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

July 18, 2013 By A Spoonful of Sugar - Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Paper Crafts Tagged With: book review

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We offer over 100 affordable PDF sewing patterns available for download from our store website or Etsy store. Each pattern includes detailed instructions, numerous photos, and templates.

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A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️ This A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️
This Easy Hexagon Trivet comes together in minutes — no binding, straight seams, and a very pleasing turn‑through moment.Perfect for charm packs, leftover 10" squares, or your favourite scraps.Comment TRIVET for the pattern link.Pattern Details: Easy Hexagon Trivet & Coasters — available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#easysewingproject #scrapsewing #beginnersewing #sewingreels #weekendsewing
A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess Woods inspired this sweet little Heart Bookmark. I adored the way The Cairo Bridal Shop wove together family, secrets, and sisterhood — it’s one of those
stories that stays with you long after you close the cover. If you missed my book review, check my previous post.This tiny Heart Bookmark is scrap‑friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for book lovers or handmade gift‑givers.Comment BOOKMARK for the free Pattern or click on the link in my bio.Save this for when you are looking for quick handmade gift ideas.#freesewingpattern #scrapfriendlysewing #handmadegifts #bookloversofinstagram #sewingcommunity
A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project insp A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project inspired by the Albi sisters.Thanks to @tesswoods_author and @penguinbooksaus for the advance copy of this captivating story.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I’ve just finished reading The Cairo Bridal Shop by local author Tess Woods — and it completely swept me away.Set at the foot of the pyramids, the Albi Bridal Shop is home to three sisters fighting to break tradition and shape their own futures. Inspired by ancient pharaoh queens, they draw on generations of women, culture, sacrifice, and resilience to find their strength.Tess calls this “the book of her heart,” weaving her family history into a story of sisterhood, identity, faith, strong women, and delicious Egyptian food.While reading, I kept thinking about the three Albi sisters — Sarah, Aya, and Lola — each navigating their own challenges, each fighting for the life she deserves.So I stitched three Heart Bookmarks, one to represent each sister. A tiny handmade nod to their courage, creativity, and connection.Each bookmark is made from quilting cotton, wool felt, lace, and a silky tassel — quick to sew, lovely to gift, and perfect for marking your place in a story full of strong women.I was completely captivated by The Cairo Bridal Shop. The relationships between the sisters are truly the heart of the story — tender, complicated, loyal, and full of resilience.I loved the structure: six dresses, each inspired by a Pharaoh queen, each opening a new chapter of their lives. The cultural details, the food, the history, the Cairo setting — it all felt vivid and immersive.A beautiful, emotional story of family, identity, courage, and the strength we find in the women around us.If you only read one book this year, make sure it is The Cairo Bridal Shop.If you’d like to stitch your own Heart Bookmark, the pattern is free.Comment BOOKMARK and I’ll send you the link.A sweet, quick project — perfect paired with a good book.Thanks for being here — I love sharing small sewing projects that bring joy to your day.
A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨ The Zakka Scisso A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨The Zakka Scissor Keeper is one of my favourite small  makes — quick to sew, perfect for coordinated scraps, and so handy to keep your scissors protected in your sewing bag. I’ve never shared a reel of this one, so here’s a little peek at how it opens and closes.It’s also my Pattern of the Week, which means you can save 25% for a limited time. If you love small, satisfying projects, this one is a fun weekend sew.Comment SCISSOR and I’ll send you the link.#sewingprojects #scrapfriendlysewing #smallsewingprojects #zakka #sewingaddict
The Hexie Placemat Series ✂️ Six designs and endl The Hexie Placemat Series ✂️Six designs and endless ways to make your table feel special. From festive holiday colours to cosy autumn tones, these placemats are quick to sew, scrap‑friendly, and perfect for gifting or decorating your home.Featuring:
• Hexie Holiday – a Christmas favourite
• Hexie House – the newest addition
• Hexie Heart – sweet and sentimental
• Hexie Star – crisp and modern
• Hexie Pumpkin – warm autumn vibes
• Hexie Bunny – playful for springSwipe to see all the looks — each one has its own personality and is fun to customise with your favourite fabrics.Comment HEXIE and I’ll send you the link to the full series (available in my Pattern Store + Etsy Shop).#sewingprojects #quiltedplacemat #scrapfriendlysewing #pdfsewingpattern #sewingcommunity
The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Baker’s The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨The Baker’s Buddy Mitt is one of those projects that never leaves my sewing table — smooth curves, no fiddly binding, and a construction that’s genuinely beginner‑friendly. It comes together fast, looks
beautifully shaped, and is one of my most‑gifted makes because it actually gets used in the kitchen.Here’s why makers love it:
• No binding (yes, really!)
• Modern silhouette that works with any stash fabric
• Insul‑Brite + batting layers for hand protection
• Quick, practical, and gift‑readyIf you’re after a satisfying project that looks impressive and is useful, this is the one.Comment BAKER and I’ll send you the pattern link (available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop).#sewinggifts #beginnersewing #quicksewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing
#bakersbuddy
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