Category Archives: Reviewettes

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity is still in shock that it was 58F/14.4C in Minnesota in February

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Bookity

Think, Learn, Make, Do

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Adventures in Bookbinding: Hand Crafting Mixed-Media Books by Jeannine Stein. I enjoyed seeing some of the unusual techniques the author used to create these books. And I thought it was cool/clever that, for each book, the author provided regular directions, shortcut directions, and “master” directions.

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos

“Is this all there is to life?” -Mayhem

Covers, Linkity linkity link, Reviewettes

Linkity really didn’t expect allergies in February

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Congrats to Susana, who won Lovers Leap by JL Merrow! Lovers Leap will be released by Riptide Publishing on February 29.

If you’re using mobile and things are weird, it’s probably because I have the mobile plugin for my site turned off right now – it decided that everyone was on mobile. *sigh*

Bookity

Think, Make, Do, Learn

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Mixed Media Revolution: Creative Ideas for Reusing Your Art by Darlene Olivia McElroy & Sandra Duran Wilson. So-so whirlwind overview of many, many mixed media techniques. Some of the techniques required you to scan QR codes or visit the publisher’s website for more details, which I found annoying.
The Mixed-Media Artist: Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams from Over 40 Amazing Artists by Seth Apter. This did not fare well being read after An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I was completely unprepared for how this book sucked me in – I read it in one sitting, tissue box close by.

“Soooooooo bored!!!!!” -Mayhem

*falling asleep, balefully* -Chaos

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

The return of linkity!

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Bookity

Learn, Do, Make, Think

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers by Danny Gregory. Good look at the journals/sketchbooks of 50 different artistically minded people, including (in their own words) how long they’ve been keeping a journal, why they keep up the habit, and their preferred materials.

*sleepy glaring* Why are you laughing at me, Mom?! You are mean!!” -Mayhem

I was laughing at May’s little “catlick” from Chaos. 🙂

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity hopes normal service will be restored next week

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The insurance company now owns the remains of my old car. I now own a new-to-me car and will pick it up today, when I’ll deal with a few final related things. I’m hoping things will be back to normal next week. Here’s some brief linkity, in roughly the order it would be in if there were headings and all. 🙂

Reading Update
Book Play: Creative Adventures in Handmade Books by Margaret Couch Cogswell. This book starts with a very thorough overview of materials and techniques, then moves on to making a few basic books before finishing up with some unusual and creative interpretations of the book form. Definitely a good reference book.
Paint Mojo – A Mixed-Media Workshop: Creative Layering Techniques for Personal Expression by Tracy Verdugo. It was ok. I think. I skimmed a lot. Here it is, six days later, and I remember pretty much nothing about this book. D’oh.

*contemplating his diabolical plans for world domination… after he figures out how to get the lock on the kitty food pantry cupboard open*

Reading, Reviewettes

Surprise!No Linkity :(

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Sorry for surprise!no Linkity. 🙁 It’s kind of been a week from hell here. I’ve been on an unpleasant every other day migraine pattern since last Friday. We had 10″ of snow and broke a snowfall record for February 2. Wednesday I thought I’d take a nice drive around Lake of the Isles while the parking lot at my building was being plowed out and my car slid into a 2016 Mercedes on a hill. I’m ok – just very sore and achey – but am waiting for word on whether my car can be repaired or if it’s totaled.

So! Tell me about your weeks, which were hopefully much better than mine. Also (I don’t remember to say this enough) – thanks to everyone who reads, especially to those of you who comment. Your comments always brighten my day. 🙂

Reading Update
The Declaration of You!: How to Find It, Own It and Shout It from the Rooftops by Michelle Ward & Jessica Swift. It was just too rah-rah and cutesy cute for me.

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity needs a nap – move over, Chaos

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Congrats to Elisa, who won A Bear Walks into a Bar by Eden Winters!

Bookity

Do, Think, Learn, Make

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Creative Foundations: 40 Scrapbook and Mixed-Media Techniques to Build Your Artistic Toolbox by Vicki Boutin. Too many exclamation points, too cutesy, and too much time spent pushing a certain line of products.
Art of Layers: Simple Techniques, Inventive Scrapbook Pages, Imaginative Papercrafts by Ronda Palazzari. I think I just need to stay away from books with “scrapbook” in the title.
Collaborative Art Journals and Shared Visions in Mixed Media by LK Ludwig. Interesting overview of different ways in which artists work together and exchange work, such as swapping art and working together on a work or works. Although this was published in 2009, it felt more dated than that – probably because most of the collaboration and swapping was coordinated via Yahoo groups.

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity thinks +20F/-6.7C feels like a heat wave now

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Congrats to Yvette, who won Yesterday by to Mickie B Ashling!  Yesterday is being released today by Dreamspinner Press.

Bookity

Do, Make, Think, Learn

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Alphabetica: An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists by Lynne Perrella. I was hoping this would be inspiring, but mostly it was annoying. The first part of the book showcased various pages from the collaborative art journal project, in no discernible order, but definitely not in alphabetical order: letters were used multiple times (and possibly not at all – I couldn’t be bothered to confirm this bit). The second part of the book featured very short descriptions from each artist about how they worked on their parts.

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos

How can he breathe?!

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity thinks it was a very bad week to be a famous 69-year old British man :(

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Bookity

Think, Make, Learn, Do

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Carve Stamp Play: Designing and Creating Custom Stamps by Julie Fei Balzer. If you’ve never carved your own stamps, this is a good resource to get you started.
Card to Canvas: Mixed-Media Techniques for Paper Crafts by Colleen Schaan. Skimmed. Too much brand name dropping for me.

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos and Mayhem

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity celebrates the first cold of 2016 *cough cough cough*

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Contest(s)

Bookity

Think, Do, Make, Learn

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Stamp Stencil Paint: Making Extraordinary Patterned Projects by Hand by Anna Joyce. Ok look at embellishing decorative items by carving your own stamps, cutting your own stencils, and painting. I skimmed a lot of this one – I was hoping to pick up some tips on stamp carving or stencil making, but didn’t really.
The Art of Mistakes: Unexpected Painting Techniques and the Practice of Creative Thinking by Melanie Rothschild. Very good thoughts about creativity and the importance of playing and feeling free to make mistakes to the creative process. The section of art projects to help develop techniques for creative artistic play and experimentation felt like the weakest part of the book to me – I think the section could’ve been better integrated so its purpose was much more clear. That bit notwithstanding, this is one I’ll pick up used so I can reread and highlight all the quotes I jotted down during my first read. 🙂

*all the judging* -Chaos and Mayhem

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity for a new year

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Happy New Year, everyone! 🙂

Bookity

Do, Make, Learn, Think

Cookity

Gluten Free

Artsy Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Gelli Plate Printing: Mixed-Media Monoprinting Without a Press by Joan Bess. Good instructional and inspirational book about Gelli plate monoprinting. I’ll be picking up a used copy as reference for some of the more complicated techniques.
Art Journal Freedom: How to Journal Creatively with Color and Composition by Dina Wakley. Good overview of basic artistic principles such as color theory, contrast, and composition in the context of art journaling. Although I’m not a fan of aspects of the author’s style, I do like how she puts together backgrounds.

“Wha…?” -Chaos