Secrets over Sweet Tea

"Secrets over Sweet Tea" by Denise Hildreth Jones.  I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me of the movie "Courageous." The characters are really detailed and easy to relate to. The story line can/will touch anyone that reads it. I was happily surprised with the ending! Would love to have a sequel to it!!!

Tangled Ashes

Another book done!  We were on vacation all last week so I was able to get some good reading time in.  Finished "Tangled Ashes" by Michele Phoenix.  Another great read.  This story is set in France at an actual castle!  Filled with mystery, suspense and a bit of romance - my kinda book! - it kept my attention throughout.  Several of the chapters interspersed had flashbacks to the 1940s during WWII so there was some historical info that was interesting.  Definitely recommend this book.

"The Breakthrough"

Another book to check out - "The Breakthrough" by Jerry Jenkins (who co-wrote the "Left Behind" series.  Wow! I could not put this book down. If you like Dee Henderson's O`Malley series, you will like this book. Great suspense. Great pace. Little disappointing on how it was ended but otherwise really good.  Now I need to go read the first two books!

"All for a Song"

Finished another Christian fiction book recently called "All for a Song" by Allison Pittman.  I had a hard time getting into the story but so glad I kept going.  I wasn't sure what was going to happen to Dorothy Lynn after she left home, but was pleasantly surprised in the good decisions that she made overall.  Great descriptions made the story come alive in my mind.  I love reading and hearing about the "roaring twenties" and this book didn't disappoint.  Definitely recommend.

I did some more sewing today!  Felt good to be up there working.  Had fun doing these Purse Organizers.  Made two of the black and cream one.

I took a few pictures of my organizers with some of my purses so you can see how they can go together.

If you have a color combination you are interested in, let me know.  I love an excuse to go to the fabric stores!!

Also, today I went to Napoleon to "MKat's Antiques & Curiosities" - very cool place to browse and shop.  The lady is very friendly and if you are looking for something particular she is happy to keep an eye out for it!

Ebates

We do a lot of online shopping to save on gas and time.  Because of this, I participate in a program called Ebates.com.  What it does is PAYS me back to shop at select stores (Old Navy, Kohls, Lego, Toysrus, etc.).  All you have to do is join the program and add the little "E" button to your web browser toolbar.  Then when you go to a website it will automatically put a banner at the top to ask if you want to receive a cash back from this website.  So easy!!!  If you want to join or have any questions feel free to contact me.  I have put a direct link to ebates below.  Please use it or tell me to send you an email version so that I can get the credit that you joined!  Thanks!!

Join Ebates

Sewing Room Update

Main walls are painted, cupboards are painted and moved into place.

Also bought four Sauder shelves and put them together to make a cutting table.  Got this idea from someone on Pinterest.

Want to watch for some cheap carpet or cute rugs and a sitting chair.

Another book that I have read is "You Don't Know Me" by Susan May Warren.  Another Christian romance  and mystery writer, this book will keep you in suspense!  Part of me wanted the main character to admit her secrets to her husband to get it over with but I loved how it all worked out.  I have read other books by Susan and really enjoyed them!!

I love to read!  I found a summer reading program through Tyndale and after reading the books that they list, you have to write a review to get credit.  So I would like to share the first book I read, "Band Of Sisters" by Cathy Gohlke.  I really enjoyed the story - it evoked lots of emotions and is Christian based with some romance and mystery - all my favs.  I love to read stories that have historical info in them and this one definitely did.  Plus the main character was from Ireland - I am part Irish!!  I highly recommend this book.

Latest project:  New Sewing Room!!!

My husband and son helped me move all my sewing things to the "bonus" room above the garage.  We had it finished when we built the house but never put carpet in.  We have been using it for storage and so I started cleaning it out and organizing.  I forgot to take some before pictures until today.  

  
I have a very old Sauder cabinet that I removed the doors and painted completely black.  The other cabinet is one my husband's grandpa made me to store craft supplies on.  It is in the process of being painted.  Both of these will go to the end of the room near the window.

Here is my sewing table.  I am hoping to have some work done on it so that the machine will lay even with the top of the table.  You can see patches of the new color I am painting on the walls.  Not for sure about the color yet; that is why there are small areas done.

 

Here is the inspiration for the wall color but I am not sure I got it quite the same.  My color looks too blue on my wall.

http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/08/dreamy-sewing-tables/

Would love to hear your thoughts and I will keep posting updates as I go along.  Thanks!

I have finally gotten to do some sewing and made more Purse Organizers.  They are really fun to make and work great with my Pursemats!!  Click here to see one filled and in a purse.

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

I have material to make some red and black ones next!

I am thinking that this could be my daily prayer...

 My first skirt for my "31 Skirt Purse" turned out cute!!  I love the colors!  I have seen some other ideas of fabrics to use for skirts and may have to make some others...really fun!  :)

I finally made a purse organizer that can be used in my Placemat Purses!!  I used instructions from thegivingflower.de website.

I think it turned out really cute.  The next one I will probably make a little taller.

Days are finally warm and sunny!!  The kittens are all gone or spoken for.  The last two will be taken to their new home this afternoon.  Can't believe how fast the time went.  I miss them already but will be glad to have my garage back!  :)

The Kittens

Watch this video to see the kittens in action and each one up close.

Today's quote on "Called" Magazine's Facebook page...so true!!  I needed to hear this this morning.  I have to remember that I do not need to prove myself to some people, just to God.  He is the one that truly matters.

I recently went to Hobby Lobby with a friend and saw this furniture.  Could not resist taking a picture because I truly fell in love with the look!  I think it would be very cute in my pale yellow sunroom!!  Very eclectic.

Pictures of the babies are here and there are 8!!!  Two black, two grey like momma, two calico, one black with white spots and one grey and white.  Enjoy!!

They are so sweet when they are sleeping!

Also my latest creation in the ruffled tote. 

This tote is also made with the burlap.  The inside pocket is bigger - has two larger pockets for your cell phone or other items and a middle pen holder pocket.  I love the colors and patterns!!

We have baby kittens!!!  The neighbor cat, Ariel, had her kittens last night in our garage - there are at least 7, maybe 8 little mewers.  Help us think of cute St Paddy Day names for them.  Pictures to come...

Here are a few of my sewing projects.

This is a burlap tote with lining and a pocket to hold your cell phone.

Here are two of my placemat purses - "Pursemats"

Click on My Creations to see more...

This is a Storage tote made out of a placemat!

I found this pincushion/pocket panel/bag on Pinterest and had to make it!  Worked great for the evenings that I quilted my new pillow shams while watching TV with the fam.

Here is the link to make your own...Enjoy!