Start a Christian Review Blog eBook

Courtney Chowning from FaithApproved has put together a 15 page ebook called Start a Christian Review Blog. The ebook with explain:

Basic Blog Terminology How to setup your blog Tips for selecting a blog name and tag line Tips for selecting a blog theme and layout Tips for choosing what products you want to review How to get products to review How to write great reviews Tips on how to host a product giveaway Tips for promoting giveaways Sites to check out for further reading and help

Courtney does a great job of laying out the basics. The ebook is set up nicely and is easy to read. She explains the terms used (blog, platform, web host and domain name) and the steps necessary to start and maintain a Christian Review Blog. Courtney gives ideas of where to find the products to review (from starting with the products in our house, to joining a network, to contacting the company directly). Courtney then explains who to write a review and how to promote it. Additional resources and a check list are included.

My thoughts:

Where was this book a year ago!? It would have been so helpful when I was interested in getting started last year. The information is well formatted and easy to follow. After a couple of years of entering lots of sweepstakes (winning a few), I settled on blog sweeps about 2 years ago. After entering (and winning) quite a few, I started wondering how people got started getting free stuff to review and giveaway. I asked a few people, but nobody gave me much advice. I have learned as I've gone, and now I do quite a few reviews (sometimes too many!) But it was a slow process. I posted my first review in November after joining MomSelect (a network for Mom bloggers). That month, I got the courage to e-mail an author and ask to review her book Kissing and Cooking. I was surprised when she agreed to send me a copy.

Start a Christian Review Blog would be a great resource for anyone interesting in getting started writing a review blog.

Click here to view more details The price is $9.95 and comes with 3 bonus documents (blogging ideas, tech tools, and contest listing sites.)

Would you like to win a copy?

Enter here.

Time 4 Felt

Thanks to FaithApproved I had the opportunity to review a story set from Time 4 Felt. Awnya from Time 4 Felt is an independent consultant with Story Time Felts. They have an extensive catalog with an assortment of "paper" dolls; stories; and other play sets.



I had the chance to review a Bible story set: Job. I have to admit, even though I know my Bible well, I had to dig a little to figure out which story it was. But once I realized it was Job, it made sense. But when you order, you won't have to worry about knowing the story. This Bible Story of Job Set includes: coloring pages; sequencing page; scripture refrences; story summary and the 15 felt figures.

The colors are vibrant and the pictures are detailed. You have the option of purchasing either pre-cut or saving some money and cutting them yourself. (Mine were precut.) My kids loved the story. In our technology driven world, we often don't take time to slow down and tell stories. Time 4 Felt is a great tool to help us do that. And to let our kids begin to grow their own imaginations.

Some of the pictures:

All of the pictures together:

Close up detail of one picture.

FaithLeaps

A couple of months ago---about the time I did my life plan--I won a 3 month membership to FaithLeaps. Fortunately, FaithLeaps is a self-paced study because I have not had time to complete all of the lessons yet. But I am excited about the lessons I've completed already.

FaithLeaps has already helped me define my passion, and then look at my personality and spiritual gifts (pastor/shepherd; mercy and prophecy). For a long time, I have felt like God has placed a call on my life to teach--specifically to be a conference speaker some day. I don't know what exactly that is going to look like, but FaithLeaps will be a great way for me to sharpen my vision and make decisions about how to proceed.

FaithLeaps was created by author, speaker and blogger, Alyssa Avant to help Christian women decide if they are called to take a Leap of Faith into speaking, writing, or other ministry. Alyssa defines a leap of faith as:

stepping out of your comfort zone into the hands of God.

FaithLeaps provides tools to help you confidently start a local church ministry, a speaking ministry, or writing outreach. FaithLeaps will help you prepare to take the leap into ministry.

During the 3 month training program, you will receive 6 lessons (every other week for 12 weeks) via e-mail. Each lesson includes a written lesson, a 45-60 minute audio seminar (including transcript), and a worksheet. The 6 lesson topics are:

Lesson #1 : Find Your Passion

Lesson #2 : Locate Your Audience

Lesson #3 : Create Your Content

Lesson #4 : Establish Your Position

Lesson #5 : Promote Your Mission

Lesson #6 : Just Do It, Do It Again

There are a couple of options for membership:

Membership inFaith Leaps Training is for 3 months. You will be billed once per month at the rate of$9.97 per month for 3 months. You CAN cancel at any time.

Want personal coaching? Add a 45 minute consult call with Alyssa every month pay $49.97 per month for 3 months.

Mak Rak crafts

Thanks to Faith Approved I had the opportunity to try out "His Kids Crafts" from The Mac Rak. These kits are all-inclusive.

Everything you need to create quality family time and memories with your kids, in one bag!

Glue, scissors, play dough, sequins, googly eyes....if the craft calls for it, you will find it in the kit. The kits are hand-assembled by a mom. (And, I would guess, with some help from her children!) I sat down with my daughter, Crunchy, this afternoon to try out the kit. Our kit was the April Bible Craft: a fun foam cross magnet with hearts spelling "God" and "Love" . Out kit included: clear instructions (with a picture of the completed project); 3 cross in different sizes; 7 letter hearts (the O is shared); a small glue bottle, and a strip of magnet. I read each of the directions to Crunchy, and she was able to do the project by herself. (She probably could have done it with just the picture, but I wanted to see how easy there were to follow. They were well written.) I really liked the final two instructions. The first was to get a Bible and read John 3:16. (Instead, Crunchy quoted it for me a couple of times. Thanks AWANAs!) The last instruction was to discuss why God loves us so much and why Jesus chose to live, die and be resurrected for us. It was an easy way to bring the activity from just a craft to a teaching time. The kit was well put together, and included encouraging notes on the packaging. My daughter enjoyed the time we spent together, and it was great to have a finished project in a very short time. Individual kits start at $3.75. Ours was $4.25. There is an option for a monthly subscription for $4.00 a month. In addition to the Bible crafts, there are featured crafts and surprise crafts.

My model Crunchy introducing the kit.

The kit comes with everything you need.

Gluing on the letters

Quoting John 3:16

All done!