Review: The Violets of March

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Loved, loved, loved this book! It's about a woman going back to the place she loved as a child after an unexpected divorce, where she finds a mysterious diary from 70 years ago that tells a story she soon realizes tells a similar story to her own life. There is mystery, heartbreak, and romance all in one.

This was a definite page turner. I could not put it down. I love books where I fall completely into the story, and this was one of those. I would put the book down and feel a bit of disappointment when I come back to real life. I am so ready to move to Bainbridge Island. It sounds just perfect compared to the current 105 degrees days here in Texas.

I loved the mystery of the diary she finds and discovering things out about herself and others in her life. I also readily identified with her, coming off a divorce and then finding love in an unexpected place. I always enjoy when a love story in a book makes me appreciate and love my husband all the more.

The only part I didn't like was that the witch Emily's husband left her for had my name, lol.



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Review: A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I've always loved this author's books, but this one just didn't draw me in.



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Pixie Cone Puppets! Our newest design...

Here it is! This newest design from Sewing Chick Studio and The TipToe Fairy.  It's Walforf-inspired cone puppets.

They are so much fun to make!  My kids have loved to play with these puppets for years.  

This pattern is less daunting than making a full complete Waldorf doll.  And, once you're done, embellishing your puppet is a great way to use up small amounts of leftover trims or scrapbook embellishments.  

Need an amazing kid's gift for birthdays, Hanukkah, or Christmas? These are always a treat! I have yet to meet a child who doesn't light up the minute they see these puppets.

 Included in this pattern is a 22-page PDF with step by step instructions with full color pictures as well as printable pattern pieces. 

The pattern is now up at Craftsy.com.  Shortly, it will be available on my website and Etsy. 

Intended for ages 4 and over.

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Wow!! My pattern is trending at #1 on Craftsy.com!!!

I woke up this morning to check my email and find the Craftsy.com sewing newsletter for fun patterns to beat the heat, and in it is one of my patterns!! Out of curiosity, I go see if I've broken the top #20 on Craftsy's pattern trending list.  Lo and behold, mine is all the way up at #1.  I'm so excited!!  Wow!!!

Spiral Swirlie Hot Dogs! Tutorial

I'm sure this is a totally weird tutorial, but my family loves them so  thought I'd share (eek...that's a bad runon sentence).  My husband stole one of my dowel rods for making korker bows.  Then, I found him slicing hotdogs into spirals on it.  Then, he went out and cooked them on the grill.  It was a last minute 10 o'clock at night right before our vacation quick and easy dinner.  As someone who is not a HUGE fan of hotdogs...these came out delicious!  So I thought I'd share.



Step 1 - Stick the hotdogs on some kind of skewer. Then slice around the hot dog in a spiral. Since it's on the skewer, you can slice all the way through to the skewer. (Sorry this picture is blurry.  I got the bright idea to share our spiral delights in the middle of his slicing.)



Here is finished spiraled hotdogs. Ready for grilling!


 Step 2 - Grill those suckers! It takes just a minute or two because they are spiraled and cook fast. Be careful with turning them and picking them up because they are delicate. 


Step 3 - Voila! Finished hotdog -- prepare as desired.

 My kids love these things, except the baby - she's a little freaked out by them. I'm not sure why, lol. I don't know why, but these taste so much better than regular ol' hotdogs. I think it's the grilling of the entire thing inside and out, maybe.

Enjoy!

Vacation & a little sneak peek!

I've been on vacation last week to the coast of Texas. The weather was great! We went to Sea World and then we spent several days in Corpus Christi. My kidlets played in the ocean for the first time.

Then, this week my darling Miss Em finally got her braces off after almost 2 years. Woohoo!

I have made a new pattern. It's a lot of fun! I need to put the finishing touches on the PDF, and it will be ready this weekend. For now, here is a sneak peek. My kids LOVE these! I hope yours will, too.