Calling all bakers!  Today I'm giving away a fantastic book that features a very trendy item...cake pops!

   Crazy for Cake Pops 

This book made my mouth water the second I opened it! The photos inside it are fantastic! 

It contains all the recipes and step by step instructions for how to create everything from basic round cake pops to whimsical animals and other shaped designs...in fact, there is over 50 different designs included in the book.

Author Molly Bakes says "These recipes show that you don't have to be a brilliant baker or even an experienced cake decorator to make these adorable treats.  All you need is a few simple ingredients, some lollipop sticks, and, or course, your imagination!"

I for one cannot wait to whip some up!  Since she gives instructions on how to make the cake balls dough ahead of time, I'm planning on starting the process later this week so my family can enjoy them this weekend.  -Check back here on my blog to see how they turn out!  I'm sure that even if they don't look at gorgeous as Molly's cake pops they will still be yummy!

And now another giveaway!  

To enter to win one of the books....comment below and I'll randomly pull a winner for this yummy book on Sunday, 12/4/2011 and the winner will be promptly emailed.  An alternate winner will be chosen if the winner does not respond to my email within 48 hours.  Open to USA residents only.

This post is now closed...winner announced here.

Disclaimer: Ulysses Press is providing the prize for this promotion at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by Ulysses Press I will provide them with the winners name, postal address, and email address.  I received a review copy of this book from Ulysses Press.

It's the second day of Crafty Book Week!  If you missed first day (with books #1-3) and it's giveaway check it out here.  

Ok, let's get on with today's books!  These ones are great for Knitters and Crocheters to add to their holiday wish lists.

Knit Local: Celebrating America's Homegrown Yarns  

I love that this book showcases American yarn companies so beautifully.  You'll learn about their history and the people and animals behind them.  The photos throughout this book beautifully capture American farms and their animals and if you're a lover of those two thing like I am then you'll fall in love.  Oh, and there are also gorgeous projects included!!

Most of the projects are geared for intermediate and experienced knitters but there is a project for crocheters too...like one of my favorite projects, the Random Harvest Afghan. You can check out some peeks inside the book here and purchase it here.

   Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume Six 

Book #6 in the Stitchionary series highlights edgings for knitting and crochet. I love how clear the directions are in this book...and there are great close up color photos that really help to see what the stitches are supposed to look like.  

There are over 200 different edgings in this book for knitters and crocheters of all skill levels which make it a book to keep around as a great resource.  The great thing too is their are some edges that go from the expected to the unexpected...so your work can really catch people's eyes.  Check out more of the book here and purchase it here.

And now another giveaway!

One copy of each of the books will be given away!  

To enter to win one of the books....comment below with which book you'd like to win and I'll randomly pull a winner for each book on Sunday, 12/4/2011 and the winners will be promptly emailed.  An alternate winner(s) will be chosen if winner does not respond to my email within 48 hours.  Open to USA residents only.

This post is now closed...winner announced here.

Disclaimer: Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing is providing the prizes for this promotion at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing I will provide them with the winners name, postal address, and email address.  I recieved a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Sponsor: Sixth & Spring Books

I have two big loves...arts & crafts and books!  This week I'm showing you some great books that will make the perfect holiday gift for someone you love...or yourself!  And, many of the publishers are giving away copies of the books, so look for how you can win a book throughout the week.

Today we're talking about knitting books!

Knit Noro: Accessories: 30 Colorful Little Knits

This is the latest book in the Noro series and is bursting with dozens of irresistible designs for projects knitters can complete in a weekend.  It contains designs from twenty-six top knitters.

My favorite projects in it are the entrelac iPad Cover and the Stitch Sampler Tote...but seriously, it was hard to narrow it down to those two! There are some awesome projects in there.  You can see a peek inside the book here, and purchase it here .

   60 More Quick Knits

This is a follow-up to the best-selling 60 Quick Knits and 60 Quick Baby Knits series.  It contains all new designs from over 30 of today's top knitwear designers.  All the projects in the book are created with Cascade 220 Sport yarn which is a great yarn for making things from cables to colorwork.  

There are some great accessories in this book, not to mention some fun embellished knits! Some of my favorite projects are the Nordic Mittens and the Basketweave Pocket Scarf. Just thumbing through this book will inspire you to pick up your yarn!  Click here to see more of the book, and click here to purchase it.

   Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters 

Knitwear designer, Deborah Newton, teaches readers step by step instructions on how to finish knitting project fantastically.  This book contains complete instructions for 15 patterns and also has illustrated workshops that go in-depth to teach trickier subjects.  It even includes a cheat sheet for tips and tricks!!

Most of the included patterns are geared for those who are familure with basic knitting stitches and techniques and a few are for experienced knitters.  I think all knitters will really learn a lot by reading this book.  My favorite projects are the Upcycled Bucket Bag and just about all of the tunics!  You can check out some more of the book here, or purchase it here.

And now a giveaway!

One copy of each of the books will be given away!  

To enter to win one of the books....comment below with which book you'd like to win and I'll randomly pull a winner for each book on Sunday, 12/4/2011 and the winners will be promptly emailed.  An alternate winner(s) will be chosen if winner does not respond to my email within 48 hours.  Open to USA residents only.

This post is now closed...winner announced here.

Disclaimer: Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing is providing the prizes for this promotion at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing I will provide them with the winners name, postal address, and email address. I recieved a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Sponsor: Sixth & Spring Books

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope that you are able to focus on all the blessings in your life this week as you celebrate with friends and family.

Since I'd rather you be off relaxing and enjoying yourself, I'll keep this short. Here's a broach that I made out of a silk flower that is perfect for wearing at Thanksgiving. I just ripped out the center of the flower and then created a button out of burlap using my iTop 2.0 with the XL Button Daddies (don't forget you need the X-LG head to make that size button) and hot glued it in place. I then added tulle, twigs, and a chain (which, in real life, is more copper colored) to it and then glued a pin to the back.

If you need to see how to use the iTop 2.0 check out this video tutorial.

Super simple, yet cute!!

Now, go off an have some fun!

Sponsor: Imaginisce

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I actually finished my most recently finished art journal's cover way back in October.  I tend to do the covers last, after I've finished all the pages.

This is one of Donna's fabric inspiration journals.  I just cut out a piece of canvas and sewed it to the cover using a contrasting thread, and then painted over it.  

I then created a collage of found papers and scrapbook papers.  Once it was dry I used my Cricut Expression to cut out the heart and some flowers which you'll see below.  {I did this before I had my Silhouette Cameo to play with!}

{click on photos to enlarge}

I sewed my heart to the cover leaving a little gap that I could stuff batting through.  After it was stuffed I sewed it up completely, added the closure button back on (I had to take it off to put the heart on), and added the word "art" with fuzzy Thickers.  It makes me happy to look at it.

And what about those flowers you ask?  Well I put them on the last enclosure in this art journal, and added a bit of lace trim to them with staples.

And not wanting to waste perfectly good collaged paper, so I added the negative to my new art journal.  Now it's set for me to do something with!

Former Sponsor: ProvoCraft