Book Review: Gifts for Baby - Toys, Clothes & Nursery Accents to Make with Love
By Joanne O'Sullivan
©Copyright 2003
128 pages
With Christmas fast approaching, there is still time to create a thoughtful gift, for the special baby, in your life. This book includes projects for, both, those who sew and those who enjoy crafts, alike.
In addition to easy to follow instructions, and colorful photos of each project, the book also covers topics such as choosing the right gift, tips on fabrics and embellishments, common stitches, gift presentation ideas, safety issues, and a helpful, standardized baby sizing chart. Templates for each project are included, as well.
Another interesting feature of Gifts for Baby is the fact that Ms. O'Sullivan has included several examples of "welcoming the new baby" traditions, which cover various cultures, and time periods. Did you know that in Cambodia strings with money attached are tied around a baby's wrist as presents? Or, in Ancient Greece new parents placed a piece of woolen fabric over their door, to announce the birth of a baby girl? A wreath made of olive branches was placed over the door, if the child was a boy.
All of the projects are practical. These gifts will be used, not stored in the top of a closet. Many of them are educational, in nature.
Projects included:
~Window Dressing Flower Garland
~Heart-Felt Booties
~Baby
It Takes Time To DIY
Over at <em>The Record</em>, NPR arts editor Tom Cole has an interesting thought about the new self-empowered music economy and jazz artists. Not that creating an online profile is a good or bad thing, he writes -- just that it takes a minute to do right.
Kimono Top w/ Embroidered Trim
~Big, Fun, Soft Baby Blocks and Balls
~Royal Treatment Washcloth and Towels
~Pretty and Practical Portable Changing Pad
~Moon and Stars Cradle Sheet
~Star Bright Applique Top
~Beaded Baby Booties
~Buttercup Fleece Stroller Blanket
~One-of-aKind Snap Tops
~Baby Bee Hooded Towel
~Twinkly Star Toy
~Just Ducky Toy Tote and Floor Pad
~Baby's Best Friend Stuffed Scottie Dog
~Four Seasons Felt Activity Book
~Dots and Flowers Decoupage Shelf
~Good Little Eater Oilcloth Bib
~Sweet Little Socks
~Vintage Tea-Towel Lavender Sachet
~Color-Slice Felt Rattle
~Flying Friends Mobile
~Nursing and Play Pillow
~Good Times Rolling Toy Basket
~Elfin Slippers
~Little Ladybug Sunhat
~Sweetheart Shade
~Baby Pixie Hat
~Baby Bunting
~Fairytale Treasure Chest
~Baby's First Counting Book
~Snuggle Bunny
~Super-Absorbent Diaper Bag Pouch
~Toile Keepsake Box
~Playful Pony Bookends
~Star Attraction Frame
~Fleecy Jumper
~Fleecy Baby Pants
~Changing Table Organizer
~Cute-as-a-Button Changing Table Tray
~Little Bird Baby Album
About the Author
Merry Vincent is a freelance writer, living in northern Michigan. She is an avid reader, and content editor of the Reading Channel at: http://www.bellaonline.com/Site/reading
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