Friday, March 11, 2011

Review & Giveaway: Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano-Murillo





by Kathy Cano-Murillo from the publisher, Hachette:


Sometimes to find your life's true path, you have to stray outside the lines . . .

Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.

But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.


My Thoughts:


Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing was a fun book to read. It was the perfect time for me to read a book that is funny, full of interesting characters, focuses on creativity and  has a thoughtful message to readers. Yes, the book focuses on sewing and crafting but you don't have to be a sewer or crafter to enjoy this book. I am not a sewer but am a bit crafty and enjoyed the way the author brought her love and passion for crafting to the pages.  If you are a sewer and/or into crafting or are interested in either you will find the book full of great ideas and there are some How-To ideas at the back of the book. Miss Scarlet's idea of Patternlesss sewing is free spirited like Scarlet and she encourages the ladies in her class to find and express their true selves. The patternless sewing idea was also a tool to look at their own lives and examine the patterns they are following. We often follow patterns in our lives based on tradition, obligations and even by the family we are born into or raised by. Scarlet encouraged the ladies to examine if these patterns were working for them and to find a way to change them if desired.  I liked this dual approach that the author chose to write the story tying the patternless sewing concept into the lives of the characters in the book.  This book focuses on friendship, finding your passion/purpose and following your dreams, family relationships and love, as well as crafting, sewing and fashion. The strength of this novel is the passion and strength of the characters, their hearts and the fun that they have as they grow and change. This is a book that is fun, flashy, creative and one that I would recommend when you want to read a fun book that also has substance and depth. This is the second book in the Crafty Chica series by Kathy Cano-Murillo but it is a stand alone book. The first book is Waking up in the land of Glitter .



Check out this fun book trailer: 




*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* CLOSED

Giveaway package courtesy of Hachette Book Group: includes 1 copy of MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING & 1 copy of Waking Up in the Land of Glitter

For 1 Entry: All you have to do is leave a comment.  Make sure to include your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner. Otherwise, I won't be able to include your name in the drawing. 

For a 2nd Entry (Separate Comment):  Follow my blog, you can follow through Google Friend Connect to the left in my side column. If you already do, thank you, and please  make sure to let me know in your comment so I can pass the entry on to you as well. Make sure to include your email address.

For a 3rd Entry (Separate Comment): Spread the word about this giveaway and Retweet; retweet button below my name at the end of this post. Make sure to include your email address.


Open to US and Canada only, No PO Boxes. Publisher will mail books directly to the winner.

Enter by March 20, 2011. GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED


30 comments:

  1. This was a great review I have never heard of this book before and sounds like a nice read.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am a follower of Google Connect

    Barbara Hightower

    Bhitwr at gmail dot com

    I forgot to leave my email on the first comment.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I did tweet the giveaway and review

    https://twitter.com/babslighthouse/status/46179416337944577


    Bhitwr at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd really like a copy of this so I'd love to enter Bonnie. Of course I already follow you.

    darreads (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds good...please enter me.

    pocokat AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to read these. Thanks for the chance.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm a follower.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

    ReplyDelete
  9. I used your retweet button:
    http://twitter.com/#!/darcy1956/status/46301470856974336

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd love this one, thanks for hosting the contest!
    theroundfile at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am a new follower on GFC.
    theroundfile at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sounds like a unique premise!

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  14. GFC Follower.

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  15. These sound like perfect reads for summer and the beach. tHanks for the giveaway. Please enter me!

    ladybook21@ yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. This book looks perfect for when I meander out of my mystery/paranormal mode. I love the title, especially.

    VWinship at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am a follower as of today. I thought I already was, but couldn't find my puppy face. So now it's through Google and it's Lady K's Lady GaGa look pic.

    VWinship at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Crafty Chica...love that name for the series!! I can't sew either but I do love to scrapbook and cross-stitch!! Sounds like a good one to pick up for fun and to get you motivated to be crafty!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice review. I would love a chance to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am a follower on GFC!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much for the lovely review and giveaway!

    Amy // artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm a GFC Follower!


    Amy // artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I want to read it.. Lisa I am a follower GFC and my info lisapeters AT yahoo Dot com thanks

    ReplyDelete
  24. Reading and sewing are two of my favorite pass times and they both look good with glitter.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm following.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I learned how to sew in High School & made my prom dress...it was pretty bad but I wore it anyway!

    ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  27. Email subscriber

    ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  28. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am a follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  30. Tweet! Tweet!
    @NancyeDavis

    http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/49686066051035136

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete

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