Happy New Year!

Yes, it is 2014.

Hope your Christmas was good!

Here is an ATC I made using used postage stamps.  Don't know what it is about postage stamps.  I tear all of them off of envelopes and use them in my art.  I really like Christmas postage stamps. 

I just joined Swapbot.  You should check it out. 

I am sending this ATC to my friend Val though Swapbot.  When she receives it, she will rate it and that will boost my ratings. 





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Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Here is the card I sent out to our family this year

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ATCs (artist trading cards) made completely from a magazine swap. 

 

 

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An

 

Amish Kitchen

 

Beth Wiseman,

Kelly Long

& Amy Clipston

 

 



I was excited to read this book through Booksneeze.  It is three books by the above authors.  Really a great book that connects each story together somehow. 

 

"A Taste of Faith"

 by

Kelly Long

 

 

Fern Zook lives with her grandmother who uses herbs and natural elements to heal people.  Fern is learning this trade from her. 

 

Abram Fisher is tending to his younger siblings while his parents are away.  They tend to get in quite the predicaments and call upon Fern more than once for help.  Fern is certainly not Abram's type and besides, he is married to the land as a farmer. 

 

Grandma thinks that Abram would be a good catch for Fern.  Fern is not the slender type that she thinks Abram would fall for. 

 

 

"A Spoonful of Love"

by

Amy Clipston

 

 

Hannah King works the bed and breakfast that her family owns.  Her father is ill and her brother has his own family to deal with.  She does most of the work as her mom tends to her dad. 

 

Stephen Esh and his past arrives at Hannah's door.  He is running from something and wants a fresh start. 

 

As things start to fall apart at the inn, Stephen lends a hand and helps do some repairs.  Hannah's mom doesn't like the idea of single Stephen staying with Hannah at the inn.  What would the Bishop and local people think? 

 

Will Stephen's past interfere with his current position at the inn?  Will Hannah despise him? 

 

 

 

"A Recipe for Hope"

by

Beth Wiseman

 

 

I found this book rather different from other Amish books I have read.  Most focus on romance.  This does have some of that in it, but it was not the main part of the story.

 

Eve Bender and her family move in with her parents.  A storm caused some damage to their house.  Eve is not exactly happy to come home after being gone for so long.  Her mom has not shown Eve real love.  Mamm is getting very forgetful and out of sorts. 

 

Eve's twins are very hard to tell apart!    Like typical twins, they turn the tables and do the switch.  Will they find out who is who?

 

The common tie between these books is that all of them go to prayer gatherings at Our Daily Bread. 

 

Besides common food recipes you usually see in Amish books, this book has natural healing recipes which I thought was neat.

 

 

 



 

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"A Marriage of the Heart"

 

By

 

Kelly Long

 

 

I was excited to request to review this book through Booksneeze.  It turned out that I had already read two of the three books though.  Oh well, how does one keep track of what they have read?


A Perfect Secret

Rose is to be married to Luke Lantz.  She starts to have doubts on if he really cares for her or not.  She meets a stranger in the woods at night and is intrigued by this man of mystery.  Her Luke is acting funny and isn't exactly being truthful with Rose.  Will this man of mystery capture Rose's heart?  Will this secret that Luke is keeping distroy their upcoming marriage plans?


Christmas Cradles

This was the book that I had not yet read.  Single Anna Stolis, 26, helps her aunt who is a midwife.  Asa Lapp is involved in taking Anna to multiple homes where women are about to give birth. With the flu running full force, will the moms, to be, remain healthy and give birth to healthy babies?   With a winter storm brewing will Anna and Asa make it to the homes on time?  Will their relationship grow during all of this. 


A Marriage of the Heart

Abigail Kauffman has grown up without a mom and was raised by her father.  Joseph Lambert shows up in their community and a misunderstanding happens.  Abigail and Joseph end up being married.  How can Abigail be a good wife when she doesn't even know how to cook well at all?  Can she be a perfect housewife and learn to love Joseph?  Will her relationship with her father strengthen after she finds out the truth about her mother? 




Read to find out the above answers.  Overall a good Amish book!






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Finally Some Art

ATCs made from a book/newspaper

 

 

 

Long time no art for me my friends!  I am hoping to change that though.  Do you like my ATCs made from a magazine?  They were really fun to make!  I am sending these off in the mail for a Facebook ATC group that I belong to.  This is my first swap in this group.  I hope I am up to snuff with my work.  

What are you working on?


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"Need You Now"

Part 2

by

Beth Wiseman

 

 

Have you been hanging on the edge of your seats for part two of this book?  Sorry I am slow in posting this.

 

We left part one with something bad that happened to Grace.  Brother Chad has agreed to keep her secret.  Skylar really wants to be friends with Grace.  But why?

 

Special student, Cara,  thinks that Darlene is now her mother. 

 

Darlene and Brad find out about what Grace has done.  Chad is in hot water for keeping it a secret.

Brad thinks that this wouldn't have happened if Darlene wasn't working.  Darlene quits her job to be where she is needed, home. 

 

Skylar and Grace have a common issue they both have been through.  Grace agrees to get counseling for her problem. 

 

Darlene bumps into Cara's dad, Dave at Walmart.  He wonders why she left working with Cara.  They leave together and Darlene fills him in on what happened. 

 

Friend of Darlene, Layla shows up at church one Sunday.  What a shock!  Layla is back to seeing the light.  They decide they are friends for life. 

 

Once again Darlene runs into Dave.  She finally allowed herself to admit it.  Dave was hitting on her. 

 

Darlene hears Brad talking on the phone and thinks he is having an affair.  Why would he do this? 

 

Dave gets a little too close for comfort with Darlene. 

 

A bad accident happens to Layla.  She ends up in a coma.  Will she come out of it and be ok? 

 

Darlene confronts her husband.  Is he guilty as charged?

 

This book sure isn't your usual Beth Wiseman amish book.  I am happy I got to read her everyday type of family book. 

 



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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"Need You Now:  Part 1"

By

Beth Wiseman

This is no Amish book for Beth Wiseman.  This is a story about a common family with struggles in life.

The way the book started, I thought that Darlene, the main character, was going to be attacked by a burglar.  Not the case.  Neighbor, Layla comes to the rescue and later becomes a friend.

Darlene and her family moved out of big city Houston to a rural area, actually living in her grandparents farm house.  This move was what her kids needed Darlene felt.

Chad, Ansley and Grace must adjust to their new life in the country.  Darlene feels the need to take a job working with a special needs child at a nearby school.  All of the kids and husband Brad will have to pitch in to make it work for her. 

Darlene is to work one on one with a girl named Cara.  Cara certainly has issues that she needs help with.  Cara's father meets Darlene and questions if Darlene is qualified to take care of Cara.  Darlene seems to have a touch and gets through to Cara.  Cara and her dad even come to Darlene's house to see chickens. 

Grace meets fellow student Skylar.  Skylar picks up on a problem that Grace has right away. 

Neighbor friend, Layla is actually someone famous and Darlene didn't even catch on to that when they met.  Layla invites Darlene to a high class fundraiser for the school Darlene works at.  Cara's father, Dave is there also.  Turns out Layla and Dave know each other. 

Darlene learns that Layla has a sad past and blames God for what happened. 

Grace learns of something a boyfriend from Houston has done.  Grace deals with this in her own way.

Here ends part 1 of "Need You Now."

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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?

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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.

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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.

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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!

http://www.cleancreate.blogspot.com

"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! : )

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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!








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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?

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.

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.

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.

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.