New Books and New Leaves

I just rushed over from the library.  Not just any old library, The Greater Phoenix Digital Library.  I've posted before about it, it's almost as good as chocolate (Isabel thinks that is crazy talk-nothing comes close to chocolate goodness:).

I checked out "A Guide to Color Symbolism" by Jill Morton and "Art Journey, American Landscapes-89 Painters' Perspectives" edited by Kathryn Kipp.  I am excited to look at all of the landscape paintings.  I am also studying a bit more about color and what it means.  I think color theory is so interesting, and the color wheel is always helpful for inspiration.  I can't wait to look at both of my new library books.

courtesy Greater Phoenix Digital Library

Now on to fun crafty stuff.  I was able to get some new stones for tree leaves yesterday.  

I have to say that JoAnn's has done a great job of expanding their jewelry and beading sections.  The selection is great and the sales can add up to really make a difference.  Yesterday the beads were 50% off and I had a coupon for an additional 20% off including sale items.  When we checked out the nice lady and I were joking about how it feels good to save more money than you spend.  Even she was amazed at my savings.  I know it's not polite to talk about prices or money, I just get a kick out of a great deal.  Tale a look at some of my new leaves:

I like all of them, but the moss agate stone is my favorite.  The deep green definitely draws the eye.  I am using a muffin tin as a tray to hold my tree making supplies.  I thought the glass would be great to practice with and I will save the stones for trees that I want to gift or put in the shop.  I can't wait to get started on a new tree later today!!

Here is a peek at a few other things we've been working on lately:

I used another piece of "Midnight Pastoral" to make a pendant.  I have to dress it up a bit so it's a work in progress.  I am in love with the way the vintage lace looks under glass.  Isabel is helping with these and we like the way they are turning out.

I hope your week is going well, happy Wednesday.

A Stinky Library and A Great Treasure

I did not start off understanding how reading can really transport you.  I remember a summer contest when I was around 12 years old, where you earned points for the books read.  Because I didn't want to do a bad job I started reading but at a very slow pace because I was not interested in the types of books I was checking out.  I remember finding a historical novel about a girl who felt cursed because she kept seeing bits of the future.  That was the book that changed everything for me.  It was so entertaining, I felt like I was there with her.  I finished the book quickly and immediately felt a sadness that it was over. I was hooked. I ended up with a bronze metal that summer, which was good because of my slow start, but the next year I got the gold.
My father is a reader too.  He would take us to the base library pretty regularly, so I grew up loving the library.  When we moved to Tempe, one of the first things I wanted to do was find the public library.  Yikes! I have never seen one in the condition I found this one.  It was a dirty stinky and crowded place where people would stand in line for the few computers so they could update facebook, double yikes.  It was not the library I grew up loving.  Thank goodness there was a big sign that said remodeling would begin soon (Just a few years later and that library is now a wonder to behold, with new carpet, new books and furniture, an amazing kids zone, a cafe and two computer areas so the facebook people don't get in the book people's way;).
The stinky library was advertising an online library with thousands of books to use during the remodel.  I looked it up and bingo, found one of the greatest treasures of my life.  Ladies and Gentleman, I give you:  The Greater Phoenix Digital Library!


This is the main page of the online library.



Check this out.  I have two books on hold.  The first is The Quantum Universe, I am patron 4 of 4 waiting for the book.  The second is This Will Make You Smarter, I am patron 10 of 11 waiting to get smarter.


This shows my tablet and the shelf that holds my Library books. 
A few of the books I am reading: 
Promoting Health Through Creativity by Therese Schmid
Unfurling, A Mixed Media Workshop by Misty Mawn
Make Cloth Dolls by Terese Cato
Woof by Rachael Hale

I don't always read the entire book, but I like to check out things from different sections of the library.  I will let you know if the "get smarter" book really works.

If you live in Phoenix or the surrounding areas, the digital library is free and accessed with your local library card.  If you do not live here, your state may have a similar library or I believe you are able to buy a membership to the Phoenix one for a reasonable price.
One of the cool things is that you check books out and when the time is up, the books simply expire.  I have checked out almost every arts and crafts book they have and regularly check back for more.  The library even has this new program that when you buy a digital book online, the library gets a copy for free.  You may have noticed how cheap thrifty I am, so I don't buy books often, but when I do I will definitely use that new program.


My cousin sent me this photo of us as little girls. Aren't we cutie pies.