MittenMade Hobbit Hat + Paradox Book Cover Release! {review + extras}

 

 

Happy Friday, y'all!

Today I have a dual kind of post for ya...A review, and a look at...well, let's just go ahead and get to that, shall we? So, a writer friend just released the *official* cover for his Christian fantasy novel, and has asked people to spread the word about it. I think this book looks quite promising, so, here's a little snippet about it for y'all to enjoy.

 

Paradox is a Christian fantasy novel aimed at the young adult audience (14-18).

 

    Here is the premise/back cover description: Four troubled teens, two worlds, one God, one goal: to defeat the Darkness before it's too late. When David, his twin sister Alicia, and their two best friends, Jake and Hannah, stumble through a portal and into another world, Paragon, they discover that they are not who they thought they were... they are descendants of an ancient race known as Starcrafters, and they've been endowed with God-given abilities - impossible abilities.

    They train and learn to harness their abilities. Now, they are ready to take on the Dark Prince.

    Their attack on the prince is interrupted, however, when they are taken by a group known as the Renegades who are after universal domination by means of an artifact known as the Paradox Stone.

    They must escape the Renegades, retrieve the stone, and defeat the Darkness; all while learning to trust one another and work as a team, and to put their faith in the one true God.

 

    Paradox is being self-published by Outskirts Press and is the debut novel of seventeen-year-old author Brian McBride.

 

If you want to learn more about this novel, why not check out some of these media pages Brian has set up?

     - Brian's Facebook page 

  - Brian's blog

- Brian's Goodreads account  

  - Paradox on Goodreads 

 

 

 

Now, onto the review segment of today's installment.

 

It was some time ago, I'll admit, but I was sent an ah-dor-able handmade hobbit hat from the Etsy shop Mitten Made.

 

Okay, I know it might sound like I say this often in my reviews, but as I've mentioned before I only mention something if I truly mean it! So please don't mistake my notations for fluffed-up flattery.

Anyways, they had me from the get-go, even with the packaging. I mean just look, isn't it perf?

 

 

 

The packaging and business cards suggest a professional manner of business, which I always like to see.

 

 

 

It's soo very soft. I'm kinda really sad that winter is still many a month off, because, well, obviously summer isn't a big time for knitted hats, and I'd really like to wear this places more. *sniffs* (Another big reason to look forward to the cooler months!) But as far as comfy-ness goes, this hat is super comfy.

 

 

 

Attempting a cheesy smile...sadly I'm destined to always flunk cheesy smiles. -_-

 

 

 

 

I like this color a whole lot because it can practically match with anything.

 

Overall, I think this is a super cute accessory. It's youthful and charming - perfect for the wintry months of bonfires and roasted marshmallows. *start idealistic daydream here*

 

If you've not done so yet, you should definitely check out Mitten Made. There are lots of other cute knitted items which, if you liked this hobbit hat, you will be sure to admire!

  

 

Oh, and in other news...this blog has officially topped 60 followers!! I'm so thrilled - and you know what? All you readers/subscribers are just wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to put up with my ramblings and nonsense. Gracias, amigos!

 

 

Note: I was provided this item from Mitten Made in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.

10 Thought-Provoking Writing Prompts {WriterlyWednesday}

 

Hello out there...guess who's back from a lovely vacation at the beach?

Well, it was a terrific week and I was sad to leave, but here I am again back home and true is the saying - there's no place like home.

 

I might do a random photos post (with pictures from the beach) some time soon but today you're simply getting some handy writing prompts which I found on Pinterest. (that site has everrrrything)

I hardly have used writing prompts but sometimes when you're lacking inspiration or motivation, simply pondering a specific prompt can do wonders. So hopefully this post will accomplish just that, and get your brain juices flowing!

 

 

1. List five of your worst phobias; add one of them to your antagonist's character profile. Ohh, I like this one! And I'd maybe add something to a protagonist's profile, in this fashion, as well.

 

2. Write about the worst thing your protagonist has done. You might not even use this in the actual WIP but it could help you get to know your character better...and who knows, in the process, you might actually get an idea for a new scene in the book!

 

3. Write about sacrifices you've made, and promises you didn't keep. Perhaps you'll get inspiration for a moving emotional scene here.

 

4. Write about the worst physical pain you've experienced, using all five senses. Wow, this one could be a killer, if applied to a character in your WIP. Remember, use all five senses. Have the person not only feel the pain, but smell and hear it as well. This, if not anything else, should be a truly fascinating exercise to stimulate the brain activity.

 

5. List your protagonist's five favorite countries. Give a reason why he likes each one. This may sound trivial, but do you even have a protagonist? Well then, don't you want to know him as well as you can, and be able to pick apart his every detail of existence? Nobody likes bland, detail-lacking characters...knowing even the little, seemingly-trivial tidbits of a character's mind can make all the difference in the overall outlook of that figure.

 

6. Your antagonist is making tea for his mother. What is he thinking? Write this scene out, listing his thought processes as time ticks on. Don't forget to use all five senses if possible!

 

7. Write about the sound of winter. Yes, the sound. Rely primarily on this sense, and try not to use any of the others. I know it's summer right now, but that gives you all the more opportunity to rely on your imagination and recollection, therefore possibly forcing the brain to think deeper.

 

8. Write about the smell of your favorite food. Now, to focus on the nasal sense. As with #7, write this sense alone and none other combined.  You could also turn this prompt into writing about the smell of your antagonist/protagonist's favorite food, and make it apply more directly to your WIP.

 

9. Write about the last dream you can remember. The main point of this exercise is to get working on your memory skills, and precision of memory recollection. Write out the dream in the sharpest detail you can.

 

10. The worst possible, unimaginable thing just happened to your antagonist. How does he handle it? You could also flip the question and make it apply to your protagonist. Our characters are nothing more than characterizations until we see what they really are when faced with tribulation, conflict and their worst nightmares. Only then, do we see true character.

 

 

-

 

So there you have it! Did these prompts help? I know they got me thinking as I wrote them down - now I myself am wanting to try a couple of them! *winks*

 

 

Hope y'all are having a blessed summer - I certainly am!

 

Don Homemade Medieval Garb & Take Way Too Many Photos {photoshoot + review}

 

Greetings, lovely followers!

 

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to an amazing seamstress who sent me a handmade medieval corset to review.

Her name is Adrienne Seese, and she runs the costuming site Fantasia Costuming as well as the Etsy shop SewMoochieMarie, where I first found her lovely clothing items.

 

I was so thrilled when she agreed to making me a custom renaissance corset - is that just awesome or what??

 

So naturally when I got it in the mail I couldn't wait to try it on an see what it looked like. Originally I was thinking of a cream/tan color scheme, as the corset on the Etsy listing above is shown in, but Adrienne told me that fabric had been discontinued, and she offered to do the corset in a blue fabric scheme.

As you can see...it is absolutely gorgeous! I just love it!

 

 

 

 

One of the many cool things about this corset - it's reversible!

 

Now, onto the far-too-many photos in the photo shoot...but before I go any further, you need some context on the day OF the photo shoot!

 

First of all, my wonderful friends Maygan and Kay helped me sew the dress I'm wearing in these pictures. I am not a machine-sewer, but they were nice enough to let me sew two hems on the dress. *feeling accomplished*  Haha. So yeah, they did all the serious sewing. Needless to say, I'm very thankful for these sweet sisters!

 

 

They and their mom had been planning a medieval party for the end of May, for some time. We were all gonna dress up in medieval garb, and do a bunch of fun activities like archery, knife throwing, contra dancing, bonfires, yeah, all that jazz. And we'd been looking forward to it a ton.

 

When I got Adrienne's corset, I was even more thrilled, because I realized I could add it to my 'Elvish sword-maiden' outfit. And I've never had such an awesome, coordinated medieval ensemble before. Ever. 

 

It was super muggy when I got these pictures - which figures, doesn't it? I had just gotten into the outfit because we were about to head over to the party at a farm down the road; and I wanted to get pictures for this blog post about the corset. And hey - medieval photoshoots are always fun whether you have a specific reason for them or not. *grins*

 

I think it's super cool that the corset was made specifically to my measurements. I'm not used to wearing corsets (not since I wore my scoliosis brace, anyways!) so at first it was a little uncomfortable. After some wear, I soon forgot this 'discomfort', and at the party, I pretty much forgot about it.

 

So I'm always attempting to do these epic-looking motion shots but they never turn out....eh...quite like I hope.

 

Yeah, that's original lighting. And, I was just so in love with the long sleeves that I used this pose practically every chance I could. (you'll see, hehe)

 

Wingssssss!

 

Yelling at my elven friends in the trees because they couldn't do anything about the oppressive  humidity...Just kidding.

 

 

Now, some photographs from the actual party. I'll spare you most of them, since I've already flooded you poor people with so many pictures as is. 

 

 

Haha, for some reason this reminded me of the private actor trailers they have in Hollywood. Really it was just being used as a place to store extra costuming accessories, shoes, bags etc.

 

Kay

 

Moi again.

 

Prosthetic elf ears! (And as you can tell, there was a nice breeze which came in - and pleasantly, caused the humidity to lift. Yayy.)

 

And now, basically a bunch of pictures Maygan and I got of eachother after we ran around like insane people out in the field at twilight.

 

 

Maygan, assembling her kite.

 

 

 

 

May I repeat? I adore those sleeves.

 

I kinda wish we'd gotten the group photo earlier on in the evening, but oh well. Thanks to Miss Melanie for these two pictures.

 

It was a really fun night. We didn't get to do some things on the 'schedule' but with what we did get to do that didn't really matter. I had a blast, and am sure the memories will not be soon forgotten.

 

Back to the corset though. (Gosh the rambling was baaaaad today wasn't it?) I am not sugarcoating it or flattering needlessly when I say that I just love the piece. It's a charming color, and the way it laces up is really neat and Elvish-looking.

 

It takes a moment to lace up in the front when you put it on, but I imagine that any lace-up corset would be like this, so that's no big deal.

 

Overall, I can't list any true negatives about this bodice. From a full night of literally running, sword fighting and dancing in it, I only had to re-lace it a few times and beyond that it was totally fine! (The re-lacing had to be done after the running-around-ridiculously-in-the-field episode...and when I say running, I meant full fledged RUNNING, not jogging.)

I would most definitely recommend Adrienne's shops. Her intricate craftsmanship is very evident, and the corset is unique, wearable and very much one that catches the eye. I got many compliments at the party and several inquiries on where I got such a piece.

 

So, please check out Fantasia Costuming ! The pricing is reasonable, the quality amazing, and the service friendly and helpful. They offer custom orders, as well as buy-now items. I give them a double thumbs up!

  

Once again, sorry for this super long post. I was writing it at 3:00 in the morning, trying to get it done before I went to bed...which will probably explain any weirdness that ends up here.

And this week, actually tomorrow, begins our weeklong vacation at ze beach. Whoop whoop!

Therefore you won't be seeing any blog posts from me till' we get back.

 

 

What did you think of the corset? Do you like to sew your own costuming pieces?

 

Blessings,

Note: I was provided this product from SewMoochieMarie/Fantasia Costuming in exchange for my honest opinion/review.