Review: My Lady Jane

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book, ,I received it as part of my Owl Crate subscription. There is such witty and fun banter between the characters and how can you not love a main character who likes to read as much as Jane does, even enjoyed the unique touch when the writers break in and talk to the reader as well.,

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Review: Waiting for Paint to Dry

Waiting for Paint to Dry by Lia Mack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I will put a trigger warning first, this is a well written novel about rape and abusive relationship as a teenager, the walls it created in the victim, how she dealt with PTSD and how therapy years later helped heal and lead to a more fulfilling and expressive lifestyle. Some of the therapy session in the book although not an abuse survivor I could relate to coming from a mental health perspective, so they rang true to me. Anything that opens up conversations about these topics so they don't just get swept under the rug is useful.

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Review: The Shape of the Eye: A Memoir

The Shape of the Eye: A Memoir by George Estreich
My rating 5of 5 stars

Another book I read on vacation, a beautifully written memoir with an updated afterwords. It is labeled a memoir but it so much more. It is also filled with reflections on medical history, family history and the effects of war, a love story between a father and daughter. Most of all it is about looking a all human beings as individuals and not labels.

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Review: Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have wanted to read this series for a long time but had to wait for the book to come off hold from my library. I took this on vacation with me and read the book in one sitting, that is how much it held my attention. It is a retelling of Cinderella but so much more...........cyborgs, a future Earth, a girl discovering her true identity, a new species living on the moon that might be harboring a secret army of were creatures. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

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Review: The Deportees and Other Stories

The Deportees and Other Stories by Roddy Doyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An easy enjoyable collection of short stories set in one of my favorite places, Ireland. I think this would be a good introduction the the writing style of Roddy Doyle if you have never read works by him before.

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LO from Fayettes Sunshine on my Shoulders kit

Do you love all things summer, light, bright, airy and fun.  Then you want to scrap with Sunshine on my Shoulder by Fayette Designs -- it is available here.

Here is the LO I made, all about rides and a fun night at the fair!!

Review: Snail Mail My Email: Handwritten Letters in a Digital World

Snail Mail My Email: Handwritten Letters in a Digital World by Ivan Cash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a cute little book, based on asking for people to send emails and would be transcribed to handwritten letters and sent out, the requests grew so much the person behind the idea has to recruit a team of artists/letter writers to complete the requests. The book is samples of the email brought to life by handwriting.

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Review: Smart but Scattered Teens: The "Executive Skills" Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential

Smart but Scattered Teens: The "Executive Skills" Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential by Richard Guare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

this book had a lot of helpful scenarios and possible solutions that would be practical in my everyday life with my PDD-NOS and my Gifted/Talented child, definitely going to be referenced back to more than once, glad that I purchased this book.

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Envelope Flip Book Tutorial + Process Video!

I really like how Sabrina Ann made this flipbook with the envelopes and wanted to share with you.

It's a Coloring Life

Hey.it's only half way thru 2016 and I am just posting..........life just keeps getting in the way.  So this year I have discovered my love for Adult coloring books and thought I would start sharing some of my completed pages with you.

Love the Romantic Italy coloring book, here is one of my pics....mediums used -- Copics, Bic Mark-Its, metallic sharpies, metallic gel pens and eyeshadow for background. #color4fun #romanticitaly
#adultcoloring, #coloring, #creativity, #create #markers

Book: Romantic Italy :)
Artist: Augusta Schinchirimini
http://amzn.to/1Ue2fbR
http://amzn.to/20T7qCN

Give a Little......

Yesterday, was Thanksgiving in the United States and we move thru this holiday season I feel especially grateful for my supportive family and friends.  Please remember in this time of uncertainly and trouble in the world that a smile and a Thank You can go a long way.  I am sharing this card made from free stamp set for participating in the monthly blog challenge from Imagine That ....digis by Kris.  Image and word art from that collections, papers and flowers from my assorted craft stash.

It's never too early........

to start thinking about Christmas, even though this upcoming Friday is only Halloween.
I wanted to share this cute kitty cat Christmas card, made with digi stamps from Imagine That...digis by Kris.  I am entering this into their DOTM challenge -- you can find that in this link.  The plain papers are cardstock from Jo-Anne's and the plaid paper is from a collection called --All the year through.  The metallic beads are from Michaels. I colored the image with Copics.

2015 A Promise to Myself

2015

This will be the year that I will actually put this blog to use, it is my promise to myself to share more about family, crafting, books and other things that help get me thru the day.

Mega Effects Mascara

Mega Effects Mascara

Yes, it looks a little odd, but it works wonders:)   www.youravon.com/kelhbeauty4u

A sledding my elf will go

A sledding my elf will go by kelly-holt featuring a stainless steel flatware

a passion for purple

a passion for purple by kelly-holt featuring liz claiborne earrings

fa-la-la fashion

fa-la-la fashion by kelly-kline-holt featuring a crew-neck shirt

You have what it takes to sell Avon

You have what it takes to sell Avon: It's more than selling beauty. It's earning money by simply making connection and letting your personality shine. Learn more today.

long time coming

It's been a long time coming for the burgundy and gold but we did it tonight against the Dallas Cowboys -- HTTR and RGIII!!!!!!!!!!!

On other notes, we celebrated a good Christmas after a hard fall for us, it is my hope to keep you updated more often in the upcoming year, it seems every year I post this as my goal, but I am determined this upcoming year to make it stick.

Inside my head

I often wonder does it feel like this for most people, starting a task and finding yourself
hours later wondering how did I get here?  Not speaking of driving or anything like that but just for example will sign on to check email -- should take 10 mins, but I get so distracted by all the small details and sidebars that don't really matter I could be there for 10 hrs, the same with facebook, pinterest etc -- even when I am scrapping, getting too caught up in the what should I use, what will others perceive, will this go with all the rest -- Does that really matter in the long run, as long as memories are preserved and shared with others.   Don't even think about sending me into the grocery store or the library for just 1 item, it is physically impoossible for me to do so, the sight of something triggers a thought or memory and I could be hours when all I needed might have been cough drops or to return a book.  When I started this post there was so much more focus on what I wanted to say in my head and then I started to type and the words escape me, next time I will write down my thouhts first to give them more clarity.