Back To The Books Blog Hop Sept 1 thru Sept 7 $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

Welcome to the Back to the Books Blog Hop!!  My giveaway is open Internationally and i am giving away a $25.00 Amazon Gift card!

Thanks you to I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Buried in Books for hosting this wonderful hop!
Right now there are 305 blogs listed! Wow! Have fun and Happy Hopping!  To enter my giveaway, please fill out the form below.

The Art of Steampunk by Art Donovan

Title:  The Art of Steampunk

Sub Title:  Extraordinary Devices and Ingenious Contagions from th

Author:  Art Donovan

Publisher:  Fox Chapel Publishing

Publication Date:  29/6/2011

Source:  NetGalley

Pages:  128

My Rating: I loved it!

From Goodreads:









The Art of Steampunk seeks to celebrate the world of Steampunk: a world filled with beauty and innovation. A world in which steam power and technology intertwine to create machines that are not only functional and practical, but unique and striking.
Inside, you will find the fantastical and stunning artwork of Steampunk artists from around the world. The 17 artists featured on these pages, among the frontrunners of the Steampunk genre, have had their work displayed at an exhibition at The Museum of History of Science at the University of Oxford, UK and have attracted the media attention of BoingBoing, one of the world’s largest blogs. Their artwork consists of everything from clocks and watches to light fixtures and jewelry, but every piece demonstrates hours of painstaking work and devotion from its creator. You will find that the artists themselves are just as unique and colorful as their masterpieces. Fully embracing Steampunk ideology, many have adopted a Victorian alter ego—a mad scientist persona to match the complicated intricacies of their artwork.
The Art of Steampunk brings the vision of the Steampunk artist alive on the page, providing a unique insight into the captivating and dynamic world of a vastly underground genre.e Leading Artists of the Steampunk Movement.

My Review:

The Art of Steampunk is rooted in the Aesthetics of Victorian Technology.  Steampunk can be described as Victorian Sci fi because authors such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells opened peoples imaginations like no one else had ever done before. But, it was not until the late 1980's that it got the name, "Steampunk".  The term was used by K.W. Jeter during the Cyberpunk era  to describe the stories written during the Victorian period, and it has stuck ever since. 

This Victorian period and the writing that ocurred during that period has provided inspiration for artists of today.  The inspiration for this book was due to a Steampunk exhibition at the University Museum of History and Science in the UK.  This exhibition occurred because of Art Donovans encouragement for doing the exhibition and thank goodness he was persistant.  Otherwise, these wonderful artists may have been overlooked.  The artists that participated in the exhibition came from all over the world.  For your viewing pleasure, please visit http://steampunkmuseumexhibition.blogspot.com/   But beware, because this stuff will make you drool!   Surely, after seeing this, you will become a fan of this Art!

Here are a few photo's of the art in this book, but please visit Art's website to see the Art as I believe it showcases the Art much better than the pictures provided here.





Scavenger Hike Adventures Great Smoky Mountains National Park

by Kat and John LaFevre

There is no place on earth that brings me more happiness than the Great Smoky Mountains!   I have a little place in Sevier County, about 10 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and when I am not there, I am trying to figure out when I can go back.  I have been a lot of places in my life, but I have never found anywhere that is as beautiful as the Smoly Mountains.  Last week, me and my Mom had a wonderful time hiking some of the trails.  Over the years, I have hiked almost every trail, but this time I found a book that added a lot of excitement to some of the trails that I have hiked several times.  This book helped me to see things that I have over looked in the past and I learned some new things.  I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Smoky Mountains.  I think kids would love this. I know when I was a kid, I loved a good scavenger hunt.  The hikes range from very easy to extreme, with most of them in the easy to moderate range. 

Here are a few photographs that I took while on a couple of these hikes.

A dynamite hole in a big rock on Porters Creek Trail

An old Cemetary that I would have missed without this book!  Also on Porters vCreek Trail.

Never knew this barn was in this area, but thanks to the book, I can mark it off my list!

On the Laurel Falls trail, this little bird kept trying to land on my head!

OK, I didn't find him on a trail, he lives near my house, but he was so cute, I wanted to share him with you!

I have a mushroom habit! It takes me twice as long to hike a trail, because i keep stopping to take mushroom pictures.

More Mushrooms!

More Fungi, but I will stop here, because I have thousands of mushroom pictures and I could go on all night.

Anyway, I love, love , love this book and I think anyone that is planning to hike in the Smoky Mountains should have this book!

Tree Craft by Chris Lubkeman

Title:  Treecraft

Sub Title:  35nRustic Wood Projects That Bring the Outdoors In

Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing

Publication Date:  1 August 2011

Source:  NetGalley

Pages:  128

ISBN:  9781565234550

My Review:

My husband and me recently purchased a little place in the Smoky Mountains.  Since then, I have been on a quest to decorate it in a rustic or lodge style and to do it inexpensively.  This book is just what I have been looking for.  It is full of fantastic ideas that are exactly what I have been looking for.  The crafter or do it yourselfer will love the projects shown in this book.  Chris Lubkeman gives you the   basic information you need for working with different kinds of wood and wood working techniques.  But, the best thing about this book is the inspiration.  There are ideas for candle holders, checker sets, lamps, coat racks, kitchen utensil racks, salt and pepper shakers, curtain rods, etc.  Each and every one of the projects can be made out of wood from trees growing in your yard.  These projects are perfect for anyone wanting to go green because you can use wood from fallen trees or limbs you may trim from the trees in your yard.  I love, love , love this book!

Here are a few photos of the many wonderful projects in this book:

Classic Elite's Quick Knits Coming Soon

On September 18 I will be reviewing Classic Elite's new Book.  Please come back and take a look.  I will be sharing many photo's from the book and I don't think you will be disappointed.  It is a great book!

Remeber, /come back 18 September 2011 for my review!

Sorry I Pooped in your shoe by Jeremy Greenberg

Title:Sorry I Pooped in Your Shoe
Author:  Jeremy Greenberg
Publisher:  Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication date:  25 June 11
Pages:  65
Source:  NetGalley

This is such a cute little book!  Every page will bring a smile to your face.  Each photography has a letter written to the dog's pack leader with an explanation of the situation the photogropher captured.  I think everyone that reads this book will love it.  Especially dog owners.  Here is an example of what you will find in the pages:

Dear Pack Leader,

For a llimited time only, I will be giving out free dog kisses.  This  is a special promotion so don't wait...

Feel Good Friday! 1st post

1.  I am feeling  good this Friday because I am one semester short of graduation!

2.  I will get to spend some time with my lovely daughter, Maegan tomorrow!

3.  I get such pleasure from my beautiful dogs, Bella and /cooper!

Cooper

Bella-We adopted her a few months ago and she has finally decided that this wonderful new life is for good.  She no longer gobbles her food and finally acts like she loves to be petted!

4.Also, I am looking forward to spending time with my husband this weekend!

  5.  Last, but not least, I am looking forward to reading some of the wonderful books that I have acquired recently!