Reading Challenge:

I was trying to read a dystopian novel this week,  just couldn't get into it.  So I decided to read a "self improvement" book.  I did a search on Goodreads and came across The 52 Weeks.  When reading the description I could completely relate to being "stuck" in life, feeling stagnant.  So, I gave it a go.  Honestly, there is no new advice, it is all stuff we know; however, the fact that they actually DID IT and wrote about it is what makes it a good read.  The two authors try new things, reconnect with old interests, and create new habits.  I enjoyed it so much that I was inspired to create my own list.                                             

~Marie

Faux Cloisonne Cards

Scout & Jax...Mini Australian/
Border Collie mix 

So, I have not had a lot of crafting time in the past couple weeks because of these two.  Yes, we got two puppies..or I should say my husband surprised us with these two.  While they are adorable, and I know they will grow out of this baby stage, I do not suggest getting two puppies when you are trying to sell your house.  What a feat to get these two gathered up, then harness Thor, our older dog, and get out the door for buyers to look.  

I am finally getting them on a bit of a schedule and am starting to have a bit of time.  So, I decided to join in a swap.  It was a technique swap, we had to create a card using the Faux Cloisonne technique.  I have been wanting to try this one, so it was perfect timing.  I loved it!  I will definitely do it again.  

The aqua flowers were a mountain sky, the dark blue are from a night city scape, and the magenta are from an ad for raisins.

The technique is really quite simple, heat emboss on glossy magazine pages and then "fussy cut" your images.  Well, I actually cheated a bit, I used a set from Stampin' Up (flower shop) that had a matching punch...so "no fussy" cutting for me.  This, of course, made it much faster.  The fun was seeing how the images would come out from the various pages.I kept the backgrounds simple so the flowers were the focal points.  I did add centers to the flowers...gotta have a little bling!  

I will definitely keep this technique in my repertoire and I will be looking at magazines in a whole new way!

Thanks for looking!

~Marie

Reading Challenge: 2nd Quarter Off to a Good Start!

I am so ahead for this 2nd quarter!  Barely a month in and I have already read 3 books.  This week  I only planned to read "a book that will bring you joy", but I ended up also do the "book you can read in 1 day".  Both were by my favorite author, Richard Paul Evans.  I read The Mistletoe Promise and The Mistletoe Inn.  

 This was an extremely fast read, but his books usually are for me.  It is a lovely Christmas story filled with Evans' usually optimism and great characters.  




Initially I was a bit disappointed when I realized this was not a "part 2" to the first book, but I quickly got over that as I began meeting the new characters for this story.  Another well written, fun read.  

I am now reading a "dystopian novel".  I have to say, this genre is really not my thing, but....I decided to read something that I managed to avoid reading is high school, but thought I might appreciate at this age.  

What are you reading?

~Marie

Sorry

Quick share today...this is a card I made for a far away friend who recently lost her beloved dog, Oreo.  I am not sure where the image is from, it was in my stash.  After coloring it with my Prismacolor pencils, I added Glossy Accents to his nose and eyes.  I used scrap from my stash for the card, added some black baker's twine, and a paw punch.  I think he is adorable.  What do you think?

Thanks for looking!

~Marie

Reading Challenge: Update

So, I have not updated in awhile.  Life is a little crazy, but I have manged to reach my quarterly goal for the reading challenge...10 books in 3 months.  

Since my last update I have read:  

*  Through the Looking Glass - book more than 100 years older than you
*  Drowning Ruth - book fro Oprah's Book club
*  Love Life - book written by a celebrity

I am going to give you a brief thought on each...

Through the Looking Glass - thank goodness it was short...did not enjoy it, took me a week to read this short book.  Just too strange, not my cup of tea.

Drowning Ruth - I was really looking forward to reading this book after the other reviews,; however, I personally found it to be rather anti-climatic and would not recommend.  There was great detail and character building, but I just felt like it went no where.

Love Life - I read Rob Lowe's first book, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, and thoroughly enjoyed it. This one was just as enjoyable. Some of the other reviews felt he bounced around, I liked that as it felt like you were in a conversation...who ever stays on one subject when having a chat with a friend?  I also like his sharing about
his son leaving for college, very touching for me since my son is graduation from high school this year.  

I have already picked my next book, one by my favorite author and will fulfill the  "book that's guaranteed to bring you joy".  I will tell you about it next week.

So, what are you reading?  Any suggestions?

~Marie