Saturday, January 5, 2013

2012 Favourites in Cards & Books

Before I begin, let me first direct you to the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog, where we're introducing one of our new design team members - an incredibly talented person I've been lucky to be a follower of for a while now: Dawn!   Pop on over & say hello, and make sure to check out her stunning projects on her own blog, Paper Stamp Scissors. It's her first turn hosting the challenge, so I hope you can find some crafty time to play along this week :)

I'm sitting out this week because I still haven't been able to get to my desk. Once I finish the massive stack of dishes I plan to give it a shot - this is the first time I've had to sit out on participating in any of my design team posts, and it bites. I don't like the feeling of letting the teams down :( Sitting at the computer forces me to sit up straight - and I am a terrible crafty sloucher.

Anyway, last year I did individual posts for each month of favourites in books & cards, and this time around I think I will just keep it one big long massive post. I keep track of the books that I read with a spreadsheet (nerd...I know). I don't rate them or review them, just note which ones. Several years ago someone asked me how many books I read in a year, and the answer this year is 222. Most of  them are books I forget instantly on finishing - murder mysteries and procedurals - but I read for entertainment. Life is too short to be reading books I don't enjoy! The funny thing is - most of my favourite books? Not crime books at all.

January: (all the month links will be to each card's original post)
and for books:
Sinead Moriarty, Me and My Sisters (all the book links will be to synopses so that you can read a bit about the books!)


books:


books:


books:

books:


books:


books:



books:


Lynda Rutledge, Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale

October:

books:


books:



books:
John Grisham, The Racketeer - seriously, I haven't liked his for a while...the last half makes this book.

If you made it this far, bless you :) I'd love to hear your favourite books - or even just what you're reading right now. As you can no doubt tell, I kind of love to read ;)
I hope to be back with some new cards shortly!
xoxo,
Jessi

ETA: I'm joining in with two year-end reviews - with the Recipe Swap at Catered Crop, and with Stephanie at Ingenious Inkling! Check them out & share your year-end review too :) 


Top 12 for 2012

24 comments:

Lindsey said...

Great recap of beautiful cards, Jessi! As to books, you may have read these but they didn't make your faves list... Did you read Gone Girl or The Age of Miracles? And since you read mysteries, have you read Giles Blunt's and Louise Penny's latest ones?

~amy~ said...

sigh...I really enjoyed this post....one of my many resolutions is to read books...haha...I read blogs all the time:) So I'll keep this post in mind. I also LOVED seeing your review in cards....gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!

Emily Keaton said...

You picked fabulous favorites, Jessi! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I love all your colorful inspiration :-)

Annette Allen said...

what a great post... I love all your choices... so fun...
Thanks for sharing..Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Thanks for all the sweet comments.. You always know how to put a smile on my face.. :)

kingstonmama said...

Happy New Year, Jessi. These are beautiful cards. I love that you keep a list of the books you read. I've added quite a few of these to my 'books to read' list. I wish I could tell you some of my favorite books from this year. I can hardly remember what I read last week, and I've read some great books, darn it all! I think I'll try to keep a list this year . . . Ann

CinnamonSally said...

Such a fun post Jessi loved the cards, I think January s stood out with that gorgeous flower. My goodness you read alot, sadly I only get to read in the Summer holidays.

fairyrocks said...

Jessi, I hope you are feeling better soon. Love this post. I never thought to write the books down or create art based on the books. I too read a lot!! Mostly at night, instead of sleeping. I recognize a couple on your list I have read too. Hmm now the list maker in me is itching to start one for this year. Thanks for the inspiration. PS I can't read true crime at night. I am a fantasy fiction girl at heart. At any rate feel better soon. Happy New Year, hope this is the best one yet!!

Colleen Dietrich said...

I loved seeing your parade of cards, Jessi! I see many beautiful buttons on your cards. :) The quilled flowers are so pretty! Had to chuckle at the 'play doctor' card. My DH would love that! LOL

Grandma Bonnie said...

I loved seeing your cards in review! I read Historical Christian fiction- i just finished Tamera Alexander- To Whisper Her Name..it took place at the Belle Meade Plantation and just after the civil war.

Darnell said...

That was such a fun read, Jessi, and loads and loads in inspiration in one spot, so thank you!

I'm reading the TV listings from the newspaper. Yup, I'm that shallow. JK! My eyes blur if I read due to meds and I hate it. I'm planning to give reading on the computer a try, which would be great (and should work), cause I've missed reading so much. You've been doing my reading for me! So thanks for the post, I now have a reading list to go to! xxoo

Jen W. said...

Okay, so in the card department February made me giggle, April is, of course, genius and May and November are gorgeous!
As for books, some of my faves this year included: Room by Emma Donoghue, Metropolis by Elizabeth Gaffney, Frangipani by Celestine Vaite, Firecracker by Sean Stewart, Jemima J by Jane Green, The Hole We're In by Gabrielle Zevin, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn and The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde. also a whole bunch of Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane books.

lostinpaper said...

Fantastic collection of 2012! Would you believe I'm re-reading the Harry Potter books... go figure!

~Tammy~ said...

Your favs are totally awesome! You make so many wonderful creations I have no idea how you were able to narrow it down! Thanks for sharing a sampling with us!

I hope you are feeling better!

Emily Leiphart said...

Awesome review of your faves, Jessi! May and November were my favourites! I wish I had more time to read. Great book list!

Melissa Craig said...

What a great line up of 2012! You read a lot, too!! I think my favorite is March.

SmilynStef said...

What a fun retrospective ... I think that awesome teacup is my favorite ... so glad you linked-up your favorites post with me.

Nance said...

Loved this post, great idea to recap. I love reading too. Have you joined Goodreads? You can keep track of books you've read and ones you want to read and share with other readers and follow what others read. 222 books is very impressive! I started the year out reading a lot but finished not so well.

I'm a Nicholas Sparks nut myself, guess since he is a North Carolinian and all his books are based here in NC. I love Rita Mae Brown too.

Good luck with your reading this year and your cards! I'll be following!

Suzie McFloozy said...

What a fabulous collection of beautiful projects from 2012 :) I love love love the rainbow butterfly card and the variety of styles you showcased x
Hope 2013 brings you lots of luck and lots more crafty goodness :))
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Lyndal said...

FAB collection Jessi - May would have to be my very favourite!
I don't know how you manage so much reading & crafting at the same time - but I can understand how you would love both :)

Wendy ten Hove said...

Yep, these surely are beauties!! Love how you picked one each month. My fave is the first one, the flower is gorgeous and love the circle of buttons!
Hugs, Wendy

Linda McClain said...

Oh my goodness gracious - what an amazing year of projects. So many fabulous and varied techniques. Love them all.

Unknown said...

sorry i missed this post jessi...i love your year in review and can't wait to see what 2013 holds for your #1 fan! :)

Words and Pictures said...

What a great review of your year - I love those butterflies in May (also love the Stieg Larsson books!), but it's November that wins my heart - gorgeous splatter!! It's so lovely to see people's top picks - you get a real sense of them as a crafter! So glad I joined in...
Alison x

Wordbird said...

Hi Jessi... a very impressive collection of beautiful and diverse projects. TFS I enjoyed visiting your blog today. ;D