Rosie O’Donnell’s Crafty U: 100 Easy Projects the Whole Family Can Enjoy All Year Long

So when I was asked to do this review, I was very nervous and I almost said no, concerned that I wouldn’t do a good job or I wouldn’t even like the book. 

Well I can’t be sure that this review isn't horrible, but I’m happy to say that any anxiety I had about not liking the book was unnecessary,  because I really liked it.

I have to be honest though.  When I saw Rosie’s mug on the cover, I was concerned.  I used to be a fan, but over the past few years, she’s kind of made me a little twitchy with her  feuds with various ridiculous celebrities   And well I was afraid that her face would be all over this book.  But it’s not.  Do not worry.

What is in this book are tons (well 100 it says so on the cover) of really great projects for kids of all ages. 

The book is divided into six project sections:  One devoted entirely to decoupage projects; another with rainy day playdate projects, and four seasonal.  In the Spring are cupcake flowers and a bunny piñata, presents for mom and dad.  Summer projects include sand art  and a royal icing sand castle.  In the Fall we have Halloween costumes and paper bag turkeys for Thanksgiving.  And in the Winter  are Holiday decorations and Valentines.   The last section, the rainy playdate section, also includes recipes for “silliest putty ever” and something called “kitchen clay” and invisible ink and fake blood.   A lot of these projects are variations on old classics that many adults will remember from their childhood.  But that’s the best part of this book.  They’re all here in one book.

Yes, I do have some favorites.  I like the section on tie-dye t-shirts and painted sneakers.  And deep down I’m a girlie girl so I like the decoupage bangles and the friendship bracelets.  And the cute Oink! Meow!  Glove Puppets.    I love the string bowl and all of the projects made with paper maché.  (See?  I told you there were some old classics.) 

And there’s a recipe for bubble stuff.  But my most favorite?  The one project that made me seriously consider keeping a copy of this book for myself?  The crystal garden called the Mad Scientist Experiment.  Heh heh.   How great is that thing!?

 

The instructions appear clear and concise and don't overwhelm with dozens of unnecessary steps.   I do recommend that an adult be present for most of these projects though.  A lot of them require mixing and measuring, a glue gun, cutting tool, etc.  If you and your kids are even the tiny bit crafty, you’ll have no trouble with any of these projects.  Some of these projects I admit are less for the kids than for the grown-ups.   For example, only older kids or adults would probably want to make the Miss Lazy Daisy costume by themselves.  But there are plenty for the younger set too.

Now I'll admit that I didn't try any of these projects so I can't vouch for how accurate the recipes are or how relevant the instructions are once you're in the thick of things.  But having read the book, cover to cover, I'm impressed.  I plan on trying many of these projects with my 12 year old nieces, even if they don't want to. (So sad, I'm the only crafty one in the family.)

I've got four copies to give away.  One copy is being donated as a prize for Claudia's MS ride fund raiser.  But if  you want to increase your odds of winning a copy, just leave me a comment and I'll select three winners using a random number generator.

What are you waiting for?  Leave a comment, will you?

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day 19 -- begging for comments