A Year of Making Life Beautiful- Blog Hop

Today kicks off a Book Tour Blog Hop for Melissa Stramel’s new book- A year of Making Life Beautiful: 45 projects to bake, grow, craft, and sew throughout the year.

First I’ll start by mentioning the book comes in both spiral bound (love this especially for projects and recipes) and in hard copy if you prefer that as well. The book is full of sweet pictures of kids playing, yummy dishes, gorgeous flowers and of course… quilty projects!

I was really excited about reading through the book because it is something I can totally relate to!  Family, farm life, cooking and crafts in one book? Definitely right up my alley. The book is arranged in months. Each month has a quilt pattern, a recipe, usually a craft, something from the garden, and there are several extra non-quilt patterns and some embroider projects as well.  In other words- there is something for everybody.

I like that the book also has that homegrown feel to it.  It’s like you had someone in your family put it all together and then made copies to hand out to the rest of the family.  You know, like a family heirloom full of recipes and favorite projects. 

I have to admit one of my favorite things about the book is the variety of recipes on preserving homegrown food. I am really interested in trying my hand at canning this year and the book has several canning recipes that I have to try… salsa, marinara sauce, plum jam…

My husband who looked through the book and didn’t get past the month of February section was pointing at a picture saying, “Yea, you gotta make these ASAP.” Wondering what he was all excited about in a crafty book like this one I glance over to see. As much as I wanted to believe he was talking about the adorable Love Letter cathedral windows pillow he clearly wasn’t. He was practically drooling over the Triple Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe. Ha!

So, like I said. There is something for everyone. I think this book would make a great little gift for crafty friends and family. And here is your opportunity to win one for yourself.

To enter: All you have to do is leave me a comment below telling me what is your favorite month of the year and why. Easy enough? I think so!
Giveaway ends: Wednesday, June 20th at 11:59pm EST.
Prize: One copy of Melissa Stramel’s new book- A Year of Making Life Beautiful

105 replies on “A Year of Making Life Beautiful- Blog Hop

  • Ann

    My favorite month of the year is December when every sense is tempted! Decorating, baking, shopping, caroling, cooking, wrapping in warm quilts in front of the fire to watch classic Christmas videos with lots of family surrounding us. Children’s awe of Christmas!

    Reply
  • Ng

    Hi, my favourite month of the year is February. My birthday and Valentine’s Day are in it. Sometimes Chinese Lunar New Year also coincide with this month.

    Reply
  • Min

    My favourite month is December. This is the month of Christmas! The shopping malls and main shopping street (orchard road) in Singapore are all decked out in full Christmas lights and decorations; the weather is much cooler (we are a tropical island); the kids are having their long school vacation (I am not too sure if I should be thrilled with this at times though); and if I have saved up enough, it is a time for an oversea holiday too:)

    Reply
  • beebee

    My favorite month is January. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, the weather here is cool, and a new year begins. Another year to cherish with my family and give thanks for all the blessings we have.

    Reply
  • nettie

    November would be my very favorite month of the year! Everything wonderful in my life happened in November. I was born in Nov., was engaged and married in Nov. and my sister was born in November. Thanksgiving is just the “icing on the cake!
    Thanks Vanessa for everything you do for the crafting community.
    Nettie

    Reply
  • Kathy H

    I love October, the weather is cooler here and the leaves are at their most colorful. There are apples and cider and lots of fun things to look forward to.

    Reply
  • Kathryn Whitehead

    As many others have said, my favorite month is probably October. It’s cooler and more colorful than any other month here in Illinois. There is so much crafty stuff that nature provides for free that I feel like this is when I get most of my crafting done. From leaves and pumpkins, to wreaths and gourds, there is just so much color and texture to be explored in those 31 days.

    Reply
  • Judith

    My favorite day of the year is Halloween! I love all the decorations and the children dress to scare you at the door… TRICK OR TREATS! Plus I get to enjoy the trees changing, smell if pumkin spice in the air. Judith, Texas

    Reply
  • MAThu

    march– its a wonderful month for me , coz after three months of wait i got my new sewing machine …which is sitting in my table and inspiring me everyday to do/try new projects ….. that has made me to read this 🙂

    Reply
  • Debbie

    I have to say December, not only because of the Christmas season…just the hustle and bustle of it…going out in the cold….the excitement in children (and those young at heart). Would love to win a copy of this book

    Reply
  • Marianne

    I have to say my favorite time of the year is January, because you can kind of relax a bit after the holidays, and here on the east coast of Florida, the weather is actually nice, in the 70’s, and I get out to work in the yard, and I can actually wear my jeans!

    Reply
  • Marlene

    June is my favorite time of year . I was born in June. I was married in June. School always let out in June. I don’t know , there’s just a feeling this time of year .. even though I’m almost 48 years old I still get that “school’s out for summer” feeling 🙂

    Reply
  • Katie

    November ~ the weather here in Denver is generally chilly, but not bitterly cold, everything seems so cozy, things are gearing up for the holiday season, but not crazy yet, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

    Reply
  • Barb M

    My favorite month of the year is August, my birthday month. When the boys were in schhol, it time for getting ready for school to start, new school suppliew & shopping for clothes. An exciting time and a sad time, end of summer. State fairs, produce in abundance from the garden, some canning, freezing. Just an overal busy & fun month.

    Reply
  • Tana

    I love the Fall….so my favorite month falls in that area. It is November. I love the weather and the holiday that is November. We have so much to be thankful for in the United States and we don’t take time enough to be thankful. This is a month that lets us celebrate and thank the Lord for his blessings. It is the quite before the hustle bustle of December.
    Smiles,
    Tana

    Reply
  • Chicagostyle

    It’s hard to pick just one! I like April because all the kiddos are dressed in pastels for Easter, and I like September because it is a symbol of fresh starts with the new school year, but I think my favorite is May because the weather is perfect! The neighbors start coming out from their cozy houses, the hustle and bustle is back, and we are all taking care of our lawns and pruning and planting flowers! It is also nostalgic seeing all the new grads driving around enjoying their summer! Those were the days! It’s like everyone comes out of hibernation for new beginings!

    Reply
  • Lauren

    My favorite month of the year may be June, because school is out, and I enjoy working in the garden, running in sprinklers, and having picnics with my girls.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    my favorite month is April… flowers are blooming; winter is gone; the weather is perfect and all is right with the world again…

    Reply
  • April Bailey

    I would have to say all of the months are my favorite! If I would have to pick one certain one it would be May. We are able to start putting the seeds in the ground, the vegtable garden and flower, herb garden. I love summer months and the beginning of the warm weather, I am able to spend time outside in either/or the vegtable garden and flower/herb garden. I spend more time outside then inside doing crafts, sewing, and quilting during the summer instead of being cooped up inside for the winter.
    And at the end of the summer/fall I can do my canning and freezing with the vegtable and herbs (yes, sometimes the flowers) storing them away for the winter and along with the memories!!

    Reply
  • Jodi - usairdoll

    I grew up on a farm and sounds like this book will bring back some great memories. This book is right up my alley as well. Pictures are beautiful. I wish it was favorite season then I’d say Fall. hehe. Guess I will say November. I love the celebrations and spending time with family and friends.

    Thank you and Melissa for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  • grammypink

    First let me thank you for the awesome giveaway. My favorite month is February,why February is a fun month to share the love. I love making homemade candy,jewlery,bathsalts,pillows,blankets for my 7 grandkiddos ages 13 to 1. We make somethings together for thier parents for Valentines Day,and Annivarsary. I always make a home made gift for my honey that reflects the previous year. I also love Feb. for in sunny Cali it is a month to more then not give us a nice cold rain to snuggle with those you love. And my oldest son and myself are February babies, and both my daughter and son were married to thier loves in the month of Feburary,so without that month thier would be no me,no son,no weddings that led to glorious blessing known as our 7 grandkiddos.So February is my blessed month.

    Reply
  • Diana

    Thanks for the great giveaway, October is my favorite month. I’m from upstate NY and the beauty of the trees is awesome. The reds, oranges, and yellows are so fabulous.

    Reply
  • Beth

    My favorite month is probably October. I am amazed at the autumn colors–we moved north after living in Southern California, so autumn was a revelation for us. I love the scents, the colors, the chill in the air.

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

    Reply
  • Kristi

    I love the air in the month of April, that is when the fields smell like manure-weird I know-but that is how I know Spring has officially sprung! I can’t wait to get into warmer weather after winter time.
    kidshomelove at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  • 012d40dc-b454-11e1-b5f6-000f20980440

    My favorite month of the year is definitely December. It is ma favorite for many reasons, first it’s Christmas and holidays everyone is in a cherry mood. People seem to come together and give and be charitable. There’s lots of family gatherings and and lots of yummy food and they it’s wrapped up with wonderful thoughts for the coming year.

    Reply
  • Absolutely Marvelous Treasures

    I have two favorite months and I can’t possibly choose just one of them. My two favorite months are October and November. My Oldest boy was born in October and my youngest was born in November. I enjoy celebrating their lives, throwing them parties, seeing the joy in their faces as they are opening gifts, and loving the fact that these two boys bring such joy into my life every day of the year!

    Reply
  • kantuckee

    September is

    Change in the air with a bite of excitement
    Leaves with their different colors
    The smell of the wet ground
    Chilly rain and warm fires
    The incense of burning leaves
    An exciting promise of things to come
    The first celebration of our holiday season!

    Reply
  • Gil C.

    My fav month is…well I’m not really sure.
    Now that we moved from a tropical climate to the Midwest, I like Spring. All the beautiful flowers poking up through the ground. June has special meaning to me – I lost my Dad who I loved so very much. Then there are the patriotic months. October has Halloween in it…we are huge fans in our house of this holiday. November brings the family together for festivities and to watch football. December…well let’s just say thatI have a thing for ole Saint Nick. And in January we start all over again.

    Reply
  • Deb Brennan

    My favorite month is April. It starts you off laughing with April Fool’s (my wedding anniversary!). It melts the winter blues and gets me in the mood to clean up and start fresh. Whether it’s in the garden, or in my closet!

    Reply
  • Mary Jane

    My favorite month is November. It is a wonderful time for family and friends with the beckoning of rest and renewal over winter around the corner. Allergies are less wild and the air contains a hint of crispness (at least in the deep south).

    Reply
  • Kathy Kauth

    My favorite time of the year is December, making gifts and decorating and baking and entertaining and precious time with family, making memories to last a lifetime.

    Reply
  • Ann Michelle

    March!!!! I celebrate March 1st every year friends and family put up with my antics on that day. Why? Because March roars in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”. It’s the beginning of consistent spring weather… Although we may still get some cold weather through out the month, there is definitely a smaller chance of it as each day goes by! Here in Texas, we start working on the yard, planning and tilling the garden, the BBQer gets fired up and we eat outdoors more often than not. YES!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MARCH!

    Reply
  • robynsews

    June is my favorite month….summer, play time, baseball and my birth month. But, then March is my favorite month…..spring, baseball, the world waking up in color. But, then again, December is my favorite month. Decorating for the holidays and making gifts and creating a sense of magic and awe for the children around me. I have lots of favorites, mostly seasonal.

    Reply
  • Shirley

    June is my most favorite month….I was born in June. June starts summer, my most favorite time of the year. Flowers are beginning to bloom so beatifully, vegetable gardens are beginning to produce here in North Carolina and oh yes, it is so beautiful from the mountains of North Carolina to the beaches. Come and enjoy all the lovely weather we have to offer in NC during the month of June!!

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    June is my fav. It’s the start of summer. The weather is nice here in VA and the days are longer. More quilting/crafting time plus time to get outdoors. Looks like a nice book. Thanks for the give away! Tammy Mabry

    Reply
  • Lauren Jimenez

    My favorite has always been October! I live in Miami so there really aren’t any seasons except Summer, but October has always been that time when there might be the one or two days of cool autumn breezes and getting anxious for both Thnaksgiving and Christmas.

    Reply
  • Seams Unique ~ n Simple Pleasures

    My favorite month of the year is what ever one I am in at the present!! (The older I get, the more I realize that) There is so much to enjoy and celebrate in each and every one. Tomorrow is not promised to us, so I believe it is important to seize the day and find the joy, beauty, and inspiration in each day and each month. I love to bake, garden, sew, quilt, landscape, photograph, and my family is the delight of my life. Doing things with them, making things for them, spending time together…….and every single month is perfect for appreciating them, as well as friends. I love your new book, and will look forward to using it, whether I win it or have to buy it for myself. Thank you for bringing some inspiration to my days and joy thru your blog, trash to treasures ideas and videos. You are a real delight! Blessings to you and your family~

    Reply
  • Linda

    My favorite month might be May. It is getting warmer, but not hot yet. Planting is going on….there is hope of a harvest. Love the look of the book. Enjoy your blog.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    My favorite month is May. I have always loved Mother’s day! What a wonderful person to celebrate. Where would we be without our Mothers!

    Reply
  • Genevieve

    My favorite month is May because that’s when my kids are finish with their school year. We all breathe a little easier, big weekend breakfasts are no longer just for the weekends, we start on crafts/projects we’ve been planning all school year, have our goofy school’s-done-its-time-for-summer “fashion show” (lots of black mail pics when they’re all grown), and we laugh a lot.

    Thanks for the opp to win!
    Genevieve

    Reply
  • elizabeth

    I love the month of October! The colors of the leaves on the trees, the pumpkin patches, and all the fall baking! This month also really kicks off the projects for the holidays for me!

    Reply
  • cleverblonde

    I sure do want a copy of A Year of Making Life Beautiful, it looks lovely. My favorite month is October. Over here in Tropical Australia our winter is definitely over and the gardens and bird life are full of life. I too come alive as its great time of year for getting outdoors. Christmas is drawing near so it’s time to prepare and get excited. And also: its my birthday month.

    Reply
  • Rejina Tyson

    That pillow is amazing! I thought the hubs was talking about it too! LOL. But the cupcakes are more like it. 😉 This book seems pretty amazing. BTW, August is my fav month because a lot of great things happened in August from special bdays to special anniversaries. 😉

    Reply
  • Goosegirl

    Oh fun! My favorite month is July because it is my birthday month and the weather is usually pretty wonderful. The kids are off from school so we can sleep in and go on fun adventures. The evenings are warm so we can sit outside late into the night singing while my hubby plays guitar. And we cook outside and eat lots of goodies from the garden. Yes, July is my month.

    Thank you for the chance. Melissa is wonderful!

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    May is my favourite month. Weather has cooled down, a little bit of bite early in morning, cool nights make sleeping easier. Able to take long walks in daytime, watching trees start changing colour. Just love the crispness in the air!
    Robyn
    jorja89atyahoodotcomdotau

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    My favorite month of the year is April. Winter is ending, Spring is starting, and I’m anticipating Summer. The jonquils start blooming and popping up everywhere.

    Reply
  • trudie

    September of course, my birthday month. Also the beginning of the slow down from summer heat and activities and the beginning of the coming holiday season. How could you not love September?

    Reply
  • KatieQ

    My favorite month of the year is September. I love collecting and preserving the harvest from my garden. The temperatures are still mild, but the evenings are crisp and cool. As a hold over from my school days, I always feel like September is the beginning of a New Year rather than January.

    Reply
  • Lopexnancy

    My favorite month hands down is October, when the leaves here have turned a bright color of orange and red. As a child, I had so many dreams, then real life takes over. Halloween in October takes me back to that place, the little girl in me that dreamed to be anything and everything! I always say, ” it’s the only time of year you can be anything you dare to dream!” I always feel so creative and inspired during this month, and there are no limits with crafting/ sewing, etc. The weather is perfect, the time of year inspiring, October just ROCKS!!

    Reply
  • LeAnne

    Don’t really have a favorite month. I just like the changing of the seasons. I must get bored easily. When it’s too warm, I want fall to hurry up and get here. When it’s fall, I want it to be Christmas. When it’s too cold, I’m ready for spring. Can’t wait to see the other projects in this book.

    Reply
  • Carrie P.

    I am enjoying this book tour. The book looks like something I would really like. The photos are so inspirational.
    My favorite month is probably October. By then I am so tired of the summer heat and humidity even though I love what it does for my garden.
    thanks for a chance.
    Your little boy is so cute picking blueberries. It won’t be long before we get to do the same things.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    My favorite month is July because of Independence Day. Every year I like to make quilts, pillows, wall hangings and such in red, white and blue for soldiers. This looks like a fantastic book and I can’t wait to try some of the projects, crafts and recipes. [email protected]

    Reply
  • Kathleen

    my favorite month is October….I love to see the trees turn a beautiful bronze and yellow, the pumpkins and corn fields…but I love this book, I think it really has a lot of fun ideas…

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    Hi Vanessa – just found your blog and tutorials this week. I made a pillowcase dress for my granddaughter – it had been a while since my last pillowcase dress and your tutorial was the perfect refresher – thank you!! Would have to pick October as my fav month – I love fall and it takes a while for it to hit us here in Texas!! Love the ideas in the new book for happy home living……[email protected]

    Reply
  • Sherry

    It is hard to choose a favorite month but I do believe I would choose October as I love fall and the rush of September is over and we can look ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I usually spend time in October getting a good start on handmade gifts for Christmas.

    Reply
  • Christal Espinosa

    October is my most favorite month. I love the smell in the air as the leaves are turning. The cool nights to gather around a fire with the family. Oh, here at the Lake of The Ozarks the colorful leaves on the trees around the lake is a sight to see. October is a family month for me. I feel that in this month when the weather starts to cool it brings the family in together.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    I love October and April – for the same reasons…it’s not too cold and not too hot; anticipation of the up coming season (Spring/Fall); the air has a magic smell to it; the leaves are changing…etc. Thanks for a chance to win. Laurie

    [email protected]

    Reply
  • Lisa

    December is my favorite month. I love giving Christmas present! I buy or make the presents all year long trying to get the best gift for each person! Would love a copy of this book!

    Reply
  • Jeanne Gwin

    I love the fall, it is the quiet transition from the summer heat to cool autumn days just begging for us to go for a walk in the woods. Sitting out on the back deck watching the deer come out of hiding to eat at dusk. They are no longer afraid of us as they know we won’t harm them.

    Reply
  • Joan

    I think December is my favorite month. My favorite quilts are all the Christmas ones and I’ve made so many that I have to rotate them through the holidays. I love to hang the stockings my aunt knit for us when we were born. The traditions are so special that our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are exactly the same and always have been…. for more years than I’d like to admit…..

    Reply
  • HelenMarie

    I would love to win a copy of this book… so many projects and recipes! my favorite time of year is fall… cool crips days… brightly colored trees… love walking this time of year.. not too hot or too cold.

    Reply
  • Sharon

    My favorite month is July. Most important of all it is Christmas in July at the craft stores!!! It is has 31 days of warm summer days. Enjoying the events of Independence Day honoring the birthday of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. A time for picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and to remind us why we should fly the American flag. In our house this also is the month we also celebrate the birth of life…a second chance… my daughter who is 23 years old is a 4 year brain cancer survivor.

    Reply
  • June D

    I look forward to May. The weather is even more beautiful – but the work cycle calms down. I always feel like it’s a new opportunity to get caught up and enjoy!

    Reply
  • Rachael H

    I love July because it has my favorite holiday….the 4th!! No pressure of buying gifts, making big huge meals, stress, shopping, going broke. Nope, the 4th of July is just filled with fun with my family, fireworks, glow sticks, sparklers and a BIG can of mosquito spray!

    Reply
  • Inge Lise

    I love the month of July – the flowers are in full bloom and the best of everything: my to grandchildren, Anna 5 years and Ellen 8 years, coming on vacation – they live far away so we do not see them often.

    Reply
  • Karen O

    Maybe I am getting this comment in under the wire. 🙂 My favorite month is May – when my daughter was born and when the earth seems to be reborn each year.

    Reply

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