Seriously Good Advice...

Wow... don't you Just Love this.

I haven't actually read it -- but the title alone makes it worth exploring.

Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank

Profound words to live by... although it's only a work of fiction.

Personally, I think the title would be better suited as a self-help book.

We saw several young girls last weekend -

whose mother's could have Seriously benefited from advice like this!

Twilight Wrap Up... Done and Done

Alrighty... So Thankfully Book 3: Eclipse was far and away better than New Moon.
I didn't have the urge to stab myself or slap someone through the whole read. What a relief.

Book 4: Breaking Dawn. A Whopping (nearly) 800 pager. Didn't love it... didn't hate it.
But boy did my wrists get tired propping up this sucker.
I'd heard all kinds of things about this book like:
- die hard fans just hated it
- it was all sexed out ... ie: hot and erotic
WTF?? Hmmm... did these folks get a different copy than I did?? Honestly I'm at a loss as to why die hard fans or any other fans for that matter would hate it. It's a whole lot like the other books and not nearly as obnoxious as New Moon... so beats me.
And as for the sex - What Sex?? The book I read didn't have ANY sex whatsoever. As in NONE. I've read more graphic tales scrawled on bathroom walls. Sure there are a few references... implicit ramblings toward intimacy - but they're about as steamy as the kissing passages in the previous books. We're talking a "G" rating here folks... perhaps a "PG" if you're a complete and total prude.
Good grief - the birthing scene is more perspicuous.
I didn't totally dig the pregnancy/daughter storyline - but what are you gonna do.
The ending is a bit anti-climatic... but really, did anyone actually anticipate anything different?
I'm looking forward to Book 5 - written from Edward's perspective. That should prove to be very interesting.

All in all - it's a good series and a nice read. I'd recommend it (suggesting that folks skip Book 2 altogether and vie for a synopsis of it instead). I'll most likely reread Books 1, 3 & 4 at a later date.

So now the big question is.... what's next?? I'm stumped - if you've read something cool or interesting lately please speak up... share with the class. I'm in desperate need of some new (or least ways new to me) titles and/or authors.

Twilight... To Finish or Not to Finish

I'm a pretty avid reader... usually getting through 3 to 5 books a week, depending on how crazy things get around here. I'd heard about the Twilight Series, but honestly had totally stayed clear of it once I'd seen it labeled as "young adult". Teenie bopper characters and situations sounded like a whole lot of 'Ick' to me.

Then, awhile back (easily 6 months or more) Lea over at Notes After Dusk wrote something intriguing about the series. I can't recall what exactly it was and can't send you over there to read it yourself because she's since strip mined her blog and started over again... but it was enough to pique my interest, reconsider and willingly file it away. Where I admit, it sort of got forgotten about.

Most recently my friend Holly mentioned that she was reading them, bringing the idea back into the foreground. So this past weekend while out, about and looking over the books at Sam's Club I found the first two books. I figured what the hell... Lea's totally too cool for school and she's got good taste. In addition to that Holly's reading them - they can't suck completely can they?

Hmmm... alright. So I liked the first book - Twilight, quite a lot. Although, the last 50 pages or so were a little too "teen" inspired for me. The vampire fodder is pretty light and watered down - which was disappointing. Meyers has some great concepts going and would have greatly enjoyed and appreciated further development of those. Edward is a terrific and really interesting character. Bella, er, not so much. In my personal opinion The Cullen's and Edward deserve a book of their own.

Onto Book 2 - New Moon. Ugh. Bella didn't bother me quite so much during the first book, but ghads. 350 pages of her teenage angst and Major insecurities -mooning, and pining, and whining dragging on for what felt like an eternity (and more than 3/4's of the book) was really more than I could bear. Adding to the fury... No Edward. No Cullen clan. Just Bella, Bella, (gag) Bella. Talk about a Bummer. By the time the author finally throws Edward back into the story it's too little too late. I did like the Jacob Black and werewolf angle... but Bella truly bored me, not to mention seriously grated on my nerves. I kept secretly hoping Victoria would successfully track her sorry ass down and put me out of misery.

So now I'm ready for Books 3 and 4. Someone please tell me they're not as lame as book 2. I'm hesitant to suffer through more of Bella's "I'm not worthy" saga - which honestly after book 2, come on, she's so completely and totally Not. Please tell me she redeems herself in book 3.

Maybe you love Bella - in which case you could explain how a sophisticated 110 year old vampire could dig a whiny ass 18 year old girl who's about as emotionally mature as a 12 year old. Seriously, I keep hoping Eddie will just "drink the wine" already.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Will I want to shoot myself if I finish the series? Or just Bella?

Hello Cupcake... Watch Out Martha!

Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make

I'm so in love with this book. It's shamefully adorable! The only problem right about now is that we don't really know very many people around here, Yet. Least ways, not enough to warrant making up loads of cake... even if they are just bite sized cakes. We don't eat a lot of sweets ourselves and I've no idea what we'd do with so many. But Man, O Man... when the time is right I'm so gonna whip up a few of these Jim Dandies. I thumb through this delightful book almost daily, it's like indulging in pure eye candy. All the recipes sound so good and the How-to's make the creations look fairly straight forward and simple... what's not to love??!

Aren't they Mahvelous!!??
The Sharks & Life Preservers are probably my Ultra Faves!

As I sit here wringing my hands and daydreaming of the event that will enable me to create a few of these lovelies. Little H's Bday is in about 6 months... perhaps then? Hmmm.... perhaps, perhaps.

Socks, Socks, Socks, Monsters.... Socks, Socks, Socks

Socks!! Normally, I leave them in a basket for Dahling Husband and usually he's quite swell at finding all their mates. But after working through more loads of laundry than I'd care to admit to, I've decided that My Sweetheart 'Somebody' simply has faaaaaarrr too many of Them. And they Must Go!

I'm drowning in socks!! What's one to do... Well, for starters... THIS - weed'em out!! I'm not keen at all on matching socks... it's Sooo not my idea of a good time. Not Ever. Not filled with rocks, Not crammed with clocks, Not stuffed with blocks, Not on a Fox... but Yes! Very good! In a Box!

So with that said, this is what's left. A nice sized small box over flowing with socks. Most of these are loners now, but still in good repair... What to do now?? Well, for starters.... THESE - use'em up!

Two Very Hip and Fun Festive Books! Now that I'm done wrestling with socks, I hope to wrestle up some time and get a few of these wonders whipped up!! Brilliant :) And with any luck, I'll have reviews for each title as well... I know, I know... it's difficult to contain your enthusiasm!

Sock and Glove
and...and...and...and...and
Stupid Sock Creatures

Book Review... Pretty Little Pincushions

Pretty Little Pincushions Price: 12 Bucks and some Change

I picked up this super cute book a few months back and think it's really too adorable for words. It's chalk full of terrific inspiration and I found the directions for 2 of the projects I've made (thus far) to be easy to follow. Although, honestly - I didn't follow them so much as just look at the pictures for guidance.

Know in advance that there's nothing earth shattering going on here - no one is reinventing the wheel. However, the ideas act as a spectacular springboard and with more than 25 projects featured this book is an absolute steal at this price point. Most of the patterns could be easily manipulated into something similar yet substantially different... different sizes, different materials, different embellishments. Inspiration Galore! Lots of good fodder to get your creative mojo flowing. I heartily recommend it!

For my first project I chose to do the cushion featured on the cover - it's a cinch. Good diagrams and clear instructions - I only needed to read through them once and then just referred back to the photos for reassurance. I could have gone hog wilde with the stitching but (since this is for a very specific friend) I kept it simple. Just about the only thing I did different was add a weighted pocket to the inside. I like a cushion that holds it's ground :) I did all my sewing by hand and it still took under an hour. (perhaps a wee bit longer adding in the embroidery, cuz I'm super duper slow at that)

I think for my next version of this cushion I'm going to use printed cottons and whip it up on my sewing machine. I'm thinking really cute raw edge seams with delightful patchwork sides! For embellishment I'll use some of my fancy dancy machine fonts (stitches). I'm tellin' ya, endless possibilities!

So check it out! I promise you'll love it, so many clever ideas... Very fun projects which would be outstanding quick gifts for anyone special on your list, including yourself! I'm dying to do the little porcupine cushion - which I think looks a lot like a hedgehog. Absolutely Too Damn Cute!
Ooh, or the Voodoo Doll Cushions! Hysterical.




Do you have a Super sweet craft related book that you love? New or Old?

Drop me a line & tell me all the sordid details - Share the love!

I'm always looking to add to my ever growing library :)