A few months ago, I included a review of a book called For the Write Reason (by Marybeth Whalen), which features the stories of several Christian authors. The excerpt I chose was about a lady named Karen Ehman. I thought you might like to hear about her two books, so here’s a blurb!

        Homespun Gifts from the Heart offers over 200 creative ideas for homemade gifts from layered soup, cookie and muffin jar mixes to book basket and theme basket ideas to flavored coffee and cocoa mixes. It also gives over 250 photo-ready instructional and decorative tags to copy and include with your gift. Easy! (The book basket ideas are especially a hit with home school families. They take a work of literature - say Little House in the Big Woods and round out a gift basket by including all of the items Laura Ingalls Wilder received on Christmas morning 1867 - a rag doll, a tin cup, a shiny penny, a peppermint stick, red mittens and a heart shaped cookie sprinkled with white sugar. Book and theme basket ideas for girls, boys and adults are given.)

        Homespun Memories from the Heart showcases over 200 ways to make fond memories with your kids, whether it is a holiday, a Holy Day or just a daily day of life. From the loss of the first tooth, to rainy days and celebrations that pass on your faith, simple, doable ideas are presented along with photo-ready certificates and helps. This is a book to refer to again and again when planning a birthday party, family gathering or just to celebrate the blessed everyday.

        You can order these books for $15 each (tax and shipping included) by sending a check to Karen Ehman, 1155 West Maple Rapids Road, Saint Johns, MI 48879. Her web site at www.karenehman.com will be ready soon but until then you can e-mail her at karenehman64@aol.com. Please tell Karen that you heard about her books in the Hope Chest!