shapes quiet book page ...

i mentioned a while back that some friends and i got together to make quiet books.  we each made twenty of one page, then we swapped pages to make a complete book of different pages!  we got together in december and finally swapped pages!  it was a huge project that we started way back in march of last year, so it was fun to finally see it all come together!

i am still working on putting the binding on my pages, so i will share all of the pages soon, but today i wanted to share with you the page i made.

i did a basic shapes page.  i am really happy with how it turned out!  i had a lot of time to kill in the car on the way to california last fall, so i decided to hand embroider the shapes onto the page.  wow, did i underestimate how long that would take.  twenty four hours later in the car, i still didn't finish.  but, oh well.  it's pretty cute, right?

i used my die cute machine from lifestyle crafts and cut out the basic shapes out of wool blend felt (it only works with thicker felt)

i can't wait to show you the rest of the book!  everyone really did some amazing work!

and, i can't wait to get it finished so my kids can actually use it!   that is, if i let them, wink!

favorite children's books ...

we love books at our house!

every so often things get really quiet around the house, and i wonder what is going on.  only to find my children (in funny places) curled up reading books.

we have a lot of favorite books, but i thought i would share some of my children's favorite books at the moment.  you know, the ones they make you read over, and over, and over...

the david series (no david, david goes to school, david gets into trouble), by david shannon
bubba the cowboy prince, by helen ketteman - we love this book! so cute!
the snowy day, by anna milbourne (we also love the other snowy day book by ezra jack keates)
harold and the purple crayon, by crockett johnson
good night gorilla by peggy rathmann
giggle, giggle, quack, by doreen cronin
john, paul, george, and ben by lane smith - a funny book that also teaches history
the red balloon, by a lamorisse

also, speaking of children's books.

my talented cousin france, and her husband recently wrote and illustrated a book called "where is the sears tower."  it's a very cute book with a great message.  you can find it here.

so, what are your favorite children's books?

elephants ...

how are things?
it's been a while since i've been here on the blog.
how did you like the guest posts?  weren't they great!  it was nice to have a nice little blogging break to snuggle with my new little thomas.  he will be one month tomorrow, i can't believe it.  he's still as tiny as can be.  i hope to be back to blogging, but forgive me if it's not to regular, since it can be a little crazy keeping up with 3 kiddos.

anyhow, here are a few fun elephant things i picked up for norah the other day at crazy 8.  seriously, i have never shopped there before but have been on a mad search for a blessing outfit for mr. thomas that i have stepped into every children's store around.  and, i was pleasantly surprised with a few of their items.  and, great prices too.  i love the white top with gold elephants.. too cute.

anyhow, speaking of elephants, i went to water for elephants the other night with my book club.  have you seen it?  we read the book a few months back, so we were excited for the movie.  it is a bit different from the book as they always are, but overall i liked it ok.  it did get slow at times.  i liked the book better.  have you read it?

images via crazy 8
gold elephant top, elephant leggings, elephant skirt, watercolor elephant shirt

book review: the maze runner ...

i actually read this book a few months ago, but i am just now getting around to writing a little book review.

if you liked the hunger games , and want some fast easy reading, then you'll enjoy this book, the maze runner by james dashner.

here is a brief library summary:

Thomas wakes up in an elevator, remembering nothing but his own name. He emerges into a world of about 60 teen boys who have learned to survive in a completely enclosed environment, subsisting on their own agriculture and supplies from below. A new boy arrives every 30 days. The original group has been in "the glade" for two years, trying to find a way to escape through a maze that surrounds their living space. They have begun to give up hope. Then a comatose girl arrives with a strange note, and their world begins to change. There are some great, fast-paced action scenes, particularly those involving the nightmarish Grievers who plague the boys. Thomas is a likable protagonist who uses the information available to him and his relationships (including his ties to the girl, Teresa) to lead the Gladers.

******

the plot is definately interesting, and a fast read. there will definitely be a sequel, so you are left with some unanswered questions, so i hope they are answered in the next book.

plus, i heard the author is a local guy, so that is good. i'm all about supporting locals!

so, have you read it?

did you like it?

and, what are you reading?

book review: catching fire ...

i was finally able to get a hold of a copy of the sequel to the hunger games, catching fire.

it didn't disappoint. it pretty much continues where things left off in the last book. although i couldn't help but feel like this book was rushed to get to the next book that comes out in august... but, still i couldn't put it down wanting to know what happens next.

now, i have to wait 'til august to see...

if you haven't started reading this series. i'd recommend it. they are intriguing fast reads.

book review: the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society ...

wow! isn't that title a mouth full?

i just finished reading the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society last night.

it was a delightful book!

i have to admit, in the beginning it was kind of hard to follow since the story is written out through letters back and forth among lots of people. i had to re-read the first 30 pages to get it all straight.

but, once i figured out who was who, it was a great read!

i loved the main character juliet. she is witting, charming, and cleaver, and you can't help but like her!

the book takes place post world war II in england. writer, and main character juliet is seeking out inspiration for a new book when she discovers stories about the people on an english island that was occupied by the germans in the war. she then travels to the island to put the book together and falls in love with all the locals.

a darling book, i'd recommend it. and, it's a very fast read too!

so, have you read it? did you like it?

book review: the hunger games ...

i was recommended by many people to read the hunger games, by suzanne collins.

it is young-adult science fiction novel. it introduces sixteen-year-old katniss everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where a powerful government called the capitol has risen up after several devastating disasters. in the book, the hunger games are an annual televised event where the ruthless and evil capitol randomly selects one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts, who are then pitted against each other in a game of survival and forced to kill until only one remains.

it didn't disappoint. i'll be honest, when you find out what the story is about, you do sit for a minute and think, "am i really reading this?" but, then the more you read, you realize what an interesting/entertaining story it is, and you can put it down because you want to know what is going to happen next.

i'm excited to read the next book, catching fire. then of course, the third book mockingjay doesn't come out until the end of august.

book review: the happiness project ...

i just finished the book, the happiness project last week.

if you are not familiar with the book. it is a non-fiction book written by gretchen rubin. it is basically a memoir of her research and her year of trying out her resolutions each month and little by little see if it makes her a happier person.

i really enjoyed this book. i'll admit it got a little slow for me somewhere in the middle, but i felt like i could really relate to her experience. and, i found it very hopeful that by just changing some small things in your life, can change your overall happiness for the better.

i even tried a few of her techniques. there were many times in the last week that i remember biting my tongue instead of making a negative remark. it is nice to be more aware of what can make you happier in a situation.

this book definitely gave me a lot to think about, and who knows, maybe i'll even start my own happiness project? i'm know there are plenty of things i could work on.

so, have you read it?

did you like it?

and, of course, i've got to know.. .... what are you reading?

organization ...

wow! sounds like from your comments that you loved the book, the help too! it is getting a lot of buzz!

anyhow, last night i started the next book on my list, the happiness project.

i'll post more about the book when i write up my review after i've finished, but i was intrigued by the first chapter and i have already gotten to work.

the first chapter is on organizing and de-cluttering your life. it completely makes sense that you feel a lot more at ease when you feel organized, and all is picked up.

so, wish me luck as i tackle my master bedroom closet today. i have a million other organization/de-cluttering projects. but, i'm going to take a deep breath and tackle one at a time, as to not completely overwhelm myself.

on that note, here's a few pretty pictures to enjoy, and maybe even motivate you!

{jordan's organized workspace/play area}

{a wonderfully organized dressing room/closet, via design sponge, via russet street reno}

{a front closet makeover, via real simple}

{viv's bookcase, via ish and chi}

book review: the help ...

i just finished reading the book, the help, by kathryn stockett.

it is tells the story of three women in jackson mississippi in the 1960's during the civil rights movement. two of the women are black maids for white families, and the other woman is a white recent college graduate who wants to tell the story of black woman working for white families in jackson, which at the time is very controversial and dangerous.

i really loved this book. i couldn't put it down. i think the author did an amazing job at developing each of the characters. and, at times, i swear i could feel the heat of a mississippi summer along with them. this book really makes you think about how your actions affect others. anyhow, i'd highly recommend it!

book review: the keeper of the bees ...

i just got finished reading the keeper of the bees, by gene stratton-porter.

library summary:
set in post world war I times, the book follows Jamie Louis Macfarlane -- a wounded serviceman who finds his way on a grand adventure that makes him a better man and brings hope and love back into his life.

i thought it was a good read. there were some points where i got a little bored, i think since it's over 500 pages, but i still enjoyed reading it. it had some strong christian themes throughout the book, and i liked all of the relationships that were formed during the story.

book review : the road ...

over the weekend, i read the road, by cormac mccarthy.

here's a brief library description:

it is a novel set in an indefinite, futuristic, post-apocalyptic world, a father and his young son make their way through the ruins of a devastated American landscape, struggling to survive and preserve the last remnants of their own humanity.

****

i liked this book. although disturbing at some parts. i like the story of the journey of the boy and father. it made me think of my relationships and how you'd do just about anything to protect the ones you love and keep them from harm.

book reviews ....

i always forget to share my current reads with you on this blog.
i thought i'd review a few books i've read recently in case you are in the market for some reading material.

the time traveler's wife.
i really enjoyed this book. i wanted to read for a little while and finally got around to it after seeing the movie.
a great love story. a little much on the curse words, but still a good read!

the book theif.
i have also been meaning to read this book for a while.
and, ... i loved it!
it takes place in the time of nazi germany and it is the story of 9 year old girl narrated by death its self.
i loved the book because it taught me:
* that even in horrible circumstances people can still be good.
* words are indeed very powerful.

p.s. i've heard this [the book thief] is going to be made into a movie. is that true?

and, the last book i read recently.
actually i started and finished it last night [it's a pretty short book] is the boy in the striped pajamas.

very good as well, and also takes place in nazi germany.
i thought that writing about the holocaust through the eyes of children was a very interesting perspective.

so, there it is.

my latest reads.

do you have any book suggestions?

word book...

sara of party perfect made this darling book for her son with words using pictures she took of familiar objects and things to him. what an ingenious idea!

seriously want to make one for my little z man.

see more here.

{book review} -garden spells...

started this book yesterday, finished it today. i thought it was a really cute book. maybe because it's summer and it's easier to relate to at the moment. but, it was definately enchanting and it combined a few things i really like: gardens, food, cooking, romance, interesting relationships, and a dash of magic.

bookworm...

me ol' bookshelf

do you ever just all the sudden get in a reading mood? well, i do.. in a big way.
i've been in a big reading mood lately. one night i just suddenly felt the urge to read a good book. a few minutes later, i packed the mr. and the baby into the car headed for barnes and noble. we had a good time, the mr. of course looking at history related books and i.. i was on the search for a book. a good summer reading book.
i ended up jotting down a, well large list of books, and then we headed home so i could place all these books on hold at the library... i guess i'm economical. anyhow, many of these books came available, all at the same time... so i've been reading and reading. two down, a zillion to go.
here's a few currently gracing my nightstand.. [i've read the top and bottom book, hum.. what next?]

so... i'm dying to know??? what is your favorite book?? or a good read that you recommend? i'm always looking for a book, so don't be shy and puh-lease let me know your favs.

this is paris...

i finally got the chance to buy the book this is paris for my little z man. he's still a bit too young, but i couldn't resist since it's my favorite city in the world, and i've been to nearly every location they talk about in the book, so it's fun for me too. these books are super cute and were written in the 1950's. they are perfect for kids because they give a simple little tour of the city with a childrens perspective. they have them for many of the world's major cities as well. here's a few of my favorite parts of the book.

Life's Greatest Lessons

Forgive me for my lack of blogging lately as I've been a bit of a book worm the past few days. I fell back in love with my local library and have been reserving and checking out books like crazy. I used to do this all the time when I lived in the Midwest. I used to go through a book on CD everyday while at work.

The other day I read the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I really enjoyed this book and I loved the fact that it is a true story. It's nice to pick up a book now and again that helps you put life into perspective and learn some good life lessons. So, if you haven't read it, I'd definitely recommend it. It's a nice fast read.

I just wanted to share my favorite quote from the book... and of course there are many others like it.. so here you go... and have a great day!

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing thing that are important. That is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

-Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom

Boo ...

I just finished Eclipse last night and I'm so sad that I have to wait almost another year for the next book to see what happens next.

So sad...

Happy Birthday to Me!

What better birthday gift could there be today!! Eclipse came out today and I'm about to head out to the store to buy it!!! A nice gift to self for my birthday!