Sons of Blackbird Mountain (Blackbird Mountain #1) by Joanne Bischof

Posted on March 24, 2020 by layeredpages

I started this story last night and so far so good! -Stephanie

Sons of Blackbird Mountain After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar place?

A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.

A Weekend of Mix Media Art

Posted on March 23, 2020 by layeredpages

The past few months I have been experimenting outside my norm of creating and this weekend I decided to go back to my roots of creating Mixed Media Art. While I enjoy learning new mediums, there are times I need to be surrounded with familiarity.

Mixed MEdia Collage 3-21-20

I created a master board specifically for my mixed media projects this weekend and I am really pleased with how they turned out. I will use these pieces to add to my Altered Art Book Journal and I still have a few left overs to make a few more ephemeras.

Bookplate

Furthermore, I created a mini notebook for my junk journal and hand-stitched the spin and added a couple of embellishments to the notebook. This piece will be tuck into a small pocket to take out and jot down notes and such. The pages are coffee stained and I used scrap pattern paper for the cover. The thread I used was gifted by a friend whom I’ve been encouraging to venture into junk journaling. I knew that this medium of creativity would be something she would be highly interested in because of her love of reading and history.

Two of the background pieces I made will be for later projects and there here is a piece I am hand-stitching. I do have a sewing machine but there are times I want to be in the present with my thoughts while creating and slow stitching is the perfect past time to do so. I will be stitching around the whole paper. The stitch will create a board to compliment the black coloring I will add.

The master board was created on a large size watercolor paper. The first step I took was to draw a grid with pencil because I used several colors of paint for the first layer and the grid gave me a sense of placement. Then I took scrap paper and dictionary paper and created a collage. The last step was cutting the board to the sizes I wanted to use for my projects. I used Tim Holtz’s Distress Inks and Tombow Watercolor Markers for my inking and doodling.

Left Over Pieces

Be sure to check out Before the Second Sleep’s blog post about new wings and ephemeras.

I hope you all have a creative week ahead and please be safe. -Stephanie

(Images may be subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie.)

Happy Mail Haul

Posted on March 18, 2020 by layeredpages

I am thrilled to be sharing a happy mail haul with you all! A dear friend and fellow papercrafter of mine sent me goodies to create with! I could barely contain my excitement when her package arrived this past Saturday, knowing it was going to be filled with so many fantastic materials to work with. So much in fact, I starting using them that very day.

Below are pictures of some of the mixed media projects I put together. She sent me some adhesive measuring tape and washi tape that I absolutely adore. Those were the first to be used and then I used a speckled button and a metal vintage style key.

I create a lot of tags and ATC’s because you can use them for all sorts of mixed media projects. On another note, I’m a history enthusiast and that includes art history. People say Artists Trading Cards started in the late 20th Century but in fact they go much further back than that. I will be blogging about that one day soon.

One can get really creative without having to break the bank from buying craft and art supplies. Most of the items she sent me are thrifted and from things she had been collecting. The materials I used from my own stash are mostly scraps and cut outs from bigger images. The floral arrangement on the Happy Easter Tag is from a Hallmark card bought at the Dollar Tree.

Be sure to check out my friend’s website HERE!

I hope everyone is having a safe week! Be well and God bless.

Stephanie

Be Still My Heart: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Posted on February 20, 2020 by layeredpages

Early on in the month I was approved of an (ARC) The Jane Austen Society
by Natalie Jenner from St. Martin Press through NetGalley. My first thoughts were, “How glorious the title was, the premise, Jane Austen, the cover, debut novel, new author I haven’t read, memorable characters, new beginnings, and strong literature. Maybe not all in that order but Jane Austen fans get me. I began my journey back into Jane Austen’s world last night and much to my surprise, even at the early stages of the story, I’m completely and madly in love with the what I’ve read, and a few characters thus far. How can this unknown writer- to me- capture my heart so quickly? These days, it is extremely hard to hold my interest in stories.

I can tell that Jenner knows her stuff, as my Grandmother would to say. It’s as if Jenner knows Jane Austen’s mind and heart. As if she has had an engrossing conversation with Austen about her characters motives and emotions. I felt a kinship to the story and two of the characters in the first scene.

Now my evenings can’t come fast enough to lose myself in the world of Jane Austen and the people who live in the town of Austen’s final home and connection the Great House and over a hundred years later after her death. May this story continue to capture my undivided attention. Right now, I have no doubt. -Stephanie

The Jane Austen Society
by Natalie Jenner
St. Martin’s Press
General Fiction (Adult), Historical Fiction
Pub Date 26 May 2020

Description

One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England’s finest novelists. Now it’s home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen’s legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen’s home and her legacy. These people—a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others—could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society.

A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with readers for years to come.

Button Personification

Posted on February 19, 2020 by layeredpages

Pam at The Paper Outpost put her Facebook group members to task on a weekly challenge of Button Beautification!! The challenge is to take your buttons and paper, paint, stamp or whatever you come up with on the buttons. If you’re a crafter, chances are you have hundreds if not thousands of buttons on hand to play with. Watch out because this fun craft is highly addictive!

If you are not familiar with Pam, check out her YouTube channel HERE. Not only will you want to binge watch her videos but you will be charmed by her witty and free spirit personality in crafting and overall cool attitude.

Here is the first set of buttons I made the other day ago. I have made a few more but they are going to be making a featured appearance later on.

You can also find Pam at:

Etsy /Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest

Today I leave you with inspiration from one of my favorite American President quotes! -Stephanie

TR Wednesday Quote

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Weekend Review

Posted on February 17, 2020 by layeredpages

Good morning, everyone! I hope you all had a beautiful weekend! I made a video last night on how to get started on junk journals and using materials to create pages you probably already have around your home. The link to the video is here and I caution you, it is unedited. Ha! I’m still learning filming and I am using my old phone to do so.

Also, I woke up this morning, fixed a cup of coffee and did a little morning video with no make-up, hair not done up and its complete realism. You can check that out here

I wanted to share a few weekend highlights with y’all besides the videos. I made a few master boards, altered play cards for journal tags, chilled out with Hal Girl while watching Netflix, and I picked up a couple of important things at the dollar three that every mixed media artist should have close by. In the near future I will be doing a blog post on items you can buy at the Dollar Tree to use for all your mixed media projects. Many of you will be surprised how much you can use from that store! -Stephanie

I leave you with my favorite a poem by Robert Frost.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

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Saturday Sunday: Recording Family History

Posted on February 15, 2020 by layeredpages

Family Jouranl

Last night I started a new junk journal and worked on two pages dedicated to my Father’s Castilian Aunt Nita. She was a dancer and she passed away many years ago. I took the original photo and scanned it to photo shop and printed the photo from there. The Original photo will go into a separate family album. I have always been drawn to this photo and her pose. I wish I had known her because as my father and I were discussing her, I could tell by his voice that she was an extraordinary woman.

I made a brief video on a painting technique I did on the pages. I hope you check it out. I posted it on my Layered Pages Facebook Page HERE. When I get a tripod for my phone, I will be able to film step by step the techniques I use. When painting on book pages, you need to glue at least three pages together to add the thickness for the paint and other mediums you apply. There are several layers involved and your pages need to be strong. This journal has three signatures and I will have ten or twelve pages per signature. That is all you really want to have because of the thickness that your pages will be once completed. When you tear out pages be sure to reuse them in your journal. Any left overs will be great to up-cycle for other projects. There are a couple other art projects I worked on this week that I was going to show more of today and discuss how I made them and the end result of the work, but I think I will blog about that next week. If you have any questions on how to start a junk journal, please don’t hesitate to ask me. There are so many ways and I would be delighted to help you find what works best for you. You don’t need any fancy materials to do so. You’ll be amazed what you can use around your home to make all sorts of mixed media projects and journals. I hope you all have a blessed weekend and see you on Monday. -Stephanie

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A History Glance Of The First Valentine’s

Posted on February 14, 2020 by layeredpages

Valentines 9

In America before the mid 1800’s Valentine’s Cards were handmade including real lace, ribbons and what-not. If you do a little research, you’ll find all sorts of stunning handmade vintage cards online. Maybe you even have one passed down to you.

Then the whole mass production of card making by machines came about towards the end of the 19^th century and they arrive in abundance to retail stores making Valentine’s Day- most likely- the biggest card selling day of the year.

Lets back track a little to an earlier time in history. Valentine’s Day goes way back to even the Roman times, but who knows, maybe even earlier.

Valentines 8

Did you know that British Library in London houses the oldest known to us humans, surviving Valentines? From what I learned it is a poem composed in French in 1415 by Charles Duke of Orleans to his wife, which he sent while imprisoned in the Tower of London. Wow, now that is some Valentine’s card! Can you imagine? Then again, it is said that Saint Valentine himself actually sent the first valentine so who really knows. The important thing to remember is that the tradition of expressing one’s special greetings and love is a really old affair.

Let’s get back to card making, shall we? This year I decided I wanted to make a few Valentine Cards with the focus of personalizing each one and blending my style with what I know each persons’ interest. What fun that was and I want to encourage people to consider making your Valentine’s to love ones and friends. They are much more appreciated and from the heart. They also carry on the traditions of the old arts and give you a sense of calmness and a moment of slowing down in this fast-paced world we live in. Happy Valentine’s Day! -Stephanie

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“No copyright on images infringement is intended” Used for blogging about history purpose only.

If I Were You: A Novel by Lynn Austin

Posted on February 5, 2020 by layeredpages

If I Were You: A Novel

by Lynn Austin

Tyndale House Publishers

Tyndale Fiction

Christian,Historical Fiction

Pub Date 02 Jun 2020

#IfIWereYouANovel #NetGalley #layeredpages #novel #historicalfiction

I am totally adding this book to my wish-list! I’m in love with the premise and the cover! -Stephanie

Description

From bestselling and eight-time Christy Award–winning author Lynn Austin comes a remarkable novel of sisterhood and self-discovery set against the backdrop of WWII.

1950. In the wake of the war, Audrey Clarkson leaves her manor house in England for a fresh start in America with her young son. As a widowed war bride, Audrey needs the support of her American in-laws, whom she has never met. But she arrives to find that her longtime friend Eve Dawson has been impersonating her for the past four years. Unraveling this deception will force Audrey and Eve’s secrets—and the complicated history of their friendship—to the surface.

1940. Eve and Audrey have been as different as two friends can be since the day they met at Wellingford Hall, where Eve’s mother served as a lady’s maid for Audrey’s mother. As young women, those differences become a polarizing force . . . until a greater threat—Nazi invasion—reunites them. With London facing relentless bombardment, Audrey and Eve join the fight as ambulance drivers, battling constant danger together. An American stationed in England brings dreams of a brighter future for Audrey, and the collapse of the class system gives Eve hope for a future with Audrey’s brother. But in the wake of devastating loss, both women must make life-altering decisions that will set in motion a web of lies and push them both to the breaking point long after the last bomb has fallen.

This sweeping story transports readers to one of the most challenging eras of history to explore the deep, abiding power of faith and friendship to overcome more than we ever thought possible.

Creative Process

Posted on February 3, 2020 by layeredpages

Last week I did a Master Board Challenge using these 19^th Century images with a blend of my own art images. The board came out interesting with my abstract painting and pieces from my other boards. I love the floral papers from this challenge. This particular board wasn’t really organized since I felt I would be cutting it up into another project or two…I love creating old images with the new and exploring with stories those layers tell.

For this art project I chose to use the girl on canvas. A friend of mine gave me a couple ideas for the remaining maser board pieces that I will be creating with soon.

One major process I learned with this project is that I should have added color to the paste before applying to the canvas. The bricks turned out a little too dark for my taste. Also, this one the first time I experimented with alcohol inks on canvas and adding it to grit-paste.

Girl on Canvas With the collage part, I started inward and worked outward, using a lot of layers and I wanted to give the illusion of an old building that’s facing was slowing peeling away with time. To put the final touch on this piece, I will be framing the canvas and most likely paint the wood a teal color to lighten it up a bit. We will see. Please excuse the badly taken photos. I used my phone and it is old. The images are much sharper and clearer in person of course.

Overall, I enjoyed the creative process and what this piece represents.