Search

 

 

Informative Articles

Crafts for Baby Shower Decorating
Planning a baby shower? Baby showers are a great opportunity for artistic people to make their own decorations and gifts. Here are some fine ideas for baby shower crafts: 1) Baby shower gift baskets - Gift baskets are a great baby shower...

OOPS! Did I forget the Free Fun.
In my recent article “Kids Just Wanna Have Fun” I offered some ideas to keep your fun hungry kids happy. But, duhhhhh. . .I forgot the FREE FUN STUFF! Well ya’ know that’s the most important stuff. I don’t know where my mind was that day! So,...

Patterns For Plus Size Children
"Patterns for Plus Size Children" Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and clothing that fit THEIR "larger than average" measurements. Sadly, neither ready made clothing nor commercial patterns address the real issue of...

The Five Best Gifts to Give Your Family
When we think of giving gifts, we usually think of things to buy for people. Yet if you think back on gifts you’ve been given, it might not be the material gifts you received that are foremost in your mind – it might be the kind of gifts that...

Your Craft Show Booth - How it can make you more money!
The requirements for your booth will be spelled out in your contract for each show. This includes set up and break down times and policies to which you must adhere. In order to avoid having to have different displays for different shows, it...

 
Book Review: Gifts for Baby - Toys, Clothes & Nursery Accents to Make with Love

By Joanne O'Sullivan
©Copyright 2003
128 pages

With Christmas fast approaching, there is still time to create a thoughtful gift, for the special baby, in your life. This book includes projects for, both, those who sew and those who enjoy crafts, alike.

In addition to easy to follow instructions, and colorful photos of each project, the book also covers topics such as choosing the right gift, tips on fabrics and embellishments, common stitches, gift presentation ideas, safety issues, and a helpful, standardized baby sizing chart. Templates for each project are included, as well.

Another interesting feature of Gifts for Baby is the fact that Ms. O'Sullivan has included several examples of "welcoming the new baby" traditions, which cover various cultures, and time periods. Did you know that in Cambodia strings with money attached are tied around a baby's wrist as presents? Or, in Ancient Greece new parents placed a piece of woolen fabric over their door, to announce the birth of a baby girl? A wreath made of olive branches was placed over the door, if the child was a boy.

All of the projects are practical. These gifts will be used, not stored in the top of a closet. Many of them are educational, in nature.

Projects included:

~Window Dressing Flower Garland
~Heart-Felt Booties
~Baby


Lionel Loueke: Jazz Meets African Rhythms On 'Mwaliko'
The jazz guitarist draws on an extremely wide range of styles. From bebop to Brazilian rhythms to lyrical ballads to sounds from his native Benin, Loueke's latest album, <em>Mwaliko</em>, showcases the artist's inventive take on jazz.

Cindy Blackman And Sherrie Maricle On JazzSet
Drums &mdash; wide and deep talking-to-you drums &mdash; that's the Cindy Blackman sound. At the Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center, the Lenny Kravitz dummer brought her quartet featuring JD Allen. Sherrie Maricle's Fiveplay opens.


Kimono Top w/ Embroidered Trim
~Big, Fun, Soft Baby Blocks and Balls
~Royal Treatment Washcloth and Towels
~Pretty and Practical Portable Changing Pad
~Moon and Stars Cradle Sheet
~Star Bright Applique Top
~Beaded Baby Booties
~Buttercup Fleece Stroller Blanket
~One-of-aKind Snap Tops
~Baby Bee Hooded Towel
~Twinkly Star Toy
~Just Ducky Toy Tote and Floor Pad
~Baby's Best Friend Stuffed Scottie Dog
~Four Seasons Felt Activity Book
~Dots and Flowers Decoupage Shelf
~Good Little Eater Oilcloth Bib
~Sweet Little Socks
~Vintage Tea-Towel Lavender Sachet
~Color-Slice Felt Rattle
~Flying Friends Mobile
~Nursing and Play Pillow
~Good Times Rolling Toy Basket
~Elfin Slippers
~Little Ladybug Sunhat
~Sweetheart Shade
~Baby Pixie Hat
~Baby Bunting
~Fairytale Treasure Chest
~Baby's First Counting Book
~Snuggle Bunny
~Super-Absorbent Diaper Bag Pouch
~Toile Keepsake Box
~Playful Pony Bookends
~Star Attraction Frame
~Fleecy Jumper
~Fleecy Baby Pants
~Changing Table Organizer
~Cute-as-a-Button Changing Table Tray
~Little Bird Baby Album

About the Author

Merry Vincent is a freelance writer, living in northern Michigan. She is an avid reader, and content editor of the Reading Channel at: http://www.bellaonline.com/Site/reading