Summer Fun :: Paint By Number

A few years ago the girls were each given a Paint-by-Number Craft Kit for Christmas from one of their uncles. They were a little young for them at the time, but inspired by our most recent Meet-the-Masters lesson on Claude Monet (a favorite from Tract A which I still need to blog about!) they asked if they could try painting the pictures. After a couple late nights and extra early mornings, the girls were able to complete their paintings before their Daddy and older brothers arrived home from summer camp on July 19th.  I had no idea that a paint-by-number could turn out so nicely, or that our little artists would enjoy them so much!

Seaside Garden by Twinkle Toes (age 10) 

Chickadees and Lilacs by Chiquita (age 9)

“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Looking Down…

… 110 feet, from the top of a lookout tower.  Apparently it doesn't look like there is much work left to do (at least at the fire complex where my husband has been working - we have smoky skies here at home) and he will be heading home tomorrow!

Fire Lookout Tower - Built in 1944 

St. Michael Cap {Sponsored Giveaway}

Defend us in battle! It's a prayer and devotion to a very special saint that invigorates souls with that holy fervor for defending the Truth and choosing the Light. Catholic Embroidery's newest design and ball cap brings the fervor to the field! The St. Michael Sword symbol contains the sword and flames of St. Michael, scales of justice in the hilt, and the Angelic saint's famous ejaculation, "Quis ut Deus" (Who is like unto God?) in bright white lettering. Available in adult and child sizes.



Adult Cap: High quality 6 panel structured black cap with red sandwich bill and buckle closure. 100% brushed cotton
Child Cap: 6 panel unstructured cap with buckle closure. 100% cotton

Catholic Embroidery is pleased to offer 1 cap to a lucky reader of Shower of Roses in their choice of adult or child size.

And to make sure that everyone has a chance to be a winner and bring St. Michael's symbol into their home, we're giving away a FREE St. Michael Handkerchief with every St. Michael Cap order. Just mention "Quis ut Deus" in the note box at checkout to claim this FREE handkerchief!

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter Box below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4th Annual Online Curriculum Sale Blog Hop {August 1-7, 2014}

.: Rules for Posting :. 

• Create a blog post with your gently used curriculum (and any other books/items) that you'd like to sell or pass on to another family, with pictures if possible. 

• Add a link to your post, referring back to this post, so that others can find the link up. 

• Using the linky below, enter the direct link to your post. 

.: Please be Thoughtful when Selling and Purchasing :. 

• Out of consideration for everyone participating in the Curriculum Sale Blog Hop, please only request items that you intend to purchase and are able to submit payment for promptly, preferably within 24 hours, unless prior arrangements have been made with the person selling the books. 

• Sellers please update your posts with "sale pending" or "sold" when possible.  

• Purchasers, if you request books from a seller, please don't leave them hanging and respond to their confirmation email within a reasonable amount of time.  If the seller doesn't hear back from you within 24 hours they may decide to remove the "sale pending" and make the books you requested available to others. 

• The linky will remain open from August 1-7, 2014, so be sure to check back for new links!  I've added a button to the right sidebar of the blog so this post can be found easily. 

Thank you for participating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Our 2014 Used Book Sale {August 1-7, 2014}

It's time for the 4th Annual Online Curriculum Sale Blog Hop! You can find all the details, browse books for sale on other blogs, or add a link to your own post here.

Most of the books in this post were left over from the last book sale in May.  I've reduced the prices and added some new books as well.  I really don't have that much to sell this time, but I may be back later to add some more if I get a chance to go through the bookshelves in the bedrooms.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the items in this post, please leave a comment listing the books you would like, along with your email address. (The email address box is now part of the comment form here at Shower of Roses and it won't be displayed publicly.) I will send you a private email with your total, including shipping, along with my Paypal address.

Shipping will be a flat rate of $4.00 for 1-3 items (if they will fit in a padded envelope) and $7.00 for a box of any size, to help cover the cost of packaging and media rate postage in the United States.

Out of consideration for myself and everyone else participating in the Curriculum Sale Blog Hop, please only request items that you intend to purchase and are able to submit payment for promptly, preferably within 24 hours, unless other arrangements have been made.

Thank you!                                                                                Note:  Most links are affiliate links. 

Saxon Math 7/6 ISBN 1565775074, $10.00 (Previous school textbooks, with wear to covers, fourth edition and nearly identical to the Saxon 7/6: Homeschool Edition. Last year my two oldest boys used 7/6 together with tutors, one the hardcover and one the softcover.)
Asking $10 each (3 1 available at $10)

Saxon 8/7 Second Edition ISBN 1565771885, $5.00 (sold)

Saxon Math 7/6: Homeschool Edition, good/very good condition, purchased new and used by one child, $25.00 (switching to a copy of the hardcover Saxon 7/6 4th edition for the rest of the children)

Saxon Math 6/5: Homeschool Edition (with partially used Tests and Worksheets - missing pages 12-56 of 272) very good condition/used by one child for a couple months before switching to hardcover, $25.00 (sold)

Saxon Math 5/4: Homeschool Edition, acceptable, purchased used/wear to cover, I did tape the spine of the book where it was splitting apart, $10.00 (sold)

We Follow Jesus: Image of God Series 4, very good, some wear to cover $1.00 (sold)

The Seven Sacraments Classroom Cards (Catholic Artworks - Retail $10.00), $5.00 (sold)

Seton Health Five, $2.00 (sold)

The Life of Grace Teacher's Manual ISBN 0898701244, $2.00 (sold)

The Life of Grace Activity Book ISBN 089870084, $2.00 (sold)

Jesus our Life Activity Book  ISBN 0898708958, $2.00 (sold)

Jesus our Guide Activity Book (not pictured) ISBN 9780898708974 Revised Edition, $4.00 (sold)

Alpha-Phonics: A Primer for Beginning Readers  (Very Good Condition) and Alpha-Phonics Companion Workbook  (Like New) - Purchase the set for $15.00 (sold)

Play 'n Talk (visit website here) I purchased this program when our oldest was in Pre-School, but only used it for a few months before continuing my search for "the perfect program" - discovering a couple years later, after many failed attempts at teaching him to read, that we were dealing with auditory processing challenges and needed special tutoring. This program had been highly recommend by a local friend who used it successfully with all her children.  I've hung on to it for years and thought about trying it again with the younger children, but for now I'm happy with Primary Arts of Language and All About Reading.  It comes with a number of learning games including Ring N Key, Riddles n' Rhyme, Spell Lingo, and more. You can read through their brochure here. It was originally $299 + shipping and handling.  Asking $180.00 ppd OBO. (sold)

To Grow By Storybook Readers Series A, Books 1-9 plus Activity Book, $20.00 for set OBO
(for use with Play n' Talk or as reinforcement of any reading program) (sold)

To Grow By Storybook Readers Series B, Books 10-18 plus Activity Book, $20.00 for set OBO
(for use with Play n' Talk or as reinforcement of any reading program) (sold)

My Little Reader (10 Paper Booklets/Readers) $5.00 for set (sold)



The Universe in my Hands with Dividers, Asking $20.00 OBO

Humility of Heart, older version of this, binding loose on one end, FREE for postage

Purgatory Explained, $1.00 (sold)

Christs Appeal for Love, $1.00

The Saints Show Us Christ, paperback, shelf wear, $2.50

The Last Things, paperback, $2.50

A Man for All Seasons: A Play in Two Acts, $2.50

St. Margaret Clitherow - "The Pearl of York", $2.00 (sold)

The Divine Life of the Most Holy Virgin, $5.00

Mom to Mom, Day to Day, like new, $3.00 (sold)

All About the Angels, $2.00 (sold)

A Pilgrim's Journey: The Autobiography of St. Ignatius of Loyola, $4.00 (sold)

Dollfuss: An Austrian Patriot, $5.00

Secrets of the Eucharist, $1.00 (sld)

How Christ Changed the World, highlighting throughout, FREE for postage

Angels (and Demons): What do we really know about them? $2.00 (sold)

The Angels: The Catholic Teaching on the Angels, $2.00 (sold)

Christ and His Sacraments, 1958, ex-library, binding cracking, wear to cover with age, $2.00 (sold)

Secular Saints, hardcover, wear/fading to dust cover, otherwise in great condition, $10.00

A Short Life of Christ, 1952, $5.00

The Black Arrow, $2.00

The West Point Story, copyright 1956, ex-library, $2.00 (sold)

All Usborne Books which I'm not interested in keeping, all in new/like new condition.

See inside Ancient Egypt, $5.00 (sold)

See inside Space and See inside Planet Earth (really wishing I wouldn't have purchased these two. If you want them you can have them. Maybe one of you could do something creative with them, otherwise they are going in the trash.) FREE for postage  (sold)

Baby's Very First Black and White Library (Box set of Small Board Books), $4.00

I am Jack, $1.00

First Encyclopedia of Science, $5.00 (sold)

Bob is a Unicorn, $1.00

The Last Thirteen, $1.00 (2 available)  

January Conspiracy 365, $1.00

Pampered Chef Cookbooks/Recipes: Classics; Light & Simple; Great Grilling; Soups, Stews & Chilis - $3.00 for all four (sold)

Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining, $4.00

Pampered Chef: More Stoneware Sensations, $1.00

Betty Crocker New Christmas Cookbook, $2.00 (sold)

Pampered Chef Delightful Desserts, $1.00

Christmas Drinks, $1.00 (sold)

Please leave a comment, or email me directly at jessica(dot)showerofroses(at)gmail(dot)com, if you have any questions. Thank you! 

Sponsor Love: Quarterly Update & Current Specials

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to all of my new (and returning!) sponsors here at Shower of Roses. The new school year is right around the corner and many of my sponsors are offering some great back to school specials! You can find the links and coupon codes listed below.

Please welcome my new sponsors by visiting their websites:

Ave Maria University
About one-third of students at Ave Maria University were homeschooled all the way through high school. In fact, many of our most successful students come from a home education background. Homeschool students love Ave Maria because they find the rigor of academics challenging, engaging, and truly useful. Parents appreciate that the moral climate on our campus respects and supports the values which they have instilled at home. Our pro-family culture is welcoming, and it’s not uncommon for siblings to attend university side by side or one after another. We are proudly Catholic, rooted in our faith, and open to engagement with the world. We believe very strongly that students must grow virtue in freedom and our job is to create an environment that encourages the flourishing of faith and a spiritual, emotional and social maturity that will last a lifetime.


Christ 101
The Christ 101 program is the first complete, full-blown, semester long, multimedia course specifically made to address the problem of using reason and evidence to establish the truth of Christianity. Made by a homeschooler with other homeschoolers in mind, Christ 101 helps teens and adults intelligently articulate a reasonable defense of Christianity in opposition to skeptics and atheists. The course comes with 28 video lessons and a manual, and teaches students things like why religion is important, what faith really is, how there can be a true religion, why the Gospels should be taken as historically reliable, why there are good reasons to think Jesus was in fact the divine being he claimed to be, and why an act of Christian faith is, at the end of the day, more rational than to not believe. Combining entertaining video lessons and helpful graphics with academically solid information, Christ 101 is the perfect choice for parents who want to make sure the faith of their children is as solid as it can be.

The Christ 101 course is taught by Scott M. Sullivan PhD with contributions from other top scholars such as Peter Kreeft PhD, Scott Hahn PhD, Gary Habermas PhD, Michael Licona PhD, Craig Evans PhD and a host of others.

Save $50 with coupon code "ROSES"

Harvey House Publishing
The mission of Harvey House Publishing is to provide exceptional reading for children that celebrates the Catholic Faith, modesty, the gift of life, and a wholesome childhood. All reading material is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church.The pre-teen/early teen novel, The Gate, won first place for Best Novel at the Catholic Press Association Book Awards in June. The Gate is Nancy Carabio Belanger's latest and third award-winning novel for Catholic 'tweens. The Gate tells the story of a struggling thirteen-year-old boy who discovers God's calling for him and his life as a young Catholic. The novel also celebrates the dignity of the priesthood. The Gate has been endorsed by Fr. Brett Brannen of the Archdiocese of Savannah, GA, author of To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide to Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood.

Nancy is also the author of Olivia and the Little Way and its pro-life sequel, Olivia's Gift. Since 2008, she has been visiting Catholic schools, homeschooling groups, and book clubs to talk about writing, the lives of the saints, and to encourage children not only to live their Catholic faith to the fullest, but to love and cherish it, too. Free discussion guides are available for all three books.

More information can be found at www.harveyhousepublishing.com, which offers free standard shipping and author personalization.

Behold Publications, LLC
Behold Publications, LLC is more than just a publisher! Family owned and operated since its founding in 1999, we have developed great Catholic clubs like the Little Flowers Girls' Club and Blue Knights Catholic Boys' Clubs for Catholic girls and boys ages 5 and up. What makes these clubs unique is that they are at their core faithfully Catholic. We don't "tack on" Catholic identity as other clubs might, but begin and end with a Catholic world view. We also believe that local clubs best operate the way they see fit, so there is no national organization, policies, registration or dues. Groups can easily adjust the program to fit their local needs. Behold Publications also produce a line of historical fiction based on American history and American saints for ages 7-15.

Behold Publications will be hosting a Mary's Garden Party retreat/camp for Little Flowers August 22-24, 2014 at Sandy Cove in North East, MD!  You can find more information here. 

Discounts are not given during the busy fall season, but if you order TODAY (July 31, 2014) you can receive FREE SHIPPING and 10% OFF with coupon code JULYEARLY.

Please visit my returning sponsors:

    

Holy Heroes offers great back-to-school resources, such as our Life of Jesus (Rosary) Coloring books, Glory Stories, and DIY VBS!

Prayer Pillowcases offers such beautiful products! Our children love all their Prayer Pillowcases and you can see our teenage son heading home from summer camp with his here.

    

Catholic Embroidery is now offering a new line of rosaries handmade by a Benedictine Monk! They are pleased to carry three styles and are offering them as sets too, with our embroidered rosary cases including the beautiful Divine Mercy Rosary/Chaplet with the matching Divine Mercy Tapestry Pouch. Coupon Code: MONK in the checkout coupon box will give FREE SHIPPING to all orders $25 or more until August 2nd.

Mama's Notebooks is offering 10% OFF ALL PRODUCTS for the Month of August!

    

Jesse Tree Treasures creates beautiful handcrafted gifts for the liturgical seasons. Now is a perfect time to order a Custom Set of Jesse Tree Ornaments to use with your family this upcoming Advent!

Gail Giron Designs is currently away at a trade show until August 3rd, but she'll be open again soon and will be listing many lovely new items in her shop!

   

Catholic Child is the perfect place to find inspiring gifts for Catholic youth - from toddlers to teens!

Holy Heroes is currently offering a free copy of Glory Stories CD vol 1: The Story of Blessed Imelda Lambertini & The Story of St. Juan Diego.  You can order the FREE CD here.

Sacred Heart Books & Gifts is offering one more round of FREE SHIPPING before the school year starts! All orders totaling $40.00 or more placed between Friday, August 1st, and Monday, August 4th, will not be charged a shipping fee with coupon code JMJ595.

Holy Learning knows that August and the back to school time is costly for most families. For the month of August Lindy is offering 50% off all orders with the code "backtoschool". All products qualify. This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on curriculum supplements or try just one item if you've never created a lapbook before!

Sew Sweet by Shannon offers a wide variety of handmade accessories and clothing for children.

Saints 365 is a Catholic blog by Debbie Gaudino, a happily married, homeschooling Mom of 2 children who is currently studying theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. The subtitle of the blog is "Striving for the heights of holiness in the trenches of everyday life". Visit Saints 365 for down-to-earth reflections which draw from the scriptures, the wisdom of the saints and church teachings and join us as we all strive together to live out the "universal call to holiness".

Bridgie & Green is founded on the belief that everyone can incorporate a little bit of their Catholic heritage into their everyday accessories. A homemaker and homeschooling mother to six, she handcrafts affordably priced gorgeous little things for like-minded people who want to show the world who their friends are while standing out from the Catholic crowd. She also, life allowing, knits and crochets adorable items for babies and kids. Give her a try with coupon code "SHOWER10" for 10% off your first order.

Catholic Cuisine offers beautiful embroidered aprons for sale, shipped directly from Catholic Embroidery. You can find all the Catholic Aprons available here, including my favorite "Living the Little Way" apron in honor of St. Therese!

Our family is very grateful for the support of both my sponsors and visitors!

If you are interested in advertising at Shower of Roses,

click here for my current availability, rates, and policies.

The Annual August Online Curriculum Sale link up will be posted tomorrow! 

 (For details you can find the May 5-15, 2014 link up here.)