Feeling a bit crafty!

Well, I've found a bit of my crafty spirit! :) I made this fun fall bow for Joy! She has a candy corn shirt and it makes such a fun accessory!

I've also been feeling a bit of knitting inspiration!! I fell in love with this pin a while back, and since I've yet to finish a hat for Joy (so sad, I know!) I decided she needed a fun hat from mommy before the cold weather sets in! This hat has gone very quickly, I'm already on the decreases! And it IS fun to knit something other than dishcloths! :)

 

So thank you, ladies, for your encouragement! It's fun to feel the knitting spirit again! I'm not sure if I'll start a whole bunch more projects, but this sure has been a fun one to get back into the groove for a bit! :) 

Book Review: Knockout Knits (And a question for fellow knitters/crafters!)

I claim to be a knitter. Truth be known, I think I've finished one dishcloth in the past year. Shame on me!! I do have a fairly valid excuse, someone else keeps my hands pretty busy. But then, we always find time for the things we put in priority don't we? I WANT to knit more, and after looking at this book and drooling at all the eye candy, it really gets me in the mood to pick up my knitting again.

Knockout Knits is a beautiful book to just look at! The pictures of knitted projects are certainly drool-worthy! I haven't knitted anything from it, yet, but I love that the projects are from small quick knits, such as cuffs or hand warmers all the way to more detailed shawls or shrugs. There are plenty of beautiful hat patterns as well.

I love how the book is set up. Each chapter introduces a new technique, such as chart reading, then starts with a very simple and quick project to help the knitter get a bit of practice. But the book isn't only for beginners, each chapter goes on to more detailed and advanced projects, building on previous knowledge.

I know some of you that read my blog are knitters as well. Question for you... do you, over time, lose a bit of excitement for that craft? Or maybe lose it for a time, but then it comes back to you? I do know that when I have a lot going on, or I'm feeling stressed, my creativity is the first thing out the window! (Thus the drop off in Finished Object Fridays as well...) And a certain little one does take up a bit of time... I wouldn't trade her for the world though!!! She is at a wonderful, fun age and is so much fun to be with!! (Provided she's had her naps...) ;) I'm just hoping that my exuberance for all things crafty will return at some point...


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Book provided by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Legend of St. Nicholas

Yes, Christmas is coming very quickly!!! Anyone ready? Yeah... me either. Every year I make plans that the NEXT year I will get my shopping done early!!  After all, I want to relax and be able to enjoy the holiday season! This year, I also have a very special birthday party to plan!!! (One I've been planning for oh.... about a year.) ;)

One thing I love about Christmas is Christmas books. I always have! Growing up we had a stack of books that came out with our other Christmas treasures. And I know it comes as no surprise that I have already started a stack of fun Christmas books for our little family. I was excited to get another new beautiful Christmas book to add to our collection.

The Legend of St. Nicholas begins with a young man named "Nick" who wasn't to eager to spend his savings on gifts for others.  While at the department store he over hears the store Santa telling the story of St. Nicholas and how he came to see the need of others and decided to share what he had to ease the hurt. Nick sees the joy in giving and sharing with the needy.

I love the illustrations in this book. They are very bright and cheerful and "Christmasy!" I love that the book also brings in the birth of Jesus as the basis for the celebration of Christmas and gift giving. I'm sure we will enjoy reading this book during the Christmas season through the years.

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Thank you to Book Look for this review copy. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: Streams in the Desert Bible

There are a few devotional books that have withstood the tests of time to keep encouraging Christians in their daily walk. Streams in the Desert is one of them. This devotional has a special meaning to me as the Bible college I went to was the same one that Lettie Cowman attended over 100 years ago. Her writings, in my opinion are especially meant to encourage a person who is going through a hard time in their life. I was excited to see a Bible that combines her writings with Scripture.

However... I wasn't overwhelmed with the layout. As I read through several passages, I keep thinking how hard it would be to read a section along with the dated devotional material. Some days are right next to each other and some are spread several pages apart. I understand that the intent is to keep the devotional pages close to the Scriptures they reference, but the layout would make reading through the Bible difficult. I like the idea of having a devotional in the same binding as the Bible, but maybe a daily reading layout would be better - even a suggested reading for the day. I'm also not a huge fan of the NIV either. There are other versions that I like better.

The devotional is in  updated language, which I feel is a good thing. It makes it easier to understand and smoother to read. It is a nice looking Bible and feels good to hold. The paper doesn't feel cheap. It is a good concept, I just feel a little more thought could have been put into the usability.

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Thanks to Book Look for the review copy. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Match of Wits

I enjoy a mix of fiction. Well, maybe not a very wide range... I don't enjoy suspenseful books so much any more. My fiction reading is mainly for relaxation. And for this reason I enjoy Jen Turano's books. Her writing is fun, her characters are unique and entertaining. She has a very distinctive style.

The beginning of A Match of Wits brings us to the wild western frontier. Agatha Watson is in search of stories to write and publish in the New York Tribune. In her travels, accompanied by her body guard, female companion, and recently acquired pet pig, she runs into Zayne Beckett, a friend from back home in New York. She is on this trip to escape those who have made threats on her life because of her writing. Zayne has buried himself in his mining work to escape his past and the hurt there. Agatha convinces him to return to New York where they both confront what they have been running from.

Yes, it's a fun, fast paced book full of unlikely happenings! But, as with Jen's other books, I enjoyed it. It's something different. Not always believable, but a fun, light hearted, fast paced read!

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Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the review copy. My opinions are my own.