The Sketchbook Project

I meant to show my sketchbook from the Sketchbook Project yesterday, but with the extended deadline (thank you Art House!) I took my time. It still isn't finished; I don't like rushing & I didn't have much time yesterday. I still have some work to do today, but I plan to devote a few hours to finish up the last 3 empty page spreads & 5 unfinished pages.

Since there are 80 pages, I'll split it up over a few posts. Here's the first 25 pages, starting with the front cover. The page spreads are in order & all are complete in this batch:

Out of this bunch, I really like the blue page (page 6) & the next page spread (pages 8-9). Pages 18-19 turned out pretty nicely too.

I'll show you the next 25 or so pages in a bit. What do you think so far?

Friday Five

Here's what I was up to this week:

1. I learned that cotton balls work a million times better than tissues for removing nail polish.
2. I hosted coffee house at work this week (free coffee & donuts for grad students once a month). I asked for 40 Timbits, half chocolate. When I got to work, I counted the chocolate ones... 10. What?!? That dumb...... oh wait. There are only 20 Timbits. ARG! So we had a bit of a donut shortage.
3. I was extremely busy with experiments this week - only 3 more months to finish everything up. I have even more planned for next week.
4. The Sketchbook Project is due Saturday! That means I need to mail it off tonight... so I've been painting, collaging & drawing in there like mad. I'm almost done - just a few more page spreads to finish up this morning / lunch time. I'll show you the whole thing tomorrow. UPDATE (as of 10am Friday): the deadline was extended to Tuesday! *sigh of relief* That makes things a little more relaxed for me today! Yay!
5. I figured out a song for Project 52 (the theme for week 2 is illustrate a song). I've been listening to Neil Young's self title album (1969) a lot lately. All the songs make me sing out loud - I especially like "What Did You Do To My Life" which is the song I chose. I decided to go with a lot of editing for this one. I wanted a certain feel to it & I felt the pertinent lyrics needed to be on there. Here are the lyrics:

I don't care

if all of the mountains

turn to dust in the air

What did you do to my life

It isn't fair

that I should wake up at dawn

and not find you there

What did you do to my life

Great song & awesome album! I really like how this one turned out - this project is going to be a fun challenge! I can't wait to find out what the theme is for next week.

Happy weekend everyone!

Item of the day: Test Glaze Cup

I love the look of these test glaze cups by sarapaloma.

Item of the day: Life Calendar

How cute is this calendar idea by BrigadaCreativa?

I like that you can start anywhere in the year & then just continue at the beginning in January. I think that every time I'd look at it, I would smile, so then I'd have to fill it with smiley faces.... well, maybe with sad blue faces. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Item of the day: Avenue notebook

This picture - of a sweet notebook by summersville - looks like it could have been taken in my space!

I love the little houses!

Recommended: Fall of Giants

I love reading. A lot. Over the past few years, I've discovered a deep love for historical dramas. Following lovable characters through long periods of time, preferably through a few books, is my absolute favourite. I love accumulating series of books, lining them on my shelf side-by-side. I've also learned quite a bit of history from some stellar authors.

For one, I've talked about the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon before (clearly I was pressed for time because I could go on & on about these books). This series holds a special place in my heart (every so often something reminds me of the books & I get this sad, longing feeling, like missing a long-lost friend...).

Ken Follett was added to my list of go-to authors when I read Pillars of the Earth over a year or two ago. This amazing saga was quickly followed by World Without End. These two books really sealed the deal for me. I love history painted in clear & accurate detail by thoughtful & captivating characters! When I first heard about Fall of Giants, which is the first book in the Century trilogy, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy.

It did not disappoint. It covers WWI, the Russian revolution & parts of women's suffrage. The characters & their decisions & emotions are believable... during WWI they had me rooting for both sides! I was appalled at the way the war ended & at how the nobility & governments treated the common folk. I was shocked to find out about the role of the British in the Russian revolution. I actually learned a lot - I think the way the material is presented, in an interesting chronicle with perspectives from all sides, helps to convey the material so that it is better remembered than anything in a classroom textbook.

I highly recommend this book - don't be intimidated by its heft. It is well worth the read & so engrossing you won't even notice the pages flying by. I am so looking forward to the next two books!

Read something good lately? Let me know about it - I'm always looking for new genres & authors to fill my library!

Item of the day: Puzzle Shakers

I want to add these puzzle salt & pepper shakers by celestewelch to my collection. I think they're perfectly unique!