Linen Book

I was shocked and so pleased to find this book at an estate sale one Saturday afternoon. I could hardly believe my luck that no one had picked it up yet. I even gasped somewhat and looked around in disbelief... (I also found some records of the Great Hits Big Band era in mint condition!)

The illustrations inside are so great! Not to mention that it is made of linen (surprisingly I didn't know books had been made of linen at one point), but it is also from 1895. Something about it caught my attention.

See the 'm' for 'mug and mouse'.

Little owls!!

What more can I say? :)

The last page the writing is intelligible...

Zebra.

How great is that rooster?

Faded and lovely.

So... sorry for the unannounced break but school just started again and I am having to get back into the swing of things. Not too sure what to expect from my courses.

So far so good anyways.

Hope your day is full of happiness,

Callie

the magical bean

(P.S. I've been loving listening to The Band Perry's song IF I Die Young, while with Kaitlyn (we both love country music)! Hope you enjoy.)

Confessions of a Bibliophile

As someone who has loved books for as long as I can remember, I must confess I've always held a soft spot in my heart for tiny books.

Throughout the years I have accumulated quite a collection.

Some like the little Harry Potter one on the lower right I've had since childhood, others are newer like the handmade zine from my sister Jessica.

As testament to my love of books,as a gift one year my brother gave me a wooden case in the shape of a book.

Luckily, they all fit in it perfectly.


He even put my name on the top of it.

Some of them are handmade, some I bought, others were gifts.

Some titles include: The Book Lovers Book, Dogs, The Monster That Ate Stars, Wee Little Garden Gnome, Believe in Yourself, and Leonardo Tells a Story...

Two of my favorites are The Monster That Ate Stars by Souther Salazar, and Leonardo Tells a Story by my sister Jessica.

Both zines, both lovely.

Have any suggestions for good reads?

Callie

the magical bean

Daily Doodle

This was drawn in the library of my school after a history test, this little owl kindly reminds one to READ daily. I haven't been able to read much for fun lately... but the last books I read were Hunger Games and Mockingjay by Susan Collins. I am on the last book of the series, Catching Fire, my brother recommended them to me,and all in all they were very entertaining. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a light, good read.

Do you have any books to recommend?

Have a happy Tuesday!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Late Night Painting

I have been working a whole lot and this had been resulted in trying to create things late at night. I have been doing a little of everything into the wee hours of night. As you can see also had to take these pictures late as well, so they aren't the best quality. Woops.
I found this watercolor book at Hobby Lobby a while back and was so excited! I couldn't wait to begin to paint, and so I did :)

This is the second page, a little owl carrying a basket.

I have been wanting to make a crochet blanket for some time and just started making little blocks from leftover bits of yarn. While listening to my ipod, everything seems to go by so quickly lately. I can hardly believe summer's almost over.

I just started reading the second book by Muriel Barbery called Gourmet Rhapsody. I read The Elegance of the Hedgehog a while ago and loved it. I immediately set out to see if she had any books and viola I found another! I've read so many good books this summer, as well as some bad ones, but all in all this was a summer of delicous books.

Yummy reading :)

Better pictures to follow on Thursday.

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Elephant Reading Drawing

I drew this elephant, which turned out to be similar to this amigurumi I made, although I didn't try to. It just worked out that way :)

He makes me smile.

What made you smile today?

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

read a little somethin' to me, sweetheart

Two sweethearts, snuggle up against each other, while lazily reading a book. What a better way to spend the day? :)

Since it is summer, one of the things I have been doing is reading, and reading some more. It has been so nice to finally read all these books that have been patiently waiting for me to open the cover and begin.

Can I help it if my artwork has been inspired by this? I love to read, and of course as many of you probably know I love owls. Put two and two together, and this is what happens. Barn owls reading, but wait there's more, actually quite a bit more, since after this drawing I immediately proceeded to draw another drawing with a book and another. Can't wait to show you!

Also I am proud to announce that pretty soon my shop will be chock-a-block full of professional style prints!

More on that tomorrow, hope your weekend was fabulous!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Reader's Delight

I picked up this book at my local Borders on sale and since the title was Wesley the Owl I figured it would be pretty good considering how much I love owls. I was right! It was a great book that had me laughing and loving reading it. The author Stacey O' Brien did a wonderful job. It is a true life story of an owl and his girl. I learned so much about owls but also got to live through the life of one from birth to death raised by the author herself. It really made me think about the amazing animals we share this planet with and how so many people sadly put them down, as if they were beneath them. I want to tell you everything but since I don't want to give anything away I 'll just settle for saying it is worth the read.

Image of the author, Stacey O'Brien and Wesley the owl.