Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Tea Tuesday with Darcy

I want to begin by saying this post almost didn't happen.  I am having all kinds of trouble with Blogger and logging into my blog.  But so I don't whine anymore (or whinge as my British friends say), let's get this show post on the road (or the dining room table, whichever is closer).

I'm a sucker for a good challenge and this one had my name on it from the time I saw it on Donna's blog.  Darcy at Art and Sole is having her yearly art challenge and I've decided to join in.  After seeing how some people created their altered postcards from Darcy's challenge last year, I kicked myself for not joining.  This year will be different.

Darcy challenged us to read a book each month for 12 months, then make a piece of art that reminded us in some way of the book.


Darcy asked us to show the books we would be reading this year, with six being the minimum to get started.  So I made a cup of hot chocolate, deconstructed a failed collage, and set out to find 12 books.  


If you could see my library which is housed with shelves and shelves of books (16 to be exact, eight on each side of my computer desk), you would notice that one floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcase is filled with research, statistic, methodology, and human factors books, while the other floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcase is filled with math, calculus, physics, and engineering books, you would wonder if I ever read anything other than dry, boring stuff.  I seldom reference these books anymore, since I've taken up art (mixed media) in a perverse way.


In fact, I had to borrow a few of the books I will be reading.


One of the books is a mystery novel, two are non-fiction, and nine are art books.  In no particular order, here they are, since you probably can't see them due to my excellent (NOT) camera:




The only one I know when I'll be reading it is this one: A Puzzle in a Pear Tree by Parnell Hall.







If I've counted correctly, that should be all of them, Darcy.  Finding and/or borrowing these was harder than reading them, I can assure you.

Then I reread Darcy's FAQs and decided, even though I had never actually "READ" Scraps, I had perused it.  It was not fair to start with a book I had already seen inside before we started.  So, before we start, I will pick a mystery novel, possibly from the library, and I will show it at the end of the month when I read my first book.  As for my first ARC entry, I decided I would begin with Decorative Stamping, because any long term reader of my blog knows I don't stamp, and when I do, I usually make a mess of things.

Now I'm off to drink my hot chocolate before it gets cold.  What's that, you ask?  What is my cup sitting on?  It's the deconstructed board I will use at some point to make a piece of art to accompany my monthly book review.  I have no idea at this point when that will be, but remember that in addition to reading a book each month, I must also create a piece of art that in some way reflects the book I've read.  So why not join me for something warm today (unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere, where iced drinks are in vogue), pick out a few books, and join Darcy's ARC, which is short for Artful Readers Club.  To learn all the specifics, please visit here.



33 thoughtful remarks:

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Interesting selection of books! I've only read a couple, Claudine Hellmuth and Layered, Tattered both good books. I think, for what I do, I liked Claudine's book best. I'll be anxious to see what you will be inspired to make from this inspiration.

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Interesting selection of books! I've only read a couple, Claudine Hellmuth and Layered, Tattered both good books. I think, for what I do, I liked Claudine's book best. I'll be anxious to see what you will be inspired to make from this inspiration.

~*~Patty S said...

oh so glad to see you E!
what a pain blogger is being for you...sure hope that gets sorted out (now you have me talking British LOL)

"whinge" is a new word...Love new words!

A book a month shouldn't sound like such a huge challenge BUT for me...I am just not that organized

I will look forward to seeing how it goes for you...a fair number of those books look familiar...the Ruth Rae book looks like one I might NEED ;)
I am more of a looker at books than a reader lately it seems

Happy Hot Chocolate to ya!
oxo

voodoo vixen said...

Whinge on dear friend, I would have been in a padded cell if I had all the interwebs and blogging problems you have been experiencing!!

I want to join in, I really do, it such a fab challenge, but I know I will fail because of the big move on the horizon so I will enjoy it through you and Donna instead!
I am loving your choice of books and can't wait to see what art you create using them as the springboard.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun Elizabeth, and a good selection of books you have there...glad to know you are a perverse creator now...I chuckled quite heartily at that reference and I would suspect that your math, engineering, statistical background was also quite creative just in a different way. Looking forward to your book related art throughout the year. I will be diving headlong into Life Book my project for the year.....book as art for me. xox Enjoy the chocolate.

elle said...

I am committed to enough already but I'll be delighted to see what you read and what you make.

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Elizabeth,

This sounds like a lot of fun! I may play along "unofficially" as I don't want to commit to something that I'm not sure I could do.

For a mystery - have you read any of the Stephanie Plum series? The author is Janet Evanovich. I'm reading one right now and can visualize how I would make a piece of art from the book.

Some of those art books look very interesting! Can't wait to see how you progress.

Hugs,
Kay


Darcy Marshall said...

Welcome aboard!..great selection Elizabeth, there are 3 there that I am really looking forward to your reviews on.

I have added your name to the linky list. Was it just the bit where you add that you couldnt see or can you not see the list of names either?

Rebeca Trevino said...

great way to start a tuesday.
glad to say, i have a couple of them.
sorry to hear you are still having trouble with blogger.
enjoy your chocolate.
i am off to work at the studio.

Caterina Giglio said...

what exactly is the pronunciation of Whinge? What a lovely tea day at your place, in spite of Blogger... Having my Lemon Zinger and remembering fondly being a part of tea on tuesdays... x

Dawn said...

Ooh Elizabeth, that sounds like a very interesting and indeed unusual challenge, definitely not heard of anything of the like before! Im sure you will have lots of fun doing it my lovely and I can't wait to see what you come up with. Ha ha ha, I have a few of those books, I hope you enjoy working your way through them.
Huge hugs x x x x

Julia Dunnit said...

Well, you sure take on a challenge! I love Darcy's blog but just about choked when she set this challenge....it will e womderful i know, amd i shall ne following/stalking for sure. But actually doing it? Oh my, the pressure! Specially as i would have chosen fiction..and then faffed aout not knowing how to express muself and you know me so well i dont need to go on! So Miss Elizabeth, im looking forward to tis, necause apart from anything else, these will be reviews, and i love that for a bonus idea!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Reading and creating are just about my life so this challenge is right up my alley. If I can fit it in, I would love to join in--going to check it out now!

SandeeNC said...

LOL, I'm glad I'm not participating in this chalenge, as I am currently on the 16th James Patterson book in the Alex Cross series, my art would be about death, murder and blood....oh yuck, who would want art like that? lol Looking forward to seeing what you do, knowing you, the books will "literally" be part of your art...well, except for the ones you had to borrow ;) waving hi from the chilly hills of North Carolina :)

Carmen said...

Ooh, I've only read the last one of your arty books so can't wait to read your reviews and see what you create. I only have 2 art books on my list but wish I'd put more on now, am scratching my head what to create for my January book :-)

BJ said...

Just to let you know your comment came through. Glad you like my latest work and chrissy pressy. Gosh you have a load of books to read there! Hope you enjoy this challenge, certainly not for me - LOL - BJ#52

Darla said...

You are going to have fun with this I know. I'm definitely a reader, would love to play, but having to choose and list the books ahead of time eliminates me I think. I get my books from the library and often don't know what will be next.

Have fun, I may try the idea but not officially.

Darla

Darla

shazsilverwolf said...

I saw lots of posts this week about people having trouble with Blogger. I had it back last year. I swithched to Windows Livewriter( fee), which another WOYWWer recommended. Its great! You do your post, then 'send' it to your blog. I couldn't get any sensible answers form Mozilla (Firefox) or Google. Eventually it seemed to fix itself, now I use Blogger & Livewriter - it is actually really good, and much more user friendly than Blogger. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #73 xx

Halle said...

That's quite a collection. Some of the art books look very interesting. Will have to see if our library has them. Thanks!!!
PS..I had a dream last night that the family visited you. :)

Sarah said...

This is the first Artful Readers Club post I have seen where I have actually already read most of the books - I think I own every book on collage in print :D (still can't DO collage though lol)

I love reading reviews of books I have read to see if I agree with them or not ;) so I look forward to reading your opinions and seeing your related artwork

Terrie said...

I'm a big reader and LOVE reading art books but to be honest, I never thought about creating a piece of art directly reflecting what I just read. Silly me. This sounds like a great challenge and like someone else said, I think I'll participate unofficially - I don't want to over commit. You have lots of great collage books there that I'm unfamiliar with so I'm eager to read your review and see your art.

Virginia said...

Oh plenty of crafting books can't wait to read your reviews!

JoZart Designs said...

Such an interesting selection of books and I really look forward to it and to seeing the various ways it will be interpreted. Quite a challenge too. Good luck,
Jo x

laurie said...

your photos are so beautiful and inviting - i just want to sit right there and begin reading!

P.J. said...

That seems like a pretty diverse list of books for the challenge. Good luck!

Katie said...

Love your pick of books! They all look really interesting :)

Katie

San @ Made in Hem said...

Oh, there are a couple books I'm very interested in! Can't wait to see your reviews! Have fun!!! ♥

Spyder said...

ohoo I'm sure I have that Jack the ripper book with a different cover, now I have to go search for it, I never did finished reading it, only bits....sort of for research for another 'thing' I was doing, which I've forgotten about too. There's never enough hours in the day to remember what there is to do,let alone do it!
((Lyn))
Happy New Year and Happy WOYWW

((Lyn))

Yvonne said...

I'm trying to read more this year too. The next one on my list is 'The Life of a Bower Bird'. I always have lots of art books to read through and I love them the most.
This trouble with blogger is frustrating at times. I still can't upload photos from my computer, it doesn't even give me that option. Oh well, it will pass....Have a wonderful day!

Jez said...

All those lovely art books - so glad you have chosen those. I particularly love collage books, so I'll be looking forward to your reviews/artwork about those.

Shirley said...

Love your selection of books for the year, some ones that are on my wish list in Amazon so especially looking forward to reading your review of those.
Also viewing your 'inspired' artwork too.

Dianne said...

What a great selection of books...you will be busy! I can personally vouch for the excellence of 'Scraps' and 'Atlered Art' books as I have both of them. You will really enjoy them. hope your computer woes are improving and that your 2013 will bring much happiness and productivity! hugs to you...

Rita said...

Wow! This will be fun to follow and see what you make!
I've been having Blogger troubles, too. *sigh* I hope they pass. :)