ENJOYING LIFE: January 2009

Thursday, 29 January 2009

Shadow of an Angel by Mignon F Ballard

Shadow of an Angel (Ballard, Mignon Franklin. Augusta Goodnight Mysteries, 3.)

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
An Augusta Goodnight mystery (Augusta is an Angel).

Good mystery and easy to read.

We follow Minda Hobbs who returns to her home town, following the death of her husband, Jarvis, who was struck by lightning. she has come home to seek solace with her family.

But she discovers her cousin, Otto, dead in the ladies toilet at the historic Minerva Academy.

Minda then sets out to discover why Otto was murdered and along the way, uncovers family secrets that have been hidden for many years.

View all my reviews.

Regatta Visitor - 28 Jan 2009

Regatta Visitor - 28 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

First time that I have used sequins on an ATC.

Egypt - 29 Jan 2009

Egypt - 29 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

The figures (bottom right) are from an old book mark.

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Asian Atc - Swap Bot "Opera" Dec 2008

Asian Atc - Swap Bot "Opera" Dec 2008
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

This is one of the cards I received from my partner in the Swap.

Geisha Jigsaw - 28 Jan 2009

Geisha Jigsaw - 28 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

This was made using the Flickr Toy program.

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

That Summer in Sicily by Marlana de Blasi

That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story by Marlena De Blasi

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have read other books by this author, and really enjoyed them. Maybe because she writes so well about Italy/Venice/food etc.

This time she and Fernando travel to Sicily to do a story for a magazine.

They become immersed in a place called Donnafugata, which is almost like an old palace, situated in the middle of the Island. It is run by Tosca Brozzi, a very proud and beautiful lady.

Her story tells of being sold by her father (at age 9) to Leo, the local landowner and Prince, and how she came to love him.

Very interesting story

View all my reviews.

Roots of Evil by Sarah Rayne

Not too bad a story and there are lots of sub-plots going on throughout the book.
People are not who they seem and it all stems back to an old film star, who supposedly murdered two men, and then killed herself (or so everyone was led to believe).
Lucretia Von Wolff, the actress, is not her real name either.
(edit)

Paris Chic - 25 Jan 2009

Paris Chic - 25 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

The colour combinations came together well with this card.

Notorious Sailor - 23 Jan 2009

Notorious Sailor - 23 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

I came across the background image while browsing through my old Family History magazines.
Since getting hooked on Artist Trading Cards, my mind has opened up to lots of new ideas.

Pisces - 23 Jan 2009

Pisces - 23 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Have made a few Horiscope cards and enjoy getting just the right images to set the tone.

We're Safe - 24 Jan 2009

We're Safe - 24 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Found the cat image in a magazine, and was waiting for the just right background to go with it.

Wanne Bond - 24 Jan 2009

Wanne Bond - 24 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

A bit of a take on James Bond!

Sunday, 25 January 2009

Notorious Sailor - 23 Jan 2009

Notorious Sailor - 23 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Am having so much fun, creating ATC's.

Friday, 23 January 2009

Gang of Four by Liz Byrski

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book would rate as one of my favourites for the year. Tells of the lives of 4 women - Robin, Grace, Sally and Isabel, who come to a turning point in their lives, when Isabel decides to take time out from her family, job. etc. and travel overseas to find out more about her ballerina mother.

The personalities make you ponder on if their ways are akin to your own.

Such a well written, heart wrenching story and have now purchased a copy of this book for myself.

View all my reviews.

The Frozen Circle - Peter WATT

The Frozen Circle by Peter Watt

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great story and I red this book in one day.

We are taken back to the end of WW1 in Europe, and then follow 2 Aussie soldiers who are assigned to the British forces in Russia on a special mission (unbeknown to them, to rescue and then kill Princess Maria - the sole survivor of the Czar's family).

Fast forward to present day Australia - a skeleton is discovered on a property, then a second one is found, but they have been in the ground for many years.

Lots of intrigue and you are swept along by the mystery surrounding the skeletons and the background story of the fighting in Russia.

MI6 is involved, both with the original covert operation and the present day.

Must read for fans of Peter Watt.

View all my reviews.

The Amazing Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Pippi Longstocking (Puffin Modern Classics)

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a book from my choice for the Daring Book Challenge.

Have heard of this book over the years and never read as a child (eventhough it was first published in 1945).

The story is of a zany little girl, 9 years old, who lives by herself - her mother having died and her father, a sea captain, disappearing at sea.

Pippi can do exactly as she wants, is very strong and has a pet monkey, Mr. Nelson, who sits on her shoulder. Delightful childrens story

View all my reviews.

KIM by Rudyard Kipling

Kim by Rudyard Kipling

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Slow start to the book, as the languate was hard to get inito (Indian sub-continent and written they way they spoke), but as the story moved on, relaxed with the story.

View all my reviews.

BLACKBERRY WINE - by Joanne Harris

This was a different tale - beginning with a bottle of wine leading the introduction.
A writer, has lost his enthusiasm, and decides on the spur of the moment to buy an hold farmhouse in France. Of course, along go the bottles of wine, which had been made years ago, by an old friend, who loved gardening.
So we are taken through the trip to France, settling in with the locals, and regaining his urge to write.

Like this author and looking forward to reading more of her books.

Flickr: Artist Trading Cards

Savvy Shopper ATC

atcs_0001
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Another quirky card from the collection.

Artist Trading Card

atcs_0002
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

All my old family history magazines are coming in handy, for the old photos and the captions as well.

Funky Gran - 22 Jan 2009

Funky Gran - 22 Jan 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Decided to make a second ATC on this theme - just for fun

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

The Amazing Pippi Longstocking - by Astrid Lindgren

Have heard of this book over the years and had never read it as a child (eventhough the book was first published in 1945).
The story is of a zany little girl, 9 years, who lives by herself - her mother having died and her father, a sea captain, disappearing at sea.
Pippi can do exactly as she wants, is very strong and has a pet monkey, Mr Nelson, who sits on her shoulder.

A delightful childrens story.