Blogging for Books: Ink and Bone

 

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine Was a wonderful exciting story. It moved very quickly and something was always happening. It is set in a world were all of the knowledge of the world is held by the Great Library and it controls who is allowed to have that knowledge. A handful of teens are selected to go through a competition to see who will be the next guardian of the Library. Things are not always what they seem. Friendships and Foes are formed as the group of teams go though their training. I am greatly looking forward to reading the second book in this series. I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Blogging for Books: Room for Hope

This is a review for Room for Hope. I received this book from Blogging for Books for my honest review.

Room for Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a depression era story with a strong storyline. Neva's character showed great strength in times of adversity and struggle. Through deception she overcomes as she raises her two children.

I recommend any of Kim Vogel Sawyer's books.

Blogging for Books: Miriam

Miriam by Mesu Andrews was one of the best books I have read in a long time. She weaves a story together about the lives of Moses, Aaron and Miriam so well. The lives they led and their struggles to understand brought to life the Bible histories I learned as a child.

This book is a work of fiction, but it held more than that. It helped me to understand more that the people of the Bible were human. They went through the same kind of struggles with their faith as we do today. This book intertwined relationships of Miriam's parents, nephews and neighbors so beautifully.

I really hope you pick this book up and read it. It has sent me on a search for more of Mesu Andrews books.

I received this book from blogging for book for my honest review.

Blogging for Books: Eleanor

I recently read Eleanor by Jason Gurley. Let's just say this book is....different. It's not that I didn't like the book, but there was something strange about it. It is certainly a mix of tragedy and Science Fiction/ Fantasy. The one thing that did turn me off about this book, was the language. I try to avoid books with swearing in them. Swearing to me is like needle it my skin. I can't stand it, so that did turn me off. The ending was...mostly complete. I felt there could have been more to give a good satisfying ending. I wanted to know more. I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

When Love Returns

When Love Returns is the third book in the Restoration Series by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series and this one was no exception. It was a bit confusing in the very beginning, but only because I hadn't read the other two in a while.

The stories interwoven between love and mother/ daughter relationships is beautifully written. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a sweet story.

This book was sent to me through Blogging for Books for an honest review.

The Little Paris Bookshop

As an author I hate giving bad reviews, but this book makes me need one. I really wish there was more indication of this being a book more about sex then anything else. I do not enjoy books like this. There were a few passages that were very lyrical, describing the scenery, but that was the extent of my enjoyment. There have been books I have wanted to throw across the room. This one I actually did. I thought I would be reading a lovely book about Paris and books, instead I got trash. I only read half way through. I'm done. My daughter asked if she could read it when I was done. My answer: definitely not. I received this book from Blogging for Book in exchange for an honest review.

Blogging for books: The Wood's edge

First I would like to say the cover for this book is beautiful. I loved the art work and it drew me in. The back cover, intrigued me. I really wanted to like this book. I have had it for several months. Every time I picked it up, I couldn't get through it. I think part of it may be a difference in my usual writing style. I think the premise is very good, but I just could not get into the storyline. I received this book from blogging for books in exchange for an honest review.

Row by Row

I participated in the row by row experience this year. It began on the 21st of June and I finished my quilt on the 11th of July. I had one week I was away at boy scout camp. I won at Quilter's dream in Loveland, Colorado. My rows are as follows, from top to bottom.
Quilter's stash-Windsor, co
Above and Beyond-Westminster, Co
Quilter's Dream-Loveland, Co (all paper pieced, designed by Linda Hibert)
Fabric Expressions-Littleton, Co
The Loopy Ewe-Fort Collins, Co
Lyon's Quilting-Lyon's Co
Laughing Ladies-Berthod, Co (Right Side)
Golden Quilt Company-Golden, Co(Left Side)
I had a lot of fun doing this and have many more rows to make.

What I'm Reading: When Grace Sings

When Grace Sings is a book by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I enjoy stories about Amish and Mennonite families. This was no exception. The book takes you on a journey through four different points of view.

The first thing that did disappoint me though was the fact that this was a second in a trilogy. I received this book to review and no where, but the back cover did it indicate this. If I had known this was the case I probably would not have chosen this book to review. That said, other reviewers have said you must read the first book to know what is going on. To that, I disagree. I have not read the first book, but the author does a good job at making sure you understand what is going on. I would like to go back and read the first one, but I don't believe it is a necessity.

On to the characters, the two main women, were wonderful. I felt like I could relate to them and feel their pain. The men however I wanted to reach through the book and smack them. They were selfish and self-centered. However, by the end of the book I did like them, so they grew on me.

One of my complaints is a small side character. Living in Colorado, this is my complaint. The side characters were vegan and vegetarians and as an explanation for this she said the characters were from north eastern Colorado. I'm assuming she meant some place like Boulder, but when I think of north eastern Colorado, I think of all the farms out on the plains. I can guarantee you they are anything but vegans.

All in all I did enjoy the book. I give it 4 out of five stars.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Quinn

So I have embarked on the publishing journey. Last year I was picked up by the Electic-scroll. My first novel came out in January and I am working hard on finishing the edits on the second book in the series: Misty. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Quinn, head over to The Electric scroll. It is available in paperback and e-book.

Quinn Brooks woke in a hospital room with no memory of how she got there; she only knows she must escape or die. Fortunately Samantha Woods was willing to pick up hitchhikers, and the two women became friends.

As they travel across Alaska, Canada, and into the lower 48, Quinn ‘Travels’ uncontrollably in time.

Pursued in the present and shot at in the past, can Quinn find the answers she needs before time runs out?

Sketch! A review

Sketch by France Bellenie-Van Stone is a non artists guide to sketching. I found the information lovely, but also the pictures intriguing. I love to sketch but am not the best at it. Too many times I have picked up a how to sketch book and they give you step by step on one picture. The pictures in this book are the sketches of the author. She takes you on a journey to find inspiration in the world around you. There is even an ABC's of finding inspiration. All in all, I loved this book and would recommend it to any one who is interested in sketching the world around them.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Knitting block by block

I am doing a review for the book Knitting Block by Block.

I must say I love this book. Keep in mind, this book is for the person who already knows how to knit. I am not one of those people. During the Superbowl, my friend taught me how to knit, so I plan to use these patterns in the future.

There are a lot of gorgeous pictures in this book, but the things I really love about it, are the patterns. Most knitting patterns I have looked at are only words, and quite confusing words at that. This book not only includes the words, but also diagrams of the pattern. It caters to both ways of learning.  Not many books do that.

I give this book 5 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from Blogging for Books in return for an honest review! The thoughts in this review are of my own!

Blogging for Books: Doctor Who: Silhouette

I have to tell you I am a huge fan of doctor who. When I saw this book on Blogging for Books, I jumped at the chance to read it.
It was a good book to read. The author had great imagery and I could feel like I was there. The problem for me, is that I have an idea in my mind how things should be with doctor who. It was hard for me to place my vision in this book. This really had nothing to do with the author and more to do with the actors who play in the show. It is difficult for an author to capture the characters just like the actors would.  In general I would like this book, if I was not such a huge fan of the show.
I also have to give a little FTC disclaimer. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Your Family in Pictures review

This is the first book I have received from Blogging for books to review. When I first got it, I flipped though and quickly looked at the pictures. To be honest...I was not impressed. I know she wants to be artful, but there were several pictures that were out of focus and the lighting put the subject in the dark.

I decided I would give the book a chance though and sat down to actually read it. I have not fully finished it yet, but from what I have read, I am enjoying it. The author gives good advice from lighting to capturing your subject by surprise. I just wish the pictures matched the advice. I am looking forward to going out and trying to take some pictures of my family.

I also have to give a little FTC disclaimer. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

What I've been working on

Okay I know I already posted a pic of Stella before, But this is what I have been working on. I would work on it a bit then get frustrated and leave it for a week, then work on it some more and get frustrated again.
Today I decided I really need to work on Stella. About a week or so ago I took the front plate of and got that all cleaned up. I tried to put the new belt on but it was still a bit long. Today I had cut it down some more and put the belt back on. The White's hand wheel rolls backwards, so I tried getting it started and every few turns it would get stuck and want to turn forwards. I could feel myself getting frustrated, but then I realized it was getting stuck where the staple was. I took my pliers and squeezed as hard as I could and then it began to turn forward a little better. I also realized I had to make sure the treadle was turning a full turn and not trying to drop back down. I think I got the hand of that. Then I realized I needed to oil the whole machine. Once I got the oil all in the places it needed to be, she ran like butter.
Now the only thing I need to learn is how to thread the machine and wind the bobbin. I have the manual, but I am a very visual learner and the manual is not very clear, so I am hoping to figure that out soon, then I can get treadling. I can't wait.

Design Wall Monday: My Birthday

 This is the quilt I have been working on for some time. It is my own design and was done before I acquired EQ7. There was a bit of trial and error but I am finally almost done. There are a few more seams and then I will have to put the border on then it will be ready for quilting.

 On a side note. Tomorrow is my birthday. This was my present. I'm so excited to start using it. The only parts it was missing was the belt, bobbin case and the bobbins. There is a machine repair place near me that repairs all types of machines. I was able to get all the parts I needed (new). To get new bobbin cases for this machine seemed like it was going to be impossible, but they had bought out a place that had all kinds of antique new stock. YAY! Anyway, it is a White Rotary. Does anyone know how to thread the belt through? It looks pretty easy, but I want to be sure before I measure and cut.
This is the head of the machine. The front looks pretty good, but the back is a bit worn. The needle goes up and down pretty well when you turn the wheel. I can't wait to get going.

Design Wall Monday: Jan 27th: Orca quilt

 I am so excited. I got hired to make a quilt for a woman across the country from me. She and I are both very excited about this. She was able to purchase all of the material and send it to me. I designed the quilt and we worked out exactly what she wanted. Here is a picture of the quilt design.






She was able to get the big orca pictures from Amazon, but the listing said they were 100% cotton. They are not. They are a silky poly material. I still will be able to work with them, but its going to take a bit of care.









Here is a close up of the fabric we picked. I think it is going to be a gorgeous quilt and I can't wait to get started. I need to finish a few things on a quilt I am making for my dad and then will begin this one. Sooo Excited.

Design Wall Monday: Skill Builder

It has been quite a while since I have posted on my design wall. I have been working on a skill builder with pileoffabric. I have gotten pretty far behind, but I am determined to catch up. If you'd like to see more design walls head on over to patchwork times.

Design Wall Monday: So many projects and the garden

 I have so many projects going at once, I couldn't just pick one for my design wall Monday post. This one is my Linda Hibert Paper piecing quilt from last year. I really enjoy doing these and I'm trying to get this one done for the fair again this year. I'm not sure if I am going to finish or not. I also made a quilt for my husband who is retiring from the Military. I can't show that one yet, because he hasn't seen it yet.





This quilt is a colorful one my mom started and she gave it to me to finish. It seems like a pretty easy pattern. Lots of halfsquare triangles. It's just getting to it that is the problem. With my husband retiring we have been very busy getting everything ready for all of the company. We had a late winter here in Colorado. We had snow and cold nights well into May. We have finally gotten our garden planted. I am also working on two quilts from a mystery quilt I did a few years ago. Is it still a mystery if you know what it's going to look like?

The Known Mysteries.

Our Strawberries

So we finally got to work on our garden. I love the results of a garden. I love to can and I love all of the fresh food that comes from it. I hate weeding, but I know that will come and I am hoping I can keep up on it this year.   My sweet husband Mike got out on the first morning we weren't having crazy strong wind and got the garden tilled for me. It was much easier to plant everything with him doing that. This year we planted corn, beans, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and herbs. We don't have a very big garden, so we try to squeeze in as much as we can.

 I absolutely love basil. It is my favorite herb. The one problem I have though is picking it and keeping it from seeding. This year I plan to keep up on that too.

 My tomatoes look so sad. We bought them a few days before we could plant them. We had planned to plant them the same day we bought them, but the wind picked up and it was so strong we were picking up branches from the back yard, in the front yard. Once we got them planted and watered they looked much happier.

 I love these little signs. (I like the ceramic ones better, but we couldn't find the right ones.) Every year before this I have just used Popsicle sticks. They worked but the didn't look that nice. The bright pink string behind it is to tell me where the rows are until everything pops up.

 Someone wanted some attention while I was sitting on the ground taking pictures. Lucy is definitely a sweetheart.

 I had to get in some pictures of my chickens. This one is Chickadee. My daughter thinks it's funny our biggest chicken is named after such a small bird. I love watching the chickens. They can be so funny some times.

 Here is sunshine. She is our quick one. When ever it is time for them to go back in the run, to catch the rest of the chickens all you have to do is reach for them and they crouch down and you can scoop them up. Not so with Sunshine. She runs and you have to chase her around the yard. At least the yard is not that big.

 And Shimano. I think she is at the top of the pecking order, but in general they are all pretty good to each other.

 Henrietta is my other chicken, but a little camera shy. She was sitting on this egg when I tried to get a picture, but she moved. (Not her egg, by the way.)

 See these nice egg boxes? I don't think the chickens do. They never lay in there and every time I try to get them, they just move everything out of there and lay where they want.

 We planted a bunch of flowers in the front yard. This area hardly gets any sun and we have struggled to get anything to grow there. Hopefully these flowers will do well.

 We have also discovered the only thing we can plant in this area is petunias. Every thing else gets eaten by the wild rabbits we have in our neighborhood.

 So since we can't have pansies in the ground we put them up in a pot. Maybe this year I won't loose them all to the hungry little animals.

 Before we got the pansy pot, we got this fuchsia. It is big and beautiful, but when we hung it on our pole, the pole almost touched the ground. We ended up hanging it from our tree. I was concerned about it falling out if we had a wind storm, but the crazy winds we had after we hung it up proved that the thing is not going any where.

 Mike looks very happy that he is about to retire. Yes, he is old enough to retire.

He also decided to weed the jungle that is our back flower garden. The weeds really take control back there, but once he was done it looked fabulous.

Design Wall monady and the results of the quiltathon

Judy, over on Patchwork times, hosts a quiltathon every month or so. She chooses 4 days and you sew like mad. This week I finished these four paper piecings. I know it doesn't seem like I accomplished much, but these take forever. I am hoping to finish another one today.