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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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✨ Fresh & fun storage for your sewing space This ✨ Fresh & fun storage for your sewing spaceThis bright Ruby Star Luma Bucket is such a cheerful organiser — quick to sew, beginner‑friendly, and perfect for keeping your favourite tools, threads, and weekend projects tidy. The greens,  teals, and blur make it feel clean, modern, and full of energy.If you love practical makes that use just a few favourite fabrics, the Luma Bucket is a sweet project to stitch. It works beautifully on its own or as part of a matching set, and the two sizes give you plenty of options for organising your sewing room.Comment LUMA and I’ll send the pattern link straight to you ✂️🧵 Fabric: @rubystarsociety#lumabucket #sewingpattern #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingroomorganisation #rubystarsociety
Meet the Luma Bucket ✨  A modern fabric organiser Meet the Luma Bucket ✨ A modern fabric organiser in two sizes — perfect for sewing rooms, desks, and handmade gifting. Featuring a crisp contrast base and a sparkling woven star panel, it’s a quick, joyful sew you’ll use every day. Pattern now available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop. Comment LUMA for the link.  #lumabucket #fppsewing #fabricbasket #modernsewing #quiltingprojects handmadegifts
Two bestselling pouches, one beautiful matching se Two bestselling pouches, one beautiful matching set The Handy Drawstring Pouch + Mini Treat Pouch remain two of my most‑loved patterns — quick to sew, beginner‑friendly, and perfect for using up favourite fabric scraps. They’re sweet individually, but together they make the loveliest coordinated duo for gifting, organising, or adding a handmade touch to your sewing space.This Tilda version has been a community favourite, and it’s easy to see why — the colours, the structure, the way the two designs complement each other. If you’ve been wanting a satisfying weekend project, this pair is such a joy to stitch.You also save 25% when you buy the bundle — a thank you for supporting two of my most popular pouch patterns.Comment BAGDUO and I’ll send the bundle link straight to you.Available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop ✂️🧵Fabric: Tilda Songbird collection — thank you @tilda_australia#tildafabrics #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingpattern #weekendsewingproject #sewistsofinstagram handmadegifts
✨ New Travel Sewing Kits These two fresh versions ✨ New Travel Sewing Kits These two fresh versions match a Bitsy Basket, and I love how sweet they look as a little set. The Travel Sewing Kit opens flat so you can see everything at a glance, then folds back into a neat, portable shape — perfect for sewing on the go, gifting, or keeping your favourite tools organised.It’s beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and one of my most‑used makes.Comment TRAVEL and I’ll send the pattern link straight to you. Available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop ✂️🧵#travelsewingkit #sewingreels #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingpattern #handmadegifts
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10 scrappy, cheerful projects to stitch as we head toward fall 🍊There’s something about orange that feels cosy, warm, and full of creative energy — perfect for small makes, gifts, and weekend sewing. If you’re starting to plan your fall projects, this palette is such a fun place to begin.Comment PATTERNS for a link to our pattern store.Happy sewing, friends ✂️🧵#colourcrushseries #orangeprojects #scrapfriendlysewing #fallsewingideas #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
Sharing this Tilda scrappy Quadra Pouch - the mix Sharing this Tilda scrappy Quadra Pouch - the mix of blenders looks so beautiful in the large size. Eight fabrics in total — four Bellflower prints for the exterior and four Stella prints for the lining — each corner showing off a different print.The clever panel construction gives the pouch its neat, structured base without boxed corners, making it practical, beautifully shaped, and perfect for using up favourite scraps.Comment QUADRA and I’ll send the pattern link straight to you. Pattern available in the Pattern Store and Etsy Shop ✨Fabric: Bellflower + Stella blenders from Tilda, with thanks to @tilda_australia#quadrapouch #tildafabrics #scrapfriendlysewing #pouchpattern #sewingproject
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