Throwback Blog Posts and Instagram

Dear Scribblers

In recent weeks, as part of their #ThrowbackThursday tag, I've been uploading photos to Instagram showing old blog posts, concentrating on The "Favourite Things" series I wrote in June/July 2011. Yes, that long ago! Where does the time go to?

This is today's photo:

If you don't want to go searching through the archive, here's a link to the original post - http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/my-favourite-things-part-4-and-project.html

Sometimes it's good to take a meander down through memory data. By the way, in the entry above, there's a further link to a blog post previous to that from June 2010! How's that for double Throwback Thursday? Then in that post, there's a link to a poem, which is no longer on-line, although there are some poems still available on the 365poet2010 site, but there are many more on: http://555poet.blogspot.co.uk/ 

It's like going down that rabbit hole (or The Cherek Bore,) you might never get out! ;-)  

Happy Scribing!

If you would like to find me on Instagram or Twitter, I'm @TheCraftyScribe 

If you are interested in reading bad poetry, and would like me to dig out 'The Book Tower', the poem mentioned in the June '10 post, please let me know in the comments below, or via Twitter. 

Looking forward to seeing you. 

Lessons Learnt - 8 - My Life in Books

Dear Scribblers

After yesterday's break, we are back on track, and here's my next layout from last September's LSNED.

As you can see this was all about my love of books, and the books that shaped my life. I think you could probably tell a lot about me from reading the covers. A tom-boy as a child, into the dramatic arts. love of sci-fi, gothic, magic, fantasy and positive thinking, keen on the odd block-buster or two, a nod towards the classics and history, but with a very silly streak. Mmmm! Sort of sums me up.

Have you ever made a list of your favourite books at different ages? What have you found out about yourself? Have a go!

The layout itself is very simple. I thought I would let the covers do the talking. I made a table in my word processing document and dropped each jpg into a slot, so I could keep them sized the same, which I then printed out on A4 photo quality sheets. The background is K&Company 12x12 paper I've had in my stash for about 8 years!

Happy Scribing!

Just a note: Any companies or products I mention are items I've bought myself. I am not attached to any other crafting, scrapbooking or art website or company. I mention them because I use them or like them!

My Favourite Things Part 4 and Project of the Day

Dear Scribblers

Do you ever find that you are in the mood of comfort food? That special little treat that picks you up when you're feeling low?

Well, I have comfort books. Just as fulfilling with none of the calories!

They are The Belgariad and The Malloreon series by David and Leigh Eddings. I've written a little about these books before, please click here to read that entry.

I first began reading these books when I was 17, after being lent Pawn of Prophecy by my boyfriend, and devoured the first five books, known collectively as The Belgariad, within a few months. The boyfriend is long gone, but the love for the books stayed with me, although I needed to buy my own copies!

Impatiently, I waited for each book of the second series, The Malloreon plus the three companion books that followed, to be published and read these with as much delight and gusto as the first. You can probably tell by how worn the books are!

So why are they my favourites? I love the characters, the fantasy setting, the plot, action and comedy. Each time I dip into them, it's like a reunion with old friends. They are my comfort books as there's no effort in reading them. I know what's ahead, I've been there with them before but I still enjoy every page turn and get as much from the next read as I did the first. 

I've read a lot of books and a lot of fantasy, even further stories by David and Leigh Eddings (who sadly are no longer with us), however no other set of books have affected me like these. I like to begin reading them again every couple of years, normally around October time, as the nights begin to draw in and the weather becomes colder, I turn to The Belgariad and find comfort in beginning my journey with my friends all over again.

Project of the Day: Please try the Project of the Day from the previous post.  Or, if you would like to try something different... 

1. Make a list of all the books that you would like to read. 
2. Create journal pages or a mini-book, adding the title of one of the books to the top of every page. 
3. As you read the books, take a photo, add the dates you began reading and finished it, and write a review. You can even include where you read the book, who you passed the book on to, photos of you reading, what stopped you from reading it. Anything that makes your experience personal to you.
4. Fill the book up as you work down your list. This helps as an incentive to finally get round and read all those books that you promised yourself, as you see the pages fill up with your comments and achievements.

Happy Scribing!

Journal Prompt 25 and Project of the Day

Dear Scribblers

My top ten list of people that are important to me.

This can be important in your life, or your creativity. How about a list of those who have inspired you in the past? They could be people you know, or famous writers, artists, anyone who has made an impact on you. I suggest a top ten, but make the list as long or short as you want it to be.

Project of the Day - create a journal page, collage or mini-book on the list you make. For example, my list of famous people from the past who have inspired me are: 

• H.G Wells  
• Oscar Wilde  
• David Eddings
• Elizabeth I  
• Sophocles
• Gene Kelly  
• Gene Roddenberry
• Olaf Stapledon
• Pythagoras
• Marilyn Monroe

A strange mix, I admit! But can you imagine a mini-book with a page for each, and why they inspire me? Let your mind wander, what can you come up with?

Happy Scribing!

Inspiration for a Poem, The Love of Books and Project of the Day

Dear Scribblers

A couple of days ago, I wrote a poem for My Year As a Poet by The Crafty Scribe entitled The Book Tower about the list of books that I want to read, but I always seem to go back to my favourites.

I think I have read The Belgariad and Malloreon series plus prequels by David Eddings about 8 times, or maybe more. That's 13 books in total!


© David & Leigh Eddings (and publishers)

Do you have favourite books? Do you have a to-read book list? Have you thought about scrapping or writing about this?

Project of the Day - Take photos of your favourite books to create a scrap page, mini book or journal page. Remember to write about why you like these books, when you first read them, where you were, how it made you feel, and how many times you've read them. Then make a page for your reading list - list why you are interested in reading them. Did someone recommend them? Was it a review you read? Or is it a book you feel you must read? You could also do a recommendation page - showing all those books you have read and give a review and rating.

Happy Scribing!... and Reading!