Trading Secrets Review

Trading Secrets by Melody Carlson (YA story)  is the story of Micah, an English girl, and Zach, her Amish pen pal.  In the fifth grade Micah's class sent letters along with their pictures to Zach's school in order for the children to become pen pals.  However, the Amish school teacher removed the pictures before allowing the Amish children to pick their pen pal.  Zach though Micah was a boy based on her name and the contents of her letter (Micah was a tomboy).  Micah never corrected Zach on his mistake and now they are seventeen.  Zach wants to come and see Micah on spring break.  Micah is nervous and not sure how to tell Zach the truth about her gender.  At the last minute Zach cannot come to see Micah because of spring planting.  So Micah decides to go see Zach and help with the planting on their farm.  She dresses in boyish clothes and baseball cap and heads to “Amishland” as Micah’s friend call it.

It is interesting to see what happens between Micah and Zach.  Micah provides Zach with new opportunities as well as insight into himself and his family.  It is a good story, but not as good as Melody Carlson’s Christmas stories (which I love).  Happy Reading!

I was provided a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kris

Hello from the Gillespies!

Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McInerney is a very interesting book.  It tells the story of Angela, her husband, Nick, and their children (what a group they are too).  Every year Angela sends out a Christmas letter to all their friends.  She normally does what many people do around the world--she tells half-truths and embellishes wherever she can!  However, this year, Angela's heart is not into it.  The family has had a rough time and she feels like venting.  So for the fun of it, Angela writes a letter and tells the truth.  She never intends for this letter to be seen by anyone but herself.  Just as she is finishing the letter an accident happens with her son, Ig.  He cuts off his finger and she has to rush him to the hospital.  The family all shares one computer (something that would drive me nuts).  Her husband, Nick, goes to use the computer and sees the letter.  He thinks he is helping by sending out her Christmas letter on time.  Unfortunately, Nick never takes the time to read the letter. The book covers the year after the letter and how the family changes, copes, and comes back together as a family.  If I had this family, I think I would have run away screaming.  Angela has the patience of a saint and I can certainly understand why she has such awful headaches.  I love the ending of this book.  The author tied up all the story lines nicely and left us with a good ending. This book was a delight to read.  I hope you take a chance and read it and love it!   I did receive a free copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read Program. 

First Impressions By Charles Lovett

I belong to a wonderful program by Penguin.  It is called First to Read.  Every month they offer books that have yet to be published.  You can enter the drawing to win or use your accumulated points to guarantee yourself a copy of the book.  One of the easiest ways to earn points is to log into the site every day (gets you 5 points)!  You can also win points by reviewing the books and writing about the books on social media sites.  I used some of my points to guarantee myself a copy of First Impressions by Charles Lovett.  I love Jane Austen and really thought I was going to enjoy the book.  Here is the review that I submitted:


First Impressions by Charles Lovett looked like it was going to be good, but I was disappointed. This book goes between two different time periods.  The earlier with Jane Austen and Richard Mansfield and then later with Sophie Collingwood.  As a lover of books, I thought I would really enjoy and love reading this book, but  I did not.  I love Jane Austen and that time period, but just not this book.  The book did not flow for me and I found it difficult to read this story.  I was just glad to finish reading the book.  Of course, not all books are going to appeal to all readers.  That is what makes each of us and each book unique.  Please note that I received a free copy of this book from Penguin's First to Read Program.


Other people have read the book and loved it.  I think it just depends on the person and what they like to read.  I have just finished reading Relatively Dead and Seeing the Dead by Sheila Connolly.  Both are great books.  I will be reviewing Seeing the Dead on my blog within the next couple of days.


I hope everyone is having a great week!  If you have time check out Crafty Secrets blog.  They are currently having their monthly challenge.  Have a great evening!


Kris

Where Treetops Glisten

I just finished reading Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara utman, and Sarah Sundin.  Here is my review on this book.


Where Treetops Glisten is a delightful book.  It contains three romantic, Christian Christmas stories about the Turner family siblings and is set during World War II.  The prologue sets the stage for the story.  Starts out with the Grandmother getting the family house ready for Christmas.  In the Turner family is the grandmother, mother, father, and their three children.  Each story revolves around a different sibling.  There is then a epilogue at the end of the book that wraps up all the stories.  I really enjoyed the first two stories in the book.  They were sweet and romantic with a lovely Christmas spirit.  The third book was more religious and had more serious overtones.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It was an easy book to read and can easily be finished in a couple of hours.  I will look into reading more stories by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin.  If you like romantic Christmas stories, you will enjoy this book.  It will definitely put you into the Christmas spirit.  I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.


I also just finished reading Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber.  It was a cute story, but I found that the ending was too quick.  It left the story a little unfinished.  I hope that she will write another story with some of the same characters so that their story lines will be finished.  I would like to know what happens with veteran and the young man who just got out of jail. 


So many wonderful books came out this week. I think I purchased ten new books.  My favorite so far is One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake.  Delightful cozy mystery series with magic. 


How did everyone enjoy craft day on HSN?  So many wonderful new products on the market.    The Cricut Explore looks interesting.  I have a Silhouette machine, though, and I am not sure if I need another cutting machine (though I have a lot of Cricut cartridges).  I like that you do not have to use the overlays or cartridges anymore.  My favorite new gadget on the market is the Craftwell eBrush Airbrush System with Accessories.  It uses your markers to airbrush with stencils, die cuts, or just to color a page.  It is like the Tim Holtz Distress Marker Spritzer Tool only on steroids!  Check out this tool if you get a chance on HSN.com.  If you like to purchase to purchase the latest craft supplies (especially Tim Holtz products) and want a great price, please check out Molly's Square.  They get some of the latest products and have a great prices.  Molly's Square is based out of Florida.  The shipping is also reasonable. 


I am trying to find time to work in my studio.  We had to rearrange our house recently and my studio is a little bit of a mess.  I am trying to get everything organized.  The room I got is bigger, but some of the old furniture is still in it.  So I have a bigger room but with less space!  I hope that makes sense.


Keep crafting and reading!  Have a great weekend.


Kris

Plaqued by Quilt

I just finished reading Plagued by Quilt by Molly MacRae and it is wonderful.  I was very fortunate to win a free copy of the book from the author.  Molly MacRae had a contest on FaceBook.  People had to correctly identify what she was holding in a picture.  Molly was holding flax heckles/hackles.  They are like very big dog brushes (only with tines like iron nails).   Here is the review that I posted on Goodreads.


Delightful new addition to the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery. Kath stumbles upon another murder (literally) and then sets out to solve the mystery with the help of her friends in the TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber) Group and Geneva (her resident ghost)! What a great group of characters. They also stumble upon two skeletons that have been buried out at the Holston Homeplace Living History Farm. Poor Kath also has to deal with Clod again. They really need a new sheriff in their town. The murder was not easy to solve and I loved the unique murder weapon. I hope you enjoy Plagued by Quilt from Molly MacRae as much as I enjoyed it. I received an Uncorrected Proofs copy from the author which I won it in a contest on FaceBook.         


If you love cozy mysteries, please try Molly MacRae's Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery!


For those of you that love papercrafting, please check out HSN starting at midnight.  It is a 24  hour Craft Day Event!  I have gotten many wonderful item from HSN with their flexpay.  Check it out!


Have a great week!


Kris

A Stillness of Chimes

I just finished reading A Stillness of Chimes.  It is a Christian Fiction book.   Here is the description of the book by Amazon.com:


What if the pain of the past revealed an unknown sacrifice that changes everything?
When teacher Laura Gantt comes home to Prospect, Georgia to settle her recently-deceased mother’s household, the last thing she expects to encounter is a swirl of rumors about the father she lost to the lake twelve years ago—that he has reportedly been seen around town. Elliott Gantt’s body was never found and he was presumed dead.

Reeling from the sharp loss of a parent, Laura must now grapple with painful memories surrounding her father’s disappearance and the sense of abandonment she experienced after his death. Life-long friend and former beau Sean Halloran wants nothing more than to protect Laura from the far-fetched stories of Elliott’s resurrection and to care for her, but he has his own reasons, troubling echoes from his childhood, to put Elliott’s disappearance to rest.

Working together, Laura and Sean begin to uncover the truth, one mired in the wooded peaks and deep waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Prospect. Can they fathom how many secrets the steep hills hold? With surprising facts revealed, will Laura be able to understand the sacrificial choices made that forever changed her life? And can love and a peace with God be rekindled in her heart after so much time has passed?


Sounds good right?  Wrong.  Here is my review:


When I saw the book description for A Stillness of Chimes, it looked like a book I would read and enjoy.  However, this book was not enjoyable.  It was like trying to walk through mud.  I had a hard time getting into the book, but I persevered. 

The story is about Laura, a teacher, coming home to clear out her recently deceased mother's house.  She returns to hear rumors that her Father, who died twelve years previously, might still be alive.  There is also a best friend, best friend's little sister, and her ex-boyfriend (who wants to get rid of the ex part). If that is not enough, you have a violent man, a woman with OCD and theft issues, and an affair.  The story just does not come across as believable.  The transitions between characters and scenes are bumpy.  When I started the second chapter, I thought I had opened the wrong book.  

I really wanted to like the book, but instead it was a chore to read A stillness of Chimes.

Please note that I was provided a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.  Blogging for Books is a great site.  You get free books in exchange for your review.  If you love to read, please check them out. 


I also just finished Yarn over Murder by Maggie Sefton.  I will write a review of it soon.  Back to my chores.  Have a great weekend.


Kris

I'm Back

I am sorry that there have not been any posting for quite some time.  I have been ill and am just starting to feel more like myself.  I have Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and a few other things.  Unfortunately for me, I am allergic to many narcotics.  I discovered this when Florida changed their narcotic laws.  I have, though, found a medication that helps, but you have to have a special doctor to prescribe it.  The medication is called Suboxone.  It is a wonderful medication.  It does not have the side-effects that you normally associate with narcotics.  Now that I can move about a little more, I am looking forward to getting back in my studio.

One thing has kept me sane during the last year and that it books!  I have got to read so many wonderful books.  I am currently reading:

Tempest in a Teapot (A Teapot Collector Mystery) by Amanda Cooper 

Here is the summary provided by Amazon.com:

Tucked away in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is the charming town of Gracious Grove, where time moves slowly, gossip spreads quickly, and the scones are to die for…

When her fashionable Manhattan restaurant goes under, Sophie Taylor retreats to her grandmother’s cozy shop, Auntie Rose’s Victorian Teahouse, where serenity is steeped to perfection in one of her many antique teapots. The last thing Sophie expects is a bustling calendar of teahouse events, like her old friend Cissy Peterson’s upcoming bridal shower.

Not everyone is pleased with the bride-to-be’s choice of venue—like Cissy’s grandmother, who owns a competing establishment, La Belle Epoque, and has held a long-simmering grudge against Rose for stealing her beau sixty years ago. Tensions reach a boiling point when Cissy’s fiancé’s mother dies while sampling scones at La Belle Epoque. Now, to help her friend, Sophie will have to bag a killer before more of the guest list becomes a hit list…

I have just started reading the book today, but I am enjoying it.   I will let you know more when I am finished.

I just finished reading Ten Beach Road, Ocean Beach, and Christmas at the Beach by Wendy Wax.  I really enjoyed these stories.  They are about three women who lost all their money to a Ponzi scheme swindler, Malcom Dyer.  For partial restitution they received a mansion called Bella Flora in Passa-a-Grille, Florida (near St. Petersburg).  It is right on the beach, but in serious need of a renovation.  The story tell of how they get to know each other and remodel this beautiful home.  Madeline, Avery, and Nicole are the primary characters along with Kyra (Madeline's daughter) who gets pregnant by a married movie star.   The second book shows the ladies remodeling a home in Miami Beach and working on a remodeling show.  Ocean Beach was funny and delightful.  There is a very sad part at the end though.  Christmas at the Beach is a novella (meaning a very short story).  Short it is.  It is told through the viewpoint of Kyra.  Interesting viewpoint but way too short.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series, The House on Mermaid Point coming out on July 1.

I am going back to my cookie baking now and then off to read and relax.  I will be back again soon.

Happy Reading and Crafting,

Kris

Crafty Secrets August Linky Part

Hello again!  Sorry that I have not posted in quite a while, but it has been a very hectic.  I have not had a chance to work in my studio.  I hope things will start to settle down, so I can have more creative time. 

It is time for the Crafty Secrets August Linky Party!  I just love the stamps and digital products from Crafty Secrets.  They have that wonderful vintage feel.  I grew up surrounded by antiques, so it is no wonder that I love vintage!

I decided to create a tag!   I took a pretty springtime image from Crafty Secrets along with a purple sponged background paper (Hot Off The Press).  I distressed the image and then inked it with Tim Holtz Gathered Twig Distress Ink.

I took some tea-dyed twill tape and stamped "Bloom" from Paper Sweeties on it.  I then added a crocheted flower from Maya Road.  The tag was made used Tim Holtz Tag Die.

I added some pretty flower lace at the top along with a little flower.

That is my tag.  I am hoping to have more time in my studio over the next month.  Please visit Crafty Secrets. They  have a wonderful blog and store.  Have a wonderful Sunday evening and Happy Crafting!

Kris

Artistic Outpost Challenge

Artistic Outpost has a monthly referral program (challenge).  The theme is "anything goes" as long as you use stamps from Artistic Outpost. 

 

 



 I used Artistic Outpost stamp set "Keeper".  I like the fisher woman!  I love this paper that I stamped on.  It is from Recollection and reminds me of linen.

 

The ribbon is from The Pink Petal on Etsy.  She has beautiful ribbon and it smells wonderful.  Her ribbon is died to order. 

 The sentiment is from the same stamp set.  The patterned paper is from K&Company, blue cardstock from DCWV, and the dies are from Spellbinders.

 

Please take time to visit Artistic Outpost.  They have great stamp sets.  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful Fourth of July!

 

 





Kris

Paper Sweeties Challenge #8 (Part II)

 

Paper Sweeties is having their monthly sketch challenge.  Paper Sweeties is a delightful stamp company.  It is like playing paper dolls with rubber stamps.  Cute little girls and one little boy plus lots of great clothes and accessories.  I have created two cards for this challenge.

 I turned the stripes sideways for this card.  I love these tickets.  They were the touch of whimsy that I wanted for this card.  I then added seam binding that I dyed myself.  I used different shades of silver, gray, and pewter.

 

I cut out the rectangle with a Spellbinders die and then stamped the cute Paper Sweeties sentiment.  I then added the two orange brads on the left and then took the silver metal flower (Tim Holtz) and added another brad to the center. 



If you get a chance, please go over to Paper Sweeties.  They have a new sketch challenge every month on their blog.

 

Thank you for joining me.  I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Fourth of July!

Kris

Paper Sweeties Challenge! (Part I)

Paper Sweeties is a delightful stamp company.  They have three cute little ladies and one gent with lots of outfits.  Lots of fun to play paper dolls with rubber stamps.  This month's sketch challenge is:

I enjoyed this challenge and went outside my normal design style.  I have created two cards for this challenge (which will be in two posts to enter into the challenge).

 For the first card, I found this pretty striped paper from K&Company (Brenda Walton Mira).  I used it as the base. 

 I then added this pretty purple ribbon with the crystal drop.  This beautiful ribbon was purchased on Etsy from The Pink Petal.  All the ribbon is hand dyed for each customer and it smells wonderful.  I keep all the ribbon in a kitchen zipper bag.  When I open the bag, the wonderful smells of spices come out.







 

 I then picked two coordinating papers to layer and add the cute Paper Sweeties sentiment.  I cut out the papers with Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics B. 

Thank you for joining me for the Paper Sweeties Sketch Challenge.  Please watch for my second posting on this challenge.  Have a great weekend.

Kris



Crafty Secrets June Linky Party

It is time for the Crafty Secrets June Linky Party!  I have created a cute card using Crafty Secrets Digital Baby Girl Printable Sheet.  I thought this image was adorable and went well with the lovely pink parchment paper I had on hand. 

 I die cut the pink paper using my Spellbinders.  You definitely need to use wax paper between the die and paper when using this die.  Otherwise the paper gets stuck in the die and you end up tearing the delicate edges.

The seam binding I dyed myself with Glimmer Mist.  I then crinkled it just a little and let it dry in the sun.  I then attached this cute little crocheted flower and a pink crystal.

 Inside I used another image from the Crafty Secrets Digital Baby Girl Printable Sheet.  I used another Spellbinders die to cut out the green paper (K&Company).  The inside paper was part of the 12 x 12 sheet I used on the outside.  I liked them better separated.  I also added pink crystals to the die cut.

I like how this card turned out.  So cute!  Sorry it has been so long between posting, but I have just not been feeling well lately.  I suffer from Fibromyalgia and it has been worse lately.  I am, though, so thankful for some of the new medications on the market.  Without them, I would not even be able to create my cards.

 

I hope everyone checks out Crafty Secrets.  They have a great blog and a wonderful web site.  Lots of cute digital stamps, printables, stickers, CD's, and etc.  I just love their vintage images.  Crafty Secrets also has a contest the first week of every month with a great prize. 

 

Have a great evening and happy creating!

 

Kris

Cornish Heritage Farms - Digital Challenge

Cornish Heritage Farms is hosting a "Let's Go Digital" Challenge.  I have purchased a couple of their digital images, but I really like Palace #2 Digital Stamp.  It reminds me of Downton Abbey!

I used Spellbinders Grand Labels Four for the shape of the card. 

 Here is a closer look at the image.  I edited it in Picasa 3 (a free photo editing software).  I changed the color of the image to brown.  I wanted the warmer tone to go with the paper.

 This is the inside of the card.  I like the sentiment "There is no place like HOME".  I then added the little keyhold brad and key dangling from it.

 Thank you for visiting.  When you get a chance, please visit Cornish Heritage Farms and check out their digital and rubber images.  I am off to watch the season finales of Call the Midwife and Mr. Selfridge.  Have a lovely Sunday evening and remember to keep creating!

Kris

Crafty Secrets May Linky Party (Part VIII)

My last posting of the day!  It is time for the Crafty Secrets May Linky Party!  You still have time to enter.  The contest closes at 12 a.m. tonight!  I have used their Crafty Secrets Digital Flower Printable to create charms and gift envelopes.

 

 

 The beautiful blue paper comes from K&Company.

 

I love the blue bird with the sunflower.  When I get a chance, I am going to dye some seam binding to match to the bird for this charm.   The seam binding that I currently have on the charm is from The Pink Petal on Etsy.  She makes the most beautiful hand-dyed seam binding.

Thank you for checking out my creations for Crafty Secrets May Linky Party.  I am off to watch the season finale of Once Upon a Time, Survivor, and Revenge.  I hope that you have had a wonderful weekend and very Happy Mother's Day!

 

Kris

Crafty Secrets May Linky Party (Part VII)

Crafty Secrets has a montly linky party.  It is at the beginning of every month.  You can enter any new creations made with items from Crafty Secrets (digital and rubber).  I have created cute charms and little gift envelopes from Crafty Secrets Digital Flower Printable.  I think they are adorable.  The charms can be used for pendants or ornaments.

 

 I think this image is so pretty.  I liked it in the square shape.  I think the green of the paper goes with well with this lovely image.

 The seam binding on this charm is from Oohlala Crafts on Ebay.  It is just lovely.  It comes wrapped on a tag. 

 

 I just love the cute bird.  I love to watch the bird that are around this time of year.  I keep a bird feeder in the back yard to encourage the birds to come and feast! 

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful evening!

 

Kris

Crafty Secrets May Linky Party (Part VI)

I promise that I am almost done!  It is time for the Crafty Secrets May Linky Party.  I have created some cute charms and gift envelopes for the challenge.

 The picture really does not do this one justice.  It is just lovely.  The embossed paper is from K&Company.

 

 The seam binding is from The Pink Petal on Etsy.  I love the combination of orange and copper.  I think I will make this one into a necklace for myself!

Thank you for visiting me tonight!  I hope you have had a wonderful and creative weekend!

 

Kris



Crafty Secrets May Linky Party (Part V)

It is time for the Crafty Secrets May Linky Party.  I really need to start working ahead of time for these challenges.  I did not count on such a busy week.  I have created some cute charms (can be used for ornaments or pendants) and gift envelopes for this month's challenge.  I used the Crafty Secrets Digital Flower Printable.  It has eight beautiful flower pictures and I thought they would be lovely as charms. 

 The seam binding is from The Pink Petal on Etsy.  She has beautiful seam binding.  She hand dyes each order.  You get the finished seam binding within a week.

 

The embossed paper that I used to make the little envelopes is from K&Company.  I hand distressed the flower image and then inked it with Tim Holtz' Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.















I hope you have had a lovely Mother's Day!  Make sure you take time out for yourself this week to create.  Thank you for visiting!

Kris

Crafty Secrets May Linky Party (Part IV)

Thank you for joining me for the Crafty Secrets May Linky Party.  You have until 12 a.m. tonight to enter the contest.  I have been so busy this week, that I did not get my entries done until yesterday. 

 

 The embossed paper for the little envelope is from K&Company.  I found colors to match each flower picture.

The seam binding is from The Pink Petal on Etsy.   It is just beautiful.  I love the various shades of purple.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Mother's Day and using their free time (or, if you are like me, you have no free time today because you had to cook a big meal, dessert, and then clean up the mess) to create!  Enjoy your evening!

 

Kris

Crafty Secrets May Linky Party (Party III)

The Crafty Secrets May Linky Challenge is still going on until midnight tonight!  When I see this third charm, I want to start singing "The Yellow Rose of Texas"!

 

 When I have time, I am going to dye some seam binding yellow for this charm.

 

The embossed paper for the little envelope is from K&Company.
















I hope everyone is having a lovely Mother's Day!  Thank you for visiting!

Kris

Crafty Secrets Challenge (Part II)

It is the time for the Crafty Secrets May Linky Challenge.  I have created some cute little charms and gift envelopes. 

 The seam binding on this charm is beautiful!  I love how it is white with just a touch of green.  I purchased it on Etsy from The Pink Petal. 

 The embossed paper for the envelope is from K&Company.

A few more posts and then I am off to enjoy a busy evening of television watching.  The season finale of Survisor,  Once Upon a Time and Revenge are on tonight.  Also on tonight are Call the Midwife, Mr. Selfridge, and The Client List.  

 

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful Sunday evening! 

 

 

Kris