Friday 29 March 2013

ARC March


Here we are for the March book review, thankyou to everyone who played in February, we had 40 linked up. 

You may remember the wall hanging that Elizabeth made last month, well she sent it to me, how lovely is that.. In the summer I will have to find a nice chunky twig to hang it from.  Thankyou so much Elizabeth and not forgetting Bleubeard. 




March for me was an easy month, because I absolutely loved this book, though in some ways that made it harder to do the journal page, because there were just so many things that I wanted to include... anyway here is my review..

The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller

This is part one of the KingMaker,KingBreaker pair of books. Though since their release there are also now prequels.. The Australian author also writes under the name K.E Mills, I have 2 of her Rogue Agent books which I thought were good, so I was expecting to like The Mage pairing.

I found The Mage books in a second hand book store, and figuring I would like them, I bought both at once.

The first chapter is slow, there is no denying it, had I read that in the shop I may not have bought it. The main character has a very broad country accent, which is written out literally. I immediately found this really annoying, however I soon got used to it and it became less noticeable.

Our hero is a young land from a small fishing community who moves to the big city looking to make his fortune. Unbeknown to him there is magic working in the background which steers him towards a meeting with the Prince. They become friends and this forms the basis for the rest of the book as we learn more about them, their families and the work they do together.

Three quarters of the book moves along quite steadily, with only hints of darker things to come. It is only at the end of the book that things take a dramatic turn and we are left, quite literally on a cliff hanger!

I really enjoyed this book, and would liken it to the Riftwar Series by R.E.Feist. I am so glad that I bought both Mage books at once, the suspense would have been too much otherwise. The characters are likeable, the undercurrent is just enough to keep you reading to find out what happens. I just hope book 2 delivers all that is promises.


If you like mild fantasy and strong characters, a bit of magic and good friendships then I can recommend this book.
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whenever I am painting or inking, I have spare paper or a journal next to me, I wipe off excess paint or ink onto the paper or into the journal. The paper often gets cut up into tags, and whatever has been wiped in the journal forms a background for a page...

So when I came to do this page, I found I already had colour in the journal..The dots and flowers were leftover paint from a different project. To start building my page for this review I used Indigo Blu Flitter glue and Mega flakes to make a stencilled wall ( the wall is a very important part of the book)



I then glazed the page with blue acrylic mixed with glazing medium. i wanted to darken the page but not totally obscure the first layer. I also added another wall made from book pages, and I made a hinged flap. The front of the flap becomes the bottom of a tower, but when open it has my printed review tucked inside. 


Here you can see just how shiny those mega flakes are.. and also note the textured path i created at the bottom of the wall. This was done with modelling paste mixed with acylic paint and daubed on thickly. 


I then used a circle stencil to create fireworks.. and added the top part of the tower. The top half of this section is glued down, the bottom is loose and it just holds the flap closed. 



here you can see how the bottom of the tower opens..when closed it just tucks under the top section. (note the raindrops, they are important in the book too)



I then made some flying fish, drawing and colouring them in an arc shape, with a tab at each end which I used to glue them into the book. 


The arc of fish is folded in the middle, so it bends and closes with the book.. pop up fishies..



then my friend Jay drew a fabulous horse for me which I coloured with watercolour pencils.   you can see how the fishies bend down and fold flat in this photo. 


Here's the final page.. I am really happy with how it turned out. 


Products used.. click the links..






The link for this month will stay active until FRIDAY 26TH APRIL


Here is where you link up, add your name and a link to the specific post where we can find your review.. 




See you next month.. 





32 comments:

  1. Sounds like a book or series that I'd like, too. Love that you did more than a typical journal page with the cool pop up!! Creative and beautifully done...both you and Jay!! :)

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  2. You should be a book illustrator! I cannot stop looking at that page!

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  3. Beautiful work Darcy! Hope your month is going well :)

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  4. This is an incredible journal entry. I was overwhelmed by the work you did on these two pages. You have me wanting to read these two books, now. What you did was fantastic, and I have to agree with Dana. You really COULD be a book illustrator, only yours would be three dimensional.

    Thanks for the lovely shout out. Bleubeard and I are both very pleased and dancing a happy dance right now!!

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  5. WOW, your journal page is amazing! Love all the depth, texture and colors. After reading your blog post, I'm not sure which I want more...to read the books or to get some of the mega flakes and flitter glue.

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  6. I think I'd like this book and I love your journal page, it's beautiful. The colours are amazing and the pop up fishes are really great fun.

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  7. Your journal pages are amazing, so many details to look at and enjoy. I love the way you have used the mega flakes for the wall. You sound like you have another great read ahead of you with the second book.

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  8. Awesome page! It's so hard for me to do many layers and keep the first ones shining through. It's so cool to see how you build up all the layers. I think one day I can manage it too! Thank you! ♥

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  9. Wow that is a whole faerie story in one page!!! Love it....and the book sounds like a "proper" story too. So many modern authors seem to give the game away right at the beginning :D XXX

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  10. Oh wow... As usual your art does not disappoint! Absolutely gorgeous! And of course Jay's horse is magnificent.
    Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!

    C xxx

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  11. Terrific layout! Most impressed with the pop-out tower, it works brilliantly. Excellent work!

    Janet xx

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  12. There is so much work in this, and you have managed to incorporate many aspects of the book on one journal spread. There are also so many techniques to admire and inspire. I particularly like the fishes, and the idea of concealing the review inside the tower.
    It sounds an interesting book, and not too magicky. It will be interesting to see if the next one rounds everything off satisfactorily.

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  13. I look forward to your post every month Darcy as not only is your artwork always faberoonie but I really enjoy seeing the step by steps ..... I especially love the shiny wall and the pop up fishies. Glad you enjoyed your book

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  14. Sorry Darcy, I seem to have clicked myself on the link twice - perhaps you could remove one of them. Thanks.

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  15. I love this! That fold out is amazing. You and Jay make a great collaborative art. :)

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  16. Fabulous art work!! Those fish are fantastic.
    The book sounds good too.

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  17. I love fantasy, strong characters, and the way people from small villages relate to each other. So I would probably love this one. And after seeing the visual of your art, the whimsical fish, the lovely structures... well, now I can read it in colors ;-)

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  18. Love your page! will be adding mine later when I finish work.

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  19. Brilliant page Darcy, love the flying fish. Sounds like an interesting read. Am on holiday in Cornwall at the moment but managed to find a log on to post my review but will have to wait to come round and look at all the wonderful pots from you all.
    love Jen x

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  20. I'm so glad you used those flakes. I've been wondering whether to splurge out and try them - I saw them on one of the shopping channels when flicking through and loved the look of them. You've convinced me to get some!

    Love your journal pages as always - I love your step by steps. As for the book itself - am undecided if it would be my cup of tea. But I love what it inspired in you.

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  21. Love the step by step photos. I may have to investigate those flakes.

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  22. Hey up thats some lovely art you created lass :) I hate the broad accents too and it has taken me a long time to get used to the Yorkshire one but it sounds like sticking with it(you with this book I mean) pays off , your art as a result looks great. I want to draw a horse now! ManonX

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  23. Loving all the texture and 3D pop-up...FAB! Mahalo for sharing your creative process in stages...the page just evolves beautifully. Can't wait for April's review.

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  24. There are a few people I'd like to have left comments for but if I can't break through your "I'm not a robot" protector the first time, I don't keep trying. Sorry...I've left comments on all I could!

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  25. Lovely to join you for the first time this month.

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  26. I just saw your comment to me, Darcy. Yes, I've heated and burned tyvek before. If it starts puffing on the side you don't want to bubble up, turn it over and heat from that side with you heat gun.

    Unfortunately, I can't find any posts I have heating tyvek, but I know I did it several times, probably before I started my blog. It looks especially nice when you first paint it with metallic paint or Twinkling H2Os.

    The PO has changed their design and now add words on the inside of the tyvek envelopes. That makes it difficult to paint over. Fortunately, I still have a few of those old envelopes left over without the inside writing.

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  27. Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for showing your art steps it is interesting to see the page evolve.

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  28. Gorgeous art! Love visiting you. There are so many things I don't know, every visit is a wonderful discovery. Haven't heard about the books, but will add them to that expanding list. Michelle V

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  29. Lovely book review Darcy... and stunning art journal page... it is so enchanting... and I love the effect of the mega flakes... the horse is gorgeous... as is your wall quilt from Elizabeth... thank you... another book to add to my wish list :)

    Jenny ♥

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  30. Oh another interesting book and I love your page - utterly gorgeous!

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  31. Oh how imaginative this journal page is very magical :) I have just read a book I found in a charity shop called Cursed - Benedict Jacka I may have to buy more this had magic involved and i really enjoyed it give it a look Dxx

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  32. I love how you combine a love of books with your art journaling, both in real life and then sharing it with us here. What a cool thing. Thanks!

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