Sunday, November 20, 2011

An Amish Wedding



"An Amish Wedding"


Three Amish Novellas



I was able to read and review this book though Thomas Nelson and Booksneeze.


Kelly Long, Kathleen Fuller and Beth Wiseman sure have what it takes to blend characters together for this great read!


"A Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long introduces us to Rose and Luke. Engaged to be married and Rose is not yet sure she knows all there is to Luke Lantz. Things have turned up missing in their Amish community. Rose sets a trap hoping to find out who the Robin Hood is. Rose has to learn to trust Luke and his mysterious mission. Will Rose know that Luke is her true love?


"A Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller has Naomi who brought her sister Priscilla and Chester together. She seems perfectly content with her life until Chester's cousin Zeke comes to save the day. Naomi puts her match making skills to work and sets him up with a fellow worker in her bakery. Will that romance work out or are there better days ahead for Naomi?


"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman brings all of the above characters together for the planning and wedding of Priscilla and Chester. Priscilla likes to be organized and have everything planned out. Things don't always go as planned though. Only God knows what will happen. Is the wedding what God has planned for them?

































Sunday, October 23, 2011

My First Digital Scrapbook Page






I WON!


From my friend Colleen's blog, I won the give away she had.


Here is my first digital page made with My Memories Suite software.


Need to play around more with it!


I am sure I will share more.














Saturday, October 22, 2011

Tag I Made




















Here is a sturdy tag I made for a swap I was in. This is the front. Back is to the left.










Front of second tag.





















This is the back.

































































































































































Saturday, October 8, 2011

My Memories Suite

Stop on over to my friend Colleen's blog for a chance to win a software download from My Memories Suite. Not familar with My Memories Suite? Check out the info on her blog to learn more about digital scrapbooking. Maybe you will be the lucky winner! Good luck!


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

"The Wonder of Your Love"

"The Wonder of Your Love"

by

Beth Wiseman



Beth Wiseman does it again. If you want to read good Amish fiction, you must read this book.


Poor Katie Ann went through a lot with her ex husband Ivan. Ivan hooked up with an English woman and left Katie Ann. Ivan died before he knew that Katie Ann was pregnant with their son.


A mysterious letter shows up from the mystery (other) woman. She wants to visit. What would she want from Katie Ann? Will Katie Ann resent her or listen to what she has to say. How could Katie Ann even try to be nice to her?


Katie Ann's English friend Martha loves her and baby Jonas. Martha is pretty quirky in her ways but Katie Ann loves her. Martha has a health problem and then gets an unexpected house guest.


Eli Detweiler shows up for a family wedding. A widower, having raised his many kids on his own, he now wants to travel and do his own thing.


Katie Ann and Eli start off on the wrong foot. Eli sure has a way with little Jonas though. He teaches her a thing or two about tending to the little guy.


Will Eli and Katie Ann develop an interest in one another? No, why would Eli want to start all over now that he is free to do what he wants and when he wants? How could Eli even think of leaving behind his kids and their families?


I encourage you to read this book to find out the above answers!


Happy reading to you! : )


Pin It





Thursday, September 1, 2011

Chunky ATC Dude




Took a class with Linda Cain recently. If you don't know Linda, you NEED to Google her and find her wonderful blog! Love her art work!!! This ATC "Diamond Guy" was made out of a block of wood painted black. Glue paper on. Embellish as desired. Super fun it was!








Pin It





Monday, July 25, 2011

Healing Hearts

Healing Hearts

by

Beth Wiseman


Stories previously published in "An Amish Christmas, "An Amish Gathering and An Amish Love."


"A Choice to Forgive" is about widow Lydia who is raising her three children. Her husband died two years ago. Imagine her surprise when her shunned brother-in-law Daniel comes home. Daniel was Lydia's first love before she married his brother Elam. Daniel has a secret on why he left Lydia on Christmas Eve several years ago. The secret involves her late husband. Will Lydia forgive and forget the past? Read to find out.


"A Change of Heart" I have read before. Leah is not your typical Amish young lady who knows how to cook, clean, sew etc. Leah loves to write books. Her father can't understand her. He can't help but wonder if she will ever get married. Who would want her? Her two sisters are engaged to be married. Her sister Edna mentions that her fiances brother Aaron is interested in her. Will Aaron accept Leah as she is or will she have to cook, clean and sew for him to be happy?


"Healing Hearts" I have also read before. With all the Amish books I have read, I have never read a book about an older Amish couple before. Levina Lapp has carried on with her life for one year on her own. Her husband, Naaman, left her for that long. Could it be that all of their children were raised and out of the house? Did they not know each other anymore? When he returns home, she and their children have a hard time getting to know him again. Can they trust him? Will they have further difficulty or will they be able to reconcile?









Tuesday, July 12, 2011



Here are some ATCs that I made for a swap. We received an envelope full of items that we were to make three ATCs from. I love the vintage look and this is what I came up with.







Here is a sample of what I created at the Favorite Things crop this weekend. A 4x4 chunky page book. This is a swap that I will send out. Thinking of entering it in our county fair this week.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Treasuring Emma



Treasuring Emma: A Middlefield Family Novel

By Kathleen Fuller



Yet another book I am reviewing for Booksneeze. If it is Amish, I read it! This one especially caught my eye when I read it was set in Middlefield, OH. I was recently in that area and so want to go back and explore.


The book starts with a death in the Shetler family. Emma is left with her grandmother. She tended to her sick mother and takes care of her grandmother. So much responsibility for her. Keeping up with the house, chores, etc is a challenge.


Neighbor and friend Adam was living the English life in Michigan. Emma's grandmother wrote Adam a letter stating she was worried about his mother. Adam heads for home to find out what is going on. He is not welcomed back with open arms from his father. Since Adam was shunned, some people are not wanting to be around him.


Emma's sister Clara and husband Peter are down on their luck. Peter has been out of a job for awhile and hasn't been able to find anything. Clara is upset that he hasn't found work yet. She takes it upon herself to come up with a business plan.


In the meantime, Peter's cousin Mark comes for an upexpected visit. He stays with them but has another motive. Clara has her eye on Mark from the start. Things with her and Peter have been rather tense. Clara and Mark come up with a plan to have Mark get intersted in Emma. They also start Clara's business plan.


Adam and Emma have been close and when Adam up and left, Emma was heartbroken. Adam sees how Emma's place is rundown and needing a lot of work. He tends to her horse Dill. Will Adam and Emma mend their relationship? Will Mark get in the way?


A good book to start this series off. I will be anxious to read the next books in this series.


Thursday, May 26, 2011

Confirmation Card for our Niece


Here is a confirmation card I made for our niece Emily. The girl image is from Cricut Inspired Heart cartridge. The stamped words are from Close To My Heart. The flower was crocheted by a friend. The background paper is Bo Bunny. Don't know about the ribbon on the bottom.

Monday, May 23, 2011



Being a big fan of Amish books, I have never read a book by Ruth Reid before.

This takes place in Michigan. Judith's family is having a barn raising. She likes to entertain the young ones with stories she made up. Judith's brother, Samuel, is given a nail and is told help would be given to him for pounding it in place. At lunch time, Samuel is missing. Judith spies him up on the barn roof pounding a board. Judith runs toward the barn and calls out to Samuel. Samuel jerked with arms flailing. He then disappeared. He is found alive. An English man told Judith to have faith and that his steps are ordered by God. He then disappeared.

In the hospital, it is found that Samuel can't walk. Being that Judith's parents are at the hospital sitting with Samuel, Levi and Andrew help with the daily chores. Judith has her eye on Levi and hopes that they one day get married. Martha, Judith's sister, seems jealous of Judith because she is of courting age. Martha isn't yet. Martha gets rather friendly with Levi. Andrew, the bishops son, is not yet married. His true love died years ago.

Judith likes to take walks down by the river. The big English man appears to Judith on several occasions. He tells Judith that he brother will walk again. Judith is very excited to hear that and tells her family and friends that a stranger tells her that Samuel will walk. Could he be an angel sent from God? Of course, no one believes Judith's story! No one except, Andrew. Andrew befriends Judith. Andrew helps Judith make Levi jealous by kissing Judith in Levis sight.

The bishop does not like his son hanging around with Judith who tells stories. His son should be married by now and have a chance at one day being bishop. If he remains, single, that won't happen. The bishop talks to Judith's parents and decides to send her off to relatives in Ohio.

Will Judith get shunned for her tales? Will she ever marry? Will her brother ever walk again? Will Martha ever stop being jealous of her sister?

You will have to read the book to find out these answers and more.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Make Take Murder

Make Take Murder

by

Joanna Campbell Slan


Happy to have won a copy of this book before it is officially released! I am an avid scrapbooker and paper crafter. If you are the same, you MUST read this series of books!!

This is the fourth book in her Scrap n Craft mystery series. Without giving the whole story away, I will fill you in.

Kiki Lowenstein is the main character. She is part owner of a scrapbook store, widowed and has a teenage daughter.

Kiki starts out by diving in the store dumpster looking for her paycheck. No such luck for that. What she finds instead will leave your hair on end.

That certain item leads to the mystery of the whole book. Kiki always somehow finds herself solving a crime.

It is the busiest time of year for the store. She finds herself working way too hard by working extra hours, watching dogs and trying to make ends meet for her and her daughter.

Will Kiki's hard work pay off? Will she run out of steam? Will she solve the mystery? Will Kiki ever get ahead? Which man will Kiki end up with?

The story certainly doesn't end the way you expect it would! A real page turner and makes you want to read the next book in the series even sooner!

Please check it out! It is well worth reading!!!!!!!!!!!


Monday, April 4, 2011

Toilet Paper Mini Album






It was a challenge for me to make this toilet paper mini album for a paper art group I belong to. I had never done one before. It took me awhile to complete it. I was so scared to do the binding. Actually figured out how to bind it with my Bind-It-All machine. Now I want to do more of these albums. LOL!









Lilly's Wedding Quilt

"Lilly's Wedding Quilt"


By Kelly Long



This has been my second book I have read by Kelly Long. Like the other book I read, both start out with weddings of not so willing people.


Jacob Wyse starts the book out by being in a heap of trouble. Lilly Lapp just so happens to come along and rescue Jacob in more than one way. Lilly has liked Jacob for quite awhile now. They end up in quite a bind and the outcome is that Jacob and Lilly are going to be married. This so happens at the love of Jacob's life, Sarah's wedding reception.


Lilly's mom isn't to pleased to hear the news of her daughters upcoming wedding. Lilly's mom sure has been depressed since Lilly's dad died. She just hasn't been herself. She sleeps alot and doesn't keep up with chores around the house etc. It is pretty hard to believe that Amish people suffer from depression but it does happen. I can so relate to a family member being depressed. It is not fun at all!


Lilly is the Amish children school teacher. She loves her job! Between teaching and helping care for her mom and the house, she keeps busy.


Lilly and Jacob both have a fear of something. Lilly teaches Jacob to overcome her fear and Jacob works with Lilly on his.


Lilly sure wants her husband to love her with his whole heart. She hopes that he can get over Sarah once and for all.


Will Jacob and Lilly really come together as man and wife should? Lilly's hurried wedding ended up to not having a traditional wedding quilt to start her marriage. Will their love ever be binded together?


This was a very good read that I finished in no time!





Friday, March 4, 2011



For this award I need to list 8 things you don't know about me and award 8 different people

For the 8 things about me:

1. I still have a baby tooth
2. I was suppose to be left handed until my Grandma made me switch (reason my writing bites)
3. Met my husband in a chat room on AOL
4. My father and husband are both funeral directors
5. I wonder why I got this award for my blog????
6. Married my husband again six days after our first wedding (full ceremonies and receptions)
7. Love warm weather
8. Like going to Disney World : )

I will get back to you on who the 8 people I award this to. Stay tuned!

Chunky book page

From My Heart




Here are some projects I recently completed. More altered chipboard heart pages and a chunky book page. Fun to do but I was not feeling the theme. Couldn't get my craft on!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Heart Art



Front and back of the chipboard heart I altered. It was fun!

Monday, January 31, 2011

"An Amish Love"

"An Amish Love"

Beth Wiseman
Kathleen Fuller
Kelly Long


Wow, three Amish books in one. A real treat for me! A super, fast, easy read I must say.


A Marriage of The Heart
by Kelly Long

Having never read a book by Kelly Long before, I didn't really know what to expect. She starts the story rather quickly.

Abigail Kauffman ropes Joseph Lambert into a quick marriage. It didn't work out to her advantage however. They certainly don't start out like any other married couple.

The couple has to learn to get to know one another. Work together and play together. She is worried about her cooking. Joseph is good to teach her a thing or two.

She finds something out about Joseph's past. Will she help him through it? Will Joseph get through it?

When Joseph has an accident, he has a chance to use something of his past to get him through the pain. Will he revert back to this aid from the past or tough it out? Will Abigail be a good wife and see him through? Will they ever be truly joined as one through marriage?

Read to find out all of this and more. Glad I have now read a Kelly Long story!


What the Heart Sees
by Kathleen Fuller


For some reason, I couldn't get enough of this story. I read it in one day.

Ellie Chupp is blind. That does not stop her from being an ordinary women though. Ellie has her own business of making jelly. Ellie's Jellies. Her mom is over protective of her. Her dad lets her get away with more things.

Christopher Miller is leaving the English world and going back to Paradise. He was shunned and doesn't know if he will fit back into the Amish. Once home, he finds out his sister's news. He is not happy at all.

Christopher and Ellie bump into one another at the Pantry restaurant. Ellie finds out that her friend's brother is back in town.

Why was Chris shunned? How did Ellie go blind?

Ellie has flash backs from the past. She later comes forth with some news that Chris will not want to hear. Will it affect their relationship? Will Chris be accepted back in the Amish community?

Healing Hearts
by Beth Wiseman

I have read a lot of Amish books before. Never have I read one that is centered around an older Amish couple.

Levina Lapp has carried on with her life for one year on her own. Her husband, Naaman, left her for that long.

Could it be that all of their children were raised and out of the house? Could it be that they didn't know each other anymore?

When Naaman returns home, Levina and their children have a hard time getting to know him again. They don't know if they can trust him or not.

Will the Lapps have further difficulty or will they be able to reconcile?

Their son is having a hard time with something and certainly has no use for his father. Will Adam forgive and forget what his father did? Or will Adam be just like his dad?


An Amish Love will certainly be kept in my book collection for a long time!