creativitE by Erin Bassett

Weekend Winners!

Here's the winners from this weekend's giveaways!

 

{Thank you Carol Sterbenz for Homemade: The Heart and Science of Handcrafts and SheyB for letting me give away credit to your store!}

Congrats ladies, I know you both will love these!!

It Is A Giveaway Weekend!

So how's this year been treating you?  Have you stuck to your goals this year so far?  Do you need a little treat?  If so, you are in luck!  I'm giving away some great things this weekend!

First up is a crafty book by Carol Sterbenz called Homemade: The Heart and Science of Handcrafts.  I first met Carol through Twitter (follower her: @MakeItHomemade) and we have so much crafty stuff in common!  She, like me, is into more then one craft...and this book is a great asset to anyone who considers themselves crafty or who wants to become crafty.  It's thick & hard-backed!  773 pages!!!

Carol told me it was her labor of love and I think it was totally worth it!  It covers crafts such topics as: beading, floral arts, paper crafts, hand printing (stamping, stamp/block making, stenciling, screen-printing, etc), decoupage, decorative embellishing (glass etching, gilding, dry embossing, ribbon & trims, decals & heat-transfers, candle making & decorating, etc.) and kids arts & crafts.  And it includes a bunch of patterns as well.

You can peek inside the book on her website....but I'll tell you right now that besides the wealth of information inside this book, I love the quotes she uses at the beginning of each chapter.  

Carol's publisher has already sent me two copies of the book...one for me & one to giveaway...so you'll be receiving this directly from me.

Enter to win this book by commenting below.

 

 

Secondly SheyB is giving away $30 credit to the store (formerly called "Gossomer")!!

So if you're in need of a cute new handmade clutch, a cover for your Kindle, or even a new decorative pillow, this giveaway is for you!  

Enter to win this $30 store credit by commenting below.

 

 

Winners from both giveaways will be announced on Monday, January 23, 2012 and will be promptly emailed.  If winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

Comments are now closed

Disclaimer: Scribner/Simon & Schuster is providing the book for this promotion, and SheyB is providing the store credit for Gossamer at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by both myself (for the book) and SheyB.  I will provide the sponsors with the winner's name, postal address, and email address.  I received a review copy of this product.

My Book Planner Winner!!!

The random winner of the My Book Planner Giveaway is....

Congrats!!!  Be looking for an email from me.  :)

And the Winners of the Crafty Books are...

Thank you everyone who participated in Crafty Book Week!  And an extra big thanks to the publishers and authors that made this happen.  I know these lucky readers will enjoy the books!

Knit Noro: Accessories: 30 Colorful Little Knits:

Heather leopard

 

 60 More Quick Knits:

Elisha

 Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters:

Sally Edmonds

 Knit Local: Celebrating America's Homegrown Yarns:

Mr. Puffy

 

 Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume Six:

Anne

 

 Crazy for Cake Pops:

KristalB

 

 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Basics:  

 Ginny Newman

 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting Basics:

 Denise 

Artist's Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures:

Mary Jane

 

 Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery:

Angela A.

 

Disclaimer: The publishers of these books are providing the prizes for this promotion at no cost to me.  I will provide them with the winner's name, postal address, and email address.  I received a review copy of these books from the publishers.

Dream Big!

 

Here's another page from my art journal.

{Click on photo to enlarge it}

I started off by applying clear gesso (one of my current favorite things) over the entire page of book text and then sketching out my words.  I then painted in the background and "BIG" and then used my ZIG Millennium pen to write "dream" and outline "BIG".  I used stamps for the "don't stop!!!" and then spattered the whole page with paint.

Really for me the most important part of this journaling page is the "don't stop!!!"  Sometimes it takes a loooooong time and a lot of work for dreams to happen, but the important part is not to give up!

Now, most of you know that I've been helping Warner Brother's promote voting for 2 Broke Girls in The People’s Choice Awards of 2012. In 2 Broke Girls they realize that dreams may come true through an honest day’s work. Max and Caroline’s dream is opening their own cupcake business...and that got me thinking about my own dreams...ones that I'm going to journal about on the page opposite this one.  I like to write my goals and dreams down.  When you later look back at them you can see how far you've come and really soak in the blessing and gratitude.

I also love quotes....so I may add some of these too:

"Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."  -Thomas Alva Edison

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."  -Dale Carnegie

Oh, and just a reminder, if you haven't voted for your favorite TV shows yet, go do it now! :)   Here's the link!

 

Disclosure: I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote WBTV shows nominated in the People's Choice Awards.

The last of Crafty Book Week! (Enter to win a book!)

I'm so excited about today's books! I've been really drawn to embroidery lately and I have plans to do some projects this next year so these books have been both inspiring and helpful.

 

 Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery

As far as craft books go, this one is definitely unexpected! As the author describes, "[t]he unconventional embroiderers profiled in this book include conceptual artists, guerrilla stitchers, manbroiderers, a horror-movie fiend, a beatbox celebrity, young feminists, abstractionists, an attendee of the Royal School of Needlework, and even an anarchists or two."  So yeah, this isn't your typical embroidery book, it's a bit of a rebel.  Oh, and it's really big too (like 400 pages)!!!

This book covers the evolution of embroidery, tools & materials, stitches, free-form work, graphic design embroidery, finishing techniques, resources, and much, much more.  It has tons of projects in it with detailed instructions on how to recreate it and includes the patterns.  It's pretty amazing!  

 For more information about this book, or to purchase it check it out on Amazon here .

 

 

 

 Embroider Everything Workshop 

 

I love the way this book is set up.  While it's a hardcover book, it has a spiral binding so it lays flat which is great when you're trying to learn something out of a book.  Also, on the inside front cover is a pocket that contains all the patterns used in the book.  And it also has a fantastic practice stitch card in the center of the book that you can remove and practice on.  Love it!

This book contains so many awesome photos and graphics that it makes for very clear instructions.  Part one of the book teaches you how to do all the basics, part two shows you how to put those skills to work to create projects.  The projects are for beginners to advanced beginners.  It's a fantastic book for anyone who wants to learn to embroider.

For more information about this book, or to purchase it check it out on Amazon here

 

And now another giveaway!  

One copy of Hoopla:The Art of Unexpected Embroidery will be given away!

To enter to win Hoopla:The Art of Unexpected Embroidery....comment below and I'll randomly pull a winner for this 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: Arsenal Pulp Press is providing the prize for this promotion at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by Arsenal Pulp Press I will provide them with the winner's name, postal address, and email address.  I received a review copy of these books from Workman Publishing and Arsenal Pulp Press.

Crafty Book Week is almost over...don't miss out on the giveaways!

I can't believe this week has gone by so fast!  Crafty Book Week is almost over, but before it is we have a few more books to giveaway! Today's book is perfect for those that dabble in mixed media, art journaling, or fine arts! 

 

 Artist's Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures 

 

 

This book will show you how how to create your own artist's journal which the author describes as "a personal journal kept by the creative person that is you.  You are an artist and a fully rounded, creative human being with plans, questions, answers, needs and goals, both ordinary and sublime. You explore, you respond, you worry, you delight in the moment -and you fingers itch to capture that moment." Now doesn't that make you want to run to a journal and get started!

 

 

 

Inside this book you'll find tons of fabulous artist's journal pages (27 artists contributed their works) and you'll be shown how to get started, what materials you may want to consider using, what type of journal is right for you, how to make it a habit, and journaling techniques and tips that the artists have used.

For more information about this book, or to purchase it check it out on Amazon here .

 

 

 

And now another giveaway!  

One copy of Artist’s Journal Workshop will be given away!

To enter to win one copy of this book....comment below and I'll randomly pull a winner for this 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

 

 

Disclaimer: FW Media/North Light Books is providing the prize for this promotion at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by FW Media/North Light Books. I will provide them with the winner's name, postal address, and email address.  I received a review copy of this books from FW Media/North Light Books.

More Crafty Book Week Giveaways!

How have you been enjoying Crafty Book Week?  I'm so thankful for sponsors who want to share some love with my blog readers!!  -Ok, so we're on to the next day of books...and giveaways!

Now I know none of you are idiots, but if you're like me it's always nice to have a book that contains the nitty gritty of a craft you may not know much about but want to learn to do.  And often, for me, when I already know about a craft, it's nice to fill in the gaps of my knowledge about it.  These books are perfect for that!

 

 

 The Complete Idiot's Guide To Beading Basics 

 

This book contains everything you want to know about beading...the history, tools, design basics, techniques, for stringing, techniques for wiring, techniques for stitching beads, making your own beads, and more!

While this book contains only black and white photos, it does show many close up photos and graphics to help explain what to do.  

For more information about this book, or to purchase it check it out on Amazon here.

 

 

 

 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting Basics  

 

Ok Quilters or wannabe Quilters...this book will lead you step-by-step through quilting with either your machine or by hand.  It shows you how to plan your quilt, quilt designing, all the tools you need, and the steps involved in making a quilt you love.  It also has some beginner sampler quilts you can make!

Like the book above, the photos and graphics in this book are only in black and white, however they clearly show what is being described.  

For more information about this book, or to purchase it check it out on Amazon here .

 

And now another giveaway!  

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

To enter to win one of the books....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: Penguin Group Inc/Alpha is providing the prize for this promotion at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by Penguin Group Inc/Alpha I will provide them with the winners name, postal address, and email address.  I received a review copy of these books from Penguin Group Inc/Alpha.

 

Crafty Book Week Continues!

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.

 

Crafty Book Day #2...and another giveaway!

 

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