For a long while now I've been unable to read works of fiction. This is peculiar for me as I've always been a voracious bookworm. The last novel I read was 'The Time Traveller's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger and I read it avidly, but since then, not a thing! My theory is that I used to read to escape and now that my life is just how I want it, I have no need of other lives to live through and no 'otherworlds' other than my own.
Poetry books
Now I find great pleasure in poetry. My life is made brighter and richer and even more joyful by Wendy Cope and John Hegley.
Sanity books
Then there are the books which I dip into every day. These are my sanity books, my printed support and my cheerleaders, the books I'm forever reading and sharing and marvelling at.
Creativity books
I'm fascinated by books that explore creativity. I've gleaned something from every single one on this shelf and of course they've been inspiring, but perhaps not in the obvious way.
There is one book that is missing from this section of my bookshelf and it's because it never leaves my side when I'm at home. It's Quinn McDonald's 'Raw Art Journaling' and it's the best creative book I've discovered so far. Her blog is also wonderful and guess what? I read that every day, too!
While walking home from visiting a friend I popped into my local sewing cafe to browse the books-for-sale shelf and found a gloriously inspirational book: 'The Embroiderer's Workbook' by Jan Messent. The ideas and exercises in it have been rolling around my head, a bit like that 'rolling boil' stage of jam-making!
Yesterday, while I was cleaning the Big-House-on-the-Hill, I took this photo on my phone with a view to putting some of Jan Messent's exercises into practice.
Her's is a very different way of working to mine. Mine is 'wing it and see, adapting and changing as it goes' and hers is methodical with very thorough preparation using drawings and experiments.
Of course, both approaches are equally valid but I'm curious to feel what Jan's is like and I'm hoping that as a result I will be able to create with more depth and less mistake-fixing in the final piece!.
The window display and the name of a new shop in town enticed me in to explore. It's called 'Junk and Disorderly'!
As I stepped inside I was brought to a stop with an 'oh' of delight on my lips. It looked like a grotto, a true emporium, far from its tongue-in-cheek name. While having a thorough look around (talk about firing my creative synapses!) I came across this piece of material:
It's such a happy piece of material crying out to be turned into something that will show it off and lift the spirits of whoever sets eyes on it.
That is my mission and I choose to accept it!
Today I visited a very good friend of mine which is always a treat, not just because she is wonderful (and always has something scrumptious for elevenses!) but because she has filled her house with beautiful, interesting and eye-catching things.
Aren't these colours stunning together? They make me smile, lift my spirits and I can happily surrender to their effect on me.
This kind of soul food inspires me and enriches my life and my friend has created a home that's full of it, and I'm very grateful to her for sharing such nourishment with me.
To celebrate the launch of my new look website I'm offering you a chance to win a copy of 'Art at the Speed of Life - Motivation and Inspiration for Making Mixed-Media Art Everyday' by Pam Carriker, Interweave Press, 2010.
I would like to give away this book I bought for myself, as now it's time to pass it on to a welcoming, new home where it will be pored over and inspire! It's in mint condition and I will pay the postage to send it to you, wherever you are in the world.
Click image to enlarge
Earlier in the new year I made a new affirmations book, very quickly, out of some gift packaging from a well-known confectionary maker that was too good to throw away, some duct tape and paper roughly folded into an accordian book.
All you need to do is tell me the name of the confectionary maker and what the packaging originally contained.
Then get in touch with me and put your answer in the comment box.
All entries are to be in by the end of Tuesday 27th March 2012.
I will put all names into a hat, draw one out and contact the lucky winner to get your postal address and then it will be winging its way to you with much love from me.
Only one entry per person.Good luck!
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