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{Book Reviews} Making Mini Books; Quick Weekend Quilts; Creative Stuff.

November 23, 2012 By Spoonful of Sugar - 1 Comment

Do you have books on your gift list this year? We always love to give (and receive) books – especially craft and baking books.  We have three titles today that would be suited for crafty types who like quick projects and creative activities.

Making Mini Books: Big Ideas for 30+ Little Projects by Kathleen McCafferty showcases 30+ projects for making mini books. If you are a lover of stationery and little books like us, you will enjoy learning how to make books in a variety of styles including Japanese stab binding, pamphlet stitch, and other traditional book binding methods. It also includes quick and easy no sew mini books that are suited to beginners.

Interesting and varied materials for the mini books include old hard cover books; playing cards; bingo cards; leather; wallpaper; and more to make lots of one-of-kind books. A basic toolkit is discussed, and then each project includes looks of step by step instructions, full sized templates, and photos to guide you through the process. We recommend this book for teens and adults who enjoy paper crafting. Some of the designs are super cute – especially the Seed Journal (made from vintage seed packets); Necklace Journal (to hold your secret hopes and dreams); and Record It (giving an old 45 LP Record new life as a journal cover).

Making Mini Books features dozens of inspiration and tips for making little books to use and to create for friends.

Book Details:
Publisher:    Lark Books
Format:       Paperback, 144 pages
ISBN:         9781454702009
RRP:           $24.99

Making Mini Books is available from Fishpond, Can Do Books, and Booktopia.

Quick Weekend Quilts by Debbie Mumm includes 45 fast quilting projects that can be made in a weekend. Projects are many and varied and include: quilts, wall hanging’s  table runners, art quilts, kitchen accessories, and more. I taught myself to quilt using a couple of Debbie Mumm books and her country fabrics over 10 years ago. Her quick cutting and piecing methods got me hooked on patchwork. It is great to see that she has a new book out with a more contemporary range of projects.

The designs in the book are modern and varied.Quick Weekend Quilts includes full sized templates, detailed cutting instructions to save time, and lots of coloured diagrams to illustrate each step.  We recommend this book for beginner to intermediate quilters who like quick, modern projects. You can see a Google Preview of the book with more images at Fishpond.

Book Details:
Publisher:     Leisure Arts
Format:        Paperback, 128 pages
ISBN:          9781609004118
RRP:            $34.99
Quick Weekend Quilts is available from Fishpond, Booktopia, and Can Do Books.

Creative Stuff: An Activity Book for Visual Thinkers by Dave Gouveia and Chris Elkerton is a workbook for Visual Thinkers, that includes interactive games, challenges, and exercises aimed at jump-starting your creativity, to get your creative mojo moving.This is the sort of book that you can pick up and do a few pages whenever you need some inspiration.  It includes lots of interesting facts and engaging activities. We think it would make a great gift for teens or adults interested in art, media, and graphic design. It really helps you think outside the box. You can see a Google Preview of the book at Fishpond.

Book Details:
Publisher:    How Books
Format:       Spiral Bound, 184 pages
ISBN:         9781440304200
RRP:           $29.99

Creative Stuff is available from Fishpond, Can Do Books,  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. 


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Filed Under: Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: book review

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Comments

  1. Anne Downing says

    November 24, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Looks like those books will keep you busy for days!

    Reply

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The Handy Drawstring Bag is one of my favourite qu The Handy Drawstring Bag is one of my favourite quick makes — simple, satisfying, and endlessly useful. It’s beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and stitches up in no time, which makes it perfect for last‑minute gifts or organising all the little things in your sewing space.This sweet version is sewn in Plum Garden and Tea Towel Basics from Tilda, and the small‑scale prints shine beautifully in a project like this. I love the flat base, the smooth drawstring closure, and how easily it folds flat when not in use. With three sizes included, you can sew a whole coordinating set from just a handful of scraps.If you enjoy quick, giftable projects, this one is such a joy to make.Comment HANDY and I’ll send you the pattern link.Pattern: Handy Drawstring Bag (3 Sizes) — available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.Fabric: Tilda Plum Garden and Tea Towel Basics. Thanks to @tilda_australia#handydrawstringbag #sewingcommunity #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingpatterns #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
I designed the Makers Caddy because I wanted a pro I designed the Makers Caddy because I wanted a project that was as practical as it was pretty. Beginner friendly construction, quick to construct, and giftable.This version shows all my favourite details: structured shape, pockets, a wide base, and those little finishing touches like the leather patch and tag. It’s simple to sew, satisfying to use, and one of the most versatile organisers in my sewing room.Comment CADDY and I’ll send you the pattern link.Pattern: Makers Caddy — available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#makerscaddy #sewingcommunity #sewingpatterns #sewingroom #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
A little drawstring bag that always comes to the r A little drawstring bag that always comes to the rescue. This one stitches up quickly, uses small cuts of fabric, and is perfect for treats, tiny gifts, or organising your sewing space. It’s one of those patterns you’ll make again and again — simple, satisfying, and endlessly useful.Comment HANDY and I’ll send you the pattern link.Pattern: Handy Drawstring Bag (3 Sizes) — available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#handydrawstringbag #sewingcommunity #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingpatterns #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
A tiny sewing kit that goes everywhere with me. I A tiny sewing kit that goes everywhere with me. I love how something so small can keep all my essentials organised — room for buttons, pins, needles, and tiny scissors. It’s a quick, scrap‑friendly project and such a handy little make for travel, retreats, everyday sewing, or gifting.Comment TRAVEL and I’ll send you the pattern link.Pattern details: Travel Sewing Kit PDF Pattern - available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#travelsewingkit #sewingorganization #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingprojects #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
A quick desk reset with my Makers Caddy — it’s ama A quick desk reset with my Makers Caddy — it’s amazing how much calmer everything feels when your favourite tools have a home. This little project is scrap‑friendly, beginner‑friendly, and one of my most‑used makes in the sewing room.Comment CADDY and I’ll send you the pattern link.Pattern Details: Makers Caddy PDF Sewing Pattern - available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#makerscaddy #sewingorganization #sewingroominspo #scrapfriendlysewing #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
🐱✨ Sleepy Cat Coaster ✨🐱 A simple, relaxing EPP pr 🐱✨ Sleepy Cat Coaster ✨🐱 A simple, relaxing EPP project that’s beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and comes together quickly. It’s a useful little make on its own and also works well as a gift‑ready set if you sew a few at once.Perfect for easing into hand sewing or using up leftover fabric in a practical way.📣 Comment SLEEPY below and I’ll send you the pattern link 🧵Pattern: Sleepy Cat Coaster Sewing Pattern - available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#englishpaperpiecing #scrapbustingsewing #handsewingproject #sewingpatternshop #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
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