Monday, August 1, 2011

… Fruitful Hands. . .


When my dear friend Jackie Steves (of the Noble Wife)  told me that she was going to do a book. . . I just knew that it would be wonderful. . . because I know that she puts her heart & soul into her designs. . . 

. . . & when her book arrived the other day. . . it was better than I had even expected!

It's titled, 'Fruitful Hands' - 'A collection of sewing projects & recipes to nurture your soul.'



. . . & when Jackie asked if I would be interested in being a part of a book blog tour for her new book. . . I jumped at the chance! . . . because I don't want anyone to miss out on such a down-to-earth & wonderful experience that Jackie brings to us on the pages of 'Fruitful Hands'.

I told Jackie that I'd like to pick out my favorite project & recipe. . . & I soon realized that it would be harder than I first thought!. . . The more I looked over the pages. . . the more I realized that there were so many things I wanted to try & make for myself!. . . But, since there will be more folks part of this book blog tour (see below!). . . I'm making myself just show one project & one of her yummy recipes (that are scattered throughout the pages).

For my favorite the project that I want to make first (too many favorites now!). . . I'm choosing the 'Heartfelt Home' Floor Mat.


If you know me. . . you know that I love wool, & this project is so charming (& is so Jackie!). . . & I can't wait to get started! Wool is so lovely to work with. . . & if you've never tried it - this would be a great project to start with!

For my favorite recipe from 'Fruitful Hands' - I picked the 'Sunshine Chicken Soup'.
I'm a soup girl - through & through. . . & even though it's in the middle of summer . . . just reading the ingredients (chicken breasts, veggies, onion, garlic, lemon. . . !) makes me want to be sure I have it on hand. . . summer, fall, winter, & spring!


. . . So now you know what's in store for me. . . (at least the first things!). . . but before I end this post, I just have to share one more thing. . .

If you are familiar with Jackie's work - then you know what a wonderful artist she is. One of my overall favorite things about 'Fruitful Hands' is that Jackie's art work is throughout. . . not only in the projects, but also in the diagrams & illustrations.

Here's one of her illustrated instructions. . .


. . . & I mean, really. . . how sweet it this? . . .

. . . so don't miss out giving yourself (& friends!) a wonderful book, filled with charming projects & the sweetest illustrations ever! I know that Jackie is giving away several copies of 'Fruitful Hands' & many other wonderful prizes. . . so don't miss out & give her blog a visit!

Also . . . be sure to visit these other folks this week - who will be sharing more peeks of 'Fruitful Hands' :

Monday (today too!):    Jill Finley of Jillily Studio
Tuesday:    Pat Sloan of  Pat Sloan
Wednesday:    Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches
Thursday:    Michele Foster of The Quilting Gallery
Friday:    Sandi Andersen of A Legacy of Stitches


Bren

47 comments:

Wendy said...

The book looks wonderful, love the addition of recipes also. Can't wait for the tour.
Wendy

Pepe said...

This is a wonderful idea! I like so much illustrations!

Samantha said...

Oh, Bren- You're making me blush! Thanks for all of the nice things you had to say about my book- you are a sweetheart!

pinsandneedles said...

I follow Jackie's blog and yes her drawings are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing :-) I now have another cool blog site to drool at!!LOL Looks like a fab book....Nurse Payne

Jan said...

This look like such a wonderful, inpiring quilt book.

Anonymous said...

I love Jacquelynne's blog...you're right, she is sew talented!Sure hope I can win her book!
Jacque in SC aka Snoodles at Lilypadquilting
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jo's Corner said...

That book looks gorgeous! I really want to try working with wool. I've seen some pretty pieces at my local quilt shop. Oh, I want to tell you that the Durham Anew line is beautiful!! Hugs ~ Jo

Diane H said...

Jackie's book looks amazing. Love her illustrations.

Annette said...

What an exciting book...I am looking forward to this week and all of the "peeks"!

Anonymous said...

This book blog tour is great, that's how I found your blog. I became a follower right away :-)
and I downloaded 'flowers for Georgia', thank you so much .I have just the right (Lecien ) fabrics for it in lovely pastels. My granddaughter will love it!
Dutch hugs

Ramona said...

This book looks wonderful. I love the project you showed and recipes too. How could you not love it.

Katherine said...

What a cute project! And great to find your blog. I'm going to have to become a follower!

Sylvia said...

This looks like a neat book!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the sneak peak! Her illustrations do look wonderful!

evelyn said...

Amazing book. Such a talented author.

Jocelyn said...

Jacquelynne's book looks awesome!! As do the projects and all the goodies inside. Thanks for the review.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Now I'm hungry.

Terry said...

This really looks like a wonderful book! I definitely need to get my hands on one! :0)

Donna said...

Jacquelynne's work is wonderful! I am looking forward to getting my hands on her new book. Thanks for being part of the blog hop. Happy quilting!

quiltma said...

Looks like a wonderful book.

schmidt1016 said...

This is the first I've heard of this tour, and I'm very glad I found it. The book looks so charming. I'm eager to see some of the projects. Thanks for the glimpse.

Leslie S. in MN
esclante at comcast dot net

Patty C. said...

Lovely book ;)

Kd Brown said...

Let me at that Sunshine Chicken Soup recipe...I think I have all the ingredients. Love Jacquelynne's book and would love to win one! Blessings. ~Kd
www.KdQuilts.com

Carrie P. said...

the illustrations are so sweet. The floor mat is beautiful but I would definitely put it in a place where it would not get walked on. :)

Dolores said...

Thank you for the line up of the book tour.

Mary said...

So when I win the book does it go with my Quilting books, or on my reading bookshelf, or the cookbook shelf? Thanks for the chance to win!

BeachQuilter said...

I can't wait to see this book! The projects and recipes are looking wonderful!

Darlene said...

OMG, this looks like definitely a must have book. I love her illustrations and such.

Becky said...

Thanks for giving us a peak into Fruitful Hands! Love the book title!

Vicki ♥ said...

I would love to win Jackies new book ....it looks really fabulous :) Thanks for the chance to win it. :)

Marcia W. said...

Projects and recipes both is a winner. Hope win a book so have a copy of the pear dessert! Thanks.

Sherry said...

I follow Jackies blog and have purchased her Sewing Room Social fabrics. I know that her book will be wonderful. I too like the wool project, it looks like it would be fun to make.

arlette said...

Love the book!!!, thank you for the fun!!!

KaHolly said...

I am enjoying this book tour!!

Anonymous said...

NEAT BOOK!
THANKS FOR SHARING!

jldouglas@wispwest.net

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

oh my, this looks such a wonderful book, full of yummy recipes as well, good for the soul and the body!!

Lee said...

Thanks for the review and the recipe!

MoeWest said...

Thanks for the book review. It looks like a great book!

Jen said...

Great illustrations, thanks for the peek!

Elisa (AKA scrapcat) said...

Such a lovely book. Such a treasure. Thank you for sharing!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Great book review, I follow Jackie's blog which is wonderful!

Liesbeth Wessels said...

I love the woolen carpet too. I only should write "welkom"on it, that is the dutch version. greetings from liesbeth

Jeanne Gwin said...

I follow Jackie's blog and love her illustrations. I have a empty slot in my bookcase so I must have her new book. I love the title "Fruitful Hands" and don't I know that after all the garden canning I have been doing. Thanks

Susan said...

Catching up today on this whirlwind book tour and love the floor mat you highlighted. I am fairly new to using wool so this may be a good start. I am looking forward to viewing the book.

Pat V. said...

Quilts and food, what's not to like? Seriously, this book looks wonderful!

Unknown said...

I love working with wool too! Would love this book. Thanks for the giveaway.