BOOK REVIEW: Welcoming Home Baby

Last year I was sent the book Welcoming Home Baby the Handcrafted Way by Tricia Drake, for review on my blog.

For me, the book presented an interesting concept: using chunky yarns to create knitted pieces for babies. Usually when you think "baby", you think of using delicate yarns & fibers. (And chunky yarns means you'll finish the project in faster time!)

This book has amazing photos, & the projects are all very sweet: blankets, wraps, hats & cocoons.

I'm hoping to be able to knit up a couple of the cocoons for a local photographer friend of mine to use for props in newborn photos.

The book lets you know right away which skill levels you'll need for each knitted creation. As a newbie knitter, I appreciate the detailed instructions, & especially the glossary of abbreviations spelled out for EACH project!

Chunky yarns + sweet little munchkins.

What's not to love??

♥

Kid's Books

I was so excited to receive this book in the mail today! It's "The Old Farmer's Almanac for KIDS" & it is full of facts, ideas, experiments, projects...

...AND it features a picture I took of wind chimes from THIS TUTORIAL last summer! Cool huh?

Also check out the Almanac 4 KIDS website. It is SUPER fun!

I know it'll be a great resource for my kids & I this summer.

And it got me thinkin'....

What other book recommendations do you have or suggest, pertaining to fun stuff for kids or kids summer activities? Anything from educational to silly to crafty will do.

Mexican Chocolate & Stuff.

Today was a fab Fall day. It actually felt quite warm, but I still indulged in my newest favorite warm tummy drink--Mexican Hot Chocolate. It's a cinnamon sweet chocolate taste. I grate the thick chocolate bars with a cheese grater & toss it in hot water & add a bit of milk. Delicious.

And, I'm experimenting with a fun freebie to toss in orders--for a limited time only!--in my Etsy shop, WhiMSy love. I found some really inexpensive memo books & I thought I'd give a go at ironing on some cupcake sweetness with fabric & that fusible iron-on stuff I like to use, right on the front covers. We'll see how it goes. I'll post pics if I don't make too much of a mess.

OH! And, holy crap-ole-ee! I purchased a book yesterday at Barnes & Noble, 'Bend the Rules Sewing' by Amy Karol. I had seen it on Lisa's blog, Polka Dot Creations & even visited Amy Karol's blog, angry chicken. I love this book & I am so stoked & excited & pumped to get my sewing machine out again!!! I'm taking her word that it's a great book for beginners. And my first project?? An apron- from that awesome vintage, brown, & cream fabric that I showed last week. "Make an apron from that fabric!" was heard from a couple of you, so I am going for it!

And I can't wait to tackle the zip pouches, the totes, napkins, placemats, & lots of fun kids stuff in there!!!!!