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Review: I’m not Martha but I can pretend

Posted Sep 27, 2011 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Sep 27, 2011 at 03:56 PM

We’re entering the time of year when I get an itch to craft.

I’m not a spectacular crafter. I tend to do more shopping than actual creating. I can’t sew. But I follow directions well, I have a decent eye for detail and I can wield a paintbrush OK. With Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas approaching, I am finding myself brainstorming seasonal mantel displays, front-door wreaths, centerpieces, ornaments and gifts.

And thanks to my Pinterest addiction and now a new book from Martha Stewart, I have enough ideas to craft from now til, oh, December 2014.

Martha Stewart’s Handmade Holiday Crafts (Potter Craft, $24.99) went on sale today, but I was lucky enough to get to pour over a review copy ahead of time. Martha’s newest craft book focuses only on holidays, and it made me swoon. I found plenty to do in the next three months (Glitter pumpkins? Rickrack? Yes, please!) but also got ideas for Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day and even the Fourth of July. The Easter egg section puts my Paas dyes to shame (herbs+pantyhose=wow), and I foresee myself making lots of little pom-pom creatures just because they are irresistible.

Pom-pom turkeys. I mean, really.

Included in the 225 projects are some crafts especially for kids as well as ideas that require a more delicate touch. And while the Internet is a wonderful place for ideas and discussions, I appreciate having the crafts in a hard-copy format that I can prop on the table and refer to as I am creating. I don’t like Mod Podge on my iPad, after all.

If you want to get a jump on one of the crafts featured, here are the gorgeous glittered pumpkins.

You’ll find the directions here. I would splurge for Martha’s own glitter, like this set, because I love the colors and shimmer.