Free Ebooks for the Weekend! July 1

Here are a couple of free romance ebooks for you to enjoy during the upcoming holiday weekend!

I hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend!

I could only find these for free for the Kindle.

"Surrender the Heart" by MaryLu Tyndall

Kindle

"Surrender the Wind" by Rita Gerlach

Kindle

"A Hint of Rapture" by Miriam Minger

Kindle

UPDATE!! Added July 1

Thanks to Gina from Hott Books for the heads up on this one!

AND it's available for both Kindle and Nook!

"Breathe: A Novel of Colorado" by Lisa T. Bergren

Kindle
Nook

knitting patterns baby

very cute baby knitting patterns and examples

sweater vest

"Uncommon Criminals" Review

"Uncommon Criminals"
by Ally Carter

Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: June 21, 2011 
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.
There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.
Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

My Review:

If you like movies like "Oceans Eleven", you are going to love this book! The teens in the book are smart, strong, and are able to pull off major heists, (almost) all on their own.

This was such a fun book. The action never stopped, and it was smart action, too. The teens always found clever loopholes and tricks to get their way.

The book does walk a fine line, almost glorifying stealing. But I think the author makes it clear that they are stealing what was already stolen and returning it to its rightful place. I also think I may have missed some of the explanation of what they will and will not steal/do by not reading the first book.

One of the things I loved most about the book was that Kat teamed up with her cousins for the capers.  It was great to see extended family represented as a team like this. They were always under the guidance of their uncles, I loved that it was a family business.

Of course, Hale was not Kat's cousin. He was a great love interest, just aloof enough to keep you guessing, but also still caring.

I'd say the main theme of the story is admitting that you need back up. It sends a great message about working together to get the job done.

After reading the Gallagher girls book by this author, I was really impressed with "Uncommon Criminals." The characters and story are much more mature. Kat and her gang seem more like young adults instead of young teens.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5


Bottom Line: A fast-paced, quick-witted, overall fun read!


 

1987 Crochet Verses 1988 Knits.............

Here we have it!

My two newest editions to the knit/crochet Library.

Oxfam's finest.

1987 Crochet verses 1988 knits and I hate to have to call it,

but.........

The knit by far "Top Trumps" the crochet.

Style, choice, images it's also about what's lasted, been around and come back around.  And the stripy wins.

Strike a pose, more likely "Buffalo Stance" or be it my favourite all time song "Buffalo solider."

Plaid!, this word even sounds awful.  I really can remember my dad wearing something very similar at the time in Blue and black with a leather part attached to the crochet! (knit) what ever.  Very 80's

As it says on the sleeve........

Sue Bradley's cotton collection.

Bird of paradise

The knitted bird this is sooooooooo in at the moment. 

Been around the block and now back again.

The stripy is the winner by far, 1988 pattern below.

Waiting on Wednesday (73)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!


This week I chose:

"Damned" (Crusade #2)
by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: Aug 30, 2011

The following description is from goodreads.com:


There is a fine line between love and sacrifice…. Antonio would do anything for his beloved fighting partner Jenn. He protects her, even suppresses his vampire cravings to be with her. Together, they defend humanity against the Cursed Ones. But tensions threaten to fracture their hunting team and his loyalty—his love—is called into question.
Jenn, the newly appointed Hunter, aches for revenge against the Cursed One who converted her sister. And with an even more sinister power on the rise, she must overcome her personal vendettas to lead her team into battle.
Antonio and Jenn need each other to survive, but evil lurks at every turn. With humanity’s fate hanging in the balance, they must face down the darkness…or die trying.

I haven't had a chance to read the first one yet, but this series looks great!!

What are you waiting for this week???

ribbon wholesale

An Entrelac Bag is Knit Of Lion Brand Yarn

The weather yesterday was extremely hot, everyone feels tired but it is quite cool and comfortable today. It's different to the heat of a sunny day. This morning, I have finished a entrelac bag and now, I got myself some more free time to blogging

This entrelac bag is knit of lion brand yarn. (It is still missing a strap ^^').I especially love Lion Brand Yarn because it's so supremely soft and easy to knit, good in quality, various in colours and reasonable in price.

You can see topic to understand more clearly about entrelac knitting patterns and learn how to knit entrelac with video. Here are the instructions to complete a bag knitting. I hope there is no mistake

Stitch Guide

k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit 2 together
p2tog = purl 2 together
kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
ssk = slip slip knit
sl = slip
m1 = Make 1
psso = Pass slipped stitch over

1.CO 24 Sts (a multiple of4)
Using A 6 sts. Next using B 12sts. Then using A.

2.Using A
Row 1: (RS) k1, turn
Row 2: and all WS rows – purl all sts in this section, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k1, turn
Row 4: Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 5: sl 1, k2, turn
Row 6: Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 7: sl 1, k3, turn
Row 8:  Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 9: sl 1, k4, turn
Row 10: Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 11: sl 1, k5 – Do Not Turn – end of base triangle one of three – start next base triangle on next stitch: Using B. Using B. Using A.

3.Left Side Triangle
Using A:
Row 1: (WS) k1, turn
Row 2: kfb, turn
Row 3: k1, p2tog, turn
Row 4: k1, m1, k1, turn
Row 5: k1, p1, p2tog, turn
Row 6: and all RS rows – knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 7: k1, p2, p2tog, turn
Row 8: knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 9: k1, p3, p2tog, turn
Row 10: knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 11: k1, p4, p2tog, turn - end of left triangle - Do Not Turn 

4.Two Middle Right Slanting Diamonds
Using B

Row 1: (WS) With wrong side facing, pick up and purl 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle. Sl last st picked up onto the left needle and p2tog, turn.
Row 2: k6, turn
Row 3: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 4: k6, turn
Row 5: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 6: k6, turn
Row 7: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 8: k6, turn
Row 9: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 10: k6, turn
Row 11: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn - end of Diamond One - Do Not Turn

Using C repeat Rows 1 to 11 one more time. Next Using B repeat Rows 1 to 11 one more .
  
5.Right Side Triangle
UsingA

Row 1: (WS) With wrong side facing, pick up and purl 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle or diamond, turn.
Row 2: and all RS rows – knit all sts in this section, turn
Row 3: sl 1, p3, k2tog, turn
Row 4: knit sts in this section turn
Row 5: sl 1, p2, k2tog, turn
Row 6: knit sts in this section turn
Row 7: sl 1, p1, k2tog, turn
Row 8: knit sts in this section turn
Row 9: sl 1, k2tog, turn
Row 10: knit sts in this section turn
Row 11: k2tog - Turn and transfer this st to the right needle. 


Using B
For the first diamond only, the remaining stitch from the last tier counts as 1 picked up stitch

Row 1: (RS) With right side facing, pick up and knit 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle or diamond. Sl last st picked up onto the left needle and ssk, turn.

Row 2: p6, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 4: p6, turn
Row 5: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 6: p6, turn
Row 7: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 8: p6, turn
Row 9: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 10: p6, turn
Row 11: sl 1, k4, ssk, - end of Diamond One - Do Not Turn

Using C Repeat Rows 1 to 11 two more times. Next Using C repeat. Then Using B.

7. Left Side Triangle

Using A
Row 1: (WS) k1, turn
Row 2: kfb, turn
Row 3: k1, p2tog, turn
Row 4: k1, m1, k1, turn
Row 5: k1, p1, p2tog, turn
Row 6: and all RS rows – knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 7: k1, p2, p2tog, turn
Row 8: knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 9: k1, p3, p2tog, turn
Row 10: knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 11: k1, p4, p2tog, turn - end of left triangle - Do Not Turn

8.Two Middle Right Slanting Diamonds
Using B
Row 1: (WS) With wrong side facing, pick up and purl 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle. Sl last st picked up onto the left needle and p2tog, turn.
Row 2: k6, turn
Row 3: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 4: k6, turn
Row 5: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 6: k6, turn
Row 7: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 8: k6, turn
Row 9: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 10: k6, turn
Row 11: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn - end of Diamond One - Do Not Turn

Using C repeat Rows 1 to 11 one more time. Next Using B repeat Rows 1 to 11 one more .

9.Right Side Triangle
UsingA
Row 1: (WS) With wrong side facing, pick up and purl 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle or diamond, turn.
Row 2: and all RS rows – knit all sts in this section, turn
Row 3: sl 1, p3, k2tog, turn
Row 4: knit sts in this section turn
Row 5: sl 1, p2, k2tog, turn
Row 6: knit sts in this section turn
Row 7: sl 1, p1, k2tog, turn
Row 8: knit sts in this section turn
Row 9: sl 1, k2tog, turn
Row 10: knit sts in this section turn
Row 11: k2tog - Turn and transfer this st to the right needle. 

10.Bind off Triangles
 Using A
Row 1: (RS) With right side facing, pick up and knit 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle or diamond. For the first triangle only, the st remaining counts as the first picked up stitch.

Slip last st picked up to left needle and ssk, turn.

Row 2: and all WS rows – purl all sts in this section, turn
Row 3: k2tog, k3, ssk, turn
Row 4: purl sts in this section, turn
Row 5: k2tog, k2, ssk, turn
Row 6: purl sts in this section, turn
Row 7: k2tog, k1, ssk, turn
Row 8: purl sts in this section, turn
Row 9: k2tog, ssk, turn
Row 10: purl sts in this section, turnRow 11: sl 1, ssk, psso, do not turn.

The remaining stitch will count as the first stitch of the next triangle. Using B. Next Using B too. Then UsingA.

That's all there is to do, wish you a funny time! ^^

wholesale ribbon

free crochet patterns

waiting PATIENTLY!

Desperation is setting in--my sewing machine

went in for a minor repair on May 26th

and I still do not have it back.

The part needed was not even ordered until

weeks after I dropped the machine off...

I have been very polite on the several

occasions I've called them,

but secretly I did feel like screaming...I must

work on patience...:)

Thank goodness I have been loaned a

sewing machine, which is getting me by

for the lightweight projects ~ drawstring

pouches and some clothespin bags are in the works.

~

On a happy note, the workroom has a

lovely 'new' wastebasket, found

at a barn sale for a dollar...

I suspect the farmer had been keeping

tools/parts{?} in it,

but it cleaned up nicely.

{ Did you know that homemakers of old

would wax the inside of the wastebasket

to keep things from sticking and help it

to be easily emptied out? }

~Deb

"Haunting Violet" Review

"Haunting Violet"
by Alyxandra Harvey

Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: June 21, 2011Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?  

My Review:


This is a great YA historical with a spooky, supernatural element, not to mention a sweet romance!

I've always been fascinated by the seances in the Victorian era, including all the tricks that mediums and con artists used to make people think they were communicating with ghosts. The book really portrays Violet's mother as taking advantage of people at their worst. We get to see all of the ways she tricked them in detail.

Sometimes, I wanted Violet's mother to be just little more of a sympathetic character, but she really turns out to be just all bad.

One of my favorite characters was Violet's little ghost dog, Mr. Rochester. He was just so cute, and I think he made Violet feel like she wasn't so alone among all the ghosts with her new found talent. And also she was able to feel a little less scared of what was happening.

Violet's long time friend, Colin, was flat-out adorable. He was always there for Violet and I can't think of a single time that he let her down.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5



Bottom Line: This book is a good old fashioned gothic spook fest with sweet characters and a fast paced story. I'm really hoping to see more of Violet and Colin (and Mr. Rochester) in future books!!

friendship bracelets patterns

Teaser Tuesday (39)

Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, 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 add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!  

My teaser Tuesday pick:




" 'Good evening, Sire.'  Well, Louise thought, my voice is fairly steady."




p 275 ARC of "Before Versailles" by Karleen Koen