Originally published at Women Not Dabbling by Gina
It is with much regret and reluctance that I admit to you that I lack any sort of crafty gene(-ius). Really, I cannot even say on an elementary level that I am skilled at making homemade art. Oh, but I do love craft books and blogs! I spend way too much time reading tutorials, drooling over other people’s craft-art, and even thinking about attempting a bit now and then. I’m a craft peeking tom! Unfortunately, I will never be able to offer you anything more than a simple project and even that will be truly the extent of my crafting ability. I’m not even good at copying!
1. I’m starting with a couple of our favorite Women not Dabbling Women: Tansy and Kathie. Both are so incredibly talented! I hope they share some tutorials with us in the future (hint, hint!) In fact, I am including them as teasers because I am sure we are going to see some of their incredible creations as time goes by! J
2. Okay, I am adding this one some what reluctantly because I find myself way too jealous when I look at her creations. She has turned her crafting skills into a successful online business. Plus, her family is just too darn perfect!
3. I wanted to make a stuffed owl for my niece’s birthday so I went to Google Images and typed in “Hand made stuffed owl”. I found this tutorial. I may try this one soon as I happen to have all the items needed (I never said I didn’t covet supplies; I’m just horrible at using them! 
4. Really, it seems so generous to me that people share their crafts with all of us online. I am particularly fond of handmade animals. I adore this turtle (o, cripes it’s that talented Wee Wonderful woman again!) My first tattoo is a turtle. My second one is a tree.
5. Someday during the dog days of summer (when the eggs are plentiful), I plan to try Pysanky artwork. If I could chose a teacher, it would have to be Shannon who has obviously mastered this art!
6. Many of the crafty bloggers I have been reading for years have gone on to write books or be featured in popular craft magazines. However, they still generously offer tutorials on their blogs. This turkey is so cute and it is made out of her kid’s hand (well a tracing anyway!)
7. I love this little stuffed house. She even drew furnishings inside the house. This would make such a great gift giving recepticle. Her Easter Birdy is also mind-numbingly cute.
8. Okay, eight is not exactly a bloggy find. I actually found Ms. Tudor in my youth (at the local library where I checked the books by and about her over and over again. I recently found the book Tasha Tudor’s Heirloom Crafts at a used bookstore (you have no idea how high my heart leaped!) The book doesn’t have tutorial, per say, but it includes some of the most gorgeous craft-art eye candy in existence (my absolute favorite is her Nubian goat kid). If you have never looked at any of her books, check out the library! (As an aside, Tasha was also an extreme homesteader by choice!) I hope to find the Tasha Tudor Christmas book as it seems to have disappeared from my local library. L
9. Darn, I was only going to pick an example or two from this blog, but I see she put up a “Master Homemade Holiday List”! My favorite for holiday gifts are the tote bags. In fact, if I find a clear schedule day before the holiday festivities, I may attempt to stitch up a few out of my thrifted fabric stash. I’ll be sure to include this link on the tag with the Pocono Record on plastic bags to help explain why I’m giving away such bags. Of course, if you want to really get “the point” across, make up one of these candy wrapper bags. However, be pre-warned, this tote bag takes 792 candy wrappers. If you count dentist bills, it’s probably cheaper to buy one.
10. This one I went back and forth about including. We tend to shy away from politics here, at least the best us opinionated girls are able to, and she is a prime example of love her/hate her, but darn, Martha (or at least her creative staff), have some great handmade ideas! Her site has so many tutorials! Here are a few of my favorite (Martha) things!
Shoo, after all this great inspiration, I may actually be stimulated enough now to actually try some of these ideas myself!
P.S. Don’t you just love, love, love anything gnome, elf, fairy, toadstool, and brussel sprouts?
Ok I have to admit “grandpa” does look a bit well…not so good
However I’d like you to know I am laughing WITH you not AT you dear!
Monica
great!!
thanks for adding more ”ooh, i could make that!!!” to my list. ha
yes, ok, i was planning on posting a few pics soon but now, the pressure, oh the pressure! way to stress me out.
great links. so many ideas, so little time!
No pressure, Tansy, your creations are gorgeous!
Monica, I’m laughing with myself too!!