The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

August 31, 2013
by Tammy
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Stitching for the Kitchen – Book Review

Publisher Sixth and Spring Books sent me a review copy of a new book out called Gooseberry Patch® Stitching for the Kitchen: 30 Easy Projects for the Heart of Your Home. It is written by the founders of Gooseberry Patch, Jo Ann and Vickie (no last names of either provided). This book mixes sewing and cooking with an emphasis on making items for the home. Many of the sewing projects are accompanied by a recipe. For example the Keeping Warm Casserole Carrier includes a recipe for Mom’s Lasagna. Another sewing project, the Warm and Sweet Mug Cozy with Pocket is followed by a recipe for Whipped Shortbread.

Other than the mix of sewing and cooking crafts, the other element of this book that appealed to me was the fact that most of the projects would be good for a beginner to attempt. I know of a few people who are learning to sew now, and they immediately came to mind when I was flipping through the pages. Even for those seasoned sewers, who doesn’t enjoy a fast project now and then? Plus, there are many great gift possibilities here. For example, you could make the Popover Pockets Divided Bread Basket and then fill it with Super Simple Parker House Rolls.

Along with the projects and recipes, the book includes a “What You Need to Know” section in the back of the book along with an attached envelope-style pocket with patterns in it. Sewing basics and even a little crochet and embroidery are covered in this last section.

The book is 144 pages and retails in the US for $22.95 and in Canada for $24. 95. Amazon selling is between $13 and $16 US dollars.

August 27, 2013
by Tammy
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A Few Crafting Links

Between school and the book, I’m up to my eyeballs in work! But I see the end coming soon. In the meantime, here are some good crafting links to visit from around the web.

Alaska, farewell!
Cyndi shares some pictures from the last day of her Alaska cruise adventure.

ACreativeDream
June has a tutorial for a mail art piece up, come see!

Unique Flap-Folded Card
Look at the unusual way this card opens. Presto, chango!

August 18, 2013
by Tammy
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Crafty Creatures

Jane Bull is the author of Crafty Creatures (DK; $20.00), a jam-packed adult guide to creating a host of cuddly animal characters. Crafty Creatures has four sections and includes more than 30 projects. In “Woolly Knit Animals,” knitters can create yarn octopuses and “knitten” kittens. Make your own felt pocket pets, or “minimals”, Jane’s term for plumped up pillow creatures, in the “Friends in Felt” chapter. The “Sew Cute” chapter provides instructions on how to sew versions of man’s best friend, rag doll rabbits, and “doodlephants”. The last craft chapter, “Animals in Stitches,” offers multiple cross-stitch patterns including one to create individual pet portraits.

August 18, 2013
by Tammy
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Giveaways and More

Aimee Ray’s new book is up for grabs!
Cyndi is sponsoring a “Sweet & Simple” giveaway!

Are You Ready for Some Football – Mums?
It’s (get ready for) Homecoming time. Across much of the south, that means it’s (get ready for) Homecoming Mums!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a video tutorial on how to make a recycled file folder book with Jeannine Stein, a giveaway of a copy of The Complete Photo Guide to Beading and a Kumihimo kit and how to write phrases in Sanskrit.

Gold Glass and Solar Lights
Cherie shares a glass project from last year.

August 12, 2013
by Tammy
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Color, Quilts, Creativity!

ACreativeDream
June has issued a mail art call! Come join in the fun!

Creative Planner Update
Cherie finally finishes her Creative Planner project.

Laminated Household Solutions Cards
These are helpful and colorful kitchen tip charts clipped from magazines over the years. Eileen decided to make them decorative, durable, and always handy.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi’s latest quilt is finally finished and named…Downdraft!

August 9, 2013
by Tammy
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Hank Finds an Egg


I wrote about this book last month, and I finally got a copy of Hank Finds an Egg. And, yes, it is pretty much as adorable as I had expected. This is a picture book created – and crafted really – by Rebecca Dudley, who is well known for her use of photography and dioramas. You can enjoy more of her creative work on her blog, Storywoods. You can also see better photos over there, so I will just emphasize my thoughts about this charming picture book. While it has no words, it is full of ideas and imagination. So many children are “plugged in” these days, that this is a chance to sit and enjoy some off line time with a young person, who may or may not be able to read, but who can read in between the lines when it comes to the beautiful illustrations in this book.

August 4, 2013
by Tammy
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Purse Love!

A new month means a new Thirty-One special, and for August 2013, squee….the special is all about purse love! With every $35 purchase, you can get any purse for 50% off. Oh, and it gets better. We are not just talking about the purses in the Summer 2013 catalog. We are also talking about some new purses. They are so “new” they are not in the catalog. Below is the current flyer that shows all the sale purses and you can also pick up a new wallet too.



I know! There are tons of great choices this month! You can shop online at my Thirty-One Gifts web site, or as an independent consultant, I can also set up an online party for you to host so that not only will get get the 50% deal (after spending $35), but you can get free host rewards and other discounted products. Contact me at tammypowley @ yahoo.com for details on how easy it is to run a stress free web party.

August 4, 2013
by Tammy
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Crafting Vultures and Monsters

“Just for You” Tag in Pocket Card
Check out how to make “a little pretty” tag-in-pocket “Just for You” card for someone special.

Canning Jar Lids
Participate in this new craft challenge. What would you make using old canning jar lids?

Green Monster Scarf
Cherie’s gearing up for craft season with these monster scarves.

Mixed Media Artist
Just how *do* you get a vulture to take flight on an art quilt?