Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Repurposed and Upcycled Life by Michelle Rayburn with giveaway


Have you ever wished you could...
  • Unpack emotional baggage and deal with the past
  • Confront perfectionism and negative attitudes
  • Change your perspective on your circumstances
  • Let go of regret and shame
  • Build positive healthy relationships
  • Dream big and live with purpose
Discover the repurposed and upcycled life. With her laugh-out-loud Erma Bombeck way of looking at life, Michelle will help you see how some of your greatest disappointments, mistakes, and hurts can be beautiful treasures from God. Part memoir, part inspiration and self-help, this book will help you: Through inspiration from God's Word and examples from everyday life, you'll discover the joy-filled, hope-rich way of viewing your past, present, and future.

I found this book to be a very excellent tool to help me gain a new perspective in life.  Rayburn uses humor and everyday things to get her point across.  She is a down-to-earth, been there done that, speaks from experience author.  She relates to her readers.  Repurposed and Upcycled is a very encouraging and inspirational book to read.  

You may visit the website here

Rayburn has graciously offered to give one of my readers an e-copy of her book.  I'd love for you to visit her Trash to Treasure Decorating blog and tell me one item she has upcycled and repurposed that you just love.  Look around at the different posts.  You'll love her ideas and maybe even want to try some for yourself.   Be sure to come back and leave a comment on your favorite item, along with a way to contact you.  This giveaway will be open until Sept. 15th.  I'll draw a winner from the comments on Sept. 16th.  

Bonus if you follow my blog, either way:  gfc or email Just be sure to tell me which way.  

ABOUT MICHELLE
 
Michelle wants to help you connect the dots between faith, creativity, and everyday life and discover the joy of finding God in the most unexpected places. Years ago, she left her career as a registered nurse to raise her family, and along the way, she discovered her true passion for writing, speaking, and singing.

Michelle has written more than 100 articles for publication, and this is her debut book. Her writing has also appeared in Christian Communicator, Focus on the Family, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Vista, Queen of the Castle Magazine, and more. She has also written several Bible studies for ChristianBibleStudies.com, and does freelance editing and copy writing.


 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Completed WIPS = WOW

Here it is all quilted and ready to be put in the mail. 





this quilt is for...
Hopeful Threads

Also another completed project for August was...
see the story here.
My Button

Be watching for.......Coming soon!



WIPs on Wednesdays

Fort Worth Fabric Studio Blog




 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Monday, August 25, 2014

Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Miracle in a Dry Season
Bethany House Publishers (August 5, 2014)
by
Sarah Loudin Thomas


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.

A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.

Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In a Drought, It's the Darkest Cloud

That Brings Hope


It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.

Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor. . .until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Miracle in a Dry Season, go HERE.




 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Friday, August 22, 2014

The challenge is on!

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/index.html

Teaming up with American Patchwork & Quiltin and All People Quilt, I am going to try to do some sewing for this great challenge.  I have sewed pillowcases for this challenge in the past on FNSi sew I thought I'd add more to the post. 

 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

A Grand Design by Amber Stockton

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Grand Design
Abingdon Press (August 19, 2014)
by
Amber Stockton


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Words from the author:

Hi, I'm Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. I am in my mid-30's, married to the love of my life since July 2007, have a daughter and a son, and live in Colorado. Here, I am content to do what I love—write, speak, and offer virtual assistance.

Thanks to the gentle nudging of a fellow author -- Tracie Peterson -- in 2002, I joined the American Christian Fiction Writers and wouldn't be published today without them. For those of you who are also fiction writers looking for a wonderful support group, check them out! My very first book, Promises, Promises, sold in December 2006 and released in February 2008. I've been going steady ever since.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists. As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Grand Design, go HERE.




 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Book Blast: Finding Fuzzy: A "You-Decide Tale" of a Lost Friend by Cat Michaels.

Finding Fuzzy by Cat Michaels   Title: Finding Fuzzy: A "You-Decide Tale" of a Lost Friend (Sweet T Tales) 
Author: Cat Michaels
Illustrator: Irene A. Jahns
Publication Date: March 26, 2014 
Publisher: 2101 Ink 
Pages: 44 
Recommended Ages: 5 to 10  
Reviewed by: Renee (Mother)

 Summary: Illustrated chapter book for early readers (Gr. K-3) Blue sky ... Warm sea ... Sugar-sand beach ... The perfect family vacation on the Carolina coast ... Except the trip takes a nosedive when Jenna loses Fuzzy, her plush blue rabbit pal. Jenna learns to carry on without him. But when she stumbles across a secret, she faces the toughest decision of her young life. And YOU, the reader, will help her make that choice and come up with the ending of this You-Decide tale. Don't worry. Cat shows you how in her book and on her website. So, slip on your flip-flops and join Jenna at the shore. It's time to decide YOUR ending for Finding Fuzzy. Caution: Irene A. Jahn's ocean-themed watercolors have been known to cause beach fever.

"Finding Fuzzy" placed second in the Purple Dragonfly Writing contest, a national contest for children's book authors, in the category of chapter books.

Purple Dragonfly Award - Second Place - Finding Fuzzy  

Book Preview

 

Purchase

Amazon

The Buzz About the Book

"Finding Fuzzy is an early chapter book featuring the opportunity for children to create their own ending to a sweet, summertime story. The main character, Jenna, has a decision to make when she discovers that her beloved stuffed bunny she had lost is now being used to protect a litter of kittens. After weighing out all of the possible outcomes, it is up to the reader to decide what happens next in the story. I thought this was a unique concept that will interest children, especially ones who are interested in writing their own stories (like my daughter!). I recommend this book to parents, homeschoolers, and teachers with children between the ages of 5 and 10." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"The story is sweet, and suitable for all children. The book is set up to get kids to think and discuss what they would do in a certain situation--in this case, giving up a precious friend (the stuffed bunny.) I could see using this in either a classroom setting or as a bedtime story. The watercolor illustrations really capture a beachy mood and create a great visual for kids as well.. " ~ 5 Star Review, Nikki B., Goodreads

"Cat Michaels has put young readers in a position to solve the dilemma. Readers must brainstorm and utilize their critical thinking skills to write the ending to Jenna's story. This quick to read chapter book has small colorful illustrations that help readers imagine the beach. Readers will also find that the author has created a world where they use all five senses. The back of the book has tips for parents and teachers to help their readers.. " ~ 5 Star Review, Kristi B., Goodreads 

"This is a book with a difference. The space where the ending should be is blank, leaving readers with the opportunity to take a far more pro-active role in the unfolding of the story. It's time to get creative. It's time to give the story your own ending! There's room for a picture as well, so the budding author can test out their illustration skills too!" ~ 5 Star Review, Peachy Emma, Amazon

"The genius here is that Cat has picked the perfect storyline to make your would be writers put themselves into Jenna’s shoes and truly understand how she feels.It’s the stuffed animal, every child has one and every child is very attached to it. This is a great book for it's educational value as far as letting the kids use their imagination to come up with their own conclusion. ----5 stars for this one!" ~ Bookroom Reviews, Amazon

About the Author: Cat Michaels

Cat Michaels AuthorCAT MICHAELS started writing stories in fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. After earning an M.S. degree in special education from the University of Kansas, she spent two decades helping students from kindergarten to college reach their potential. She also managed communication and resource development programs for an international high-tech company that included writing press releases and articles for trade journals. After recession and downsizings, she returned to her education roots, serving at a community college as a writing coach and learning specialist for students with Asperger’s syndrome and learning disabilities. Cat spins tales of everyday life, with a twist of magic or twinge of mystery, that open young minds to new ways of thinking and looking at the world. Illustrations by watercolor artist Irene A. Jahns help bring that world to life. Cat and her family live in North Carolina where she designs playful gardens, dabbles in all things digital, and writes.

* Download free pdf of chapter 1 and You-Decide pages by visiting http://www.catmichaelswriter.com/finding-fuzzy-a-you-decide-tale-of-a-lost-friend.html *

Website | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

FREE Short Story Offer

Subscribe by email to Cat's Connections to receive updates, special offers, and to be among the first to hear about new releases by Cat Michaels. PLUS, when you sign up, you will receive a short story penned just for adults, Driving Down to Dillon: A Very-Short Story of Love and New Beginnings by Cat Michaels. Click on the cover below to subscribe to Cat's Connections.

PLUS... email subscribers to Cat's Connections will also receive 5 extra in the giveaway below.

Driving to Dillon by Cat Michaels  

* Giveaway *

Amazon gift card - 30  
Prize: One winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize  
Contest ends: September 19, 11:59 pm, 2014
 Open: Internationally  
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.  
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. One winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Cat Michaels and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

  MDBR Book Promotion Services


 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Book Blast: "Karmack" by J.C. (Jacqui) Whyte.

Karmack by J.C. Whyte
Title: Karmack 
Author: J.C. Whyte 
Publication Date: June 6, 2013 
Publisher: Muse it Up Publishing 
Pages: 140 
Recommended Age: 7+

Summary: A strange little creature enters the lives of three tough guys at Higgins Elementary. And from that point on, pranks come back like boomerangs, smacking the bullies right in their fifth grade butts! Sully, the leader of the gang, is the only one who can see this creature, which he names Karmack. Sully learns that the creature’s job is to balance all the bad pranks the bullies have pulled over the years. Karmack warns that if this fails, “dreadful, awful doom” awaits them all. Sully soon realizes that he must save not only himself but his friends, who have no idea why they keep getting boomeranged by Karmack!

"Karmack" won First Place in the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Writing contest, a national contest for children's book authors, in the category of chapter books (e-Books).

Purple Dragonfly Book Awards - logo

Purchase the Book

Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Muse It Up Publishing

Barnes and Noble * Omnilit * Bookstrand

 

The Buzz About the Book

"Karmack is a well-written, middle grade book tackling the difficult topic of bullying from the perspective of the bully. The character development is absolutely brilliant as the reader witnesses the transformation of Sully from an aggressive, angry bully to a positive role model and respected leader among his peers. While the concept of karma is not for everyone, I found myself agreeing with the main message of how our actions have consequences, intended or otherwise. I would recommend this book to middle grade classrooms as a great book to generate discussion around bullying." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"A wonderful story about growing up and treating others with respect, Karmack is well paced, funny, and manages to teach important lessons without coming off preachy." ~ Jess W., Amazon
"A fun read with important lessons for us all about Karma, and why bullies have more to balance than most people. Great for ages 9 up, child centered, non-preachy, action packed, great classroom read aloud." ~ Carolyn W., Amazon

"What an AMAZINGLY FUN story! EVERYONE needs to read it! Full of FUN, FANTASY, and FANTASTIC REVENGE on a bully! Fun for ALL ages!" ~ Shauna W., Amazon

"Karmack is a captivating pre-teen fantasy and author J.C. Whyte has created a strong cast of characters that are well developed and quite likable. As the story progresses, the suspense builds to a delightful outcome that is sure to keep readers anticipating Whyte's next round of literary treasures. We look forward to seeing more from this author." ~ Literary Classics Book Review, Amazon
 

About The Author: J.C. Whyte

J.C. White Author of KarmackWhen J.C. Whyte was eleven, her 6th grade teacher gave a class assignment to write a poem about a sport. Realizing her classmates would probably choose popular American sports like baseball or football, J.C. decided to write about something different: golf. And to her complete surprise, the teacher found it comical; she was thereby encouraged to keep writing. Then over summer break, students were told to choose 26 books from a reading list and write a book report on each. J.C. was horrified! She wanted to enjoy her summer, not spend it reading! You see, J.C. was a very slow reader and didn’t much enjoy the experience. Plus, kids back then didn’t have all the fun books to choose from today. But that same teacher who had assigned the sports poem told J.C.’s mother she could write 26 stories instead of reading them. That was absolute genius! Although she didn’t actually write 26 stories (perhaps six?), J.C. submitted one which made her teacher laugh out loud in class. And she got an “A” on her summer reading assignment. J.C. has never forgotten that wise teacher who let her play to her strengths. So from the age of eleven, J.C. knew she wanted to be a writer. Yet by the time she reached college, she understood that writing stories seldom paid the bills. So she got her degrees in Journalism and Communications Management. Then for many years she channeled her creative energies in the field of Public Relations. Marriage, kids, and several more degrees and occupations later (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), J.C. entered law school – mostly for the challenge of writing creative arguments for the court. But while in law school, she became a columnist for the student newsletter, writing humorous pieces on the strange and quirky life of a law student. She was absolutely thrilled when one of these articles was chosen for publication in The National Jurist, a magazine distributed to law students throughout the US. But after graduating and passing the Bar, J.C. realized within a few years that creative writing was still what made her heart sing. So now, as a grandma, she’s returned to writing. And with publication of her middle grade novel Karmack, she’s come full circle, back to where her writing journey began.

Website | Goodreads

 

* Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card  
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize  
Contest ends: September 18, 11:59 pm, 2014  
Open: Internationally  
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.  
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. One winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, J.C. Whyte and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

   MDBR Book Promotion Services


 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

How the Octopus got Eight Arms by Yvonne Arroyo

About the book:
How the Octopus Got Eight Arms by Yvonne Arroyo
ISBN: 978-1-4327-9369-2
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Date of publish: April 2013
Pages: 45
S.R.P.: $23.95
 website

When Oscar Octopus meets, and is smitten by, the lovely Sharkey McGhee, the pair quickly becomes an item, lavish meals, thrilling movies and long, romantic strolls along the ocean floor. After a whirl-wind romance and fairy-tale wedding, they are blessed with eight offspring.
The trouble is that Oscar doesn’t have enough arms to hold them all. In this delightfully illustrated book, readers will discover how Oscar adjusts to the demands of family life … and how the octopus got eight arms.
This sure-fire pleaser features rich vocabulary, lively rhyming text and attractive illustrations that will warm every young reader's heart.
How the Octopus Got Eight Arms is a cute whimsical tale.  It's sure to delight young readers with it's illustrations and rhyming meter throughout the book. I'm excited to share this book with my students this fall.   
About the author:
Yvonne Arroyo spent 32 years as a bilingual Spanish teacher for the Chicago and Trenton school systems. She has written several poems and chants for children and currently lives in Vacaville, Calif.
About the Illustrator:
Carl Wanzung has taught both Art and Preschool to Second Language learners in Chicago Public Schools for the past 30 years. His own art work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in the United States, Japan and Scotland and is privately collected.


 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

countdown is on...10 and counting


Just thought I'd share I accepted a position over the weekend for my new place of employment.  I'm so excited to be part of the teaching staff and can't wait to get the school year started. 

 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Monday, August 18, 2014

The Night Horses by Anaka Jones

The horses may work or frolic all day, but when the sun goes down it is time to party in the barn.  This lovely story is a thumbs up for this young author.  There is definitely a future for her in children's literature if you ask me.  I was so awe struck when I got the book and put the two together.  Any animal lovers will love this book and it is a plus if you are a horse lover.  It is whimsical in nature and the mode, setting, plot are superb.  Jones has budding talent for the art or writing that is for sure.  The book is playfully humorous as well as a mix of reality and fantasy.  It's a party in the barn after a hard days work in the field. I read this to a group of Kindergarteners and 1 graders and they absolutely loved it. 



About the book:
The Night Horses by Anaka Jones
ISBN: 978-1452882789
Publisher: CreateSpace
Date of publish: February 2013
Pages: 28

The Night Horses follows the animals’ daily lives. Each morning, the horse herd takes their
breakfast at the hay feeder. Mulling around, they exchange gossip and share their plans for the
day. There’s May, an old mare whose giddy-up spirit fuels her energetic personality. She wants to challenge Cloud to a race even though she is three times his age. Frisco and Bella are an inseparable married couple, and plenty of young foals timidly hide behind their mothers’ legs
amongst the group.

After a long day of work, the horses clean up, head to their stalls for dinner, and wait in the barn until their owners head back to the house. With humans out of the picture, the horses get busy creating their own rural night life, effectively turning the farm into their own little three-ring circus.


About the author: 
Anaka Jones is a 12-year-old girl in the sixth grade who was born and raised in the rural area outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she lives with her parents, two older brothers, two dogs, a lizard and a frog. Riding, grooming and maintaining horses is one of her favorite pastimes.

 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif

Saturday, August 16, 2014

It was Calling My Name!!!

Wait! What was that?  Did you hear it????  I heard it ...it was calling my name.  Yep!  I went to Hobby Lobby and right there in the fabric department....I heard it...yep it was my name....AAAABBBBIIIII, Abi it was calling out loud and clear.  Hobby Lobby is the W-R-O-N-G place to go if you are in need of a RUSH hour project fix.  ;P ......


oh, but it doesn't do it justice...I have to open it up for you.  








 photo gbifalllinelvspumpksqrls_zpseee441fd.gif