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Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Forking Around by Erin Nicholas (review)


Contemporary Small Town Cinderella Story – 5 Stars!

Forking Around is the second book in the Hot Cakes series by Erin Nicholas, and let me say...this is a WINNER. If you haven’t read Erin Nicholas before, you’re missing out on SO many levels! The residents of the rural town of Appleby, Iowa have stolen my heart with their hilarious, stubborn, laugh-out-loud personalities. I love romance and comedy - together and separately - but when they come together just right...well, then it’s just the BEST. Along with that balance, I really, really need my characters to be believable so I can love them and relate to them and keep them in my mind forever!

So yes...I love LOVED this book, and devoured (see what I did there?) it in one sitting because I wasn’t able to find a point that I felt I could stop and survive waiting to see what happens next! Jane is an Appleby native, and far more invested in the lives of her friends and coworkers than she’d ever like to admit. She wants to keep her life compartmentalized and her job mindless and easy; there’s not a lot of time for fun among her many responsibilities. Dax is a brilliant entrepreneur and one of the new owners of the town’s main employer, the Hot Cakes factory (and thus, one of Jane’s new bosses). Their meet-cute over cake pops is as adorable as it is hilarious: that first scene had me absolutely hooked (or maybe forked?)! Dax’s usual party tricks don’t work on Jane - not that she’s not tempted! - although she slowly begins to see that making time for fun in her life may not be such a bad thing.

I’m a big fan of Jane’s independence and drive to make her way through life despite the curve balls that continue to come her way. Dax is truly her ideal match, and the slow burn as she learned to accept and ultimately fall in love with his generous and chivalrous nature was exceptionally well planned. I enjoyed gleaning those story tidbits as we went along, really getting to know Dax beyond that “fun guy” first impression. He’s a larger than life personality – both impulsive and genius, but with a true heart of gold and desire to make things better for the people around him. It’s just that sometimes the execution needs a little more finesse...

Those moments when Jane realizes that with the right partner, independence doesn’t mean holding yourself apart; that she can let her guard down enough to rely on someone without the fear that she’ll be left hanging...those are everything! You won’t e disappointed with all the feels – from lust to friendship to a HEA, you get them ALL. Lastly – if you’ve read book 1 (Sugarcoated), you’ll be thrilled to see details of the continuation of those friendships and relationships seamlessly woven into Forking Around.

I voluntarily received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review, but I would have happily bought this outstanding book. I’m thrilled beyond words that we have more sticky sweet Hot Cakes goodness coming our way, and I can’t wait to see the remaining bachelors meet their matches!

My general rating rationale:

3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall storyline, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but always finish reading.
4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends.
5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including supporting characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it (if they won’t listen, I’ll be louder).

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Polkadoodles' Digi Choosday - Week 21: Anything Goes

Good morning everyone! It's Choosday already! That means a new Digi Choosday challenge, and a new DISCOUNT CODE for the Polkadoodles shop! Head over to the blog to grab it before your shopping spree!


Today's challenge is, as always, Anything Goes! For my project this week, I've made a sweet thank you card to share with staff at the local clinic.


The doctor image and sentiment are from the Winnie Heroes FREE download bundle, and the paper I used for the box is from the Work & Play 3 bundle and the Rose Budd colletion. Dies are also from Polkadoodles - Square Swirly Hearts with a bit of paper folding thrown in. Sequins from Doodlebug Design.

Don't forget to head over to the blog to grab today's discount code! Then shop your heart out. Choosday is the best day!


I'm entering this into the following challenges - 


Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes (1/1)
Through the Craft Room Door - AG (1/2)
Crafter's Castle - #29: AG (1/3)
SSS Wednesday: Dies/Punches (2/5)
Crafty Catz #505: AG (2/3)
Colour Crazy #18: AG (2/2)
Creative Fingers - #185: AG (2/3)
QKR Stampede - #397: AG (2/3)
Through the Purple Haze - #167: AG (2/3)
Classic Design Team Challenge - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Perfect Time to Craft - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Bit More Time To Craft - #115: AG (unlimited)

Be sure to join in to our Anything Goes challenge via the link up at the Digi Choosday blog for your chance to win! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, May 25, 2020

Wine Hard, Baby by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (Review)



Wine, Cowboys, Math, and Swearing...

...it doesn’t get any better than THAT! Laugh out loud funny as always, in book #6 of the OhHellNo Series, we’re treated to the story of Jed and Camilla in a true opposites attract slow burn saga that proves there are some things that are TRULY worth waiting for!

Jed is a hot, sexy cowboy with a heart of gold and a moral compass pointing true north at all times. He’s dealing with a lot of past baggage, including abandonment issues. Camilla is an a calculator-collecting math nerd with a strict religious upbringing to overcome, and a knee-jerk sailor-mouthed defense mechanism designed to keep everyone at arm’s length. Between my giggles at the antics of these two characters and their support networks, there were times I was almost concerned these two were not going to manage to get their act together...

I loved the inner dialogue that we get from both viewpoints, and the struggles for each of them to find their way to center and really understand what they want/need so they can get it together and work on their HEA. Both of the main characters are real and fun – flawed and funny and TRUE in a way that’s so very relatable. One of my favorite things about Mimi’s writing is how invested you get in the characters and their stories – from page 1. I’m always so invested that I feel like I’m riding out the highs and lows, laughs and tears right there with them all – book after book!

There is SO much chemistry between these two, and as the story unfolds we see it was been there, simmering, for a long time. It was mental blocks on both sides that make them shy away from what they KNEW they wanted/needed – full on proof (in awesome romcom story form!) that opposites attract – and come complete with fireworks!

This is a stand-alone book with NO cliffhanger. There are passing references to characters from other books in the series but you don’t need to have read them to read this book (but really, you should because they are all excellent and very, very funny). I really enjoyed the fact that this book built a bit on characters from My Pen is Huge (since Cami was Giselle’s roomie in the last book, and Jed & Leeland are friends) – so we got a peek into where things were at for them during this story. That was EXCELLENT! 

5 very happy book nerd stars from this girl! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐



My general rating rationale:

3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall storyline, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but always finish reading.
4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends.
5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including supporting characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it (if they won’t listen, I’ll be louder).

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Polkadoodles' Gem of a Challenge - Week 11: Anything Goes

Good morning everyone. It's Saturday - time for a new Gem of a Challenge from Polkadoodles! You can find our challenge blog here: A Gem of a Challenge

Are you ready for the TOO CUTENES this week? Spring ducklings for the win - I just love this image for quick and easy sweet cards (and that BEANIE!!).



I've used Too Cute - Hello Spring to create my card today. I printed these sweet boys onto Neenah Solar White cardstock and colored with Copic Markers - I buy all of mine at Scrapbookpal.com for their low prices and fast shipping. 

I decided to go with a fresh spring color palette today, and I've made this more of a note card than a full sized card so that the image really grabs the attention. My rectangle dies are from Gina Marie Designs (Stitched Rectangles and Scalloped Stitched Rectangles) and the leafy sprigs are from Polkadoodles - Super Sprigs (love this die!)

Our Gem of a Challenge challenges run for 2 weeks, so you've got lots of time to link up, and they are ALWAYS Anything Goes! Visit the challenge blog HERE

I'm entering this into the following challenges - 

SSS Wednesday: Dies/Punches (1/5)
Crafty Catz #505: AG (1/3)
Colour Crazy #18: AG (1/2)
Creative Fingers - #185: AG (1/3)
QKR Stampede - #397: AG (1/3)
Through the Purple Haze - #167: AG (1/3)
Classic Design Team Challenge - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Perfect Time to Craft - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Bit More Time To Craft - #115: AG (unlimited)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Polkadoodles' Digi Choosday - Week 19: Anything Goes!

Good morning everyone! It's Choosday already! That means a new Digi Choosday challenge, and a new DISCOUNT CODE for the Polkadoodles shop! Head over to the blog to grab it before your shopping spree!


Today's challenge is, as always, Anything Goes! For my project this week, I've made a little triangle box with chocolates inside (I actually made a whole pile of these) to drop off for our local clinic workers. You can fit about 6 chocolates into the little box, so it's the perfect size for a sweet "thank you" treat. I'm so grateful for the amazing people who are doing all they can to keep the world healthy and safe during this crisis!



The doctor image and sentiment are from the Winnie Heroes FREE download bundle, and the paper I used for the box is from the Work & Play 3 bundle. Dies are from Elizabeth Craft Designs (box), Paper Smooches (tag), and Gina Marie Designs (main image).


Don't forget to head over to the blog to grab today's discount code! Then shop your heart out. Choosday is the best day!



I'm entering this into the following challenges - 


Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes (1/1)
Through the Craft Room Door - AG (1/2)
Crafter's Castle - #29: AG (1/3)
SSS Wednesday: Dies/Punches (2/5)
Crafty Catz #505: AG (2/3)
Colour Crazy #18: AG (2/2)
Creative Fingers - #185: AG (2/3)
QKR Stampede - #397: AG (2/3)
Through the Purple Haze - #167: AG (2/3)
Classic Design Team Challenge - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Perfect Time to Craft - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Bit More Time To Craft - #115: AG (unlimited)

Be sure to join in to our Anything Goes challenge via the link up at the Digi Choosday blog for your chance to win! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Polkadoodles' Gem of a Challenge - Week 10: Anything Goes

Good morning everyone. It's Saturday - time for a new Gem of a Challenge from Polkadoodles! You can find our challenge blog here: A Gem of a Challenge

The Polkadoodles TOO CUTE sweeties are ready for Spring! At the beginning of April we launched six BRAND NEW adorable cutie pies - available in black and white and/or precolored! (I *think* that the coupon code is even still active - bonus for you guys if you want to snatch these up! The bundle is already discounted, and use "CRAFTYSAVER" for 30% off individual images.)



I've used Too Cute - Mouse Love to create my card today. I printed him/her onto Neenah Solar White cardstock and colored with Copic Markers - I buy all of mine at Scrapbookpal.com for their low prices and fast shipping. 

I decided to go with a spring color palette behind my cheese background today. The heart is called the Heart Flourish die, the papers is from Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Paper Heaven 1, and Lily Bug Love Papers 3, and the sentiment is from Winnie Celebrations 1.

Our Gem of a Challenge challenges run for 2 weeks, so you've got lots of time to link up, and they are ALWAYS Anything Goes! Visit the challenge blog HERE

I'm entering this into the following challenges - 

SSS Wednesday: Dies/Punches (1/5)
Crafty Catz #505: AG (1/3)
Colour Crazy #18: AG (1/2)
Creative Fingers - #185: AG (1/3)
QKR Stampede - #397: AG (1/3)
Through the Purple Haze - #167: AG (1/3)
Classic Design Team Challenge - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Perfect Time to Craft - #5/May: AG (unlimited)
A Bit More Time To Craft - #115: AG (unlimited)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Time for Tea Designs - Rainbows and Unicorns

Good morning friends! Today I'm sharing my weekly inspiration project for Time For Tea Designs. Don't forget that you can (and should) play along in our monthly challenge, for your chance to win free digis! Everyone loves free digis, am I right? The theme for our challenge is Anything Goes. My favorite! It's so easy to enter - just make something using your Time For Tea Designs images and post them! Share with the hashtag #timeforteadesigns so we can find them, and you're entered to win! Challenges run monthly, and we will have a spotlight and a prize winner at the end of each challenge. Oh, and I have a discount code for you to use - T4TJENNIFER10 will save you 10% on your order from the Time For Tea shop! Yayyyy :)


From our APRIL release - Unicorn in Training and coordinating dies, along with this gorgeous Over the Rainbow stencil. 

Today's rainbow was created by applying a layer of shimmering texture paste over the top of the largest rainbow in the stencil. Once the paste had dried, I used Arteza Real Brush pens to add color to the rainbow. I decided to go with bold brights today! I carefully colored over the top of the texture paste - it creates a 3D effect so all the color from the ink stains into the paste but doesn't hit the paper.

My unicorns are stamped and then cut with the coordinating dies. They're colored using the Arteza pens and a handful of Warm Grey and light red Copic Markers - I buy all of mine at Scrapbookpal.com for their low prices and fast shipping. 

I die cut the frame from white cardstock and added it before the clouds so I could pop them up on foam squares for dimension. I then die cut these great Paper Smooches clouds and added some color to the top layer with Copic MarkersI stamped the swirl from the set in a random pattern on the bottom cloud using Soft Sky ink - I know it's hard to see in the photo. 

I'm IN LOVE with every product from this latest release - so cute!! Don't forget to use my coupon code if you go shopping in the T4T store!

I hope you enjoyed my project today. If you've got a moment, head over to join our FB communityfollow us on Instagram, and don't forget to play along with our monthly challenges by tagging #timeforteadesigns - so easy! Thanks for stopping by!

Supply list:
Unicorn in Training stamps from Time for Tea Designs
Unicorn in Training coordinating die set from Time for Tea Designs
Over the Rainbow Stencil from Time for Tea Designs
Glimmer texture paste
Silicone spatula for applying paste
Neenah Solar White cardstock
Copic markers
Foam squares and foam tape
Paper Smooches cloud die set
Stitched Scalloped Frame die set from Gina Marie Designs
Memento tuxedo black ink
Soft Sky ink

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Stamper's Delights - Mer-May Anime Release

Hello lovely crafters! How's your weekend? We're doing well here, and from a crafty standpoint, I'm excited to bring you some inspiration from Stamper's Delights! It's new release day for Anime, and continuing the theme of MER-MAY, we've got another gorgeous mermaid set!

I printed this beauty onto Neenah Solar White cardstock and colored with a huge pile of Copic Markers - I buy all of mine at Scrapbookpal.com for their low prices and fast shipping. I cut her with my Scan N Cut. I created the background using alcohol inks and photo paper (and a lot of mess!). The sentiment is from the set, oval dies from Hero Arts. Pink Passion cardstock from SU, and I hand doodled around the sentiment. Some layers are on foam tape but otherwise - that's it!

Check out all of our gorgeous new under-sea themed images for this month:


Visit the us on the Stamper's Delights Inspiration Blog to see all of the DT's amazing creations! I hope you enjoyed my project today. Don't forget to play along with our monthly challenge over on the blog too, for your chance to win. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, May 1, 2020

Stamper's Delights - May Chibi Release!

Hello lovely crafters! TGIF! We're doing well here, and from a crafty standpoint, I'm excited to bring you some inspiration from Stamper's Delights! It's new release day for Chibi, and this month we have some extra images to celebrate MER-MAY!


I printed this beauty onto Neenah Solar White cardstock and colored with Copic Markers - I buy all of mine at Scrapbookpal.com for their low prices and fast shipping. I cut her and her pretty scenery out with my Scan N Cut. I used this gorgeous Swirly Square Die to cut the base of the card. I love this edge! I've used Salty Ocean and Broken China Distress Oxide Inks to create this water background using this new Water Ripples stencil from Gina Marie Designs.

Here's a look at all of our new release images for this month - so gorgeous!


Check out all the DT project inspiration on the blogI hope you enjoyed my project today. Don't forget to play along with our monthly challenge over on the blog too, for your chance to win. Thanks for stopping by!

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