Monday 26 April 2010

A bit of everything.

I apologise for my absence this weekend, but we have had rather a hectic one and sometimes you just don't get time to get to the blogging world. We went to a fabulous party on Saturday and then the girls were in and out of the house all day yesterday as they had lots of dance practices for their show.

I haven't even picked up a book all weekend, which is really bad for me. I hope to get some serious reading done this week to catch up.

I joined a mini challenge last week which was being organised by Ana over at Things Mean Alot. The challenge is based on books from the 1930's and you only have to read one to complete it. It runs for three months (April 18th – July 18th), so if you are interested in joining in, then click on Ana's name above to take you through to the challenge page.

I thought I would quickly share a book with you, which I managed to get from the library. It is more suitable for a scrapbook beginner, but I found by looking through it, it gave me a few new ideas to use up things that I already had. Like decorative scissors, which have sat in my drawer for nearly two years, can now be brought to use again, to give pretty boarders. It also has hints for altering brads, which is something I have never thought of.

There are lots of pretty layouts that can be copied, so it is a fabulous book for anyone who is beginning to scrap or for any older scrappers who need a new look at their old stash.
One of my birthday parcels arrived this week. These books were all ordered from Amazon using an Amazon voucher.
1) Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon. - Alyce from At Home With Books, has read the whole series and her reviews had me reaching for this time travelling book. Hubby managed to pick up the second two books from the hospital charity shop where he works, so I knew I had to get the first one too.
2) Beastly by Alex Flynn - this is a retellling of Beauty and the Beast and one I have been after for a while.
3) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - After reading Amanda's review of this book over at The Zen Leaf, I knew I had to have it.
4) Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu - I wanted this after reading Ana's review over at Things Mean Alot.

I can't wait to get into these books. I have one last pile of books arriving this week and then that will be it for awhile. My purse will stay firmly shut for the near future, when walking past book shops.
I have quite a few reviews to get through this week and may double up on a couple to get them up before the end of the month. I like to start the month with a clean slate.
Thanks for stopping by.

15 comments:

  1. Ooh! Look at those books. I read Beastly last week, enjoyed it too. Did you know there's a movie coming out this summer?

    Also, I picked up A Tree Grows In Brooklyn a couple weeks back as well! If I didn't already have so many YA books I'm desperate to read I'd totally read that one next!

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  2. Scrapbook Secrets sounds like just the sort of book for beginners that I am looking for - I hope our library can get hold of a copy.

    That mini challenge sounds like fun and, as you need to read just the one book, not at all demanding.

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  3. Oh, I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, too! You're in for a treat.

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  4. You have some nice books there Viv. I like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn a lot. enjoy

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  5. I read Cross Stitch (aka Outlander) a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I have the second book on my Kindle but not sure when I'll get to it. I look forward to it, though!

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  6. Hey! You can read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as part of your American Tour!

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  7. Real life is more important than a blog, but we did miss you! You got some great books with your Amazon voucher!

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  8. I love the scrapbook book... I can always use tips :)

    Enjoy A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I really enjoyed that book when we read it last fall for our book club :)

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  9. I bought A Tree Grows in Brooklyn at a charity shop some months ago, and will read it soon I think. Will look for your review of it as well.

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  10. Vivienne, sometimes life gets in the way of reading (and blogging), but then it's even sweeter when you find yourself reading (and blogging) again. Enjoy your "new" books.

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  11. Yay, glad you are also joining Nymeth's challenge. Can't wait to hear about the books you'll be choosing for it.

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  12. Thank you for spreading the words about the 1930's challenge, Vivienne! Also, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Uncle Silas :)

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  13. You have two of my all time favorites there - Cross Stitch/Outlander (of course), and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I hope you like them as much as I did!

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  14. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is wonderful. Enjoy!

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  15. These all sound wonderful Viv. You keep getting me told off as I add books I like the sound of to my Amazon wishlist and then my sister, friend and Dad usually pick me something off it for Christmas and birthday. I got told off at Christmas for how many pages long the list was and it keeps growing - apparently they have a hard time choosing though my sister, who has similar tastes to me, has found a few good books herself by going through my list ;) I always come away from your blog having added a couple more so I shall get them to take it up with you in future!

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Hiya, thanks for stopping by, it is always nice to hear what you have to say, so do leave a comment if you have time.