Crafty Christmas Gifts

While I'm taking some time to slow down and get ready for baby - here are a few Christmas gifts that I'll be unwinding with...

I can't wait to use my Babycakes Cupcake Maker now that I have this...

I am feeling creative and ready to get some new projects started with The Big Ass Book of Crafts 2, which I know I will love because I have the first one too!

And finally, something that would have come in very handy while I was slaving away over Homemade Peppermint Patties last week - we finally have a Kitchen Aid!!

What new gifts are keeping you busy this week?

(Less than 2 weeks to baby is keeping us pretty busy too!!)

Hypnobirthing - Am I Crazy?

I had planned to do my weekly Crafty Links blog post but the night kind of got away from me. So instead I figured I would give a quick update on what I've been up to pregnancy-wise. Today, I received the book I ordered from Amazon.com about hypnobirthing. I've heard that this is a great pain management tool for natural delivery, which is my plan - despite the fact that everyone around me thinks I'm nuts! I even tweeted Ricki Lake about it yesterday, as I consider her quite the natural-birth guru.

I've been feeling pretty good lately, even though temperatures in New England, and actually around the country, have been extremely warm this week. 

I also found a great craft project for this little peanut that I will post tomorrow. Not only will it keep me busy and be a cute gift for the baby when he or she finally arrives but it was a fabulous deal - my favorite!

So as I approach 15 weeks and find myself looking more round in the belly, I'm getting increasingly more excited. Of course, with this new growth in my middle section, I realized last weekend that my bridesmaids dress for our friends' wedding on the 23rd doesn't want to zip easily so it is currently at the tailors. Fingers crossed that she is able to take it out about an inch in the back... Bunch is so lucky, he just has to rent a tuxedo. I'm pretty sure he was measured and paid within 20 minutes of walking into Men's Wearhouse. 

I hope you all don't mind my non-crafty posts but I'm glad to share some other parts of my life on this blog as well. Here's wishing you all a great rest of the week and a crafty entry will be posted tomorrow, I promise!

Babycakes Book Recommendation

It's been a while since I've done a book recommendation and this post is a little different because I'm suggesting a book that hasn't even been released yet. How can I do that, you might ask? Because it's been written by previously featured artist, Dr. Grymm and his better half, Mrs. Grymm!

You can pre-order this book through the Amazon link above. Pre-order price is guaranteed and this book is available for FREE Super Saving Shipping. 

"Steampunk is a burgeoning counter-cultural movement; a genre, community, and art form. The Steampunk movement seeks to recapture the spirit of invention, adventure, and craftsmanship reminiscent of early-nineteenth century industrialization, in part, to restore a sense of wonder to a technology-jaded world.

Packed with 1,000 color photographs, 1,000 Steampunk Creations features a showcase of stunning jewelry, fashion, accessories, headgear, artwork, home decorations, and curious contraptions."

Looking for more information about Dr. Grymm? Dr. Grymm's alter ego, Joey Marsocci, proprietor of Dr. Grymm Laboratories, has been a freelance designer of theme park attractions, toys, puppets, graphic marketing, film props, and private consignments for over 18 years. His custom contraptions and sculptures have been seen in Steampunk exhibits and publications around the world, including the Steampunk Exhibit held at the Oxford University History of Science Museum in 2010 and The Cosmopolitan Hotel of Las Vegas, NV. He also hosts an annual Steampunk art show, Steampunk Bizarre, which takes place in Hartford, CT and is the feature artist of the 2010 documentary entitled I Am Steampunk.

Visit his website at: http://www.drgrymmlaboratories.net

Babycakes Book Recommendation

It's been a little while since I've done a book recommendation so today I would like to highlight a hysterical and fun book, by the comedic genius Amy Sedaris, titled Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People. 

With her witty sense of humor, you almost feel like she is crafting beside you!  This is not a super-serious Martha Stewart type guide but if you like Sedaris, then you already know that! With sections like Crafting for Jesus and Knowing Your Knack for Knickknacks - you'll be amused for sure.

Her first book, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence is a very tongue-in-cheek guide to throwing parties. With "more than 100 recipes with menus for dozens of occasions (or not), from blind date at home to table for one (an evening alone, that is, with steak and salad). Her recipes, by the way, are no rivals to the Culinary Institute of America; for instance, the directions for "carrot coins" call for slicing carrots so they look like coins and sauteing with butter, salt, and pepper."

While these books might not be for everyone, I encourage you to check them out if your humor tends to be on the deviant side :)

Decoupage Mini-Desk for Arm Chair

I have had this arm-chair desk tucked away in my craft closet for sometime now. Sadly, it doesn't fit any of the furniture in our house, with the exception of Bunch's office chair but he has a big desk in there so he doesn't need this little guy. I decided to use a bit of Modge Podge and cotton fabric cut-outs to give it a colorful, lively feel. It's perfect to hold a cup of tea, a book, some knitting needles - whatever!

Here is my starting piece (it needs a little dusting, I see):

I was experimenting with layout last night, here are my cut-outs: 

I would like to use the mini-teacups and flowers on the sides but I have to make sure they fit. When finished, I will list this in my Etsy store so it can find a happy home. 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Babycakes Book Recommendation

This book has been out for a few years but it's still one of my favorites.

The Big Ass Book of Crafts

by Mark Montano

My husband surprised me with this book - it's full of interesting and inspiring ideas for the home and for gifts. 

One of the projects I tried was the silhouette painting. I used a clear glass plate, black acrylic paint and gold spray paint. Try experimenting with different colors and silhouette shapes. Here is one of my finished plates:

I taped the picture to the front of the plate, traced the silhouette with a black paint pen and then filled in the design with black acrylic paint. Once that dries, hold it up to the light to make sure the black paint covers all of the design, if the design is complete, cover the back with spray paint in light layers, until you get the desired effect. 

Have a great weekend - happy crafting!