Saturday, February 22, 2014

Tying it off.....

Handmade by Heidi

Last night was the FNSI...and I finally was able to participate again.  I haven't been able to join in the FNSI since last Aug.  Progress was again made on my mom's quilt.  We are truly in the final stages.  It is sandwiched together and I finished with the machine quilting last night and started on the tying off.  We are getting ever to close to being done.  However, not soon enough...An announcement was made this past week that another Great-Grand child will be joining the family this summer.  Bummer!!!  I didn't work fast enough.  ;P  I've only been working on it since 2011.  We are ever joyful for the new addition though.







A Lovely Year of Finishes



WIPs on Wednesdays


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Friday, February 21, 2014

Long time No SEW

Handmade by Heidi

Boy oh boy..I can't believe I've not done a FNSI since last Aug.  That is a shame!  Guess what I'm going to try to get some in tonight though.  Tonight is the night.  I'm going to get some sewing done on my mom's quilt.

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

A Sky Without Stars by Linda S. Clare

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Sky Without Stars
Abingdon Press (February 18, 2014)
by
Linda S. Clare
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Linda S. Clare is an award-winning author and coauthor of several books and has also published many essays, stories, and poems in publications, including The Christian Reader, The Denver Post, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Her most recent book is A Sky without Stars, the newest release in Abingdon’s Quilts of Love line. Born in Arizona, Linda and her husband now make their home in Eugene, Oregon, where Linda has taught college-level creative writing classes, and writes, edits, and mentors other writers. She also is a frequent writing conference presenter, a church retreat leader, and mom to four grown children and five wayward cats.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Frankie Chasing Bear is caught between cultures. She wants to raise her son Harold to revere his Lakota heritage, but she also thinks he will need to learn the white man’s ways to succeed. After the untimely death of her husband, Frankie joins the U.S. Government’s Relocation Program and moves to Arizona. There she begins sewing a Lakota Star pattern quilt for Harold with tribal wisdom sung, sewn, and prayed into it. A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars, but neither the quilt—nor her new life—comes easily to Frankie. Nick Vandergriff, for instance, is the last man Frankie wants to trust. He’s half-Lakota but Christian, and Frankie can see no good coming from that faith after her own parents were forced to convert at an Indian school. Can Nick convince Frankie that white men and Christians aren’t all bad? And will Frankie learn that love is the most important ingredient—for her son’s quilt and life itself?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Sky Without Stars, go HERE.




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Saturday, February 15, 2014

Memories torn down

This is so sad it is my home church where I grew up.  My dad and brothers helped build this church 40+ years ago. While working on the church my dad and one brother had an accident resulting in the death of my brother and my dad very badly injured.  This has been an emotional time for our family to see this building torn down. The steeple you see my dad rode on the very top point while it was being placed in position. 

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Monday, February 10, 2014

Once Upon a Winter's Heart by Melody Carlson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Once Upon a Winter's Heart
Center Street (January 7, 2014)
by
Melody Carlson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Emma Burcelli has suffered over a decade of dating disasters. But she concludes that love is officially dead when her grandfather Poppi suddenly passes, leaving her grandmother Nona devastated. To help out, Emma works in the family bookstore, which Nona insists must be decked out in sweetheart décor as Poppi would have done for Valentine's Day. Although she feels like a V-Day Scrooge, Emma quickly learns to enjoy the task with the help of a handsome family friend, Lane Forester, who shows her that hanging hearts is much more fun when done to the tune of Dean Martin. As Emma and Lane share time and memories of Poppi, she reconsiders the notion that romance is alive.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Winter's Heart, go HERE.




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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Challenges are On...Ready, Set....SEW!



I'm plodding along again this month.  I didn't get it done last month so I'm adding it to my challenge list again this month.  It MUST get done!!!  Before anything else gets worked on that is my goal if it takes many moons to accomplish this task.  I've been working in this quilt for 3 & 1/2 years now.  Whew!!!!  of course it was put on back burner from time to time.  If I don't get it finished soon the family status may change...new ones blocks by marriage or birth will need to be added.   If you'd like to see some past post of this quilt, I have posted the links below from beginning to end in order that I at different stages of progress....
Oct. 15, 2010
Feb. 18, 2011
Mar. 19, 2011
Apr. 16, 2011
May 21, 2011
Jun 18, 2011
Jul 6, 2011
Dec. 10, 2011
Jan.21, 2012
Feb. 18, 2012
Mar. 17, 2012
Jun 16, 2012
Jul 14, 2012
Sep. 22, 2012
Oct. 27, 2012
Nov.17, 2012
Mar. 23, 2013
Apr. 6, 2013
May 4, 2013
Jun 5, 2013
Jul 10, 2013
Aug 26, 2013
Jan 4, 2014 
Jan 14, 2014 
Feb 22, 2014 
Mar 3, 2014 
Mar. 28, 2014

 I read a blog entry @ Quiltmaker the other day that sparked my interest.  Sew I thought it would be fun to take the plunge and just see how many I could save in 2014.  I already have one empty.  You can check out the details here.


A Lovely Year of Finishes



WIPs on Wednesdays


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Gabriel's Bride by Amy Lillard

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Gabriel's Bride
B&H Books (February 1, 2014)
by
Amy Lillard


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I’m a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I’ve retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I’m from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son–a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, shoes, and romance novels–not necessarily in that order. I’m a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I’m shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that’s why I adore romances.

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I’m a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that’s me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twilight series (I’ll get to it or I won’t, either way I’m good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I’m alone on this last one, and again, I’m good with it.)

Favorite movies–(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940′s movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven’t seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn’s and Audrey’s.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rachel Yoder has two choices: marry Gabriel Fisher or move to Ohio. As an orphan, Rachel doesn’t have much to offer; any match she can make will be a good one. She just didn’t plan on Gabriel with his big hands and permanent frown. As a widower Gabriel needs help caring for the farm and his six children. But he never thought he’d marry a slip of a girl who barely reaches his chin. Yet as time passes, Gabriel finds himself thinking about a real marriage. They have spoken vows to God and each other, but can he risk his heart with Rachel?


If you would like to read the first chapter of Gabriel's Bride, go HERE.




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Monday, February 3, 2014

Unstoppable DVD with giveaway


ABOUT UNSTOPPABLE
Inspired by the death of Cameron’s close friend who succumbed to cancer at the age of 15, Kirk Cameron takes viewers on an inspiring and hope-filled visual journey to better understand the biggest doubt-raising question in faith: “Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?”
Going back to the beginning—literally—Kirk investigates the origins of good and evil and how they impact our lives … and our eternities. UNSTOPPABLE will prompt audiences to consider the role that pain and suffering has in our lives, as they affirm their personal views on faith, and encourage conversation starters about God, suffering, and hope. 
In theaters for only two weeknights (Sept 24th and Oct 3th, 2013), UNSTOPPABLE: A Live Event with Kirk Cameron sold a staggering 260,000 tickets and reached a theatrical gross of over $3.2 million dollars. In just two nights this independent project sent a loud message – audiences want thought-provoking and meaningful entertainment.   
Kirk Cameron is best known for his memorable role as “Mike Seaver,” a cultural icon of the 80's, with his mullet hairstyle, cool glasses, and wisecracking comebacks. More recently he enjoyed much success with the No. 1 grossing inspirational film of 2008, Fireproof, and his recent documentary, Monumental. Kirk and his wife, Chelsea, were on-screen sweethearts during their Growing Pains years and are the founders of Camp Firefly, where terminally and seriously ill children and their families are provided an all-expense paid retreat (www.CampFirefly.com). Together, Kirk and Chelsea live in California with their six children.

About Provident Films: 
Provident Films, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, produces, markets, and distributes faith-based films. The company is part of Nashville-based Provident Music Group, which has been one of the world’s leading Christian entertainment companies for more than three decades.  Films from the company have included Courageous, October Baby, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants. More info is available at ProvidentFilms.org.


Unstoppable is a very thought provoking documentary.  60+ minutes with Kirk Cameron and he takes you from the beginning of creation, through the flood and on to the death of Christ on the cross.  Myself I think he just scratches the surface on these areas Biblically, he doesn't get deep into them.  I guess that is where you as a watcher can do your own research.  There were a few areas I questioned because I don't exactly believe the way he presented the gospel.  We are not going to agree 100 % with everyone in everything and we must make our own decisions on what we feel to be the right beliefs.

Want to win a copy of this dvd leave a comment telling me where you live.  Please US/Canada mailing addresses only.  Thanks.  I 'll draw a winner on Feb. 15.  Be sure to leave a way to contact you.  

A copy of this DVD was provided in exchange for my honest review by...

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.


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