Spring Hiatus Announcement!

I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of starting to think that I’m getting really good at hiatuses. I’m not necessarily feeling the need for a hiatus, but I know that I probably won’t get a chance to take a break in the next few months because of some previous obligations. Therefore, I am making myself take a two week break. I will be away from the blog starting tomorrow (March 24th) through April 6th. I should be back some time on Saturday, April 7th with a wrap-up post for March. I don’t have any particularly big plans for this break. I might still hang around Twitter and maybe comment on blogs, but I won’t be working on or responding to comment on the blog. See you all soon!

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A Kernel of Nonsense’s Bookmark Giveaway

Some of you might recall that I shared a little bit about my DIY bookmarks in this post from last year. I asked readers if they would be interested in a giveaway of said bookmarks and there was enough interest that I decided a giveaway was in order. It took me a little longer than I anticipated, but I’ve finally put together a bookmark giveaway. All the details are below, including a picture of the bookmarks I will be giving away. If there ends up being a lot of interest in this giveaway, I will be putting together another bookmark giveaway during the summer.

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

1. Giveaway will run from March 2nd (12:00am PST) through March 18th (11:59pm PST), 2018.
2. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs.
3. Three winners will be chosen and mailed one of the bookmarks below (will be random).
4. Winners will be contacted via email on March 19th and will have 48 hours from said email to respond, or another winner will be chosen in their place.
5. Bookmarks will be mailed within one week of winners providing their shipping information.
6. Click the Rafflecopter Giveaway link above these rules to enter.
7. Prizes are photographed below (click image to enlarge).

What is your preferred method of saving your place in a book? Have you ever made your own bookmark? Best of luck to everyone who enters!

Back From Hiatus!

My hiatus is officially over! This two and a half week break is the longest I’ve ever taken from the blog and oddly enough, I think I could have gone a little longer. I know that sounds terrible, but with all the holiday stuff going on, it sometimes felt like I really wasn’t getting a break. I really wanted to read more while away, but that was thrown out the window Thanksgiving week when I hardly read at all. I also wanted to visit everyone’s blogs while I was on hiatus and I failed at that too. I came close, I really did, but then that little voice in the back of my head said, “No, Alicia. You know what would be great to do on this break? Maybe just…relax.” And thus I did. I will be putting together a November recap post later on today when I get a chance to sit down (how did I not start this before going on hiatus?), will maybe catch up on comments (haven’t peeked, but am scared there are a lot), and yes, I still want to check out what everyone has been up to while I’ve been away. And yes, I do feel really refreshed after the break, but I did really miss blogging and having an outlet for my thoughts. And there is snow on the blog. I’m so excited to get back into the flow of things.

Blogging Hiatus Announcement

Hey, friends. Do you ever reach a point where blogging just becomes so hard that you need a break? This will be my third hiatus since I started book blogging. I’m not always good at making myself take a break, but I think I’m getting better. I stressed a lot leading up to this hiatus because I wanted to get so much done, so when I return, I’m not completely swamped. Despite that extra bit of stress, I think I’m looking forward to this hiatus more than the others. I’ve been itching to step away from the blog, not because I don’t enjoy it, but because sometimes it can feel like blogging is taking over a huge chunk of my life and I kind of feel like I need to reclaim my time. I’ll be off the blog starting tomorrow November 15th through December 2nd. I’ll be back that Sunday, hopefully renewed and ready to tackle all the blogging. I will still be on Twitter during my hiatus and may even surprise you by commenting on your blogs, but I won’t be going on my own blog or responding to comments.

FLYTIP: Font Fervor

FLYTIP is an original feature hosted by Lonna @ FLYLēF in which she generously shares free blog graphics and advice as well as taking part in related discussions. Every other Saturday, there is a different prompt that participants can take part in, so be sure to check out her site for more info. Lonna is also running a giveaway for those who participate through the end of December. This week’s topic is: FLYTIP: Font Fervor || How do you enhance your blog through fonts? Where would you recommend looking for fonts?

I confess that I suggested this topic because I’m actually really curious to see what kind of resources other bloggers use when it comes to fonts. I’m in no way graphically inclined. When I first started this blog, my graphics were extremely rudimentary. The only reason my blog looks the way it does is thanks to canva. I try to stay consistent with the fonts I use for blog graphics. Below is a look at the most common ones I use.

I use Libre Baskerville for my blog header title because although I do like pretty cursive-like fonts, I find this one to be very clean and clear for my purposes. I also use this one to title many of my post graphics including monthly wrap-up and book haul posts.

There is something very simple yet concise about Playfair Small Caps. I think I like this font a lot because I tend to write in all caps in my blogging planner. I use this in various blog graphics (including the graphics for this post) because it’s a compact font that allows me to include longer descriptions or titles.

This is my favorite of the fonts of most commonly used. Princess Sofia can be found in my header and in my sidebar. I find it to be really elegant and just plain pretty. I have zero experience with calligraphy (unlike Lonna, you’re amazing!), but if I did, I’d want to be able to write like this.

Do you have a favorite font? What kind of resources do you use for fonts on your blog? Let’s discuss in the comment and leave a link to your own FLYTIP post in the comments if you participated this week.

FLYTIP: Make Your Mark

FLYTIP is an original feature hosted by Lonna @ FLYLēF in which she generously shares free blog graphics and advice as well as taking part in related discussions. Every other Saturday, there is a different prompt that participants can take part in, so be sure to check out her site for more info. Lonna is also running a giveaway for those who participate through the end of December. This week’s topic is: FLYTIP: Make Your Mark || Bookmarks aren’t just for saving your place in a book. They are artistic expressions. Share your expression with 5-10 bookmarks.

I personally think that bookmarks are a really great way for bookworms to express themselves. Some of us don’t bother much with bookmarks and reach for whatever scrap of paper is available. Some of us have a beloved bookmark we use in every book we read. Some of us own an absurd amount and others only a handful. Below are some of the bookmarks I own.

I always smile when an order from Book Depository arrives and not just because it means book mail. One of my favorite things about this site is that they send you a bookmark with every book purchase. I personally don’t use these bookmarks, but keep them tucked away in the books they arrive in. And they’re always so darn lovely.

I don’t buy bookmarks, but I do make them! I fell down the rabbit hole that is bookmark crafting earlier this year and now have a box full of beads, far too much string, and stock paper to last me a lifetime. I actually find making bookmarks to be a really relaxing activity. I’ve been thinking of making a few and doing some kind of giveaway. Would you be interested?

This is probably the prettiest bookmark I’ve ever made. I purchased a craft hole puncher and used an old book to create the effect above. I haven’t used this bookmark yet, maybe because it’s too pretty or maybe because I have hard time letting go of my trusted purple bookmark.

Speaking of my purple bookmark. This is the one that I use every time I pick up a book. It’s a DIY bookmark that I originally made out of a gift bag. This is my third version of the bookmark. Yes, I still have a bit of gift bag left and will probably make another one when this one starts falling apart. Hoping this doesn’t make me sound too obsessive.

Do you have a favorite bookmark? Have you ever made a bookmark? Let’s discuss in the comment and leave a link to your own FLYTIP post in the comments if you participated this week.