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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Blogiversary - Books and Baskets

Two other interests I have but don't post nearly enough about is my passion for reading and basket weaving.
I learned to weave in 2001 when my friend Cheryl taught a few of us. Cheryl had been a marine's wife and lived on several army bases. On one of the bases, North Carolina I think, she met with other wives once a week to basket weave.
I meet with 5 other friends once a month to basket weave: Cheryl, Kathy, Marianne (sister), Geri (mother in law), and Lori (sister in law). We have loads of fun weaving, chatting, eating and singing! We have a ball!
Download my Beginning Rectangle Basket for FREE here!
I love reading classics as well as a good thriller!
This post's giveaway:
WINNER: Annamarie (no blog)
First Three Books of
The Elm Creek Quilter's Series
Note: This set of books have been read through once by me, they are not new.
To qualify for the set of books, leave a comment on THIS post.
What's your favorite book? I love recommendations!

38 comments:

  1. Weaving sounds like it would be something fun to try - thanks for the free pattern. My weakness is craft books especially knitting and crochet books. One can never have too many books!

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  2. I like to read christian fiction like Karen Kingsbury - very easy reads. Also love my Ottobre and McCalls Quilting for inspiration.

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  3. What wonderful baskets. I love baskets too but mine are from Longaberger. Thanks for sharing your talents with us. I love seeing what other's make!

    I love to read Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction. Right now I'm reading a series of books by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The first book is called "Among the Hidden" I've read two books in three days and I'm on the 3rd of 7 books in the series.

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  4. Your baskets are all WONDERFUL. I made one basket that I posted on my blog last month...it was fun but very pricey so I won't be doing it often. (Of course, a lot of the cost was for the class itself and not just the materials.) I have just ordered the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt book to make that....so I'd love to have the Jennifer's books....I've actually NOT read them yet but heard lots about them...and that's why I ordered the quilt sampler book. OOOOO...I hope I win!!! :)

    I've read lots of Beverly Lewis' books that are all about the Amish.....they are fiction but really let you know about their culture. I have also enjoyed all of Debbie Macomber's books.

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  5. These books are among my favorites! When I read them I borrowed them from the library. How wonderful it would be to have my own copies to read again and for my daughter to read! Thanks so much! :0)

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  6. Those are some gorgeous baskets! I love baskets but have never made any. I have always wanted to read the Elm Creek books but haven't yet.

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  7. I made one basket when I was a Girl Scout leader, I loved it, but I have never made another. Yours are just beautiful! I love to read anything, but adore childrens books!

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  8. I love most books but I enjoy Quilting books and magazines the most. Over the years I have tried many crafts including basket weaving.

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  9. I love most books but I enjoy Quilting books and magazines the most. Over the years I have tried many crafts including basket weaving.

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  10. Weaving is a craft that I have never tried. Your baskets are so pretty.

    I love reading too. In fact I'm reading a really good book now called "Same Kind of Different as Me".

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  11. I love baskets. I have many Longaberger baskets and have made about 10 of my own Longaberger. I have always the Nantucket or Quacker style. Hopefully I'll have a few of those some day.

    I love reading Christian fiction. Especially Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis & Wanda Brunstetter.

    I love to quilt and have only recently seen these books at the library. They sound very interesting.

    I enjoy your blog. You show me great ideas and inspriation.

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  12. Your baskets are absolutely beautiful. You are very talented.


    Your giveaway is delightful. These books look very interesting. I'd love to win them and have a chance to read & enjoy them, but I'm sure there are many others that would too. I'm sure whomever wins will enjoy them. Very nice of you to coordinate this.


    I love reading and enjoy a variety of authors and styles. One book that is very interesting, and unusual, is the first book ever written by Stephen woodworth, "Through Violet Eyes". Fun read that both my husband and I found difficult to put down.

    I've also posted about your site and giveaway on my blogsite for contest insights: http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
    SewCalGal @ live.com

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  13. I have every all of the Elm Creek quilt books, they are fantastic! (Don't enter me for this giveaway)

    I enjoy reading christian fiction also. Kristen Heitzmann writes excellent thrillers!

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  14. I like lots of books, but my fave series i read recently are the mortal instruments, city of bones, city of ashes, and city of glass. very good!! I have been dying to read those quilting books, congrats on the year anniversary!!

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  15. I just finished a quilt novel today! Endless CHain by Emilie Richards..it was my first quilt novel bought at a garage sale. Would love to read these as well.
    Your basket weaving is wonderful. Lots of basket weavers around here by the looks of the craft fairs...
    Have you read The SHack? It's a little bit 'different' and some say controversial, but if you get past the theology, there are lessons to learn in it...I liked it. Thought provoking.

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  16. I tried to make a basket once, no twice. Both times I almost lost my fingers in between the reeds.

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  17. You are so-o-o multi talented Mel!
    Your baskets look so difficult!!

    Reading.Books.....what's that...I used to read CONSTANTLY...always had a book going....hhhmmm....I wonder what changed that???

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  18. I made a basket a few years ago in a class. Love the basket.

    Ah Jennifer I love love her writing. Please enter me. thanks

    While on vacation a few weeks ago I started reading Debbie Macomber ... great books.

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  19. I don't think I have read these books, as they are always checked out from the library! I love historical fiction the most!

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  20. I've read other blogs that spoke about these books and I'd love to read them as well. Thanks for your generous offer, Mel. If I am lucky enough to win them, I'll pass them on to someone else who would like to read them as well when I'm done.

    My favorite book of all times is 'Green Darkness' bu Anya Seton. I read it about 25 years ago and still think about it from time to time.

    Historical fiction is also my favorite read.

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  21. I just finished reading Julia Child-My Life. I got Sister by A Manette Ansay and Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon in the mail today. I read about 2-3 books a week. I have never read any of the Elm Creek books.... would love to though...

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  22. Right now, my favorite book is "The Hunger Game". I'm looking forward to reading "My Sisters Keeper" and "Time Travelers Wife"
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  23. Mel...I love to read, too, just don't always have enough time. I love Nicholas Sparks Books and John Paul Evans. Like I told you before, I am so amazed at the basket making. I LOVE baskets...LOVE, them! I so have to do this at some point!

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  24. I am so in awe that you make these baskets. What a great hobby. I love baskets and have them all over my house, but I never thought about making them myself. Actually I don't know of anyone who makes them around here.
    My very favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. I have always loved that love story and can go back and read it over and over. It's a classic, but I love house Jane Austen weaves her story and her characters come alive.

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  25. Lately I've enjoyed anything by Lisa Wingate. Just relaxing and enjoyable.

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  26. When I do read, I like Mary Higgins Clark. I have all her books but I am behind like about 5 yrs, in reading them. I just keep dusting them off. One of these days I will catch up.

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  27. I love to read old hymnals. The words in the old songs are full of meaning. I also like to read books telling the story behind the hymns.
    I may have to give basket weaving a try. Yours are very pretty. Thank you for the free pattern.

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  28. thanks for the basket pattern!

    my all time fave book is Anne of Green Gables, love the descriptive prose montgomery uses!

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  29. I think my all time favorite was To Kill a Mockingbird. Just a really wonderful story.

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  30. My favourite book,? anything by Piece O' Cake love their stuff.

    cheers
    christine

    your baskets are fantastic

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  31. Anything by Nora Roberts. Love your baskets.

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  32. I adore the Mitford series by Jan Karon! I'm at the end of re-reading it for the 5th time! I also like the Elm Creek Quilters series -- fun reads. :)

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  33. I tried weaving before, (a long time ago), and I loved it!, wonderful baskets you have, I love to read anything (well specially quilting boooks, lol)

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  34. There is a person that offers basket weaving classes near us. My mom and I are always threatening to go, we really need to do that! Your baskets are beautiful!
    I am currently reading the Nevada Barr series. I like mysteries and these take place in National Parks across the US.
    Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  35. I used to weave baskets a few years ago. You do a lovely job on yours! My Sister-in-law taught me and we used to spend hours weaving while the guys were out hunting.

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  36. Those are awesome baskets. I would love to learn how to make them someday.

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  37. Oh I would love to learn basket weaving. I would never have to by another one again. LOL.

    My favorite authors are Richard Paul Evans and Nicholas Sparks.

    A good read is White Oleander.

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