{Book Reviews} Playing with Paper, & The Ultimate Handbook for Paper Crafters

If you love working with paper as much as we do, you will love these new titles.

Playing with Paper {Illuminating, Engineering, and Reimagining Paper Art} by Helen Hiebert is a delightful collection of paper techniques and projects, that will have you folding, pleating, and cutting paper to create some wonderful projects. Some of the techniques include origami, model making, pop-ups, book arts and more.

Helen has also included a gallery of work from leading paper artists that expands on the ideas included in the book to give you more inspiration on how to develop the techniques. All the projects are beautifully photographed and use a wonderful range of paper materials. I have some lovely handmade paper that I bought in Japan that would be perfect for some of the projects. It really makes you look at paper differently as you see what a versatile medium it is to work with.

Some of the projects include window stars, shadow ornaments, kirigami butterfly, a hot air balloon, and a pop up castle. The book includes a helpful section at the beginning which shows how to cut, score, fold and weave, which are the basic techniques needed for the projects. Templates are included at the back of the book.

Playing with Paper is recommended for anyone who loves to create with paper. Many of the projects are suitable for older children.

Book Details:
Publisher: Quarry Books
ISBN: 9781592538140
Format: Paperback, 144 pages
RRP: $24.99

Playing with Paper is available from Booktopia and Can Do Books.

The Ultimate Handbook for Paper Crafts over a 1000 designs for making cards. It would be a great resource for anyone who loves to make their own cards and needs some inspiration. The cards are divided into different styles – Fun and Cute, Clean and Graphic, Classy and Elegant, and Shabby Chic and Vintage. You are sure to find a style to suit the recipient of your card. There are also cards that highlight different stamping techniques such as heat embossing, using markers, paper piecing, masking, mists and sprays, and spectrum inking. It would be a good handbook to guide you through these techniques.

The front of each card is shown. It lists the supplies used, and gives a basic description of how to replicate the design. Cards for all occasions are showcased – including birthdays, Christmas, Baby, Wedding, Congratulations and more. The book includes designs that have been previously published in Papercrafts Magazine.

The Ultimate Handbook fro Paper Crafters is recommended for anyone who loves to make their own cards and is looking for new ideas.

Book Details:

Publisher: Leisure Arts

ISBN: 9781464700521.

Format: Paperback, 192 pages

RRP: $29.99

The Ultimate Handbook for Paper Crafters is available from Can Do Books and Booktopia

Disclaimer: Please note we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers.