Voodoo People Album *Sneak Peak 2*

I started on figuring out some layouts for the album. I'm still waiting for some supplies to arrive, one of which will be a die-set of frames for the picture's and offcours there is the skull for the front. I feel like I'm getting to the point where all the pieces all falling in place and ones they do I can assemble most of the album in one go. Here are some sneak peaks of the first page : 

Voodoo People Album *Sneak Peak 1*

In my previous post I mentioned a Monster of a project I started working on. 

When I started on it I had a vaque idea what I wanted to do with it but yesterday I suddenly had an epiphany. I now have a clear plan on what I want it to look like when it's done. 

For now, I'm just going to show you a little sneak peak of what it is I'm working on. 

A while ago, 'bout 2 years or something, I bought a bunch of supplies on Ebay UK, getting a lot of stuff for a really cheap price. One of the items was a 12x12 scrapbookalbum, I believe it was a making memories album. 

When I recieved it it was heavily damaged, the window was loose, adhesive residiue everywhere but the binding and base were in good condition. I figured it was fine, it was cheap and I could always alter it and make it a multi media project. But I didn't know what I wanted to do with it so it ended up in a dusty corner in my crafts closet. Untill now. 

I decided on a album for the picture's of our Ravenskeep LARP Adventure's as the Voodoo People in a matching style. 

Here are a few picture's of my progress on the front cover : 

Before :
The damage isn't all that clear on the picture's but you get the idea.

After : 
The front will recieve a 3D Ravenskull in the middle and I'll embellish it with purple and black flowers. 
The inside of the cover will recieve matching embellishments.

Tim Holtz - 12 tags of 2015 - October

This is the Tim Holtz - 12 tags of 2015 - October tag : 

Link : 12 tags of 2015 - October

Each month mister Tim Holtz makes a tag and you can enter the give-away challenge by making your own tag inspired by his example. 

At first I didn't know where to start because I didn't have any of the items he used on his. Neither did I have anything that could resemble them. Which, by the way, makes me wonder how on earth it is possible I don't even have a skull die or cut-out anywhere... *adding new halloween themed craft supplies to my wishlist*

This morning I went to work and while I was working on the background of the tag inspiration struck, or at least a big "duh" moment came along. 

Earlier this week I started working on a monster-size project to make a 12x12 scrapalbum in which I'll be using the picture's taken by various photographers of our LARP group "The Voodoo People".

The thing I thought of this morning was that I could make exhibit pieces on several tags and use them in the album. So, I went to work and made a series of 6 tags, each of them showing evidence of our adventure's in Ravenskeep, our LARP organisation.

These are my 6 tags of The Voodoo People : 

Julie Smith - Talba Wallis

Authoress : 

Julie Smith

Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel : 

A Skip Langdon Mystery - New Orleans Mourning

Official website : 

Julie Smith

Series : 

A Talba Wallis Mystery

Book 1 : Louisiana Hotshot

Book 2 : Louisiana Bigshot

Book 3 : Louisiana Lament

Book 4 : P.I. on a Hot Tin Roof

Genre : 

Detective

Description on official website : 

She has three names and two sets of clothes, four different professions, precious few scruples about breaking the law, and a perennially nagging mama. A girl who came into the world named Urethra just has to have attitude. And attitude's the first thing you notice about the Baroness de Pontalba, as she calls herself in her night mode as a glamorous poet and performance artist. By day, she'd be a humble private eye if she had an ounce of humility. 

When required, she’s an office temp because who’d suspect her of ransacking the boss’s hard disk while everyone’s on break? Or carrying a purseful of electronic bugs? She’s got what her mentor called the “right demographics” for spying without getting noticed–she’s young, African-American, female, and dresses like a Catholic school girl. Her fourth profession?

Computer genius. Hardware, software, code-slinging, hacking–you name it, she can do it. At home, she has an entire closet full of white blouses and navy skirts for her day gig and another of flowing silks in fabulous colors for her stunning night persona. Who’d imagine such a complex, independent woman would live with her mother? Talba does.

Miz Clara calls her "Sandra" most of the time, never 'your grace", like most of her admirers. It's hard to get respect from Miz Clara. She thinks there are only three suitable professions for a child of hers - doctor, Speaker of the House and president. So Talba doesn't have to use her computer skills to bring in money and prestige - Miz Clara's never going to be happy anyway. Instead, she searches for other people's answers - and her own as well, which, perhaps, is the point.

*****

I'm not sure where to start. It's a detective series which breaks my habit of reading tons and tons of fantasy series. Obviously it was, once again, the New Orleans theme that caught my interest. I read the first book and I was sold. An old yearning for mystery awoken and I couldn't get enough. In no time I've finished the entire four book series, which will hopefully be continued on. Talba, better known as the Baroness de Pontalba or "your grace", is this spirited character that seems to be this unstoppable force of nature and nothing can stop her from doing what she wants, or what she feels like she needs to do. The intricate cases she stumbles upon as a P.I. show what a criminal mastermind the authoress Julie Smith is. It doesn't surprise me at all that she is an award winning authoress. Anyone who is looking for an exciting, thrilling book series to read should give Talba a try. I'm sure you're going to love it!

Alyssa Rose Ivy - The Chronicles

Authoress : 

Alyssa Rose Ivy

Official website : 

Alyssa Rose Ivy

Series : 

The Crescent Chronicles

Book 1 : Flight

Book 2 : Focus

Book 3 : Found

Bonus novella : First & Forever 

The Empire Chronicles

Book 1 : Soar

Book 2 : Search

Book 3 : Stay

Book 4 : Savor

Book 5 : Storm - coming soon

The Allure Chronicles

Prequel : Seduction's Kiss

Book 1 : Lure

Book 2 : Lust

Book 3 : Lost - coming soon

Genre :

Adult Paranormal Romance 18+

Description on official website : 

The Crescent Chronicles

Sometimes you just have to take flight...

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad's invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind, untill she sees Levi. 

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her. 

The Empire Chronicles

In the city that never sleeps the Chronicles continue...

Serving coffee is temporary, just like Casey's year off from school. She's going to come up with a plan to stay in New York City and go back to college, and that plan does not involve dating a paranormal creature, let alone two. 

Running the supernatural society of New York is not as fun as it sounds, especially when you still have to answer to your ex-girlfriend's fiancé. Toby doesn't mean to bring Casey into the chaos of his life, but he can't resist the girl who makes him smile when he thought no one else ever could. 

Jared's in New York checking out a security risk for his best friend, the king. He plans to return to New Orleans quikly, but not if it means losing his chance with the brunette who pretends she wants nothing to do with him. 

In over her head with a bunch of winged creatures who most definitely are not angels, Casey has to figure out who to trust with her life and maybe her heart. 

The Allure Chronicles

Never agree to a road trip to New Orleans with your roommate. At least not when your roommate is dragging you along while she reconnects with an ex-boyfriend. Possible consequences of failing to take my advice : 

1) Unknowingly going out with a vampire stripper.

2) Getting kidnapped by said vampire's nest mates.

3) Falling head over heels for your winged hero. 

Believe it or not, number 3 is the worst one, especially when no one believes you that he exists. 

*****

Obviously I was drawn to these series by the simple fact that the first series is about New Orleans, The Crescent City. As it turned out this fairly romantic, highly pornographic, supernatural/paranormal series actually has a pretty good storyline at it's base. I love the Pteron creature's and I've tried to find some lore about them but have failed to find anything so far. Admittedly I'm not yet impressed by the Allure Chronicles but we'll just have to see what's going to happen in the upcoming books. So far I'm a fan but I do have a fear of reaching the point where this series will be dragged on instead of finished off with a decent ending. 

C.D. Hussey & Leslie Fear - Blood of my Blood

 Authoress :

C.D. Hussey & Leslie Fear

Official website : 

C.D. Hussey

Leslie Fear

Series : 
Blood of my Blood

Part 1 : Villere House : Blood of my Blood

Part 2 : Bayou Grisé : Sins of Sanite

Genre : 

Voodoo / Fantasy 18+

Description on Kobo : 

College senior, Lottie Boys, expects to drink too much while on spring break in New Orleans. What she doesn't expect is to be haunted. Of fall in love. 

It starts with strange, vivid dreams about a 19th century widow so desperate to save her sick little girl she's willing to do anything, even if it involves the black magic of voodoo. 

It doens't end there. Voices, ghost sightings, familiarity with things and places she couldn't possibly know.. All leading her to the Villere House of Voodoo and the young Creole owner, Xavier Villere. 

Xavier is compelled to help and is drawn to Lottie in a way he's never known, but skepticism of his family's century-old link to Voodoo and the occult keep her at arms length. If he can only come to terms with his heritage, he might be able to solve the mystery of the widow haunting Lottie's dreams. And maybe find love in the process. 

*****

I am drawn to anything with the theme of New Orleans, Voodoo and Magic. So when I came across these two books I knew I needed to read them. I didn't really consider them to be romantic even if it is a huge part of the plot. The first book includes dreams about the 19th century, letting you read the history of the family and I personally love stories that allow you to live through the past instead of just mentioning what happend. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen in the second book and although you do get to figure out what happend I found it a tad bit disappointing.

I don't know what the future holds for this series, it seems a completed storyline with a satisfying ending. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone who would like to read more about this theme/setting.

Leather Mask "Metalworks"

Part of our Geeky Family undertaking is our Etsy Shop where some of our crafts are being sold. 
Our main focus is the leather masks which can be custom ordered to any design you wish. 
They are all handmade and finished with a layer of varnish making them splash-proof. 

Check out our store : 
Geeky Family Etsy

Our latest item :

Leather Mask "Metalworks"

R.L. Naquin - Monster Haven

Authoress :

R.L. Naquin

Official website : 

R.L. Naquin

Series : 

Monster Haven

Part 1 : Monster in my Closet

Part 1.5 : Ill-Concieved Magic

Part 2 : Pooka in my Pantry

Part 2.5 : Hidden Holidays

Part 3 : Fairies in my Fireplace

Part 3.5 : What Zoe Doesn't Know

Part 4 : Golem in my Glovebox

Part 5 : Demons in my Driveway

Part 6 : Phoenix in my Fortune

Collection : Transmonstrified, stories from Monster Haven and other places close to home. 

Genre : 

Monsters / Fantasy

Description on the official website : 

I stopped believing in monsters long ago. But I knew I wasn't imagining things when I found one in my kitching baking muffins. I'd seen him before; lurking in my closet, scaring the crap out of my five-year-old self. Turns out that was a misunderstanding, and now Maurice needs a place to stay. How could I say no?

*****

I'm a sucker for these kinds of stories. Although the description hardly touches the main storyline it gives you that immediate feeling of "this is going to be fun!". The hidden world of monsters is in trouble and they need help. This light hearted book series, which is a complete and finished series, has a way of getting to you. The monsters become humane and at some point tears are involved. Anyone with a weakness for the underdogs should read this. 

Mur Lafferty - The Shambling Guides

Authoress : 

Mur Lafferty

Official website : 

Murverse

Series :

The Shambling Guides

Part 1 : The Shambling Guide to New York City

Part 2 : Ghost Train to New Orleans

Genre :

Monsters / Urban Fantasy

Description on Murverse : 

Zoe Norris is a human returning to her hometown in disgrace wishing to get a new job in publishing. After many strikeouts, she finds the perfect-sounding job, only it happens to be at a publishing company that writes travel books for monsters!

Oh yeah, and monsters are real, too.

*****

I absolutely LOVE this series!!

This is the ultimate monsters-live-among-us story. 

It's fun, it's original, it works. 

Monsters are able to hide because people simply don't pay attention. 

I would recommend these books to all fantasy lovers. 

Leather Mask "Grey Wolf"

Part of our Geeky Family undertaking is our Etsy Shop where some of our crafts are being sold. 
Our main focus is the leather masks which can be custom ordered to any design you wish. 
They are all handmade and finished with a layer of varnish making them splash-proof. 

Check out our store : 
Geeky Family Etsy

Our latest item :

Leather Mask "Grey Wolf"