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Are you a couponer? Here’s a handy organizer that’s a must for you! (Giveaway)

May 29, 2012 Katie Marie 14 Comments

Glow Girl is a shop that sells Eco-friendly coupon organizers, sandwich baggies, and carry-all totes. Y’all are familiar with Vera Bradley and the 31 bags, right? Well, this Etsy shop reminds me of those companies…except for couponers! 😉

Deb, the lady who owns the shop, sent me one of her coupon organizers to try and out review for you. Here’s a picture to the right. I loved the colors — black swirls against the gray background. The fabric is really good quality, and the double-layers make for a strong bag.

As you can see in the picture, there’s a button and a little elastic band so you can close your coupon organizer. Very handy to make sure those coupons don’t spill out and blow away! The sewing on this bag was wonderful — tight, straight, small stitches make for an all around good-quality product!

The inside is just as well made as the outside. Lined with a black material, it’s durable and easy to keep clean. It comes with dividers and dozens of labels ready-made — all you have to do is decide what you want and stick them on the dividers. Easy-peasy, right? Yep! It didn’t take long to get this coupon organizer ready to go for my family!

And this isn’t the only thing that owns the shop sells, either! She has fabric grocery tote bags, product bags, and snack/sandwich bags, too. If you are at all a “Go Green” person, or someone who enjoys using fabric over plastic…then Deb’s shop is definitely one you need to check out and visit regularly! I really enjoyed exploring her shop.

Go check owns the shop, Glow Girl, out now!

Jewelry crafted with personality by Carmella’s Jewelry

March 24, 2012 Katie Marie 49 Comments

For today, I have a very cute necklace made by Carmella’s Jewelry! This lady has some talent when it comes to creating pretty and dainty jewelry, with each piece personalized in some special, neat way. When I first discovered her Etsy shop, I spent the good part of an hour exploring, and looking at all the pictures she has of each piece (I love jewelry with personal/unique touches!)

And what I thought was super cool was that Carmella created a new piece to add to her shop, and then gave it to me to review for this post!! How sweet is that?!?! What did she make, you ask? A beautiful Round Photo Charm Necklace!

The Round Photo Charm Necklace is very well made and has a very neat unique feel to it. The etchings around the necklace add an antique/elegant feel to it that really makes Carmella’s jewelry stand out, in my opinion. The sterling silver chain that it comes with is thick (though not too thick!) and strong, which I really appreciated — too often, I purchase a necklace that comes with a chain so thin, it’s easily broken.

And, of course, the biggest plus about this necklace is that it can be personalized! How cool is that, to have whatever picture you’d like put in the middle?? And it’s glossed over afterwords, so no fear of it ever falling out! (Oh, and do you see that I chose a picture of my parents to stick in the middle? Handsome couple, don’tcha think?? :-P)

True, the picture is small–the whole charm is about the size of a nickle–but it’s honestly much bigger then I thought it would be. And it’s not blurry at all–I can see my parents clearly. All in all, Carmella made a very pretty, personalized jewelry that is sure to last a while and totally thrill the person it’s made for. (My mom sure loves it! 😉

If you like handmade, personalized jewelry, there’s no need to hunt around town and waste money in gas — visit Carmella’s Etsy shop! I could spend hours exploring that website! Oh, and other ways to stay up-to-date on Carmella Jewelry‘s new items or any sales she might have going on in the future is to follow her on Twitter, like her Facebook page, or follow her blog! (On her blog she talks about how she makes the jewelry, too, which is SO cool! And posts pictures!)

So, now that you’ve heard what good quality Carmella’s Jewelry makes…you ready for the giveaway? Haha, I know, who doesn’t love jewelry, right??? Well, let’s get right into it! See the picture on the right? That’s what you can win! It’s called Tiny Silver Dot Necklace and is so pretty and dainty-looking, it can be worn for several different occasions from casual to elegant! Have fun entering on Rafflecopter, and make sure you take advantage of those extra entries!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Interview & Giveaway: Lisa Harris

April 5, 2011 Katie Marie 25 Comments

Good morning everyone! I know your probably wondering who has won the two giveaways I have on my sidebar. Well, I will, Lord willing, be posting winners this evening – so be looking!

Today I bring you author Lisa Harris. She’s been on Legacy of a Writer before, but she just released her second book in the Mission Hope series, Blood Covenant. 🙂

I haven’t been able to read it yet, but her first book – Blood Ransom – was really good. I hope to get the chance to read this new one sometime soon, but I’m sure this one is just as good!

Lisa, welcome back to Legacy of a Writer! To start this off, can you tell us a little bit about the book you’ve just published, Blood Covenant?

Blood Covenant is book two in my Mission Hope series. While the first book dealt with the very real issue of today’s human trafficking problems, the second is another fast-paced suspense set in a refugee camp.

“Paige Ryan and Nick Gilbert are trapped in an overpopulated African refugee camp where an outbreak of measles erupts and renegade soldiers block their only way out. Desperate for vaccines, they must put their own lives in the hands of God as they fight for the safety of the refugees under their protection.

Ohh! That sounds really good! How do you get the inspiration for Blood Covenant?

When I started writing the series, I wanted each book to be an adventure set against the backdrop of current issues that are facing the continent of Africa. Blood Covenant follows this pattern and takes place primarily in a refugee camp where hundreds of people have recently fled due to political upheaval in the country.

Interesting. What’s your favorite part of the story?

I love the resolution. While the ending wasn’t perfectly tied up in a bow, I enjoyed seeing the characters’ grown through their experiences, something that challenged me in the process.

What was the hardest part to write?

Because most people who read the book haven’t been to Africa, it was essential for me to bring Africa to life in the story. Description has always been tough for me to write so I had to work extra hard to show them this beautiful continent through words.

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What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

In the story, the main character, Paige, in particular, comes to the realization that she has to admit her weaknesses and fears and rely only on God’s strength. There are numerous examples in the Bible of men and women who God called to serve Him in an extraordinary way through His power. Gideon was victorious with only three hundred men, a handful of trumpets, jars, and torches. Esther saved her people from the threat of death, David was a shepherd boy who became king of a nation, and I could go on and on.

God calls us in the middle of our ordinary, run-of-the-mill, take-out-the-trash- and drive-the-kids-to-school routine. So stop and ask yourself this one question. How do you see God calling you to make a difference in your world? He’s the one who will give you the strength to do extraordinary things for Him.

Very true and something very important to keep in mind! 🙂 If Blood Covenant was turned into a movie, what actor(s) would best resemble who you had in mind for your main characters?

This is always tough for me as I’m don’t watch a lot of TV or movies, but I’ll say Angelina Jolie with a softer, more innocent look, and Matthew Fox.

Do you have any other books in the making? Can you give us a lil’ sneak peak of what it’s going to be about?

I’m currently working on a series similar to my Mission Hope series as far as suspense, romance, and current issues, but this time the setting is Atlanta.

😀 Neat! Can’t wait to learn more about their release in the future. Here’s a fun question I wanted to throw in: If you could pick any historical figure from history to chat with, whom would it be and why?

I’ve been studying American History with my kids and have been fascinated by the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country. Because of that, I think I’d choose George Washington.

Good choice! He’s a favorite of mine as well. An amazing guy! What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

I love writing suspense that deals with real-life issues. My favorite genre to read is definitely suspense novels with a thread of romance, though this past year I’ve also read some historically based non-fiction that I really enjoyed.

Yes! Suspense with a dash of romance is my favorite as well! Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?

Definitely home-schooling. Writing fills in the cracks.

What are two things that people wouldn’t normally know about you as a writer and or person?

Another tough one. 🙂 As a writer, I’ve decided that I’m not near as brave as my heroines are. Someone recently asked me if I based these stories on real life situations I’d experienced. I thought, you’ve got to be kidding! I love writing suspense, but my life is adventurous enough for me without having to deal with the things my characters deal with.

As for my non-writer side, if I had another life to lead, I’d like to be a doctor and return to Africa and work.

Hahaha! Wow! Yes, I’ve read Blood Ransom and can’t see you escaping into a plane and then crashing in the middle of nowhere! 🙂 Anything else about writing, yourself, or your books you’d like to add?

In our church-planting ministry, we are daily faced with the physical needs of those around us. This last year, my husband and I decided that we needed a way to address these needs. With the help of fellow author and friend, Lynne Gentry, we have put together The ECHO Project to help promote Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity in southern Africa. It gives us a way through micro-loans, medical aid, orphan care, and other ways to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8) You can find out more about what God is doing through this project at www.theECHOproject.org.

That’s a wonderful ministry! Where can readers find out more about your books?

I have a website at www.lisaharriswrites.com. My blog, straight from the Heart of Africa is at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. You can also learn more about our new non-profit at www.theECHOproject.org. I love to hear from my readers so feel free to stop by and drop me a note!

Thanks so much for inviting me to stop by!

Thank YOU, Lisa! 😀

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GIVEAWAY:

Well, it’s giveaway time! Lisa has sweetly offered to give one of my followers a copy of the second book in her Mission Hope series, Blood Ransom. You must be a follower to enter and you must leave your email address. USA only, please.

Manditory Entry: Answer this question – Have you ever been on a mission trip before?

Extra Entries:

– Subscribe to this blog(+1)
– Post about this giveaway on your blog (+1)
– Comment on any of my reviews on Book Reviews by Lady Katy(+2)
– Go here and rate my review(+3) This extra entry can only be earned once. If you have voted on my review of Deadly Ties in the past, you can not get an extra entry.

~ Katy