The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

18 Mar, 2010 by in book review 7 comments


To be published April 13th 2010 by Egmont USA

details Hardcover, 320 pages

url http://www.kaycassidy.com/books/tcs/

isbn 1606840622 (isbn13: 9781606840627)

4.5 stars

When the Prom Queen becomes your fairy godmother…

Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of.

… be careful what you wish for.

Jess’s transformation wins her the heart of her dream crush and a shot at uber-popularity. Until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a high stakes battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself.What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in a package from Egmont USA, and I have to admit it blew me away! Kay’s writing had me hooked from the beginning with wise and witty one liners…perfect gems of sentences that got me laughing! As I read further I saw the underlying theme of being the best you can be, lifting others up, service and seeking for excellence as a woman. The Cinderella Society is about much more than a makeover or the right clothes; it’s about the war between good and evil.
Jess, the main heroine, is in the process of discovering who she is. She has self-doubts but reaches beyond herself in the end. And her fairy tale crush…well, he is swoon worthy! The chemistry between Jess and Ryan is irresistible and by the end of the book I wanted more! The only little qualm I had with the book was the insertion of the “F’ word. It seemed so out of place to me because the rest of the book is entirely without swearing. Hopefully it gets mysteriously left out of the final copies 😉 All in all an amazing read, would recommend it! 4.5 stars!
Please comment below and email me your street address to fireandice.heather@gmail.com if you want to join the ARC tour for this book:

If the Shoe Fits Giveaway

18 Mar, 2010 by in etsy 45 comments


Today’s giveaway is from Jewelparadise, and is inspired by the book “Cinderella Society.” Here’s what this Etsy seller has to say about her shop…From a young age, I was distracted by anything that sparkled. I’m not surprised that this is where I ended up.

Welcome to jewelparadise!
This is my modest little shop where I sell my jewelry creations.
For more about me, feel free to check out my blog at http://jewelparadise.livejournal.com/ and follow my twitter at http://twitter.com/jewelparadise ! Both will keep you updated on my jewelry-related activities. I’m also available at http://flickr.com/jewelparadise, if you want to check out some of my favorite pictures, both of jewelry for sale and my personal jewelry.

About my sections:
Sweet Shop – my collection of dessert-y, almost edible jewelry
Locked Love – all things involving keys, locks, and hearts
Flora – my flowers!
Charmed – jewelry involving miscellaneous charms and dangles
Once Upon a Time – everything mystical, fantastical, plucked from a fairytale.
Precious – sterling silver pieces.

To Enter To Win a handmade Cinderella slipper necklace: leave your name and email address below
Additional entries
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelparadise
+3 for each dollar contributed to the Chile relief earthquake fund, click on the yellow donate button right sidebar
+1 tweet this contest @FireIcePhotos and leave the link
+5 post the giveaway on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+3 follow us both on twitter @FireIcePhotos @jewelparadise
+3 visit the photostreams of zahngardner and jewelparadise on Flickr
leave your favorite photo link below

Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends on April 18, 2010 and is open internationally. Please email us of you cannot comment below or donate via Paypal. Thanks and Good Luck!

Alice in Wonderland Pony Holders

17 Mar, 2010 by in Uncategorized 16 comments


This is a fun one from CuckooBoo.com LLC
Handmade accessories including fabric button hair accessories, pacifier clips, and badge clips. For information on wholesale please visit the web site http://www.cuckooboo.com/ or just send me an email

♥Proud Member of EtsyKids!♥

Cuckooboo has been featured in:
www.cuckooboo.com/press

Cuckooboo can be found in boutiques worldwide.
www.cuckooboo.com/locations

She is giving away an Alice and Mad Hatter ponytail set.
To Enter To Win: leave your name and email address below
Additional entries
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/cuckooboo
+2 choose your favorite item from her shop and post it in the comments
+3 for each dollar contributed to the Chile relief earthquake fund, click on the yellow donate button right sidebar
+1 tweet this contest @FireIcePhotos and leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+3 follow us on twitter @CucKooBoo and @FireIcePhotos
+3 become a fan of Cuckooboo and Fire and Ice on Facebook
Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends on April 17, 2010 and is open internationally. Please email us of you cannot comment below. Thanks and Good Luck!

Book Review- After by Kristin Harmel

17 Mar, 2010 by in book review 2 comments


published: February 9th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
(first published 2010)

details: Hardcover, 240 pages

isbn: 038573476X

3.5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: LACEY’S WORLD SHATTERS when her dad is killed in a car accident. And secretly? She feels like it’s her fault. If she hadn’t taken her own sweet time getting ready that morning . . . well, it never would have happened. Her mom wouldn’t be a basket case. Her brother Logan wouldn’t drink. And her little brother would still have two parents.

But life goes on even if you don’t want it to. And when Lacey gets the chance to make a difference in the lives of some people at school, she jumps at it. Making lemonade out of lemons is her specialty. Except she didn’t count on meeting a guy like Sam. Or that sometimes? Lemonade can be a pretty bitter drink to swallow

I won this author signed book as part of a facebook giveaway for moms…I love it when that happens! Thanks so much for being so generous Kristin. This was a sweet book which explores the grief of losing a parent as a teen or child. It came right on the heels of losing our little newborn puppy so I found myself in tears as I read it yesterday. Lacey, the main character (and also the point of view for the chick lit novel), tells the story of the day and year after she lost her dad to a tragic car accident. She stuffs her feeling and steps in to help everyone around her. What she didn’t expect was to swept away by Sam Stone, a new student who share some of her past. Her heart has walls and she turns a cold shoulder, questioning if there is a way to feel her father in her life anymore. As time goes on, the reader is taken step by tiny step along the slow pathway to healing. We learn what service can do to warm the heart and we fall in love with Sam.

What a sensitive and caring young man! He shows Lacey patience and compassion. This book does a good job of illustrating how family dynamics can change in the blink of an eye, and faith comes little by little. Three and half stars to “After.” Here is the author, Kristin Harmel talking about her book…

Damask Heart Bookmark

17 Mar, 2010 by in Uncategorized 16 comments


Here’s a little history of who I am and how I became Artfully Sew.

I grew up here in Wisconsin and love my farming state. My husband, Tom and our three children currently live in the country. I love the inspiration I have out here with the sand hill cranes, fields of crops, and beautiful sunsets. I have always love to create things, but it wasn’t until the last 10 years that I started quilting. Traditional quilting got old for me quite quickly. I didn’t like the utility side of constructing quilts, stitching square after square together. Then my best friend’s mom gave me a box full of hand dyed material, some Quilting Arts Magazines and taught me how to use fusible webbing – I was hooked!

Most of my designs are original; meaning I came up with the pattern on my own, but I am inspired by other artists, nature and photography (my husband, Tom is a photographer). The creation process is the fun part for me. I often don’t have a final project in mind but create as I go. Fun, fun, fun!

In September 2009 one of my quilts was featured at the Wisconsin Quilt Expo in Madison, WI. This was a juried show and I was honored to be accepted into the show. The local paper did an article about my quilt in the show. Here’s the link if you want to read even more about my stuff:

http://zoominlocal.com/fond-du-lac-reporter/2009/11/01/?%3Fdpg=1#?page=62&vw=1

I am also a musician. I love to sing and play guitar, piano and even accordion! I work part time at my church, Fond du Lac Community Church (http://www.ccfdl.org/) as the Music Ministry Assistant.

My favorite job of all has been being a wife and mother to my family. I am blessed beyond comprehension and will keep quilting, mothering and making music as long as God allows me. I am a simple girl, simply put. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I can’t keep a poker face. It’s taken me years to be okay with that – to accept myself just as I am, just as my Creator accepts me as I am. That’s why I often sign things with that phrase, “Just as I am”, because that’s who I am!

So, thank you for visiting my Artfully Sew Shop! Please stop by often and I hope that I’ve brightened your day with my little store of quilted and embroidered things.

Just as I am,

Angela Jean

This Damask Heart bookmark is an original design that is machine stitched with damask cotton fabric and a bit of soft pink fabric accented around the edges. It is hand embroidered with a blanket stitch and the back is finished with black felt.

To Enter To Win: leave your name and email address below
Additional entries
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/artfullysew
+3 for each dollar contributed to the Chile relief earthquake fund, click on the yellow donate button right sidebar
+1 tweet this contest @FireIcePhotos and leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+3 follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos
+3 become a fan of Artfully Sew and Fire and Ice on Facebook
Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends on April 17, 2010 and is open internationally. Please email us of you cannot comment below. Thanks and Good Luck!

Books4Bonkhe Handmade Journal

17 Mar, 2010 by in world vision 13 comments

Todays’ St. Patty’s Day Parade starts off with a handmade journal by: Books4Bonkhe which. The store was inspired by Bonkhe Magagula, the 9 year old boy in Swaziland that she sponsors through World Vision. Here’s what books4bonkhe has to say…Since I already enjoy making things, I figure I can do my part to help out by giving a little extra to people who need it.

The idea behind it is that I make journals (or other items) that I sell here, and I donate the proceeds to World Vision to help build schools, wells, or just help to improve the overall quality of countries in need.

4x6x1 inch Journal made from recycled box of Bottle Caps (the candy).
Light blue inside.
20 (40 front and back) cream card stock pages, hand-torn.
Pages attached by silver curvy ribbon, tied on the inside with a bow.

Works great as a quote book, small scrapbook, guestbook, or journal.

100% of sales price goes to Earthquake Relief through World Vision!

To Enter To Win: leave your name and email address below
Additional entries
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/booksforbonkhe
+3 for each dollar contributed to the Chile relief earthquake fund, click on the yellow donate button right sidebar
+1 tweet this contest @FireIcePhotos and leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+3 follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos
+3 become a fan of Fire and Ice on Facebook
Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends on April 17, 2010 and is open internationally. Please email us of you cannot comment below. Thanks and Good Luck!

Book Purse Giveaway

16 Mar, 2010 by in etsy, purse, recycled books 41 comments

Today’s giveaway is from BusyBeehive!
Hello and welcome to my little eclectic shop. My interests are wildly varied. I started as a stained glass artist, and quickly became addicted to fabric. I love creating art quilts and being able to incorporate different textures and fibers.I am always up to designing custom wall hangings, maybe your pet or hot rod car. I will do just about anything to keep my customers happy.I love using different textures, fibers and mediums. The most unusual material I use is Dryer Lint. Have’nt you always wanted to do something with all that fiber? I love to recycle when ever I can and use old items in my projects. As they say “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Description
This unique purse is for the ultimate book lover or for someone wanting to make a fashion statement.Dare to be different. Great as a conversation piece.The book title is Breathing Lesson by Anne Tyler There is enough room for credit cards, lipstick and a few more smaller items and you are ready to go out on the town. This book purse measures approx. 5 3/4″ X 8 1/2 “, the interior’s fabric is beautiful Sunflowers.There is also a slim pocket. The closure is Glass, Acrylic and Metal beads.The handles are brown shiney patent leather. The books cover was in good condition but the pages were not. So I dont feel bad about taking the book apart and recycling it. This is so much better than ending up at the dump. Please treat this purse the same way you would treat a book. It is not weather or stain proof. If you are looking for a special book to have done, or you have that book, I can create a purse for you in my studio.

To enter to win a sunflower book purse: leave your name and email address below
Additional entries
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/busybeehive
+2 visit http://www.shophandmade.com/ and comment
+2 choose your favorite item from her shop and post it in the comments
+3 for each dollar contributed to the Chile relief earthquake fund, click on the yellow donate button right sidebar
+1 tweet this contest @FireIcePhotos and leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+3 follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos
+3 become a fan of Fire and Ice on Facebook
Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends on April 16, 2010 and is open internationally. Please email us of you cannot comment below. Thanks and Good Luck!

Dragonfly Bookmark Giveaway

15 Mar, 2010 by in etsy 19 comments



Today’s bookmark giveaway comes from Etsy seller ARemarkYouMade. I have awlays been fascinated by dragonflies and we have a lot by our home…so I adore these!

Your home should be a retreat and a reflection of your style. At A Remark You Made, we are constantly striving to create new items to enhance everyday living and entertaining by bringing natural organic fibers, wonderful textures, and eco-friendly style into every room. Many of our items focus on the natural beauty of an object, turning it into something special for everyday use in the home and are hand crafted from the wood of down trees. Sustainability is very important, and my products provide lovely green accessories and embellishments full of rustic and natural charm without sacrificing style and elegance to help you live a greener, healthier, and happier lifestyle.

Description
These coffee-stained gift tags are made from craft shipping tags and hand stamped with a dragonfly design in a chocolate chip ink color. The edges have been sponged in a coordinating color to add dimension and a white string completes the look of these whimsical tags.

These tags are a perfect embellishment for gift bags and boxes, scrapbooking, baked goods, and more. Try using one as a bookmark.

You will receive the set of 5 tags shown in photos.
Size: 2 1/8″ (width) x 4 1/4″ (length)

To Enter To Win a set of five bookmarks: leave your name and email address below
Additional entries
+2 go to Etsy and heart her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/aremarkyoumade
+2 choose your favorite item from her shop and post it in the comments
+3 for each dollar contributed to the Chile relief earthquake fund, click on the yellow donate button right sidebar
+1 tweet this contest @FireIcePhotos and leave the link
+5 post it on your blog or facebook- leave the link
+3 follow us on twitter @FireIcePhotos
+3 become a fan of Fire and Ice on Facebook
Add your entries up and leave the total in your comment

Contest ends on April 15, 2010 and is open internationally. Please email us of you cannot comment below. Thanks and Good Luck!

Mom’s Monday-Since We’re Friends

15 Mar, 2010 by in Since we're Friends Leave a comment

Author: Celeste Shally
Perfect Paperback: 32 pages
Release date: September 1, 2007
Awaken Specialty Press
ISBN: 0979471303 From School Library Journal
5 Stars
PreSchool-Grade 2

Product Description
Children with autism struggle to make friends and navigate social situations. However, one child can make a significant difference in the life of a child with autism by offering compassion, understanding and friendship.

Since We re Friends is about two boys. One has autism, the other does not. The story of their relationship provides practical examples of how to make such a friendship work. It will help children see that their peers with autism can make a fun, genuine contribution to friendship.

From the publisher:
The prevalence of autism has skyrocketed in recent years. One in every 150 children is now living with this pervasive developmental disorder. The handful of autism children’s books on the market represents the most severe cases of autism. However, most children with autism are much less severe. These misunderstood children struggle in social situations and have difficulty making friends. Since We re Friends will appeal to family members, friends, teachers, therapists, doctors, neighbors, and anyone who seeks to know and understand more about children with autism.

I purchased this book a few years ago when our second child was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I wanted to be able to explain to him and his sister (also diagnosed with ASD) what makes them special. And I serched for hands on tools to teach them how to be compassionate towards each other and their friends. I think books are a great conduit to help young ones understand behaviors that are hard to explain. My son absolutely adores this book and we read it together often. It helps him to see that he is not the only one who struggles with social situations and transitions. His best friend has been by his side since pre-school and both boys have special needs. Seeing interactions in the book and illustrations helps my son, be a better buddy. I like that “Since We’re Friends teaches accepting one another and offering support. I would recommend it to all parents since Autism is on the rise and often misunderstood. 5 stars from this momma!