Thimbleanna

Gift Books

Yak! Where is the week going? We’ve been swamped at work this week, and it’s flying by! Tomorrow will be the third day of being stuck in and all day meeting. I can’t say it’s particularly fun, either — I’m sure everyone thinks I’m sleeping ’cause I close my eyes to try to soothe the head.ache. Ouch!

Not much new to report here. I spent ALL weekend working on the wedding quilt. I made great progress until I put the borders on and then decided that I don’t like the inner border.  TheManoftheHouse is watching tv and unpicking it as we speak. I decided re-doing it would be a lot easier than complaining about how I hate that border until the day I die.  It’s a little set-back, but well worth it.

So, in lieu of anything exciting sewing-wise, I’ll show you the books I bought with my annual Amazon Christmas gift certificate that my in-laws gave me this year.

Amazon Books

Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs, Itty-Bitty Toys, Giada’s Family Dinners, Chic Knits for Stylish Babies, Felt Wee Folk and A Passion for Ice Cream. It’s a great pile of books this time, and I’ve had fun reading through them in the last few weeks.

I’m particularly excited about two of them. Chic Knits for Stylish Babies, for one. Look at these cute little pants with zippers in them!

Amazon Books

And this little dress! They’ll make really fun baby gifts.

Amazon Books

And A Passion for Ice Cream. Oh My. My, Oh My, Oh My! I gained 5 pounds just looking at this book. How on earth could I resist this book, with recipes like Brown Sugar Ice Cream Chocolate Roulade,

Amazon Books

Chocolate Banana Baked Alaskas,

Amazon Books

or Warm Blueberry Filo Stacks?

Amazon Books

Some of the criticism of this book says that the recipes are too detailed. No pain, no gain! They all look fantastic to me!

So, a few book recommendations in case you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you’re looking for a little crafty inspiration.  I’m off to make some Poppyseed Bread to take to work tomorrow in hopes of taming the headaches.  I hope you’re having a good week!

XOXO,
Anna

55 thoughts on “Gift Books”

  1. You’ll have to let me know how the ice cream book is. I don’t stray from my Ben and Jerry’s recipe book but I might have to get this one!

  2. Reading between the lines, it seems to me that SOMEONE is anxious to move on to the “granny” stage of life!
    Chocolate Roulades—-ooh la la!

  3. Okay, you really have to stop showing us (me, in particular) food. Sigh. So delicious!
    *
    Lucky you with the Amazon gift certificate. I got a Chapters card for my birthday and I was sooooo excited. I don’t know why nobody ever thinks to buy me one for Christmas (my mother, for example). So easy, so appreciated. I spent my birthday $$ right away!
    *
    Have fun with all your new patterns and recipes.

  4. what a great christmas gift. i’ve got an amazon wish list a mile long. it would be so sweet to be able to check a few boooks off of that list!

  5. Ooh I love those books Anna. You know I was going to buy the baby knitting book but didnt really know if I would like many of the patterns. I will take it on your recommendation that there are lots of sweet things in it to knit. How wonderful that your hubby is a qualified quilt unpicker too!

  6. All day meetings – people’s heads explode in all day meetings – it’s a fact! I’ve seen it happen!

    I was in Glasgow yesterday but it was a meeting from 11am to 3pm with a train journey of 1.5 hours on either side = oh and a drink with a friend.
    Have a great weekend! I am off to London tomorrow for 3 nights! More train journeys and therefore knitting time!

  7. I’m sorry, did you say chocolate banana baked alaska?! My children have a real passion for baked alaska, even the little one who normally won’t eat dessert (I know, I think she must have been swapped at the hospital). This would probably blow their tiny minds!

  8. I’ll steer clear of the icecream book I think. The others look like fun. Gosh the knitted dress reminded me of all the ones I did for DD nearly 30 years ago. Darn moths got to them or I’d still have them.

  9. Your books look like inspiring fun Anna, I hope your work week gets better,it will be Friday before you know it. Your husband unpicks your seams *good husband* !!

  10. I just bought the chic baby knits. I love, love love it. I looked at the itty-bitty toys at the same time. It’s next on my list. I think I wanna indulge in the ice cream too after your perfectly scrumptious sneak peak. Just too much fun!!!
    Dontcha just love Amazon?! :0)

  11. Great book choices! Every time I receive a gift certificate, it takes me forever to choose. I’ve been sitting on a $100 gift certificate from the Woolie Ewe for a year now (yarn) – why oh why can’t I decide?!!

    S.W.A.K.

    P.S. – I absolutely love poppy seed bread!

  12. That little knit dress is darling. Makes me want to learn knitting in hopes of having grandchildren in the not too distant future! The blueberry filo stacks – yummy looking!

  13. Those are some fun books! The baby knits are adorable and the ice cream……mmmm. Fun ahead for you! Maybe if you knit fast enough you’ll burn off the calories of those yummy treats!

  14. Hmm, my husband is know far and wide for his passion for ice cream. I oughta get that book for him for his birthday. We could mix things up a bit around her. Thanks for the tip.

  15. Wow. I’m off to buy that ice cream book!
    What a wonderful gift from your inlaws.
    I think I get an advent calendar. Perhaps YOUR inlaws can tell MY inlaws what time it is….

  16. Giada’s Family Dinners.
    I have that book, you are really going to enjoy it. Several recipes have become family favorites around here! Enjoy all your lovely new books

  17. I like how you put the husband to work, unpicking. And I’m going to have to look into the ice cream cookbook. I love cookbooks. Wish I used them more. LOL. Same old, same old gets cooked at my house.

  18. I see a theme here–ice cream and babies. Do you leave these around in full sight of sweetie pie and first child? If it works let me know! :-)

  19. What a lovely pile of books – I have the crochet one and it’s fab. Not sure I dare get the ice cream one.

    You’re a bad influence, Anna! I’ve just been and bought the ingredients for your chocolate brownies. My excuse is that the in-laws are here this weekend, so I won’t be eating them ALL myself :o)

    xxx

  20. Stop it! I gain weight every time I view your blog! Don’t you know I have an insatiable sweet tooth, and need no encouragement whatsoever?
    Just knit something from the baby book next time and don’t even mention sweets! ‘Kay? Pretty please with sugar on top? ( No, NO, Not sugar on top, ignore that part….)
    WendyBee

  21. Oh brother, I just gained five pounds looking at your blog….and I just came from a run! I really feel like doing some knitting this weekend. I am going to go buy some yarn.

  22. Sorry to hear about the headaches. I hope they all disappear soon.

    Goodness, if you didn’t have to work so much just think of all the projects you would make. You get so much done in spite of all the hours you put in.

    And, I have also learned that I should “redo” rather than “live with.” Good call.

  23. Yummy Anna, Those ice cream treats are making me really hungry! I think I’ll have to have some ice cream tonight :) Anything looks good to a prego woman in the 3rd trimester. lol

  24. Aw. Sorry that work is such a bummer and is giving you a headache. But, I see you have followed the perscribed method for relief-read two craft books and make something yummy!lol
    Hope that your today is better and that you don’t have to resort to painting eyeballs on your eyelids. ;)

  25. What YUMMY books!! I have several gift cards for Barnes and Noble. Just got a stack yesterday… have to put them on my blog a la Thimbleanna.
    Hugs to you,
    Joni

  26. I’m so sorry about your long meetings and headaches. I know exactly what that’s like.

    Those books look great! I’m going to check out the chic baby book next time I go to the bookstore. And those desserts … wow. It’s 7:30 in the morning, but now I want me some ice cream.

  27. Ugh, all day meetings – that could give anyone a headache!! The least they could do is let you knit!
    All those books look great – Susan Anderson’s books are always adorable.
    The farmer got me a new cookbook the other day….”Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys.” The title cracks me up!

  28. That looks like a great stack of books! I have been meaning to post about my Christmas book gifts, too. The ice cream book looks delicious!

  29. Good book selection! We’ve got the Felt Wee Folk and the Itty-Bitty Toys. Both are very, very inspirational. Have fun!

  30. Your week at work sounds much like mine – hope you have a better one next week! Gee, I am very impressed that you have TheManofTheHouse unpicking for you – he sounds like a one in the million!

  31. You have great taste in books and in husbands. Yummy, sewing and cooking! A man that will rip out your stitches priceless.

  32. great choice of books; exactly my cup of tea ;). I’m sure you already had many happy hours with them! Cheers Vreni

  33. Excellent choices! I got Itty Bitty Toys for Christmas, I think I’ll be starting with the giraffe. I’d also like Itty Bitty Nursery!

    xoxoxo

  34. I took a class from Anne yesterday. Your friend, Bridget, sent us the most awesome dessert! You’ll have to ask her what she did. She is amazing!!!

  35. Hi there,
    Just wondering if there is a donkey pattern in the itty bitty toys? I need, need, need one to make a special gift for my nephew’s new baby.

    Love your blog!

    Thanks

  36. There you go again…I think I need that ice cream book!! Your husband picks your seams out?? How great is that!!

  37. What a great book pile and I’m squealing with delight over those baby knits. O my goodness! And then there’s the ice cream. I’m a big sucker for ice cream. I’d like to eat the pages, but since it’s your book, I’ll restrain myself.

    Jody

  38. ohhhh, that looks like a great book haul Anna! I have the itty bitty nursery book and absolutely love it! (now if I could just get over my knitting constipation…..)
    I ordered the beyond the square crochet book last week! I can hardly wait to to get it, maybe it will be here today!

  39. Isn’t wee wonderful, such a fun book. I made a knit, queen, king, princess and dragon. I need to share that one day.
    Thank you for the reminder ;-) xoxoox Clarice

  40. Michele in Huntsville

    Hey! Where have you been? Time for another post?! I am finally getting around to making those Goofy bags for my Board members. What is “Heavy fleece?” Is that, um, like sweatshirt fabric at the local Hancock’s store? Or what?
    Hope you’re having a great weekend! ME

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