I am so excited to finally have the opportunity to introduce you to all my new sponsors! It’s been a year now since I first started offering ad space in the sidebar here at Shower of Roses and I just want to thank all of my great sponsors and dear visitors. You are the best!
I have always loved finding great products and businesses to share. It made me laugh when I realized that I started blogging (back in 2007) a couple years after selling my phone directory business and I needed to find “something creative” to do at home… I missed visiting with all the business owners in our area and spending my nights (and all my little ones’ nap times!) creating the annual phone books on the computer… Now, once again, I’m back to selling ads! The extra income has sure helped with our ever-growing grocery bill and we are very grateful for the support. Thank you!
Even though I spent many years in sales, I have always only been able to “sell” something if I truly believe it will benefit both the advertiser and the customers. When I had my phone directory business I was always very selective over who I would contact for advertising. You would find a whole section of Catholic Churches, including a complimentary half page ad for the local Catholic Church along with listings for every Catholic Church within driving distance, and a whole section of “Abortion Alternatives” in the yellow pages! I haven’t changed. Each and every business listed in the sidebar here at Shower of Roses is one that I whole heartedly recommend and would purchase from myself.
Please keep these great businesses in mind for your upcoming Christmas shopping. I also have a great line-up of giveaways scheduled for the next couple months so be sure to check back often!
Please welcome my new sponsors by visiting their websites:
Bethlehem Books
One of the first places I look for new books for my children has always been Bethlehem Books. Some of our very first Bethlehem Book purchases many years ago are still some of my older boys’ favorite books! We probably own at least 50-75% of the books in the Bethlehem Book catalog and are still adding to our collection. A few more titles will be showing up under the Christmas tree this year!
Regina Martyrum Productions
Regina Martyrum Productions is another company that we have loved since our oldest children were toddlers. I am so excited to see their new website and that they are working on re-releasing many of their stories digitally. These inspiring stories of the saints will make a deep impression on both children and adults!
Christmas in Harvard Square
Christmas in Harvard Square is the latest release from De Montfort Music and AimHigher Recordings, the same people who produced Advent at Ephesus! Give the gift of angelic music by The Boy’s of St. Paul’s Choir School, the only Catholic boys choir school in the US. Christmas in Harvard square is available at Amazon.com.
The Little Habit
My girls love their American Girl dolls and they really love dressing them up as saints! I was so excited to discover Summer’s new Etsy shop and can’t wait until the girls discover some of these sweet habits for their dolls under the Christmas tree this year! Of course the Carmelite Habit is my personal favorite, but they are all beautiful!
StellaMarigoldArt
Have you discovered the amazing creations by Andrea at StellaMarigoldArt yet?
I absolutely love her beautiful embroidered scapulars! I’m also really excited about the lovely Coloring Cards of the Saints and gorgeous paper dolls and coloring pages.
St. Mary’s Messenger
Did you happen to see the cover for the new Fall Issue? My children were all so excited when it arrived in the mail on Saturday, just in time for All Souls Day! We love this Catholic Magazine for Kids!
Subscriptions to the magazine make excellent birthday or Christmas gifts for children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and Godchildren!
A Merry Nest
A Merry Nest is a Catholic-owned business specializing in personalized baby blankets. The idea stemmed from the desire to recognize each child as a precious, unique individual – whether that baby is the firstborn or the tenth in the family, every baby should be celebrated!
A Merry Nest also offers a variety of art prints, as well as Catholic gifts including handmade felt saint dolls.
Robin Nest Lane
I have been admiring the many beautiful and unique veils at Robin Nest Lane for awhile now. I especially love the Light Pink Veil with the Rosette Cluster and can’t wait to give one to my sweet little “Rose!”
Here is a little introduction from Robin: “I am a blessed wife and mother to seven wonderful children, from 13 years old to 1. My husband and I were married in the Traditional Latin form of the Mass by a dear French priest, and have had the pleasure and blessings of raising our children in TLM communities in both Kansas and North Carolina. We have been homeschooling our children for the past eight years. As a military family, home is wherever the army says it is and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I am honored to love my husband and support him in his vocation as a Soldier of Christ, both temporally and spiritually. I really enjoy sewing and creating. In the early years of marriage, sewing was a little more than just self-expression… It was necessity! Back then, and even now, I see my sewing as little acts of love for my family and friends, making each item very special to me. It brings me great joy to create these veils. I pray for each recipient as I make them. In this way, I hope to make my work pleasing to Our Lord. I thank you for taking the time to visit my site, and I welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions. Get to know me better at Facebook.”
Trendzilly
Trendzilly is my dear friend Ann-Marie’s Etsy shop! We have known each other since we were children. In fact, it was her mother who convinced my mother to start home educating when I was in the 5th grade! Ann-Marie was one of the bridesmaids in my wedding and is now the mother of three boys (including those adorable twins you’ve seen pictured at our annual All Hallows’ Eve parties) with another baby on the way! Last year I purchased one of her wonderful Therapy Packs and this year Rose will be receiving one of her darling Handmade Soft Saints!
Advent Aprons at Catholic Cuisine
Now is the perfect time to place an order for your Advent Apron over at Catholic Cuisine. Any of the beautiful aprons would make a lovely Christmas gift as well!
Please note that the shipping process (directly from Catholic Embroidery) may take up to 10 days. All orders placed before December 8th include guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery.
Holy Heroes has recently published a brand new Advent Adventure Activity Book! There is still time to take advantage of the Advent “early bird” deal!
Prayer Pillowcases Do your children have a Prayer Pillowcase yet? These make perfect Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers. The Our Lady of Guadalupe design is perfect for December!
Christ 101 now offers the option of either Instant Online Access or a DVD set shipped to you!
Catholic Embroidery is temporally closed due to recent developments within their company. They are currently revamping their entire product line and look forward to re-opening the website after January 1, 2015. This launching will include re-designed favorites and new styles we are so excited to share with you!
Mama’s Notebooks is currently offering 10% OFF ALL PRODUCTS! You can also get an additional 5% off with coupon code FAST5.
Jesse Tree Treasures creates beautiful handcrafted gifts for the liturgical seasons. Advent begins on November 30th this year so be sure to order your Jesse Tree Ornaments soon, if you haven’t already!
Gail Giron Designs has been restocking her shop with all sorts of beautiful creations! I love all her earrings and the gorgeous Rosa Mystica Rosary is one of my new favorites. Custom orders are accepted so be sure to look through her past sales for ideas!
Harvey House Publishing
Looking for some great fiction for pre-teen Catholic children? be sure to check out Olivia and the Little Way, Olivia’s Gift and The Gate by Nancy Carabio Belanger!
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.”
Sacred Heart Books & Gifts offers Catholic books, gifts & homeschool curriculum at discount prices!
Holy Learning Our family has enjoyed the Advent Faith Folder from Holy Learning in the past! You can order a copy for your family here.
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”.
I'm so excited to see that you are getting the word out about St. Mary's Messenger. They have a terrific publication – a great gift to give to Catholic families! P.S. Enjoyed your note about your beginnings in the phone book biz!
2014-11-04 02:53:03
Hi Jessica, I would like to order some of the audio performances from Regina Martyrum, but always have a tough time choosing. I have kids ranging from age 12-3. Any suggestions? Thanks!!
2014-11-09 23:22:40
My favorite is To Heaven Through the Window, about St. Gerard. It is also probably the most appropriate for a large age range. We've loaned our CD of this story out to a couple different priests in the past. My oldest son's favorites are The Last Viking and Ondessonk. St. Magnus and St. Isaac Jogues are two of his favorite saints thanks to these inspiring stories, but they were both martyrs and the stories are pretty intense. They are excellent, but I don't recommend them for younger children. I haven't listed to Cloak of Roses yet (one of the newer releases) but I just downloaded it and am looking forward to previewing it for the upcoming feasts of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe next month. It seems like it would be a story that would appeal to a large age range as well.
I hope that helps!
2014-11-10 19:43:34