used "Coffee Gal" and yet again decided she is drinking tea lol!! Paper is from a Joanna Sheen pad and ribbon from the local florists.

CCT#221 - Punch Drunk!!

This week we have a nice and easy theme to use punches on your creations over on Cute Card Thursday.

I have used Prima paper and a Hanglar & Stanglar image coloured with Promarkers and Copics. The card is Kanban and Stampin' Up. The punches are Martha Stewart and EK Success and the sentiment is K&Co.

Gothic Arches

It's the last challenge for a while on Gothic Arches and the theme is "Tailor's Shop". I have used DCWV paper, Chocolate Baroque, Prima and Stampin' Up stamps and a Butterick pattern to make the flower.

CCT#220 - Water

Thursday again which means a new theme on Cute Card Thursday. This week we would like to see some water on your creation - simples!!

I have coloured this Magnolia Tilda stamp with Promarkers and used Nestabilities to make the shaker card. The papers are Imaginisce and sentiment is Stampin' Up. I used my Slice to make the other little embellishments. Some Waco pearls finish it off.

CCT#219 - Planes, Trains & Automobiles

It's Thursday(gosh!!) so it's time for a new theme from Cute Card Thursday. This week we want to see your creations using "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"!! Great theme!!

I have used freebie magazine papers and this lovely Penny Black stamp which I have coloured with a mixture of Distress Markers and Promarkers. Not so keen on the Distress Markers straight to paper for colouring but thought I would give it a try.

Please do pop on over to the blog for all the DT's lovely creations and details of this week's fabby sponsor and prize.
 

Gothic Arches - Carnivale

It's new theme time on Gothic Arches and this time it's "Carnivale". Any medium is welcome and we love seeing all the different interpretations of the theme!! I created this using Craft Artist Professional. Getting to grips slowly with this amazing software .

CCT#218 - Pink & Green

It's been a few weeks since I last joined in with the challenge on Cute Card Thursday as I've not had much "cute" mojo recently but for this week's theme of "Pink & Green" I immediately thought of this K&Co paper which is one of my absolute favourites and all of a sudden I couldn't wait to make something!!

I have covered a little notebook with the paper and also used some SU card and flower ribbon. I have also used a Bildamalarna stamp coloured with Promarkers and a little butterfly embellishment from Calico Crafts. The bow is from Wild Orchid Crafts. I used the same paper, card and bow for the large "Tic Tac" cover, as well as a Martha Stewart punch.

 

Thingamabob!!

We just had a swap on UK Stampers to use up a "Thingamabob". You know, the little thing you bought or saved and thought "I'll use that one day". The day came lol!!

I bought a set of two little papier mache books ages ago and decided the smaller one would make an excellent little Olde Curiosity Shoppe so I painted it with acrylics inside and out, cut a window and put acetate in it before making curtains out of velvet ribbon. The stamps are all from Graphic 45 apart from the window which is Lost Coast Designs. I stuck on a shelf and made some hinges. The little bottles are filled with glitter and alcohol inks and I filled a little blank frame with a vintage photo before filling it with Crystal Lacquer. I also used a couple of charms.

I wish I had put some "wallpaper" behind it now of the opulent velveteen embossed kind. Ah well, there's always next time - although I am happy to say that the recipient seems really pleased with it as it is!!

Lynn xx

Stampsmith Challenge - Sketch

 

There is a sketch to follow this month on the The Stampsmith Challenge Blog. I have used this lovely scene from the film "Gone With the Wind" with Basic Grey papers and SU Card. The sentiment is a DoCrafts stamp from years ago.

Lynn xx