Book Review Wednesday 10.19.11 "Sewing Green"

Book of the week: Sewing Green by Betz White

Betz White is awesome. I love, love her website and blog. They are filled with inspired and inspiring ideas and projects. In our disposable culture, it is truly refreshing to see someone whose work advocates the opposite. She really does live by the manta "reduce, reuse, recycle." Her latest book, Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed and Organic Materials, is full of projects that give new life to old items. The variety of projects in the book include: an apron, coasters, lounge pants, pillows, and a wrap skirt. Two projects that I am pondering are the "woodland draft buster" and the "breezy sundress." Living in an old condo building means that every door and window in the place is drafty. I start each winter thinking that a draft blocker would be helpful and never quite get to the store with that in mind. The breezy sundress is just adorable and would look so summer-y and perfect on my little bird. Attempting this project might require some sewing lessons with my mom or with Kristin at the Craft and Sew Studio. If nothing else, the book reminds me that repurposing can be fun and fabulous. Check out Betz White's work and see what you can repurpose this winter.

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Book Review Wednesday 10.12.11 "Felt Jewelry"

Going to take a break from highlighting knitting books for the next little bit. I could probably write about different knitting books everyday of my life, but variety is, as they say, the spice of life.

Book of the week: Felt Jewelry by Teresa Searle


This book includes 25 different projects using a variety of felting techniques. A few of the projects are a little too over the top for my jewelry taste (I am not a fan of large felted flower bouquet necklaces or felted flower headdresses.) I would love to tackle a few of the other projects, including a tye-dye necklace, bangles, and a bird brooch. I have never actually felted something so I am going to keep my fingers crossed and attempt a bird brooch. This book seems like it would please felting newbies and pros alike. The leaf shadow scarf, inspired by a photo of clematis vine, seems like it would be a great challenge for experienced felters, and is just gorgeous. If you are interested in felting and jewelry crafting, take a look.

Book Review Wednesday 10.5.11- "Knits Men Want"

Book of the week: "Knits Men Want: the 10 Rules Every Woman Should Know Before Knitting for a Man" by Bruce Weinstein.

So, I think I have mentioned that I have a husband who is generally extremely supportive of my crafting habit. He goes with me to the supply stores. He listens to me talk (at-length) about yarn, and patterns, and projects. I thought I would be nice and try and make him something this Christmas...until I showed him this book and actually asked him if he wanted me to knit him something. He didn't seem that enthusiastic...after reading this book I realized that he may never be enthusiastic about getting a knitted garment from me. It is just a fact of life that most men don't care much about what they wear. Let's get on to the business at hand.

Book Review: My favorite quote from this book speaks to a truth I have discovered along the married way-- "Men like three things: simple designs, muted color, and soft fabrics. And to hell with what the magazines, fashion columns, and yes, even their women, tell them they should wear." The author lays out his ten rules to accompany various projects that should please all men. My favorites were "Rule #2: Men Resist Change" and "Rule #10: When in doubt, make him something basic." Rule two accompanies a great pattern for a basic pullover and rule ten accompanies a watch cap pattern. I have given this a lot of thought and I think I am sticking with #10. Knitters can rarely go wrong with simple hat gifts. Who doesn't like a nice, soft hat? Now I just need to find a nice, soft, muted color yarn to fit this project and I think my husband and I will both be pleased with the finished product. If you are considered making a knitted gift for a man in your life, pick this book up. The advice is honest and the patterns are well laid out. This is a great addition to the vast array of knitting books out there because most do not specifially address the tricky subject of knitting for a man. Definitely worth a look.

Book Review Wednesday 9.28.11

Book of the week:
Paper + Craft: 25 charming gifts, accents, and accessories to make from paper
Authors: Minhee and Truman Cho

Authors are owners of business Paper + Cup, based out of New York. So many cool businesses and bakeries exist in New York City, it really is a shame that the frenetic pace of life there scares me. I could never, never live there. Maybe the reason "the city" is so choc' full of creative and baked goodness is because it never rests...it is always changing and growing. At any rate, let's get down to business and talk about the book.
I loved this book. It has accessible projects that would be great for paper crafters at all skill levels. I particularly loved the birdie mobile, the animal drink markers, and the silhouettes. I love that the authors encourage others to not just follow the directions word for word, but to use the projects as a jumping off point to explore the reader's creative side. The authors' introduction includes this great quote that I had to include in the post: "The allure of crafting is that it fills the mundane with substance, and regardless of the imperfections or irregularities that will happen along the way, it is still entirely "yours," no matter how simple the object."
After reading through the book and browsing the projects a few times, I plan to adapt the birdie mobile bird pattern and use them for future party decor or a few handmade cards. They include a project with paper mustaches that is so adorable. I don't know where or when, but I want to take some silly mustache photos. I love the sense of whimsy in this book. The projects are fun and light. Any craft book with a cover of a dog in a chair chilling out in a party hat is worth exploring. Buy it if you are looking for some fun paper projects to add to your never ending crafting project list.

Book Review Wednesday 9.21.11 "Crafting a Meaningful Home"

Book of the Week: Crafting a Meaningful Home: 27 DIY Projects to Tell Stories, Hold Memories, and Celebrate Family Heritage by Meg Mateo Ilasco

My review: Love, love this thought included in the author's introduction "the homes I find most interesting and comfortable- the ones that really resonate with me- are the ones that reveal stories about the people who live in them." This book is a collaborative effort highlighting projects from 27 very different artists who work in a wide range of mediums and make very personal items for their homes, ranging from plaster cast replicas of Phillipine folk art to hooked rugs made of fabric scraps to a fridge decoupaged with old maps of London. I did find one project that I absolutely loved:  the Sihouettes on Canvas made by Haile McCollum of Thomasville, Georgia. I have never made a silhouette before, but am thinking of trying this out. I love the way this artwork blends past and present. Silhouettes capture a moment/stage in a child's life and are incredibly visually striking. Let's add this to my project list. How long is my project list now? I don't want to know.

Book Review Wednesday 9.14.11

So for those of you that don't know me well, in addition to collecting craft projects, I also collect things to read. I love to read. Newspapers, websites, magazines, random publications at the grocery store, blogs, and books. Lots and lots of books. I come across a lot of really cool crafting/knitting/gardening books and have randomly posted about a few of them. This fall I am going to start posting a blog every Wednesday about a different book...this will help me keep track of the many projects I am wanting to start in each book and hopefully help you stumble across a new book or two that interests you. If you know any crafters/artists, some of these books would make great gifts.

Book of the day: Handmade Living: a fresh take on Scandinavian Style by Lotta Jansdotter



Review: Totally swedish and totally cool. She includes multiple photos of her work and personal living spaces to highlight her work and life philosophy. She has merged her Swedish heritage with American urban life and the result is a really cool book...I love that she mixes cool vintage furniture with cheaper IKEA pieces. She works with textiles and includes photos of such beautiful linens. (I think I need some new tablecloths and napkins...). I love that she discussed the Swedish tradition of fika, which is stopping for a coffee break. I need to stop and refresh with a friend and a coffee drink more often. I am definitely going to try her recipes for Apple Jam and Cinnamon Rolls. Her website is also worth a look.