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Saturday, 28 March 2015

The Light Fantastic - Discworld Reading Challenge

TLF.cover.jpg
Published: 1986

Plot Summery: Following the dramatic climax of the Colour of Magic (no spoilers - I promise), The Light Fantastic picks up the story where we left off, with our hapless hero - Rincewind in mortal danger....only not really, thanks to a spell which lives in him. Twoflower appears again and ends up playing contract bridge with the four horseman of the apocalypse whilst Rincewind is nearly killed (again) by Deaths adoptive daughter. The book climaxes with..... well a climax (I promised no spoilers) and Rincewind and Twoflower parting ways.
 
Adaptations: It has been turned into a four part comic, released in 1992-93 and was incorporated into the Sky One two part TV production, which was aired Easter 2008 under the title of the Colour of Magic (see previous post to explain why)

Favourite Quotes: "He moved in a way that suggested he was attempting the world speed record for the nonchalant walk."

"The universe, they say, depended for its operation on the balance of four forces which they identified as charm, persuasion, uncertainty, and bloody-mindedness."

"Rincewind's feet made their own decision and, from the point of view of his head, got it entirely wrong."
 
Reading Time: Started Thursday 19th March 2015 - Finished Friday 27th March 2015

Friday, 27 March 2015

Crafty Catz DT - Whimsical Fantasy

Morning all,
 
So here's to the end of another manic week. Last Saturday saw me hit up two shows at the NEC in Birmingham - The Camera Show and Hobbycraft/Creative Stitching - neither of which I was impressed with, but from which I did manage to walk away with what I wanted - well, just about. I don't think I'll be bothering with the Hobbycraft show again - although I was glad to see Magnolia were back after a few years of absence. Anyway, so that was then followed up with a trip to my local haberdashery shop to buy some fabric in order to make some PJ bottoms which are actually long enough - nothing more annoying than having full length trousers flapping 4 inches above your ankle! So at some point before I go on holiday I need get the sewing machine out...... goodness knows when though!
 
Anyway, this weeks theme at Crafty Catz is set by me and I want to see cards which are full of Whimsical Fantasy - so quirky houses which are mushrooms, fairies, pixies etc.
 
We have been sponsored this week by Make it Crafty who are offering our lucky winners a $10 gift certificate
 
So on with my card for the week:


 
Image is coloured with Promarkers: Cinnamon, Terracotta, Burnt Orange, Honeycomb, Henna, Cool Grey 3, Warm Grey 1, Cornflower, Cool Aqua, Buttercup, Moss, Poppy, Burgundy, Maroon, Mulberry. Sentiment is computer generated and card stock is basic coloured textured card stock
 
Clean and simple was my motto. I hope you like it and the theme. Hope you'll come and play this week with us at Crafty Catz.

Thursday, 26 March 2015

The Colour of Magic - Discworld Reading Challenge

The Colour of Magic (cover art).jpg
Published: 1983

Plot Summery: The central character is an incompetent wizard called Rincewind who has involuntary become the guide to the Discworld's first ever tourist - Twoflower. Their adventure, or rather their misadventure is the result of Gods playing a board game - but of course?! The book actually ends with the beginning of the The Light Fantastic and as such can, and is, often consider part 1 of 2 of a single story, 

Adaptations: It has been turned into a graphic novel (1992); a computer game which was originally released in 1984 but which I came to some years later and which I never completed - although was hilariously good fun; and most recently and probably best known - a Sky One two part TV production, which was aired Easter 2008

Favourite Quotes: "Let's just say that if complete and utter chaos was lightning, he'd be the sort to stand on a hilltop in a thunderstorm wearing wet copper armour and shouting 'All gods are bastards"

"It is at this point that normal language gives up and goes and has a drink"

"You can't map a sense of humour. Anyway, what is a fantasy map but a space beyond which There Be Dragons? On the Discworld we know that There Be Dragons Everywhere. They might not all have scales and forked tongues, but they Be Here all right, grinning and jostling and trying to sell you souvenirs"

Reading Time: Started Saturday 14th March - Finished Thursday 19th March 2015

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Terry Pratchett - Discworld Reading Challenge.

Nac Mac feegle, They would look wicked running round my arm.
So as many of you will have heard Terry Pratchett passed away on the 12th March 2015, peacefully. Terry Pratchett is one of my all time favourite authors and I guess, I would say, hero's.  Despite humble starts and a not so shining academic record, he worked hard in his life and created a fantasy world that I, like many others have lived in for years. 

Prachett's first novel, the Carpet people was published in 1971 and his first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic was published three years before I was even born! 

I thank my parents for introducing me to his books and even more so, the amazing animated series which ran on TV when I was a child  (1992 and 1996)- it fuelled my hunger to enter into an amazing world which was carried on the back of four elephants, standing on the shell of a giant turtle. 

His characters were amazing and if Death is anything like that which we find between the pages of the Discworld books, all I can say is the afterlife is going to be a blast. 

But it was often the things that Pratchett said in interviews which struck me the most. One of my favourites, which has been scribbled in the front of every diary I've ever owned since I was a teenager is 'The vital ingredient in success is not knowing what you're attempting can't be done'

In tribute to the man who got me in trouble for reading under the covers with a torch, took up weekends of my life with his incredible characters (always to the detriment of homework), who influenced more than one world book day costume (my favourite was always Susan Death) and who's words remind me to always try, no matter what anyway says, I am going to reread the entire discworld series to date and his last book, due to be released in December posthumously before Christmas. I actually started on this journey two days after his passing as I make the the total 41 books to read. Having worked out the time between now and Christmas I make that just over one a week (I started this challenge on the 14th) 

So I will be tracking my reading journey here on the blog, so if you're a Discworld fan I encourage you to leave comments, your favourite quotes or your own memories of how Pratchett influenced your life. 

I'll be back with my reviews for The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic soon but until then just remember:
RIP Sir Terry Pratchett 


Friday, 20 March 2015

Crafty Catz DT - No Design Papers

Morning all,

So another week is over and after a couple of quieter weeks, this one's been manic again and next week isn't looking much better, but roll on Easter and my holiday - it's the light at the end of the tunnel! but another Friday means another challenge over at Crafty Catz. This week's theme has been set by Nina and she would like to see you make a project with No Design Papers. So dig out those stencils, embossing folders and stamps - it's time to make your own backgrounds.
 
We are sponsored this week by the fab team at Bugaboo Stamps who are offering our lucky winner 7 Images of their choice
 
The images are coloured with promarkers in the following colours; Caramel, Cinnamon, Burnt Orange, Gold, Black, Dusky Rose, Meadow Green, Sky Blue, Mulberry and Cool Grey 1. The embossed background is cuttlebug Spots and Dots and the plain cardstock is from stash. I finished it off with pips from stash.
So there you go, a spotty, dotty card. Do swing by the blog to see everyone else's amazing creations and please play along with us this week at Crafty Catz. Until next time, happy crafting!

Friday, 13 March 2015

Crafty Catz DT - Buttons and Bows

Morning all,
 
Hope you've had a good week. So here we are again, with a new challenge over at Crafty Catz. The theme this week has been set by Jac who wants to see you use Buttons and Bows on your card. We are sponsored this week by Stampin Boutique who are offering our lucky winner 3 images of their choice.
 
I layered the image and coloured it with promarkers in the following colours: Apricot, Red, Ruby, Poppy, Maroon, Mulberry, Pear Green, Pumpkin, Buttercup and Pastel Yellow. I used Thatched Straw and Sahara Sand Versamagic inks and used lace and buttons from stash.
 
Hope you like it. Please take a look at the other girls creations and come and play. Until next time, happy crafting.

Friday, 6 March 2015

Crafty Catz DT - Song Title To Match Image

Morning all

Another challenge for you over at Crafty Catz. Last week's was really popular so hopefully you're all finding your mojo and will come and play with us again this week.

This weeks challenge has been set by Christine and she wants you to match your cards to a song or A Song Title to Match your Image.

We are sponsored this week by Aurora Wings.

So onto my card:
My papers are from Stampin Up and Docrafts - The Little Cake Shop. The buttons and ribbon are from stash and I hand cut the Strawberry. The papers are inked with various Tim Holtz inks and the image is coloured using promarkers in the following colours: Apricot, Oatmeal, Blossom, Dusky Rose, Maroon, Poppy, Ruby, Red, Mustard, Gold, Lime Green and Apple.
 
So there you have it. Do stop by the challenge blog. Until next time, happy crafting.