Book Review :: Big Ass Book of Crafts

Just got this one and I have to say... I really LOVE it!

Written by Mark Montano of TLC reality/makeover show fame (among other things) it is literally chock-full of cool ideas, projects and things you can make with your hot little hands. I think his background in teenage and young adult design really helps him impart a fun, whimsical aspect to his design ideas but they're not "teenage" in look so I'm continuously inspired by paging through books like this, both for my work on Little Stinker tees and around my home in general. They give me so many ideas that maybe don't directly relate to crafts or projects I'm working on or maybe I don't even necessarily LIKE the patterns or colors in the craft being featured... but it makes me go: "Hmmm, so THAT'S how you do that! That gives me an idea! Here are a few of my favorites:


Ok, I need to make these plates RIGHT NOW. Seriously, like, today. Super cool silhouette and calavera skull plates. Love them.



Little felt monsters. Always a hit and super easy to make too. Awesome.


I love making things like these fabric covered salt and pepper shakers. Just pick a fabric of your choice and voila! Transformation!


I've long been wanting to make some hanging light lanterns for my home. I love the way they look and they add so much character and ambiance. Plus, what's better than being able to say, "I made that!" This book also has several more light and lantern ideas... including a few using really surprising materials, like drinking straws and kitchen utensils.


A cute idea for repurposing scraps of fabrics. Lots of color and a way to add your own personal sense of style.


You can view more projects or purchase the book here, although I got mine at Barnes and Noble (go Christmas gift cards! Thanks, Mom!):
www.bigasscrafts.com

Yet another reason to stay in tonight...

As if I needed yet another reason - besides the fact that I've been at work all day after going to bed at 2:30 am and getting up with Liam at 7:45 **plus I'm pretty much a homebody anyway and I'm EXHAUSTED** - my DVR is packed with all the awesomely awful shows I love! Intervention, Hoarders, I Survived... all that's missing are my faves Mad Men, Breaking Bad and maybe an episode or two of The First 48. When are the new seasons starting anyway? I'm skidding into withdrawal people! And what's on Movies on Demand...? I'm not planning to crawl back into the light of day til noon tomorrow. Hooray for Sunday night, let's make an evening of it!

Cool stuff for cool kids by littlestinkerbaby on Etsy

Spring is in the air, the rain is finally clearing and - while I do love the stormy weather - that means new tees at Little Stinker! I've posted a few new designs featuring colorful butterflies for Spring!
I also posted a new retro-inspired, polka dot tee that I just LOVE. It's funny, often times I start a tee and I'm not sure how it will turn out... sometimes I like the final result, sometimes I have to start over... but this idea started taking shape in my head, I laid some fabrics out and figured out what I liked together and I'm really pleased with the result.
Hope you like my new tees too! Stop by my shop when you have a chance! Cool stuff for cool kids by littlestinkerbaby on Etsy

I *heart* the CRAFT kitchen

I love what Nicole Stevenson and the Craft Kitchen are doing, I feel really inspired by her commitment to the crafting community and her continual involvement in it. If you are in the Orange County/southern California area, check it out! Meet cool people, make cool stuff - it's a win-win!
the CRAFT kitchen

Cherry on Top Cupcake Shirt by littlestinkerbaby on Etsy

Another new design I posted on Etsy today... just in time for Valentine's Day! FYI I can easily swap a sweet little red heart for the cherry on top, just let me know! I also do version of this shirt with red polka dot fabric in place of the pink.Here's a link to the posting in my shop:
Cherry on Top Cupcake Shirt by littlestinkerbaby on Etsy

Lil Traveler Airstream shirt by littlestinkerbaby on Etsy

One of my new super cute styles! If The Dude had a kid, I'm pretty sure he would like this one. Wait, wasn't there a little Lebowski on the way? Click the link to visit my shop and see more photos of this adorable tee: Lil Traveler Airstream shirt by littlestinkerbaby on Etsy

5 things I'd rather do with my Sunday

Tomorrow is Sunday and I'm working, like most Sundays. **sigh**
But on a sunny January day in Southern California, there are so many other possibilities!

*I'd love to ride my pink bike all over town. Through the Circle, around Old Towne, maybe up through Hart Park... sounds like heaven...

*Work in my garden. It's becoming quite the weed patch and that's nice in it's own little way, overgrown and what not, but I would love to make it super colorful and filled with flowers and plants again! Not just a place to park above mentioned pink bike.


*Go have a beer with my hubby. Or maybe two. The pink bike comes into play here too. Seems that bike's quite a fixture in my existence.

*Make some more peanut butter cookies with my sweet little guy, Liam. He's my best buddy, he always makes me smile without even trying and he's the inspiration for all that I love in life.


*Work on my baby shirts! I feel so inspired and so on fire and life gets in the way of constant creation! Well, life and making cookies with above mentioned sweet little boy.

xoxo Amy

Feature post! Handmade monster book on Etsy!

Anything with monsters and I'm hooked! I looove monster stuff for kids (we need to get them started early liking all the cool stuff, right?) and this little book is really adorable! You can tell a lot of time went into it too.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37377292
Go monsters!

Phew, finally home from my **real** job. That is, waitressing. Little Stinker is really my first love and I wish it could help actually support me and the Coleman 3 collectively... but sadly, that's not to be. YET! It's funny how often I'm at work and I'm discussing wine or beer (my work has a fab-oo esoteric beer list) or specials or whatever and I'm thinking, hmmmm.... so could I do that skeleton shirt in fabric with little polka dots or plain white on black? That retro blue and brown fabric I just got would make an awesome octopus with lots of gangly arms on navy, wouldn't it? I want the airstream design to be the first in a series, should I do a pink cloud on it next time? Wonder if anyone notices. Maybe it just makes me seem more excited because I AM excited! Go Little Stinker!

...aaand sleep.

Got a couple of new items posted to Etsy just now and feel glad that I got that done. Couple little scoops of vanilla ice cream, watch the end of The Hangover on pay-per-view, brush my teeth, off to bed. Good night.

First post! Hooray!

Well, I woke up this morning feeling motivated. Really motivated. Ready to get a blog going and generally conquer the world, not the other way around! I have many things to feel really grateful for... and I feel like all the pieces of my life are falling into place nicely. It's true. Also a bit sappy, but that's ok!

I decided to start blogging in order to showcase some of my creative endeavors, especially via my Etsy shop at www.littlestinkerbaby.etsy.com, and to tell a bit of my story and flex that writing muscle that I once used so ferociously but is now frankly starting to atrophy. Having a two-year-old will seriously curb the time you have to yourself to indulge in your "process," writing or otherwise. But let's face it, without the boy, I would never have felt motivated to make baby tees and I wouldn't have Little Stinker!

So, I will blog away when I have time and hope that everyone here will enjoy what I have to say and check out my handmades from time to time... and I can ponder, consider and enjoy what everyone else has to say as well. Thanks for listening.
Must get the little one some apple juice. Duty calls.