Art Tarte July 2017 box

          I was really excited by the pictures provided on CrateJoy and on the subscription box site so I decided to try Art Tarte out for a couple of months. I've been trying to find the time to open it and finally did so. I was...well you'll see. As usually the Kuwait customs had gotten into the box. However, according to the information box everything is still in the box and intact.

          The first thing to come out of the box was the assorted papers, they should have been in an envelope but they were all over the box. 

The different colors are Strathmore pastel paper and the black ones are Faber-Castel.

          The next things that came out of the box were a feather bookmark, an Art Tarte July postcard calendar, and an Art Tarte "Ombre Feathers" greating card. 

And of course the information card and a card with the challenge of the month which is "Conquering Fears".   

          As I read the challenge and saw that the papers were for pastels my heart sank...I hate Pastels but that is not their fault.

These are Mungyo soft Pastel sticks. 

           Finally, pens, a pencil, an eraser and some colored pencils. 

There are two Reaeon gel pens in pink and green with two refills in orange and blue, one Prismacolor Design ArtGum eraser, a Prismacolor Ebony Graphite drawing pencil, a Blending Stump which can be used to blend pastels, two Stabilo Carb-Othello pastel pencils in black and yellow, and a brandless pencil.

          I looked up all the supplies in this box (as much as I could anyway) and there is no way that the items in the box add up too 25 dollars...not even close. I'm hoping this is a fluke and the next box is going to be better, otherwise I am canceling my subscription.

Indigo Artbox July 2017

          The inspiration for this box of Indigo Artbox is Paul Cezanne, and as usually you can find a short video about Cezanne on indigoartbox.com under the videos tab.

          Because this box was inspired by Paul Cezanne, acrylics is the name of the game. I'm glad they've moved off from pastels...I just could not get into them. I love acrylics almost as much as I love watercolors.

          So what does this box contain:

          The pouch has a set of acrylic paints which are semi matte. The colors included are Scarlett, Titanium White, Lemon Yellow, and Phthalo blue. Their brand is Mont Marte Satin, which I've never actually heard about...so yay for new products (at least to me). They are 18 ml each. The pouch also contained a number 10 Mont Marte gallery series paint brush. The bristles are really soft.

          The package also contains a color wheel, which I am glad for because color mixing is something I am still working on and trying to get right.

          Finally, there was an envelop which has two inspirational art cards with prints from Paul Cezanne's works. And some sketch papers and canvas papers.

          I can't wait to try out the new paints and the color wheel. This should be right up my alley as opposed to the pastels.

Paletteful Packs July 2017

          I am so EXCITED by Paletteful Packs' July Box. The theme for the box is "Draw on Everything!" The pack had some really great goodies so let us get into that. Cost of Subscription = 35 dollars.

So the first thing that caught my eyes was the pack of four markers. They are Amsterdam Acrylic Paint Markers. They are water based and can be used on paper, board, canvas and wood. The markers are opaque and so can be used on dark surfaces.  Cost = 14.99 dollars

Next up are the pens. There was 2 Sakura Gelly Roll Pens one in white and one in black. The third pen is a Stabilo Write - 4 - All. It is a fine-tip permanent marker suitable for writing on glass, plastic, photos, ceramic, foil, metal and much more. The Stabilo is odorless, waterproof and alcohol based. Stabilo = 1.81 dollars. Gelly Roll = 1.55 dollars each.

The last pen in the box is a Liquitex Acrylic Paint Marker - Burnt Umber. I've heard a lot about the Liquitex brand and I'm glad I get to try something of theirs. Cost = 9.75 dollars

Finally, the box also contained surfaces to experiment with.

There is a 4 x 4 classic cotton stretched canvas in black. Cost = 4.78 dollars

 5 x 7 Cotton Canvas Panel in white. Cost = 1 dollar

8 x 10 Classic Cotton stretched in Black. Cost = 9.95 dollars

There is a bonus item in the box which is a pencil case. It is big enough for me to pack it with some paint tubes and some paint brushes not just pens and pencils. Cost = 4.66 dollars

Not only am I excited about the markers, but I am really excited about the canvases too. I've been thinking about getting some to try out but they were a bit pricey here in Kuwait, so I wanted to get better before I tried them out. Now I have no excuse!

** All costs are taken from Amazon.com, cost of items 40 - 50 dollars.

The Nocturnal Reader's Box July 2017

          I have a new box for you guys today: The Nocturnal Reader's Box. From CrateJoy: "We are a monthly subscription service that specializes in bringing our customers new and exciting books from well established authors, to lesser known ones. We curate our merchandise to keep with the theme of the books for a given month."

          Each box contains newly released novels, previously released novel (not used), custom themed art print, 1-2 wearable items. Usually there are 6-8 items in every box priced between 60 - 80 dollars.

          Let us get into July's box. The theme of the box is "The Feast". As usual the box was opened in Kuwait customs but nothing was moved.

The first thing that came out of the box was a bike license plate, which reads Nosferatu...if you were wondering. At least I think that is what it says. 

Next item was an apron which says "Friends don't let friends eat friends."

Third item to come out of the box was a mini stemless wine glass, which has a Silence of the Lambs theme.

I think the keychain that is inspired by Jaws was really cute and I know just the person I'm going to give it too. 

The print included in this box comes from Michael Broom, and you can see his other works on Instagram: @MICHAELBROOMART I think I am in love! (Please excuse the two light spots I have horrid lighting)

Now for the books. The new release is called Come to Dust by Bracken Macleod. You have a 1:4 chance of getting a signed copy...I didn't 

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Ever since her mother abandoned her, five-year-old Sophie has had to depend on her uncle Mitch for everything. But he’s struggling. Restarting a life interrupted by time in prison is hard enough without having to balance work and single parenthood. Mitch is determined to make it work though, striving to keep their family together despite the obstacles in their way, because no matter how difficult things get, they are good for each other. And life for the two of them seems to be looking up. But when Sophie dies tragically, it all comes crashing down. Mitch descends into a crippling grief, coming to understand how little his freedom means without her to share it with. And though released from the sudden responsibility thrust upon him, all he wants is his niece back, safe and alive.

When he gets his wish and scores of children around the world begin to inexplicably rise from the dead—Sophie among them—everything becomes much harder.

Mitch rescues her from the morgue, determined to carve out a normal life for them no matter what, though it soon becomes clear that may not be possible. While the kids who’ve returned behave like living children, they still look very dead. And they can do something else that normal children cannot. Something terrifying. Beliefs differ whether the children’s return is a mercy or a sign of approaching judgment, and a congregation of religious fanatics determined to usher in the apocalypse has their own plan for salvation.

Now Mitch must find a way to save Sophie from an increasingly hostile world that wants to tear them apart and put her back in the ground for good."

The second book is a previous release called Bleed by Ed Kurtz. You also have a 1:4 chance of getting a signed copy and again...I didn't.

Synopsis from Goodreads: "When Walt Blackmore moves into an old gable front house on the outskirts of a small town, things are really looking up for him—he has an adoring girlfriend, a new job, and an altogether bright future. But Walt's destiny is irreparably changed when a dark red spot appears on the ceiling in the hallway. Bit by bit the spot grows, first into a dripping blood stain and eventually into a grotesque, muttering creature. 

As the creature thrives, Walt finds himself more and more interested in fostering its well-being. At first he only feeds it stray animals, but this soon fails to satisfy the monster's ghastly needs. It is gradually becoming something more, and for that to happen it requires human blood and human flesh. And once Walt has crossed the line from curiosity to murder, there is no going back."

To go with the book there were two identical pretty bookmarks. 

Finally, a pin.

The theme for next month is also revealed as Infested & Infected.

Books: Bleed 17.91 dollars, Come to Dust: 17.93 dollars
Novelty License Plate: 8 - 20 dollars
Apron: 5-10 dollars
Jaws Key Chain: 5 dollars
Mini stemless wine glass: 5 dollars
Art print: I can't find a dollar value for it but I've seen prints this size go from 20 - 50 dollars.

So this box costs between 60 - 70 depending on what average you use.

V. Paperie July 2017

          Another day and a new box from V.Paperie. This is the box for July 2017 and here is a beautiful poem to go with it.

So of course the box had to be opened but it didn't look too bad. 

I love the colors in this box, they are really cute and that flamingo is da boss! So the first things to come out of the box are the pencils. They also come with a metal sharpener...which I forgot to take a picture of.

Next are the greeting cards: Happy Birthday, Thank You, and one that is generic but with a beautiful design on it.

The sleeping beauty in the box. It is simple but very beautiful and I can't wait to use it. A beautiful A5 notebook with a hard cover and ruled papers inside.

Finally, something that is essential for planning and note taking and goes very well with the A5 notebook: Sticky notes. The designs are just so dang cute!

I'm almost always completely happy with my V.Paperie boxes but this one is my favorite so far.

Holly Journals July 2017

          On July 9th I paused my subscription to Holly Journals, not because I hate the journals I get but because I have so many of them right now that I need to fill them up before I can get some more. So as soon as my journals are filled I'll be BACK!!!! I'm not sure if this is the last box for a while or if there is one more coming...we'll see. ONWARDS!

As you can see, the Holly Journals box survived molestation on the outside, but I could tell that it was opened because the wrapping paper was not exactly right. The stuff on the inside is not touched. The theme of July's box is Sparkling Pink Lemonade.

So the box had two bonus gifts, a Pink Lemonade Candy Stick and a Tickled Pink Mimosa Body Butter which you can kind of see in this picture...I forgot to take a singular picture of these two items...😑 The body butter comes from Piccadilly Bath and Body from South Greenfield, MO.  They may be contacted on their website, or at piccadillyboathandbody@yahoo.com.

I love the pens included in this box this month. The first is a pretty pink ball point pen which writes in blue. Usually these boxes always have black ink in their pens for some reason. And the second pen is a Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic in yellow.

There was an envelope that had an assortment of embellishments: name tickets and paper clips.

I love the beautiful journal jewelry that is in almost every box and this one is no exception. I think the cut lemon and the full lemon charms are really cute.

The reason for the box: the journal. It is a pretty thing with the usual assortment of pages that give me ideas for pieces of mixed media art. One of these days there will be a post showing the pages that I've made using these journals.

I'm going to be sad not getting to see all the new amazing journals that Holly Journals will put out but I really need to show the journals I have some love first.