Two Types of Ink - Mrs. Saint and the Defectives

Welcome to another Monday Mention!  Today I'm going to discuss one of the books I just read last week that is currently being offered as part of Kindle First.

First things first (aren't I witty) - do you know what Kindle First is?  If you are currently an Amazon Prime member and have an electronic device to read on, you can sign up for Kindle First. This means that on the first of the month, Amazon emails you with a set of titles that you can choose one to read for free.  These are books that are not yet available to the general public.

You can check out Kindle First by clicking here.

MRS. SAINT AND THE DEFECTIVES by Julie Lawson Timmer is one of the July Kindle First offerings, though I received my copy from NetGalley and the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. As always, all opinions are my own. This novel is a funny and heartwarming story full of well developed and unforgettable misfits.  As Markie struggles with her divorce and fall from social standing with her teenage son Jesse, the last thing she wanted in her life was a noisy neighbor.  But as the story carries on, you see that Mrs. Saint has a knack for knowing what people need in their lives to give them purpose and meaning.  It reminds you that you should be charitable and you should reach out to others instead of closing yourself off.  The relationship between Markie and the other defectives is special and the last fourth of this book is some of the best storytelling I've read and the reveal doesn't feel over worked like endings sometimes do.  In a year full of stellar novels, this one is worth adding to your stack.  You'll make at least one new literary friend and recognize the defectives in all of us. 

Check out this book on Amazon!
Check out Great Thoughts' Great Readers on Facebook!

As for the project inspired by this novel, let me count the ways.

1. Mrs. Saint is the nosy neighbor always looking over the fence so the card had to have a woodgrain white picket fence.
2. She has a polka dot hat on the cover so that lead me to the big red circle.
3. She's French and tells Markie that her son needs a dog.  While not this kind of dog, the French Poodle seemed to capture both ideas.
4. The dog is wearing a pearl collar because when I told my daughter that Mrs. Saint always had her pearls, she thought the dog should have them too.  Great idea babydoll!  She also put the pearl on the exclamation point.
5. The card says "surprise" because everytime Markie turns around, there is Mrs. Saint with a piece of advice or something else, like a dog...

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Real Red, Birthday Memories DSP
• Ink: Soft Suede
• Stamp Set: Birthday Delivery
• Big Shot: Pinewood Planks Dynamic TIEF, Birthday Friends Framelits, Magnetic Platform, Cutting Mats, Multi-purpose Platform
• Accessories: Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Triple Banner Punch, Dimensionals, White Chalk Marker, Adhesive

ONLINE HOSTESS CODE

To purchase these products, please visit my Online Store and use hostess code 4R3DF9YC when checking out.

BONUS DAYS ARE HERE

For the month of July, you can earn $5 in bonus dollars each time you spend $50.  Then in August, you can redeem them for more fun product.  Bonus dollars are sent via email so don't delete them!

Sign up for PAPER PUMPKIN!

Paper Pumpkin is creativity in a box.  It costs $19.95 plus tax and ships to your mailbox once a month.  It contains everything you need for your own creative escape.  Besides the instructions and pieces for the cards or project, it also contains ink and photopolymer stamps and usually the adhesive you need as well.  My subscribers will also get a project sheet with tips and additional ideas and instructions that they can make with the supplies in the kits and sometimes some supplemental supplies.  Sign up by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit! 

You can sign up here: https://mypaperpumpkin.com/en/?demoid=80380

Subscribers can also have access to all my past project sheets!

JOIN MY TEAM

Joining Stampin' Up! was one of the best decisions I've made in life.  I have met some wonderful people who offer incredible inspiration and I believe in the quality of the product. Plus there is always something special about making and receiving homemade cards or décor from people.

If you are interested in joining my team, contact me today or go here to sign up!  You can get $125 in free merchandise that you choose yourself for only $99 plus tax.  With the new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog, it's not hard at all to find stamps and accessories that you will want to play with. 

But for the month of July, the deal gets even better.  You also get an Essentials Gift Pack for FREE.  This kit includes 2 clear D blocks, Grid Paper, Paper Snips, SNAIL Adhesive, and a Bone Folder for FREE.  That’s a $52 value.  And, though I’m already jealous of this deal, you will also get the clear mount Carols of Christmas set ($20 value) for free.  That deal is too sweet to pass up especially when it’s so easy to find $99 worth of stuff you would buy anyhow from the new catalog! 

Being a demonstrator doesn’t mean you have to have parties – it means you can buy from yourself at a discount!  And if you don’t hit your minimums, there is no penalty!  Contact me today if you are interested in trying this out or sign up directly at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stacymccain/jointhefun!

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy