Cleaning Up My Workspace

 Hi everyone.

Today I have a page to share over at Art Journal Journey. This month we are remembering Eileen and her chosen theme Inspired By. 

I am also linking my journal page up to Creative Mixed Media Challenge. This challenge is optional as long as you use various types of media.

My page was inspired by all the bits and pieces I found when cleaning off my work table recently. This even included the background (made by pouring paint onto watercolor paper and then using an old credit card to get the striped effect) which was sitting in a pile of backgrounds I had made but hadn't used. 

The arched window on the background made me think of stained glass, and I thought my background had a stained glass feel.  I didn't want to keep so much blue on my whole page however.

 I applied some gesso and wiped it away behind and around the window while it was still wet. I then used some various brown inks on the window itself and attached it. The flowers in the vase were stamped and fussy cut and sitting in my pile, but I added some color to them. The bits of trim and the quote stamped on acetate were also on my pile, but I did cut the quote apart to vary it. And finally, the sun worked well with the quote and looked good on the page, so I added that also. 

Hope you like it, and I

hope your day is going well.

Thanks for visiting.

Art and September Books

 Hi everyone. Hope your weekend is going well. 

My daughter  is here for a few days as she is taking a vacation from work.  She and I were supposed to be leaving today for a mother-daughter trip to Iceland for a few days. Some of you may possibly remember how I visited Iceland with some friends back in 2016, and my daughter has since wanted to go.  Of course with covid that isn't happening. We have a few things planned locally instead. I'm looking forward to some fun with her.

Here's a spread from my  Mystery, Mayhem and Magic journal. This is a new journal I started, as I like making some "Halloweenish" pages at this time of year. I am trying to make some non-traditional style pages this year, incorporating the fall season  as well certain aspects of the spooky-fun  holiday.

I never remember to link up to challenges that aren't in my usual habit, but I am trying to be better at  joining into new things. Here's a branch out that I am hoping will become a regular challenge for me. I am linking up to the Creative Mixed Media Challenge, their 65th. The theme is always Anything Mixed Media Goes. There's plenty of mixed media in my page: cloth, die cuts, ink, paper tape, postage stamps, paper ephemera, stamping.

And can you find all the lines in this spread?  I see straight lines, circular lives, wavy lines all over the place.

I am linking up to Chris' HOLD THE LINE challenge at Art Journal Journey.

Now that September is over, it is time for me to do my monthly book post.  As I say every month, I do this list for my own info.  Yet I learn so much from  the comments you share with me and also have found some super reads from your book recommendations, that I post each month. Please don't feel you have to read through my list if this is not your interest.

I listened to a few books last month, but I only finished one actual book.  I was into a few TV shows in the evenings, and the one book I read was a long one.  For me, it didn't seem like as many as usual, but looking at my list, I still managed quite a few stories.

My first book I listened to was book 7 in Sookie Stackhouse series.  I've read this whole series when each book came out, but that was quite a few years ago. It was time to reread, as I have been doing over the last several months. These are pretty quick listens; some are books better than others, and I'd say this one is setting up for the next book(s). I liked it, but it (like book 5) have not been my favorites of the series so far.  I like the character Quinn, the weretiger, but I am waiting for Erik Northman, one of the vampires, to get back into the story.

Then it was onto Charles Dickens.

I can see why his books are still in print, and why he is considered such a great writer. I especially like having his books read to me. If you chose to ever listen to one of his books, Simon Vance is my narrator of choice. He does a great job with the voices and really puts you into the story. 

I was familiar with some of the characters and thought I knew Oliver's story. Yes, I did know bits, about the street gang with Fagan and The Artful Dodger, but I really didn't know the story. Dickens created some fantastic characters and developed a lot of  suspense. I know this book was originally published as a serial, not as a completed book, and it must have been difficult to wait for the next release with some of the cliffhangers Dickens used. Yes, this was one of those books I ended up commenting to out loud as I heard certain parts. More than a few "Oh nos!" and other phrases came out of my mouth.

Moving on to slightly more modern time (at least more modern than the Victorian age), I went onto to read this historical novel by Marie Benedict. This is the second book by this author I have read; the first being about Einstein's first wife. I enjoyed this novel as much as the one called The Other Einstein. Although not a heavy detailed biography that someone researching Mrs. Churchill might want, this was a great introduction to the Clementine Churchill, her life and mostly her character. She did lead quite the amazing life being married to Winston Churchill. I think Marie Benedict did a super job giving the reader some main details and bringing Clementine Churchill  to life.

Sepulchre  was the actual book I read. It is the second part of a trilogy, the first part  being the book Labyrinth. The first book took place in medieval France as well as modern France, in particular the Carcassonne area of southern France/Languedoc.  This second book jumped ahead to late Victorian times as well as modern times, but was still set in the same areas of France. There was murder, adventure, mystery and great characters once again, and I really enjoyed all 500+ pages of this novel.  Now I need to get my hands on the last book of the series to finish it off. And thanks again  Alison for the recommendation. 

My last listen was an older children's novel. 

I love Roald Dahl's books, and I discovered that they are even better being read to you. I picked this book up on a 2 for 1 Audible sale. I remember the film, but have never actually read (of listened) to the book. This one was read by Kate Winslet, and she did an amazing job. I love Matilda and Miss Honey, and of course, I enjoyed all those terrible characters your are meant to hate. I fact, I enjoyed this so much I am now listening to Roald Dahl's The Witches, which I have read in book form before. Only it is so much better being read to you by someone who can do the grandmother's Norwegian accent. If you are looking for something on the shorter side and want a little fun, definitely read one of Dahl's books. 

And I have made a good dent into this mystery novel set in England during and directly after  the 1666 Great Fire of London.

I haven't finished it so I don't want to recommend or not, but so far, I am really enjoying this book. Plus I have learned quite a bit about that time in history.

That's it's for me today. I'd love any book recommendations you might have. 

Wishing you a good end to your weekend.