A love of books, as well as my foray into quilting. Also enjoy cross stitch, knitting and crochet.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
4 x 4 CARD - 30 May 2009
4 x 4 CARD - 30 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
The sweetie in the tea cup was one of a set of images sent to me by Janet - a Flickr contact.
So cute.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
REAY TANNAHILL - Having the Builders In
My review
rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have been waiting for some months to read this book (and its companion - Having the Decorators In) and finally both books appeared on the library shelves.
The words on the front of the book say
"a delicious novel of medieval rivalry, chivalry and masonry".
The lead character is really Dame Constance de Claire, who wants to transfer her castle, Vine Regis by adding an extension.
That;s when her troubles start, with the builders.
Add to that her eldest son Gervase's wife-to-be Susanne, who arrives at the castle thinking that she will be in charge - plus there is thievery.
All rolled into an enjoyable tale.
View all my reviews.
MARCIA WILLETT - A Week in Winter
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you are a fan of Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher, you will enjoy this story.
This author has a down to earth style, which engages you through the entire book.
Relationships are opened up in a family - Maude decides to sell Moorgate after being widowed for a year. Hector, her husband, had children from his first marriage and one of the girls, Selina, wants to buy Moorgate (which is situated on the edge of the moor in Cornwall).
But Rob, the contractor who has been renovating the property, has a passion for the house as well.
Into the story comes Melissa, a young woman dying of cancer. After she has seen the property advertised for sale, she decides it would be the perfect place for her brother Mile, and his young son Luke.
Once she sees the house, she falls in love with the place and Rob also, and makes plans to buy the house, quickly before she dies.
Her death shatters Rob, as he was not aware of her illness.
Other characters make the story as well, and this book is very enjoyable.
View all my reviews.
JOANNE TROLLOPE - The Men and the Girls
My review
Great characters in this story and the author tells it as it is.
2 women married to older men - 25 years older in fact and the turning point that each of them has in their lives.
The start of it all is when James accidently knocks Miss Beatrice Bachelor off her push bike. Beatrice is an elderly spinster, who enters their lives and a chain of events unfolds.
Really enjoyed this.
View all my reviews.
CORNELIA FUNKE - INKSPELL
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
The second book in the Inkheart trilogy.
A year has passed since the events of Inkheart, and Meggie never stops dreaming of the world that Mo, Resa and herself lived in for a while.
She dreams of returning to that other world.
So when the opportunity arises - she goes back with Farid - Dustfinger has been read back to his world by another story teller - Orpheus and Farid wants to follow him.
He talks Meggie inito writing a story so that she can read him back, and Meggie goes with him.
When Mo and Resa realise Meggie has gone back, they are also returned to the other world, with some other characters, and so the wonderful story continues.
View all my reviews.
DIANE SETTERFIELD - The Thirteenth Tale
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
this book has been listed on a lot of reading lists and was able to get it from my local library.
A biographer is asked to write a story of Vida Winter, a best selling reclusive novelist.
Vida has been an enigma for many years and no-one knows the truth of her life.
Margaret, the biographer, is determined to find the truth, and she is able to uncover the true facts of Vida's life.
Good story and a bit Gothic you could say - themes being bad family blood; identical twins; mysteries etc.
As you get through the tale, you realise that there is another person hovering in the background, and Margaret realises that instead of 2 girls in the story (twins) Adeline and Emmeline, there is another girl, who it turns out is the child of the twins father and one of his liasons.
View all my reviews.
CHARLAINE HARRIS - An Ice Cold Grave
My review
rating: 3 of 5 stars
Stephenie Meyer has interested more peoiple now in reading "other world books" and this author's name appears on a lot of reading lists and book blogs.
Our character, Harper Connolly has been given the gift of being able to locate dead bodies - this gift was brought on by Harper being struck by a bolt of lightning.
In this story, she and Tolliver, her stepbrother, are hired to find a missing grandson - what she finds is more than 1 body - 8 are located in the same area.
Harper reluctantly becomes involved in the investigation after being attached by the supposed serial killer.
Harper and Tolliver also come to realise what their true feelings are towards each other.
A Good read and will get more of this author's books.
View all my reviews.
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
As I read this story, I was torn between coming to the end so that all would be revealed and keeping the story going, so that I could enjoy more of the characters, the history and learning more of the Jewish background.
The story travels over a few countries:
Hanna - leaving Australia to work on the Haggadah.
Sarajevo - where the book is held in the museum
Vienna - where Hanna's mentor, the elderly Professor lives
Venice - in the early days when the Jews settled there
America - where Hannah meets up with her mother in Boston (her mother
a famous surgeon is there to give a lecture, and is involved
in an accident.
The other lady in the car is killed and it turns out that she,
Delilah Sharansky, was Hanna's grandmother.
Spain - where the Haggadah first appears
Each chapter draws you further into the story.
Sad and upsetting how through each era in the history of the book (haggedah), the cruelty of man shines through - all in the name of religion.
Fascinating insight into the Haggadah and the scienes now available to test microscopic bits of everything and date them.
View all my reviews.
Michael Connelly - Chasing the Dime
My review
rating: 3 of 5 stars
A very easy read - didn't tax the brain too much.
The main character is a computer entrepeneur who is being set up for a big fall and framed for a murder.
View all my reviews.
NEW MOON by Stephenie Meyer
My review
The 2nd in the Series.
Bella cannot get over losing Edward - he and his family have moved from Forks.
Slowly she gets on with life, helped by Jacob - but he has changed in many ways and Bella discovers that Jacob's tribe are descended from Werewolves. Jacob is now one of the pack.
Alice comes for a visit after sensing that Bella may have killed herself, and when Edward hears of this, he rushes off to Italy to visit the Volturi (the high eschelon of the vampires) - he cannot live without Bella.
This story captured me like the first book, and I have got my mother reading the series as well. (she is 76 years old).
View all my reviews.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
ATC 26 May 2009 - Make a Wish
ATC 26 May 2009 - Make a Wish
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
Images from a variety of sources in magazines.
4 x 4 Card - 26 May 2009
4 x 4 Card - 26 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
Red amd black are great colour combinations for an Asian theme
6 x 4 Postcard - 26 May 2009
6 x 4 Postcard - 26 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
Another fun postcard creation
6 x 4 Postcard - 26 May 2009
6 x 4 Postcard - 26 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
A great way to filll in a few hours on a rainy day.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
6 x 4 Postcard - 24 May 2009
6 x 4 Postcard - 24 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
Unlimited ideas for making postcards
ATC 23 May 2009 - Tea in the Garden
ATC 23 May 2009 - Tea in the Garden
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
Pages from magazines are a boom to us card makers.
ATC 24 May 2009 - Ace Joker
ATC 24 May 2009 - Ace Joker
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
The background is from a gift card that someone sent to me with a trade.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
John Garner and Violet Adams
If anyone is researching these people, you are welcome to contact me and I will send the certificate to you.
Details are:
JOHN GARDNER AND VIOLET ADAMS
both born in Charters Towers Queensland
Married 25 April 1914 the Methodist Parsonage, Mary Street, Charters Towers.
Parents of John Gardner
Thomas Gardner and Mary Jane Dower
Parents of Violet Adams
James Adams and Mary Eliza Campbell
ATC 21 May 2009 - In the Library
ATC 21 May 2009 - In the Library
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
the background paper is from a decorating magazine.
6 x 4 Postcard 21 May 2009
6 x 4 Postcard 21 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
Spent a few hours this morning creating more cards - my cat Taliesin had taken over my chair in the office.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
4 x 4 Card 20 May 2009
4 x 4 Card 20 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
another card that I enjoyed creating.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Marriage Certificate - Samuel James BARRY and Elizabeth BOOR
The Samuel Barry that I am researching was born in Cardiff, Wales and I believe that he returned to Rockhampton after being discharge from the Australian Imperial Forces in WW1.
The details on the certificate show Samuel James Barry, born in Croydon Queensland, with parents Stephen Barry and Mary Jane McCloskey.
The bride's details are - Elizabeth Boor, born Irvinebank Queensland, with parents George Boor and Clara Ellen Burbridge.
Date of marriage 20 November 1924 St John's Church, CAIRNS
Monthly ATC Challenge 14 May 2009
Monthly ATC Challenge 14 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
The other card to complete my set of 3 for the challenge.
Monthly ATC Challenge - 19 May 2009
Monthly ATC Challenge - 19 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
One of the other cards created for the challenge
Monthly ATC Challenge - 19 May 2009
Monthly ATC Challenge - 19 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
One of a set of cards made for the challenge - the theme being a city.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
6 x 4 Postcard - 14 May 2009
6 x 4 Postcard - 14 May 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
My printer/scanner has been out of action for the past few days - one of the ink cartridges ran out.
As it was, I haven't had much time to create other cards, as I have been catching up on my family history research, and also planting out my vegie garden.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
ATC 14 May 2009 - Live Life
ATC 14 May 2009 - Live Life
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008
The background is from a decorating magazine - the rest just seemed to come together.