Bossa Nova Baby has been whipping up some great new pieces of wall art from found woodgrain-patterned metal and tin. I think my fave has to be the nutty squirrel! Tin Art by Bossa Nova Baby

In celebration of our upcoming shoe issue for CRAFT:07, we are happy to announce a fun contest! Michael Miller Fabrics is proud to sponsor the Baby Bootie Contest! Go to Repro Depot Fabrics to purchase fabrics or use your own. No purchase is necessary to win this contest but a 15% discount will be given for any Michael Miller Fabrics that are purchased from Repro Depot Fabrics . To receive the discount, just enter in code CRAFT.

We are looking for the cutest and most unique baby bootie design. Enter for a chance win the Singer Curvy Sewing Machine (Model # 8763), a $100 Gift Certificate to Repro Depot Fabrics, and a feature on Craftzine.com.

Three Runners Up will also receive a Michael Miller Fabrics Fat Quarter Bundle (Retail Value - $80.00) and a $20 Gift Certificate to Repro Depot Fabrics. Winners will be chosen by the staff at Michael Miller Fabrics and announced on June 30th.

The contest starts today and goes until June 18th. Visit the contest rules page to find out more info and post your entry to Michael Miller Bootie Contest Flickr Group.

To get you started, here are some fun links to baby bootie inspiration:

CRAFT Pattern Podcast - Bitty Booties by Heather Bailey

A Closer Look: Etsy Winter - Baby Booties

Mary Jane style baby booties by fibrespace.

Every Lota Polka Dots Crossover Baby Booties by Sky Girl Style

There are a lot more great baby bootie inspiration on Flickr! See all photos tagged baby booties.

Throwing a baby shower? Isabel Kallman made this tutorial for an elegant table centerpiece that's utilitarian for mom-to-be and her guests. Use size 1 diapers to make a "cake" that hides a bottle of champagne!

From the CRAFT Flickr pool comes this pic of a baby quilt made by Melissss. The patterns and colors are playful and cute on their own, but the embroidered and personalized panel really makes this quilt extra special. Link.

Missy from Crafty Carnival shares her step-by-step instructions on how to make one of these sweet patchwork pillows, complete with a pocket full of bunnies! Link.

Gloria writes in about this free pattern for baby booties, made from small scraps of yarn you have around. SockPixie writes:

My biggest problem as a sock knitter, is what to do with my left over yarn, in particular with these no bigger than a walnut darling balls of yarn. These slippers are magic to work. NO SEAMS at all, no origami construction, all garter stitch, mostly knit in the round, and about one pair per hour! My promise to myself is that I will knit a pair of slippers for every pair of socks I knit, and that I will donate the slippers to my local community health center.

Baby booties from small scraps of yarn - Link.

Flickr user Stitchindye turned a colorful IKEA duvet cover into a baby quilt, adding stitching around each number, which makes the whole thing appear to be appliquéd. She used the same fabric and technique to make a bag as well (which you can buy via Etsy here). Simple but effective! Link.

Martha Stewart Kids is now on newsstands, with some cute ideas for summer parties (my birthday was always lost during the Christmas holidays, so I pined for a fun summer party): "From themed birthday parties, to scrumptious cookie cakes and irresistible goody bags, the Summer 2007 special issue of Good Things for Kids is chock full of inspiring ideas and activities that you can do together with your kids." I'm particularly fond of the baby shower goody bags made from padded mailers and the cookie layer cake (yum!), but there are some super cute gingerbread people ice cream sandwiches, too.