Half Yard™ Winter Collection - Review

Half Yard™ Winter Collection: Debbie’s Top 40 Half Yard Projects for Winter Sewing

Author: Debbie Shore

Publisher: Search Press

Release Date: September 13, 2022

ISBN: 9781782219293

Pages: 176

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A collection of Half Yard™ sewing projects for wintertime style, designed by the award-winning and best-selling author Debbie Shore.

Sew your own winter wonderland with just half a yard of fabric! Debbie has chosen her favorite winter designs from her much-loved Half Yard™ series, including five brand-new projects for you to sink your needles into.
 
Whether you're decorating the house for the holidays, looking for crafts to keep the little ones occupied or searching for gift inspiration, you'll find a gorgeous collection of items to make: from classics such as stockings, advent calendars and fabric baubles to snugly slippers,gorgeous gift bags and cheeky Christmas gnomes!
 
Each item requires no more than half a yard of outer fabric, plus all the necessary hardware, trimmings and lining. As always, every project features Debbie's friendly, easy-to-follow instructions and a beautiful photograph of the finished make.

MY THOUGHTS:

I love Debbie Shore! When I want some inspiration, I will go to her YouTube Channel and binge watch to get my creative mojo going. Imagine my elation when I found a copy of her book "Half Yard Winter Collection" available for review! If you are anything like me, you have a lot of fabric in your sewing/craft collection that needs used, but you haven't found what you want to use it for. This book helps you use up your half yard cuts and make some lovely projects out of.

Half Yard Winter Collection is written for all sewers/crafters. It starts with the basics and then moves into the projects. What I love about Debbie's project is most don't need a pattern, but only measurements. There is one project, Winter Gnomes, that uses the supplied  templates, but outside of that, there's no need to trace or copy. With LOTS of beautiful photos for each project, one is certain to have a successful completed project, as these photos take the guesswork out of how to put things together and questioning if one has done it correctly. Much nicer than just written instructions!  

The projects lean towards a shabby chic, however they will fit into any decor - just change out some of the fabrics, etc. if you prefer.  I love so many of the projects included in this book. Some of my favorites are Winter Gnomes (they are ADORABLE!!),  Draught Excluder, Snowman Wreath, Slippers (easily adjustable for any size) and a variety of bags/totes for gift giving or using yourself. There are so many lovely projects in this book that can be made for other times of the year by just changing the fabrics or embellishments.

I cannot say enough about Debbie Shore's Half Yard Winter Collection. It is definitely being added to my sewing and craft library in hard copy. I'll be ordering it the next time I place a book order. Yes, it's that good! 

Highly recommended!

I received a copy of this book through Edelweiss+. I was not required to post a positive review - but one of my honest opinion. 

Cozy Knits - Review

Cozy Knits: 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and Sock Projects from Around the World 

Authors: Sue Flanders, Janine Kosel

Edited By: Kari Cornell

Publisher: Voyageur Press

Release Date: March 15, 2022

ISBN: 9780760373538

Pages: 453

Genre: Knitting, Crafts, Hobbies

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Cozy Knits presents 30 of the coziest, globally-inspired patterns for hats, mittens, and gloves—including stylish traditional projects from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the British Isles, the Americas, and Asia.

What is everyone’s favorite thing about hand knits? The coziness! This book offers 30 knitted patterns inspired by international knitting traditions for socks, sweaters, scarves, and hats.

If you are a fan of cozy fair isle—it’s in here. If you are looking for a cozy Norwegian knit pattern—it’s in here—the cozier the better. These stylish projects are inspired by knitting traditions from around the world, such as Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the British Isles, the Americas, and Asia.

Each project is partnered with complete illustrated patterns, beautiful four-color photography, schematics and diagrams, and alternatives for yarns and needle weights and sizes to help you get the results you want. The patterns range from simple to more complicated, making this a great book to grow your craft.

With Cozy Knits, create beautiful and gift-able cozy knits for friends and family—or even maybe just for yourself!

MY THOUGHTS:

Cozy Knits is a treat for any knitter who loves to try something new. These smaller projects will be done in no time and one will enjoy learning something new as well as having a lovely finished item at the end.

The book is filled with patterns from some of my favorite designers: Nancy Bush, Dawn Brocco, Donna Druchunas, Lily M. Chin, Anna Zilboorg plus many others. The patterns are not only beautiful and well written, but there are also charts included for colorwork, etc. I cannot comment on the charts as my review copy did not included them, however, the instructions are clear and easy to understand. 

Cozy Knits is a gorgeous book filled with beautiful photographs and lovely patterns that will be demanding calling out to you to make them. It would be perfect for any knitter's library!!!

I received a copy of this book through Edelweiss+. I was not required to post a positive review - but one of my honest opinion. 

The Christmas Singing - Book Review

The Christmas Singing: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country
Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Date: October 4, 2011
ISBN: 9780307446541, 0307446549
Hardcover, 208 pages
Currently $9.62 at Amazon

About the Book:

Experience the holidays with the Plain folk and discover the power of second chances in this touching story from the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Bridge of Peace.

Gideon Beiler has loved Mattie Eash since they were children. But when faced with unexpected circumstances, he makes up an excuse to end their engagement. He doesn’t want to lie to her, but he believes that telling Mattie the truth will be more hurtful.

Brokenhearted, Mattie moves from Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania to Ohio, where she pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator. She finds a new beau—a man offering the secure relationship Gideon has denied her.

When Mattie is forced to return to Apple Ridge, she and Gideon must confront the suffering created by his dishonesty--and address the powerful emotions that continue to bind the two childhood friends.

After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s faith in love?

My Thoughts:

The Christmas Singing gives the reader exactly what they would expect - a heart warming story that is perfect for reading during the Christmas season. I needed a heartwarming story to curl up with, and believe me, it didn't disappoint. I found myself both charmed and captivated and was happy with the ending - it turned out exactly the way I wanted it to. If you love Amish or Christmas stories, add this one to your reading list. You won't be disappointed!


About the Author:

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Her ability to authentically portray her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family. Visit her website at CindyWoodsmall.com.

I received a copy of this ebook from Edelweiss. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Looking for Jack Kerouac by Barbara Shoup #LookingForKerouac

Looking for Jack Kerouac
Author: Barbara Shoup
Publisher: Lacewing Books
Release date: Aug. 12, 2014
ISBN: 978-1938126475
Genre: Young Adult
Paperback, $14.95, 184 pages

About the Book:

When Paul Carpetti discovers “On the Road” in Greenwich Village while on a class trip to New York City, the world suddenly cracks open and he sees that life could be more than the college degree his mother is determined for him to achieve, a good job and, eventually, marriage to his girlfriend, Kathy. But upon his return, his mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer and his world falls apart.

Set in 1964, “Looking for Jack Kerouac” tells the story of how Paul’s dreams of a different life and his grief at the loss of his mother set him on a road trip with his rowdy friend, Duke, that includes a wild night on Music Row in Nashville, an all-too-real glimpse of glimpse of racism; and an encounter with a voluptuous mermaid named Lorelei – landing him in St. Petersburg, where he finds real friendship and, in time, Jack Kerouac. By then a ruined man, living with his mother, Kerouac is nothing like the person Paul has traveled so far to meet.

Yet, in the end, it is Kerouac who gives him the key that opens up the next phase of his life.

My Thoughts

When Paul comes face to face with a family tragedy, he starts looking at the world differently and what life means. He decides to pick up and leave with his close friend, Duke, to find the author of his favorite book. What he discovers is not at all what he expected - he finds out what really matters.

This coming of age story was wonderfully captivating. Paul is a character that seems aloof and not caring, but I found myself drawn to him. As he grows and learns about himself and his relationship with his best friend, Paul's view changes. I loved seeing him grown and how he found what things in life were really important. I loved watching him grow and his discovery of how things aren't always as the seem or how we think they are.

Although marketed for the young adult audience, this story will be welcomed by the adult audience as well - possibly taking them back and spurring memories of their own ideals and how things really turned out. I know I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone that understands what it's like being young.

About the Author:

To say Barbara Shoup is passionate about writing would be an understatement. The award-winning author has been recognized with multiple honors for her work, and in August, she will release her eighth novel “Looking for Jack Kerouac” with Lacewing Books, the young adult imprint of Engine Books.

Shoup is the author of seven other novels, including “Night Watch” (1982), “Wish You Were Here” (1994/2008), “Stranded in Harmony” (1997/2001), “Faithful Women” (1999), “Vermeer’s Daughter” (2003/2014), “Everything You Want” (2008) and “An American Tune” (2012). She is the executive director of the Indiana Writers Center and the co-author of “Novel Ideas: Contemporary Authors Share the Creative Process” (2000) and “Story Matters: Contemporary Short Story Writers Share the Creative Process (2006).”

Shoup graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in secondary education. She taught creative writing to high school students for more than twenty years.

Shoup’s short fiction, poetry, essays and interviews have appeared in numerous small magazines, as well as in The Writer and The New York Times travel section. Her young adult novels, “Wish You Were Here” and “Stranded in Harmony” were selected as American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults. “Vermeer’s Daughter” was a School Library Journal Best Adult Book for Young Adults.

Shoup is the recipient of numerous grants from the Indiana Arts Council, two creative renewal grants from the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the 2006 PEN Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Working Writer Fellowship and the 2012 Eugene and Marilyn Glick Regional Indiana Author Award.

Shoup has lived in Indiana all her life. She is married with two daughters and two grandchildren.

If you would like to learn more about Barbara, you can find her at:

Author Website
Twitter 
Facebook

Goodreads

Amazon

Virtual Tour Page 

 I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.