Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Where has the time gone?!

I can't believe Christmas is 25 days away! I had so many plans to make handmade cards and decorations but they were thwarted by sickness and home remodeling projects. My crafting took a nose dive!!! So here's some pretty papers in case you still haven't gotten around to making anything yet.

A little Retro...


http://store.scrapbook.com/ecp-hj20016.html?t15-19=christmas

A Classic look...

http://store.scrapbook.com/bo-cpfc388.html?t15-19=christmas




Fun for Children's pages...



http://store.scrapbook.com/ecp-wk23016.html?t15-19=christmas

Very Vintage...


http://store.scrapbook.com/gf-4500373.html?t15-19=christmas
All the above paper collections are sold at Scrapbook.com. Just click the links under the photos to go directly there or you can click here to be taken to the home page. Not only do they have a huge selection of products but they have a Gallery of Projects as well :)

Have fun and Happy Crafting!!!




Interview & Giveaway, Jenny Lee Sulpizio

 



I'm a sap when it comes to books about babies and little children! I. love. them. After reading this adorable book about boys (review here) by author Jenny Lee Sulpizio, I couldn't resist asking her to answer a few questions and offer a copy of her latest book to one of my blog followers.


Welcome, Jenny! Thank you for agreeing to answer a few questions on such short notice. What do you think makes a good story?


Obviously something that will engage the reader and hold their attention. This is especially true in picture books where the attention spans of our young readers can be questionable and short in duration at best. You have to appeal to such a reader not only with your words, but also with your illustrations in order to keep one's curiosity peaked.

So true! I loved picking out picture books when my children were young. I can't wait to share yours with my grandsons :) As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?


What didn't I want to be is more like it? I recollect that I was torn between becoming a veterinarian or fashion designer.

Well, I'm glad you chose author! What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Anything and everything creative! My Pinterest boards are out of control with all of the ideas I want to implement in my home.

Oh, I know. Pinterest is so addictive! What is your work schedule like when you're writing? 

All over the place! I write when my kiddos are fast asleep and am a "pantser" if you will. I have no real discipline that I follow when writing-I'm a free thinker and definitely a free writer.

I am that way in life! What’s your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

Just the overall excitement leading up to that special day. There's just nothing like Christmas and even though I'm an adult now, I think it's even better to see it through the eyes of your children.

Our family has been overflowing with excitement and prepping since before Thanksgiving! Does your family have a special tradition at Christmas? If so, do you mind sharing it with us?

This time of year is all about cuddling on the couch, hot cocoa in hands, watching "The Polar Express." After taking a ride on that train with the family a few years ago, it's a tradition to watch the feature film over and over again this time of year!

That is a beautiful memory y'all are making! Our family has a couple of special movies we watch each year, as well, and we participate in Advent. In fact, my daughter wrote a post about it on her blog.  How can readers connect with you on the internet?

I would love to meet new readers! Please visit my website and blog at http://www.jennysulpizio.com. You can also find me on Twitter (@JennySulpizio), and Facebook as well (Jenny Lee Sulpizio, Author). Both of my children's picture books (Mommy Whispers: Isaac, 2010, and There's Just Something About a Boy: Ajoyin, 2011), can be found on Amazon as well.

Thank you again, Jenny, for coming by today!

Readers, leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of her newest picture book, There's just Something About a Boy. Open to US and Canada! Ends Dec 9th. I will compile all the entries from this post and the first post, then announce a winner on Dec 10th.

To purchase a copy, go here.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Giveaways and Interview...

I have two giveaways going on for some really great children's books!



Not many commenters so the chances of winning are good :) Saving Fort Smoky is open to International commenters for an ebook! This would make an excellent gift! I'll announce the winner on Dec 3rd.





I'll also have an interview coming on Wednesday with author Jenny Lee Sulpizio. You have two places you can enter to win her book There's just Something About a Boy. On the upcoming interview or you can read the review here and leave a comment but I'm sure you'll want to come back and talk to Jenny! She's opened this giveaway to US and Canada for a soft copy! I'll compile the names from both blog posts and announce the winner on Dec 10th.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Review & Giveaway ~ FIRST Wild Card Tour ~ There's Just Something About a Boy by Jenny Lee Sulpizio. Illustrated by Peg Lozier.

My Review
There IS just something about a boy! Most people I have talked to tell me that boys have a special bond with their moms just as girls have a special bond with their dads. This book celebrates that bond between moms and sons.

The illustrations are colorful and funny, poignant and all too real. I laughed out loud when I turned the page and saw the one of the teenager learning to drive! My son, who is learning to drive, got a BIG kick out of that one, too. He said the mom totally looks like me when I am in the car with him :)

I think most moms will enjoy this glimpse into what is an adorable peek at the relationship we have with our boys. There are a lot of "awww" moments in this book!

Special thanks to the author for my review copy. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, just give my honest opinion on what I thought of the book. No compensation, other than being able to keep the book, was received.

Jenny has graciously agreed to send a signed copy of this precious book to one of you! Leave a comment and let me know if you have a boy. Even if you don't, you can still enter ;) Ends Dec 9th! Open to US and Canada!!!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 


It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:

 

 

and the book:

 

There's Just Something About a Boy

Isaac Publishing, Inc. (September 23, 2011)

***Special thanks to Jenny Lee Sulpizio for sending me a review copy.***

 

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenny Lee Sulpizio, M.S. is a wife, business owner, and mother of three residing in Boise, Idaho. She is an active member within her church and community, and enjoys tapping into her creative side whenever she gets the chance. There’s Just Something About a Boy is the second picture book released in a series that also includes Mommy Whispers, an ode to mothers and daughters everywhere.

Visit the author's website.

 
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:


Peg Lozier is an award winning portrait painter and illustrator whose work is known for color, whimsy, and a sense of fun. Raised in Boulder, Colorado, she now lives with a plethora of pets in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Visit the illustrator's website.

 
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:



There’s Just Something about a Boy is a children’s keepsake picture book celebrating the special bond between a mother and her newborn son as she anticipates the love, laughter, and unparalleled adventure that will surely come from raising a little boy.

Product Details:

List Price: $12.95
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: Isaac Publishing, Inc. (September 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609200365
ISBN-13: 978-1609200367

AND NOW...THE FIRST PAGES (click illustrations to enlarge):




Recalling the moment, that special day
Your tiny image took my breath away.
A precious baby with nothing to hide,
My sweet, little son nestled inside.
There’s just something about a boy…


I prepared your nursery
since around month five,
Waiting for the day
you’d finally arrive.
Stuffed animals, blankies,
your daddy’s first glove--
They sat in your room,
awaiting your love.
There’s just something
about a boy…




 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!





Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!