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Review and giveaway: A Healing Heart

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A Healing Heart_Abingdon Press_cropped

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to review. But as always, all opinions expressed here are 100 % my own. 

Review: A Healing Heart by Angela Breidenbach

Admittedly, this is not a book I would have picked up myself, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it. It’s a good story with believable characters I grew to love. This is especially true of the main character, Mara.

I immediately felt a kinship to her, as she finds herself – after the death of her husband – trying to do it all. Feeling overwhelmed, she’s running the small but growing business they started together and
raising their three kids.

In a state of raw grief all this becomes too much for her. A series of physical setbacks gives her some perspective and divine intervention brings the right person into her life at the exact right time. Will she regain her equilibrium? You’ll have to read it to find out.

Though written from the Christian faith, the author is never preachy or dogmatic. The text touches on universal themes that apply to those of any faith, such as why bad things happen to good people and forgiveness.

Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of this book

The publishers have generously given me a copy of the book, A Healing Heart, to give away to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. To get a chance to win a copy of this book, leave a comment on this post and tell me if you have ever ended up loving a book you didn’t expect to. If so, what was it?

Contest ends November 6, 2014. Only US and Canadian entrants are eligible due to shipping costs.

Comments

  1. I wish it happened more often – I get too stuck in my favored genres! Also, I tend to have a pretty good sense about books so I can generally tell if I will like something or not – the only examples I can think of where I was wrong about a book were really promising ones that I ended up hating! Haha!

  2. The Harry Potter books ! I wasn’t sure about all that magical stuff… But it’s been a love story since the first lines. I’m a HUGE Harry Potter fan 🙂

  3. I can’t think of the titles right off the top of my head, but it has happened and what a wonderful surprise.

  4. Kind of embarrassing but I loved twilight when I read it.. it just sucked me in! It doesn’t even come close to how much I love Harry Potter though!

  5. Well kinda every book. I actually can’t think of one I didn’t like or just hated. My most favorite book I read again and again is The Shack.

  6. The Twilight series – not into that type of book, but totally surprised and had to read all 3.

  8. I’d love to read this book. My all time favorite has been Beyond Heartache by Margaret Jhonson.

  11. I love to read. I was really liking the book “The Giver” and them the end left me hanging. Not fond of that. I’d love to read this book. Thanks

  12. the Twilight series being one of those I thought OH BOY another teenager book, by the 5th chapter I was totally hooked and had to go back to the store the next day to buy the next two books. It was very hard to wait for the last books to come out. I really enjoy finding a book that I pick up and can enjoy all the way to the end, especially one I wasn’t sure about to begin with.

  14. the traveling pants…i read them with my then teenage daughter…i love the bonding time discussing the books!

  16. I tend to pick up books I think I will enjoy so I guess I can’t say I’ve been surprised that I enjoyed them.

Have you read?

Cat-O-Lantern Quilt Pattern Review: A Cute Halloween Quilt for Cat Lovers

Some Halloween quilt patterns make me want to decorate the whole house. Others make me want to quietly add another project to the sewing pile and pretend it was always part of the plan. The Cat-O-Lantern quilt pattern from Fat Quarter Shop falls very comfortably into that second category.

A kitty hugging a jack-o’-lantern? That is a fairly effective way to get my attention. It brings together two Halloween favourites in a design that feels cheerful and playful, with plenty of appeal for anyone who prefers their seasonal decorating cute rather than creepy.

If you’re looking for a small Halloween quilt pattern for a cat lover, this one is worth a closer look. My review is based on the published design and product details; I haven’t sewn the pattern myself.

What Is the Cat-O-Lantern Quilt Pattern?

Cat-O-Lantern is a downloadable PDF quilt pattern exclusive to Fat Quarter Shop. The finished quilt measures 30½ × 34 inches, and the PDF contains 11 pages.

Fat Quarter Shop lists the difficulty as beginner. Its description calls for four fat quarters plus binding, but check the full pattern requirements before shopping so you can also plan for backing, batting and any additional supplies.

This is a paid digital pattern, so you’re purchasing the instructions rather than a finished quilt or fabric kit.

What I Like About This Halloween Quilt Design

The biggest attraction for me is the combination of a recognisable seasonal theme and a little personality. A pumpkin quilt is lovely, but adding a cat gives the project a playful focal point.

It also offers a nice alternative to Halloween sewing projects covered in elaborate motifs. Sometimes one strong design is all a room needs, especially when the shelves already contain enough pumpkins to suggest you’ve started a small farm.

The finished size is another selling point. I would think of Cat-O-Lantern primarily as a Halloween wall quilt or decorative accent quilt. At 30½ × 34 inches, it is compact enough to plan a display around, although I would measure the intended space before buying.

We’ve previously included it in our collection of lap blanket quilt patterns, but do pay attention to those dimensions if you’re hoping for generous sofa coverage.

Is Cat-O-Lantern Suitable for Beginner Quilters?

The retailer’s beginner rating is encouraging, particularly if you want a seasonal project without committing to a large quilt.

However, I haven’t reviewed the purchased instructions, so I can’t assess the cutting directions, construction steps or how much guidance they provide for a first-time quilter.

My practical advice is to read the entire PDF before cutting. Label your pieces, keep the fabrics organised and take your time with seam allowances. Those habits are helpful on any quilt, and they’re especially useful when the finished design depends on shapes landing where they should.

If you’d like another feline project to compare, our free Halloween cats table runner feature is another place to find seasonal sewing inspiration.

Fabric Choices I Would Consider

For my version, I’d start by thinking about contrast. Choose fabrics that let the cat and pumpkin stand out clearly from their surroundings, rather than selecting every favourite Halloween print and hoping they all get along.

Small prints, solids and subtle tonal fabrics would be my starting point. A busy novelty print can be wonderful, but it may compete with the main design when used in the wrong spot.

Before cutting, lay your proposed fabrics together and take a photograph. Look at it as a small thumbnail. If everything blends into one patch of colour, you may need a lighter or darker fabric to give the design definition.

And if choosing the pumpkin fabric sends you down an autumn sewing rabbit hole, our scrap fabric pumpkin quilt block and table runner feature has another project to add to the list.

Who Would Enjoy This Pattern?

I’d put Cat-O-Lantern on the shortlist for quilters who enjoy cute Halloween décor, cat-themed projects and smaller quilts made for display.

It could also make a thoughtful handmade gift for someone who brings out their Halloween decorations at the first possible opportunity. You know the person. Their pumpkins appear before the supermarket has finished clearing the previous holiday.

The main limitation is the size if you want a substantial throw. For a seasonal wall display, though, that smaller footprint is part of the appeal.

Would I Add It to My Sewing List?

On design appeal, yes. Cat-O-Lantern has a charming theme, a compact finished size and a beginner rating that makes it worth investigating for a manageable Halloween project.

I would still read the full instructions before deciding how quickly it might come together. A cute cover is an invitation to sew, but it isn’t a promise of an afternoon finish.

You can find the Cat-O-Lantern PDF quilt pattern at Fat Quarter Shop. If your Halloween decorating style involves friendly pumpkins, handmade touches and a cat who probably thinks the sewing table belongs to them, this little quilt could fit right in.