Fall Book Craft | Paperback Pumpkins!

Some time back, I posted a picture of some adorable paper pumpkins made out of book pages on my Facebook page. Everyone seemed to LOVE the idea!

So I enlisted my niece, Charisa, who caught the crafting bug at an early age - and terrifically out-does her aunties by wide margins these days, (book craft - “wide margins” - see what I did there?!) and I ask her to see how easy this little project really was.

She took an old paperback, tore the cover off, and just started cutting the pages, rounding the corner at the top, with a bit of a dip towards the spine, kind of like when you fold a piece of paper in half and cut out a heart - but not so narrow and pointy at the bottom.

She cut all the pages of the book, then coaxed the pages around and connected front to back with some double-sided craft tape. She actually wrinkled the pages up a bit to make the pumpkin appear fuller, and to give it some stability.

More double-sided tape was used where needed to get the pages to behave like she wanted them to.

She added a stick from her yard for a stem, and a pretty piece of ribbon at the top.

In the photo I’d found on the internet, the crafter had used spray paint to make the pumpkins orange, but Charisa decided she loved the look of the type on printed pages and left her sample in its pure state and color.

She’s not sure if she wants to add more embellishments or leave it as-is. I think it’s perfect!

Will you try it?

Here’s a link to some instructions I found on line Paperback Pumpkins - or you can be like Charisa and just make it up as you go along!

Father's Day Gift-Away!

Last month I put together some pretty Mother’s Day packages and gifted them away to some very deserving moms. So it only seems fair that THIS month I do something similar for a few lucky dads!

My Father’s Day Gift-Away includes some good reads, good eats, and a gift card that’s good to go (on your own little shopping excursion.)

I’m including both books from my June Book Club, The Immortals and In Times of Rain and War. Both stories take place during World War II, one being non-fiction and the other an historical novel.

The first is titled, The Immortals, by Steven T. Collins. This is well-researched work of non-fiction tells the story of the four famous chaplains serving the SS Dorchester, (known as “The Immortal Chaplains”) and a previously unsung fifth hero who risked his life to save others when the ship with over 900 men on board went down in World War II.

The second volume in this Father’s Day pack is a phenomenal work of historical fiction, In Times of Rain and War, by Camron Wright, author of the best-selling novel, The Rent Collector. It is a story of a German citizen trgubg trying to keep herself and her secret alive during the Blitz in London, and Lt. Wesley Bowers, an American soldier training with a London Bomb Disposal company…

It is described as “a gripping and heartbreakingly beautiful story about the strength and resilience of the human heart and spirit, reminding us there is always hope in hard times.”

You can learn more about each on my June Book Club page, HERE.

Choose which volume you’d like to read while the grill is heating up, because I’ve recently made a new discovery that I’m sharing in my gift-away package, Oshēn Salmon.

Oshēn Salmon is vibrant, DELICIOUS, and sustainably raised Atlantic salmon that has a perfect combination of healthy omega-3s (DHA & EPA). Guaranteed seven days fresher than your local retailer. No hormones or heavy metals are included so you're eating salmon and only salmon.

An insulated package of fresh Oshēn Salmon will be delivered to your door. Each box will contain two (2) packages of 2 steaks each, or 4 total servings. A special treat for a special dad!

And, if that’s not enough, I’m tucking in a $25 gift card to The Home Depot so you can buy yourself some new grilling tongs to turn your salmon - or anything else that catches your fancy!

A long-time sponsor of mine, The Home Depot has it all. Which department you spend it in is your choice, Patio, Gardening, Tools. Lumber, Paint… the options are practically limitless!

The Father’s Day Gift-Away sweepstakes
will run from
Wednesday, June 2, through Friday, June 11.

Simply write to me HERE and tell me who and why you think should receive this gift-pack of goodies. I’ll choose 5 winners at random.

Thanks dads for the important job you do. For all the love, support and guidance, YOU RULE!