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{Book Reviews} 4 New Crafty Titles

December 10, 2012 By Spoonful of Sugar - 3 Comments

There are so many lovely creative titles that have been released recently. Here are some of our favourites!

Knitting Hats & Mittens from Around the World: 34 Heirloom Patterns in a Variety of Styles and Techniques by Kari Cornell (editor) is a lovely collection of hat, mitten, and glove patterns from around the globe. The book is divided into regions – Hats & Mittens of Scandinavia; Hats & Mittens of Europe; Hats & Mittens of the East; and Hats & Mittens of the West.The patterns are really stunning – using traditional designs from each region, and incorporating a range of knitting techniques and colours. All the projects are beautifully photographed and styled. The hard part is deciding on which pattern to work on first! This book would make a lovely gift for a knitter.

For more details and a peak at the lovely images, check out the google preview on Fishpond.

Book Details:
Publisher:     Voyageur Press
ISBN:          9780760340653
Format:       Hardcover, 142 pages
RRP:           $34.99

Available from Fishpond, Booktopia, and Can Do Books.

The Stitch Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to 225 Embroidery Stitches and Techniques by Kate Haxell is a lovely resource of 225 embroidery stitches and techniques. It includes comprehensive step-by-step illustrations of each stitch, plus additional project and embroidery stitches are available online.

The book has a helpful “Getting Started” section which guides you through everything you need to know about embroidery equipment, supplies, tracing designs, framing fabric and more. The stitches are divided into the following sections: Freestyle, Hardanger, Blackwork, Crewelwork, Goldwork, Pulled Thread, Canvaswork and Drawn Thread. Each chapter also includes a couple of projects that have been designed to help you practice the different stitches and techniques.

Whether you are new to embroidery, or simply want to increase your stitch repertoire or master new techniques, this is a terrific resource for your Craft Library. The projects are lovely and are a great way to develop new skills.

Book Details:
Publisher:       David and Charles
Format:         Paperback, 176 pages
ISBN:            9781446301661
RRP:             $34.99
Availbale from  Fishpond and Booktopia.

Felted Feathered Friends: Techniques and Projects for Needle-Felted Birds by Laurie Sharp contains techniques and projects for needle-felted birds. If you have ever wanted to learn needle felting techniques, this is a great resource. You will learn how to sculpt wool roving to make a whole flock of different birds. You need wool, a needle and foam pad to create 20 unique birds. The book has a helpful section demonstrating basic techniques. Birds include: dove, bluebird, flamingo, mallard duck, hummingbird and more. Each project includes a comprehensive step by step instructions and progress photographs (12-15 images guiding you through the process).

You can find a Google Preview of the book with more details over at Fishpond.

Book Details:
Publisher:     Creative Publishing International
Format:        Hardcover, 127 pages
ISBN:           9781589236943
RRP:            $24.99

Available from Fishpond, Booktopia, and Can Do Books.

Make It and Mend It by Clare Flynn, Hillary Bruffell, Clare O’Brien, and Anne Caborn inspires you to make more and use less in this creative guide to sustainable living. It contains over 30 ideas to make, bake, sew and grow. The book is divided into chapters that cover the seasons and major holidays. The book includes sections on Equipment and Supplies; Basic techniques; Supplies; and full sized Templates.

The book includes lots of clever, crafty. and thrifty ideas to make do and mend. Projects use techniques such as knitting, sewing, decoupage, gardening, DIY, and baking. All projects are well photographed and come with step by step instructions. This book is recommended for anyone who loves to dabble in a range of crafts and enjoys eco-friendly projects. Most of the projects would be suitable for beginner crafters and older children.

Book Details:
Publisher:         David & Charles
ISBN:              9781446302927
Format:           Hardcover, 160 pages
RRP:               $39.99

Make it and Mend It is available from Fishpond, and Booktopia.

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

Filed Under: Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: book review

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Comments

  1. haggiz says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:50 am

    The make it and mend it book is on my christmas list! I have just posted a photo of the flourless chocolate cake I made from your recipe (not as pretty as yours but it tasted delicious!) thank you x

    Reply
  2. Ruby Jean says

    December 11, 2012 at 9:16 am

    These all look like great books.. But I am really wishing I knew how to Knit. Those Mittens and Hat look adorable and so very Wintery 🙂
    Angelina

    Reply
  3. Kate says

    December 11, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Love the look of the hat and mitten one! Maybe it is because of the crazy weather we are having today!

    Reply

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The Luma Bucket is perfect for filling with Christmas baubles, treats, sewing goodies, or small gifts. Add a gift tag, some tissue paper, and you've got a beautiful handmade presentation that's just as special as what's inside.

Made here in cheerful Merry Happy fabrics, but it looks gorgeous in classic Christmas prints too. ❤️

Who would you fill one for this Christmas?

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This Christmas, sew thoughtful gifts that are small enough to tuck into a stocking but special enough to be treasured.

From travel sewing kits and glasses pouches to lavender sachets, coasters and dog treats, this guide features 15 handmade stocking stuffers to sew and gift.

✨ Comment STUFFERS and I'll send you the link to my  stocking stuffer guide.

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🎄 Today's the final day to get the exclusive Sugar 🎄 Today's the final day to get the exclusive Sugar Tote pattern as part of the Makers Christmas Cheer Ornament Bundle.

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Comment CHEER below and I'll send you the link. 

Thanks to everyone who has already purchased through my link. I really appreciate your
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✨ The Sugar Tote may be festive, but it's definite ✨ The Sugar Tote may be festive, but it's definitely not just for Christmas!

Fill it with jewellery, nail polish, earbuds, sewing notions, perfume, dried lavender, sweet treats, or clip it onto a larger tote as a cute bag charm. The possibilities are endless.

These samples are made in beautiful Tilda Something Blue fabric  showing how the same pattern can look completely different depending on your fabric choices.

🎄 The Sugar Tote pattern is included in the Christmas Cheer Ornament Bundle, but time is running out.

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There's something extra special about counting dow There's something extra special about counting down to Christmas with little handmade surprises. 🎄✨

In today's reel, I'm transforming the Sugar Totes into a festive advent calendar using simple self-cover buttons and heat transfer vinyl numbers.

Here's how I made them:

 🎁 Cover 22mm metal self-cover buttons with natural linen
 🎁 Cut numbers from black heat transfer vinyl (Arial Rounded MT Bold, 42pt)
 🎁 Make the buttons first, then carefully apply the numbers using an iron on medium heat
 🎁 Attach the numbered buttons to the totes

The Sugar Totes are the perfect size for little treats, chocolates, notes, sewing goodies or other small surprises to open each day in the lead-up to Christmas.

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Sugar tote. So many possibilities! The Sugar Tote Sugar tote. So many possibilities!

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In this reel I've filled them with some festive favourites, but I can think of dozens more ways to use them! 

✨ The Sugar Tote pattern is exclusive to the Christmas Cheer Bundle and is not available separately.

The bundle includes:

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