Plus Size Crochet-fashions that fit & flatter by margaret hubert

At last, a book of crochet patterns devoted entirely to the plus-size woman!
Plus-size gals are a group that seems to be neglected in the plethora of crochet books on the market. The author, Margaret Hubert, has often been approached at trade shows and through her classes by women in this size category, begging her to design patterns that would fit them. A plus-size crocheter cannot simply take a smaller pattern and increase the number of stitches or rows to get a garment that fits and flatters. There are lots of proportion considerations when designing patterns for larger sizes.
Plus Size Crochet has 20 crocheted garments and accessories for plus-size women. The projects are stylish and flattering for various large figure types. There are also hints and tips to help the crocheter accommodate her special needs.
Only crochet book for plus-size women
Similar to the books in our popular ôHookedö series: easy to use with lay-flat wire-o binding, stitch detail photos, project specs at a glance
Includes crochet basics section with step-by-step photos

Product Details
Spiral-bound: 128 pages
Publisher: Creative Publishing international (November 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589233395
ISBN-13: 978-1589233393

my review~

I LOVE THIS BOOK! The author, Margaret Hubert put together some great patterns! While I have crocheted off & on for about 30 years, I do not read patterns very well. These are super easy (to me) patterns to read. I am having a really hard deciding which to make first, but I think (and as always I can change my mind!!) I will make the Five Yarn Jacket first (please see the photo below!!) for next fall/winter. In the back of the book, there is a section of crochet stitches, directions on how to line a crocheted bag (woohoo! I needed this) and the commonly used pattern abbriviations. I love this book and look forward to using these patterns.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme
is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along!Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can addthe book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

"Have you ever considered suing your brain for non-support?" I took a deep breath, praying for patience and the restraint not to kill him.

I just started reading 'Mia the Meek' by Eileen Boggess. That line cracked me up!

my weekend...

We had the grandbabies over to spend the night on Saturday, for the first time since I was in the hospital back in October/November. Here is a picture of Brittni, Kaylee & Taylor, Sunday morning. Britt & Kaylee were finished with their french toast but Taylor savored hers.
Needless to say, I did not have a lot of time to read, crochet or anything else...lol! I had forgotten just how active (and LOUD) 2 little girls could be!

In MY Mailbox (01/03/10)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren.
If you haven't visited her blog, you should!

Mia the Meek

by Eileen Boggess

Mia Fullerton has entered her freshman year at St. Hilary’s with a goal: to lose her nickname “Mia the Meek,” and soar into a confident high school career. Unfortunately, her transformation is made harder by her English-teacher mom, bratty little brother, already popular nemesis, and new neighbor. Although she’s prepared herself for the battle by reading Excruciatingly Shy: How to Defeat Public Fear and Become Popular, her freshman year remains a series of uphill battles

Mia the Melodramatic

by Eileen Boggess

Summer has finally arrived, but Mia Fullerton doesn’t have much to celebrate. Her best friend, Lisa, is spending the summer at a Mensa camp, and her boyfriend, Tim, will be at his grandparents’ house in Maine. So, stuck with a choice of spending the next two months hanging out with her younger brother, Chris—who has declared a prank war on her—or taking a job on the stage crew at a local children’s theater group, Mia chooses the lesser of two evils and begins working at Little Tyke’s.

Mia the Magnificent

by Eileen Boggess

I can not find a summary or cover art for this book.

A Black Tie Affair

by Sherrill Bodine

Fashion curator Athena Smith will do anything to get her perfectly manicured hands on the Clayworth family's celebrated couture collection for her exhibit. So when she's called in to make sure the gowns are the real deal, she's ecstatic...until a dress she's examining turns out to be loaded with toxins (talk about killer threads!) and Athena faints, only to wake up face-to-face with the One That Got Away, notorious Chicago bachelor Drew Clayworth.Drew still believes Athena betrayed him all those years ago, and he's sure he can't trust her. But when the priceless gowns go missing, she offers to help track them down. Reluctantly allied in the quest, Drew and Athena are soon stunned by the barely restrained passion still sizzling between them...and memories both bitter and sweet. Is their new partnership just a business arrangement? Or is this something more than...

2010 Romance Reading Challenge

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Addicted – Read 12 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 Romance Fiction novels.

3. Any book format counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

If you would like to join the 2010 Romance Reading Challenge, go HERE!

1.) A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine
2.) Seduced By A Rogue

3.) Gentlemen Prefer Succubi

4.) A Highlander's Destiny

5.) Ecstasy Unveiled
6.) Countess of Scandal

7.) Jordan

8.) Born In Night

9.) Born In Fire

10.) Born In Ice

11.) The Last Song
12.) To Sin With A Scoundrel
13.) Montana Legacy

2010 YA Reading Challenge

Want to join the 2010 YA Reading Challenge?

Go HERE!

J. Kaye is hosting the 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge.

Here's what she has to say~

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. --Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here.

2. There are four levels:-
-The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, paper all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

1.) Wake by Lisa McMann

2.) Fade by Lisa McMann

3.) Gone by Lisa McMann

Christmas with Paula Deen

Christmas with Paula Deen
by Paula Deen

"I've gone through all my books and put together this collection of my most treasured recipes and memories for the holiday season to share with you...You'll find a few new dishes, a sprinkling of new holiday stories, and some family pictures you might not have seen before." There's no holiday Paula Deen loves better than Christmas, when she opens her home to family and friends, and traditions old and new make the days merry and bright. Filled with Paula's trademark Southern charm and happy reminiscences of Yuletide seasons past, Christmas with Paula Deen is a collection of beloved holiday recipes and stories interspersed with cherished family photographs. Included are Paula's most requested homemade gifts of food; a collection of cookies sure to become your family's favorites; easy dishes for a Christmas breakfast or brunch that will let you enjoy the food and your guests; impressive fare for Christmas dinner and holiday entertaining and, of course, spectacular cakes, puddings, pies, and other sweet things.

"So Merry Christmas, y'all, and best dishes and best wishes from me and my family to yours."

my review~

I love Paula Deen and when I had the chance to get this book (published in 2007) I grabbed it!
This book has great stories laced throughout the book (you get to read how Michael proposed!), along with some of my favorite recipes(Praline French Toast Casserole). The thing I like most about Paula Deen's recipes, they are easy to follow!

getting back to the way I wanted it...

When I first started blogging, I wanted to just blog about the things that interested me and if no one ever read it, well that was ok with me. I was going to blog about all the things that I enjoy in life-ie: my guilty pleasures. Somewhere along the blogging road, it turned into a book review & giveaway blog. Don't get me wrong, I love reading! It is one of my favorite past times. But it got to the point that I wasn't enjoying it as much as I should. It became mostly about the giveaways. Well, after being in & out of the hospital, and not blogging for 3 months, I've decided that 2010 is going to be about the way I want to blog, about the things that I want to blog about. I am still going to review the books that I read and host giveaways. But it isn't going to be just books that I review & books that I giveaway. So look for posts concerning the movies that I see, my favorite tv shows, if I find some fantastic product at the store. Whatever I find interesting might just end up in a post!

100+ Reading Challenge

100+ Reading Challenge (2010)

(Ends December 31, 2010)

1. A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine

2. Veracity

3. 101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle

4. Seduced by a Rogue

5.Gentlemen Prefer Succubi

6. A Highlander's Destiny

7. Ecstasy Unveiled

8. Knit, Purl, Die

9. Sleep No More

10. Countess of Scandal

11. Wake

12. Storm of Visions

13. Dare to Surrender

14. Spider's Bite

15. Shift

16. Jordan

17. Shadow Blade

18. Born in Night

19. Born in Fire

20.Born in Ice

21. The Last Song

22. Fire Gazer

23. To Sin With A Scoundrel

24.The Bride Collector
25.Quick & Easy Tips to Lose Weight
26.Silent Scream
27.Montana Legacy
28.Pride & Prjudice & Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

Friday Fill In 2010!

Friday Fill In 2010

1. Last night I was asleep by 10:30!2. I'm hoping I will blog better, and not be hospitalized this year.
3. The funniest thing is watching the kids play.
4. It's 2010...Brittni graduates in May! I feel OLD! LOL!
5. He said I'm staying up; she said Good Night!
6. Jesus gave us salvation and it's up to us to ACCEPT it.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm cooking a big pot roast with potatos & carrots, tomorrow my plans include blogging and then tomorrow night the grandkids are spending the night and Sunday I will need to recuperate!!

Happy 2010!!!

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

Love blooms in the second novelin Nora Roberts's celebrated Bride Quartet series.



As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe "I do" moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when start their own wedding planning company to make every woman's dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments copatured on film, Nora Roberts's Bride Quartet shares each woman's emotionally magical journey to romance.



In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around here, she still hasn't found Mr. Right. And the last place she's looking is right under her nose.



But that's just where Jack Cooke is. He's so close to the women of Vows that he's practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion-kiss for blistering kiss-they must trust in their history...and in their hearts.



my review~



Bed of Roses is a quick & easy read that I really enjoyed. Emma & Jack's story is one that I know I will visit again and again along! The second book in Nora's Bride Quartet, Bed of Roses has everything you want in a romance although I will admit that I enjoyed reading 'Vision In White' a little bit more, but I think because I enjoyed MacKensie & Carter's story so much! Or maybe it is because I knew it was the first of 4 books.

Giveaway!! Seduced By A Rogue by Amanda Scott

A fair-haired beauty at 19, Lady Mairi is heiress apparent to her father Lord Dunwythie's rich barony. He has carefully taught her how to manage their estates, but a feud between his clan and the Maxwell clan is brewing as the two families edge toward a clan war - their dispute over money owed. Mairi's father believes he owes nothing, and of course Mairi sides with him.When the impulsive and blue-eyed Rob Maxwell chances to meet Mairi in a barley field, they feel instant attraction, despite their families' antagonisms. Knowing he must put his clan first, Rob enacts a plan to force Dunwythie to pay his debt: Rob kidnaps Mairi, making the abduction appear the work of a stranger; then he and his sheriff-brother offer to help Dunwythis rescue his daughter IF, and only if, he will pay them the monies due. Yet after Rob captures Mairi's body, she captures his heart. When Dunwythie summons the aid of the most powerful clan in all Scotland (the Douglases), clan-tensions rise to a fever pitch. Love takes its own feverish course, as Mairi and Rob join forces to prevent a clash between hot-headed clans, and to protect their budding love.

About the Contest:

Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group

Five winners will be choosen

The Contest ends at midnight on January 30th

Open to US & Canadian addresses.

No PO Boxes please.

To win:

Your first comment should be your name & email address (1 entry)

Your second comment should be that you are a follower (but only if you are!) (1 entry)

Your third comment, should you choose to do so, should be a link where you have posted about the giveaway (this will count for 2 entries)

Giveaway!! Sleep No More by Susan Crandall

The night was always Abby Whitman's enemy. As a young girl she walked in her sleep, and one night, she started a fire that scarred her sister for life and left Abby with unbearable guilt . . . and a loneliness that echoes within her. Now Abby has begun blacking out again-with apparently fatal results. A car accident has killed the son of a prominent family. Even though the evidence seems to exonerate her, Abby is plagued by doubts-and soon by mysterious threats. Psychiatrist Dr. Jason Coble is intrigued by Abby and offers to help her explore the dark recesses of her mind.

Visit SusanCrandall.net

Follow @SusanCrandall on Twitter.

Check out Five Fun Facts.

About the Contest:
Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group
Five winners will be choosen
The Contest ends at midnight on January 29th
Open to US & Canadian addresses. No PO Boxes please.
To win:
Your first comment should be your name & email address (1 entry)
Your second comment should be that you are a follower (but only if you are!) (1 entry)
Your third comment, should you choose to do so, should be a link where you have posted about the giveaway (this will count for 2 entries)

Giveaway!! A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine

Fashion curator Athena Smith will do anything to get her hands on the Clayworth family's couture collection for her exhibit. So she's thrilled when she's called in to authenticate the gowns...until she falls ill while examining them and wakes up face-to-face with notorious Chicago bachelor Drew Clayworth.Drew doesn't trust Athena one bit. He still believes she betrayed him years ago. So when his family's gowns go missing and Athena offers her help in exchange for the dresses, he reluctantly accepts. But they're both taken off guard by the barely restrained passion that's still between them...and the memories that are both bitter and sweet. As they work together to find the dresses, can they resist the sparks between them?

Visit SherrillBodine.com

Follow @SherrillBodine on Twitter.

Check out the Five Fun Facts.

About The Contest:

Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group
Five winners will be choosen
The Contest ends at midnight on January 28th
Open to US & Canadian addresses.

No PO Boxes please.

To win:
Your first comment should be your name & email address (1 entry)
Your second comment should be that you are a follower (but only if you are!) (1 entry)
Your third comment, should you choose to do so, should be a link where you have posted about the giveaway (this will count for 2 entries)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Today is the day I start blogging again on a regular basis!

I have read a couple of books during December and will post

a review of "Bed of Roses" by Nora Roberts later today!

Wow!

Happy Holidays!

I just have to say that my email is crazy! I have over 3,000 but that includes the emails I receive from bookblogs.com. I am slowly going through them and will resond when I can! I went to the cardiologist last week, and he seems to think that with the medicine that he has me on (and is increasing the dosage) will hopefully strengthen my heart. They don't know if the chemo caused the damage or that really bad virus that put me in the hospital the first time.

I am still not reading much, but we did get our Christmas tree up! It seems that these last couple of months have just been a mess. I was in the hospital for 14 days in October (in a drug induced coma) with a viral pnemonia. The day I was released from the hospital, the owner of the company I worked for CALLED me and told me I was being let go, that my position was no longer needed. He let 2 other employees go the same day, one had worked there for 17 years! Then Brittni turned 18, 10 days after I got out of the hospital. Of course, I was still not feeling well, so I didn't even buy her a gift! Luckily, she loves, loves, loves cold, hard, cash! LOL! Then within another week, I was BACK in the hospital, with pnemonia again! That is when they found that I have a 'leaky heart valve'. My goal for December? NOT to end up back in the hospital. OH! And do you want to know what the fantastic part is? I haven't had insurance in over a year! My first hospital stay was over $75,000, just for the hosptial.

So I am now unemployeed and while I should be reading, blogging and holding all kinds of contests, I can't. Well, I could, but I have no 'gumption' right now. So my goal is to start reading & blogging. And going back to school. I think for respiratory therapy. But that could change. We'll see.

Good morning!

GOOD MORNING!!

I am once more home from the hospital! It has been crazy these past few months! I was "let go" from my job the day I got out of the hospital on 10/16. Been back to the hospital, once again with pnemonia, but this time they found out that I have a leaky heart valve and my heart is weak. Needless to say, I have not been in the mood to do much of anything but sleep. I have been reading the same book now for about 3 weeks.

No Christmas shopping has been done, no decorations have been unpacked. But that will be changing this weekend! Woohoo!

With my various dr's appointments I have coming up and with being so far behind for Christmas, I will be blogging again (on a regular basis) beginning the first of the year. If everything goes well health wise. I have so much catching up to do with the blogs that I follow! I promise I will! Well off to see my cardiologist...

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires--the ones who never die.The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir; she is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking hearts.Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's--but their world is fraught with danger both inside and out of the Academy's iron gates. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate throughthis dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...

my thoughts:

Richelle Mead has created a unique vampire world for best friends, Rose & Lissa to live in. I had read great reviews and some not so great reviews and was on the fence about starting this series. I would walk into a store, I would pick the book up, read the back cover, and put it back down (I did this 3 weeks in a row). Then, the 4th week, I just picked it up without looking at it and put in my basket. I am so glad I finally picked this book up!
I started this book and was caught up from the first chapter. It was a very easy read and overall very enjoyable. I was "sucked" (haha) into their world, all though I did catch myself talking to Rose a couple of times, giving her my (not so humble) advice. The ending of this book sets you up perfectly for the next, which luckily is out now and will be reviewed here tomorrow!

Kicking off Richelle Mead week

here at MGP Blog!

because October is Breast Cancer Awareness month...

Angels-A Pop-Up Book by Chuck Fischer

Whether you consider angels to be divine messengers, spiritual guides, or the stuff of lefend, you will find something to marvel at in Chuck Fischers beautifully illustrated Angels: A Pop-Up Book. Fishecher's original art, inspired by classic images from art history, is crafted into astoundingly intricate three-dimensional pop-ups with fold-outs and moveable parts. Angels brings to life the most captivating stories of these celestial being, from the angels of the zodiac to Biblical angels to angels in the arts and popular culture. Much like its subject, Angels: A Pop-Up Book inspires awe and wonde and is a unique gift book for all ages.

my thoughts:

I LOVE THIS BOOK! When I signed up to review this book, I thought, ok a pop-up book. It will be one for little kids. It definately is not! This book has some of the best pop-ups I've seen! The details are amazing! This book would be perfect to give this Holiday season to that person you know that loves Angels. Or keep it for yourself!