Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Hunger Games Inspiration

The Hunger Games trilogy is one of my all time favorite 9780439023528_p0_v1_s260x420young adult series.  I just had to read it all twice, and I know I’ll read each book again before the movie comes out.

Although my book club, The Reading Ladies, didn’t choose it for a monthly pick, we still discussed each book in the series not long after its publication.  

Hunger Games bracelet 

Here is the bracelet I made for my sweet grand-daughter, Jordan who gave up her room for me when we stayed in Washington, let me read her great YA books, and introduced me to Tehereh Mafi, author of Shatter Me, who has such a unique writing style you won’t forget it.

The bracelet is made with one of my road trip treasures (the old leather band.  Remember, I told you to watch for it?), bits and pieces of antique brass jump rings, the Mocking Jay medallion from my DVD set, and a Hunger Games key chain I purchased at Wal-Mart.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Night Circus Creation

Have you had the chance to read Night Circus, yet?  9780385534635

This is another enchanting book that my granddaughter Jordan introduced to me.  It’s about a mysterious circus that magically appears just at midnight and disappears at dawn.

In the book, everything is black and white—the circus tents, the chalked designs swirled on the footpaths, even the clothes the circus performers wear.

My book club read Night Circus in October—we always try to read a mysterious, or just plain scary, book during the month of ghosts, goblins and ghouls.

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I am inspired to create this mixed media piece after reading the book.  In it, the magician keeps a journal with a tree that dominates the pages with branches trailing across page after page. 

I use postmark stamps to indicate the circus travels across countries and continents.  I collage the taro card since it is integral to the story and the clock rubbing for the same reason.  There are drawings that show important places in the story, as well as some of my favorite quotes.

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I am lucky to find this great antique frame on a 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby.  It is the only one, and I’ve never found another one like it.

I love the beautiful scroll work that is stenciled in black right on the glass.  It’s like this frame was made exclusively for my art work!