Archive for the ‘Bookish Thursday’ Category
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Bookish Thursday: Crafting Your Words
Today a little something different! I have a pair of books I picked up along the line that help with writing!!
First up: Just the Right Words: Over 400 Messages and Motifs for Cardmakers and Crafters
This little book packs a punch! If you are looking for a phrase, saying or something to write in a greeting card this book has something for pretty much any occasion. You won’t find yourself at a loss for words with this little volume on your shelf!
Next up is No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog
A couple years ago I joined the Blog 365 challenge, It certainly was a challenge! It was hard sometimes to come up with ideas fro what to write about. So I picked up this book. It’s a great little book full of ideas to jump start your writing!
So if you are having a little ‘bloggers block’ you might want to pick yourself up a copy!
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Bookish Thursday: Haiku Knits
Nothing is simpler that Haiku. I love the short simple form of poetry. True to it’s namesake by Tanya Alpert is full of simple, beautiful knit designs.
I don’t think that there is a design in this book that I wouldn’t like to knit!
The designer does some mixing yarns in some pieces to add to the interest of the simple designs. This adds to the interest of the project and increases the possibilities when you are looking for yarn for the projects as well.
The directions are clear and diagrams are provided for all the patterns.
Even the most complicated pattern in the book is made easy with clear instructions and charts.
To add to the fun there are knitting Haiku sprinkled throughout the book!
If you are looking for simple, elegant and beautiful patterns this is the book you want!
Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided.
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Bookish Thursday: Fun Upcycled Bags!
Got an umbrella with a broken handle? A pair of pants with a hole in the knee? An old out of style suit? A bunch of plastic shopping bags?
Don’t throw them out! Turn them into some great bags!!!
Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags
by Faith and Justina Blakeney is a fun book full of great recycling and upcyling ideas to make bags out of just about anything!
The directions are clear and easy to follow. They have included a lot of great illustrations to help with constructing the bags!
Peppered throughout this book are bio’s of other bag designers who use interesting recycled materials to create designer bags!
Overall this is a terrific book. If you are interested in making neat unique bags you will love it!
Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.
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Bookish Thursday: 400 Knitting Stitches
400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns
is the latest stitch dictionary offering by Potter Craft. As any typical stitch dictionary it includes sections on Knit-Purl Stitches, Crossed Stitches and Cables, Lace Stitches, and your knitting basics as well.
What sets this stitch dictionary apart is that it also includes sections one Double Stitches, Slipped Stitches and Cast off Stitches which you don’t always see.
The other feature that sets this dictionary apart from others is that it includes a chart for every stitch. This makes it easy to follow for those, like me, who prefer a chart over written directions on occasion.
Over all this is an excellent stitch dictionary, and I would recommend it as a great go to book. The photos are clear, the directions concise and easy to follow. The charts are a great feature!
The only complaint I have is that it is missing what pretty much every stitch dictionary I have come across so far is also missing.. a good index that lists the stitches by name! When I am looking for a stitch pattern I would love to be able to flip to the back and look it up and hone right in on it and get going with my needles, rather than searching for the pattern I need! But since this feature is missing in most of them I will just browse.. on occasion I find something even better that way!
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was sent to the author from the publisher.
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Bookish Thursday: Hat Heads!
First let me say.. I love this book! Next let me say.. I LOVE THIS BOOK!
ok.. did I say I LOVE THIS BOOK?
oops I guess I did. Today’s book is HatHeads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designsby Trond Anfinnsen, Aka the KNITKID (which is so much easier to pronounce.)
This is a super fun volume, that one would not necessarily buy for the patterns.. but for the stories! Trond went all around and knit hats to give to the people in his town of Stavenger, Norway. Now these were not just random hats, they were specifically designed and knit for that person. in the end he designed, knit, and gave away over 200 hats. An amazing feat! He chose his 50 favourite hats and stories for this book.
I read quite a few of them, I have not yet worked through them all. Every one left me with a smile! I was smiling from the moment I opened this book for quite some time after I put it down! it is DELIGHTFUL!
The patterns all stem from a basic hat pattern and are all interesting and unique in their own right. If you need a had for someone you can flip through the pages of the book, find a matching person and knit up their hat! It’s pretty cool!
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Bookish Thursday: Kanzashi is Blooming all Over my House!
First let me say, I ‘know’ the author of the book today.. Diane Gilleland, fondly known as Sister Diane. At least we have had an ongoing online friendship since she interviewed Isela and I a couple years ago for her podcast! (what fun!)
Since then I have definitely followed her blog and chatted it up with her here and there on Twitter and etc!
So I am especially excited to have a copy of her new book!! (since she has finally caught up with me ya know..)
Kanzashi in Bloom: 20 Simple Fold-and-Sew Projects to Wear and Give
is a stunningly beautiful book!!
These flowers look so beautiful and intricate! They look difficult to make, but that is totally not the case!
A few folds, a few snips, and a few stitches throw in a little hot glue action and you have yourself a beautiful flower!
See:
Diane includes some very clear written directions for making the flowers and projects. Along with the written directions are terrific photos of each step, reminiscent of the Japanese craft book style!
All in all this is one book that I would highly recommend! It is certainly staying on my shelf! Sorry!! There are only two improvements I would make.. Make this craft less addicting!! Grr, can’t do it. Make the book spiral bound.. hmm.. I might be able to do that.. (they do that at Kinkos right?)
I did make a special flower to give away.
The stray Pinewood Derby wheel was in my button box! And being the mother of boys, naturally I had a little bit of checkered flag fabric hanging about.. so.. that is how this pin came to be.
If you would like to win it, for yourself, or for someone else, leave me a comment on this post telling what color flowers you would make !! I will draw a winner on Monday after noon!
Paying the bills…
Coming April 13th
