Book Review :: DIY greatness

In a time of economic uncertainty and high stress, we as creatives strive to take control of what we want to put in our homes and constantly look for that money saving or recyclable project that can really make our spaces unique and comfortable. DIY is the best remedy for this, and it doesn't have to be a big project, that can take up to two weeks to complete. For instance, see what Lotta Jansdotter is cooking up now in her newest book/ stencil kit for all things surface printing. What can I say, I'm a big sucker for Lotta's work and I've already purchased curtains to print on, now I have the trouble of deciding which lovely stencil design I want to use from this really informative kit of her's!




not only does Lotta give you access to 10 of her own designs via reusable stencils, but she really illustrates and guides you through different techniques and surfaces that you can print on in a very well organized step-by-step guide.




Another crafty lady we all know and love, the very talented Kathreen Ricketson of whipup.net has gained a lifetime of inspiration. After reading her intro, I had a sense of relation to her crafty experiences growing up with her grandmother, a quilter/crafter. I to grew up with a variety of craftsmen (ladies) in my family, my grandmother was a quilter, my grandfather, did stained glass when he retired, my Papa was an architect and my mother, my DIY hero, seamstress... actually anything she gets her hands on is a crafting work of art. This book is a homage to those who have inspired us to use materials that are right under our eyes and turn them into another functional delight... people like my mother, who took apart her mothers wedding dress and reconstructed a totally different gown for her own wedding.





Kathreen includes some great whimsical pattern pieces for you to try and really explains the basics of sewing so even those like me who would love to run their sewing machine more, can just do that!

Both these great books are published by chronicle books and are available now so go get yours and get your craft on!

book review :: Print & Pattern

I'm sure you all know that surface design blog, Print & Pattern....now you can have more of Print & Pattern at your finger tips! Curator of the Book and the force behind the blog, Designer, Marie Perkins (a.k.a Bowie Style) has compiled some of the most eyecatching and brilliant surface designers from around the world in this one book. With over 750 full color images, Bowie shows you the who, what, and where of modern design. It's like a bible for the design community, everyone is finally all in one place with in depth descriptions and even artist contact info. Seriously everyone should have this book, even if your not the artsy type, it will inspire you!

book review :: very small shops

Super interesting book here, Takes visual engineering to a new level, a small one but an inspiring one! Very Small Shops by  John Stones (Lawrence King Publishers) brings you all over the globe looking at at and discovering the stories behind some of the most creative small spaces in the retail business. I would call them shopping playgrounds! Small Independent businesses thrive by their uniqueness and their ability to push the envelop to bring you in and see what they are all about.


For instance these two shots of a shop (above, lil shop in Berlin) and a cafe (below, sis. deli & cafe in Helsinki) use bold graphics and positive and negative space to highlight their products. simple idea, dramatic execution.




And my favorite, Magama Product Store in London, UK....the entire shop is created out of cardboard, i do mean entire shop, from the counters to the changing rooms! simply amazing stuff and will make you not want to put this book down.

great reads for that handmade modern person in your life

If your like me then you know that books are the best thing to give for the holidays, especially perfect for that person who you think has "everything" already. Here are some great picks for that crafty person in your life.

lets start with this fantastic companion planner to Meg Mateo's Craft Inc. book published last year. The Craft Inc. Buisness Planner is here. Every crafter should use this planner, it has  everything from start up plans to marketing  campaigning, and even a budget worksheet...love it. even better, bundle it with Craft Inc. and get some great brownie points this season!






Hand-Stitched Felt by kata golda. there are some really great photos and additional patterns of all kinds of felty goodness from buisness card holders to little felt toys for the kiddies.






and last but not least, for  that uber trendy product designer we have Made and Sold an impressive conglomeration of some of the worlds most innovative indie crafters and designers. If you want to know the who, what where, and how, of some great stuff, then you want this book (hah, sounds like a bad info-mmercial! sorry about that!)

Book review :: V&A Pattern Series

continuing the patterny goodness from last weeks book review, here is the awesome box set of pocket sized books including Patterns from the fifties, william morris, digital pioneers, and indian florals. All patterns are from The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, hence the title, V&A pattern sourcebooks. the best part is that they include a disk of the prints for your personal use! super cool and some really beautiful images here. (commercial usage must get permission from V&A images)

Wallpaper yeahy!

creators and owners of the wonderful online shop, the curiosity shop have come out with a fantastic new book i'm sure you've already seen around the internet. Derek Fagerstrom and Laura Smith have compiled more than 50 Wallpaper projects that you can do at home. as you all know from my past book experience, wallpaper is a very versatile medium and can be used for a billion different things and the best part is that it's made to last so what ever you make from it will surely be durable and long lasting.



more awsome news from this book is that lena corwins beautiful handmade wallpaper design here (from the book) is available in an exclusive limited edition run at the curiosity shop. this would make some very lovely journals, so tempting!

Book Review & Giveaway!

Good day friends,
we have a special post today which includes a lovely giveaway which you rarely see on this blog. I was especially enticed by this one because it revolves around living greenly in a creative way. Introducing SEWING GREEN by the very talented crafter Betz White is a fascinating book about taking materials or old clothes that you  don't use anymore and re purposing them into better and brighter useful things. for instance my personal favorite in the book on page 44, the woodland draft buster made from an old suit and stuffed with plastic grocery bags. love it! This book is packed with 25 great projects with simple how to instructions and patterns so anyone can do it. learn how to make things such as wallets, aprons from old mens work shirts, pillows and hats from old sweaters and much much more.


Okay now to explain the giveaway part, it's pretty easy, all you have to do is leave a comment of one recycling, reuse, or re purposing crafting idea and we will pick the cleverest idea and post the winner this FRIDAY. Your prize will be a copy of this very BOOK!  so you have a couple days to get your brain in gear and throw us an original idea.

here are some great links to follow for more of betz's work and where to get a copy of this book (unless you can win it of course!!!)
Betz's Etsy shop
sewing green
melanie falick books blog