October 31, 2013
Red Sox Nation
'Tis a beautiful day in the Red Sox Nation neighborhood. Congrats Sox! Great game. First world series win at home since 1918? Priceless.
Journal page
Happy Halloween! I was flipping through magazines by Stampington & Company recently (I don't recall which ones exactly), and saw an article on Halloween costumes. Something about this face called to me.
Pen and watercolors.
Pen and watercolors.
October 30, 2013
Family time
I had dinner with my brother and his family the other night. My nephew, Jonah, decided to try on my reading glasses. His verdict: Hey, they make the letters closer. Indeed they do.
A collage of some of the pics taken that evening:
October 29, 2013
World Book Night 2014
April 23, 2014 is the date next year, and I just applied to be a giver. Are you one?
You can see the book selection and apply to be a giver here.
You can see the book selection and apply to be a giver here.
October 27, 2013
Project Life 2013: Week 42
This is week 42 and I continue to love this project. And just like that I am all caught up. I really think the key for me is that I am doing this digitally. As much as I love the tactile sense of papers, if I had to print photos every week I would have given up on this project a long time ago. This week captures some of why I love Boston. As always, click on images to view larger.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background papery by Katie. Heart element by Tina. Brad element by HDillon. Sox and Boston cards from the web.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background papery by Katie. Heart element by Tina. Brad element by HDillon. Sox and Boston cards from the web.
October 25, 2013
She Who Tells a Story @ Boston MFA
From the promo of my current fave exhibit at the Boston MFA:
Boushra Almutawakel’s series ‘Mother, Daughter, Doll’ visually protests the covering of young women and the trend toward black veils in her native Yemen. The fading smiles of mother and daughter correspond to the disappearance of their colorful clothing from one picture to the next.
October 24, 2013
Project Life 2013: Week 41
This is week 41 and I continue to love this project. I am a week behind, but have decided to not sweat it. Simply catch up as I can. Delights this week included rescuing my Nook STR, and working on a new travel journal for Sri Lanka. As always, click on images to view larger.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background papery by Moi. Love this story element by Ali. Create element by GauchoGirl. Journal strip by Shabby Princess. Sport team cards from the web.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background papery by Moi. Love this story element by Ali. Create element by GauchoGirl. Journal strip by Shabby Princess. Sport team cards from the web.
October 21, 2013
Recent Reads
111. Alternative Art Journals
If you keep art journals and are interested in some of the ways you could create outside the book format, this book has some interesting ideas. I guess I was expecting more information on alternative journals than this book conveyed however. There were too many sections on page prepping, etc. However if you are a beginner art journaler, this might be just the introduction you need. Rating: 2 stars.
112. When Memory Dies
I'm headed to Sri Lanka in a month, and I am so glad that I picked this book to read pre-trip. The story of this island nation unfolds through the lives of three generations of a family, from Colonial times to almost up to present day. This is not a fast read, and is often depressing, disturbing, and heart breaking. But then given the civil war that ravaged the nation, that is to be expected. I learned much about the political, economic, social, and racial landscape, and have had vivid dreams the entire time I was reading this book. Not pleasant ones either. Would recommend this book to those visiting Sri Lanka, or anyone trying to get a handle on some of the island's history and culture. To quote the author: When memory dies, a people die. Rating: 5 stars.
113. Fables, Vol. 3: Storybook Love
This is book #3 in the Fables graphic novel series, and I actually liked this one more than the first two. The multiple story lines are more interesting, and you get to know the characters better. Spending time with some of my fave story characters in a non-fairy-tale setting is quite fun. And Goldilocks! What happened to that girl? As an aside, this is not a series for the young end of YA as many of the themes and content would not be appropriate. I've got the next one in the series ready to go. Rating: 4 stars.
114. Joyland
Let me first say that I am a Stephen King fan. His books have made me laugh, cry, and scared me so much that I've had to sleep with all the lights on. I get emotionally involved. I am invested in the characters. I inhabit a different world while reading his stories. This one though just did not work as well for me. The book is set in an old style amusement park, one that sells fun, and it is a coming of age story for 21 year old Devin Jones. While I enjoyed the carnie talk, the murder mystery, and the ghost angle, I was not invested. Not in the characters. Not in the story. I listened to the audio version wonderfully narrated by Michael Kelly, and might have actually given the book a star less if I had read the print version. Rating: 2 stars.
115. The Gryphon
This is the first book in the second Griffin and Sabine trilogy, and it changes how I interpreted the ending of the first trilogy. The story introduces us to two more characters and two new locations. The art is wonderful, and I loved the addition of additional ephemera, but overall was not as captivated with this story as the first trilogy. That being said, I do plan on reading to the end of the series. A tip: Compare Sabine's and Griffin's handwriting in this book. What does it tell you? Rating: 3 stars.
If you keep art journals and are interested in some of the ways you could create outside the book format, this book has some interesting ideas. I guess I was expecting more information on alternative journals than this book conveyed however. There were too many sections on page prepping, etc. However if you are a beginner art journaler, this might be just the introduction you need. Rating: 2 stars.
112. When Memory Dies
I'm headed to Sri Lanka in a month, and I am so glad that I picked this book to read pre-trip. The story of this island nation unfolds through the lives of three generations of a family, from Colonial times to almost up to present day. This is not a fast read, and is often depressing, disturbing, and heart breaking. But then given the civil war that ravaged the nation, that is to be expected. I learned much about the political, economic, social, and racial landscape, and have had vivid dreams the entire time I was reading this book. Not pleasant ones either. Would recommend this book to those visiting Sri Lanka, or anyone trying to get a handle on some of the island's history and culture. To quote the author: When memory dies, a people die. Rating: 5 stars.
113. Fables, Vol. 3: Storybook Love
This is book #3 in the Fables graphic novel series, and I actually liked this one more than the first two. The multiple story lines are more interesting, and you get to know the characters better. Spending time with some of my fave story characters in a non-fairy-tale setting is quite fun. And Goldilocks! What happened to that girl? As an aside, this is not a series for the young end of YA as many of the themes and content would not be appropriate. I've got the next one in the series ready to go. Rating: 4 stars.
114. Joyland
Let me first say that I am a Stephen King fan. His books have made me laugh, cry, and scared me so much that I've had to sleep with all the lights on. I get emotionally involved. I am invested in the characters. I inhabit a different world while reading his stories. This one though just did not work as well for me. The book is set in an old style amusement park, one that sells fun, and it is a coming of age story for 21 year old Devin Jones. While I enjoyed the carnie talk, the murder mystery, and the ghost angle, I was not invested. Not in the characters. Not in the story. I listened to the audio version wonderfully narrated by Michael Kelly, and might have actually given the book a star less if I had read the print version. Rating: 2 stars.
115. The Gryphon
This is the first book in the second Griffin and Sabine trilogy, and it changes how I interpreted the ending of the first trilogy. The story introduces us to two more characters and two new locations. The art is wonderful, and I loved the addition of additional ephemera, but overall was not as captivated with this story as the first trilogy. That being said, I do plan on reading to the end of the series. A tip: Compare Sabine's and Griffin's handwriting in this book. What does it tell you? Rating: 3 stars.
October 20, 2013
I ❤ Beantown
The Boston Book Festival.
The Red Sox beat the Tigers at Fenway to advance to the World Series.
The Head of the Charles.
All the same weekend in Boston. And the icing on the cake is that we are having glorious Fall weather as well.
October 18, 2013
Autumn on the water
We are having a lovely fall this year.
So love this time of year.
Warm days and cool nights. With a lovely moonrise this evening.
October 16, 2013
The Science of Happiness - An Experiment in Gratitude
Soul Pancake makes the world a better place one video at a time.
If the embedded video does not work, click here.
If the embedded video does not work, click here.
October 15, 2013
Recent Reads
107. Doodlebug
I came home with a large bag of books from my library sale, and this was one in the stack. Dodo is diagnosed with ADD, and has been expelled from school. And if that was not bad enough, her Dad has a new job and the family needs to move from Los Angeles to San Francisco. To keep her amused during the move, Dodo is given a sketchbook and a pen, and she finds a new passion - doodling and journaling. She chronicles the challenges of the move, a new school and making new friends. This graphic novel's pages are full of "handwritten" text and doodles, and will resonate with middle grade kids who find they do not fit in for whatever reason. Rating: 3 stars.
108. Salt Sugar Fat
Book blurb: From a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter at The New York Times comes the explosive story of the rise of the processed food industry and its link to the emerging obesity epidemic. Michael Moss reveals how companies use salt, sugar, and fat to addict us and, more important, how we can fight back.
I started reading about food several years ago, and have been startled by how little we know about the foods we eat, or how our bodies react to them. This gem of a book complements my understanding from a different angle - the processed food industry and the marketing of convenience foods. Illuminating, disturbing, and life changing. The audio is well narrated by Scott Brick, and I would recommend this book to anyone who eats. Rating: 5 stars.
109. Sabine's Notebook
This is the second book in the Griffin and Sabine trilogy, and I would highly recommend reading all three of these visual novels back to back. There are clues all over the place people, so don't rush through. My love affair with mail art continued as I poured over the postcards and letters. I think the less you know about the story the better it unfolds, so quit reading this review and just dive in. Rating: 4 stars.
110. The Golden Mean
This is the final book in the Griffin and Sabine trilogy, and I would highly recommend reading all three of these visual novels back to back. Love how this story unfolds. Am checking my mailbox now to see if I got a postcard from a stranger .... Rating: 4 stars.
I came home with a large bag of books from my library sale, and this was one in the stack. Dodo is diagnosed with ADD, and has been expelled from school. And if that was not bad enough, her Dad has a new job and the family needs to move from Los Angeles to San Francisco. To keep her amused during the move, Dodo is given a sketchbook and a pen, and she finds a new passion - doodling and journaling. She chronicles the challenges of the move, a new school and making new friends. This graphic novel's pages are full of "handwritten" text and doodles, and will resonate with middle grade kids who find they do not fit in for whatever reason. Rating: 3 stars.
108. Salt Sugar Fat
Book blurb: From a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter at The New York Times comes the explosive story of the rise of the processed food industry and its link to the emerging obesity epidemic. Michael Moss reveals how companies use salt, sugar, and fat to addict us and, more important, how we can fight back.
I started reading about food several years ago, and have been startled by how little we know about the foods we eat, or how our bodies react to them. This gem of a book complements my understanding from a different angle - the processed food industry and the marketing of convenience foods. Illuminating, disturbing, and life changing. The audio is well narrated by Scott Brick, and I would recommend this book to anyone who eats. Rating: 5 stars.
109. Sabine's Notebook
This is the second book in the Griffin and Sabine trilogy, and I would highly recommend reading all three of these visual novels back to back. There are clues all over the place people, so don't rush through. My love affair with mail art continued as I poured over the postcards and letters. I think the less you know about the story the better it unfolds, so quit reading this review and just dive in. Rating: 4 stars.
110. The Golden Mean
This is the final book in the Griffin and Sabine trilogy, and I would highly recommend reading all three of these visual novels back to back. Love how this story unfolds. Am checking my mailbox now to see if I got a postcard from a stranger .... Rating: 4 stars.
October 14, 2013
Time flies
Twenty two years is a long time to spend with someone. There have been lots of ups and quite a few downs. And all these years later you are still the most interesting person I know.
Happy anniversary Babes. 82.
October 13, 2013
Project Life 2013: Week 40
This is week 40 and I continue to love this project. Highlights this week included delivery of the new tank, art adventures, and family time. As always, click on images to view larger.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background papery by Brandy.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background papery by Brandy.
October 12, 2013
One Little Word 2013: October
As part of OLW, I'm pairing up my word with an intention for the month and focusing on three goals. Here is the card I created for this month.
Supplies:
Flowers by Jessica Sprague. Striped paper by Shabby Princess.
Supplies:
Flowers by Jessica Sprague. Striped paper by Shabby Princess.
October 11, 2013
One Little Word 2013: September Update
Holy moly we are almost half way through October already! How did that happen?
Time for a monthly update. Remember these were my goals for the month:
And how did I do?
Goal #1: Find 3 solutions to a problem. I sometimes find that I get stuck in seeing only one way out of a situation. And it is never that. There are usually at least two, often way more than that. In my opinion this is brain gymnastics of a sort, and while the problem I solved is too private to share publicly, I will say that it ended up so much better than I could ever have imagined or hope for!
Goal #2: Make chores fun. This is another purely mental thing for me. I'm not a chore person. I tend to do it grudgingly, and certainly do not whistle while I work. So now I listen to music, audio books or podcasts, and time flies by, and voila a particular chore is done. While I am still not whistling, I have come a long way.
Goal #3: Get inspired. Felt I needed a new jolt of inspiration, and found it in all the usual places - outdoors, blogs, books, magazines, museums. And a big part of this task was clearing, purging, and sorting my creative space. Worked wonders.
All and all, am quite proud of my efforts and accomplishments. I hope you had a great month as well. Let's see what October has in store.
Time for a monthly update. Remember these were my goals for the month:
And how did I do?
Goal #1: Find 3 solutions to a problem. I sometimes find that I get stuck in seeing only one way out of a situation. And it is never that. There are usually at least two, often way more than that. In my opinion this is brain gymnastics of a sort, and while the problem I solved is too private to share publicly, I will say that it ended up so much better than I could ever have imagined or hope for!
Goal #2: Make chores fun. This is another purely mental thing for me. I'm not a chore person. I tend to do it grudgingly, and certainly do not whistle while I work. So now I listen to music, audio books or podcasts, and time flies by, and voila a particular chore is done. While I am still not whistling, I have come a long way.
Goal #3: Get inspired. Felt I needed a new jolt of inspiration, and found it in all the usual places - outdoors, blogs, books, magazines, museums. And a big part of this task was clearing, purging, and sorting my creative space. Worked wonders.
All and all, am quite proud of my efforts and accomplishments. I hope you had a great month as well. Let's see what October has in store.
October 10, 2013
Journal page
I was flipping through magazines by Stampington & Company the other day (I don't recall which ones exactly), and saw an article on Halloween costumes. It is that time of year after all. Something about this face called to me.
Pen and watercolors.
October 8, 2013
Project Life 2013: Week 39
This is week 39 and I continue to love this project. Things broke this week, and were fixed. Some weeks are like that. Cleaning and journal time helped to keep me calm. Being grateful helps too. As always, click on images to view larger.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background paper by unknown. Typewriter and striped cards by Jessica. Tuesday card by Melissa. Numbers by Shabby Princess. Speech bubble by Kimberly. Bloom element by Katie. So this was my day card by Erica.
Here is the two page spread:
Left side:
Right side:
You can read how I decide on this project, and the basic supplies I will use every week here.
Additional freebie supplies used this week:
Title background paper by unknown. Typewriter and striped cards by Jessica. Tuesday card by Melissa. Numbers by Shabby Princess. Speech bubble by Kimberly. Bloom element by Katie. So this was my day card by Erica.
October 7, 2013
Recent Reads
103. Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm
This is book # 2 in the Fables graphic novel series. In the first book we met the human fable characters who live in NYC. Well, they can pass as human can't they? What about all those fable characters who cannot? Remember the three little pigs, and dragons, and three blind mice, etc? Well, they live on a farm in upstate New York. And since it is Animal Farm, revolution is in the air. Guns, be-headings and anarchy oh my! My fave character was Chicken Little. I've always had a soft spot for her. Rating: 3 stars.
104. Inferno
There are Dan Brown books that I really like and ones I do not. This fourth Robert Langdon book falls somewhere in between.
There are things that the author does really well, but the story could have been much tighter with better editing. This would be a fun book to read while traveling to the cities in the story.
The short chapters move the story along at a breathless pace, and with such intense focus on plot, there is not much character development. No-one seems to get any sleep or food, but heck they've got a planet to save! Twists and turns galore, and you learn something about history, art, literature, and all the cool stuff that is off limits to regular tourists along the way. This is a fun romp with interesting questions about the future of humans on this planet, and I was delighted to revisit three of my fave cities with Langdon as my guide. Rating: 3 stars.
105. The Unwritten, Vol.1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity
This intriguing start to a graphic novel series is really two books in one. In one story an author disappears, and is it possible that his words have crossed over and are now flesh? The other story is a short one about Kipling. What these stories have in common is the power of the written word, the power of the author and location where stories are released. And the dark forces who work to bend things to their will. A fun read, and I will certainly be diving into the next book in the series. Rating: 3 stars.
106. Griffin and Sabine
My library had a book sale today, so I came home with a large bag of random books. This is one of the gems in the pile. This wonderful visual novel unfolds in a series of postcards and letters, and the art is wonderful. This slim volume is the first in a trilogy, and I have already ordered up the next two books. If you are person who loves tactile books and misses getting postcards and letters in the mail, I would recommend you spend some time with this delightful book. Rating: 4 stars.
This is book # 2 in the Fables graphic novel series. In the first book we met the human fable characters who live in NYC. Well, they can pass as human can't they? What about all those fable characters who cannot? Remember the three little pigs, and dragons, and three blind mice, etc? Well, they live on a farm in upstate New York. And since it is Animal Farm, revolution is in the air. Guns, be-headings and anarchy oh my! My fave character was Chicken Little. I've always had a soft spot for her. Rating: 3 stars.
104. Inferno
There are Dan Brown books that I really like and ones I do not. This fourth Robert Langdon book falls somewhere in between.
There are things that the author does really well, but the story could have been much tighter with better editing. This would be a fun book to read while traveling to the cities in the story.
The short chapters move the story along at a breathless pace, and with such intense focus on plot, there is not much character development. No-one seems to get any sleep or food, but heck they've got a planet to save! Twists and turns galore, and you learn something about history, art, literature, and all the cool stuff that is off limits to regular tourists along the way. This is a fun romp with interesting questions about the future of humans on this planet, and I was delighted to revisit three of my fave cities with Langdon as my guide. Rating: 3 stars.
105. The Unwritten, Vol.1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity
This intriguing start to a graphic novel series is really two books in one. In one story an author disappears, and is it possible that his words have crossed over and are now flesh? The other story is a short one about Kipling. What these stories have in common is the power of the written word, the power of the author and location where stories are released. And the dark forces who work to bend things to their will. A fun read, and I will certainly be diving into the next book in the series. Rating: 3 stars.
106. Griffin and Sabine
My library had a book sale today, so I came home with a large bag of random books. This is one of the gems in the pile. This wonderful visual novel unfolds in a series of postcards and letters, and the art is wonderful. This slim volume is the first in a trilogy, and I have already ordered up the next two books. If you are person who loves tactile books and misses getting postcards and letters in the mail, I would recommend you spend some time with this delightful book. Rating: 4 stars.
October 6, 2013
Boston Snapshot
The Charles River dumps into Boston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean via these locks in Charlestown. I love watching the traffic in and out. Sometimes there is only a boat or two. And other times, like July 4th, the locks are packed fender to fender.
October 4, 2013
October 2, 2013
Journal page
It is so much fun playing with stencils and masks. Especially home made ones.
If you read my Project Life pages, you know that sailing season ended rather early for us due to a leaking tank. However, the weather is wonderful this week, so heading down to play on the water.
But I think what I like best is simply using watercolors and a pen or pencil.
October 1, 2013
Jon Stewart's Rockin' Shutdown Eve
Government shutdown? Let's stop paying elected officials, and stop taxpayer funded healthcare for them as well, and see how fast all the partisan crap disappears.
Jon Stewart is my port in the storm. To see the video click here.
Jon Stewart is my port in the storm. To see the video click here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
