Connecting the Dots
My thoughts on art, books & life.
Blog Disclosure
I’m so glad you’ve come to visit! Here you will find my thoughts about art, life, writing, book reviews and home improvement adventures. I review books I love and have purchased (or checked out at the library) all on my own. I also receive books at no cost to me for review. My book reviews (Bookscoops) mainly focus on YA and children’s fiction. All reviews written prior to 2013 were...
Delicious (Tomato) Lime Soup by Author Katherine Center
This delicious (Tomato) Lime Soup by Author Katherine Center will warm your belly and make you feel like a domestic diva. Spice it up in your kitchen with a satisfying soup perfect for bringing summer indoors!
Book Review! Beyond the Mapped Stars by Rosalyn Collings Eves
What I love about Beyond the Mapped Stars, is that it doesn’t hide the truth. Eves uncovers so many of the hard-to-confront truths about Mormonism in a blend of contemporary and historical fiction that speaks from a place of knowing and feeling these sometimes difficult truths herself.
Comics and Children’s books
The world of Comics and Children’s books is fascinating. On the surface they seem so simple- especially children’s books. Have you ever tried to distill an important thought to 500 words or less? It’s harder than it sounds.
What?! A Mammary Gland Mandala? That’s so weird.
A mandala that encompasses the healing intentions of women who want to reclaim health and wholeness for themselves and their communities. Definitely something to get excited about! Click on the title above to read more about my process of creating this mandala.
It’s Not a Bad Thing to be a Feminist
"I think you might be a Feminist," my sister Cari said, and I laughed into my wireless phone.. "No. I'm not a feminist. I just have a need to know women's stories. And I have such a hunger to know what God thinks of women. " I picked up my whining toddler, set him on my hip, and kissed his curls "I just think women have been overlooked and understudied and we should find out their stories and...
Duck Duck Donkey
Do you ever feel like you can't quite get your ducks in a row? I know I've felt a bit like a 'donkey' a time or two. This fun illustration will help you look at the bright side of life and remind you that it's okay to be different. D is for Different. And Donkey. And Duck. The best part? You can get your very own limited-edition fine art reproduction print in my shop by clicking right here!
Why I make Breastfeeding Art- the Short Answer
I make breastfeeding art as my way of giving back to mothers of all ages. I want mothers to know: You are Seen. You are Loved. You are Important.
Starting an Art Business
I've finally opened up a shop on Facebook for purchasing art originals and prints! I'll be adding to it as I go along, so please check back often to see what's new!
Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition Coloring Pages
I am thrilled to share with you that I had the great opportunity to create some coloring pages for the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition's 2017 Conference in Boise, Idaho. It's been so. much. fun! Check out my finished piece and then share yours in the comments and on social media using #hollypapacoloring. Let's use our art to promote the beautiful gift of breastfeeding! If you would like to...
Announcing the Winner of our Bookscoops Christmas 2013 Giveaway!
Hooray! Tiffani Cluff is the winner of our Christmas Giveaway. Lucky Tiffani gets a free copy of Craft-a-Doodle courtesy of Sterling Publishing and wrapped with love by Bookscoops! Tiffani, I will be in touch to discuss delivery arrangements! I am also, belatedly, announcing the winner of our Fall giveaway... I know, it was a busy fall! The winner of one Copy of Only Cows allowed by Lynn Plourde...
Bookscoops Giveaway! Craft-a-Doodle by Jenny Doh has something for everyone.
I have been loving this doodle book by Jenny Doh, head of www.crescendoh.com! Some of my favorites are the prompts by designer Flora Chang, but there are so many to choose from, I really have a ton more favorites like Pamela Keravuori, Hanna Andersson, and Dinara Mirtalipova to name a few. There are 75 creative exercises from 18 different artists, so you are sure to find something to love.
Bookscoops Fall 2013 Giveaway and Review: Only Cows Allowed by Lynn Plourde illustrated by Rebecca Harrison Reed
In Lynn Plourde’s book, Only Cows Allowed, Illustrator, Rebecca Harrison Reed, captures, with light-filled watercolors, the joy of a brand-new ‘real’ farmer and all the new animals that make up his farm. The first ones to take over the red barn are the cows, who decide they are the best thing that happened to country living and no other animal is needed- much less allowed. Children will enjoy the vivid watercolor illustrations and the puns that fill the pages of this down-home country book.
Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
This book was a fun combination of fantasy and finishing school. Sophronia is growing up in a Victorian-ish era. The ‘ish’ is there because it’s also a world of vampires, werewolves and flywaymen. That threw me off for a bit, but once I figured that out, the rest was smooth sailing aboard the floating Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. Except for the flywaymen attacks and the espionage. It was a quick, fast-paced read and I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington
When, once again the press finds out the family secret, Sarah decides that courage is not only found in books, like her favorite novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. So Sarah sets out to face her greatest fear and biggest mystery. Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington is a journey of discovery and mystery, and it was a pleasure to get to know Sarah Nelson as she discovered her true self.
The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley
The unique things about The Vine Basket is that it reads like historical fiction, and yet is realistic and also, I believe, contemporary fiction. The author, Josanne La Valley based The Vine Basket on an experience she had while in northwest China. Uyghur is a tribe in China where the girls who don't go to school or have poor families are in danger of being sent to work in factories. Local...
Little Chipmunk’s Wiggly, Wobbly Tooth by Mary Packard, illustrated by Lisa McCue
When Chipmunk’s awesome front tooth starts to wiggle even though he takes great care of it, he wonders what is going on. His initial confusion turns into understanding and joy when he realizes all the other kids his age are going through the same thing he is.
A Dress for Me! Shoes for Me! by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Mike Laughead
In A Dress for Me! Hippo goes shopping for a new dress for school. She goes through dozens of dresses of all shapes and sizes until at last her mom is done. But Hippo hasn’t found the perfect dress yet, and begs to try on one more. Girls of all ages will identify with the hunt for the perfect dress and the hunt for the perfect shoes. Fliess has a way with words and her rhymes will bring lots of smiles as you send your little ones off to bed with visions of dresses and shoes in their heads.
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 2013 Auction
September 2013 Art auction to benefit The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Highly-Acclaimed illustrators donate original picture book art to 2013 Carle Honors.
Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers 2013
Holly and I spent a week out of the last two summers at the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers WIFYR (rhymes with Swiffer) conference held in beautiful Sandy, UT. We recommend this conference and give it 6 starts out of 5. However, Holly will not be attending this year. She is now the president of the local girls youth organization for our church and will be away camping with them during...
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