Crafts, Crafts, and more Crafts

Well, the crafts are getting ready to start coming your way. I have been dying and itching to get more crafts posted, but I haven't been able to get what I want done. We are getting ready to move...not far... not out of Alaska... but we are moving into our new place and I have been planning curtains, place mats, table cloths, and all sorts of home decor that we need.... but since I don't know what we have or exactly how much room we will have... I can't get myself to start. I'm worried I am going to get half my projects done, move there, and then not have them work out. So, I am forcing myself to wait till we get there.... which will be in a little more than a week.

Also, I have finally started reading "The Host" by Stephanie Myer (the Twilight author) and I have to say... that it is king of getting good. :) So some of my spare time has been filled with reading, not crafting, hee hee :) So, until I can fill these blog entries with wonderful tutorials and ideas I will just have to post fun news like.... HOW MARTHA STEWART PUBLISHED A NEW CRAFT BOOK!!!!!.

Um sorry,... if you can't tell, I'm excited.

I already have Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts, which is wonderful! But she just came out with her Encyclopedia of pure sewing crafts. I might have to just pull a "Julie & Julia" and craft my way through her book :)

Do any of you out there have her book yet... I am hoping to get it for my birthday (hint hint Curtis) and am dying to check it out.

The Goose Girl

WFMW

I have been bitten by the reading bug. Ever since I picked up Twilight a couple months ago I haven't been able to keep myself away from books. I have been just loving it too. I use to read all the time, always trying something new; but unfortunately I haven't picked up a book (except for Harry Potter) in a while. During this new reading phase I have been going through, I have discovered a delightfully sweet book by Shannon Hale called, "The Goose Girl", which is a retelling of a Grimm's Brother story.

"The Goose Girl" is a wonderful fairytale about a princess named Ari and her story of betrayal, strength, and resilience. With her mother sending her off to a far away land to marry in a strange place. Unfortunately she is betrayed by those closest to her and has to escape with her own life. With trying to figure out a plan as to how to get home, find her soon-to-be husband, and unmasking the traitors, she stumbles across friends, lessons, and talents that she never knew she had.

This is a fun sweet read that had a plot that kept me always wanting to know more about Princess Ari and her world. With pages filled with their history, tradition, and mystical legends I was constantly smiling and having my mind filled with beautiful painted images. After reading "The Goose Girl" I am really excited to read more by Shannon Hale: Book of a Thousand Days, Rapunzel's Revenge, Enna Burning, Princess Academy, and River Secrets.

You can find "The Goose Girl" for around $4 on amazon.com.

Twilight

Okay, people. I have officially jumped on the Twilight band wagon. The reason I have been gone these past few days is that...
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One, I was taking a small break from blogging to get the blog organized and together (that loosing translates to I was going through a blogging funk) and...


Reason two is because I finally started reading Twilight and well... it took a bit to get into it and I had to roll my eyes over the teen romance parts, but then out of no where.... BAM I got COMPLETELY SUCKED IN. The last 150 pages of the book is completely page turning and I am embarrassed to admit this, but liked it. I even went out and bought the second book called "New Moon". So, hopefully I will be caught up to speed with all four books by the time the movie comes out.


If any of you out there is looking for a non-serious read, just something kind of light and fun, you might want to try it. Again... it is a little slow in the beginning, but definitely worth the read in the end. :)

P.S. And for you all who haven't heard about this book or don't know what it is about, then just find some teenage girl that is suddenly boy crazy, swooning, and talking non stopped about vampires... seriously. And remember when I say this... the book is completely cheesy, but still unavoidably good.

Twilight & Freebies

Well, world... you wore me down and I think I am finally going to read the "Twilight" books. Everyone keeps raving about them. I poo pooed Harry Potter before I read it, so I will give this a try. :)
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On another note.... here are some free samples I have found online. You can get a free samples of Always pads, Degree deodorant for men, or even some free Nature Made liquid vitamin pills. Oh, I do love finding free samples :)

Sock and Glove Elephant

I finally got me the "Sock and Glove" book by Miyako Kanamori, sat down, and made myself a cute little creation. There were sooo many sweeties to choose from and I narrowed it down between the sheep, sock monkey, and this cute little elephant. I finally decided on the elephant and got to work.

This was one of my more relaxing projects. It took about two seconds to cut out the limbs and well,... the rest... I just sat down with the hubby and cuddled on the couch as I stitched all the pieces together. Very cheap also, I'm sure everyone can appreciate that, and it only takes a pair of socks, needle and thread.

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Honestly, who doesn't want to tote this little guy around with you? And if you can't resist any longer, then you can purchase the book on Amazon for around $7. But if you are wanting to give it a try before you purchase the book, then jump over to the Martha Stewart website for a free tutorial for the "Sock and Glove" dog and bunny. Sorry, I would normally post nice step by step instructions, but I don't want to step on any copyrights. So, pop over there and pick up two FREEEEEEE tutorials. Your kids will love them and they are fun to make, sounds like a win-win situation, eh?

Sew Pretty Homestyle - Craft Book Ideas

WFMW
I have bought ANOTHER craft book. Yes, yes, I know... I have a problem. But I can't help it. I love having new projects and new ideas that will help me sprout even NEWER ideas. Plus, I am always amazed at the never ending creativity that some people have. This new book that I have been hoarding in a corner saying "my preeeeecious" is called, "Sewing Pretty Homestyle" by Tone Finnanger.

It is such a fun, bright, crafty book. Filled with pages and pages of around the house crafts that will help spruce up any room. The books has items and decorations for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, children's room, and even for the garden. They have pictures, instructions, and actual-size templates for all projects.

If you are looking for some cute slippers... done! Sweet center pieces?..... got it!!!! Make-up bags, water bottle holders, blankets, rugs, dolls, pillows, chair cushions, organizers, even potpourri bags that are just sooo cute. I am not a really girly girl... really I am not. I am more of a outdoorsy, snowboarding, AC/DC kind of girl... but even with all of that, I can't help but "ooooo" and "ahhhhh" as I turn from page to page.

If you are looking for a cute craft book to either help you get started or even if you are already waist deep in the Martha Stewart metamorphosis, this is a will be a great book. I love how the book takes you by the hand and leads you through each step; and then, once you are feeling more comfortable, they even have crafts in the background of the pictures that are also sweet and easy to make your self with no instructions needed. So, go check it out, I got mine at Joann's for $19, but they are selling them on Amazon for $10.00.