Uncle Snow

This is one of my newly created Christmas ATC sets, entitled Snowman Fun, with the theme obviously being Snowmen. This collection was inspired by the Card Concept Snowman Tag challenge - based on the Clean and Elegant style (although #1 is more collage style!) and also glitter n sparkle #112 Tag It.

ATC #1

A base card was layered with red snowflake patterned paper - from Papermania. I used a free patterned paper to make the contrasting squares. I then layered a free Snowman sticker over the top of these layers (he had been hiding in my stash for a while so I thought it was about time he came out to play). Finally I added a sentiment tag with a silver bow, and a snowflake embellishment.

The layout was based around this sketch from sweet sketch wednesday 2 (including a bow).

I would also like to enter this into the following challenge:

SOS #179 Free is good

ATC #2

For the base of this ATC I layered a vellum sheet of white glitter snowflakes onto a white card. I then used a free topper from a magazine, which had a hint of elegance about it. Finally the sentiment tag was added.

I wish to add this to the following challenges:

crafty calendar Christmas

creative moments #56 Make it sparkle

ooh-la-la creations #170 Christmas

simon says Wednesday Anything Goes

ATC #3

This ATC was made using a peel-off of a winter scene, with a prominent snowman, which was coloured with promarkers. A tag sentiment finished this quick and easy ATC.

This is to be entered for the following challenges:

craft your passion 241 baby it's cold outside

i love promarkers #247 Frosty the snowman

allsorts 286 No design papers

aud sentiments #120 Sentiment for December holiday

simply create too #75 Snow, snow, snow

Audiobook review

Uncle Silas by J.S. Le Fanu

This is another from the Victorian Collection, and although I did not get on with the last one, I decided to give a different genre a try, so this is a suspense novel. When Maud’s father dies, she is made the ward of her mysterious uncle, around whom there is a lot of suspicion and intrigue. It is to clear his name that she is made his ward, as if she dies before reaching her majority, uncle Silas will inherit everything.

This story begins at Maud’s home and provides the background for her upbringing and ideas. It also introduces the mystery of Uncle Silas, whom her father has forbidden to be spoken about. For part of this story there is a French governess who is very intimidating and vulgar, and who often threatens poor Maud – who is a typical Victorian girl with very little steel in her spine. This first part of the story also introduces her cousin, who supports Maud throughout the book.

Once her father dies there are quite a few people who do not agree with her going to live with her uncle, however she insists and finds their way of life very different to what she is used to, but actually quite pleasant. That is until her young cousin Millie is sent away to France and her uncles tone towards her changes somewhat. A this point the French governess re-enters the story, and Maud becomes more and more nervous.

This is a very good suspense novel as you are always waiting for something to happen to Maud, who is incredibly annoying in the way she reacts. She shys away from everything and is very naïve – just as the Victorians thought women should be and I found this very annoying whilst listening to the book. However the good plot and ability of the author to keep you on the edge of your seat definitely makes up for this. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys guessing what is going to happen – just don’t read the blurb first as it gives too much away!!

Thanks for looking,

Hugz Tinz