Freedom Ain't Free kit

I hope you are all having a fabulous summer. Before I write about my kit, I wanted to let you know about a superb giveaway that I am doing. One of my best friends, Sarah Bisel, has written a book! Many of you may remember seeing the amazing quilts that she has made. She made one for my friend Kari (who's baby had cancer...you can click here and scroll down until you see the quilt she made). She is also the friend who made these little lunch box labels (click here). And she made this diaper clutch for a giveaway that you might remember (click here).

Anyways, I could keep posting because she has made me a quilt, as well as my sister and many friends. She is constantly doing things for others and never thinks about herself. She is seriously amazing. So amazing that a publishing company saw some of her work and wanted her to write a book! Well, I have bought one for myself and can't wait to make some quilts. I am a total beginner, but her tutorials are so precise and user-friendly, that I am excited to see what I will be able to make! You can click here at Amazon to look inside at the pages. (I snagged this picture of the cover off of Amazon.com)

Now, about the giveaway. I bought TWO EXTRA books to give away to TWO of my lucky readers. And of course, they will be signed by the author!

So, what do you have to do to be entered in the contest? Well, obviously the best way for me to help my friend sell her book is by word of mouth. So, I need you to:

1) Post about her book on your blog to advertise. If you don't have a blog, you'll need to advertise some other way, like Facebook or something...either way, let me know.
2) Write your email address in the comment line (or you can email it to me) so that way, if you are the winner, I can email you to get your address.

The drawing will be NEXT Friday, July 9th so you have until then. And if you are not one of the lucky winners, and you like to sew, I hope you will consider buying her book. Her designs are fresh and cheerful and I just LOVE them!!!

Okay, onto the kit.

As 4th of July comes around, I usually get excited for BBQ's and fireworks and festive desserts. But when I have a moment to myself, I think about my freedom and how grateful I am to have it. And then as I think even more, I think of a line in the song "I'm Proud to be an American". The line that brings tears to my eyes is "...where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me."

Yes, we may have our freedom, but it wasn't free. A price had to be paid for our freedom, and that price was the lives of so many brave men and women. I am humbled as I think about it, and so grateful and feel in debt to those people. To all of you who have loved ones currently serving for our country, or if you have loved ones who have died serving our country, my heart goes out to you. Let us all remember how our freedom was attained. I am proud to be an American!

Click here to download the "Freedom Ain't Free" kit:
Freedom Ain't Free: papers 1
Freedom Ain't Free: papers 2
Freedom Ain't Free: papers 3
Freedom Ain't Free: elements 1
Freedom Ain't Free: elements 2

P.S. Okay, I feel like I am a little bit greedy asking for a favor, but I have a friend named Trevor Dayley who is this awesome photographer and he is doing a contest. He's asked couples to send in a favorite picture of themselves, and whoever gets the most comments about their photo, or if you click on the "thumbs up" icon under the picture, then the winner will get a free photo shoot. I would love if Cory and I could have professional pics taken of us! So, if you want to, just go to this link and either leave a comment under our picture, or click on the picture of the "thumbs up" under it. Thanks so much! Oh, and if you are in the Arizona area and looking for an amazing photographer, Trevor Dayley is your guy!