Gettin' Made: Craft Books for Holiday Entertaining

I got a chance to check out a few new craft books recently that are perfect for upcoming holiday entertaining fun! Join me as I review Jurassic Towel Origami by Alison Jenkins from Andrews McMeel Publishing, along with Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Style by Lotta Jansdotter and Paper Blossoms: A Book of Beautiful Bouquets for The Table by Ray Marshall from Chronicle Books.

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After the jump, check out a dinosaur made out of towels!

I had a blast checking out all of the fun origami possibilities in Jurassic Towel Origami by Alison Jenkins. If you've ever been on a cruise before, you've no doubt seen towel origami--those crazy animals made from towels that housekeeping sometimes leaves behind. This book has a slew of dinosaur-themed directions in three different skill levels for beginners through advanced towel folders. (I'm curious--are there any advanced towel-folders out there?)

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Towel origami would be a really fun activity to do with your kids to help prepare for houseguests coming to town--I took a stab at this Brachiosaurus and it wasn't too difficult!

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You do need a few extra supplies beyond towels to make some of these animals--I didn't have any googley eyes on hand, but you get the idea. Other supplies you'll need to make these creations include safety pins, double-sided tape and clothespins. Nothing too spendy!

On the next page, Lotta Jansdotter's got entertaining pointers for the Ikea-loving set.