Signed Copy Giveaway

I'm having a giveaway on my website, Discovery Writer.  You can win a signed copy of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin.  This book was recently nominated for the 2013 GoodReads Choice Awards.  It's a great retelling with witty prose and enchanting characters.  Giveaway expires January 18, 2014.  Check out the Giveaway at:
http://discoverywriter.com/2014/01/01/signed-copy-giveaway-rump/

BEST DARN HAM SANDWISHES YOU'LL EVER HAVE!!!

My cousin shared these rolls on facebook today and I had to share them with you.  Also...I needed to put them on here so I could create a pin for them.  Such a quick and easy way to provide dinner for the masses without spending too much time in the kitchen.  Especially as the weather warms up.  Hope you enjoy them.

Ingredients:

2 -12 packages of sweet Hawaiian rolls (the small dinner roll looking ones)
1 1/2 lbs of Virginia ham (NOT honey ...ham)
12 slices Swiss cheese
1 stick of real butter
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Directions:
You will need two 9 x 13 pans. Place the bottoms of 12 rolls in each pan. Place ham (about 2 shaved slices or so) on the rolls. Cut the cheese slices into 4 parts and place 2 small pieces on each sandwich. Put the dinner roll tops on. In a sauce pan, mix butter, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder and poppy seeds. Wait until all butter is melted and then brush the melted mixture over the ham sandwiches. Cover with foil and let sit in fridge for 1 hour or over night. (If you want to bake them right away, you can also.) Preheat oven to 375 and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve. They are great hot and even at room temperature Enjoy!
 

Rump...A Must Read!

I am thrilled to announce that one of my good friends has published her first novel.

Liesl Shurtliff

 Her book debuted on April 9th, and I just purchased it at one of her book signings.  I've read it and I'm happy to say that my friend is very talented.  She has created a book that I will read to my kids many times over.

It's the charming story of the heroic Rump who goes on a quest to find the rest of his name.  In most cases, Rumpelstiltskin is the nemesis, but this new twist is playful and makes you root for the boy with the awkward name.

If you loved Ella Enchanted, The Princess Academy, or The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, this will be the new family favorite.  I read it in two days and am reading it a second time with my kids.  It's charming and clever, and the writing is easy and impeccable.  I couldn't imagine a book that would retell the story of Rumpelstiltskin that would convince me that his side of the story was better and a lot more fun.  I loved it and I can't wait for her next book.

Check out Liesl's website here!

Profiles

Hello world!

I have been busy since the beginning of the year, but I have been doing some crafts!

My family and I moved (again) to the Chicago area for my husband's job.

It has been a big adventure, and I am trying to get used to this cold weather and snow.

 

One of the crafts I have finished are these profiles of my children.

I love them.

Seriously, love them.

I have done a tutorial (shocking I know) on my blog Life Framed by Me.

Check it out HERE.

Happy creating, and I hope to be back soon!

Give Thanks

 

I am sure you have all been feeling thankful! I know I have been, and the holiday season is in full swing around here. I made this banner last year and was super excited to hang it up. I saw the idea at a friend's home in Texas, and kind of gave my own spin to it (she used leaves instead of squares to back her letters, I like the geometric look instead). I am not one for turorials (sorry). I don't like to follow them, and I certainly don't like to write them! So, here is a basic idea of what I did....

 

First of all, it is all made out of felt. I bought some brown felt off of the bolt since the 8x10 sheets would be too small. Then I bought a few different fall colors in the 8x10 sheets for the backing and letters. Then I just measured how big I wanted it to be, cut them to size, and then sewed the top of the brown felt so I could run a string through it. I cut everything else how I wanted and used my sewing machine to sew them on in contrasting colors. Feel free to do what you want in attaching them, it really just depends on the texture and style you want. I hot glued the circles and letters on to make it easier. As for the letters, I just blew up a font on my computer and used them as a template in cutting them out. It really was simple, just use your imagination! It could say anything you want as well, "thankful" "harvest" etc. I hope to make a Happy Birthday one soon for my children's birthdays in the spring/summer. I hope you like this idea! Anything is great with felt, I just love the stuff!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Featuring {Crafts Made Easy} by Shauna

I happen to have the most talented friends around.  I really do.  Becky of the Crafting Chicks (who happens to be a very dear friend of mine) just showcased an amazing craft that was done by another great friend of mine Shauna.  Shauna is the type of person that dreams all things crafty and then brings them into reality.  As Becky stated in her post ..."everything she touches turns to gold."  Yep, that's Shauna for you. 
Shauna recently started her own blog Crafts Made Easy and will be sharing all of her amazing creations and crafting skills with you.  Like I mentioned she's just starting up this blog, but here is a small sampling of what you can expect to see in the future.  Believe me, you won't want to miss all the fun projects that she'll be sharing.

Spell Book Pages

 

Book of Spells

 

Canvas Happiness

If you would like to know how a $5 yard sale find turned into this canvas that makes me smile (a lot), check out my post on Life Framed by Me!

 

Oh the joys of yard sales!