21 October 2009

You may not realize, but at our website NobleRosePress.com we have a blog where we share quotes, homemaking skills, tutorials, ideas, as well as history and news about the Daughters of His Story Paper Dolls.

Recently we posted a couple of tutorials on laminating paper dolls and magnetizing them. Laminating helps to prevent any tears or other damage to your paper dolls and their dresses as well as protects and strengthens them for long-term enjoyment. This is especially nice for little girls who may be a bit young to play with paper dolls.

After laminating them, you may wish to magnetize them so that they can be played with on the fridge at home or a cookie sheet when traveling (thank you for the grand idea, Shannon!).

Would you like to win one of the Daughters of His Story Paper Doll collections?

Monica at The Homespun Heart is giving away three collections to three winners, each winning the collection of their choice. Ends tomorrow, Thursday, October 22nd at 10pm EST.

Dawn at My Home Sweet Home Online is giving away three collections – one to each of the three winners (winner’s get to choose desired collection). Ends Sunday, October 25th.

Mrs. Bluedorn of Trivium Pursuit will be giving away a bundle of all three collections to one winner at the Homeschooling with the Trivium Facebook page. The contest will run on Friday—make sure to become a fan of their Facebook page so that you can enter!

[5] Comments » | Categories: Contests and Giveaways

17 October 2009

. . . to be surrounded by fields of corn.

It can be easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives and forget to take the time to thank the One who has given us stewardship over all that we have. It is our Creator who gives us . . .

the breath of life and every heart beat

love for others that goes beyond first impressions

water to quench our thirst (both the spiritual and physical)

joy in the life that He gives

family who stands by our side and encourages us

contentment in where He places us

bread to satisfy our hunger (both the spiritual and physical)

eyes that can see the beauty of His creation that surrounds us

salvation from an eternity of torment

commands to obey and live by

hope in Him and a hope for the future . . .

The list does not end there — it goes on and on. It is a list that does not end. It is all by God’s sovereign grace that we have what we have — and all the praise goes to Almighty God!

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.

I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2

Let us look for things to be thankful for so that we may never take for granted what He has bestowed us with (be assured that you do not have to look far to see the love our Lord has for His people). Let us forever thank and praise the One who deserves all the glory!

What comes to mind when you think of things you are thankful for?

[13] Comments » | Categories: God's Creation, Inspirations, The Home

13 October 2009

Don’t those look delicious? When Mom found this recipe for Onion Strings at the Tasty Kitchen, she knew it was something we would try. Onion Strings are very much like onion rings — the only difference being the fact that they are narrow rather than thick strips.

Just when we thought our only options for good onion rings was at a restaurant or at the fair, this little recipe saved the day (figuratively). They are simple to make and taste delicious (but with all the grease, not necessarily something we’d eat everyday).

Their thinness was perfect for me, as I do not like to crunch onions . . . but Daddy prefers them more thick and manly (which I completely understand — my sweet daddy has always really liked onions). It’s completely up to your own taste buds and senses.

Next time we plan on making strings and rings.

Have you tried any new recipes that your family has enjoyed?

[15] Comments » | Categories: Family, Food

8 October 2009

There is nothing that says Autumn quite like the first step into the little store at the apple orchard. The smell is enchanting and brings back many memories of cider, pumpkins, and pounds upon pounds of apples.

Unlike some, the apples at our local orchard are already picked. It does sound most pleasant to pick ones own apples, though! As the apples are already picked, each type of apple is labeled by section and contained by bushel baskets.

Not only are there apples, there are also pumpkins and a variety of gourds. Behind the store are many, many pumpkins. There was a large pile of smaller ones, and past those there were rows of larger pumpkins. Although we did not purchase any, I went out back to capture a few shots of them (as well as the brimming apple tree at the top of the post).

During our latest trip to the orchard we purchased 60 lbs of apples, the majority of which have been turned into canned applesauce. We plan on going back again soon to get more apples, and in addition to those, plenty of pears to can for pear pies!

[12] Comments » | Categories: Food, God's Creation, Inspirations, Life, The Home

5 October 2009

Our paper dolls will be available starting this Wednesday (the 7th), but we’ll give you a sneak peak of our new website: www.NobleRosePress.com.

There will be a special introductory price October 7th through October 10th!

{In the meantime you can become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.}

Thank you so much for all of your support through this project – you all have been a great source of encouragement to us through your comments and emails!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Psalm 118:1

[15] Comments » | Categories: Inspirations, Life

1 October 2009

This morning we received a package from the printers. Inside that package was six little booklets: two of each of the collections of the Daughters of His Story Paper Dolls. The rest of the paper dolls will, Lord willing, arrive today.

It has been amazing to see the Lord work out the details through this entire project. To Him be all the praise and glory, for it is only by His grace that we have been able to complete these paper dolls.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and
through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”
II Corinthians 2:14

Daughters of His Story Paper Dolls: Collections One, Two, and Three

Available October 7th!

Stay tuned to keep updated!

[24] Comments » | Categories: Family, Portfolio

24 September 2009

. . . up into an oak-tree, and have lots of haycorns just outside the front door instead of having to walk miles and miles, do you see, Pooh?”

– The House At Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne

Last Autumn, I asked my dearest sister if she would do a special project for me. The project would be three small paintings of one dear little character.

That little character was Piglet, the sweet little Piglet in A.A. Milne’s books with “decorations” (illustrations) by Ernest H. Shepard.

This past Spring, little Piglet emerged from the art studio as whimsical as ever. The three pieces I requested that she draw and paint were of Piglet planting the “haycorn.”

Above are the illustrations that she made — they are a special gift from a treasured sister.

[20] Comments » | Categories: Family, Inspirations

22 September 2009

Today is the first day of Autumn. This is my favorite season. Not only because it’s my color season, but also because in this season when we prepare for winter we

drive to the local apple orchard, enjoy the smells, and bring home bushels of apples,

listen to the dry leaves crunching under little, happy feet,

smell the smoke of a flaming campfire,

watch the fields of corn that surround us being harvested,

feel the crisp breeze warning of what is fast approaching, and

sip warm apple cider on a chilly morning.

What comes to mind when you think of Autumn?

If you are looking for a couple of lovely giveaways, be sure to stop by:

• My Life Belongs to Him where Emily Elizabeth is giving away an Autumn Acorn Apron & Potholders, which she made to give away in celebration of Autumn. Ends:  Monday, September 28th at Midnight

• Seven Sisters where Leah is giving away an Edwardian Apron. They also have two more giveaways coming up, each on the following Monday! Ends: Saturday, September 26th

[13] Comments » | Categories: Contests and Giveaways, God's Creation, Inspirations, Life

12 September 2009

Reminders of God’s amazing design and creativity!

[11] Comments » | Categories: God's Creation