Sunday 2 September 2012

A review. Entirely Solicited.

You know how there are evenings when you want to stay slumped in the armchair, in front of the TV or to share the benefit of your very presence with your family?  And you know that even though you are slumped in the armchair, there's that creeping feeling that really, you could be doing something whilst you slump?  But you can't drag the contents of your desk into the lounge.  Mostly because of the fight you put up to actually achieve a desk and a space for your stash...and the argument that it would keep the lounge room tidier?  And you can't do colouring because the light is rubbish.  And you don't knit or crochet because well, even that seems like hard work while the TV is on and the family are erm, riveting company.   
I may have the solution! A book.  It's called Fill In The Blank.  See:
And it's such fun..filled with prompts for ideas to get you doodling and sketching.  Miss Dunnit was quite enthralled by the idea and I have to say, so was I. I love the sense of humour and the lack of pressure it presents....no blank page syndrome (pardon the pun)  and no 'lessons' or star shaped 'top tip' boxes that always make me feel as if I'm dong something that's more worthy than having a bit of creative fun. It's not pretending to be an art lesson or a channel for your creativity Marge, it has that rare quality of not taking itself too seriously.  Which is an editorial skill huh.  Ask me, I edit all my own work!


If you doodle to the point of being confident about using colour, the black and white prompts really let your additions stand out - which is really quite a thrill when you leaf through it some time later, looking for another inspiration point or just giggling at some graffiti style drawing that you did on a fishbowl, false nails....you name it - some of the prompts are really fun...I particularly like the 'You are an American' page - a Statue of Liberty and a row of empty pedestals....we had quite a long to-and-fro about who deserved to go on our pedestals I can tell you.  I mean, do Ben and Jerry get a plinth each?  Or do I draw them hugging so as not to fall off? See, a prompt that causes creeping intellectualism....*ahem*!
It's published by Quirk and is available now; the RRP is £13.99.  It's a handsome sort of coffee table book size and has the useful bendy card cover that we are still calling a paperback.    I can think of a couple of people on my Christmas list who would enjoy this, and for the price it will make a great gift I must say.  

This review is entirely sponsored by Quirk Publishing.  They asked me to and I said yes.  They sent me a free copy of the book.  Luckily, I love it and so my tact and diplomacy gene has not been stretched. 

21 comments:

Helen said...

I like the sound of this - it's like a posh 'wreck this journal' which I have long abandoned.

Hettie said...

I like it! I wonder if my Dad would like one for Christmas?!
Now how did they contact you then?? Hee Hee!
See you NEXT MONTH! It is sooo nice saying that now!
Hugs
xx

Lisa-Jane said...

Looks like great fun!

fairy thoughts said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
fairy thoughts said...

Sounds like an interesting Idea, love doodling, might add it too my Christmas list
janet

Cath Davidson said...

Haha that book is fab! :) great idea.

Kyla said...

love it, what a great book.

Have you tried Keri Smith's 'Wreck this Journal' it sets you challenges such as colour a page with borrowed pens, or stickers from fruit, or paint your feet and press them on the page....it makes you think outside the box.

This book is also going on my list for Christmas.

Hopefully I can make 13th Oct, my brother will be over from Ecuador then, but am hoping I can slip away for the day and join you!

Kyla

CraftygasheadZo said...

Think I'll look out for this, great idea and lucky you to have been sent one. Take care Zo xx

Ohhh Snap said...

Looks like fun :D. And I wish I had appreciated my ability to function creatively in something less bright than a spotlight or the sun when I was younger lol.

Darnell said...

Cool beans!! Thanks for sharing!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Funny, yet informative. I don't doodle, but this looks like a really enjoyable book, especially since it can be an art book, a doodle book, or a coffee table book. Well presented solicitation.

misteejay said...

Sounds like fun. You'll have to show us what you put in your book.

Toni xx

Redanne said...

Sounds like a great idea to me! One more for the Christmas list, thanks Julia, for sharing. A x

Carmen said...

Makes me smile just reading your review Julia. Yep - I can think of a few people this would tickle too!

Show us yer doodles then!

Glenda said...

This sounds like such a good idea! May need to add this to my Christmas list too!

Neesie said...

I love the sound of this fun book...I adore doodling so would be perfect for me.
I'm off to add it to my ever growing wish list!
Thanks for sharing Julia ;D

Spyder said...

love it....i would be tempted to scribble....
(Lyn)

peggy aplSEEDS said...

this looks like such fun to use! now why didn't they give you an extra one to give away!?

HeARTworks said...

Love the idea and want to make my own for times I am utterly devoid of ideas!!!! :^) Patsy from
HeARTworks and
papemelroti

Unknown said...

I wonder if this inspiring doodle book will make it over here to the states? And if so, what will they substitute on the American page? My thoughts are running wild! I really hope it has something to do with the queen, and a castle, of course! But what I really can relate to is simply being so tired some evenings, you can't even bring yourself to lift a finger to wrap some yarn around a needle--oh how I can relate to that sometimes!

Unknown said...

I like the look of this book Julia - how fortunate that you got to review it. You are so good with words - and I'm quite surprise you haven't been getting these chances to review stuff before now - some bloggers in America - who blog about decorating their rooms or old chairs, actually make a good living out of blogging and being sponsored - and that's because they get the 'footfall' so to speak. Anyway - good luck to you I say!

I think I would mostly buy this for my son (as well as myself), because he has a really bad habit of defacing anything when armed with a pen or pencil. He will scribble and write his name on anything - no matter how important or personal... this would be one book that encouraged that behaviour, but in a positive way.

You're right, it would make a good Christmas present and right now, I need to get myself at the top of my list for one of those....

big hugs, much love

Paula x x x