One more Coffee House Mystery put to bed!!

Yep, I have finished my sixth (that's right 6) book in the Coffee House Mystery series by Cleo Coyle.  Thoroughly thrilling and I am happy to announce that Clare Cosi (the main character) finally got her man -- in a lovey sort of way.   I tried to pick up a new book, by a different author--just could not do it with the next Coffee House installment, Espresso Shot, sitting on my shelf.  Oh well!! 

French Pressed is now listed  Paperback Swap for the next happy reader. 

See ya!!

CJ 

Another Coffee House Mystery.....

bites the dust (at least in my house) and ends up on PaperBackSwap for the next eager reader.  As usual Cleo Coyle does not disappoint.  I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure as the main character, Clare Cosi, goes digging for trouble.  Trouble that eventually leads her into the arms of the man she is meant to be with, NYPD Detective Mike Quinn.  They are not totally together yet it will happen I can feel it in my bones. Perhaps they will finally get it together in the next book--at least that is my wish. LOL 

I recently discovered that the Cleo Coyle writing team have a Haunted Book Store Mystery Series under the pen name Alice Kimberly.  Fortunately the first two books were avaliable on PBS.  How exciting!!!

See ya!!

CJ

Another Coffee House Mystery Finished.

Last week I finished "Murder Most Frothy" the fourth book in Cleo Coyle's Coffee House Mystery series and started on "Decaffeinated Corpse"-- don't you love these titles.   I believe I am addicted to these cozy mysteries.  If you want to learn more about Cleo Coyle, her mysteries and pick up a few great coffee recipes check out her website.  My copy of "Murder Most Frothy" has been posted on PBS for the next caffeine addicted reader. 

See ya!!

CJ

Let me tell you about the book I just read.

I just finished the third book in Cleo Coyle's Coffee House Mystery series, Latte Trouble".  If you love a cozy mystery and enjoy a good cup of coffee you will want to check out this series.   The main characters have been consistent throughout each book which makes me want to read more to see how they develop and evolve.  At the end of each book are coffee related recipes that just seem yummy.  Cleo Coyle also has a webpage dedicated to the series and coffee.  You can even sign up to win free coffee.

Last night I started Murder Most Frothy -- the forth  book in the series, so far so good.  I have book 5, 6, 7 & 8 on my Paperback Swap Wish (PBS) List -- why buy new when you can get a used book for free.  I just posted this book on PBS if you are interested check it out.

Have a great MLK Day.

See ya!!

CJ

I'm am Stitching Again!!

Can I hear on big WOOHOO!! I started stitching again, only for an hour or so at a time and it is great.  My CTS is under control and so very happy.  I'm only wearing the brace a few times a week at night.  Wearing  the brace and losing weight has really helped my wrist/hand.  Hope it stays like this forever.  As for weight lose I am down 17 pounds.

Stitching Update

So what am I stitching?  I am playng catchup still working on BRD "Stop and Smell the Flowers".  I also plan to adapt a portion of this pattern into a biscornu for a challenge I am hosting on swap-bot.  Check it out perhaps a few of you would like to join me. 

I have some PIF's to finish up that will be going out in the next few weeks. Then I plan to host another one to support "Stand Up to Cancer".  Still working on the details for this one.  Speaking of cancer check out Nancy's blog.  Nancy is collecting "Think Pink" items from her friends and followers to raffle off on her blog in the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness.  What a great cause, please stop by and give her a shout out of encouragement.

Papercrafts

Since I have been working full time for the past 7 weeks--3 more to go-- my card making/paper crafting has been put on the back burner so to speak.  I have a few swaps coming, I will try to take a few pictures to share with you as I get the cards made.  I am also considering hosting a card making party for OWH this summer.  To support OWH from now on, each time I make a card for an exchagne I will make at least on extra for OWH.   I think that sounds like a good plan.

Basket Weaving

I did make a new basket, actually two recently.  One is an oval gift basket accented with black and red, the other is an Easter basket.  I plan to make several more oval gift baskets for my kids teachers and one wine basket for a retiring teacher friend.  

Reading

Currently I am reading a cozy murder mytery called Crewel World (Needlecraft Mysteries, Book 1) that I picked up from paperbackswap.com.  I need to come up with a creative way to display what I have read, what I am reading and what I intend to read on thie blog.  If you have any ideas please send them my way.

Other Stuff

As for the family we are doing great.  DH is down 28 pounds--you didn't think I would go on a diet by myself now.  The kids are fine.  One is in the Miracle League and two are playing soccer.  My oldest DD will take some art lessons next month, turns out the kid loves to draw.  We are also looking at summer camp activities.  Can't believe we are only weeks away from summer break.  Thank goodness my job will be finished in 3 weeks and I can get some things done around the house before the kids are here 24/7.

Oh well, time for coffee.

BTW - Meari, love your new car. 

See ya!!

CJ

Clean and Simple Card Challenge

I decided to try my second card challenge. I really like the CAS sketch this week and I thought it would work great for an upcoming Card Maker swap. Here is what I have come up with for my sample. All the paper and ribbon used in this card are from Stampin Up!, click to visit my favorite demonstrator Barb. The stamp is from Gina K. Designs, Signs of Autumn Stamp Set. I very am pleased with the outcome. The theme for the swap is tea or coffee and I left the inside blank so the card can be used for any occasion. Now I just need to make six more to complete the swap.

See ya!
CJ

Can May be just around the corner??

Well, I thought tomorrow is the last day of April and I have only posted once this month, seems to be the norm for me lately so I better get busy. As usual things are a little nutty in our house, as I am sure they are the same for many of you that have children, work, husbands and/or hobbies, not to mention those of you going to school . How do we do it? I wish I knew. So let tell you what is going on.

Stitching Update

I have had two, yes I said two, finishes. Mind you they were small, but finishes none the less. Not only were they stitched they were also assembled for presentation. One is a floss tag and the other a coaster. I loved the way the coaster looked so much, I sent a copy of the pattern (a freebie) and two coasters to my CSE partner for the "Kitted Up Freebie" exchange. The Floss Tag pattern came from Miss T's blog, stitched on 16ct Ivory Aida using a multi colored floss from Threadworx. I recently discovered Miss T's blog, she has many great, free designs that are simple to stitch. Unfortunately, I failed to photograph my finish prior to sending it off to my Swap-Bot partner. Sorry!! As for the coaster it was stitched on 16ct Aida using DMC floss. I forgot where I got the pattern but it is an on-line freebie of three solid color flowers and a bee. Very cute. No photo it is on it's way to Finland. Must do better about taking photos of my work beofre I ship it off. As for my two SAL's I have made progress on both, not as much as I would like, but they are coming along.

On a somewhat stitching related note, I won week #8 of the CSE NASCAR Game. My driver Mark Martin won that race and he started at the pole--way to dominate Old Man!!!

More somewhat stitching news, Beth is going to Ocean City, Maryland for a stitching retreat. Needless to say I am very envious, Ocean City was one of my teenage stomping grounds many moons ago. She has promised to eat some Thrasher Fries with vinegar for me as well as take a picture of herself in the act of eating the fries. How sweet of her to do that for me.

Paper Crafts

I have made many cards this month and plan to make more. The idea is to make monogrammed card sets for each of my kids teachers. That will be about seven sets total so I need to get to work on them. Each set will have 6 different cards using the same papers and monogram.

I have also joined some Card Maker Magazine swaps for May. The first cards I have to make are Cris-Cross cards. I will let you know how that goes.


Swap-Bot

I have been involved with Swap-Bot for a few months now and I am really enjoying it. I have participated in several Tea swaps, Blank Note Card and Handmade Card swaps, one Cross Stitch swap (which involve the two projects listed above) and two Chocolate swaps. Lots of fun. You should check it out.

Paperback Swap

I have to thank Vickie for sharing info about Paperback Swap and introducing me to Elaine Viets. I am on the third book in her "Dead End Job" series. It is a fun series to read and I love the way the characters are carried over in each book, especially the 76 year old landlady with purple shorts and brightly painted toenails. Thanks Vickie!!!

Now speaking of paperback swaps, my neighbor has invited me to participate in a private book swap. So I am looking for interested folks to send my invites too. The deal is you only send one book to the person identified in the letter. Then you send six copies of the letter with one to your friends. I plan to try it out, I figure if I don' like the book it will go onto my Paperback Swap list for give away or in my garage sale pile. If you would like to join me just send me a note with your e-mail so we can exchange more details.

Anyhow, have a good evening.

See ya!!

CJ