Students rock the Simple Gifts globe project

I just got the best present in my e-mail box! A 4th/5h grade class in the Seattle area just completed the papier-mâché globe project from Simple Gifts. Over the course of three days, they layered gooey strips of paper and dried each layer overnight. When done, they had a cool globe that could be used as an ornament. Jerry, the awesome teacher, said that his kids were elated with how they turned out, and super excited to take them home. Jerry personally liked the project because it wasn't "Christmas" themed but could be used for the holidays if desired. Check out the crafty madness!

Hugo House Writer's Conference this weekend

You probably already know about this but I just can't help beating a dead horse.

Join me during the Richard Hugo House's first writer's conference. Held over the weekend of May 21-23, the theme of the weekend is Finding Your Readers in the 21st Century. They've created three "tracks"—Publishing Choices, Self Promotion, and Writer's Toolbox—that are designed to help you learn more about publishing and promotion, while honing your craft.

I'm going to lead a workshop on Sunday, May 23, that will help you put together a winning proposal. "The 7 Elements of a Successful Nonfiction Book Proposal" will break down all the components that go into creating a proposal that will win over publishers.

Write a kick-ass book proposal...and so much more

Join me during the Richard Hugo House's first writer's conference. Held over the weekend of May 21-23, the theme of the weekend is Finding Your Readers in the 21st Century. They've created three "tracks"—Publishing Choices, Self Promotion, and Writer's Toolbox—that are designed to help you learn more about publishing and promotion, while honing your craft. I'm going to lead a workshop on Sunday, May 23, that will help you put together a winning proposal. "The 7 Elements of a Successful Nonfiction Book Proposal" will break down all the components that go into creating a proposal that will win over publishers.

Hugo House is an amazing hub and resource for writers in Seattle. I encourage you to check it out.

Simple Gifts is hitting the market soon!

I just got my advance copy of Simple Gifts and after a long, long, looonnnggggg journey, I have to tell you…

It's gorgeous! Since you can only see pictures of the cover, let me tell you a little about the physical book. It's 160 pages of full-color goodness (the talented Gregg Snodgrass took the photos and Michaela Murphy lent her talents as stylist and model; she really is a good woman to know). The matte-laminated hardcover has spot lamination over the title and the paper stock is thick and yummy. The book feels as good as it looks, which is saying something.

The book has a long history, which I won't go into. But it was originally conceived as an illustrated book and when Voyageur Press decided to publish it, it became a book with loads of photography. Which meant I had to make all 50 projects look really faboo for the photo shoot. I can't even tell you all the random places I had to pick up materials, tools, and props but I will say that the men at Home Depot readily helped me cut down a slab of pine so I could make a kick-ass tool box (it may have helped that I was wearing a dress).

The reason that the materials were so random is that the book is chockablock with projects for everyone on your list—mom, grandpa, newborns, kids, pets, hostesses, co-workers, significant others, and anyone you really, really like—and they range from easy and quick to "Hi, can I borrow your table saw?" The projects assume you're a beginner and walk you through knitting, sewing, felting, candle-making, wood-working, hammering, embroidering, book-binding, papier mâché, découpage, cooking, baking, and everything in between. And, heck, if you don't make anything else in the book, the salted caramel recipe is worth the $20 by itself (but with 50 crafts, each project only costs 40 cents!).

I'll be sharing more about Simple Gifts as the books roll in and events get scheduled, but I had to gush a little (and let you know that you can preorder your copy now). I'm always a bit giddy whenever the first real advance arrives.

Fireside Chat demo and book-signing

Face facts: You'll probably have a headache and few gifts left to buy when December 19 rolls around. Not to worry. Relax as you make last-minute gifts with me (fizzy bath bombs!) and enjoy a cocktail mixed by author Kerry Colburn during this lively evening. We'll also be signing copies of Backcountry Betty: Crafting with Style and Good Drinks for Bad Days—Holiday Edition, which make perfect stocking stuffers and hostess gifts!

When: Saturday, Dec. 19, 4–5pm
Where: Hotel 1000, 1000 First Ave., Seattle, WA

Bath bomb demo was the bomb!

By the looks of the happy faces on vendors and customers, the Urban Craft Uprising was a huge success on all fronts. My friends Susan Beal and Sister Diane conducted workshops and signed books on Saturday. I had the pleasure of doing the same on Sunday.

A baker's dozen of crafters gathered in the demo area to learn how to make bath bombs (one of the many nature-based projects in Backcountry Betty: Crafting with Style). In short order, participants were sniffing essential oils and mixing up their bombs. After packing ice-cube trays with crafty goodness (as Sister Diane would say in her craftypod podcast), they gently twisted the trays to pop out their fizzy treats. There were a few casualties, I'm not gonna lie, but overall, everyone was pleased to learn how to make these easy and inexpensive bombs. Thanks to the great staff at the Uprising, my friend Jessica Campbell (who originally showed me how to make these lovelies), and everyone who stepped up to the table to get their hands dirty, at least temporarily.

Make a gorgeous paper flower bouquet

Over at Etsy, my favorite designer Jeff Rudell shows us how to make an ingenious paper bouquet. Check it out.

Make party favors for a bridal shower

This week's tutorial has me making seriously cute party favors using Hambly Studios' Rub-Ons (they also make great papers and overlays). They are super easy to use and the results are guaranteed to delight. Here, I sassed up some plain white tea tins.

Tutorial: Make a Bridesmaid's Necklace

My latest tutorial at CraftStylish is a super-simple necklace using awesome colored SoftFlex. Showcase the beading wire and a special bead with this ten-minute project.

Make a leaf-printed onesie for your little sprout

With a little fabric paint, a leaf, and some embroidery floss, you can wow the women at the next baby shower with this one-of-a-kind onesie.

Make a Leaf-Printed Onesie for Your Little Sprout - CraftStylish

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Make Beach Glass Earrings

It was a busy weekend but I still found time to take a breath and do some crafting. It's amazing how I can become laser-focused and calmer when I pull out my chain-nose pliers or knitting needles. My weekend experimentation resulted in these beach glass earrings. Thanks to my Dremel tool, they really didn't take long. I started rocking the Dremel last summer when I was writing Backcountry Betty: Crafting With Style (out this May from Skipstone).

I feel like a serious bad-ass when I flip the switch and start drilling holes in things. And after some experimentation and a special diamond bit, I'm happily drilling beach glass of all shapes and sizes.

Make a Buckle Choker

This week's tutorial over at CraftStylish is a feminine choker that will make you feel flirty and just a bit French.

Make a sushi button bracelet

My new tutorial is up on CraftStylish. Isn't it cute?

Make a magnetic makeup palette

My latest post went live on CraftStylish, a tutorial on how to make a magnetic palette to house all your makeup (or in my case, a small selection of my cosmetic collection).

Make a Mantra Mirror

As promised, the Mantra Mirror tutorial is finished and up on CraftStylish.com. It's amazing what a little paint and a Vicodin can do.

I'm currently at the CHA show in Anaheim, surrounded by talented, funny, and supportive crafters and writers. Once I do a brain and photo dump, I'll take you through my adventures in Disneyland, I mean, Craftyland.

Make a Creamsicle Body Polish

I spent part of the weekend concocting this yummy body polish. Raid your pantry and you too can have silky skin that smells like a creamsicle. The tutorial is up on CraftStylish.

Enjoy!

Time for some winter cleaning

No, I'm not dead. The holidays didn't kill me. I've been missing in blog action for two weeks because I've been finishing up the sequel to The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life. It's chockablock full of 50 new projects, all of which make great and easy gifts for everyone (even hard-to-buy-for men). As you can imagine, I'm really quite tired.

But that didn't stop me from concocting and testing out a new floor polish, made with simple pantry items and safe for critters. It's now up on Craftstylish here.

The idea came from a request on this blog so Gustav, this is for you and Elliott.

Last-minute bath bomb recipe

Okay, I've dialed down the gift-giving this year but still, I like having some gifts on hand for hostess gifts or for friends. To that end, I whipped up some fragrant fizzy bath bombs in an ice-cube tray last night. You really only need a few supplies and you can make them up lickety-split. And you can package them up in a cute little box or drop them into a Ziploc bag or Gladware container. Easy peasy. I just like saying "easy peasy."

Learn how in my CraftStylish tutorial.

Gifts for guys: a tutorial

Buying or making gifts for guys has always been a challenge. I have bought my brothers books, my dad a running watch or train memorabilia. One year, everyone received hand-knitted scarves; another Christmas, I gave pajama bottoms to the dudes (Old Navy loved me that year). But while women seem like a breeze to make something for, guys present a dilemma. They have everything already or it's questionable that they'll like what you create.

CraftStylish has loads of great ideas; this week, the site is running a gift guide of tutorials for all the boys to men in your life. I kick things off today with a tutorial on "shoe submarines," small inserts that he can slip into his stinky shoes to absorb moisture and odor. It's a great stocking stuffer for the gym rat or running enthusiast.

Come to think of it, it's just the thing for my running fool of a father...

December 1, seriously?

It seems as if I can only manage to post something once a week these days. The good news is that I'm not blogging because I'm writing the second of three book manuscripts that are all due within a six-month period. As the Human League once so wisely observed, "I'm only human, of flesh and blood I'm made."

Anyway, I'm knee-deep in all things prairie again (look for a new Prairie Girl's Guide next fall!) and am busy hunting down experts, experimenting with the sewing machine and knitting needles, and whipping up a new crop of lotions and potions.

I took a break to create a restorative salt soak for CraftStylish this week. It's super easy and only requires four ingredients. It's a perfect little gift to give to hostesses, teachers, co-workers, and yes, even guys.

Check it out, along with all the other terrific holiday projects on CraftStylish. I"m always wowed by my fellow crafters.