Craft Site Directory - Your guide to arts and craf: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Complete Book of Arts & Crafts (The Complete Book Series) (Paperback)

This book is fun and has wonderful, easy projects. The cover says this book is for ages 5-9. I'm currently working on the button jar and pinchushion top with my 3 1/2 granddaughter.Get here

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Stringing Beads with over 200 beads

It's a great quiet activity. There are a ton of beads and several laces allowing you to make several necklaces. Everything fits nicely into the storage case.Get here

Cricut 29-0001 Personal Electronic Cutting Machine

This product is fantastic! If you're looking for a personal die cut system I wouldn't bother with anything else on the market right now. It is compact when closed, so it won't take up unnecessary table space. It is also very light and has a comfortable handle for travelling. Get here

Saturday, September 20, 2008

1,000 Jewelry Inspirations: Beads, Baubles, Dangles, and Chains (1000 Series) (Paperback)

If you want a book that will either get your creative juices flowing, or a book that will make you want to shop shop SHOP for jewelry, this book is it! I bought it because a friend has several pieces in it, and I was delighted with the wide range of styles of jewelry on display. Get here

Monday, September 15, 2008

Brother XL2600I 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions

Great sewing machine! Very easy to use and comes with all the necessary items to star sewing right away Get Here

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Delicious Decorating for Any Occasion

Toba Garrett has succeeded in creating a beautiful book, full of lovely cookies that is also practical in that she presents each component of the process separately and then ties them each together in simple, easy to follow directions. Recipes, decorating technique and specific designs are each presented in such a way that mastery is simple and the user can easily create his or her own designs using the lessons learned.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Cookie Craft: From Baking to Luster Dust, Designs and Techniques for Creative Cookie Occasions (Hardcover)

This is a beautifully bound book full of color pictures of beautifully decorated cookies. It's giving me tons of great ideas for the holidays. There are also a lot of helpful hints--(e.g., how to keep your cookie cutters from rusting, how to roll out the dough to a consistant thickness) as well as detailed instructions for really cool party favors, centerpieces -- all made from cookies. The instructions break it down really simply, so it looks doable too. This is going to be the holiday book of choice for this year!Get here

Monday, September 8, 2008

Guidecraft Vari-Design Wood Blocks

This exciting variety of wood shapes and sizes provides endless opportunities for creative expression. Your child can sort, color, build, match, glue, sand and nail these wooden pieces into anything the mind will imagine. Contents may vary from set to set.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Confetti Cakes Cookbook: Spectacular Cookies, Cakes, and Cupcakes from New York City's Famed Bakery (Hardcover)

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Finally, the book we've all been waiting for is out. I've seen Elisa interviewed and do demonstrations and seen her work, and now some secrets are out and helpful hints and stunning pictures are all in this great book.
For some people, I imagine you'd want to dive right in and begin/attempt to recreate some of the fabulous cakes in here (I personally don't think I even have half the skill to try), but whether you want to try and make them or just admire her fantastic work, this book is spectacular.
For each recipe, there is a complete list of what you need (materials, equipment, and techniques etc). To me, I like simple, and this isn't. It can be mind boggling if you aren't practiced in baking, but I can't stress enough how beautiful this book is, and it would make the perfect gift on Mothers day or for a birthday for anyone who loves baking, or just amazing and stunning looking cakes. I love this.