Merry Christmas!!

Just wanted to pop in and say Merry Christmas!
May you all have a blessed day!

Book Review: If I Could Keep You Little

I had the opportunity to review a copy of the book If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond.

I found the book fun and easy to read. My kids had it out and were reading it as soon as I got the package open. The illustrations are bright, fun, and cute. I shared the book with some of my homeschooling friends. We all agreed it was nice to see a book that not only expressed the fun of our children being little, but also looked on the bright and positive side of our kids growing up. It's those feelings of wanting our kids to stay little, but realizing how much we would miss if they don't grow up and make decisions on their own, that is conveyed so well in this book.

From the book:

"If I could keep you little,

I'd decide on matching clothes.

But then I'd miss you choosing

Dots on top and stripes below.

"If I could keep you little,

I'd cut your bread in shapes.

But then I'd miss you finding

'Hey! I like ketchup with my grapes!'"

This is a book that will be treasured.

I think it would make a great gift for an expectant mom or any mom for that matter!

If I Could Keep You Little  is available at Sourcebooks and it retails for $15.99.

About the Author:  Marianne Richmond started her own greeting card company (Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc.) and has become a recognized creator of numerous books that celebrate milestones in life, memorable journeys, and relationships. Since her first book in 1997, Gift of An Angel,  writer and artist Marianne has touched the lives of millions over the past decae through her line of greeting cards and gift books.

Merry Christmas!

Cookies and More Cookies...Yum!

 Cut-out cookies and shortbread nuggets are two staples of Christmas goodies that we make. I love cut-outs. I got the recipe for Cream Cheese Cut-out Cookies from a family I used to babysit for. They are fantastic! The shortbread nuggets are passed down in my husband's family. He HAS to have them, and lots of them! In fact, I made another double batch last night.

We also made fudge, pb fudge, toffee, and caramels. Oh, and Cocoa Ginger Snaps (but those didn't last long). Too many munchers in this house ;)

 So, what Christmas goodies are staples in your family?

Merry Christmas!

A Very Generous Gift!

Home Spun Threads has a great freebie for you right now.

ALL HomeSpun Thread patterns are FREE!

All Aimee's asking is that you follow her blog and share the love

There is no ending date/time, so act now, this may not last.

So, go the Aimee's blog...

become as follower...

then head to HomeSpun Threads Shoppe...

and add to your cart, checkout, and your downloads are ready!

Easy, peasy!

Oh, and don't forget to leave Aimee some comment love, letting her know how much you appreciate this very generous gift!!

And just for the fun of it, a picture of the new etsy banner. Should I use this for the blog too?

Fun in the Snow!

What can you do when there's snow on the ground?

Play in it, of course!!!!

And then HOT CHOCOLATE afterward to warm up those insides!!

Yum!

 

Stay warm!

Testing New Signature

Just testing the new signature that I made to see how it looks!
Have a great day!

Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama  and GameStop  are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?

I want my family to remember in the midst of all the rush and activity the reason that we celebrate Christmas.

2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?

My husband, Brian and I are usually up before the kids and get Christmas music playing. We wait for them to wake up (or wake them up) to open gifts. Mid-morning we have a huge brunch.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?

I would ask for a room that is only for my sewing, with a nice work area, and a design wall. Oh, and of course to have it filled with a wonderful stash of fabric!

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?

We like playing Christmas music as much as possible and just spending time together.

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?

We played board games such as Yahtzee, Clue, Sorry, etc.

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?

I have carried on baking cookies and goodies for Christmas. Brian loves Shortbread nuggets and considers them only Christmas cookies, so there are LOTS of nuggets made each Christmas season! That is a tradition we have carried on from his side of the family.

7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?

The only away from home Christmas trips we've taken have been to see family. I think staying in a cabin in the woods sounds like a great away from home Christmas trip.

8. Check out GameStop  and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?

This is easy for Brian to answer!! The top three things on the list would be:

1.  DSi XL Red Bundle

2. PS3

3. XBox 360 250GB with Kinect

What's on your wish list?

Garilyn

A Walk Down Memory Lane

I've linked up today sharing a favorite older post for a Lazy Walk Down Memory Lane. I've linked up the post about my sister's quilt!

Enjoy and link up your own favorite post! ~Garilyn 

Winners of the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop

Here are the winners from my Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop! I'm still waiting on one to email me back to confirm! If I don't hear from her soon, I'll pick another winner.

Please consider visiting all my sponsors. This giveaway wouldn't have been possible without them!

Congratulations!!

Scentsy $25 gc Winner:
Comment #280
Rumbletiger said...
The item at the top of my Christmas list is an e-reader. :)
Donna

RCI $10 gc Winner:

Comment #289
Eileen said...
I just joined your Sewing email news to get info for my mom who is a quilter.
we live in US.
thanks!



Time to Sew $20 gc Winner:
Comment #113
Connie Black said...

The only thing I have on my Christmas list is for my children to be happy. It is going to be a slim Christmas so I am just hoping my children aren't dissappointed.

Have a great week!
Garilyn

It's Over...Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!

So, how'd you do? Did you make it to all the blogs? 240+ blogs! That's a lot of giveaways!

I didn't make it to all of them, but I did make it to several. It was fun to see the variety of blogs out there. Even if they had the same theme, such as reading books, they were all unique in their style and personality.

There are so amazing bloggers out there.

Thanks to all the blogs that helped put the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop together: Simply Stacie, Little Yaya's, My Wee View, and Stockpiling Moms.

Stay tuned for the announcement of our winners later today!

~Garilyn

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop! Lots of planning has gone into this Hop with over 200 blogs involved. I'm excited to have 3 sponsors for this event, and will be picking 3 winners! Have fun hopping and good luck! Please consider bookmarking the sponsors to check back with them after the hop.

US Prize:

Connie Needles with Scentsy is giving away a $25 gift certificate.

Now accepting new team members. Work full-time or part-time. You're always in control with Scentsy. Find Connie here where you can sign up for her newsletter to stay informed about sales and new scents.

US and Canada:

RCI Custom Seats & Accessories is giving away a $10 gift certificate. They make hand tooled, hand laced, high quality leather bike seats, wrist cuffs, and belts. They use only the highest grade heavy, raw veggie tanned leather and design to fit your style.

Time to Sew is giving away a $20 gift certificate that can be used on the etsy shop and/or the store. New items added daily, so check back often. Custom orders are also welcome.

Time to Sew carries items such as blankets, burp clothes, ribbon blankets, ribbon balls, wash clothes, rag letters, quilts, clothing, resusable sandwich/snack bags, weighted blankets, aprons, kitchen items, tutus, etc. Most items can be personalized with embroidery!
Find them on facebook.

Main Entry:
Follow publicly on Google Friend Connect AND tell me what country you live in.
**Please leave your email address in your comments so that I have a way to contact you if you win.**
Bonus Entries:1. Like Time to Sew on facebook.
2. Subscribe to my blog by email.
3. Sign up for Time to Sew's email updates.
4. Comment with your favorite holiday tradition.
5. Comment and tell me something on your Christmas wish list.

Giveaway ends on December 5, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be selected by random.org, notified by email, and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected.
Happy Holiday Hopping!

Thanks to the blogs who worked so hard to put the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop together!!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop ~Sneak Peek #2 and #3

RCI Custom Seats & Accessories is sponsor #2 for the Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop.

RCI makes custom leather seat covers, panhead dash covers, leather wrist cuffs, and belts. RCI is sponsoring a $10 gift certificate. The website will be updated with wrist cuffs this week, so check back often to see what's new!

Sponsor #3 is Time to Sew offering a $20 gift certificate! The certificate can be used on either the etsy shop, the website, or a combination of both! Both will be updated daily with new items! Time to Sew also offers customs and embroidery.
Burp Cloths

Puff Ruffle Peasant Dresses...made to order.

Happy Hopping!
Garilyn

Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop ~Sneak Peek #1

Our first sponsor for the Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop is

Scentsy!

I met Connie Needles just a couple months ago. She was a vendor at our recent Christmas Shopping Extravaganza. Connie is a very sweet lady and has great customer service. I had gotten a scent that my husband was allergic to. Connie gave me some samples to try to see what we liked and make sure that my husband was not allergic. I thought that was great service, especially since I had originally gotten the bar from someone else!

Below is the Gingerbread warmer, isn't it lovely and festive!

You can visit Connie's page here.

Connie is giving away a $25 gift certificate to one lucky winner.

More sneak peeks later today!

See you tomorrow for the first day of the Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop.

Garilyn

Busy Time of the Year

We have been extremely busy around here lately, as most people are this time of year. Watch for some sneak peeks over the next couple days of the sponsors for the Holiday Blog Hop starting on Dec. 1st. I'm excited!!

Here's a few things we've been working on this fall:

Burp Clothes and Wash Clothes (not shown) will be a new item in our shop. We have been working on lots of other items, too! We set up for Black Friday and Saturday at the mall and had a great time!

Tote Bags made in the Homeschool Sewing Class that I taught this fall for our group. There were NINE girls in my class and boy, was it crazy at times. In the spring, we are doing 2 smaller classes. I think the girls will get so much more out of the class. But, even with that number, we were able to do 3 projects in 9 weeks. Not bad. (Photo above is of Charity's bag.)
Pattern by Whimsey Couture

I also did a pattern test for Whimsy Couture. I love the pattern. The only thing I'd do differently (which is just my personal preference) is to make the dress longer. I personally like long dresses. Note on photo: what a look! She's too young for looks like that!

Have a great week and check back for the sneak peeks!

~Garilyn

Thankfulness

Thankfulness...there are so many things to be thankful for. I will be posting (hopefully) daily, listing things that I am thankful for.

Today, I am thankful for family.

This was taken in February after my grandmother's funeral. The quilt in the background is one that she had made in 1990. Probably one of the last quilts she ever made! My husband and 4 kids are all on the left. My dad and step-mother in the middle, and my siblings on the right. The only one missing is my mother.

I'm thankful for my grandparents. For the life they lived and shared with us. I'm thankful for that life, and that I know they are in Heaven with Jesus, rejoicing over no more pain and sickness!

Psalm 100:4 "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

What are you thankful for?

Blessings,

~Garilyn

Reminder: Holiday Gift Giveaway starts soon, Dec 1-5, watch for more details!

Holiday Picks

Kiddies Corner Deals is gearing up for the 2010 Holiday Picks!

Lots of giveaways all month long!

From Nichol:

"I have a great line of sponsors(and more coming in daily) lined up, with great holiday gifts this year. For men, women, kids, babies, and the stockings. Starting Monday, November 1, I will have a huge line up for over one month of gifts that anyone would love to find under the tree. Reviews, and of course giveaways."

Check it out and good luck!

~Garilyn

Looking for sponsor(s) for the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop

I will be hosting a giveaway on my blog as part of the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop. The event runs December 1 to 5th and there’s over 200 blogs participating so far!
I think it’s going to be so much fun for everyone involved!

The giveaway theme is cash and gift cards/gift certificates. I am currently looking for companies who wish to sponsor my blog giveaway for this event with a Gift Certificate from their business. It’s up to you the amount and who can enter (US, Canada or worldwide).

How will this help your business? We are expecting this to be a high traffic event and the buzz is already building online about it. Your company will gain exposure and I am offering to do a company or product review, with links to your site and/or media sites, and pictures to give you more incentive to sponsor my blog giveaway! For donating a gift certificate/gift card of $50 and up, I will also add a Sidebar Button Ad through the end of January 2011! (You must provide me with the picture for the button.)

Please email me at blessed.mama4@yahoo.com if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or if you have any questions. ~Thanks, Garilyn

Wow, it's been awhile...

Sorry for the long absence...it seems I've been quite busy and lacking in the blogging world.

Thought I'd share a fun fall picture with you today. I think this was taken last fall.

Have a great day!

One Thing Challenge~ Kyana's skirt

I joined in on the One Thing, One Week Challenge over at Amy's Creative Side.

Amy says, "I don’t want you to be stressed out about this challenge, but I do hope to MOTIVATE you. Finish something, start something, just don’t be overwhelmed by everything – One Thing!"

My goal: a twirly skirt for Kyana.

Goal accomplished!

Check out the other accomplished goals on One Thing, One Week over on Amy's Creative Side.

I'm linking up:

Enjoy your week! ~Garilyn

Remember the Sneak Peek??

A reversible vest!!

I made this as a pattern test for Little Lizard King.

Patterns found here, Little Lizard King's Etsy shop, if you are so inclined.

I took my son out and let him choose the fabrics since it was in his size.

Transformers on one side and...

puppies on the other side!
What a combo! At least he likes it!


Watch for these soon in our shop!

Available in sizes NB- 7.


Linked at:

Today's Creative Blog
Get Your Craft On!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Blog Hop

We will be participating in the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop, December 1st- 5th.

It is hosted by Simply Stacie, My Wee View, Little Yaya's, Review Retreat, and Stockpiling Moms.

So far, there are 187 blogs registered to participate.

All prizes will be either cash or gift cards/certificates!

Woo Hoo, just in time for Christimas!

Stay tuned for the publishing of our new store!

Have a great weekend! ~Garilyn

Wordless Wednesday

Have a great day!

Garilyn

Missions Fundraiser- eParty

My friend, Nikki, is going on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic October 23-30.

Here's a little about her trip:

From Nikki:

"This is my first ever missions trip. It is a medical missions trip and we will be going into a small village and setting up a medical clinic where we will give free check-ups, treat with tylenol, vitamins, etc and hand out items like soap, toothbrushes & toothpaste. We will also have several opportunities to minister and share God's love with the people of the DR."

We have put together an AVON eParty!

Any purchase using the code: NIKKIGUNN will count towards party sales. She will receive a percentage of the profits for her trip!!

Look at these exciting sales:

ANEW REJUVENATE Skin Revitalizing System $25 ($58 value)

Imari Seduction Eau de Toilette Spray $10.99 (reg. $23)

*NEW* Pumpkin Spice Bubble Bath $5.99 (will be $8)

Moisture Therapy Vitamin Treatment 4-Piece Collection $12.99 ($26 value)

*NEW* NATURALS Glazed Apple & Walnut Refreshing Shower Gel $1.99 (reg. $6)

There are lots of other items...

Introducing: AVON Healthy Makeup!!

Free shipping on all $30 orders!

One time free shipping on any order using code: FSANY

SHOP NOW!

Thanks for looking and helping Nikki reach her goal! The party will end September 30th.

Garilyn

(P.S. In my list of things about me, I forgot to list that I'm an AVON rep! Oops!)

Let me know if I can help you with fundraising or if you'd like to do an eParty and earn product or discounts!