Craft Books, Killer Crafts and a Laura Childs Giveaway

On Friday nights Andrew and I can often be found at Border's Books. They have the best hot chocolate in town and there's wonderful live guitar music that gets me humming--just lovely.

Anyway, here's a list of some of the great finds I've ferreted out during our last couple trips that are now on my wish list--right after a Macbook Air. Heh, Macbook . . . drool.

1. Itty Bitty Nursery by Susan B. Anderson
Full of sweet knits for children and babies including a knitted tea set. You heard me. A knitted tea set--I'm in love.

2. Knitting Little Luxuries: Beautiful Accessories to Knit by Louisa Harding
The patterns in this book have a gorgeous Victorian feel melded with a modern hipness that makes me want to break out the needles right now--that bag you see in the photo is fabulous.

3. Bead Simple by Susan Beal
This book actually hasn't come out yet, they're taking advance orders at Amazon, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it. It's got gorgeous photos (see Susan's blog, Bead Simple for an inside peak) and it looks like a great addition to a crafty library.

4. Folk Bags: 30 Knitting Patterns and Tales from Around the World by Vicki Square
Normally I'm not into the ethnic-Bohemian-Seven Years in Tibet style but this book made me think twice. I think it was the purse shaped like a fish that did it. Bags inspired from around the world: Nepal, Peru, Africa, you name it--she's designed them and they're gorgeous.

5. Cutting Edge Patterns and Textures by Estel Vilaseca
For anyone who can't get enough of fabric, who loves patterns and colors this new book features 250 full-page patterns by 83 designers with all the variety and creativity you could want for the rest of the decade. The Print & Pattern site has pictures and more information.

6. Bags: A Knitter's Dozen by Elaine Rowley
More felted and knitted bags--but more elegant looking than your typical knitted handbag.

7. The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty and Kitschy Crafts: Fifty Fabulous Products from the Fifties and Sixties by Leah Kramer
This is one of those books where most of the ideas are just okay but then there are two or three jewels that make the purchase worthwhile. The popsicle stick purse idea alone is cute enough to inspire me buy this one (and if that doesn't get you interested I don't know what will). Maybe I'll have to buy it, make the purse then post about it.

8. Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. Sew, Mama, Sew! asked readers to name their favorite quilting books and then they compiled the results in this post. I have a copy of Quilter's Complete Guide and would recommend to anyone interested in learning different quilting techniques but would like to pick up Last Minute Patchwork for the cute little projects it lists.

9. Doodle Stitching: Fresh and Fun Embroidery for Beginners by Aimee Ray. I love the designs on the cover and love this intro to embroidery. Definitely on my list.

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And here are a few fun crafts I've had bookmarked lately:

* Get ready for Easter with some Washi Eggs courtesy of Yasutomo. They actually look pretty doable--and different. Who doesn't want that cutting-edge Easter look that says Asian Easter Bunny?

* Make a kit with your children using an old umbrella courtesy of The Sampler. Almost makes you glad when one of your umbrellas break, doesn't it?

* Crochet this beautiful blue cloche hat courtesy Craftzine. Someday I will crochet well enough to make this. Some day.

* Utterly silly but utterly cute and ready to boil: a knitted lobster by Dirigo - Knitting by the Sea

* A tutorial to make a soft teapot. I know you're thinking, "Why would I need a softie teapot?" Oh just click on the link at Ric Rac for the tutorial and you'll see how your life has heretofore been incomplete.

* And if you think I've left you craft-challenged people without any projects here's one ANYONE can do. Even Andrew could put this together. Even my DAD could do this--and that's saying something. A bamboo vase made from a standard bamboo placemat courtesy of Home by Sunset.

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And finally, here's something for all you scrapbookers, readers and reading scrapbookers (that pretty much covers everyone out there I think). Frill Kill, the latest book by best selling author Laura Childs, is a scrapbooking mystery. I love mysteries! Here's what Amazon's description says:

Memory Mine shop owner Carmela Bertrand finds herself caught up in New Orleans Halloween mayhem in Childs's sprightly fifth scrapbooking mystery. In an alley behind her friend Ava Grieux's Juju Voodoo Shop, Carmela discovers the body of fashion model Amber Lalique, who was in the shop only moments earlier. The cops suspect Giovanni, Ava's sexy new tarot card reader, whose brother, Santino, is Amber's ex-boyfriend. Carmela and Ava become determined to uncover the truth and throw themselves headlong into danger, filling in as models for the big Halloween night unveiling of Moda Chadron's newest fashion creations, snooping around New Orleans and even venturing into the creepy bayou. Childs rounds out the story with several scrapbooking and crafting tips plus a passel of mouth-watering Louisiana recipes.

It's received good reviews (five stars at Amazon) and with the blend of sleuthing, cuisine and crafts looks fun. Thanks to Ms. Childs I have TWO copies to give away but I'm going to do this a little different this time. If you'd like to enter please leave a comment on this post sometime before Monday morning 12 am. I'll draw the two winners at the same time that I draw a winner for the regular Saturday giveaway that will be going up tomorrow. Got it? Anyone can enter, I'll even ship overseas, so good luck!

Now get crafting people!

Technorati tags: crafts, knitting, crochet, purses, scrapbooking, Laura Childs