Wordless Wednesday

A New Project-A New Kind Of Sewing For Me-Junk Journal Part 3

Hello

 How is your week going? I have to admit I enjoy this staying at home.  It gives me the chance to do this . . . 

It's a different kind of sewing for me though.  I normally sew pieces of fabric that have beep precisely ct (I hope) into warm and cozy quilts.  I love making quilts.  But that 'art' is on the back burner because I have a new 'love' Junk Journals.  

And so I am learning to sew on paper.  When your sewing fabric together you use straight pins.  But if you use them on paper you end up with holes.  So I have been using this pretty little purple masking tape I got a Target a couple of years ago.  It is removeable and holds this length of lace just taut and smooth enough to sew. 

Here's a shot of my sweet little machine with masking tape stuck to her.  In the background on the right you can see Junk Journal 
pages that I have stitched around waiting to be embellished more. 
Also there is my little pin cushion sadly watching the process and wondering when it gets to join the party again!

And here I am stitching to the end.  

Are you crafting while you 'stayin' in?

As I said at the beginning of this post for me this isn't a hardship at least the 'stayin'  part.  

I am struggling with not being able to go to the craft store.  I am almost out of the special glue that I use.  May have to be experimenting with other types.  

We are out of eggs so a trip to the grocery store is in order.  At least I can get some Elmer's there. 

Off to get the essentials

Eggs and Elmers

Have a Blessed Day

Junk Journal Part 2- "Dream" Ephemera

Hello and Welcome. I am glad your here today to start a new series with me.  Actually this post is part 2.  I began talking about Junk Journals here. 

One of the pics from part 1.

In that post I shared about dyeing paper.  I have dyed papers with lots of different things.  

Alot of people use coffee and tea to get the vintage'y' aged look.  I have not been real successful with that process it just doesn't come out the way I like.  

Today I am showing you a Tag that I made to go into a Junk Journal.  I think it is going in the Flower Theme Journal I am working on. 

I started by layering different pieces of paper.  Some are torn and some are cut.  This is a hard process for me.  But I love it.  I think it is hard because of my quilting background.  I want everything to fit and look right.  But that is not really the point here.  The point is just to layer up paper for a background. The paper in the center between the ledger and the green on the edge has some texture and I put some gold'ish' color wash on it to add some shimmer

Here is the finished piece.  On the right is an old ledger page.  I placed it where the 161 was at the top of the tag.  I just thought it looked cool.  I wanted a better pic of the 'Dream' so you could see it better.  I will add another pic later.  It is sitting on an additional layered surface. I also added lace.  The paper it is sitting in is wrapped with gold and white 'eyelash' trim. 

A close up of the chipboard flowers I added.  In hind sight I might should have put lace under them to add interest.  I might go back and change it.  

I left the back of the tag just plan but I added a little envelope that has a space for a little note.  I'll add a closure to it.  Still thinking on that.  

For the rest of this week I'll be hopefully sharing two posts each day.  I have a book series that I promised to promote that I need to get done before the end of the month.  

I think you'll enjoy it!

Have A Blessed Day!

Mary's Song by Susan Count-Lola's Blog Tour Review

About the book 

Enchanting tale of courage, love, loss, and hope. Don't tell anyone this is for children because I couldn't put it down.

Twelve-year-old Mary falls in love with a foal that is lame, just like her. The expensive surgery the foal needs has little chance to correct the problem. Still Mary plots and conspires to raise money to save the horse, even as time runs out. She sacrifices what she holds dear - the trust of her papa, to gain her heart's desire. But she could lose everything in her struggle to save the foal.
For tween fans of the classic horse books like The Black Stallion, Black Beauty and Misty of Chincoteague.

TxAuthors Best Book Award 
Feathered Quill - 2017 GOLD Award 
Purple Dragonfly - 2017 First Place 
Literary Classics - 2017 Silver Award

And I thought

Horses lovers young and not so young will love this heart warming story. 

If you daughter dreams of horses check out this series.  But parent beware just buying a book for the horse love usually doesn't satisfy that dream Just sayin'  

Susan Count goes a long way toward fulfilling that dream.  She knows what she writes about.  This impressed impresses me. 

I have loved each of the books I have read in this series so much that I want to share them here with you!  

If your looking for a good read that will just give you a little 

'feel good' feeling right now check out Mary's Song.

I received a complimentary copy for the purpose of promoting the book on the Lola Blog Tour. 

My review will appear on Amazon and Good Reads.

The books in this series will be featured in future posts on this blog and on My Reading Journeys. 

Buy the book 

Amazon

Visit the author

Website
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Goodreads
– Amazon
– Pinterest
– Instagram

The series 

              

Visit the tour

Add caption

Click here to visit the tour to read reviews and some excerpts from 'Selah's Stolen Dream'

Yes There Is An Apple On My Desk-Wanna Know How It Got There

I know your just itchin'

to have the significance explained!

But

First things first first!

A proper 

Welcome 

and 

Good Morning

And,yes there is. Actually was an apple on my desk and

That little curved cut can only be a bite mark.

Because

Before it ended up on my desk this is where I found it

Yep waiting patiently  and being guarded in the chair for Lola 

I cracked up when I saw it! How Lola ended up with it?
I was opening a bag of apples and a couple fell on the floor.  I thought.  Actually 3 landed on the floor this one apparently rolled under the table.

But Lola saved it!

Saving apples is hard work

Nap time follows

Have A Good 

Simple Sunday

Have A Blessed Day

Happy Homemaker In Texas

The weather
Sunshine today! I hope it stays for the day to dry things up.

Outside my window
Peaceful. Quiet. Birds singing.

What I am thinking
I love peaceful quiet Saturday mornings with no plans for the day except playing in my craft room.

What I am working on
In the craft room I am making a Flower Theme Junk Journal for a SWAP
Re-arranging and moving furniture I moved the small
hutch I had in the end of or family room to the sewing room.  I replaced it with a rustic stand with a  small bookcase.  I will be bringing my Mothers tea cart back in from my summer room to replace the cabinet I moved.

On the menu

No menu planning. 

 These are the ideas I have for the week

We smoked a Pork Tenderloin so maybe Pulled Pork Sandwichs
Leftover Bean Soup from the weekend
Chicken Pot Pie
Maybe a steak with a potato dish
Chili or Tacos

What we ate last week
Monday
Tuesdays Chicken Enchilada's, Chicken Flauta's, Guacamole Chalupa's
Wednesday Chicken and Dumplins
Thursday Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread
Friday  Smoked Pork Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Pinto Beans 

In the craft room 

A notepad tag made from Avacado and Tea dyed paper.
The layered effect of the different size and lengths of paper is called a waterfall

I cut the tear off shopping list from anold planner

Just a super simple writing space for journaling.  Junk Journals for lots of place big and small to write

The inside.  This little journaling card will be tucked inside the journal

A lovely altered paper clip I received in a SWAP.  All my SWAP friends know I love horses and they try to include them.  This one is so pretty. I love it.

What I am reading
I have lots of 'free' books I found offered yesterday. 
I am not doing very many reviews right now.  I seem to be having a hard time concentrating and deadlines overwhelm me lately.

I'll be listening to
Coming soon on audio. I can't wait!

From the camera

Scripture/Devo

Have A Blessed Day

Linking with

1st Paragraph Friday feat Selah's Stolen Dream by Susan Count

Hello and Welcome to 1st Paragraph Friday where I share a couple sneak peeks from a book I am reading or just finished.

Here's today's book 

The first few lines

Except for the dreary February weather, life is perfect.  

Absolutely, fantastically, completely--perfect. Today,

my dreams would come true. 

And on page 56

She bit down on her lip. " The investigator's waiting to talk to you. 

Selah's Stolen Dream is book book 4 in a great series.

    

Go over to Amazon and get your copy today!  Click here. 

Selah's Stolen Dream by Susan Count- Lola Blog Tours Review

About the book 

One girl’s victory is another’s tragic defeat.

Thirteen-year-old Selah’s perfect life unravels when her beloved horse is stolen. Then ten-year-old Emma buys the dream of a lifetime at a horse auction. When she learns the horse was stolen, even removing her hearing aid won’t drown out the voice telling her to make it right.

But two girls can’t divide the horse they both adore. So will life surprise them with an answered prayer?

And I thought
I could not have been more charmed.  I felt like I was 12 again except when I was 12 I didn't have or know about books like this. 

Selah's Stolen Dream is a Dream read for girls any age. Yes 
it is written for Middle Grade but a more Mature/Grandmotherly type reader that lives and breaths horse will appreciate it just as much.  

I have to say I was just as charmed by meeting the author on her site as reading the book.  Yes Susan Count knows what she writes about.  A horse owner can pick up on things that someone that 
has only 'dreamed' might not pick up on.  Susan Count is the real deal.  

I highly recommend Selah's Stolen Dream and the other books in this series.  

I received a complimentary copy for the purpose of promoting the book through the Book Blast Tour at Lola's Blog Tour. 

My review will be posted on Amazon, Good Reads and the book 
will be promoted on my blogs and on social media. 

Read an excerpt

Except for the dreary February weather, life was perfect. Absolutely, fantastically, completely—perfect. Today, my dreams could come true. 

Today, Selah would show Sweet Dream in the biggest horse show in Texas. 

And today might be the day she signed the movie contract for her and Dream to make a movie about their life. “You’re going to be a star,” she said to her reflection as she finger-combed her blonde hair and fixed a basic ponytail. “And Dream will be a famous horse star.” She imagined people wanting her autograph. She’d have to guard the horse so no one snipped a wisp of her pink mane. 

It all started when her instructor, Jordan, made that training DVD of her riding lessons on Sweet Dream. When they posted it on social media, people quickly labeled it Cuteness Overload, and soon, it went viral. Then, after the wife of a movie producer watched Selah and Dream at an exposition, everything got supercharged. “Me—famous. Doesn’t feel real. Pinch me.” 

On a day like today, she needed the perfect socks. It was a long- standing family conviction that mismatched socks were lucky. She hummed a happy tune as she tugged on one sock embellished with white unicorns and the other stamped with black horse heads. Balancing on the edge of the window seat, she admired her socks. “Sweet.” She tapped her toes, flipped them outward and together again. 

Out her second-story window, two horses slept in the dormant Texas Bermuda grass with their legs tucked near their bellies, and Sweet Dream’s nose rested on the ground. The morning vapor shrouded the trees in wet mist while the sun gently lifted the night’s shade. When a sure sign of spring, a robin, dropped to the ground near Dream, she jerked awake. The glossy black mare threw her head high and lunged to her feet. A snort accompanied her panic. 

Dream’s pasture mate, Buddy, rolled to his side and stretched out flat. The brown and white Paint was Grandpa’s old show horse. Less than a year ago, Selah tracked down the gelding and brought him home. She’d hoped Grandpa would ride with her, but he’d gotten remarried instead. It worked out. Selah’s family moved to the farm, and Grandpa and Grandma Katie lived on the farm next door. 

Selah smiled at the rumble her two little brothers made scrambling down the stairs to breakfast. Living at the farm ballooned her heart with joy. She blew a kiss through the window to her equine pasture treasures. 

The aroma of bacon drew her downstairs. The kitchen had gotten a fresh coat of paint, and, thank goodness, Mom had replaced Grandpa’s ancient, three-tiered puffed curtains. Eight- year-old Davy and five-year-old Michael crowded together on one chair. Their heads tilted back, they dangled a piece of bacon and chomped like alligators. When Dad frowned at them, they turned into little gentlemen. Mom slid eggs from a frying pan with her back to the comedy. 

Dad gathered his coat and his keys. “We’ll drive in on Saturday and Sunday to see you show. Have fun, but stay close to Jordan. And please, take it easy on your grandpa.” When the phone rang, he gestured to Selah. “Pick that up, would you?” 

“Bye, Daddy. Love you.” She waved at him. “Who would call so early?” 

When she heard the movie producer’s voice, her grin widened, and she wiggled her toes in her lucky socks. She held her hand over the mouthpiece and whispered to Mom. “Miss Cindy.” She air-tapped at the phone like a woodpecker going after a beetle. Her mouth stretched wide in a silent scream. 

Mom lifted Selah’s chin to close her gaping mouth. “Boys, go find something to watch on TV,” Mom whispered. 

“For real?” Davy didn’t wait for her to change her mind. Michael grabbed a piece of bacon for each hand before he raced after his brother. Selah punched the button to put Miss Cindy on speaker so Mom could hear. “Contract! Today!” Selah’s fists pumped the air. Without breath, she could hardly push out her words. “It’s so exciting. We’ll be movie stars.”
“Are your parents available?”
“Yes, ma’am. Mom’s here. She can hear you.”
“Very good. When the contract arrives, your parents need to take it to a lawyer.”

Selah fanned her hand, imagining a movie star about to faint. “So exciting.” 

“How did you get along with the script exploratory team?” 

“We had tons of fun. They were crazy nice. They followed me and Sweet Dream around everywhere. Asked a million questions.” She managed to breathe so she could continue. “Interviewed Grandpa too. He doesn’t want to be in a movie but thought I was a natural. They thought Grandpa was a hoot and told me they got some great ideas.” 

“You completely charmed them. They said your grandpa was quite the character, but they were enormously leery of the horse.” Cindy’s contagious laugh had a charm of its own. 

“Sweet Dream and I understand each other. The team wants the movie to open with a scene about how I found Dream tangled in wire with the buzzards after her. I don’t see how that can work because Dream freaks at even the shadow of any bird—even a robin.” Selah rattled on while wishing her voice didn’t sound squeaky. She was a mature thirteen, but she sounded like a five- year-old shopping at the Breyer Model Horse Fest. 

“They wouldn’t do anything to scare or injure her. They have their ways of getting the scenes they need. A stunt horse, trained to do specific things, will handle many of the scenes, anyway.” 

She nodded along. “That makes sense.” 

“They are working hard on final edits and expect to be ready to roll soon. I’m setting up the screen tests for an actress to play you. Especially excited about two young actresses who are excellent riders. Once this last of winter blows through, I’ll bring them to meet Dream before we finalize the selection.” 

“To play me?” Selah’s spirit crumbled like burnt bacon bits. Her head itched right over her ear. “I thought—I would be me.” Once she started scratching, other spots needed the same treatment. “Not just anybody can ride Dream.” She sounded whiny now—worse than squeaky. “We’re buying your story, but I’ll hire a professional actress for your character. Besides, didn’t you tell me when you made the horse training DVD, your nerves were so bad the camera crew had to keep stopping?” 

She sagged against the wall. “Well, yeah, but Mr. Cooper scared me before I got to know him. I don’t throw up during filming anymore.” I know I can do it. 

Buy the book 

– Amazon
– Amazon Paperback

The series
                        

About the author

How many twists and turns can one person take before they figure out what they were born to do? Susan Count’s degree is in Applied Science–nothing in that prepared her to write novels for children. But one day, she began to write with no preconceived ideas. No one could have been more astounded than she was when it turned into a middle grade equine series. As a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors, she takes the craft of writing seriously and considers revision to be her super-power.

She writes at an antique secretary desk that occupies a glass room with a forest view. Fittingly, it once belonged to the same wise grandmother who introduced Susan to the love of reading via Walter Farley’s horse books. That desk has secret compartments which hold memories, mysteries and story ideas.

Susan is a lifelong equestrian and is owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse. She is convinced that the only thing more delightful than riding the forest trails might be writing horse adventure stories. She invites you to saddle up and ride along.

You can find and contact Susan here:
– Website
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Goodreads
– Amazon
– Pinterest
– Instagram

Visit the tour at Lola's Blog Tours

Click here to visit Lola's to enter the Giveaway