Yes, yes, peeps…I’m still totally in love with my husband but I fell in love–again–at the bookstore today. I was casually walking around when my eye-lasers closed in on this little golden nugget:
Ponder that title for a minute. Is that not one of the BEST ding-dang book titles you’ve ever seen? It’s short, sweet, and to the point. And I can tell you from seeing this book in person that it is INDEED a Big Ass Book of Crafts.
My attraction to this book, outside of the great title, has roots in my past. Those of you who read the blog regularly know that I am a pretty creative person who comes from a pretty creative family. You may remember that I worked at Leewards Craft Stores for 6 years. You may not know that, even as Jim and I struggled to make ends meet when we were first married and pre-children, I spent much of my paycheck on craft supplies and we even had a room in the house especially for crafting. (Now that I’m old I think to myself, “What a waste of space and money!”)
Ironically, the one tool that I got back then and still have today is something I didn’t even buy for myself. Any guesses? It’s my glue gun! I received it as a Secret Santa gift (yes Virginia, some Jews participate in those Christmas gift exchanges!) during my tenure at the craft store. It cost my co-worker Jessie $17, and that freakin thing from 1987 still works today as if it were brand-new. It is the one “craft supply” that has seen me through thick and thin, through every stinkin’ project for which I’ve needed adhesion. Can you believe it?? Who would have thought a glue gun could last that long?
But I digress. Enough about my favorite little glue gun. As the years went by, I turned my crafting efforts away from homemade gifts and craft shows and towards making really cool stuff for our boys’ birthday parties. When I got into scrapbooking I only did “regular” crafts if I needed something and not so much just to pass the time.
I moved from scrapbooking to making custom invitations, and then I started using my time to work and write and take care of the family and so on and so on.
When I saw this book I got so excited! Flipping through it, I noticed that some of the crafts look a little retro and I thought that was such a cool thing. The idea of having the time to just sit and craft (even without a dedicated room!) sounded so good inside my head. I love being able to just let the creativity flow. Unfortunately, at this moment in my life if I want to do all the things I currently do AND work on the two books I have in the pipeline, casual crafting with no purpose can’t really be in my current agenda.
So, I put the book back down without buying it. Don’t worry though…I’ll get around to it; as soon as I cross some things off my Master To-Do List!
14 Comments
Mags
Wow-that is SOME book! I love books like that-the kind that jump right out at you and get your creative juice flowing. For me, it’s cookbooks, but I’m sure it’s the same feeling.
Very neat.
Melissa
Who knew there was a Big Ass Craft Book out there.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I think a lady with a big ass should own the Big Ass Craft Book.
Maybe I’ll pick one up when I buy the fabric for the 3 blankets I have to make…
Qweenie
I was never very “crafty” per say but I used to LOVE to paint…. I haven’t even broken in my new easel and I’ve had it for almost 4 years now.
~Q
Sauntering Soul
I see a trip to the bookstore in the very near future for me…..
Thanks for the info!
suchsimplepleasures
i have to check out that book!! in my old age…i’ve suddenly started to try to get in touch with my inner creative-ness…maybe that book will be able to help me!!
xoxo
piper of love
I absolutely MUST get that book!
Show your goods lady! 😉
Great blog!!
~xo
Flea
I am so non-crafty, but the book looks like fun. So sad that you can’t pick it up right now, but I understand. I’m the same way with smocking. Drool, drool, but not right now.
Melisa
Mags: I knew it would be cookbooks for you; I bet you’ve got a ton of them!
Melissa: ROFL…I totally agree that a lady with a big ass should own this book, which is why I will (eventually) get it.
Qweenie: That was the problem I was starting to have…getting stuff that I didn’t have time to use!
Sauntering: My pleasure! 🙂
Melissa: Let that inner-creativeness out, girl!
Piper: Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Flea: I LOVE smocking! (I don’t know how to do it but love to look at it.) It’s always intrigued me.
. . . Dallas Meow . . . . >^^< . . .
sigh – I am scrap challenged . . .
. . . Dallas Meow . . . . >^^< . . .
sigh – I am scrap challenged . . .
. . . Dallas Meow . . . . >^^< . . .
sigh – I am scrap challenged . . .
Melisa
Dallas Meow: Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Anonymous
How funny that you posted about crafting! Scott just said yesterday (while eating a Baby Ruth from the 13 yr old’s Bar Mitzvah candybar tree), “Melisa ROCKS when it comes to being crafty!” Yes, honey, she does!
-Dawn
Melisa
Dawn: I’m quite impressed that you still have candy left! hee hee
Our family devoured two of those “trees” in about 4 days. Oink Oink! 🙂