It's so hard to believe that a year has passed since I met Nixy! When I starting reading Paint the Town Dead (Silver Six Crafting Mystery #2) by Nancy Haddock, it felt like yesterday since I'd left this series. I hope you made the time to read the first part, because the second part is just as much fun.
From the back of the book:
From the national bestselling author of Basket Case comes the second mystery starring the crafty and cantankerous Silver Six.
Leslee Stanton Nix—aka “Nixy”—thought moving to small-town Lilyvale, Arkansas, would be about as thrilling as watching paint dry. But keeping up with her retired Aunt Sherry and her troublemaking housemates—collectively known as the Silver Six—has proven to be as exciting as it is exasperating.
To kick off the grand opening of their craft shop, the Handcraft Emporium, Nixy and the Silver Six invite Doralee Gordon to teach a gourd painting class. Doralee’s spirit gets squashed when her ex crashes the class with his new fiancée, but things really get messy when the bride-to-be later turns up dead. Now it’s up to Nixy and the Silver Six to use their melons to find the killer—before someone else gets painted out of the picture.
My thoughts:
As I said in the intro, I was really excited to be back in this series, and that is because the characters are so fabulous. Nixy is a smart and spunky heroine, and Eric is still swoony. I missed them as well the six! Speaking of spunky, the six are some feisty older crafters. The secondary and new faces for this part were also a lot of fun. There were a lot of suspects, but I still managed to put it together just in time.
The story was paced well and I flew through it, devouring not only the mystery, but also the fun asides of the classes and developing relationships. I like that Nixy's and the six's insights are not only respected by Eric, but also occasionally sought after. There were also some new furry faces in this part that made me smile. I liked that even they got some backstory that was explored.
I really look forward to my next visit Nixy, Eric, and the six, as well as trying the recipes and crafts from the back of the book.
Take some time to browse the other great mysteries available from Berkley Prime Crime. While you are there, you can sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a new release. I must warn you though, after browsing my wish list is longer than I could probably read. You can also connect with them on Twitter where you can happen across a fun giveaway as well.
Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.
I am so in love with the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series. I mean seriously! Yarn, ghosts, and murder mysteries all in the same great place. How can you go wrong? I have just finished the latest part Plagued By Quilt by Molly MacRae and I am just as in love as I was with the first part.
Kath Rutledge the yarn shop owner and her gang of needlework buddies from the TGIF group (Thank God It's Fiber) are preparing to teach a workshop at a local historic farm when an archaeological dig turns up more than artifacts. In fact, a full skeleton is excavated. What’s more is it might be related to the ghost that haunts Kath’s yarn shop, Geneva, who is a lot of fun. If that wasn’t enough, the assistant director who was leading the dig turns up dead too!
I was so happy to see my old favorite characters, Sheriff Cole/Clod (LOL) and his much more appealing brother Joe. And of course the whole TGIF gang was there and the crazy, annoying, but always funny Spivey twins. I just know you all are going love the whole cast of characters just like I do.
What’s better is the story is just as relaxing and charming as the cast. It’s so well written that each time I settle into read, I easily slip right into the town and feel totally at home. The story is paced well and the right amount of intrigue to keep me guessing and wondering until the reveal.
Did I mention there were recipes and a craft project too? While I always love the crafts, my husband has caught on that he gets to try some very delicious treats as a result of my book choices and he now really encourages certain series' that have tasty treats.
Ooo and there was an excerpt from the next book, Knit The Usual Suspects… I am so excited!
Take some time to browse the other great mysteries available from Berkley Prime Crime. While you are there, you can sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a new release. I must warn you though, after browsing my wish list is longer than I could probably read.
Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.
I have always loved the look of a handmade quilt. Since I have zero sewing skills, I have shied away from even thinking about them. However now that I feel comfortable in my newly found craftiness, I wanted to branch out from yarn arts. I knew for something like quilting I would need to start at the very, very beginning. Of course that would mean a trip to my favorite place to shop for craft books, Leisure Arts.
I was not surprised how spoiled for choice I was either. I always find just what I need, which this time was the Encyclopedia of Quilting (revised). This fantastic book truly starts at the beginning by going over the history of quilting, which I found both interesting and inspiring. The pictures in the history section show some really awesome quilts as well.
Next it covers the basics, this section I have read a few times. It explains the parts of a quilt, planning, and preparations, including supplies and even ways you might find inspiration. The fabrics section is so jammed full of information that is all so new to me - I am sure I will be revisiting this a million times as I plan my first quilt project. The one thing I know for sure is that as I read this book, my shopping list is growing wild!
I do have a sewing machine that I have tried to use in the past with no luck so, I really love that this book includes information for both hand quilting and machine quilting. I am not saying I won’t speak to my machine again, but I think it is fabulous to have the option of working either way. The techniques and styles sections are very thorough and make me super excited to think of all the possibilities. There are even beyond basics techniques too so this will be a great resource for people who have experience with quilting as well.
Once you have absorbed enough to feel ready to get started, there is a projects section too! There are projects here that are so user friendly like a scarf and appliqué pillow. There is even a blanket that is marketed at the easy skill! The projects range in skill level and cover a lot of techniques. They have machine and hand projects, as well as small and large projects. In addition to all of the projects, there is also a huge section of patterns that you can use to design your own pattern.
Since this is my first and sewing is so intimidating for me, I am still in the extra secret planning phase. I am thinking of a small quilt or wall hanging to start off with. And as many of you know, when I start something new I like to do it right because I usually go all in! I feel like I am prepared now with this fabulous resource in my corner. Have you quilted before? I would love to hear about what you made!
Take some time to browse Leisure Arts' great selection and make sure you also connect with Leisure Arts on Facebook and Twitter so that you never miss a special or new pattern! Also, if you sign up for their knitting or crochet newsletters, you get a free pattern on Fridays!
Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my reader
From the back of the book: