Book Review: Around The USA In 50 Craft Projects

It's been a very very long time since I reviewed a book, too long I decided! When I found out one of my favorite craft sites, Cut Out + Keep was publishing a book I knew I needed it. Luckily, I've worked with them a few times in the past and that helped me snag an early copy to review for you guys.

Read my thoughts about the book, plus get a little teaser from the publishers below!

Cwafty Reviews: Building A Framework E-Book

Hello everyone! Today I'm writing about a book I recently read that was basically a treasure trove of blogging knowledge gems, Building a Framework: Everything I Learned My First Year Blogging By Abby Lawson.  If you are a blogger looking to add some new strategies to your playbook, or just a person who has aspirations of being a blogger, you really should check this book out.

And yes, as of right now this book is only available as an eBook, but there's plenty of ways to read it even if you don't have an eReader like me. There's a kindle app available for most phones, tablets, and computers, you can read it as a PDF on your computer, you could have it printed and bound at an office supply store, there are many ways you can absorb all of this useful information!

Tutorial Tuesday: Antler Hair Barrettes

This is the second project inspired by Lani Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series. I finished the series last week and I was super happy with it. Lani is a great author and finished her series gracefully and happily without being cliche or stupid. It was fantastic! Last time I made a necklace inspired by the main heroine's here, this week I am making a project inspired by the third books cover!

I present to you golden antler Hair Barrettes! Perfect for if you want a little chimera in your outfit! These also could work for any nature-loving/bohemian girls! Find out how to make your own wild accessory below.

Tutorial Tuesday: Wishbone Necklace

Books are a great source or inspiration for me (read about past book projects here and here and here) and this week you may have guessed I was inspired by Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Its a mystical tale of two worlds, a girl with blue hair, her family of  monsters, teeth, love, betrayal, angels and wishes. That's where this week's DIY comes in!

First things first, have you read Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor yet? (Or the whole series since the third and final book came out last week?)

If so, wonderful, you will fully appreciate what inspired me to create this and next week's projects!

If not, what are you waiting for!?! Go out and buy it! Download it for your e-book reader! Borrow it from a friend, or the library (a friend who just happens to be a building)! 

That's my subtle way of saying I highly recommend it.You don't need to have read the series to enjoy this tutorial though!

Tutorial Wednesday: G.O.T. House Greyjoy Necklace

So do you know what happens three weeks from today?(well the day this was posted). Are you as excited as I am!?

If you haven't guessed, Game of Thrones season 4 premiers on April 6th. I love the series and have read all the books. (I had to read them all before I watched any of the show, I'm much more of a book person.) Any way, the other day I watched this little trailer/teaser from HBO and I have had dragons and lions and wolves on the mind ever since. Oh and krakens. Especially krakens, which brings me to today's tutorial.

I am pretty much a Dany for the throne fan, but I do have love for most of the houses. My favorite is House Greyjoy though. Which is unfortunate, because
SPOILER ALERT: Things aren't getting any better for Theon any time soon really.

I stilled wanted to show my House Greyjoy pride with this tutorial though!

Tutorial Tuesday: Mad Hatter Coffee Mug

Today I'm going to teach you a "secret"! The sharpie on ceramics craft craze? It doesn't really work.

I know, I was devastated too. I made myself a sharpie mug and a plate and neither of them survived a single wash. Maybe I messed it up, but doing some quick Google research led me to believe I am right. I still really wanted to make myself a nice personalized mug though so I went to the craft store and did some exploring!

I found Martha Stewart's Craft Paints and it seemed like they would do the trick! Check out how I made this cute mug, and the typography pattern below!

Cwafty Reviews: It's a Weird day

First of all, in my update yesterday I mentioned my rearranging of my office and thought I would show it off! I love reorganizing/rearranging things. Feels fresh.

The kitties were excited to re-explore my office.

So I'm trying something new today here on the blog. A book review!

Tutorial Tuesday: Clay Carousel

This week I finished re-reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and if you've never read it

1. I would recommend it highly.
2. It is all about immersion into this magical, wondrous, dream-like circus. It has whole designated chapters for describing different tents and attractions so vividly. Mrs. Morgenstern has a gift for evoking mental images.

Being creatively-inclined, I always get really inspired when I read this book, and that is what inspired today's tutorial!