H2H Challenges: Inspired by... a Book

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is the next in our "Inspired by..." series, and we are challenging you to use a book as your inspiration.  I am such an avid reader that I had tons to choose from, but this week I chose to immortalize my current obsession and favorite book series.

When I was little, I was introduced to the Ingalls family and the wonderful world of the Little House on the Prairie series.  (Thank you, Aunt Faye!)  A year or two later, another family friend introduced me one of her childhood favorites, the fantastical world of The Chronicles of Narnia.  (Thank you, Julie B.!)  Many other books and series have moved me, from Nancy Drew to Stephanie Plum to Harry Potter.  My current love, however, is hard to categorize: time travel, romance, history, adventure, suspense, and so much more rolled into the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

This layout showcases all eight novels, the author herself, and pictures from the new Starz Outlander series.  This layout is totally digital: from pictures I swiped from the Internet to Studio J for my creative platform.  I used the Timberline collection so that I could use that handsome plaid paper.  (Speaking of handsome, doesn't Sam Heughan make a gorgeous Jamie?)

If you haven't read any of the books or started watching the show (only 2 shows have aired), I challenge you to voyage through Outlander with me.  You can actually watch the first episode for free HERE.  If you're already a fan, I'd love to know if you've read all the book yet and if you've watched any of the Starz TV series.

Of course this is a crafting blog, so be sure to check out all the H2H DT's Inspired by... a Book creations, and feel free to make and share a favorite book project there.  If you'd like to try Studio J online scrapbooking for yourself, click HERE.  Móran taing!

H2H Challenges Thanks & Outlander Crosspost

Okay, that is a super crazy title, but you'll see how all of this ties together!  Today on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog, we are saying good-bye to three of our team members.  While I hate to see them go, that also means that we will have some fresh faces and new inspiration for you over there, so be sure to check it out.  If you're an H2H fan, but sure to hop over there to tell our retirees farewell.

This card was actually made for a friend to thank her for selling me her extra copy of the new release of my (current) favorite book series, Outlander: Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon.  (You can read more about this book and the series at Amazon and at Shelfari.  The first book is being made into a television series on Starz to premier in August.  I can't wait!)  This card hopefully looks a bit Scottish to you (with the plaid, right?), because the hero of the series is Scottish and several of the first books are set in Scotland.  (I don't want to give away too much!)

Today I am also thankful for returning home safely from a great beach getaway prior to my cousin's wedding Saturday.  We had such a great time!  I'd love to know what you're especially thankful for today.  Leave me a comment, okay?

Avid Reader

You may have noticed in my profile that I claim to be an avid reader, yet have never posted anything here about reading (except for my reading endorsement class). I truly LOVE to read! I read for pleasure; it is one of the ways that I decompress and destress. I love how a book can take me places I've never been or would never go.

I just finished reading the 6th Women's Murder Mystery (The 6th Target) by James Patterson. I like this series because the main character, Lindsay Boxer, is a "chick in charge." Because she is a San Francisco police officer, each book has several cases in them. These are not all "happily ever after" and seem pretty real.

Mystery is just one genre that I like to read, but it's what I seem to be reading the most of lately. I have read several of Patterson's Alex Cross series, but I had to take a break. They just weren't working for me. I recently read my first Stuart Wood on my brother's recommendation; when the library reopens next week I'll go back for more. I could not finish Martha Grimes' Stargazey. It was just too boring, and life is too short. (I used to have to finish any book that I started, but seriously, life is too short and I have way too much to do.) I have an M.C. Beaton waiting for me that my 11-year-old read from our church's lending library. She liked it and said I would too. (She's currently re-reading Twilight that she got for Christmas.)

Who is your favorite author? I really need some new stuff to read!