holiday DIY: a Chronicle Books wish list...

Chronicle has some of the most terrific titles in craft/handmade books and a whole host of fun design.  So, if you're looking for creative projects and some great inspiration, I'd check out their titles.  Right now, they're running a giveaway of up to five hundred dollars' worth of their titles.  *cue dropped jaw*  You could win a lot of crafty ideas, how-tos, and inspiration.

To enter, visit here or leave a comment on this post and be sure to include some of the titles you'd love to own.

Here's my list, in no particular order...

1. Lotta Jansdotter's Handmade Living ($29.95)

2. Birds, full of colorful illustrations (16.95)

3. Papercraft (I used one of the sample templates to make a gift box decoration for my front door, which you will see tomorrow) ($19.95)

4. DIY Fashion. I'd really like to start making more of my own clothes. (24.95)

5. Sukie Iron-on Craft Pad (14.95)

6. Treasured Notions would be great to look at (don't you love the photo), and I've got plenty of lovely notions just waiting for a worthy project. (24.95)

7. Stencil 101 Journal.  I love stenciling and will probably do a lot of it when we no longer live in a rental (paint plus carpet is probably a bad idea here) (12.95)

8. To further demonstrate my love for stenciling, I'd need Lotta Jansdotter's Stencils.  I got it from the library once and made the curtains that hang in our windows. ($24.95)

9. I also got Lotta Prints and loved that, too.  That's how I figured out how to make the stencil. (19.95)

10. I have the Folk patterns (I used them on here), but I'd love the Flora set, too. (24.95)

11. Handmade Nation. This book on the emergence of the DIY culture looks really interesting to my sociologist side (ok, so it's more like the sociological strain of literary criticism, but still...) (24.95)

12. back to DIY clothes...Pattern Magic looks wonderful. (24.95)

13. I've posted about it on facebook, but probably not here...I cannot even begin to say how much I love what I've seen of The Exquisite Book.  I almost bought it already, but that was before we knew Cory would be employed upon graduation--and when my hours at work were getting cut.  Now, however, I may have to make the purchase. (29.95)

14. This is NPR, since everyone in my family listens to the station (myself included) in our area. (29.95)

15. I've been meaning to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for some time. (12.95)

16. Which can only be followed by Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.  I think Jane Austen would be both appalled and highly delighted by these twists on her classics. (12.95)

17. I adore Audrey Hepburn and would own this title, along with many others, if I had heaps of money. (45.00)

18. This could be helpful when it's Time for Dinner in our house and I'm stuck in a cooking rut, which is a lot. (24.95)

19. I'd love to keep Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free on hand to make tasty treats when my family's dear friends (the kids were in my wedding) come over, so that everyone can enjoy the food. (24.95)

20. The Art of the Slow Cooker has a very accurate title.  I haven't gotten too far past the chili and potato soup levels of slow cooker dinners. (24.95)

21.  I love labels and stickers, and these Oh Joy! Labels and Stickers are no exception (10.95)

22. Last, but not least, I could not resist picking up a softcover Moleskine journal (17.95)

Total: $499.90.  Yikes!

Feeling inspired?  I always do after a little bit of browsing at Chronicle books.

Check it out for yourself!