My Favorite BIG Christmas Dolls and Wood Crafts

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas at our house without all the holiday decorations.

While we have decorations out during all the other holidays and seasons none takes the cake next to our Christmas decorations. Each and every doll or wood craft has their particular place in my Christmas home decor and each and every year they go to the same place.

My grandchildren have gotten really good at reminding me which decoration goes where. After awhile with so many I tend to forget. Either that or I just love seeing if the grandchildren are paying attention. Most times they are.

In any event three of my favorite Christmas decorations are guess what?

You got it - BIG dolls and wood crafts.

One is an olde fashioned wood Santa and another is a Santa and Mrs. Claus pair of wood and cloth dolls.

The olde fashioned Santa stands 45" tall and is made our of 3/4" pine wood. I named him "Kristopher" and he was made based upon a "From My Heart To Yours" design.

He is a "sponge" painted Santa and was painted a deep burgundy red for an "olde fashioned" appearance. The fur along the bottom of his outfit, along his shoulders, and on the edge of his hat are all "sponge" painted with ocean sponges. His pompom is "sponge" painted as well. And there is blue, black, white, and red "sponge" painting all along his edges.

Kristopher is carrying a "sponge" painted sign that says "An Olde Fashion Christmas" and is carrying a medal bell.

Hi beard and moustaches are painted with multiple colors and applied using "wispy" strokes.

He proudly stands in his place in our sun room during the Christmas holiday season and everyone who goes into our sun room makes sure they say "hello!" to him.

My BIG Santa and Mrs. Claus wood and cloth dolls were actually made to decorate the area just outside my mother's apartment.

When my mother lived in an apartment building for senior citizens each and every year my mother and I would decorate an area just outside her apartment for Christmas. She loved it as did all her neighbors. Many of them commented to her about how much they loved our display. She no longer lives there so now they have their respective places in my house.

Santa is wearing his favorite pair of jeans, his favorite green striped shirt, and his favorite embroidered vest. He has multi-colored buttons on his shirt, white socks, and 1" pine painted black for his shoes. Rope is glued to the tops of his shoes for ties. He has a full beard, glasses, and is wearing a Christmas cap.

He is carrying a candy cane tucked into the waistband of his pants. You never know when he might get hungry, so he wants to be prepared.

Mrs. Claus is a wood and cloth doll that stands 36" tall and was made based on a Sharri's Country Classics design.

Mrs. Claus is wearing her favorite lace decorated Christmas dress and favorite coordinating apron with a pocket. She has to have the pocket as she never knows when she may need to carry something and one only has two hands. That is - unless they have pocket. She also has her favorite Christmas shawl wrapped around her shoulders and is wearing her favorite white Christmas socks.

Mrs. Claus has a wire ribbon bow just under her chin and cloth bows on the tops of her feet. She has a full head of white hair and is wearing her favorite Christmas bonnet.

Because she never knows when she has to drop everything she's doing to bake Christmas cookies for the elves she is carrying the cookie molds around with her.

Santa and Mrs. Clause have their place in our dining room at Christmas time. Sometimes Mrs. Claus even helps me bake the Christmas cookies. Never Santa. He's too tired.....

I hope you like my favorite BIG Christmas dolls and wood crafts.

Nice Matters Award

I haven't really had a chance to tell all of you that my wonderful friend, Kat Lees, nominated me for the "Nice Matters" award.

I had just come home from visiting my Mom in the hospital and decided to unwind by reading a few of my favorite blogs.

When I started reading Kats "Designs By Kat Lees" blog I was totally taken by surprise. And, what a wonderful surprise it was. Kat had nominated me for a "Nice Matters" award. I was truly touched, honored, and humbled. She had turned what had been a difficult day into a wonderful day and I am grateful to her for having done so. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Kat.

So, now I need to nominate 5 people who qualify for being nice to other people. All of my choices are caring, loving, and very creative individuals and I hope you will agree that they, too, deserve the "Nice Matters" award. I hope you get a chance to visit their websites and/or blogs.

My Mom "Joy" - I have to deviate a little from the rules of the award and nominate my mom. She doesn't have a website or blog, but she is the one who told me that you should always treat everyone as you wish to be treated. To be kind, caring, loving, compassionate, and always willing to lend a hand is the way you should be. I hope I've met her expectations.

Annie Kelly - In A Pickle Web Design, Folkart Square, and Pattern Central

Annie is one of the kindest, most compassionate, loving and giving people that I know. She has been so helpful and instrumental in offering me advice, suggestions, and ideas for my online business that I cannot thank her enough. Whenever I had a question or needed advice Annie was always there to lend a hand or offer a suggestion. Annie is truly "the BEST" when it comes to helping her family, friends, and her customers.

Her "In A Pickle Web Design" is a full service "Web Design & Development" website offering design services, hosting services, a la carte graphics, and marketing tools.

Folkart Square is an online marketplace for folkart and primitive lovers.

Pattern Central offers e-patterns, print patterns, and craft supplies from some of the best crafters on the web.

Denise Bailey (aka NeeNee - The Krazy Kraft Lady) - KKL Primitives, The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog, KKL Kreations, KKL Kreations Blog, KKL Primitives Blog, KKL Graphics

Neenee is a wonderful, wonderful lady. She is loving, caring, and always gives from her heart. Neenee is a true friend and has been there to help support and encourage me during the last few difficult weeks with my Mom's hospitalization. I am truly blessed to have Neenee as a friend.

She is also a very talented graphic artist, doll maker, primitive crafter, blogger, and now a craft pattern designer. Neenee may just surpass me in the number of blogs and websites that she has created. I may just have to turn my "Blogging Queen" crown over to her.

KKL Primitives is Neenee's main website and sells raggedies, nodders, shelfsitters, ornies, make-dos, prim shutters and more -all made by Neenee.

KKL Kreations is Neenee's graphics website. Here she sells primitive & country style graphics for personal and for business use.

Neenee's latest ventures include "personalized graphics" and primitive e-patterns. I am Neenee's #1 fan and ordered some of the most wonderful "personalized graphics" for some of my dolls and as gifts for my grandchildren this Christmas.

Rochelle - Cinna-Minnies, Cinna-minnies Blog

I just met Rochelle a few weeks ago, but in those few weeks she has been so kind, loving, and compassionate that I feel she truly deserves this award. She and Neenee have lent me unbelievable support and encouragement during the last few weeks with my Mother's hospitalization. I cannot thank Rochelle enough.

Rochelle and her husband, John, have run Cinna-Minnies since August of 2001. According to Rochelle: "I have purposely kept my business small so that I can maintain the quality of our Cinna-Minnies™ Collectibles. Part of the charm and attraction to our customers is the fact that all of our dolls, ornaments and home decor items are handmade by a real Mom and Pop operation . . . truly a dying breed these day." I couldn't agree more, Rochelle.

Joanne FaJack (aka Josie and/or Silly Goose) - My Primitive Home

She is known as Joanne, but I call her Josie. I met Josie a few years ago in one of my online forums. Josie is one of the most thoughtful, kind, caring, and compassionate people that I have met. She is always concerned for everyone else and ALWAYS willing to help whenever she can.

Life has been tough for Josie and her family, but she has always handled every curve ball with love, compassion, and a strong will to overcome whatever has been thrown at her. Josie is an inspiration to everyone and is truly deserving of this award.

Josie is a very talented primitive crafter and designs beautiful primitive hooked rugs. She sells her rugs and other primitive items on her "My Primitive Home" website.

To all of the "ladies" above I say "thank-you." Thanks for being the wonderful, caring, helpful, loving, and "beautiful" women that you all are.

What Could Be Better Than Handcrafted Books? Linda's Review of Creating Handmade Books by Alisa Golden

When I first saw Creating Handmade Books I immediately thought about books for my grandchildren. After all, I'm a HUGE proponent of reading. If you're familiar with my blogs you know that I always buy books for the grandchildren for Christmas. To me there is nothing better than reading and improving one's mind.

So, when I saw "Creating Handmade Books" I was intrigued. According to the back page "take one piece of paper...a pair of scissors...and you have the tools to make a book! Now how much fun would that be to create a book. And, talk about family heirlooms. I decided that I definitely had to find the time to make some of these.

In the preface Lisa gives us a little insight into her background and experience in the field of book arts. I found her journey fascinating and especially loved her sentence, "In 1997 Michael and I had a son, Ezra. He currently eats books."

The introduction outlines basic tools, sizes, and terms that you need to know. After that Alisa provides step-by-step instructions and illustrations for making cut & folded books, simple sewn structures, simple adhesive structures, intermediate compound structures, multiple signatures or thick sewn books, Jacob's ladders, soft and hard covers, portfolios and boxes, easy ways of decorating paper, and portable books.

The cut and folded books section shows you how to make a hidden book, simple accordion, simple accordion with tunnel, twist card, house card, palm leaf book, venetian blind book, simple pop-up card, fan book, and slot & tab book.

In simple sewn structures we learn a few basics and then are shown how to make a ledger hanging book, utilize stick binding, make a side-bound book, utilize single signature binding, make a two-sewn-as-one book, and make a tea bag book.

With simple adhesive structures we learn about making a flower fold, album-flutterbook, concertina with tabs, endless accordion, tunnel book, accordion-fold book, circle accordion, hand scroll, and hanging scroll.

Intermediate compound structures introduces an accordion with signatures, pocket book, flag book, and piano hinge with skewers.

Multiple signatures or Thick Sewn Books shows you knots for multiple signatures, western multiple signatures, multiple signature onto a ribbon, exposed stitch, and chain stitch.

The Jacob's ladder section introduces two panel with (or without) cards, and a six-panel book with boards and ribbon.

Soft and hard covers introduces information on working with glue, soft wrap cover, open spine soft cover, open spine with ribbon, wrapped hard cover, hard covers, insetting a title, and backing cloth. Projects include covering separate boards, split boards, hard cover:side-bound, hard cover: single signature, hard cover:multiple signature, hard cover: with ribbon, hard cover: accordion/signature combination of hinged cover, and hard cover: ribbons at spine.

Portfolios and boxes shows you how to make a folded envelope, pocket folder, paper portfolio, painted slipcase, covered slipcase, hardcover portfolio with ribbon tie, hardcover portfolio with envelope pocket, postcard portfolio, two-piece box, and clamshell or presentation box.

Easy ways of decorating paper introduces you to stenciling, carving rubber stamps, and painting with acrylics.

All throughout her book Alisa takes you on a journey of her life and her creations. She also provides you with tips and how-to's she's learned based upon her experience. Her book is a filled to the brim with everything you need to know to create a handmade book.

If you are looking for a challenge and looking for something that is truly unique then you should try your hand at making one of these elegant and romantic creations.

I haven't quite decided which book I'll choose for my grandchildren. Knowing me I'll probably choose several. Since I have no experience with book arts I think I'd better start at the beginning of Alisa's book and make my way to the back. By the time I finish following Alisa's step-by-step instructions I should have some wonderful heirlooms for my grandchildren.

Linda's Review of Origami Flowers by Hiromi Hayashi

Last time I was out shopping with my Mother at one of our local bookstores one book in particular caught my eye and I just had to buy it. It was called "Origami Flowers: Popular Blossoms and Creative Bouquets."

What drew me to this book was that it involved paper florals. Paper crafts and floral crafts. Not quilling, but still involving shaping paper to form floral bouquets. It couldn't get any better than that as far as I was concerned. Then again, I love everything. So, of course, I showed the book to my Mother. She was intrigued so we started to browse through it.

If you are a reader of my Linda's Blog you know that not only do I love dolls, doll making, crafts, and craft making, but I am also a floral designer. I love creating silk floral arrangements, pinecone baskets, dried floral arrangements, floral trees, just about anything floral. So, of course, paper floral bouquets piqued my curiosity. I suspect my Mother wasn't surprised by this.

"Qrigami Flowers" shows you how to take square origami paper and shape, bend, fold, and twist it into beautiful flowers. I was doubly thrilled when I looked down the list of flowers in the table of contents. My all time favorite natural flower was there - a dahlia. My sister and I have had a fascination with dahlia's since we were both little and love to grow them in our gardens.

In any event, 29 different types of flowers are shown including my second all time favorite flower - the Japanese Iris. Hiromi has included a rose, hyacinth, stock, tulip, carnation, violet, pansy, narcissus, dokudami, cineraria, polyanthus Primrose, gerbera, zinnia, Japanese iris, hollyhock, hydrangea, blue star, morning glory, begonia, sunflower, dahlia, clematis, lily, orchid, spray mum, cornflower, cosmos, balloon flower, and cyclamen.

The beginning of the book includes large colorful pictures of each floral creation. That is followed by definitions of origami symbols and shapes. Following this are the step-by-step instructions for creating each of the flowers. On paper it doesn't quite look as difficult as I'm sure it is. The instructions are very detailed and look like they'd be easy to follow. Hiromi also includes the paper supplies needed for each flower and any other materials that are required. Actual size leaf patterns are also included in the back of the book.

Besides the dahlia and Japanese iris I would like to try my hand at the violet, cineraria, zinnia, gerbera, sunflower, clematis, cornflower, and balloon flower. I just love the looks of each of them. Maybe I could get so good at creating paper floral creations that no one will be able to tell my paper floral creations from my real plants.

When I mentioned this to my Mother she just said, "Sure, honey." Translation - you can try it, but there is no way paper is ever going to look as good as the real thing. My Mother, of course, unlike me was born with a green thumb. She's had some of her plants for over 50 years.

So I said, "They might not be the real thing, but they sure would be colorful creations. And, best of all they are maintenance free. No watering, no fertilizing, no bug-spray. What could be better than that. Year round, maintenance free plants. I love it."

She said, "Just buy the book honey and let's go!" So I did.

An Obsession With Paper? Or Quilling?

I suspect that I am not unlike a lot of crafter's out there. I love and want to try everything. The problem is there are not enough hours in the day to try everything I want to try. I literally could spend 24 hours every day and always be learning some new craft. Not practical I know, but one can dream.

Several years ago I made a Christmas present for my niece that involved quilling from a kit that I had bought. I had never heard of quilling and was intrigued by this kit and wanted to give it a try.

If you don't know what quilling is it is cutting, rolling and twisting paper to form decorative pieces. My particular present was a miniature garden picture (see photo above) where I cut and quilled the paper to look like various plants. I enclosed it in an 8x10 shadowbox to give it a three dimensional appearance. She loved it which certainly made me happy. Even my brother loved it - which is an accomplishment all unto itself.

In any event I became interested in paper and paper crafts from that point onward. This was just before paper, scrapbooking, and altered art became such a phenomenal success. When the latter happened I, of course, was thrilled as I loved seeing the hundreds of paper projects and availability of supplies that they were creating for the masses. I, of course, wanted to try everything, which I know would be impossible.

So, I decided to try another quilling project. This one involved quilling the paper to look like various types of herbs. It came out alright and I decided to enclose this one in an 8x10" frame with a solid blue mat.

From time to time when I'm out book shopping or browsing through the local craft stores I look to see if there are any books or kits on quilling. Most of the time there aren't any. Quilling still hasn't quite caught on here. I don't know why because paper crafts have become such a phenomenal success. I can't quite understand why quilling hasn't.

Who can resist learning how to decorate everything from jewelry to home accessories with quilling designs? Certainly not me.

I've got my eye on three quilling books for my wishlist. If I get them I'll be sure to write a review of them for you.

Maybe I've piqued your curiosity as to what quilling is. Maybe you'll give it a try. If you do please be sure to let us know how you liked it. I hope you find it as intriguing as I did.

Linda's Review of Creating Romantic Purses by Marilyn Green & Carole Cree

Creating Romantic Purses: Patterns & Instructions for Unique Handbags was a perfect choice for the 3rd book to be reviewed for books about handbags, purses, and totes as nothing could be more Victorian looking than romantic purses.

What drew me to this book, once again, was the picture of the two purses on the front cover. They are both romantic and Victorian looking in nature. And readers of my Linda's Blog know how I love anything and everything Victorian.

"Creating Romantic Purses" contains patterns and instructions for making 40 elegant creations that according to the book, "can be worn night and day." And, elegant they all are.

I was intrigued so I began to browse through this book. I didn't need to go any further than the first purse to know that I was going to love this book.

The first purse is in Chapter two which is entitled " Hold History In Your Hand" and is a crazy quilt purse from the Victorian era. History and the Victorian era - I was enthralled. This is definitely a purse that I want to make. It is a Victorian Vignette and is an exquisitely beautiful creation. And, of course, there is all the history surrounding it and Queen Victoria.

Each purse within the book contains information on the materials needed to make the purse, embellishments, patterns and instructions. The patterns and instructions are shown in detail in the back of the book as some of the same patterns and instructions are used to make several different purses in this book.

Flipping through this book I found purse after purse after purse that were just so beautiful to look at. Each and every one of them was a beautiful creation all unto it's own. Almost like masterpieces. I wanted them all. However, one can't make 40 different purses now can they? And, where would I store all of them? Knowing me I'd make them just to look at them.

In any event, I do have my favorites and they would be the "Victorian Vignette" on page 12, the "Timeless Classic" on page 22, "Polka Dance" on page 42, "Fringe Benefits" on page 44, "Tussy Mussy" on page 58, "Beaded Beauty" on page 60, and "Vintage Nosegay" on page 76.

Seven purses that I would love to make. That's not to say that I don't want to make all of them. I do. It's just you need to start somewhere and here is where I would start.

If you are looking for a challenge and looking for something that is truly unique then you should try your hand at making one of these elegant and romantic creations.

Of course, if I had my way I'd make all of these purses and all of the purses from the other two books I recently reviewed. Hundreds of purses. I can hear "hubby" now. "Where are you going to put all of those and where are you going that you would need them?" Ah, but one can dream. And, what's better than dreaming or inspiring to make such beautiful creations?

Linda's Review of Making Vintage Bags by Emma Brennan

Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses is a wonderful choice for the 2ND book to be reviewed in my handbags, purses, and totes craft book review.

I have to tell you that what drew me to this book initially was that it concerned vintage bags from the 1920's through the 1950's. According to Emma Brennan's foreword, "A handbag can make a statement as well as being a practical means of carrying your essential possessions around. This book gives you patterns and ideas for making your own special bag, influenced by vintage styles but perfect for modern living."

I couldn't agree more. Whenever I leave the house I am lost without my handbag. It is an essential part of me outside my home and when I am without it something just seems to be missing. The handbag I use all the time weighs a ton with all the stuff I have in it and my Mother is forever telling me to lighten the load. She thinks it's putting a dent in my shoulder and will cause me back problems down the road. Well, after 40 years of carrying around a bag I think I'm used to the weight. Besides whenever I go through my bag nothing is thrown out. Everything seems to be essential - or at least I think it's essential.

So, I always promise myself that I'm going to reduce some of the clutter so I can change bags more often and, maybe, carry some smaller bags. The bags of the 1920's to 1950's were definitely smaller and I would, indeed, need to reduce some of my essentials in order to utilize some of them.

They may have been smaller, but they were adorable and Emma's "Making Vintage Bags" is a wonderful pictorial for making 5 bags each from the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's.

The beginning of the book is an introduction to the materials and techniques needed to make her bags. She starts with general information on basic stitches, fabrics to use, base materials, piece preparation, interfacing, handles, fasteners, magnetic snaps, lining, zip fasteners, making matching purses, embellishments, applique, and photo print bags.

The rest of the book is divided into 4 time periods starting with the 1920's with each era covering 5 bags to make. The 1920's has Clara - two tone art deco pocket bag, Lucille - mini evening bag with ribbon rose, Virginia - mini clutch with tassel and ribbon rose, Dorothy - asymmetric bow flap clutch bag, and Evelyn - asymmetric clutch with vintage buttons.

Each purse section contains step-by-step pictorials of constructing the purses, as well as materials needed, dimensions, suggested fabrics for the bag and the lining, and sewing tips. The actual pattern pieces for each bag are in the back of the book and need to be enlarged by 165% to use. I would have preferred for the pattern pieces to be actual size.

The 1930's has Doris - the handle bag with rose corsage, Nancy - ring handle bag with felt flower applique and matching purse, Lois - bag with draped buckle trim, Rita - pleat bag with silk rose trim, and Marion - semi-circle two-tone bag.

The 1940's has Martha - flounce bag with sausage dog, Veronica - tapestry bag with butterfly trim and matching purse, Grace - wool leaf applique bag, Patricia - autumn bow crescent bag, and Rose - nautical rose crescent bag.

The 1950's has Audrey - gathered bag with felt corsage, Vivien - small bowbelle bag, Shirley - two-tone flower trim small bag, Peggy - striped bow bag with straight handle, and Gloria - picture bag with rope handle.

I just loved the fact that Emma named all her bags and I do have a few favorites that I would love to try. I love the adorable looking Doris - tie handle bag with rose corsage form the 1930's. She is just so "pretty" to look at.

I also love Martha - flounce bag with sausage dog from the 1940's. The reason for this one is a sentimental one. You see when I was a little girl I used to love to stand and look through all the clothes in my Mother's closet. Back then she had a genuine "poodle skirt" that I just loved. Of course, I was too small to wear it, but I wanted one when I was big enough to do so. This bag reminds me of those times.

I also happen to love Veronica - tapestry bag with butterfly trim and matching purse from the 1940's. The reason for this is I tend to favor anything tapestry. In fact, I used to have a tapestry blazer that I wore everywhere until it fell apart.

Shirley - two-tone flower trim small bag is another one of my favorites. I'd love to make it just to look at it as I'm not sure it would be big enough to carry a lot of my "essentials." But, it sure is a cute looking bag.

Last, but not least, there's my favorite bag from this book. Her name is Gloria and she is a picture bag with a rope handle. The reason she is my favorite is because the bag is big enough to carry most of my "essentials" and because it contains a cut-out picture of a vintage shoe. And, I love shoes. Plus, I love the simple yet elegant designs of this bag.

If you love vintage bags and purses and would love to try your hand at making some then this book has a lot to offer you. I know that I would love to try my hand at a few, starting with Gloria. Now, if I could just find some more time......

Linda's Review of The Decorated Bag by Genevieve A. Sterbenz

I thought that I might start the review of handbag, purse, and totes books with The Decorated Bag: Creating Designer Handbags, Purses, and Totes Using Embellishments.

I have to tell you that what drew me to this book initially was the embellished purse on the front cover and then when I was flipping through the book all the pictorials caught my eye. If there is anything I love in a craft and craft making book it's pictorials. You might find this unusual for a crafter and a reader, but I hate to read the text. I'd much rather look at the pictures and follow them. Now that's not to say I don't read the text. I do if I have to, but I'd rather learn from the pictures. I suspect that I'm not the only one in that regard. I'm sure many, many crafters out there are the same way.

The Decorated Bag has 26 designs ranging from bejeweled evening bags to a Victorian Straw tote to an urban cowgirl saddle bag. There's a folkart bucket bag, Marabou mini bag, springtime pull string bag, girly weekender, mod print tote, and "Miss Kitty" tote. There's even a big-city bowling bag and Hollywood hatbox.

Don't forget the American beauty bag, the blue suede portfolio, tropical demi, blue-boots tote, and buttoned-up hobo bag. And, there's the swingtime shoulder bag, lush leopard hatbox, snow-flurry lipstick purse, and vintage rhinestone purse.

Last but not least, we have the midnight feather clutch, beaded ballerina bag, silver moon satin clutch, pave polka dot purse, tottenham tweed clutch and mini travel valise.

26 bags in total all with wonderful step-by-step pictorials. Some of my favorites were as follows:

1) Bejeweled Evening Bag - This bag just looks so pretty. I'd love to try and make it. Not only does this book tell you how to decorate the bag, it also gives you step-by-step pictorials for making the bag starting on page 114. The pattern is on page 128. Definitely one I want to try.

2) American Beauty Bag - I love to make ribbon flowers and this bag is right up my alley with its folded ribbon roses. It just looks so beautiful and so delicate. It would be a wonderful compliment to a fancy dress. Pictorial step-by-step instructions are given on page 34 and 35 for making all the ribbon roses.

3) Blue-Boots Tote - This bag takes a graphic from page 133 that you scan in to the computer and then re-size and print on transfer paper and then add to the patchwork toe. This method allows you to add any image you want, not just the image they have nicely provided.

There are patterns and instructions in the back of the book for making the bejeweled evening bag, urban cowgirl saddle bag, and springtime pull-string bag. There are also some illustrations and helpful tips for some of the other bags as well.

For all the rest of the bags "The Decorated Bag" provides you with the step-by-step pictorials for converting existing bags. Each bag has a section on materials needed to embellish it, tools required, what the featured bag is, as well as design tips, and a variation illustration.

If you love purses and love to embellish them then this is a great book. There is a lot of variety in the selection of the purses with one sure to please everyone.

I can hardly wait to start my bag. The only problem is which one to choose. There are so many that I just love.

A Love Of Books About Purses and Handbags!

I know that you've heard me say that I love books about dolls and all different kinds of crafts. Usually it's some kind of floral craft or paper craft. Well, lately, I've found myself fascinated with books about making purses, handbags, totes, etc.

Why?

Who knows! It's today's crafting whim. Next week it might be something else.

But, with everything I do I want loads and loads of books about it so I can experiment. And, there are loads of books to choose from on the subject of purses, handbags, and totes.

Here's the three I chose:

1) The Decorated Bag: Creating Designer Handbags, Purses, and Totes Using Embellishments



2) Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses



3) Creating Romantic Purses: Patterns & Instructions for Unique Handbags



I could have bought more, but then I'd had to endure the looks from my Mother and my darling husband. Translation - "Don't you already have enough books!" Well, NO!!!!!!! One can NEVER have enough books as far as I'm concerned. Or dolls, or floral......the list goes on and on.

So, I thought my next three posts should be about the 3 purse books that I bought. I hope you enjoy my reviews.

The first ones looks like it might have some terrific patchwork purses in it and the second one is right up my alley. A history book of purses from the 1600's to 2005. If you're a reader of my Linda's Blog then you know how I just love history books. So, if I get that book I'll be in heaven.

Don't worry. I'll post a review about them if I decide to buy them this year. That is, if I can do so without my Mother or darling husband finding out. Ya right, Linda! That's just about impossible. Hmmm...maybe not!

The BIG Woodland Dolls and Wood Crafts

I've been telling you about the BIG dolls and wood crafts that I love. Well, this post is about the BIG woodland type dolls and wood crafts that I love. One decorates my house during different times of the year and some have been made as gifts for my sister.

My sister and her husband are into hunting. Actually, I need to clarify that. My brother-in-law is into hunting - my sister is married to a "hunter!" So they like log cabin homes and woodland style decorations. As a result I'm always looking for woodland style dolls like moose, deer, brown bears, etc. that I can make for her.

This year I have a surprise for her and I hope she doesn't read this post. While my sister does love woodland style things she also happens to like "Victorian" dolls. Talk about different ends of the spectrum. The two could not be more opposite.

In any event, two of my new doll and doll pattern designs for this year were a Victorian moose gentleman, and a Victorian moose lady. I designed them specifically with my sister in mind and will hopefully have the patterns ready in the coming months. I made two of each doll - two male moose and two female moose. One to support the pattern and the other to sell or, in this case, give to my sister. I know she will like them.

But, being the mean sister that I am I'm going to show them to her, but make her wait for them. I figure a couple of years of waiting and then maybe I'll give them to her. What a nice sister I am!!!!! Tease, tease, tease. Sisters must tease each other!!! Not to worry. She'll get back at me - I know!

So, one of my favorite BIG woodland wood crafts was a painted wooden moose that I made for my sister for Christmas one year. I named him "Karl Me Moose!" and her stands 32" tall. He was made based on a TLC Crafters design. He holds a sign that sells "Welcome" and I thought she'd love that for the front door area of her home.

He was made using 1" pine wood and painted in my sister's favorite color - blue. His shirt I painted to look like a blue plaid shirt, and his antlers were "sponged." Decorative stitching was added all along his edges and he is wearing a blue striped flannel bandanna.

My favorite part of him was his boots. They just came out so realistic to workman's boots that I just loved them.

His welcome sign was "sponge" painted and a bronze bear and bronze goose were added as decorative accents. My sister loved him.

The year before I had given her a woodsy wreath (see picture to the left) that I had made from a TLC Crafters pattern design. She absolutely loved it and the wreath was a compliment to my "Karl Me Moose" so I was pretty sure she'd like him, too. Luckily, she did.

The BIG woodland wood craft that decorates my home is a 29" painted wooden bear that I named "Homer."

He, too, has a welcome sign to greet guests to my home and was made based on a TLC Crafters design.

"Homer", too, was painted using an "ocean sponge" effect for his Welcome sign and for the big evergreen tree that he's leaning against.

He, too has workman's boots and I just love how they turned out.

"Homer's" shirt was painted to look like a plaid flannel shirt and his bear fur was painted to make it look lumpy. You can;t really tell that from his picture, but the paint is lumpy so it looks like fur.

Decorative floral were glued to the base around his feet and the base of the evergreen tree. The evergreen tree was also painted to make it look lumpy and white paint was "sponged" on to make it look like snow.

I had intended to give this to my sister as a Christmas present for her home, but "Homer" sent me a message one day asking for me to come talk to him. Well, I had to find out what that was all about so I went to speak to him.

He told me that while he understood that he was meant as a present for my sister that he would much rather stay with me. She already had a moose Welcome and a woodsy wreath and, well, truth be told, he'd rather be with all the "Victorian" dolls. They were so fancy and so beautiful and, well, he was so honored to be in their presence that he wanted to stay here. He figured they were so dainty that they needed a BIG bear to protect them. So, I acquiesced and told him he could stay.

Just don't let my sister know that he was intended for her. She wouldn't care that she already had a moose or two or three or four, she'd want "Homer", too. He could protect the one "Victorian" doll that I had made for her. After all, she needed protection. She was surrounded by moose. And that could be perilous, indeed!!

So "fork Homer over", sis! He's mine!!! YIKES!!! Poor "Homer."

Webkinz World - Who Knew!

I got indoctrinated into Webkinz World last weekend by my 7 year old grandson.

I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said Webkinz.

I, of course, being an old bat had no idea what he was talking about.

He said, "You know, Nana. W_E_B_K_I_N_Z.com on the computer."

To which I replied, "HUH!"

So, he said, "I'll show you," and off to my computer we went. Well, was I surprised when this whole involved website came up with a billion things for the kids to do. It was really quite fascinating seeing everything they had for the kids and their concept.

If you haven't heard about Webkinz then you'd be surprised to hear they are "plush pets" that the kids buy from select stores or on eBay and which they adopt. Each pet comes with a SECRET code that you input into your membership account and which allows you to set-up a room for your pet on Webkinz World to take care of them and to play with them.

According to my Grandson Webkinz are very BIG amongst his peers. They reminded me of the "beanie baby" craze of years ago.

Here's what Webkinz World says about their website:

What are Webkinz pets?

Webkinz pets are lovable plush pets that each come with a unique Secret Code that lets you enter Webkinz World and play with a virtual version of your pet.

What are all the cool things I can do in Webkinz World?

Where do we start? First, you adopt your pet and name it. Then you can custom design a room for it. You can play games in the Arcade, or compete against other players in tournaments. You can answer quizzes in Quizzy's Question Corner and enter contests, too. All of these things earn you KinzCash, which you can use to go shopping for your pet in our W Shop, where you can buy toys, furniture and clothes. There are stories to read and fun daily activities. The best part is that we add things to Webkinz World frequently, so it's always getting bigger and better.

How did you come up with Webkinz World?
GANZ Inc. has loved stuffed animals for a very long time. So we thought, wouldn't it be great to have a place where your stuffed animal came to life so that you could care for it like a real pet? To make the pet more real, we decided it could be happy or sad, healthy or sick, hungry or full. Taking care of your pet matters! Of course we wanted it to be as fun as possible so we added games and trivia and lots of fun items that we thought Webkinz owners would enjoy working for to purchase for their pet! Webkinz World will continue to grow and expand so that fans like you can enjoy your pet to the fullest.
It is really quite ingenious and quite involved as to everything you can do on Webkinz World. I was fascinated and immediately went to look-up where we could buy Webkinz for my Grandson in my area. When we found out there were three stores in my area off we went to hunt for Webkinz.

My Grandson had a particular Webkinz in mind and wanted to get that for his birthday. Unfortunately, the first stores selections weren't that great and he didn't like any of them. The next store had a much better selection and we bought three - none of which was the one he really wanted. For that, I surmised we'd have to hunt for it on eBay.

I, of course, had to buy one for myself as my Grandson wanted to be able to communicate with me in Webkinz World. So, for that I needed an account. I bought a bullfrog which I named after my Grandson's nickname and which I made into a "girl" frog. He named one of his new pets which was a dog after me and had turned it into a "boy." It's a long story. Suffice to say he's a girl in Webkinz World and I'm a boy in Webkinz World - the exact opposite of what we really are.

So, I set-up my account and printed my pet's "official adoption papers" and set about adding things to my pet's room. Well, to do that you need to "buy" virtual things with Webkinz cash. For buying and registering a Webkinz pet you earn so many thousand Webkinz dollars which you can use to start to furnish your room. The initial amounts don't go far as the furnishings can be pricey. So, of course, I was out of Webkinz cash very quickly.

So, I said to my Grandson," What now? I need more things for her room."

He said, "Well, Nana, you have to earn more Webkinz cash."

To which I replied, "How do I do that?"

He, of course, gave me the look that only a seven year old can give you when they are incredulous that you don't know!

Then he said, "You go to the wishing well and make 5 wishes. Then go to the cash cow video game and play it. That way you can earn Webkinz dollars which you can use to buy more things. Or, you can sell something you already bought and buy something else."

So, I earned some more Webkinz cash and was going to buy some more things for my pet's room when my Grandson asked if I was going to send him anything in Webkinz World. Of course, they have Webkinz email and Webkinz presents. Here you can send pre-defined email messages to "friends" on your list or send them up to 3 "presents" per day.

So, we each added each other as "friends" on our accounts so that we could send each other presents and email and I sent him some presents and he sent me some presents. We each sent each other a few pre-defined email messages.

On Monday I got a call from my Grandson telling me that he had sent me "something" in Webkinz World to help me furnish my pets room and asked if I had sent him anything. I told him that I hadn't had a chance to do so yet, but I would do it this afternoon or early this evening. He also told me he had sent me several Webkinz emails.

After I got off the phone I immediately went to the computer to see what my Grandson had sent me and read his emails. He had sent me several items that he didn't want for his room that I could sell to then buy some of the items I wanted for my pet's room. My room was bare so he sent me some things that I could sell. And, he had sent me emails that told me "We would be best friends FOREVER!" What a sweetheart! Music to a Nana's ears. How could I possibly love him anymore than I already did! If there was a way I would do so.

I then set about sending him some emails and some "gifts" that I could afford in my limited Webkinz budget as I hadn't earned any more Webkinz cash yet. I would, though, and would be sending my wonderful Grandson some more presents.

So, now each and every morning I check to see if my Grandson has sent me anything in Webkinz World. A couple of times he has and each and every time I am thrilled to see what it is he has sent or emailed.

It's an interesting concept and one that I like because it teaches kids the value of money (albeit virtual money). If they want to buy something they have to have enough Webkinz cash to do so or they have to earn more. Or, they have to sell something they already have.

There's a ton of things for the kids to do on the Webkinz website that I haven't quite explored yet. I'm sure my Grandson will tell me about them as I'm sure he's explored everything.

Hmmm.... I wonder if he sent me anything today. Off to Webkinz World I go.

Linda's Review of Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Faces

If you are a reader of my Linda's Blog you know that I admire artists who have mastered the art of drawing or painting. I try hard, but do not have a natural talent for it. I wish I did as I'd love to be able to paint faces on some of my dolls and paint beautiful images on some of my wood crafts.

But, I want to learn how to do it so every time I go bookstore shopping I look at all the various art, drawing and painting books to see if there are any that I might like and which can teach me a few things about drawing.

One of the books I bought this year and which I just LOVE was a skinny little book containing caricatures of faces. It's entitled "Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Faces (Repackaged) (Ed Emberley Drawing Books)" and is filled with not only caricatures of faces, but shows you there progression from the beginning of the drawing to the end. For someone who doesn't know how to draw and has a need for drawing caricatures this is a terrific little book.