"A Princess Story" Book Review

Have you ever wanted to be a princess? Or just to feel like royalty or experience an adventure? There's something about princesses and fairy tales that we're naturally drawn to, whether it's good defeating evil or having a happily ever after.

In the book A Princess Story: The Real-Life Fairy Tale Found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Jaci Wightman explains why we feel this way and how we truly are princesses in a very real fairy tale of our own. She reveals how the plan of salvation fits the story line of a typical fairy tale and who all the main characters are.

Smiles
*It explores deep topics while remaining easy to read.
*It relies heavily on scripture and other authoritative gospel sources.
*It encourages action. The book isn't just informative, but also inviting. The purpose is to get us to see the gospel in a new perspective and understand its direct involvement in our lives. Sister Wightman provides questions to ask ourselves, gives additional references to read and study, and recommends keeping a journal of spiritual discoveries while reading.

Frowns
*None so far. I admit, I haven't finished it yet.

For more information on the book and author, visit this website.

Strawberry Jude HandGrown Stamp Set Review & Giveaway

When I first started my Etsy shop years ago, I met fellow seller Jewel Charsley of Strawberry Jude HandGrown. She made a gorgeous painting inspired by my shop name and designed graphics for my shop for web and print use. She is a very talented artist!

Jewel recently released a cling stamp line in her shop. She decided to fill a need she noticed in stamping designs and came up with these three unique sets so far:

"Joy to the World" (Christmas)

"Don't Forget Church" (church planner)

"Note It: Conference" (LDS general conference)

I received the Conference set to review.

Smiles
*I love the words and symbols she chose to represent the theme.
*The set came with directions, which I appreciated since it was my first time using cling stamps.
*The stamps come out clear, clean off easily, and maintain their stickiness.
*The set is packaged nicely and shipped Priority Mail to ensure it reaches you quickly and safely.
*The stamps are versatile and not limited to their theme.
*Jewel is a pleasure to do custom orders with. She is very accommodating and patient.

Frowns
*None

One of you lucky readers will get to win a stamp set of your choice! This giveaway is open to the U.S. only.

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Little Victoria Design Jewelry Review

A few months ago, I featured the Etsy shop Little Victoria Design. The seller, Carol, sent me some jewelry as a thank you. I meant to review it shortly thereafter, but it never happened. Well, what she sent me worked great for Halloween, so I wore it a lot last month!

I received the above necklace with a matching bracelet, as well as two wide elastic hair ties/bracelets, one neon orange and the other baby pink. I wore the set with my "Nothing scary 'bout the Holy Ghost" shirt from The Covenant Gear.

Smiles
*Carol is so sweet and generous! You can tell she puts a lot of thought and love into her pieces.
*The style is simple and classic.
*The jewelry is comfortable to wear. I usually avoid bracelets because I have a small wrist, but this one didn't bother me.
*I like that the hair ties double as bracelets. So much cuter than wearing a regular elastic band!

Frowns
*Not a huge fan of bright/neon colors, but there lots of other lovely colors in her shop.

Check out Little Victoria Design for more darling and unique pieces!

"Papa's Book of Mormon Christmas" Book Review

Are you looking for a new addition to your collection of children's or family Christmas books? If you are, then you will love Papa's Book of Mormon Christmas by Emma Rae Parker. It's about a loving grandpa sharing with his little granddaughter his special appreciation for and connection to the Book of Mormon, especially during certain Christmases in his life.

Smiles
*The story is very cute and touching, and the characters are charming.
*The illustrations are colorful and adorable.
*It's an easy read and just the right length for both young and older children.
*It balances the secular and spiritual sides of Christmas.

Frowns
*When I first read it, I thought it was based on a true story. I was disappointed to find out it was fictional. It's still a beautiful story, though, that brings the Spirit and focuses on the amazing gift the Book of Mormon is to us.

I recommend making this book a part of your holiday traditions! (Note: I didn't read the story yet to my kids, ages 5 and 2, because I want to save it for Christmas, but I know they'll love it.)

"From Baptist Preacher to Mormon Teacher" Book Review

If you don't know me, I love to hear people's stories: where they came from, how they met their significant others, what their talents and hobbies are and where they learned them, etc. As a Mormon, one of my favorite stories to listen to is people's conversion stories: where they first heard the gospel, what touched their spirits and made them want to learn more, what was difficult for them to accept, etc. Therefore, I was excited to review From Baptist Preacher to Mormon Teacher by Wain Myers (with Kelly Martinez). Brother Myers candidly and humorously shares his journey to becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and progressing in the gospel.

Smiles
*Brother Myers is honest and real. You can feel his personality through the book so it seems that if you met him, you wouldn't consider him a stranger but a friend.
*The book is very engaging and easy to read. Sometimes it read like a novel and sometimes like a compelling church talk (which he says he practices all the time, so maybe that's why it showed in his writing, too!).
*I learned some things about the Church and gospel that I didn't know before. I won't tell you what they were, though--you have to read the book yourself!

Frowns
*The last quarter felt a little disjointed to me, bouncing from topic to topic and reading more like a sermon than a story line (I guess his preaching days haven't fully left him, lol). I would've liked it organized differently.

If you enjoy a fresh and funny story about a real person and their spiritual journey, I recommend you read this book!

"Understanding Your Endowment" Book Review

For those of you who are LDS, have you ever left the temple feeling the Spirit yet also confused about certain aspects of the ceremony? I'd be lying if I said I haven't. Whether or not you have felt that way, I highly recommend you read the book Understanding Your Endowment by Cory B. Jensen. As described on the publisher's blog:

For many members of the Church, the temple endowment remains something of a mystery. Yet when understood, the temple can function in our lives as a modern day Liahona, giving us our bearings in our mortal journey back to our Father. Understanding Your Endowment is packed with insights and keys, which can help you unlock the temple’s purpose and meaning in your life. It will help you understand the blessings the Lord offers His children through His temples and will enrich your personal temple worship.

Understanding Your Endowment examines topics such as covenant ceremonies, the initiatory ordinances, the endowment, and temple sealings in a manner that is plain and easy to understand while still respecting their sacred and confidential nature. Whether you are preparing to enter the temple for the first time or already attend regularly, your temple worship will be enhanced by reading this book.

Smiles
*It definitely increased my desire to return to the temple often and put more effort into letting the Spirit teach me the deeper meanings behind the symbolism and their applications in my life.
*It discusses temple covenants and ordinances thoroughly and helpfully without divulging sacred information.
*I appreciated Brother Jensen's frequent reminders that symbolic interpretations aren't limited and are very personal and we should discard anything he says that isn't helpful to us. He doesn't pretend to know all the answers or assert that only his views are correct.

Frowns
*Although it can be read by members preparing to enter the temple for the first time, it is best for those who have been at least once so they can follow the discussion. However, there are still sections that members should read beforehand to help them have a better experience.
*The background on covenants made me glad I did not live before Christ's Atonement ended the need for sacrifices and other gruesome rituals! It did explain a lot of modern practices, though.

I think all members should read and apply this book and use it to teach others preparing for the temple so they can have more meaningful first-time experiences and learn how to make the most of future visits. For a more spiritual review, go to my Mormon Light blog.

"Scripture Princesses" Book Review & Free Tiara Printable

Has your daughter ever wanted to learn more about the women in the scriptures? It can seem like they are hard to find, so author and illustrator Rebecca J. Greenwood made it easy by compiling the stories of the major women from the scriptures in a book called Scripture Princesses.

Smiles
*It's a simple, easy read that adheres to the stories as written in the scriptures and includes references for further exploration.
*The illustrations are lovely and break up the text nicely.
*I like that the women were ordered chronologically instead of by scripture set to give you a better sense of when they lived in relation to each other.
*Each chapter begins with a statement about the quality each woman showed through her experiences. (ex: Be wise, like Eve).

Frowns
*I wish it had included Deborah from the Old Testament.
*Although the last sentence restates the woman's quality and how it blessed her and others, I wish there had been something more. For example, how we can use the quality in our lives or an explanation about the quality (like what it means to be wise). 

This book is great for Primary girls who want to learn about female scripture heroes whose examples they can follow. The stories also make great Family Home Evening lessons and a great resource for family scripture study and Church lessons.

Rebecca also has provided a free princess tiara printable for your little princess to color and wear!

"1, 2, 3 with Nephi and Me!" Book Review

When I volunteered to review the board book 1, 2, 3 with Nephi and Me!, I admit I wasn't expecting much. A board book for babies on counting to ten can only be so amazing, right? Boy, was I pleasantly surprised and very glad to be wrong!

Smiles
*This book was very well thought out. It was not overly simple or predictable. I even learned some new things!
*Each number representation comes with scripture references for further learning and connection to the Book of Mormon.
*It uses rhyming.
*The illustrations are colorful and appealing.
*I like the matte finish on the inside pages.

Frowns
*None

I highly recommend this book for your little ones! It makes a great sacrament meeting quiet activity, nursery lesson, Family Home Evening lesson, or even bedtime story.

"The Caregiver's Journey" Book Review

It may seem out of place for me to review a book about being a caregiver for an elderly loved one. However, as the author, Todd F. Cope, noted, "Sixty five million Americans (mostly mothers) are currently a caregiver for a loved one. With the Baby Boom generation reaching retirement age, that number will only increase. Most adults who are not caregivers either know one, or anticipate becoming one in the near future." Some of you already may be facing this responsibility. Some of you may not be there yet, but the best time to prepare is now.

The Caregiver's Journey is an introductory book into the world of caregiving for loved ones (not professionals) who need easily understood and accessible advice on how to give proper care. It outlines the journey you will have to take, from recognizing care is needed to finding the right help to saying goodbye. It covers common problems and emotions you may face, and it begins each chapter with a real example to give you an idea of an issue or to help you relate with others who have been in similar situations to yours and your loved one's.

Smiles
*It is very simple and practical to help those who have no professional background in caregiving and need general tools on how to start and navigate the journey and where to find more resources specific to your situation.
*The sections and chapters are organized very well to help you find answers about specific topics relevant to where you are in the caregiving journey.
*The book is a short, quick read, perfect for your busy lifestyle.

Frowns
*More of an FYI  than a frown: Because the approach is more general in nature, it is not helpful for those looking for more detailed information on care for certain conditions, what to look for in a care facility, or what questions to ask when hiring help. It is a simple overview of issues that come with being a caregiver and how to handle them.

I recommend this book for anyone who is new to caregiving and is feeling lost or overwhelmed, anyone who may become a caregiver in the near future, or anyone you know who is in those positions and may benefit from guidance. In fact, I think I'm going to pass along my copy to my uncle, who cares for my grandma.

"Missionary: Possible" Book Review

I feel passionately about proper preparation for serving an LDS mission. Preparing to be a missionary starts as a child with obtaining gospel knowledge and a foundational testimony. It continues on in the teenage years as knowledge and understanding deepen and testimonies strengthen. But far too many youth wait until crunch time before starting to prepare, and then it's too late to make meaningful and lasting improvements. Companions, investigators, and church members end up suffering from the under-preparation of these missionaries.

Eric Rigby addresses this problem in his book Missionary: Possible, Preparation Tips from New Testament Heroes. He uses examples from the book of Acts and his own life to teach proper mission preparation in specific and helpful ways.

Smiles
*It had the perfect tone for the targeted audience. It was straightforward and simple without being condescending and had the right amount of cheesiness.
*I like that he used New Testament examples instead of typical Book of Mormon and pioneer stories. Missionaries need to be familiar with and appreciate the Bible as well. This approach also made the book unique.
*It includes pages for note taking to encourage study and application, not just reading.

Frowns 
*None.

I recommend this book not only for teens but also for parents who want to know how to help their children prepare for a mission and for anyone who wishes to be a better member missionary.

The Healthy Family Slow Cooker Cookbook Review

One of the authors of the Snow Valley romance novels, Christina Dymock, has also written some cookbooks. I've had a lot of fun reviewing her latest one: The Healthy Family Slow Cooker Cookbook. It contains over 70 simple recipes categorized into poultry, pork, beef, soup and salad, sides, and sweet endings. I tried three of the recipes.

The first one I made was the chicken gyros. I added some spinach for a fresh, leafy crunch and some hummus for extra moisture since I overcooked the chicken. The seasoning was delicious, and my husband really liked the homemade tzatziki sauce.

The second I made was the turkey and veggie sloppy joes. I didn't put in all the required veggies because I didn't have them all. I used carrots, onions, and peppers, and added mushrooms because we love them. Next time I would definitely include celery. I served the sandwich on whole wheat hamburger buns instead of crispy rolls and had veggie chips as the side. I wouldn't say the flavor reminded me of a sloppy joe, but I still thought it was very yummy.

The last one I made was the cookie bar. This one wasn't my favorite. It reminded me of a blond brownie, and I prefer my brownies dark and fudgy. The boys gobbled it up, though! The directions didn't specify the heat setting, so I started on low to be safe. The cookie wasn't baking, so I switched it to high and ended up overcooking it. Just a tip: the top may still look raw even when it's done (at least, to me it did). The plus side is that the clean-up was a million times easier than it is after making cookies the traditional way!

Smiles
*The cookbook motivated me to use my slow cooker more. It was much more enjoyable preparing things early and not having to scramble around trying to figure out dinner in the evening with hungry, whiny boys.
*The recipes are easy to alter to fit your needs. I normally don't have all the ingredients needed for a recipe, so I appreciated that I could make changes and still have it come out great.
*The meals are simple and most are loaded with vegetables. They are also kid friendly. My boys ate both meals without complaint, which is how I determine a dinner's success!

Frowns
*This is where I get nitpicky as an editor. For the most part, I loved the layout. It was simple and clean, exactly my style. However, I prefer directions in bullet or numbered form, because it's easier to find your place in the recipe and divide it into steps. I also thought some of the photos were less professional looking than others, particularly the ones that were super close up or had poorer lighting.

Overall, this cookbook is a great resource for planning easy, healthy meals, whether you're a busy mom or not!

Baby K'tan Active Baby Carrier Review & Giveaway

I grew up watching my mom carry my premature little sister in a ring sling, and since then have always loved seeing mothers hold their babies close and thought it natural. I knew I would do the same once I had children. When I got pregnant, my friends introduced me to various carriers, and I chose the Moby wrap. It worked and my baby liked it, but I had some issues with it: it was too long for a petite woman like me, it was too hot for Arizona, it got stretched out, and it was impossible to put back into the pouch!

my 8-week-old in the original Baby K'tan

When I was pregnant again, I searched around for baby carrier giveaways and saw an ad for Baby K'tan on a blog. I checked it out and was immediately impressed. It was like the Moby in style (but not design), came in different sizes to ensure fit, and was much simpler to put on. I followed their Facebook page, entered one of their giveaways, and won! I was not disappointed. Every time I wear my Baby K'tan carrier I receive compliments and I rave about it in return. And because both my baby and I are satisfied, I have worn him much more than I did my first child.

10 months old

I asked Baby K'tan to team up with me for a giveaway, and not only did they agree, but they also gave me a different style to review! I chose the active carrier in coral for summer babywearing.

20 months and still likes to be worn!

Smiles
*Comfortable for both the wearer and the baby.
*Easy to put on and take off.
*Fabric support band in back allows for easy adjustment.
*Sash doubles as a pouch and is very easy to put away.
*Comes in different sizes to ensure proper fit.
*Shrinks back to normal in the dryer instead of remaining stretched out.
*Different carrying positions possible, with the newborn kangaroo hold not requiring the sash. Instruction booklet with easy to follow-directions included as well.
*Original: Tight, secure fit.
*Active: Very lightweight and airy! Wish I had this style in Arizona. I love the color, too.
*Excellent customer service!

Frowns
*Hard to unravel in the back by yourself (you want the fabric stretched open for more even support). I try to untangle and spread it open as much as I can before putting it on to avoid this issue, but it doesn't always work.
*Active: Feels much looser than the original although the sizing is the same, and the fabric is slippery, so it doesn't stay in place as well.

Overall, I love Baby K'tan carriers so much and will continue to recommend them to everyone! One of you lucky readers will win the active carrier in the size and color of your choice. This giveaway is open to the U.S. only.

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"The Olive Tree: An Artistic Adaptation" Book Review

Jacob 5 is the longest chapter in the Book of Mormon, and for good reason. It contains the allegory--a symbolic story representative of human life--of the olive tree. It tells of the scattering and gathering of the Israelites and the role of the Gentiles. The allegory can be difficult to understand in this modern age, especially for those of us unfamiliar with the growth and care of olive trees. Three sisters realized this stumbling block and created an artistic work to better illustrate the allegory. They adapted the text and included calligraphy and paintings to beautify the story. (You can read the more detailed story of the book's creation here.)

Smiles
*The language of the scriptures is kept to preserve its poetry and power.
*The artwork is beautiful, and the cohesion between the colors and style of the calligraphy and paintings is impressive. My favorite illustration is the one in which the lord of the vineyard is crying and his servant is comforting him.
*It makes a good companion book for scripture study or a family home evening/church lesson.

Frowns
*It doesn't explain the allegory, so if that's what you're looking for, then this book is not for you.

To learn more about the sisters and the book or to purchase this lovely work, visit their site. You can also stay updated on the book through Facebook.

I Felt It Up Felt Toys Review & Giveaway [CLOSED]

I love felt toys! They're easy to clean and soft--no injuries if thrown or stepped on. Thus I was very excited to receive some handstitched felt toys to review from Jase's Etsy shop, I Felt It Up.

I have been on Etsy for 4 years now and have been crafting for just over that time. I gave up smoking and needed something to do with my hands; this is what I came up with. My mother is a life long crafter. I started out using traditional store-bought felt and making small fealties and trinkets. I certainly have fun making them but as time progressed I delved into glues, pastes, papers, metals and more. I consider myself a collage artist, or most say mixed-media artist. 

Jase sent me a camping set (3 fire logs, flames, a canteen, a compass, and a lantern), a decoupaged notebook, and 2 wooden chalkboard magnets. My 4-year-old loves the camping set!

Smiles
*Super creative items! The camping set is not one I've ever seen before.
*Good quality items. Nothing has come apart, unlike items I've received from very successful, expensive shops.
*Nice variety of items in the shop for a broad audience.
*Great customer service. Jase is very polite and responds to messages in a timely manner.

Frowns
*The items smelled like smoke. But the smell came out of the felt items in the wash.

One of you readers will win a set of felt Band-aids, prefect for stuffed animals and dolls or playing doctor! This giveaway is open to the U.S. only.

You can also use the coupon code SPRINGFEVER for 10% OFF $27+ through April 15!

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The Lakeside Collection Gift Basket Giveaway

Have you always wanted to give a gift basket but couldn't find one with the right gifts inside? Or the price was too high? The Lakeside Collection offers gift baskets that you customize, so you not only can put in whatever you want but also spend how much you want. There are five categories to shop from to please your outdoor friends, foodies, fashionistas, little princesses, and pet lovers.

The Lakeside Collection sent me the Curious Cook gift basket to review. Everything was wrapped superbly, so that although my package arrived a little banged up, the contents were safe and sound.

The gifts included were perfect for my family, too! I loved them all, and my husband was most excited by the bread dipping set. He wanted to go out that night and buy bread so we could use it right away!

The gift basket comes unassembled so you save on shipping and can arrange the basket however you want,  based on what you bought. Or, if you want to split the gifts among people, then you don't have to worry about undoing a fancy, pre-wrapped basket. Either way, there are assembly instructions online for a sample basket of each type so you can get a general idea of how to compile the gifts. This is how I assembled my basket (you can finish it by wrapping it in cellophane, though I prefer it without--better visibility and less waste).

Smiles
*Customization of gifts and price with a variety of items and prices. 
*Low shipping costs.
*Gifts are high quality.
*Comes with return instructions and shipping label.
*If you're not into gift baskets, they have a ton of other unique gifts to choose from!
*Excellent customer service!

Frowns
*Not the type of gift basket you can ship to a distant friend since it isn't pre-assembled, unless your friend is like me and couldn't care less about the presentation.

One of you lucky readers will win any gift basket of your choice! Enter in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to the U.S. only.

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"I Want to be Baptized" Book Review

For those of you who are LDS, I have a fantastic book for you to help prepare your children for baptism: I Want to Be Baptized by Annalisa Hall. This book is excellent in every way possible!

Smiles
*Thoroughly explains why we need to be baptized.
*Great format. For younger children, you can just read the major points, and for older there is an analogy and explanation for each point.
*Includes scriptural and musical references for each point at the end of the book.
*The illustrations (by Corey Egbert) are beautiful, fun, colorful, and detailed.
*All of the above make it very kid friendly. My 4-year-old loves it!
*Makes a great lesson aid for Family Home Evening or Primary.

Frowns
*None.

Annalisa and Corey have also published The Holy Ghost Is like a Blanket, which I really want to get now! It even comes in a board book for little ones. For more information about or to buy the books, visit annalisa-hall.com.

"95ers: Time Runners" Movie Review

I am a huge fan of clean filmography. However, many family friendly films can be too family friendly. Sometimes I want something for adults but without adult material. The independent film 95ers: Time Runners delivers just that. It has suspense, action, and deep themes without gore, language, and sexuality.

War rages in the distant future. Millions have died and cities lay in ruins. But the most feared weapons are the time machines. Final victory can only be achieved by manipulating the past…

In our day, FBI agent Sally Biggs is obsessed with investigating unsolved cases involving paranormal activities—especially the bizarre disappearance of her scientist husband. She suspects that the mysteries have something to do with the destabilization of time, since she herself has a strange relationship with time. She has the power to rewind it—to go back a few seconds, whenever she wants, and remake her choices.

But she had no idea that her power was connected to the cataclysmic war in the future, and that she, her husband, and their unborn child would become its most important targets. Assassins with terrifying technologies are hunting her, and her own timeline is unraveling. Her only hope is to follow her husband’s ghost to the awesome truth that ties all the mysteries together—before the ones she loves fade out of reality.




Smiles
*High-quality, impressive graphics!
*Mild action violence with no gore.
*No language (though there is one use of bastard if that bothers you).
*Unique spin on time travel.
*I love how it connects to Dickens's A Christmas Carol and emphasizes the power of choices.

Frowns
*I was confused the first half of the movie; I wish it had revealed more in the beginning. Also, although some have praised its use of real scientific theories and terms, I didn't understand any of it, further adding to my confusion.

Visit 95ers.com to watch this cool sci-fi movie today!

Christmas in Snow Valley Bookset Review

Two weeks ago I shared with you summaries of the Christmas in Snow Valley romance novellas. Now here is my review of the bookset:

An Unexpected Kiss
*It was just like a Hallmark movie: cheesy, romantic, and unrealistically perfect.

Feels Like Love
*This one had a more realistic situation and a family dynamic I could somewhat relate to. I didn't think the surprise ending fit well with the leading man's personality.

Full Court Devotion
*My favorite! These characters were the most likable and compatible and, as a product of an interracial marriage married to another product of an interracial marriage, I loved the interracial relationship.

The Christmas Eve Kiss & Risking it All for Love
*I didn't care for these stories too much, but I appreciated that they touched on deeper, darker themes.

Blue Christmas
*A perfect ending to the set! It had the right balance of fun and seriousness and had a believable story arc and character change.

Overall Smiles
*Entertaining reads that get you hooked.
*Love how the stories all happen in the same place and time with some of the characters crossing over into the other novellas.
*Clean without being prudish or boring.
*Really gets you in the Christmas spirit--and I'm a Scrooge!

Overall Frowns
*Whoever the publisher's proofreader was needs to be fired! There are not only usage mistakes, but also wrong character names!
*Sometimes too cliche situations and descriptions.

Note: Although clean compared to other romance novels, it is still PG, with sexual references, mostly for background info; a brief, non-graphic attempted rape scene; and one story using damn. So if you are more conservative (along the lines of the Duggar family), then this bookset is not for you.

Christian Fine Art 8x10 Print Giveaway [CLOSED]

Several years ago, my friends lost their 4-month-old baby. I had a hard time finding an affordable and beautiful gift for them, until I stumbled upon Bugaboo Jewelry (it was also my first giveaway on this blog!). Last year, another woman I know lost her baby, this time in utero. I wanted to get her a similar customized gift, but I didn't know the details that well and didn't know her well enough to ask. I looked for other gift ideas multiple times, but didn't buy any, and thought the lateness of the gift would be awkward.

A year went by, and I thought the anniversary would be a good time for me to try again. I decided on a card I found during one of my previous searches. It was a beautiful drawing of Jesus cuddling a newborn, made by Alicia of Christian Fine Art. I asked Alicia to make it into a card instead of a print so I could write a message to my friend. Not only did she do that for me, but she also included an envelope and an extra card! I hope I won't need to use it anytime soon.

All of Alicia's artwork is wonderful and uplifting.

I am a mom in my mid-30s with four children. I absolutely love music and dancing! I also love ripsticking, long-boarding, roller blading, jogging, and hiking. Most of all, with everything I do in life--whether it's raising children, helping a friend, or painting a picture--my greatest desire is to inspire people to believe in Christ, His love, and His grace and to follow His words. This desire to share my personal testimony is born of the hope, joy, and peace I have found in my faith.

Smiles
*Beautiful, realistic artwork.
*Great gifts and home decor for Christians, and inspirational artwork that the nonreligious can appreciate as well.
*Excellent customer service! Alicia responds to questions quickly and is very accommodating.
  
Frowns
*I would love to see new artwork in the shop!

 One of you will win an 8x10 print of any baby-themed drawing! Open to the U.S. & Canada.

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Bible Bands Rubber Band Jewelry Book Review

If you have a girl, then you are probably familiar with the current rubber band loom jewelry fad. I was asked to review a new rubber band jewelry how-to book: Bible Bands by Katreina Eden. It contains 13 Christian-based designs, such as Joseph's coat of many colors. Each design includes illustrated instructions, extra tips and tricks, and a Bible passage to explain the inspiration for the design.

I asked my 12-year-old sister-in-law for help with the review since I do not have a loom. She made these two designs and shared with me her thoughts:

"Living Waters of Everlasting Life"

"God Created the Beautiful World for Me"

Smiles
*The instructions are easy to follow, and colorful photos for every step are included.
*The designs are very enjoyable and addicting to make!
*There are designs appealing to young boys as well.
*The designs relate to specific verses or stories from the Bible that reach across all Christian denominations.
*Makes a great after-church activity or religious gift!

Frowns
*Designed exclusively for the Rainbow Loom brand, with some patterns requiring two looms.

Get your Bible Bands book today through Amazon so your kids can start making this fun faith-based rubber band jewelry!