my book journal

This is one of new things I want to add to my blog - my book journal - inspired by what I saw on the web, particularly Karen's blog.  She keeps a reading log (another name of book journal) on books she's read with her son, which I've found both interesting and inspiring.  Reading with kids is always fun, and it's a great opportunity to spend quality time with them.

I myself love reading and buying books. :)  Reading is good for the soul, I believe, as long as you're not reading weird books.

Write book journal is not a new thing for me.  I did that before in elementary school and even in high school here.  At that time book journal (读后感) was merely homework for me.  If I had a choice, I'd rather NOT do it although I did put lots of effort in it when I was doing the book journal for my ESL.  Believe it or not, I still remember the book's name: it's Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club.

But now ... hmm, things have changed.  I've found book journal is an excellent way to keep track of books I've read, to record what I think of the book and the characters, to jot down my favourite quotes in the book.  What is better than including book journal into this blog?! 

Although I've loved reading, I didn't really really get into reading LOTS of books (and buying lots of books) until the birth of Charles.  When I was in the later stage of pregnancy, reading was one of my favourite things to do.  After Charles was born, I found myself having quite a few idle hours a day when Charles was sleeping in my arms or when I was breastfeeding him (lucky me, breastfeeding had never been a challenge for me or Charles).  Reading gave me something to do during these "boring" hours.  As a result, I gradually read and bought more and more books ... I still do.  Reading has become part of my life.

Honestly, I seldom borrow book, which is uncommon, I know.  Nothing special, it's just because I have a weird thing about possession of books.  I used to buy books at Chapters, only at the bargain section though. You know how expensive books are here, especially good and popular books.  Then Costco has become my favourite bookstore since I bought the very first historical novel there - The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory.  To me, reading this particular book was like opening a window to the world of historical novels, which I've become very fond of.  By the way, by now I've built quite a collection of books by Ms. Gregory. :)

Now it's near the end of 2011.  In the past 6 years, my little "library" has grown steadily.  I do have the intention to write down a little something about each book I've read in the past few years. It takes time, I know.  Well, we'll see how it goes then.  For now, I'll start my book journal on the book I'm currently reading -Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan (it's merely a coincident that Ms. Tan's name appears in this post twice).

new look and new input

I've been thinking of this change for quite a while in the past sleepless nights.

I need to change quite a few things, among of which is how I "deal with" this blog thing.  I like to blog.

When it's all happy and light, I'd like to share.

But when it's all grey, rainy and heavy, I'd like to keep it low-profile ...

Sometimes I really just want to stay low ... "don't bother me, please"

I've changed the title (a huge "decision" for me), the theme, and the way it's "published".

well, for now, it remains "secretive" ... but for those

who really wants to find out my footprints won't have a problem of finding it.

until next time...

More Crate Paper LOs

As you may have noticed, I am a BIG fan of Crate Paper.  L.O.V.E. every collection from them since the release of Restoration.  Lately I've got my hands on their Toy Box and School Spirit collections.  With a boy and a girl at home, I have every chance to try both boy and girl LOs. :)

Here are the three LOs I've just finished.

♥ My Boy

Both background paper are from the School Spirit collection while the embellies are from the Toy Box.  It's really fun to add bits and pieces here and there.  Whenever I play with Crate Paper, I tend to do that.  The journaling card is actually a cut-out from the 12x12 Accent Cuts paper.  Love these little cards.  And I've seen a super cute mini was created using these cards on Crate's blog.

Here are some close-ups.  4 punched hearts were used here to make this fun rosette.  A little bit of Sassafras Lass here, can you tell? :)

No title?  I didn't realize this until I took all the pictures. LOL.  Well, who says there MUST be a title?

Again, the background paper is from School Spirit.  Pretty cool paper here.

I'm kind of recycling here.  The piece of paper behind the picture with the heart shapes is the one I used to punch out the hearts for the above LO.  I think these heart-shaped "holes" create a fun effect on the LO.  And the hearts echo the "love" theme of the picture, don't you think?

Boy Style

This LO was created based on a sketch in November PageMaps.  It's a simple LO with rich colours.

A lot is going on behind that frame.

I had lots of fun creating these LOs.  After having made these bright boyish LOs, I had an urge to make something girlie and pretty.  During the last week, I tried lots of things on one single LO ... glimmer mist, crackle paint, distressed ink, stamping, handmade flowers ... It took me quite a while to finish it.

Here is a peek ~

I'll share it with you some time next week.

Don't forget that currently two exciting events are going on in our little store:

• The Paper Sale - additional 25% off all patterned papers; and

• Shop with us to win a fabulous prize.  You can find all the details HERE.

Thank you for stopping by.  Talk to you later.
hugs,
Yolanda

梦

我经常做梦，没有梦对于我来说是不正常的。有很多时候，做的梦都很真切，往往在醒来后，还萦绕在我四周。昨晚，我梦见妈妈了。其实梦见妈妈是经常的事。但昨天晚上的与以往的有所不同，梦中，妈妈对我说她是不真实的，我可以看见她，和她说话，但是她犹如一团雾，摸不着 ... 我看着她在收拾衣服，在做家务 ... 然后一惊醒，知道自己在做梦。看一下钟，凌晨三点十分整，心里很是不舒服。怎么会是这个时间呢？

不知是否这个梦的原因，今天一天下来人都不舒服。

Lazy Quiet Life

I've been feeling lazy ever since we came back from our vacation.  Maybe THIS is the major side effect of going on a vacation.

We had a little cake for my birthday ...

Taste good?  Let's see ...

Hmm, it seemed yes. :)  It was a nice Mocha cake.  Then a group of friends gave me an awesome dinner party to celebrate my big 3&7. :) :)

We had some wonderful outdoor play time with the kids last weekend when the sun was out.  Always love the autumn sun that makes everything golden and warm.

With Halloween tucked in the memory jar, everyone is now talking about Christmas ... parties, gifts, ... Are you having any Christmas projects in mind?  I'm still thinking whether to do the December Daily this year.  Last year my December Daily turned out to be a ridiculously thick book, which I of course love so much.  But it did take me quite some time to put things together.

When seeing the beautiful Wonder collection by Authentique Paper, the temptation is very strong, I tell you.  I really love the thickness of their paper, and the design is beautiful.

We'll see, right? :)

But today I do have 2 LOs to share with you.

First up is a LO for my little girl who turned 2 this July.

I combined three collections here.  Can you tell?  They are Amplify (Sassafras Lass), Toy Box (Crate Paper) and B-Day Bash (Imaginisce).  Love the happy colours.

Here are some close-ups ~~

I applied some Glossy Accents and glitters to highlight the embellies, bringing out the cute little gift boxes.

Once I touched the Toy Box collection paper, I couldn't stop.  Here is the second one I'd like to show you ~~

The die-cut paper at the back is from the School Spirit collection that goes with the Toy Box collection perfectly.  Actually, I think you can mix and match all Crate Paper collections without any problem.  The airplane chipboard is from the Restoration collection, which Kathy kept talking about. :)

Some close-ups ~~

There are so many die-cut embellishments in each Crate Paper collection that I can't help layering them.  I believe this is their signature. :)

Love their alpha stickers, too!!!

That's all from me today.  Thank you so much for stopping by.

hugs,
Yolanda