2010 Year of Change.

I make a lot of lists. I'm a die hard list maker. That doesn't always mean I do the things on the list, but I love making them. I made a list just before the start of this year and one of the things on my list was to read more 'new' books. I have a terrible habit of re-reading my favourite books until I know them inside out and while that is a great comfort to me, I want to branch out. I want to read something new, try new genres, new authors, new everything. I want to immerse myself in the written word as I have never done before.

As much as I love lists, I decided not to list what I intended to read, because I tend to pick up what interests me at the time (and that is also one of the reasons I always end up reading about 5 books simultaneously). I also have the luck/misfortune of having a boyfriend who is a prolific reader. This is great because he can recommend things to me without giving away the plot, but terrible because he reads about 3 times faster than me :( So I have a lot of catching up to do.

I was really pleased yesterday because I finally finished Catch 22. It was one of those books I bought some years ago and just struggled to get into. I brought it to Egypt with me in November and we instantly hit it off. This book is fabulous, I rarely laugh aloud to a book, but this had me in at least 3 real fits of giggles, much to the dismay of the general public (you aren't allowed to be happy in public in the UK), and when I had finished I instantly wanted to turn back to the first page and go again. I restrained myself. I even restrained myself from picking up another book!

I'm about 3/4 of the way through World War Z, so hopefully that will get finished soon enough. then I have Elephants on Acid and Murphy to finish (but I think I may pick up Journey to the Centre of the Earth before too long, it's calling to me from the book shelf).

What are you reading at the moment? Do you have any great books to suggest? Anything goes ;)

(found here)

Papercraft.

Ever heard of papercraft? I hadn't until we went to the Modern Art Museum in Munich. The silly thing is that I'd seen the products of papercraft before, but had never heard of the name, or even thought to find out more.

There was a wonderful set of photographs by Thomas Demand at the Tate Modern some years ago. My bf took me to see them especially, because he liked them so much. Although he had explained them to me before I can't have been paying very good attention because it took me at least 4 minutes of studying these photographs before I realised they were paper reconstructions of original photographs which Demand had then photographed himself. His work is fantastic, you should look him up and go to see his work at any opportunity.

This was my first real introduction to the art of making things from paper (apart from an early crafting experience with quilling), but it wasn't until I saw this book in the Pinakothek der Moderne that I had a real interest and sudden thirst for recreating life in paper.

Step 1 - Purchase this very expensive but luscious book

Step 2 - Read said volume

Step 3 - Become a world master of Papercraft

These were my initial thoughts, but the world of Papercraft is so huge that I don't stand a chance. Plus making things out of paper isn't going to get me very far. Although I might try entering the Guinness world record for number of papercuts sustained in 1 hour.

I did, however, purchase the book. It set me back £29.95 and that huge dent in my bank account has left me smiling. The volume is superb and I can't wait to finish studying every single page so I can become a veritable master in the world of papercraft.

Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper. Here are some of my favourite pages, apologies for the bad photography.

Have you seen any art or books that have inspired you recently? Tell me all about it, I love learning new things :)

I have a problem...

My original intent for this blog was a log of the things that made me smile in my day to day life. It was only earlier today that I realised that is probably going to revolve around purchases, with the odd bit of travel thrown infor good measure. Why? Because I am a massive consumer. I'm addicted to buying things. I can't help it! It's almost out of control!!!

So now you know one of my worst features and I've admitted that I have this problem, I can move on.

Today I bought a new pair of jeans, identical to the ones I'm currently wearing, but new because mine are getting holey. Not holy as in blessed by a deity, which could be pretty cool... super jeans with the power to heal, but holey meaning they have holes in. Or rather one large hole in the inner thigh of the right leg.

New Look. £10. Bargain.

I also bought a bunch of tights from Primark, mostly because they are cheap and seeing as I'm losing weight Idon't want to start forking out £10 a pop for tights that won't last. I got some black 40D, some sheer natural tights, black ribbed, grey ribbed, grey 80D and some fishnets. I haven't worn fishnets for some 7 years now. In fact I haven't worn them since I got fat. That's not a coincidence by the way. However, fishnets are flattering and I want to wear more skirts and I like the range of tights and did I mention they are flattering?

I also (this'll be my last purchase of the day) got my parcel from the book people, so I'm all set for making low points meals, awesome tasty treats as gifts, I'm also ready to relearn French, really learn Italian and pick up a little German before our Munich trip in March. I also got the pocket literary guide which is just some cute facts about literature.

I also caved last night and orders some melissa's... pics to come when I recieve the package. Shoe porn = Lush.

My future posts won't just be a list of things I've purchased. Promise.

xx