Pea of Sweetness

Country Woman Magazine Review and Giveaway

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Country Woman
Country Woman Magazine is the magazine for women who live in or long for the country. If you’ve read a few of my personal posts you’ve probably figured out I live in Texas and seen plenty of our pictures from Fishing Fridays, so you know I also love the outdoors and love to fish. What you may not know is the places I’ve lived in Texas have been far more “city” than where I grew up! I grew up in a small town in Northwest Ohio. A one stoplight kind of town with less than 2000 people. I grew up fishing, playing outside, helping with the small garden in the backyard, and helping my dad and uncle train the Brittany Spaniels for hunting. I was in 4H and showed sheep at the county fair. So to say I’m a little bit country is fitting! So, Country Woman Magazine definitely appeals to me! Country Woman Magazine offers an amazing selection of country decorating ideas, fun crafts, tasty recipes, gardening tips and more! They also have some amazing resources on their website! I, personally, love the sewing section. I will definitely be taking advantage of the home and garden section more after we move and get settled into a new home. We’re really hoping it will have some great land for gardening!
Something particularly special about the June/July issue is it features softball superstar and busy mother-of-three Jennie Finch on the cover! I am also a huge softball fan and played softball myself starting when I was 8 years old and progressing into fast-pitch softball in high school. I even still played some co-ed slow-pitch when our older two kids were still really young before my husband enlisted in the military. So softball is definitely something I enjoy as well, so I was really excited to hear about the opportunity to share this issue with my readers!
Country Woman’s June/July issue shares another side of the two-time Olympian, deemed the “most famous softball player in history” by TIME Magazine. A Los Angeles, she traded in her glove to move to the hometown of her husband (former Major League Baseball player Casey Daigle) to raise their 3 children (ages 7, 2, and 5 months). She shares with Country Woman why she couldn’t be happier with her rural home.
“My family is extremely important to me, and while my heart will always be on the field with softball, living in the country has allowed me to pursue my other loves,” said Finch. “I enjoy the slow pace, privacy and opportunity to get in touch with nature. It’s a great place to raise the kids. In summer, we’re outside from practically the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep.”
A word from the editor:
“Jennie is a role model and a true inspiration. We chose to feature her on our latest cover because of her love for the country, but also because of her commitment to helping young people across America,” said Lori Lau Grzybowski, Editor, Country Woman. “We are eager to share Jennie’s story with women across the nation, which we hope will provide encouragement to our readers.”
Country Woman’s June/July issue also includes a varity of recipes, how-to’s for a rustic DIY wedding, storage secrets for a small kitchen, tips to plant your own hummingbird heaven and more. The latest edition is currently on newsstands and available for digital download on iTunes. For more information, please visit: www.countrywomanmagazine.com.
You can also connect with Country Woman Magazine on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and Raverly.

*Giveaway!!*

This is an AMAZING giveaway! Country Woman Magazine is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a copy of the June/July issue signed by the cover girl Jennie Finch PLUS a one-year subscription to Country Woman Magazine! This giveaway runs from 6/15 through 6/29 at 11:00pm (times are Central) and is open to US residents ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.
To enter simply answer the question below by commenting on this post to get started! Then more entries will open up for more chances to win!
Jennie Finch loves the privacy, family values, nature and slower pace that comes with country life. What do you love about the country?

 
review and giveaway

BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers Review

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Thank-you Smiley360 and BIC Mark-It™ for the chance to try their Permanent Markers.
markers
I love good markers. Good permanent markers are hard to find. Permanent markers in various colors are even harder to find. So, when I saw the BIC Mark-It™ mission on Smiley360 I *might* have been drooling a little over these markers. Could these really be permanent markers in 36 different colors with a fine point? Are you serious?! I’ll admit it. I get bored with the same black permanent marker or the primary colors, and there are a lot times I would prefer to use different colors with permanent markers when I’m labeling things or doing projects for homeschool. I label books, make note cards, do art projects, etc. Washable markers are great for the kids, but for me, they just aren’t what I need! When I saw all the amazing colors offered by BIC Mark-It™ permanent markers I was so surprised! Not only do they offer all the colors, but they offer variations of each color! They took the permanent marker far beyond just a labeling tool and into an art tool. I love the rubber grip and fine tips. They also have no added acid and mark on just about everything (which is great as long as you keep them out of little ones’ reaches of course!). Did I mention all the amazing colors? Wow! They also come in a convenient storage case, which I love!
As you can see, when I received my kit for the Smiley360 mission I also got a craft project to try as well. For my craft project I received butterfly wind chimes with gem embellishments and ribbon. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about using permanent markers on the wind chimes. I guess even I am stuck in the mind set that permanent markers aren’t for coloring. They proved me wrong, though, and my first butterfly wind chime turned out pretty cute! Obviously, I did the coloring myself since our kids are too young to use permanent markers, but they loved watching me. I’m usually so busy helping them with their art projects they don’t often get to watch me do my own, and they enjoyed it!
windchime
 
For more information and creative tips, visit www.bicmarkit.com. You can also connect with BIC Mark-It™ Permanent Markers on Facebook and follow them on Pinterest
 
review

New Craftsy Classes!

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If you sew/craft like me and haven’t checked out Craftsy yet, you are missing out! Craftsy offers a variety of online crafting classes! The great thing is they aren’t the type of classes you have to set aside a date and time to attend. You watch them on YOUR time! This works out better for someone like me. I have attempted to attend classes on a schedule and something always seems to come up! Being able to take the classes on my own time is definitely the way to go! Classes range from sewing, embroidery, and quilting to cake decorating, paper crafts, and more! Whether you are a beginner at a specific craft or just need some brushing up there is something for you!
Here is a list of the newest classes that were released this week!
Kenneth King: The Carefree Fly-Front Coat
Jacquie Gering: Online Quilting Class: Improvisational Piecing, Modern Design
Marsha Winbeckler: Online Cake Decorating Class: Fondant Ruffles, Pleats, and Drapes
and Craftsy Free-Motion Machine Embroidery featuring Terry White
Maybe you’re thinking I don’t have time for a full course right now or you’re not quite sure what to expect or where to start! Well, you can start with a FREE mini-course! Craftsy’s mini-courses have the same great content that you’ve come to expect from Craftsy.com, but feature student-led discussions and are shorter in length than regular courses. They are a perfect way to learn new skills and experience the Craftsy platform first-hand! I’m going to be taking a couple myself!
The next 2 free Craftsy mini-courses I’m going to take are:
1. Sewing Machine 911: Give your sewing machine some TLC with the help of this free course. Learn to clean and maintain your sewing machine with tips and tricks taught in this class. I just got a gorgeous new sewing/embroidery machine, so I’m going to make sure I take good care of it!
2. QuiltCon Lecture Series 2013: Not able to make it to Austin for the Modern Quilt Guild’s inaugural QuiltCon? Watch some of our favorite lectures from the event, given by Heather Jones, Angela Walters, David and Amy Butler, Jacquie Gering, and Mary Fons. I know I only live an hour from Austin, but no, I couldn’t make it. I really want to learn more about quilting, though, so I’m excited to check this out!
Check out all of the other free Craftsy mini-courses by clicking here.
Another fun fact about Craftsy? You can get the app on your iPhone or iPad! If you love crafting – you need to check Craftsy out!
Craftsy
Disclosure: The previous post may contain affiliate links. If these links are clicked, I may receive monetary compensation. All opinions are completely my own. My participation is voluntary. I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255.