Review + Giveaway: sewExpecting eBook

sewexpectingcover sewExpecting is the new eBook from Leigh Ann Tennent (The Object Project and Strawberry Truffle). If you’re an expecting mother, or know someone who is pregnant, or just like to have sweet baby gifts on hand just in case, this eBook is for you. In it, you can find patterns and instructions to make 20 – yes, TWENTY – different projects for baby:

A basic infant bib, plus a patchwork and appliqued version.
A basic toddler bib, plus a patchwork and appliqued version.
A toddler bib with a storage pocket that doubles as a crumb-catcher!
A basic burp cloth, plus a patchwork and appliqued version.
A burp cloth with an innovative storage pocket!
Three styles of changing mats.
A very cool diaper clutch with instructions for 2 looks.
A textured securtiy blanket to keep little fingers busy!
A satin lovey.
A very simple, super-quick quilt!

All of these projects are boutique-quality, assuming of course that you construct them of quality materials.

The instructions are straightforward and are geared toward those with limited or no sewing experience. (Experienced sewers can probably skip straight to the patterns and use the instructions just as a quick reference guide.) If you’ve wanted to learn how to sew but haven’t known exactly where to start, sewExpecting is a good place to begin. The beginning of the eBook gives quick instructions for basic sewing, applique, and patchwork skills that you’ll need to create the projects. Most of the projects are constructed with from simple shapes, with minimal fuss.

sewExpecting is available from Strawberry Truffle for $22.00.

By now, I know there are more than a handful of you who want a copy of sewExpecting for your very own. And so Leigh Ann has graciously offered to give away one copy of the eBook to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. Here’s how it will work:

To enter, post a comment on to this Craft Gossip post telling me which SewExpecting project (listed above) you think will be the first one you’ll sew. One entry per person, please. Deadline is Friday, August 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm CST. I’ll choose a winner at random the following day.

After talking about the pirate themed chalk obstacle course the other day, I got to thinking about other easy, low prep games and activities you can do with kids outside. A lot of these are ideas I found on Pinterest that don’t link to blogs anymore if they ever did, but often that’s all the detail you need to figure out what’s going on.

First, a couple from blogs that are still alive. If you have a lot of trees in your yard or in your park, you probably also have a lot of sticks, so you can pretty easily do this stick maze activity from Mother Natured. Build the maze yourself or have one child build if for another. Either way it’s lots of fun and you can keep it built to use as a labyrinth or for pretend play.

If it’s hot where you live you might want outdoor activities that involve water like this fill the bucket relay game. The only thing you might not have at home is giant sponges, but this is still pretty low prep, inexpensive and lots of fun if you have two or more kids to play. Check out how to do it from The Resourceful Mama. And check out my post all about ice and water sensory activities for more ideas to beat the heat.

Make some x’s and o’s or use something you already have to be your game pieces (you can also just draw them on paper plates for a super fast version) and make a large tic tac toe board on the sidewalk. The bonus of reusable game pieces is kids can play with the same grid over and over, which is great if you don’t have a ton of space.

I also love the idea of drawing a big bullseye on the sidewalk or driveway and using beanbags or sponges to try to hit the target. If you have hula hoops you can also set them in a grassy area and have kids try to hit them.

Check out more fun outdoor games for kids from The Printable Princess. These are more for big groups of kids, but if you’ve got a classroom full these are good ones to have on hand for getting some energy out.

Do you have favorite outdoor games for kids to play when it’s hot? I’d love to hear about them!

Have you read?