Little Book of Book Making - A Book Review

I am an avid scrabbooker, I love smashbooks, I have sketchbooks, nature journals and I keep a daily journal so I was confident that the Little Book of Book Making would be very beneficial to me in all my artistic endeavors and I was right!

This "little book" comes in a convenient size, 7.5 x 7.5 inches, but don't let the size fool you.  Within it's pages it is packed full of beautiful pictures and instruction.  It has all the information you need to start making your own books!  Be prepared to me motivated and get your creative juices flowing.

The first two sections of this book is packed full of pictures of the inspirational work of different bookmakers. It shows the different methods of folded bindings and the different methods of sewn bindings. 

Next you will find a section on page and cover treatments.  Again, there are a ton of beautiful pictures to give plenty of inspiration so you can make your own unique books.  

Section four concentrates on the book packaging, or cover.  This chapter gives you a lot of info on how to make your book stand out.  

The last section of the book is the best!  It gives you the "how-to".  It gives pictures and description of the tools needed to make your own books. It then goes through step by step instructions on how to make several different styles of books.  It includes materials you will need and special tips!  

This handy size book gives all the information you need to start making your own books.  I am seeing lots of mini books, journals, Christmas gifts and more in my future!   If you love to be creative and think you will enjoy bookmaking this book is just the think you need to help you start your journey!

***This book was provided to me by blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.

With Every Breath - A Book Review

Every now and again I'll pick up a book and within the first couple pages I know I am going to love it.  That was the case for me with this book by Elizabeth Camden.  I was captivated from the first page to the last.

The book starts out with Kate and Trevor competing at their school for Valedictorian.   The winner also gets a scholarship.  For the past four years Trevor has been Kate's nemesis.  The only way that Kate will be able to continue her education is to win the scholarship.  Trevor is rich and rebuffs everyone who tries to make friends with him.  Trevor wins the competition and the scholarship.  Kate hopes she never has to see Trevor again, with that the book skips forward twelve years...

Kate is working as a government statistician when she is offered a position to work with a doctor.  This is the job she has been dreaming of, but the doctor just so happens to be the one man she hoped to never see again...Trevor!  Despite her misgivings she agrees to work for him.  Trevor is trying to find a cure for tuberculosis and he is certain that Kate will benefit his efforts.

This book has it all!  There is breath taking romance, twists and turns and a little bit of a mystery.  The characters are interesting and well developed.  I love the element of faith that is portrayed in Kate's life and the ending way great!  And I have to add that I think the cover is beautiful.  It looks exactly like the way the author describes Kate!

I would definitely recommend this book and it is one that is going on my book shelf with my other favorites that I know I will read again!

***This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my review.

The Butterfly and the Violin - A Book Review

The Butterfly and the Violin is the first book by Kristy Cambron and she has done an excellent job in creating a masterpiece of a story!  The thing that first caught my eye about this novel is the exquisite cover.  It simply is beautiful!  A beautiful cover that matches the beautiful story!

This is a story that you won't soon forget.  The novel is about two women, Sera and Adele.  Sera is from present day and Adele is from 1942.  Sera is an art dealer that becomes enthralled with a painting of a young violinist.  Sera is determined to discover who the painting is of.  The painting is of Adele who was imprisoned in a concentration camp for smuggling Jews.  Adele played her music to honor God even in the midst of her circumstances.

I did enjoy the historic part of the story much better than the present day part with Sera and William, but it was all good!

There are so many things that can speak to your heart and soul within the pages of this book.  Even when there seems to be evil all around us, we need to just open our eyes and see the beauty that God has for us and see that his presence is ever near and also to learn to look past the pains of yesterday and move past our mistakes into a brighter future.  Let go, trust and embrace freedom!

I can't wait to read the next book by Kristy Cambron!  She is definitely an author that I will be keeping my eye on.  You can find out more about her at kristycambron.com.

***This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for my review.

Your Family In Pictures - A Book Review

I love preserving our families memories through pictures.  I'm just a mom though.  I don't have a fancy camera or special talent when it comes to photography.  I'm just average and guess what!  This book is awesome for people just like me!!  

Your Family in Pictures is written by Me Ra Koh.  Her work and photo recipes have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The New York Times and Parenting Magazine just to name a few.  This is the third book in a series and even though it is the first one I have read I would really like to check into the other two.  

This is such and inspirational book!  It is filled with forty photo recipes that has step by step directions that include:  when, prep, compose and capture.  The photo's in the book are absolutely beautiful and are a motivation in themselves.   The author includes lots of tips and "steps" to capturing great family photo's.  It even includes tips on capturing great photo's with your smartphone!  

Whether you take photo's professionally or are just a simple mom who wants to preserve your families memories I believe this book will be beneficial to you! 




***This book was provided to me from Blogging for Books in exchange for my review.