Monday, January 4, 2010

Feature : The Crafty Tortoise

Today's featured Etsian is Melissa from The Crafty Tortoise. She loves to crochet various items, like hats, facial scrubbies, baby booties etc. Custom orders are welcomed. Melissa also provides free pdf pattern on her blog. You can follow her on Twitter @CraftyTortoise.

Girly Gift Pack Facial Scrubbies and Washcloth

I won a $10 gift certificate to use at The Crafty Tortoise, and Melissa sent me the Girly Gift Pack Facial Scrubbies and Washcloth, which consists of 3 Hot Pink Facial Scrubbers (3 inches in diameter) and 1 Oversized White Washcloth (Approx. 11 inches by 12 inches).

You can use the washcloth to clean/wash your face, because it naturally rids face of excess oils, dirt and build-up. The hand crocheted face scrubbies are ideal for facial cleansing because they cleanse deeply, and gently exfoliate your skin. You can also use them to remove makeup. These products are made from 100% cotton yarn in a smoke free, clean home.

Here are some of my favourites from The Crafty Tortoise:

Monkey Ear Flap Baby Hat  4 sizes Newborn - 24 months PDF Pattern

Monkey Ear Flap Baby Hat 4 sizes Newborn - 24 months PDF Pattern $4.00

If you prefer to buy a handmade Custom Hat Beanie, you can get it for $22.00. This listing is for a custom hat size child through adult. You get to design your own hat by choosing the style, color and applique (flower, ear flaps).

Chocolate Obsession Clutch with Gold Lining
Chocolate Obsession Clutch with Gold Lining $30.00
How gorgeous is this?

Chocolate Flower Beanie Adult Size
Chocolate Flower Beanie Adult Size $22.00
This is quite pretty. I like it! :)

Baby Boy Booties Size 3  Loafers
These Baby Boy Booties are size 3 and will fit a 6-9 month old baby. The price is $10.00

The Crafty Tortoise Gift Certificate

If you want to buy your friend a present, but you're not sure what to give him/her, you can just purchase a Gift Certificate. This is listed as $10.00, but can come in any amount. So feel free to contact Melissa to discuss the amount.

For more, please visit The Crafty Tortoise.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Book Review : Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick


Product Details:
  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's (29 Oct 2009)
  • ISBN-10: 1847386946
  • ISBN-13: 978-1847386946
Synopsis:

Nora's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, she is drawn to him against her better judgement. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and knows more about her than her closest friends.And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For Nora is right in the middle of a centuries-old battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and sooner or later, she's going to have to pick sides...

Review:

Hush, Hush is a must read! I just love it! First of all, I have to say James Porto is a real artist! The cover design is gorgeous! It was the first thing that attracted me, though I know that a book can’t be judged by its cover. And, the concept of falling in love with the fallen really captivates me. Who cares about vampires and werewolves when there is a hot, mysterious fallen angel right in front of us?

The main characters of Hush, Hush are finely written, so you can get an exact idea of their personalities. Nora is a pretty, clever girl who is strong, in the sense that she is brave enough to fight her attacker. But at the same time, she is vulnerable, as she is anemic and, well, her self-defense skills don’t really work. As for Patch, he is the guy who will make any girl swoon with excitement - he’s handsome, tall, dark and alluring. He has a secret, a mysterious past which makes the whole story more interesting.

I would like to compliment Becca because she has done a great job to keep readers guessing what will happen next. I really didn’t see the bad guy coming. I kept guessing, but never got it right. And when the truth is revealed, I was like “What? He’s the one?”. It was so unexpected. The pages are haunting, dark, and mysterious, it succeeded to hold my attention from the beginning until the end. There were times when I feel like I was 'inside' the story, and I could see exactly what Nora saw. I kept feeling like something bad and dangerous is about to happen.

I've seen others comparing it to Twilight, and I do not deny that there are some similarities, such as the protagonists' personalities (good girl versus bad boy), and having them sitting beside each other in Biology class. But that's where it ends. Hush, Hush is NOT the same as Twilight. It is an entertaining story with a different theme, style, storyline and characters, packed with excitement and danger. It will draw you into the story completely, and leave you wanting for more at the end.

Hush, Hush is a fast-paced, exciting, well-written novel which has a thrilling plot that is definitely going to make you squeal with delight! So, please don't wait any longer if you haven't read this book, because it's really good!

Rating : 10/10

My deepest gratitude to Kathryn Simon & Schuster UK Ltd for sending me a review copy. Thank you, Kathryn!

Buy Hush, Hush from:
Simon & Schuster :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!!!

happy_new_year_by_clwoods.jpg

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

And happy birthday, Grandpa!