From Novel to Film

My friend Marsha lent me this book and as I knew I would, I LOVED it! I'm so excited it's being made into a movie. Obviously, this is a book that makes you think. My own grandmother was raised on a tobacco farm in Kentucky and her family had "help". My mother grew up in Dayton, Ohio (one of the most racist cities in the US) during integration. I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended school with students from 109 different ethnic groups. Each of us has our own stories. I loved the point of the book though- we are just 2 women, there are no lines between us except the ones we create.


I am a fan of Jane Austen's, but I have only read "Pride and Prejudice". I must admit that I prefer watching her tales on the big screen. They were written as novels, but I enjoy them like I enjoy Shakespeare- acted out.

I've been wanting to read works by the Bronte Sisters for years now. Well, Marsha lent me the movie of "Jane Eyre" and I decided that now I'll watch the stories from the other 2 sisters too!

Original Fashions

My friend Jenn found her mom's sewing machine in the basement and decided to teach herself how to sew. She's created some really cute things including this dress for Noe!

She also made me the cutest maternity swim suit ever (I plan on wearing it when I'm not pregnant too!).

You can see more of her creations at Ginger Fashions on my sidebar under "Jewelry-Accesory Bling."

Some Summer Reading

So I know this is supposed to be my craft blog, but since I've been pregnant it's turned into my reading blog. I do have a couple of projects almost done (Teague's 1st year baby book, and some Halloween & Thanksgiving crafts), that I will post once they're completed. Until then, here's some more titles.


We've already chosen baby #5's name, but I'm reading this book for the 3rd time just in case.


I think it's been a year since I finished book 4 in The Wheel of Time series, so I decided it was finally time to pick up book 5.

This is our book club selection for August (we don't meet in July). I already have a copy to read and am looking forward to starting it.

For September, we're doing the whole Chronicle of Narnia series, so I'll start reading them again this summer. I've read them in published order and chronological order. I think I might prefer them in published order. Which do you prefer?

My friend Rhonda gave me a couple of thrillers to read.

Let's see if I'm brave enough to read them!

More Titles

Last month, Marsha played a joke on us saying that the book she recommended for Book Club was 100% Gleek. I've never seen the show (but I loved my years in my high school's show choir- Spectrum), so I decided to read it. It was a yearbook about all the characters and Season 1. Part of me wishes I could get into the show, but I don't think I could come in for Season 3.


This was the real title Marsha chose, Chosen-the lost diaries of Queen Esther. It was a very interesting read. It really portrayed how Esther gave up her personal dreams to fulfill the will of Heavenly Father. I find that hard to do sometimes in my own life, but I am trying.

A Thousand Tomorrows is the title for June. I'm still in line for it from the library. I can't wait for summer and will hopefully get lots of titles under my belt while the kids play outside- tee hee!

Book Club Titles

This was one of my favorite movies during my BYU days, so I was so excited when it was our book club title for March. I loved it! And can't wait to watch the movie again! My friend Laura gave me this book and I also read it while we were on vacation. An interesting little murder mystery. I'm curious about the movie The Black Swan now even though they are different stories I'm sure. This month's book club title was Room, and I'm so glad my friend Marsha got a copy of it off the library express shelf and that I got a chance to read it before it was due back. Otherwise, I'd probably get if from the library sometime next year. Very interesting. I knew the whole plot of this book before I read it, but I won't say a word except, you should read it. The alternate title for this month, that I am anxiously waiting for from the library.

I'm also waiting for this from the library to read with Kaleb and Noe for their book club.

Gettin' in the mood!

I receive e-mails from the Trendy Tree and I just received word about the new 2011 line from RAZ. Here are my top 5 (out of about 85) favorite Christmas trees: Christmas Tapestry (I actually just love the HUGE nativity set in the background). Winter Palace- love the white and gold. No peeking- I've always loved red and green, but I'm really loving the addition of the light green. Frostyland- who doesn't love snowmen and snowflakes?

Gumdrops and Jellybeans- okay, I want to live in this candyland, it's just SO dang cute!

I'm really in the mood to make up some Christmas crafts!!

This is the second blog post that is screwing up the placement of the words with the pictures. What's up blogger?

Cute Cards

You know how I made this card last week and some kits for our card swap? Well today was the day, and it was a blast! 9 of us ladies from church got together with our rugrats for 5 hours of crafting fun. While the kids played, we glued, visited, and broke for a nummy potluck luncheon. It was so fun we decided we're going to have a BYOCraft day once a month!


Annick's


Jenna's

Mary's

Tanya's

Robin's

Sonia's

Marsha's

I came home and decided to make a few more

This was a bonus card I made for the ladies as well.

I made another version of my card too.

I have such talented friends!

A few of my favorite things

I created 5 more blogs this week. Click on each title below to check them out! After that you can find links for them permanently on my "This is Reil fun" blog.


an Airplane and a Farm
(travel dreams)

1,095 Meals a Year
(dinner ideas and other recipes)

Amazing Additions to Holiday Traditions
(holiday crafts and more)

Down Memory Lane
(pictures of our childhood homes)

Barbarian Princess
(I love beautiful baking, but this site is not about dessert- it's about painting, but actually I get lots of inspiration from amazing cakes!)

Card Kits

Next week a group of my friends and I are getting together to swap and make cards. We'll each design one card and then put together kits for everyone else to make it. So this week I did my prep work designing my card and making up the kits. With spring around the corner, I thought this could work for a baby/bridal shower, Easter, Mother's Day, or to write whatever note you'd like to a girlie-girl.

Lucky Clover

We're a month away from St. Patrick's Day so I made up this little guy to add to our holiday decor. I'm so excited though, because this St. Patrick's Day Len & I will be on an airplane heading over to the British Isles. Len has work to do in London and Dublin and I'm going to tag along with him. I feel so lucky!!

The Books of Bayern

If you like a "modern" retelling of a classic fairytale, you should check out these books: