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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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Sharing a closer look at the Handy Drawstring Pouc Sharing a closer look at the Handy Drawstring Pouch today — a sweet little project that’s as practical as it is pretty. I stitched this one in the blue and gold colourway of the Tilda Songbird collection and love how the soft watercolour florals shine in a small make. The pouch features cleverly shaped panels (with no boxed corners), stands tall when in use, and folds completely flat for storage. It’s also reversible, which makes it such a fun and versatile sew.   These little pouches are perfect for organising your sewing room, gifting to a friend, or popping into a project bag.The pattern includes three sizes, and you can find it in both my Pattern Store and Etsy shop. Comment HANDY and I’ll send the link straight to your inbox.A big thank you to @tilda_australia for gifting the beautiful fabric.#tildasongbird #drawstringbagpattern #aspoonfulofsugardesigns #tildafabrics #sewingproject
Why sewists love the Baker’s Buddy… Smooth curves, Why sewists love the Baker’s Buddy… Smooth curves, no fiddly binding, and a beginner‑friendly construction that comes together fast. It’s practical, gift‑friendly, and one of my most popular patterns because it actually gets used in the kitchen.If you’re looking for a quick win that looks impressive and is useful, this is the one. Comment BAKER and I’ll send you the link to the pattern (available in our Pattern Store and Etsy shop).#sewinggifts #beginnerfriendlysewing #smallquiltedgift #quicksewing #sewingcommunity
I’ve had so much fun sewing with the beautiful new I’ve had so much fun sewing with the beautiful new Tilda Songbird collection — soft pastels, tiny motifs, and so many sweet details. Here’s a look at the beginner‑friendly projects I’ve made so far, perfect for gifting or using up your favourite scraps.You’ll find the paid patterns in my shop, and both free patterns (Love Tag + Threaded Tokens) are linked in my profile. What project is your favourite?Thanks for following along with my Songbird projects this month. I can’t wait to share more. Thanks to @Tilda_Australia for the fabric.#tildasongbird #iloveTilda #smallsewingprojects #makersgonnamake #sewingpatterns
A tiny basket that’s endlessly useful and so much A tiny basket that’s endlessly useful and so much fun to sew. This Bitsy Basket is made in the beautiful Tilda Songbird collection and filled with a few sewing favourites — the perfect way to turn small scraps into something sweet and giftable.It comes together quickly, uses very little fabric, and looks adorable with a Threaded Token atrached (the Threaded Token pattern is free — you’ll find the link in my profile).Comment BASKET and I’ll send you the link to the Bitsy Basket pattern in my shop.Shown in the gorgeous Tilda Songbird range. Thanks to @tilda_australia . Styled with a few sewing goodies from @sohmo_au  
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A little Valentine’s stitching, penguin‑style. The A little Valentine’s stitching, penguin‑style. These sweet penguins always make people smile — which one would you sew first?Comment PENGUIN for the pattern link (available in our pattern store and Etsy shop).Pattern: Penguin Love Mugrug#penguinlove #valentinesewing #sewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing #makersgonnamake
A tiny sewing moment for today — threading the cor A tiny sewing moment for today — threading the cord through the Pocketful of Sunshine Bag using a bodkin. It’s such a simple step, but it gives the sweetest finish to this little drawstring bag. I’ve been loving making these in the Tilda Songbird range lately… the colours, the tiny motifs, the soft palette — everything works beautifully together.If you’d like to sew your own, comment SUNSHINE and I’ll send the pattern link straight to you. You’ll also find it in our pattern store and Etsy shop — links are in our profile.Shown in the gorgeous Tilda Songbird collection with thanks to @tilda_australia#ilovetilda #tildasongbird #beginnersewist #sewingtips #drawstringbag
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