Displaying Artwork

Yesterday I found another roadside find,

but I have to admit it wasn't the greatest find.

A lot of times the things I find are on the side of the road are there for a reason, they're junk.

I happen to see a desk and immediately pulled over, but

I didn't take the time to REALLY look it over.

So, I'm awkwardly lifting this large thing into the back of my vehicle, 

when crash, the entire thing collapses.

UGH!

What do I do?

Do I put it back on the side of the road, uhh, not after I see the owner staring out of his window.

Oh, how awkward is this?

So, I finish shoving the piece of poop desk into my car, and drive to a dumpster.

But when inspecting the fallen pieces I find this random piece of the desk.

I don't even know what this piece was for, but I had an idea.

What about a place to display Cameron's artwork?

She brings home so much stuff from school, church, random home projects, etc. that I 

don't know what to do with everything. 

So, I still don't know what I'm going to do with everything, but for

now I thought I could display the latest pieces and then box away each piece after.

So, at least each piece of artwork will have it's moment to shine.

I first painted the center part.

 I then glued a clipboard clip onto it.

And if you ever go in search of one, you won't be able to find one.

No one knew what one was, and no one had one.

But I finally found one at Hobby Lobby for $1.50.

Now hang and display the latest artwork.

I wish I wouldn't have painted the board the same color as the walls though.

Oops. I can change that later.

 And thanks for stopping by

Through Betsy's Looking Glass.

Let the Summer Begin!

I know your probably wondering if I dropped off the face of the Earth.

No, I didn't, but I did finish another successful semester of school.

So that means, I now have time for crafting, sewing, and goodies. Yay!

I can't wait.

Throughout this semester I have done a lot of roadside pickups such as an antique desk,

a wooden chair, a rocking horse, and a few other random things.

I'm so excited to spruce them up, and either sell them, or

make them the latest piece in our home decor.

I have such a great idea for this awesome rocking horse.

I can't wait to start on it.

Check back later to see what I happen to do with it.

And I promise to not leave the blogging world again for awhile.

Thanks for stopping by 

"Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

"17 & Gone" Review

"17 & Gone" was written by Nova Ren Suma,

 and was published on  March 21, 2013.

She is also the author of "The Imaginary Girls", and "Fade Out", and

can be found here at her website.

Wow, such an amazing book! I am so glad that I received this as an ARC for review. "17 & Gone" is my most favorite book of the year. I was blown away as Nova Ren Suma twisted this tale to unbelievable heights. She is an amazing writer, and has a major talent with words. I was very impressed how much she knew about the subject she was writing on, not only on missing girls, but on the mysterious conclusion. You, as the reader, will be so shocked when you come to find out what Nova Ren Suma was able to do with this bone-chilly novel.

"17 & Gone" is about a young girl of 17, who is being haunted by the spirits, or what she thinks may be spirits, of "missing", 17 year old girls. She is put through the test, and pushed to find these girls that have chosen to reach out to her for help. When she feels she is almost to a conclusion, she is then at risk to become one of the "missing" girls.

I cried, cheered, and even squeezed in close to my loved ones as I read each word. If you are one for a little spook, read "17 & Gone", and help spread the word of Nova Ren Suma's next "IT" book.

Thanks for stopping by

"Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

A change of Pace!

Since I'm not blogging consistently this semester, with school, and everything else,

I thought I would share my book reviews until the semester is over at least,

or I may just keep doing them after the semester as well. We will see.

Anyways...

Recently I have become a reviewer for ARC's (advanced reader copies) of teen, and

children's literature. I post my reviews on Goodreads.com, and I thought why not put my

blog to use and post them here as well.

Well my first book I'm gonna share is "The Orphanage of Miracles", by Amy Neftzger,

and is scheduled to be published on May 28, 2013.

She is also a popular writer of non-fiction, and the popular "Bedtime..." stories.

You can find out more about Neftzer on her blog.

"The Orphanage of Miracles" was given to me as an ARC, and I was very glad to read this beautiful fantasy novel for children aged 7-12(??). But then again I'm 24, read it, and loved it. The age thing is overrated. I don't want to give a synopsis, because I feel with too much information I may give something away. So in short, there is a journey, a struggle, friendships, and above all else MIRACLES!!!! I really enjoyed all the magic, and fantastical elements added in, and it made me want to join the world that these children lived in.

But of course I feel I need to give the downfalls (UGH):

2 POV"S: The author chose to switch the POV each chapter which I normally like, and I did start to like, but gradually would wish to hear from one POV, and would quickly try to skim past others. I was favoring one character over another, but the novel wouldn't have worked without the switching of POV's so I understand why she did it. Only a small downfall.

Relating to characters: I had a really had time connecting to the characters. Normally I feel for the characters. I get sad, when they are sad, I'm happy when they are happy. I didn't grasp this in "The Orphanage of Miracles". I really wanted to know them more, and to become more of a friend to them. This was probably the biggest downfall, but it wasn't bad enough for me to not enjoy the story.

What happens next: So many things were left unanswered. I started questioning things as I was reading and would make a note of it, but when the last page was turned I still was left questioning. The final chapter summed up many things, but left so many more unanswered. Why? Maybe the author felt that as the reader, you were to create your own answer. I have trouble doing this.

All in all I really liked this book, and I may check some of her other stories out. I think upper elementary school kids will really enjoy, and appreciate this story.

Thanks for checking out 

"Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

Textbook gone FUN!

Wow...do I have some explaining to do, or what?

I have not even gotten on to my blog in over a month.

Last semester was a close one, on if I were to pass my classes or not.

I made a promise that I would take NO time at all on fruitless things such as blogging, 

reading for pleasure, etc. while I was in school this semester.

I am almost done, and I need to just focus, and finish!

But today I weakened.

I have this horribly dull textbook, inside and out!

UGH!

I hate to look at it, open it, or even read it.

I needed something to spunk it up, and give me some inspiration to read it.

I told myself that I had 30 minutes to make a book cover, and no more.

I can do that, right?

LOL! 

I can if I don't measure, etc.

Let's just say I did it, but don't look to closely.

I think it's uber fun though!

 

 Not perfect, but much more enjoyable to read out of!

 

 I might have to do this for all of my textbooks!

 

 And of course the inside of the cover has an extra added splash of color.

Thanks for stopping by

"Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

And sorry, but once again I won't be getting on very often this semester, 

but right after school ends, I will be back to my normal groove.

December 22nd: Melted Frosty Cookies

Work Christmas Party...Woooh!

I love anything that involves sharing baked goods.

I was uber excited when I knew I could try out a new recipe.

In all my life I have never made Gingerbread cookies...can you believe that?

It could have to do with the fact that I don't like gingerbread cookies.

But every year I feel the desire to make them...and this was the year to do it.

And to tell you the truth they aren't half bad.

Yum Yum Yum!

This might become a tradition!?!

Anyways since the snow is now melting I thought melted Frosties were the cutest idea.

How adorable? You know you want to make them now!

They were super simple to make and decorate.

First find your favorite gingerbread recipe, and bake away.

Melt white chocolate, and spread onto the cookie for the melted snow.

Use chocolate frosting for the coal, and a sprinkle for the carrot nose. 

(I was out of orange so I had to use yellow)

I cut up Reese's for the top hat.

And now you have an adorable Melted Frosty!

The one below is my favorite...Look at his little smile!

I hope my work enjoys!

Merry Christmas!

December 21st: Christmas Cards Displayed

Every year I display my Christmas cards,

but I just set them all up on a mantle.

Not to interesting, and they seem to fall down a lot.

Pinterest has a lot of great ways to display them, but my house is very small and limited on space.

Yesterday I came up the greatest idea.

We have an archway in the entrance to our house, and I have never hung anything there,

but I thought this was a really good place to display

 all the Christmas Cheer that has been delivered to us.

I used kitchen yarn and clothes pins to hang all the pictures up.

I relocated our reusable chalkboard frame for the centerpiece.

I love it!

Only thing I'm worried about is...after the holidays I know I'm going to want something to hang here again...any ideas?

Do you see your Christmas card?

Thanks everyone for the Christmas cards, 

because obviously I wouldn't be able to do this without them!