My Fall Finds, October 2024 at Books by Rose

Welcome October 2024!

As I write this blog today, we can feel the change coming here in Missouri. We have cooler mornings and evenings with warm days. It’s getting darker a little more each day….my least favorite part of fall. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful time of year.

Artwork from September

If you follow my “Books by Rose” Facebook page, you probably have already seen my latest art project. If you followed my last month’s blog, Mindfulness in Action: Practical Tips for Being Present, then you know what inspired me to get outside for some art.

I had more fun making this piece. I had no idea what it was going to be at the beginning. I purchased an old educational book which had this image in it to learn from and knew right away to include it on this stretched canvas.

Our grandson and I, along with his Pops, did a lot of art over the summer. We drew images and kindly critiqued each other’s work. Now, I’m in the habit of doing that with my own art. Here’s what I would have done different if making this again.

*Use paint or my Ohuhu markers for a darker effect. (I used colored pencils.)

*Tint the background behind the hat to a lighter color for more contrast.

*Use less glitter….I poured out too much. Oops! (You may not tell here but the background is painted with Mod Podge glue with glitter added. I added a few coats of Mod Podge and the glitter stayed and did not flake off.)

My sister is a huge decorator for all the seasons, so while making a trip to our niece’s birthday party this past weekend, I gifted this to her for having us for the evening.

I can’t wait to make more of these.

My Book Finds for the Goodreads Challenge 2024

This book is from a local author, Theresa Hupp. It is a large one, at 492 pages, so it took most of my up September reading to get through. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Hupp’s stories.

My 5 Star Review:

“When Heart Shall Fail: A Second Chance in Frontier Oregon, by Theresa Hupp is the first book of this series I have read. I’ll have to backtrack and read the others now. This one was a real page turner.

The descriptions of settings, characters and plot was just the style of books in which I enjoy.

Readers will root for Faith as she endures the abuse of her unsuspecting husband who is the minister in their hometown. Laws for protection in the mid 1800s were much different as today. The other characters in this story will engage readers along with the well written accuracy in this historical fiction.

If you like tales from the Oregon Trail, I highly recommend Hupp’s books.

Speaking of Books, Julie Gorges’s Book is Now Live!

Last month you heard me talking about Julie’s new book and it’s now on Amazon for you all to read, too!

My Five Star Review:

“The Next Chapter: Writing in Retirement,” by author Julie Gorges is one of the best guide books I’ve seen. Her suggestions and tips are for everyone who has a dream to write but doesn’t know where to start.
This book will help with personal writing or becoming a paid writer. If you have ever thought of writing a blog, articles for newspapers or magazine, novels, you will find all the resources on how to make that happen.
I highly recommend this book for all those interested stepping into the literary world.

Find Julie’s book in ► Kindle ► Paperback ► Hardcover

I Found a New Craft to Make – Card Holders!

Have you ever played “Go Fish” with a little one and they struggle to hold large amounts of cards? These card holders will help them and may help some seniors and some of those with disabilities. Plus, if you have to get up to do something in the middle of the game, your cards are secure when set down. These will hold lots of cards, all 52, in fact!

It’s an easy craft and can be made under 30 minutes, once you get all the supplies together and cut out.

What you’ll need:

2 – 8 1/2 inch circles of fabric. (Lightweight is the best. Cotton, t-shirt and flannel materials will all work well.)

2 pieces, the size of the disc, for batting material or padding. (I did not have batting so I cut 2 pieces of a cotton t-shirt for both discs. It worked great!)

Strong thread. (Button or carpet thread works best.)

Any CD or DVD

2 medium or large buttons

Directions:

1. Cut 2 – 8 1/2 inch circles of lightweight fabric.
2. Cut 2 pieces of batting or fabric for padding. Use your disc as a template to measure and cut out.
3. Make a running 1/4 inch stitch around the edge of each of the fabric pieces only.
4. Place the cut batting piece in the middle of each circle. Add disc. Gather the thread on both discs and tie off and secure with a strong knot.
5. Place the two finished disc pieces together, wrong sides facing in. Place buttons in the middle on each side and secure tightly.

Here’s a no frill image for easy understanding…hopefully. 🙂

Please let me know if you have any questions.

That’s all for now. I hope you enjoyed these fall finds.

Tell Us About You

What does your October look like so far? Have any exciting plans you’d like to share? Leave us a note in the comment section below.

As always,

Happy Reading!

~Rosie