November 4 ~ Passion for Relaxation

Related tutorials you might just love: Gifts: Sleepyheads, Gifts: Pamper, Gifts: Sit Back & Relax

There are so many beautiful bags to love out there… We’re sharing one bag tutorial every day this month for you to sew and give.

Rose Shea Butter Soap Bar
Rose Shea Butter Soap Bar from Sweet Petula is, in owner Cory’s words, “…A smoky, sexy blend but yet still very feminine and sweet. I’ve mixed Italian Bergamot, with Smoke, Amber, Peru Balsam, Jasmine, Musk, Sweet Honey, Pale Rose… And a touch of Champagne.”

Here are just a few fabrics perfect for some of today’s projects. Click on the fabric images to visit the Sew,Mama,Sew! shop:

Tweet #handmadeholidays this week for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Sew,Mama,Sew!

Comment on today’s post for a chance to win one of these books! The PUSH series books will both go to one lucky winner.
Sewing in a Straight Line: Quick and Crafty Projects You Can Make by Simply Sewing Straight (US Winners Only)

Author: Brett Bara
Publisher: Potter Craft

Create an entire world of sophisticated projects using one simple skill. Absolutely anyone can sew in a straight line. And with this one skill and some basic guidance, television host and crafty expert Brett Bara demonstrates how you can make custom home decor, stylish fashions, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Sewing in a Straight Line is a step-by-step guide to creating 28 deceptively simple projects that look like they came from a chic boutique- far more impressive than you would expect for such little effort! These easy-to-make items offer quick gratification that even the busiest among us will appreciate. From a flirty two-hour miniskirt to the cutest plush toys, many of the projects take only a spare afternoon.

PUSH Stitchery: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Stitched Art

Author: Jamie Chalmers
Publisher: Lark Books

Announcing PUSH, a new series devoted to indie-crafters and artists pushing the boundaries of traditional crafting mediums!

Curated by Jamie Chalmers–a.k.a. Mr. X Stitch, a leading figure in the “new embroidery movement”– PUSH Stitchery profiles the cutting-edge creative work of 30 top stitching artists from around the world. Each designer is showcased with six to eight pages of gallery-style imagery. A fascinating question-and-answer section, along with bios, make this innovative and inspirational book a must-have for anyone interested in blurring the lines between craft and art.

PUSH Paper: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Paper Art

Author: Jamie Zollers
Publisher: Lark Books

Innovative, interesting, exciting: the work gathered in PUSH Paper, part of a stunningly designed new gallery series, is some of the best paper art being created today. Thirty contemporary paper artists, from world-renowned names to talented up-and-comers, all put their own spin on cutting, sculpture, installations, pop ups, paper toys, and more.

A vibrant question-and-answer section with the book’s distinguished juror, Jaime Zollars, and a biography of each showcased artist complete this visual feast of paper craft.

Win a $30 gift certificate to Jennifer Ladd, Handmade Purses & Bags. Jennifer makes handmade bags and purses that are modern and elegant, simple and sleek, cute and quirky too. The gift certificate can be used for both merchandise and shipping. Jennifer writes, “Feel free to keep it for yourself OR give it as a gift!” You could buy a beautiful new coin purse like the one pictured here!

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Author: Julia Rothman
Publisher: Storey Publishing

What’s the difference between a weanling and a yearling, or a farrow and a barrow? Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living.

Dissecting everything from tractors and pigs to fences, hay bales, crop rotation patterns, and farm tools, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. From the shapes of squash varieties to the parts of a goat; from how a barn is constructed to what makes up a beehive, every corner of the barnyard is uncovered.

A perfect gift for gardeners, locavores, homesteaders, and country-living enthusiasts alike.

Word Play Quilts: Easy Techniques from the UnRuly Quilter

Author: Tonya Ricucci
Publisher: Martingale & Co.

Want your next quilt to send a special message? Now you can spell it out with no tracing, no templates, no paper-piecing, no appliqué, and no precise measuring! Inspired by renowned quiltmaker Gwen Marston (who wrote the foreword), Tonya presents a terrific technique for free-pieced letters. It’s your chance to break rules, mismatch, go wonky, and enjoy yourself!

* Boost your ability to piece without a pattern; this easy technique is very forgiving.
* Discover fabulous, whimsical ways to give letters and words a featured role in your quilts.
* Find three practice projects and loads of quilt samples to instruct and inspire.

Don’t miss our Handmade Holidays photo pool, and check out our 2010 Handmade Holidays list for more fabulous ideas.

3 ~ Passion for Clothes
2 ~ Passion for Play
1 ~ Passion for Accessories

We respect the copyright of all crafters. All photos are used with permission from the artist.

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