News and Notes
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Book Reviews
Knitting Art:
150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists
Karen Searle, Voyageur Press, $35.00
"As some knitters craft mittens and sweaters, others find themselves taking flight into the realm of art. Some become true fiber artists, creating exhibition-quality quilts and sweaters and shawls, yarn mobiles and sculptures and gigantic abstract installations. An exploration of art knitting, this book profiles eighteen of the most prominent and intriguing practitioners of this craft-turned-art. Photographs illustrate each profile, documenting these artists' work and at the same time offering inspiration to those who might transcend the purely practical aspect of knitting."
The above quotation from the publisher is not just marketing hype; it truly describes this book. If you are, like me, a knitter who hasn't done anything that isn't functional and practical, this book will really open your eyes to the possibilities of fiber. You'll never look at knitting quite the same again. This book would be the perfect gift for anyone interested in fiber, either as an artist or as a collector.
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
144 Circles, Triangles, Hexagons, Squares, and Other Unexpected Shapes
Edie Eckman, Storey Publishing, $18.95
"All the things you love about granny squares are also true of crocheted circles, triangles, hexagons, and stars. Motifs of any shape are fun, creative, addictive, and a perfect way to use up small bits of yarn."
I loved this book! I used to crochet a lot but haven't picked up a crochet hook in years. This book may get me going again. In addition to all different shapes of "squares", there are also several patterns that are 3-dimensional. The book is spiral bound so that it lays flat while you are using it. Each pattern is shown in full-color photography as well as in a drawing so that you can easily follow the pattern. This would make a great gift for anyone who works with yarn and has lots of bits and pieces lying around their workroom. Crochet is easy to master and this book will be a great beginning for many scrap (or "new/planned") projects.
The Beading Answer Book
Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask
Karen Morris
Storey Publishing, $14.95
"From simple stringing to intricate loomwork, the mysteries of beading are explained in easy-to-grasp answers to more than 200 real-life questions."
This quote from the publisher's website is a great description of this book. The book itself is small in size (4 1/2" x 6 1/2") and easy to keep right by your work. To a very new beader, it answered every question I had. It may not be quite so helpful to experienced beaders, but it is a very complete reference source for someone just beginning. The black and white illustrations were easy to understand and follow. It might have been nice to have color illustrations of finished products, but that was really not the purpose of this book. For practical information, this book is a must.
Beading from Nature
Crystal McDougald
Sixth&Spring Books $19.95
This is a very nice book, I know it sounds crazy but I love the format. Its set up like a sturdy notebook that you would use at school with a spiral inside. After you open it you see that a wonderful selection of techniques are covered. Materials are listed and the book has an incredibly easy to read format. Tips and hints are included in the side margins.
Each project has a full color photo on one side with clear easy to read instructions on the other. The book does not overwhelm the reader which is important to me. Each project seems reachable and easy to achieve. A resource and supply area graces the back pages. A solid book with great projects.
Building an Adirondack Guideboat
Wood Strip Reproductions of the Virginia
By Michael J. Olivette and John D. Michne
As the title page notes, this book is the essential how-to manual for constructing a modern Adirondack
guideboat. The first two chapters give a thorough history of the Adirondack guideboat as well as set the stage for the plans and details to follow. The book is layed out well with clear photographs showing finished boats, tools necessary, and techniques used.
The writers indicate that prior to this book "there was no book or manual describing the 'how-to' for a woodworker of modest accomplishments to instruct him or her in building a reproduction guideboat". Until now that is. This book has every possible detail described, photographed and planned out for the serious woodworker to complete a guideboat.
The writers who are builders themselves and are so familiar with the craft that they anticipate any situation that may arise. They also encourage the prospective boat builder to enjoy the process of creating a piece of art. This is a valuable resource for any amateur woodworker interested in building an American original, the Adirondack guideboat.
Fresh Ideas in Decoupage
by Colette George
If you think of decoupage as the fad from the sixties and seventies when everybody was doing it and most of it looked tacky, then this book will change your mind. The projects are not the "quick and easy" kind that you may remember trying back then; they are artistic, well-planned and take some time and effort, but when you finish you'll have something worth keeping. The illustrations are beautiful and make the book worth your time in reading it even if you never get around to trying any of the ideas presented. The
materials were easy to find and the directions were clear. There are several "handy tips" included that are very helpful. These are the kinds of things that you only learn with experience and its nice to have someone share their wisdom with you. A list of suppliers and a list of "inspirational websites" at the end of the book give you even more reasons to try decoupage again.
Fast Fun & Easy Fabric Flowers
by Karen Flamme
This book came just at a time
when I was looking for new ideas for using scrap and sample fabrics. Most of the flowers take less than a 10" square of fabric. The first section of the book covers the basic skills and techniques; the rest of the book is divided by flower with complete instructions plus variations. I feel that this book covered the basics very well. You should be able to easily find the tools and materials plus follow the well-illustrated directions even if you are a beginner. Full-size patterns for the flower petals and leaves were also included. After you've gained a little confidence it would be very easy to draw your own patterns to try different sizes or even different flowers. One very helpful item included with most flowers was directions on how to simplify the flower construction so that children could attempt it. I often lead workshops for children in various fiber and textile activities and I think this is something they would enjoy. Its also a great way to use up very small scraps of fabrics.
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
By Kaffe Fassett
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts is a
book inspired by items from the
Victoria and Albert Museum in
London. The author, a textile designer, has chosen his favorite vintage quilts from the museum and re- imagined them using modern techniques and materials.
The book's projects are arranged according to their complexity, starting with the simplest. There are detailed instructions for each quilt, including the use of specific patterns from Fassett's own line of fabrics.
The directions are followed by a chapter on quilting techniques and a section containing all the templates needed to make the featured quilts.
This book is a great source of ideas on color and design. The chapter on techniques and the thorough directions would make it suitable for beginners but I believe the sophisticated use of patterns and strong color combinations make this book more practical for quilters with some experience. Seeing Fossett's energetic interpretations of traditional designs will certainly spark any quilter's own creativity!
Creative Beads from Fabric
and Paper
By Ann Kristen Krier
What a great rainy day project to
do with your children! This book
shows you how to create paper beads from scrap material and left over fabrics and not only shows how to turn them into great beads for jewelry projects but also shows how to decorate handbags, create beautiful cards, scarves and boxes. The color photo's make the instructions very clear and easy. Included are directions on how to make beads out of watercolors, stamped beads, wire worked paper beads, fiber beads, and double layered beads. I remember how much fun I used to have making these beads as a child, and I can't wait to show my children too!
Celebrate Great Quilts! Circa 1825-1940
by Karey Patterson Bresenhan & Nancy O'Bryant Puentes
This book features the Quilt
Collection of the International
Quilt Festival assembled by the authors over the past 30 years.The book is divided into five time periods with the characteristics of quilts from each era summarized at the beginning of the sections.
The photographs of the quilts include the name of the pattern, date, and details of its construction and materials.While this is not a how-to book the photos are inspiring. If you are attempting a reproduction the descriptions of period techniques and fabrics will be quite useful. For collectors, the authors'
introduction offers examples of how and why they acquired some of the works in their collection.
Scrapbooking Plus! More than Just Paper
By Kathleen Greco & Nick Greco
This book opens a world of
possibilities to scrapbookers who are looking to go beyond paper. From found objects like watch faces to dominoes and purchased trinkets like microscope slides to bobby pins new ideas and creative uses are presented.Each sample layout is detailed with personal information about the subject matter as well as directions to replicate the page. A materials list including supplier name is presented with every layout. There are also a number of resource pages at the end of the book with company names, websites, and phone numbers to find all the products listed.
The book may seem slightly overwhelming at first, but the more you look through it the more inspiration you come away with.
Spectacular Cards! Fabric, Paper & Game Board Greetings
By Sue Astroth
This book goes beyond the basics
of cardmaking to introduce some
unique and varied ideas. The book has a section detailing some of the techniques used in the cards including stamping, creative paper uses, sewing and many more. The rest of the book is divided up into three major categories, Fabric Cards, Game Board Cards and Paper Cards. The difficulty level of the cards range from simple to complex and everything in between. The samples include a supplies list but not all of them have a detailed "how to recreate this card" description. There is a substantial resources list at the end of the book with company names, websites and phone numbers.I found the section on Game Board cards intriguing it opened up possibilities I hadn't thought about.
Resin Jewelry
By Kathie Murphy
Intriguing book! This book
starts out with the history of
plastics and goes on to
introduce many different
methods of working with resin. There are wonderful pictures of artists works, as well as great step by step instructions of how to create resin jewelry. Even if you are new to the subject you will find this book a great find, an easy read and very worthwhile. This book has an excellent glossary and a wonderful product and company information resource list.
500 Brooches
By Lark Books
This is a wonderful small coffee table book which any jeweler would love. 500 of the nicest, most innovative brooches you have ever seen. The photos are fabulous, and inspiring. Each brooch is labeled with the name of its creator and lists the materials used. Many of the artists are very well known. This book is not copy heavy, it is not a how to book but rather a book with photos of jewelry that will surely make you drool.
Rep Weave and Beyond
Joanne Tallarovic
Interweave Press www.interweave.com
I have been doing rep weave for years and it is one of my favorite weave structures. This book goes far beyond anything that I have done and explains in great detail how to warp and weave for everything from two-block designs to eight-block designs.
The book begins with instructions on how to warp the loom. I skimmed through this because after 35 years of weaving, I have my own, unique ways of warping, but this will be very helpful to a novice weaver. Rep weave can be a daunting warping job, but the threading drafts for each project are included and are very clear. There is also a short section on preparing the weft.
The author takes you through the problems that come up in any weaving, but especially in rep weave: How to interlock the wefts at the selvedge, how to tension the warp, how ro repair broken warps, and how to tension loose threads.
The project portion of the book has some photographs that make you want to get started "right now".
Once you work through one of these projects, I'm sure you'll love rep weave as much as I do and as much as the author does.
Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable
Expanded third edition by Nancy Johnson-Srebro
No fancy stitches, no cams, no designer colors, but oh could it sew - the Singer Featherweight. Anyone who owns one can tell you it still sews great. The third edition of this wonderful book has grown to 220 pages. This new edition fills in the gaps that were left in the earlier editions. It is filled with more comprehensive research facts about variations and the evolution of this wonderful little work horse. Included is a reprint of the original owner's manual, lots of color photos, as well as tables to date the Singer Featherweight. The owner of a Featherweight will delight in this book and any one else will wish they owned a Featherweight.
Great Book of Celtic Patterns
Lora S. Irish
Fox Chapel Publishing.com
This is an outstanding book that could be used in many different craft applications; from metalsmithing to wood block cuttings, to stationary design and more. I could think of many different ways someone could use this book to fit their craft medium, even t-shirt designs. The book even has a great feel to it. It is substantial, with slick pages and wonderful illustrations showing different Celtic patterns with details demonstrating how to re-create them. The first section of the book shows beautiful color illustrations of full blown Celtic designs that inspire. Chapter by chapter you will learn about patterns, plotting and graphing designs, and how to alter designs to fit within a specific format or space. Next you will learn about line enhancement and love knot designs, not to mention Viking animals, finials and fantasy creatures.
While I had no prior Celtic pattern or design experience I found this book to be inspirational and it provided me with great knowledge of Celtic designs that I could use in my crafts.
Photographing Arts, Crafts and Collectibles
Steve Meltzer
Paperback ISBN: 157990906X Lark Books
Pub. Date: June 2007 List Price: $24.95
The great thing about this book is that Steve Meltzer tells us simply all that is necessary for taking great pictures. Artists will now understand how to take sharp high quality images of their work. He explains in fine detail how digital cameras work and also explains the touchy subject of lighting your own work and explains the techniques that work best for high quality professional looking photos.
No matter what your media, jewelry, pottery, glass or fiber, Meltzer seems to cover them all with many different tips for each one. He even offers advice on how to incorporate the use of digital programs to further enhance your photographs. We highly recommend this book as an aid to help you in producing great, clean shots that are good enough for the toughest jury committee.
Scrapbooking
Author: Helen Bradley
Publisher: Ronnie Sellers Productions, Portland, Me.
Price: $19.95
This is an interesting book that will appeal to people working in many different craft fields. Its title is Scrapbooking, but the computer and photography skills that it covers can be applied to many areas. The first part of the book walks you through Photoshop Elements in very understandable steps. For this section alone, the book is worth its price.
The middle section will help you improve your camera skills, both when taking photos and when editing them. The last section includes templates and embellishments that you can use. The templates and embellishments are also on a CD that is included with the book. There are several hundred decorative objects available. The book cover states the cd is for use on a PC or a Mac system. I opened it with a PC and had no trouble using it. Finally, there is a brief but very useful glossary that will help computer novices understand several necessary terms when it comes to working with Photoshop.
¡Caliente Quilts!
Priscilla Bianchi
Paperback Krause Publications
Published: 2007Priscilla Bianchi $24.99
"Colorful ethnic fabrics are just crying out to be used, and with Priscilla's help, you'll be quilting with them in no time."
This book is an inspiration to anyone who collects colorful and outrageous fabrics but then is unsure what to do with them. Find out how different ethnic fabrics were created, how they are used in their native cultures, how to care for them and how to sew with them. The "Getting Started" chapter sets out general instructions on working with handwoven and/or hand-dyed fabrics and the "Projects" chapter details several different quilt patterns. My favorite chapter was "La, Galeria". Many of Priscilla Bianchi's quilts are pictured here along with a description of the materials and techniques used..
Crazy Shortcut Quilts
Marguerita McManus & Sarah Raffuse
Paperback Krause Publications
Published: 2007 $22.95
"Crazy Shortcut Quilts teaches you a simple quilt-as-you-go technique for creating your own crazy quilts in hours instead of months."
It would take me more than hours, but certainly this book presents a clear, easy-to-follow method for creating crazy quilts. They take you through every step of the process from fabric selection to binding. After the basic instructions for creating the blocks are detailed, there are several illustrated projects. The last sections on "Trimming and Sashing" and "Binding" are very good. It's all too tempting to abandon your project when you get to the finishing. This can be both tedious and difficult, but their instructions are clear and well illustrated.
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(Books are listed here in alphabetical order)
500 Brooches
By Lark Books
The Beading Answer Book
Karen Morris
Beading from Nature
Crystal McDougald
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Edie Eckman
Building an Adirondack Guideboat
Wood Strip Reproductions of the Virginia
By Michael J. Olivette and John D. Michne
¡Caliente Quilts!
Priscilla Bianchi
Celebrate Great Quilts! Circa 1825-1940
by Karey Patterson Bresenhan & Nancy O'Bryant Puentes
Crazy Shortcut Quilts
Marguerita McManus & Sarah Raffuse
Creative Beads from Fabric
and Paper
By Ann Kristen Krier
Fast Fun & Easy Fabric Flowers
by Karen Flamme
Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable
Expanded third edition by Nancy Johnson-Srebro
Fresh Ideas in Decoupage
by Colette George
Great Book of Celtic Patterns
Lora S. Irish
Knitting Art:
Karen Searle
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
By Kaffe Fassett
Photographing Arts, Crafts and Collectibles
Steve Meltzer
Rep Weave and Beyond
Joanne Tallarovic
Resin Jewelry
By Kathie Murphy
Scrapbooking
Author: Helen Bradley
Scrapbooking Plus! More than Just Paper
By Kathleen Greco & Nick Greco
Spectacular Cards! Fabric, Paper & Game Board Greetings
By Sue Astroth
500 Brooches
By Lark Books
The Beading Answer Book
Karen Morris
Beading from Nature
Crystal McDougald
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Edie Eckman
Building an Adirondack Guideboat
Wood Strip Reproductions of the Virginia
By Michael J. Olivette and John D. Michne
¡Caliente Quilts!
Priscilla Bianchi
Celebrate Great Quilts! Circa 1825-1940
by Karey Patterson Bresenhan & Nancy O'Bryant Puentes
Crazy Shortcut Quilts
Marguerita McManus & Sarah Raffuse
Creative Beads from Fabric
and Paper
By Ann Kristen Krier
Fast Fun & Easy Fabric Flowers
by Karen Flamme
Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable
Expanded third edition by Nancy Johnson-Srebro
Fresh Ideas in Decoupage
by Colette George
Great Book of Celtic Patterns
Lora S. Irish
Knitting Art:
Karen Searle
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
By Kaffe Fassett
Photographing Arts, Crafts and Collectibles
Steve Meltzer
Rep Weave and Beyond
Joanne Tallarovic
Resin Jewelry
By Kathie Murphy
Scrapbooking
Author: Helen Bradley
Scrapbooking Plus! More than Just Paper
By Kathleen Greco & Nick Greco
Spectacular Cards! Fabric, Paper & Game Board Greetings
By Sue Astroth
500 Brooches
By Lark Books
The Beading Answer Book
Karen Morris
Beading from Nature
Crystal McDougald
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Edie Eckman
Building an Adirondack Guideboat
Wood Strip Reproductions of the Virginia
By Michael J. Olivette and John D. Michne
¡Caliente Quilts!
Priscilla Bianchi
Celebrate Great Quilts! Circa 1825-1940
by Karey Patterson Bresenhan & Nancy O'Bryant Puentes
Crazy Shortcut Quilts
Marguerita McManus & Sarah Raffuse
Creative Beads from Fabric
and Paper
By Ann Kristen Krier
Fast Fun & Easy Fabric Flowers
by Karen Flamme
Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable
Expanded third edition by Nancy Johnson-Srebro
Fresh Ideas in Decoupage
by Colette George
Great Book of Celtic Patterns
Lora S. Irish
Knitting Art:
Karen Searle
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
By Kaffe Fassett
Photographing Arts, Crafts and Collectibles
Steve Meltzer
Rep Weave and Beyond
Joanne Tallarovic
Resin Jewelry
By Kathie Murphy
Scrapbooking
Author: Helen Bradley
Scrapbooking Plus! More than Just Paper
By Kathleen Greco & Nick Greco
Spectacular Cards! Fabric, Paper & Game Board Greetings
By Sue Astroth
500 Brooches
By Lark Books
The Beading Answer Book
Karen Morris
Beading from Nature
Crystal McDougald
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Edie Eckman
Building an Adirondack Guideboat
Wood Strip Reproductions of the Virginia
By Michael J. Olivette and John D. Michne
¡Caliente Quilts!
Priscilla Bianchi
Celebrate Great Quilts! Circa 1825-1940
by Karey Patterson Bresenhan & Nancy O'Bryant Puentes
Crazy Shortcut Quilts
Marguerita McManus & Sarah Raffuse
Creative Beads from Fabric
and Paper
By Ann Kristen Krier
Fast Fun & Easy Fabric Flowers
by Karen Flamme
Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable
Expanded third edition by Nancy Johnson-Srebro
Fresh Ideas in Decoupage
by Colette George
Great Book of Celtic Patterns
Lora S. Irish
Knitting Art:
Karen Searle
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
By Kaffe Fassett
Photographing Arts, Crafts and Collectibles
Steve Meltzer
Rep Weave and Beyond
Joanne Tallarovic
Resin Jewelry
By Kathie Murphy
Scrapbooking
Author: Helen Bradley
Scrapbooking Plus! More than Just Paper
By Kathleen Greco & Nick Greco
Spectacular Cards! Fabric, Paper & Game Board Greetings
By Sue Astroth
500 Brooches
By Lark Books
The Beading Answer Book
Karen Morris
Beading from Nature
Crystal McDougald
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Edie Eckman
Building an Adirondack Guideboat
Wood Strip Reproductions of the Virginia
By Michael J. Olivette and John D. Michne
¡Caliente Quilts!
Priscilla Bianchi
Celebrate Great Quilts! Circa 1825-1940
by Karey Patterson Bresenhan & Nancy O'Bryant Puentes
Crazy Shortcut Quilts
Marguerita McManus & Sarah Raffuse
Creative Beads from Fabric
and Paper
By Ann Kristen Krier
Fast Fun & Easy Fabric Flowers
by Karen Flamme
Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable
Expanded third edition by Nancy Johnson-Srebro
Fresh Ideas in Decoupage
by Colette George
Great Book of Celtic Patterns
Lora S. Irish
Knitting Art:
Karen Searle
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
By Kaffe Fassett
Photographing Arts, Crafts and Collectibles
Steve Meltzer
Rep Weave and Beyond
Joanne Tallarovic
Resin Jewelry
By Kathie Murphy
Scrapbooking
Author: Helen Bradley
Scrapbooking Plus! More than Just Paper
By Kathleen Greco & Nick Greco
Spectacular Cards! Fabric, Paper & Game Board Greetings
By Sue Astroth
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