Crafting at Martha's

Thursday night, Maude and I were invited to Martha's offices in Chelsea to do some crafting. I was told I could bring all my kids, but crafting is especially Maude's thing and we haven't had a Maude/Mom date in awhile. So it was just the two of us. And it was so much fun.

I couldn't have planned a better night with Maude. She was the only child there and received tons of attention. The Daily News interviewed her and took a dozen or so photos of her with glue and glitter in hand. At one point, she said, "Everyone is talking to me, because I'm the only one here who is 8." So true.


We both had a wonderful time. We saw a preview of the Martha Stewart Craft Holiday line that will arrive at Michaels stores on Nov 4th, and we glittered ornaments (like these oversize, 6-inch acorns), and stamped stationery, and learned to tie Martha's favorite bow.

A note on the bow: I have heard references to Martha's favorite bow before, but I was never clear on the advantages of this particular bow until Thursday night. If you use this technique with patterned ribbon, the pattern remains facing out the whole time — instead of one loop being inside out. Now I get it.


The craft line is lovely. We caught our breath when we saw the advent calendar house — a kit that helps you construct a pretty paper house, fill its little rooms and compartments with treats, and then glue on the paper roof with the numbered advent windows. Maude was definitely the most excited about that particular craft.


I was especially in love with some oversized snowflakes that had been glittered and hung over a work table. They caught the light in such a lovely way. They would be wonderful hanging in a window or over the dinner table.


Most of all, I loved all the little packaging options for treats or cookies or small gifts. Scallop edged boxes. Poinsettia topped packages. Little bags with cellophane windows. Perfect for neighbor gifts or a teacher's gift. Packaging gets my imagination going like nothing else — what would I put in the little bag? the little box?

We came home covered in glitter — very glamorous — with our hands full of crafts and crafting guides. A wonderful night. And we were so grateful to be invited.