Reading History and Fantasy

I spent the fall reading history books about the colonization of Brazil in the 1500s for the new novel I'm writing. Many of them are in Portuguese, but one that I got over here that I recommend is the translation of Jean de Lery's History of a Voyage to the Land of Brazil. It is a first-hand account of his travels, but written (or translated) with enough wit and sarcasm to entertain modern readers.

Another favorite is Delicias do Descobrimento by Sheila Hue, which unfortunately has no English translation. It is a compilation of animals and plants used for food in the 1500s, including recipes and illustrations.

I still have more history books to go through, but there is just so long I can go without reading fiction. Fantasy pulled my heartstrings, so I read the novella Poison Dance by Livia Blackburne. It did a great job introducing me to the world and wetting my appetite for her novel Midnight Thief, which will be released in the summer. I found the ending a bit abrupt, but there are deleted scenes posted on her wonderful website, more than worth the visit.

The short book was not enough, so I read Wilder Mage by CD Coffelt. It grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. Great tension and a well-crafted plot. It has the best magic duel I've ever read. Very satisfying ending, with enough unanswered questions to have me wanting more.

I should probably go back to the history books, but there are a couple of sci-fi novels calling at me... Resistance is not my forte.

Thanks for stopping by!

More cards

I made these cards last year, but never had a chance to post:

Recollections paper, BasicGrey fabric flower, SRM sticker sentiment, Jillibean Soup notecard, Colorbok cardstock, unknown trim.

Recollections paper,American Crafts ribbon, SRM sticker sentiment,Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, unknown jewel and cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mayberry cards

These cards were made from American Crafts Mayberry papers and stickers that I won on their blog:

 

Other: SRM birthday stickers, Jillibean Soup notecard, AC ribbon.

Other: Recollections layered stickers, Jillibean Soup notecard, unknown ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Baby Album

The project that kept me busy during the month of December was this Baby album I made for my nephew.

Simple Stories 8x6 album; Pebbles Tree House chipboard; Bella Blvd tape; October Afternoon rub-ons; My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy paper; Paper Trunk alphabet; Ranger Glossy Accents; Mod Podge.

 K&Co. tag, American Crafts Thickers, Fancy Pants Childish Things papers, October Afternoon rubber charm; unknown ribbon and jewels.

Bella Blvd Birthday Boy paper; Bo Bunny Double Dot paper; Doodlebug fancy frills; October Afternoon rubber charm, rub-ons, and buttons; Recollections layered sticker; Jillibean Soup stamp; unknown home sticker, cardstocks, and ribbon.

Bella Blvd Birthday Boy paper; Bo Bunny Double Dot paper; Pebbles Family Ties stickers; Karen Foster stickers; American Crafts ribbon; unknown cardstock and jewels.

Pebbles Family Ties papers and stickers; Bo Bunny Double Dot paper; Karen Foster stickers; K&Co. sticker; American Crafts ribbon; Coredinations cardstock; Doodlebug jewels; October Afternoon rub-ons; Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.

Pebbles Family Ties papers and stickers; Karen Foster stickers; October Afternoon journaling cards and buttons; American Crafts ribbon; unknown cardstock.

Pebbles Family Ties papers and stickers; SU! butterfly punches; Fancy Pants Childish Things paper; Ranger enamel accents; unknown cardstock and title.

Hambly Sudios Needlework rub-ons; Studio Calico rub-on buttons; Jillibean Soup Dutch Mustard paper and journaling tags; Prima pearls; Sassafras Lass paper; October Afternoon rub-ons; Coredinations cardstock; unknown chipboard.

Jillibean Soup Staples paper and frame; DCWV papers; American Crafts ribbon; October Afternoon journaling tag; Recollections layered stickers; unknown cardstock.

Fancy Pants Childish Things paper; Sassafras Lass paper; Recollections layered stickers; October Afternoon  rub-ons; Ranger Glossy Accents; Jillibean Soup label sticker; Eylet Outlet pearl brads; SU! washi tape; unknown cardstock, flowers, and trim.

Fancy Pants Childish Things paper; American Crafts ribbon; Jillibean Soup flags and stickers; Prima pearls; Cosmo Cricket chipboard alphabet; unknown postcard, alphabet stickers, and glitter chipboard.

October Afternoon journaling tag and stickers; Jillibean Soup label sticker and frame; Recollections layered sticker; American Crafts ribbon; DCWV glitter cardstock; unknown cardstock, washi tape, and metal title.

Fancy Pants Childish Things paper; Doodlebug fancy frills and jewels; Ranger Glossy Accents; unknown cardstock.

Fancy Pants Childish Things paper; Bella Blvd Sunny Happy Skies paper; American Crafts ribbon; October Afternoon rubber charm and journaling card; Doodlebug jewels; Ranger Glossy Accents; unknown cardstock.

Bella Blvd Sunny Happy Skies paper; October Afternoon stickers; SRM sticker; Ranger Glossy Accents; unknown cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas cards

I made some cards this weekend, but I realized I never posted the ones I made in December. So here are the Christmas cards I sent to the kids' teachers. Jillibean Soup Christmas Eve Chowder papers and embellishments from The Card Kitchen December 2011 kit.

Other: Quuen and Co. pearls and jewels.

I'll post the other projects later this week.

Thanks for stopping by!