sock monkey invasion

Hello, hello girlies! I'm excited to announce that a brand spanking new CJ Challenge kit is on its way to you...And this month we're making sock monkeys! I know our little craft club fell apart a bit this summer, but it seems like most of our lives are settling in again, and it's time to resurrect the fun!

These little monkey stuffies are so trendy right now. And if you don't fall head over heels in love with your first monkey (like I did with mine!), it'll make an awesome handmade Christmas gift! I definitely picked up some funky socks and some plain versions. I know I love the plain jane style, but I'm sure the funky patterns will turn out awesome also!

The project is super simple. Here's what you'll need to get started:

pair of socks + buttons are included

next round up your:
sewing machine
ruler
pen
scissors
stuffing (sorry, you might have to run out and buy a bag if you don't have this already)
pins
needle and thread

The complete instructions are enclosed with your little socks. But just in case, you can find the link here also. Don't be intimidated by the 18 pages! It's just very descriptive and has pictures for every single step. I promise--this project was easy and took just one afternoon's time. So have fun, and don't forget to post the results!

4 weeks of giving: week 3

Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love. –Lao Tza

This week show someone you love them through the gift of relaxation by surprising them with a back rub, foot soak, manicure or some other type of physical compassion gift you think of.

Pay to the order of…

I don’t know about you, but whenever I get my tax return back I usually end up telling myself that part of this money is mine to spend however I see fit. I may blow some of it on a new outfit, dinner out, scrapbook stuff…basically frivolous stuff. So I decided that this year I need to put some of that money to good use. So…I am giving you the task of finding, and researching a little bit about some great charity, organization, or local group that is helping others.

Thirty One (There's only 30 this month) days of giving back...

I was searching for great charities for you to make your check out to when I stumbled upon on an old issue of Glamour (Dec issue) It had exactly what I wanted. A few were more geared for the holidays but may of them are great for year round giving.

Here are a few that I think sound great:

1. Support the troops with warm socks, deodorant, cheezeIts: find their wish list at anysoldier.com

2. Donate New blankets to kids in homeless shelters at projectnightnight.org

3.Buy funky gifts at thrift shops that give back, such as Out of the Closet sales support AIDs healthcare foundation, or a Hospice thrift store sales support Hospice families.

4. Before you shop online, go to goodshop.com. Then buy from participating retailers and the site donates a portion of your purchase to the charity of your choice.

5. Give manicures at a local nursing home.

6. Spend an hour or 2 a week helping a immigrant learn English (check out literacyvolunteers.org)

7. Help protect half an acre of rain forest in South and Central America with a $25 donation at rainforestalliance.org

8. Donate old cell phones to victims of domestic violence for emergencies (go to ncadv.org and click "donate")

9.Vaccinate 50 people around the world against deadly diseases such as meningitis, measles or polio with a $50 donation at http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

10. Provide a month of care for a woman or child rescued from sexual slavery for just $30 at sharedhope.org

11. Clean out your closet! Then donate old glasses (neweyesfortheneedy.org), shoes (shareyoursoles.org) and even wedding gowns (makingmemories.org)

12. Find projects that help people in your very own zip code at dosomething.org

13. Make a $10 donation to freethechildren.org and a special matching-funds program will turn it into a $100 worth of medical supplies for kids around the world.

14. Mentor a at risk teen online at icouldbe.org

15. Help an aspiring student pay for college at scholarshipamerica.org

16. Staying home for the holidays? Donate frequent-flier miles to injured soldiers' families at heromiles.org

17. Loan money to a budding entrepreneur in the developing world at kiva.org

18. Sell gifts you don't need through eBay's Giving Works program (givingworks.ebay.com)

19. Give blood (to find where go to givelife.org). What better reason to stop and lie down for 10 min?

{These are just a few great org's to give to...So make out that check and let us know who/what you are helping out.}

Contents….

*1 full 100% wool sweater
*Scraps from a 100% wool sweater

Becca's sweater

Karen's sweater

Jessica's sweater

Jenny's sweater

*A $25 check….instructions to come.

Four Weeks of Giving

1. This week do something unexpected…make a meal for someone in need, go around your block and pick up all that trash that has been buried by the winter snow, give a call to someone you have lost touch with and let them know you are thinking of them. Then Tell us what you did, or describe how that someone reacted.

IDEAS for this week's challenge!

Remember those Altoids? This week's project involves wiping out the minty powder inside your tin and transforming your box into something spectacular!! Get out your decoupage, flip through some old mags, consult your scissors, and snip, snip, snip. Actually, you can take artistic liberty and decorate your cover any which way you choose...This is merely my method. :) Right now I'm lovin' aqua + red. Aren't they a smart couple? The possibilities are infinite.

Make your mini box your own.
Fill it with tiny keepsakes.
Turn it into a thoughtful gift.
Stash away your eyelets, fibers and more in it and tuck it in your creative space.
Store a needle + thread + buttons in it and deem it your emergency sewing kit.
Keep sweet little love notes inside.
Mix & match some fun, crafty notions and send it to another fun, crafty girl.
Fill it with delish candies for a birthday surprise.
Decorate it with extra girly flair to create a home for your niece's Barbie accessories.
Plaster it with your 2nd grade stamp collection and store postage + return address labels inside...No more rooting through a desk drawer hunting for tiny necessities.
Stash office supplies (paper clips, erasers, extra staples, etc.)

Whatever you do...Be creative & enjoy & as always, share!

{7} signs of spring: 7. resurrect

res·ur·rect / Pronunciation[rez-uh-rekt] Pronunciation Key–verb (used with object)

1. to raise from the dead; bring to life again.

Yes, the most miraculous, important take-home message of the Easter season is that Jesus rose again on the 3rd day because He is true God and has conquered sin & death and won eternal life for us. :)

But today's challenge is all about the word's second definition:

2. to bring back into use, practice, etc.: to resurrect an ancient custom.

What have/will you resurrect this month? For me, it's all about living for the next rainy day so that I can bust out my navy & pink polka-dotted rainboots. We've only been together for 3 months, but already, they've become my treasures, my good old friends, my most prized and practical accessory. I wouldn't think of walking through puddles without them.

{7} signs of spring: 6. energy

Diagnosis: Spring fever. What's putting pep in your step? Leaving you restless? Getting you going? Is it a new passion, new pair of running shoes, new music? Or is it that little bit of extra sunshine + fabulous weather? A cute new 'do? Share it.

{7} signs of spring: 5. hatch

Hatch. That's right. Easter is right around the corner. Did you decorate eggs? Make eggs for breakfast? Lay an egg? Or just plain buy some delicious candy eggs? Show 'em. And Easter cards don't count! ;)

{7} signs of spring: 4. new

Friday. Day 4. Our spring photo fling is officially over the hump. Hopefully you ladies will be shutterbugs this weekend. I can't wait to see what you come up with. :) Anyway...NEW! Spring's all about newness of life, so what's new in your life? New friends, new adventures, new things? I just went on a Marshalls shopping spree yesterday and found some pretty darn cute things for our place. I especially love my yellow chair pillows. They make our kitchen look so fresh and happy!

{7} signs of spring: 3. color

What's coloring your world this spring? This is an easy one for me...I have a pastel fetish! But right now I'm just plain craving some jelly beans. So this picture is for you Ames...A yummy little bowl of Jelly Belly sours. Sending a little scrumptiousness your way.

Assignment: Do!

...With God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26

Since we only get one day off a week we really value it. We plan it out so it isn't wasted. Why not really add value to your time off and plan ahead. Jot down ideas of restaurants you've always wanted to go to, a store to look at, a city to explore, the next time you have free time, do it. Don't sit around at home, just go and do. I want you all to be really passionate about what you do. What are your wildest dreams? Why not start a piggy bank for a specific thing to buy. Share your dreams with other people. At first, Sam and i were a little hesitant telling people the crazy things we wanted to do. We wrote them down. When we first wrote down our crazy dreams I didn't think any of them would actually happen. (Ok, I wanted them to, but they were crazy!) We prayed about them, we didn't count 100% on them all happening, but so far it is going good. We took big risks, sometimes it was hard. As all of you know, from time to time I've called all of you and complained about something (ok several things) There is always a trade off. While some things look glamorous (backpacking Europe) the work that we had to do (28 days straight of 12-15 hour days of physical labor) and the way we traveled wasn't at all glamorous.
The bathrooms we used, and the beds we slept in were so gross, but we did it.

Or sleeping on a heap of dirty sheets and trash because there were no seats left on the train, but we begged the conductor to let us on anyway.

I was willing to sacrifice cleanliness for the experience. But it was all so worth it.

In front of Colosseum.

Sistine Chapel

Be bold. We are such creatures of habit, and the habits we get into are comforting. I'm just starting to enjoy getting into a routine, it's comforting and reassuring, and we do need it. But it's great to jump out of our comfort zone as well, from time to time and push ourselves.

Your assignment: Name 3 crazy dreams, what actions are you going to take to make them happen? Let's encourage each other and not make any excuses or buts. They don't have to be anything major, they can be little things, but don't be afraid to list a major dream. Please share, if you've always had a secret dream to be a circus clown I want to know about it!

And you can laugh, but to me (and Amy, I'm pretty sure you'll agree) quotes are inspirational. So I'm going to share some motivating quotes with you. Who knows, maybe you can incorporate one of them into your page?

Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down.
-Kobi Yamada

Getting a good idea should be like sitting on a pin; it should make you jump up and do something.
-E.L. Simpson

Our fears must never hold us back from pursuing our hopes.
-John F. Kennedy

I have always wanted an adventurous life. It took a long time to realize that I was the only one who could make an adventurous life happen to me.
-Richard Bach

If someone believes in you, and you believe in your dreams, it can happen.
-Tiffany Loren Rowe

If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.
-Joseph Campbell


Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.
-William James

If you can imagine it
You can achieve it
If you can dream it
You can become it
-William Arthur Ward

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land among the stars.
-Unknown

Oh I could go on and on all day. But I will stop now.

Assignment: Journal

"A journal is more than a memory goad. It's therapeutic. The simple act of opening a notebook to put words down stills the crosscurrents of worry, drawing to focus the essential thought patterns that best defines us, intersecting those thoughts with the condition of our life at that exact moment. A journal is one of the few anchors the human condition allows us." -"Outside," Randy Wayne White

I counted up 30, filled and blank journals that Sam and I have. After I got to 30, and told Sam what I was doing, he opened a desk drawer to reveal 21 more! So 51 total! We love to write and read. Sam definitely has an obsession with moleskin! There is something great about writing on a page, rather than typing. I picked up a cool book on making mini books from the library. And I bought a great papermaking and book binding book from a secondhand book shop. Sam has always been fond of journals. We want to start making our own. He gave me this wonderful one he made when he proposed to me.

And we both fill this little book with love letters to each other, we started that in 2003. My favorite is our little dreams list of dreams we have, we draw a little heart next to each one and fill it in when we accomplished it.

Sam gave me a lovely leather journal as a wedding gift to fill in with our travels to Europe.
I have another journal (given to me by Sam for my birthday) I fill this one with everyday thoughts, and I like to try to make this one a more artsy one. I also keep wish lists in it, and lists of ideas of what to give people as gifts. I have a list of books I want to read, movies I want to watch, restaurants or stores to check out. It's keeping me organized.

I am really into journaling lately. I started a bunch of new ones and I've been writing in them everyday. I love journals with blank pages, without the lines. That way I can draw in it paste something in it, or write as big or small as my heart desires. So my new journals are: an exercise one, a scripture one, a food one, a work one and soon to come a quotes one. I love writing in these because they hold me accountable to getting done the things I want to. Everyday I write an entry in the exercise one, and the scripture one, and if I have to write- didn't exercise, or didn't read Bible at all- I hate doing that, so these journals keep me motivated to do what I want to get done. They help me to start develop the habits I want to create. The food one is supposed to get me organized with what I make for dinner. Each week I write out what I want to make for the week in it. I also keep track of what I eat, writing it down just makes me more aware, and then I think, wow, I should really eat more fruit. And it will maybe help me figure out if their is a food trigger to my migraines. And it's fun because I put in some old time 50's housewife pictures in it. The work one is good for venting! It's good to keep track of improvements we make, struggles we have and how we overcome them, and to keep track of the interesting people we meet. It's great to write these things down, because the next time I need to interview for a job I can easily look it over and find a good problem, and how I overcame it, (those lovely questions we all love to answer)

And then, right after starting all these journals, a package arrrived in the mail from Amy. She gave me this great journal! I don't know what I'm going to put in it yet, but I can't wait to fill it up.

Another nice thing about journaling faithfully is that you can refer back to your journal for your thoughts if you're doing a scrapbook layout. I love to try new art techniques in my journal-use stamps-scraps-paint-decoupage. Start a new journal today, or tell me about one you already have. Borders always has these great big blank ones for sale very cheap. Mine is filled with magazine clippings of house decoration inspiration.

It's so fun to have journals because it's great to look back over what you have written. The hardest part about journaling is starting. I wanted to start my food journal and exercise journal for a long time, it took me about 2 months thinking about it to get it going. It's a little intimidating having a nice blank book in front of you, you don't want to "wreck it" But just start filling it up,just go for it, or alter an old one you have laying around you don't use. Paint over the pages. I just made my first altered book. That was a fun and different experience. On our little vacation to Bayfield last year I brought my little traveling art kit, and one ziplock baggie filled with random patterned paper, etc. I bought a cheap book at a thrift store in bayfield. I made a rule that I could only use the supplies I brought along, and I picked up rocks, twigs, little pieces of nature that caught my eye to put in it. It was a great way to preserve the memory of that vacation because it was nearly done when i got home! I just had to print some pictures and pop them in.

So Sam and I are a little crazy I know. But I love that we don't have a tv, but we always have 5 different random piles of books and journals laying all over the house. That makes me happy. Reading and writing is so good!

So for your assignment please leave a comment or post a pic. of a favorite journal. Tell me if you keep one at all, or if you would like to start one. Amy, maybe you can show pics of the other ones you made, or tell us about that. Or tell me if you're looking at this at all, I'm beginning to wonder if anyone is!

New Assignment: Window Shop!

Alright ladies, just because you're done with the major assignment doesn't mean you're off the hook! I had enough posts to do one a day, but that was just too much for everyone I think. This is a fun assignment. It is to simply window shop. I know you all do it all the time. You can just leave a comment, or do a post with some pics of some good window shopping. I seem to always be shy about taking pictures at stores, but hey, this is homework, so you can feel comfortable doing it! You can also bring a tiny notebook with you, so you can jot down any good ideas that you see. It's great to get decorating and design ideas from stores. I especially like going to the big stores downtown. They have so many cool ideas. I would just love to work at Anthropologie. I believe that in every store they hire people to do projects and make it look cool. They get to buy old suitcases and cool vintage couches. The one in Seattle had the whole upstairs wall lined with chopped I don't think it's like Target, where a display at one store is exactly like the other stores. I'm guessing that's part of the reason their clothes are astronomically priced! But, nevertheless it is fun to look. And if they have a crazy discount, and a button missing, you might be able to snag something (and not just window shop!)

So this was a stolen idea from Anthropologie. I just couldn't resist. I think I'll post some more bathroom pictures on my blog in a few days, so check that if you want to see the rest of it. I stole paint chips from Lowes and put a few pics. from the Oregon coast and starfish and tidepools in a few tiles. Free decorating, gotta love it!

Assignment #4: Handmade is the way to go!

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of a man go together.
-John Ruskin

Your assignment: The next gift you give, make it, or buy on etsy, or at least buy it used. And take the handmade pledge.
Please, I hope everyone will take the handmade pledge. I can't word it better myself, so I'm going to let Rebecca Sower say it,

"I have taken the 'handmade pledge'. This means I am stopping to think about items I purchase; if they are available in a handmade format, that's where I will buy. As of today, over 12,000 people have taken this pledge. If this number keeps growing, we could actually get our message across...we're tired of mass-produced cheesy product!"

That number is now over 13,000! Simply click on this image and take the pledge, it's easy and quick, do it right now!

I'm sure you all have heard of etsy by now. I sure hope so. I know Jess has given some etsy gifts. I have, and I want you to also. There are so many cool things out there. It's a great place to look just for inspiration. I like it so much better than e-bay. It's more up our alley. Here are some shops that I like: Yellena, Sugar loop, Hide n Seek, and Ashley G. {Again, an organizing tidbit for you here, if you start browsing, make an etsy folder for the bookmarks so you can find the shop again} I really haven't spent much time looking on Etsy, I only do it when I'm looking for a gift or something for our house.

I like Girl on Swing for inspiration in my own art.

I like the idea of painting over a book, and I love the cute girl and playfulness of her!

I want to start my own Etsy shop. You guys all can start a shop. I know that we already value handmade stuff, but let's try to get more people thinking this way. Please spread the word about etsy. And let's not be ashamed of our talents and use them more for gifts. Before you buy anything, think, can i somehow use what i already have, could i make it, could i buy it from etsy, could I get a gifted friend or family member to use their gifts?

Now I can't help but talk about my dear grandma Martha here. She is the real Martha Stewart (as my mom likes to say) She has made suits, made "softies" (as they like to call them now) aka stuffed animals. She has made hundreds of quilts, crocheted many a baby blankets, or snowflake ornaments, she bakes like crazy, you name it- if it's anything crafty I'm sure Martha has done it! And best of all, she is so selfless and humble about it. She doesn't think twice, it's just natural for her to make all of these things and give them away! I can only hope to be half as crafty as she is!

Assignment #3: Make a Date

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes,
Art is knowing which ones to keep.
-Scott Adams

Schedule a date to craft this week. Pick a day that will work for you. Plan on ordering pizza that night, don't even think about cooking. If need be, let everyone know that you plan on scrapbooking, so you don't get bothered. Since you are planning ahead, it is a fun thing to look forward to. While you're at school or work you can think all day long about the fun you're going to have creating art! Pop in the Scraps of Love CD I gave you and create. If you feel stuck, try starting with your tag. It's a small thing. Just play around, paint it, look at it. Or do something else artsy-sketch-take pictures-just make sure it's artsy and try hard not to have any distractions-turn off your cell phone! Get in a groove and lose track of time! The other day I did this and I had the best time.

If you get sick of the Cd try listening to Pandora. Pandora is fabulous. It picks songs for you and you create a personal radio station for yourself. I like picking Brandi Carlile as an artist. You can rate the songs, skip the ones you don't like. It customizes the station based on what you like and don't like. Listening to Pandora puts me in a good mood to create! Sam found another cool place for listening to free music. You do have to create an account, and as Sam says, there is some dumb stuff that goes along with it, cause I think it's kinda like myspace. But I like to type in the Juno soundtrack or 50 First Dates, or The OC. When you search for those soundtracks, a ton of other similar songs come up. I really liked this, it's how I found some of the songs to go on your CD.

This assignment will be completed later on in the week (or hey-whenever you want, maybe this weekend you'll have time) I plan on posting some technique ideas soon to give you a few new things to try. Have fun, let me know how it goes! And write down some good songs you found and share them with us!

Assignment #2: People who Inspire

The influence of blogging is overall a very positive force in the media.
-Garrett M. Graff

This assignment you can do right now! Check out these blogs. You simply click on the name and you will be directed to their blog. I also added some of my favorite links on some of them. The world of blogging is so great. People are so positive and everyone out there encourages each other. I am also going to challenge you, don't just read their blogs- post a comment on one that you really like. And don't forget to bookmark the ones you like so you can easily revisit them later. I would advise making a blog folder if you haven't already! Jess and I have been hooked on this for about a year now. I'm sure she will share more great people! And I'm sure by the time the rest of you post, you will have found new blogs to share with the rest of us! There are so many great ideas floating around on the internet. These are some people who inspire me:

Rebecca Sower- I love her! She is a christian and she does a fabulous job of letting her light shine through her work. She has the best studio, check it out. I love it. I love her style. She uses lots of vintage pieces in her work.

Emily Falconbridge- She is a very natural girl. She is from Australia. She loves to paint on her scrapbook pages. I love her style. She also hosted 52 deck of art cards. Every week last year she posted a prompt and everyone altered a playing card to fit the prompt idea. I did this. I had a great time doing it. I still need to take pics of my cards, here is a peak! She is hosting another challenge this year. I'm not doing it this time.

Artsy Mama- Mom, you have to check her out. She is from MN and she doesn't do a lot of scrapbooking-more mixed media art. She always goes to Estate Sales and posts about what she finds. It makes me happy reading her blog!

Ali Edwards- She is a very thoughtful scrapbooker. She is so inspirational with getting the juice flowing and getting ideas onto the page. She had a cool December Daily book going, check it out- it's rad! And she encourages everyone to pick a word for this year to represent you (check out her AEZine challenge category in her sidebar. She is very inspiring to me this year especially because I think she's got it together and is one organized lady!

Heidi Swapp- I first learned about her from the Designing with Texture book I bought. I thought it was so cool how she was "discovered" She left her scrapbook at a store by accident, and the people working at the store looked through her scrapbook and loved it- one thing led to another. And look at her now! She has her own product line! She is a go getter kind of person. She took her large family (6 kids) to live in China this last year while her husband pursued his dreams.

Tracy Porter- I did a whole blog post on why I love this lady. You can read it here.

Jordan- Her blog is great to look at. She finds a lot of beautiful things. I love the idea of going back to homemade stuff. Check this out (ok, I couldn't get it to link to the exact post, so you need to scroll down to wooden play gym- I love that idea!)

Alicia Paulson- She writes the best blog. She takes the most wonderful pictures. She is a fantastic, sewer, crocheter, etc. etc. Check her out, you'll see what I mean! She is the one who got me collecting old sheets to make things out of.

Jenny- This chick does amazing painting! She loves all things pink and blue and she loves vintage bakery items. This is most definitely the person to check out in February. Her art combines sweet treats, and pastels.

Now some un-scrapbook blogs I just love.

The Pioneer Woman- Check her out for a good laugh and a neat look into the life of a rancher.

Zen Habits- Sam and I love this blog! It tells all about ways to simplify your life, reduce clutter, lots of good stuff. Check it out.

My Marrakesh- In another lifetime I think I came from Morocco or India- those colors speak to me and inspire me. This blog is so well written. The woman who writes it lives in Morocco.

So now that you have checked these people out, I'm sure you'll never stop. Once you do it, you're hooked. It's so easy to spend so much time looking- one blog leads you to another blog. It is fabulous. I find that I have to limit myself or I spend way too much time doing this. Blogging is my weakness. I don't have a TV, this is a big part of my entertainment. Enjoy! Let me know (by leaving a comment) which one you liked the best. Jess, let me know if there are any new ones you haven't seen before.

Assignment #1: Use Your Library Card

I've traveled the world twice over,
Met the famous; saints and sinners,
Poets and artists, kings and queens,
Old stars and hopeful beginners.
I've been where no one's been before,
Learned secrets from the writers and cooks.
All with one library ticket
To the wonderful world of books.
-Anonymous

For your first assignment I would like you to go to the library and bring home a big stack of books (don't forget to bring your canvas bag along to tote them home in) I want you to get a bunch of books, but I want you to think a little outside the box. Don't spend a lot of time picking them out. Go over to the scrapbooking section- pick some books out. Then go to something you don't usually look at, like watercolor painting. Grab one of those books. You might learn a new technique you can put on a page. Also, grab any that do catch your interest. For example, I really want to do a lot of stuff with felt, so I picked some books on felting. However, I flipped through one book and noticed that it wasn't really my aesthetic. It seemed a little dated and I probably wouldn't consider doing 80% of the projects. I still got the book to bring home. I find that the books that I don't like the colors, etc. I find more inspirational because it's not the project that appeals to me, but the technique used that pops out and screams to me more. I then can learn and take that technique and personalize it to the colors I like. When I see a book that has everything in it that I love, I want to copy it exactly, so it doesn't get my brain going as much on how to adapt the technique to fit my style. So I encourage you to pick up some ugly, dated books in your interest area that you would never normally pick up. Please tell me if I am making any sense you guys! Get some sewing books, home decoration, etc. Make sure you have a big old stack, and remember you're going to browse through them like a magazine for ideas. Bring them home. Take a look at them with a notebook and a sticky pad with you. Flag any pages and jot down some ideas that you might like to try. Have fun!


Here are some of the books I picked up:
Last-Minute Fabric Gifts by Cynthia Treen
Felt-Crafting on the Go
Creative Stitching on Paper 40 Beautiful Projects, From Scrapbook Pages to Chinese Lanterns
Simply Felt by Margaret Docherty and Jayne Emerson
Focal Point from the editors of Memory Makers Books
Hand Decorating Paper by Marie Browning (try looking for this one ladies, it's a great one!)
The Big Picture by Stacy Julian
The Book of Me: A guide to Scrapbooking About Yourself by Angie Pedersen
Miniature Scrapbooks Small Treasures to Make in a Day by Taylor Hagerty

This whole list is going to be different for each person, the only book I would love for you guys to find also is this one:
Hand Decorating Paper by Marie Browning (try looking for this one ladies, it's a great one!)
Don't sweat it if they don't have it, but I just think it's really inspiring.

Here is my wish list of books, some are on the waiting list at the library, some I keep seeing at Barnes and Nobles and would love to buy. That is another inspirational place, browsing at B&N. I love that they encourage you to look at their books. Don't try to do that in Greece. After 3 minutes of browsing, a rude lady approached us, "This isn't exactly a library you know."
I was so angry because we were planning on buying the book. But we just stormed out of there and took our business elsewhere!
Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter
Pretty Little Pincushions
Bend the Rules Sewing
Designing with Words
Designing with Vellum
(pretty much any of the designing with books)

Here are some books I got yesterday at Value Village (same as Savers):

Dips and Doodles. It was published in Mankato, MN. I couldn't resist. The illustrations are great. I don't think it's really a good book to show a kid for skiing. It's so dated, and more importantly there are at least 10 pics of his terrible wipe outs! I would be so frightened to ski after reading this!

And I want to crochet, and this has 99 granny square patterns.

How am I going to learn to crochet you might ask? I also picked up this gem. It is so great. It has everything in it, sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting, smocking, embroidery- anything and everything you want to know. Great diagrams and pictures. An oldie, but goodie!


Please leave a comment letting me know some really good ones you're finding! And please do this assignment right away. I am talking spending 10 minutes at the library, don't make excuses, don't procrastinate. This isn't going to work if everyone doesn't do it!
Please leave a comment letting me know some really good books you're finding! You can tell me about the ones you wish to buy, the ones you keep browsing at the book store, or a good one you picked up at the library! Have fun!