134,836
edits
Changes
Newest Crafts Reviews (view source)
Revision as of 11:59, 30 November 2023
, 11:59, 30 November 2023no edit summary
[[Category:Crafts|*]]
[[Category:New Reviews|Crafts]] __NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Lucy Engelman0811771741|title=Field Guide: Creatures Great and Small (Field Guides)|rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|summary=Call me fuddy-duddy, but I have never seen the need to review a book via video – with Youtube and other sources becoming full of people giving their thoughts about the latest hot release the idea has never appealed to me, when there are also countless ways InstaKnits for one to share opinions by old-fashioned written word. That is, of course, until now, and the phenomenon that is building rapidly – that of mature colouring-in books. Here at the Bookbag we can easily prove we've read every word of the books by being eloquent, informative and opinionated about what we examine, but even I admit four paragraphs regarding a picture book we ourselves have to finish off may leave some members of our audience wanting to see the results.Baby|amazonukauthor=<amazonuk>184780635X</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewplain|title=Gorgeous Colouring Book for Grown-UpsMelissa Leapman
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=So, when I mentioned on Facebook that I had Melissa Leapman's ''InstaKnits for Baby'' gives us a nice new growncollection of knits from toys to blankets. Some will be quick knits -up colouring book to reviewothers are of the 'long, I discovered a secret little group cosy afternoons in front of friends who all confessed (instantly and with glee) that the fire' variety. The projects are divided by the time they have succumbed 'll take to the new relaxation craze of growncomplete -up colouring! less than five hours, five to ten hours, ten to twenty hours and more than twenty hours. They had tales of how tricky it was to stay inside of All the lines, how long one picture could takeprojects are attractive, modern and how relaxing the whole thing isuseable. I dug out perhaps show my old tin of pencils, and settled down to give it a tryage when I wonder about 'social-media-worthy projects' but that's me being picky.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782434461</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Paula Briggs1635866243|title=Drawing Projects for ChildrenThe Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook|author=Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth |rating=4.5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=''Drawing Projects for ChildrenI quickly discovered that putting words and numbers on a page wasn'' is t enough. Creating a beautifulpattern that was correct, clear, concise, full-colour guide that encourages children to use and consistent required a range great deal of materials to create stunning trial and thought-provoking artwork. As the author points outerror, patience, the end result is not always as important as the journey and this book helps children to move away from perseverance.'' (Introduction byFrancoise Danoy) A friend recently showed me a knitting pattern for which she'd paid good money. The first line of the more traditional, or instructions began: ''Cast off 100 stitches...'safe' type It was clear that no good could come of drawing styles this - the instructions didn't get any better - and indulge in (finally) PayPal obliged with a little more experimentation and risk takingrefund when the seller refused as she couldn't afford the repayment. The book is ideal for parents to use with their childrenpattern looked pretty, but each chapter is a self-contained lesson plan that facilitators the creator didn't have the basic knowledge and teachers can use skills to enable her to connect with groupsher knitters. She should have read ''The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908966742</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Hannah Davies1529507987|title=The Big Beautiful Colouring Repair Shop Craft Book|author=Walker Books and Sonia Albert (Illustrator)
|rating=4.5
|genre=CraftsChildren's Non-Fiction|summary=Although I have two small children, itlove ''The Repair Shop''s been a long time since I just sat and did any colouring by myself. Usually It's my go-to programme when I am tasked with drawing various family members, or vehicles, or animals, and then we colour them in togetherwant to be cheered up. This time I sat quietly by myself with After a pack of my sonhard day, there's new colouring pencils, and I quite happily passed a couple of hours colouring in!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780553498</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Anna Weltman|title=This is Not a Maths Book|rating=5|genre=Art|summary=I have to admit, I wasnnothing better than watching experts repair treasured items without ever mentioning what they't a huge fan of maths at schoolre worth. Maybe if I'd had this book when I was a child You see, I would have been. 'This the value is not a Maths Book' cleverly bridges in what these possessions are worth to the gap between maths people who own them and art and teaches kids how the memories they hold. No expense appears to make beautiful patterns be spared and shapes by using mathematical principles. We learn about parabolic curves, Pascal's triangle, the stomachion, tesselation experts spend as much time and 3D drawingseffort as is required to achieve the desired result. Because Regular viewers know the pages are interactive experts and hands-on, kids are learning the rules of maths without realising they're all brilliant at explaining what it. After all, there is no reason why maths shouldnthey't be fun!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782402055</amazonuk>re doing. But how did they start?
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Mariko Nakamura0760379912|title=Sew JapaneseSuper Easy Quilting for Beginners|author=Editors of Quarry Books
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=I wouldn't normally find the idea of children's learned patchworking from necessity: old or outgrown clothes with a national theme appealing as it's all too easy for them needed to look like fancy dress and kids can be all too picky about turned into something like thatnew and usable when I was in my twenties. If you're going to put the effort into making something then you want It would be a while before it to be worn! But - became a pleasure rather than a chore but I took one look 've never felt completely at those two kids on the cover of 'Sew Japanese' - and home with quilting. I liked what I sawneeded something a little more stylish than my usual buttons or knots. There's a distinctive style but what comes across most of all is that they're clothes that kids can play ''in'' and feel comfortable ''withSuper Easy Quilting for Beginners''seemed like a good place to start.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1909397407</amazonuk> So, how did it stack up?
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Esterly0760379874|title=The Lost Carving: A Journey to the Heart of Making|rating=4|genre=Autobiography|summary=Bouncing between his studio in upstate New York and the sites of various English sojourns, woodcarver David Esterly's seems to be an idyllic existence. Yet it's not all cosy cottages in the snow and watching geese and coyotes when he looks up from his workbench. There is an element of hard-won retreat from the trials of life in this memoir, but at the same time there is an argument Super Easy Knitting for the essential difficulty of the artist's life. 'Carvers are starvers,' a wizened English carver once told him. Certainly there is no great fortune to be won from a profession as obscure as limewood carving, but the rewards outweigh the hard graft for Esterly.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0715649191</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=Excavate! Dinosaurs: Paper Toy Paleontology|author=Jonathan Tennant, Vladamir Nikolov and Charlie Simpson|rating=5|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summary=I believe that it is now an established worldwide fact that dinosaurs are awesome. I have checked the latest edition of Nature and it would appear that this is definitely the case. Dinosaurs are without doubt the coolest creatures to have roamed the Earth. Do you know what makes them really great? The fact that that left fabulous fossils and brilliant bones behind. Any kid would love the chance to dig up some old bones and build their own dinosaur.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1612125204</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=Beautiful PatternsBeginners|author=Various AuthorsCarri Hammett
|rating=4.5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=If you are going I learned to make knit in the nineteen-fifties: it wasn't a colouring book aimed at adults I say do choice, it 100% was a requirement. Girls learned to knit and go all outto embroider and boys did wood and metal work. You can keep your minimalist landscapes or your naïve animals; give me My knitting wa accompanied by a lot of criticism and quite a few tears: it was a page packed long time before I realised that there was pleasure to be had in the skill. Nearly seventy years later it's the gills with something only thing that needs filling inkeeps my hands at all supple. This can make The turning point was a creative colouring book booklet published by Patons which gave all the basics and some patterns. I've been looking for grownups feel more something simple to recommend to people who'd like a military operationto master the skill. So, but at least you will have fun doing it and improve your skills.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782432787</amazonuk>how did ''Super Easy Knitting For Beginners'' work out?
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=0760373531|title=The Paint BookCozy Knits: 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and Sock Projects from Around the World|author=Miri FlowerSue Flanders
|rating=5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Craft blogger Miri Flower challenges bored children everywhere with her lovely new series Just occasionally you encounter a book of art booksknitting patterns that seems to meet your every need. Right now, it's bitterly cold and we're in the sandwich filling between two storms: I need socks, scarves, hats and mittens. They have to look stylish, which utilise basic materials keep me warm and be so cheerful that can be found in most homesthey make me feel better. If that sounds like a lot to ask, have a look at ''Cozy Knits'The Paint Book': it has thirty designs for those necessary items and I don' outlines seventy simple projects t think that there was one of them which encourage kids to get crafty and creative I couldn't see myself wearing. We start with paintsan introduction by Nancy Bush which gives some of the history of knitting. It's going to get messy, so house-proud parents turn away now..not essential but it's a nice extra.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>071123583X</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=0760373558|title=The Pencil BookNordic Knits|author=Miri FlowerSue Flanders|rating=54
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Summer is almost over. Gone are the carefree days playing outdoors in the sunshine with friends. Here come the rainy days I was so delighted by Sue Flanders' [[Cozy Knits: 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and dark evenings, heralding Sock Projects from Around the inevitable cry of: World by Sue Flanders|Cozy Knits]] that I didn't need any persuading at all to pick up her 'I'm bored!Nordic Knits''. Author This delivers forty-four patterns inspired by textiles and craft-blogger Miri Flower (fantastic name!) comes to local traditions from Norway, Sweden and Iceland. There are a few sweaters or jackets but the rescue majority of harassed parents everywhere with her new series of art books which encourage children to utilise simple materials to create fun games patterns are for smaller items such as mittens, gloves, hats and artworkbags. ''The Pencil Book'' sees the humble pencil takes centre stage, with seventy projects to keep kids engaged All are bright and cheerful and amusedvery cosy.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0711235848</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Pauline Brown1635864070|title=The Complete Guide to Quilting Techniques: Essential Techniques and Step-by-Step Projects for Making Beautiful QuiltsKnit 2 Socks in 1|author=Safiyyah Talley|rating=54
|genre=Crafts
|summary=If you''Quilting'' is ve ever started knitting a generic term covering patchworkpair of socks, quilting itself finished the first one and appliqué. All three require different skills and you'll find them either got bored by the idea of doing the same thing all covered to a greater over again, or lesser extent in this gorgeous book. There's an introduction covering started on the origin of second sock and lost the skills - patchwork developing amongst the pioneer women of early America for whom first before you finished it was an essential way of keeping their families warm, as did quilting and this is the book for much the same reasonyou. Appliqué Where is rather more decorative and luxurious and the original appliqué quilts were made it that single socks go to commemorate special occasions. Don't think hide? Safiyyah Talley has developed a system that quilting is allows you to knit two socks in one, divide them up and have a craft mired in the past though - over my lifetime Iperfectly finished pair of socks. Sounds good? It've seen numerous developments s clever and tried many of them for myselfwell-thought-out.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782401679</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Richard Merritt, Amanda Hillier and Felicity French1529393930|title=The Neon Colouring Book |rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|summary=Half a century ago I trained to be Making a teacher. My tutors were adamant that children should not be allowed to colour in any outline which they had not drawn themselves. It 'stifled their creativity' you see, but took no account of the pencil control which it gave, or, indeed, the pleasure of creating something individual - because everyone colours differently. Times have (fortunately) changed and colouring books Living: How to delight adults and children are now all the rage and yesterday I took an idle look at one, equipped with some felt-tipped pens and a few crayons left behind when my daughter departed. Half an hour, I thought. Just half an hour. That's all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>178055270X</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=The Creative Therapy Colouring BookCraft Your Business|author=Hannah Davies, Richard Merritt and Jo TaylorSophie Rochester
|rating=5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Apparently, colouring books for adults have become ''de rigeurStarting a creative business has never been easier.'' '' in FranceIf not now, with the book when?''Art Therapie-100 Coloriages Anti-Stress I know that I'm not alone in having wondered whether or not I could turn my hobby into a business. There' flying off s a lot of motivation to do so: I make more items than we can sensibly use and there are a lot of people who have been delighted to accept what I make as gifts. Selling would offset the shelves as increasing numbers of stressed-out individuals discover costs, which can be quite considerable and it could be fun to do, couldn't it? But where to start? What do I need to think about? Well, the therapeutic value of first thing anyone who is considering turning a crafting hobby into a business should do is to read ''Making a Living'colouring in'.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782433007</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1635862353|title=Explore and Draw Patterns: An Art Activity BookThe Sandalmaking Workshop|author=Owen Davey and Georgia Amson-BradshawRachel Corry
|rating=4.5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Explore and Draw Patterns is a beautifully presented interactive workbook designed A sandal-making workshop? I couldn't really believe it, mainly because I'd always thought that you'd need more equipment than the average home was likely to be able to spark creativity and imaginationcontain but I was intrigued. The appeal Rachel Corry started sandal making accidentally - a small fire destroyed some of her shoes. One pair had come apart and she could see how the subject matter is universal; everyone loves sandal was constructed. Then she realised that she couldn't afford to replace all her shoes. Could she combine these two facts to create a new and worthwhile craft? She showed quite a few people her first pair and they all either wanted to know how to doodle, so the book would be equally enjoyable for adults do it - or childrenif she'd make them a pair. A new career was born.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782401407</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Fiona Goble1783784350|title=Sew Quick, Sew CuteThis Golden Fleece: 30 Simple, Speedy ProjectsA Journey Through Britain's Knitted History|author=Esther Rutter|rating=45|genre=CraftsHistory|summary=I have a patchwork quilt on the go at the moment It was December and it will take me months Esther Rutter was stuck in her office job, writing to completepeople she'd never met and preparing spreadsheets. The job frustrated her and even her knitting did not soothe her mind. But sometimes you want January was going to have be a time for making changes and she decided that she would travel the length and breadth of the British Isles with occasional forays abroad, discovering and telling the satisfaction story of making something which might take hours or a weekend wool's history and which is more relaxing how it had made and changed the landscape. She'd grown up on a sheep farm in Suffolk - 'fun''. Sometimes you want a project which you can do with free range child on the kids which will encourage them to feel that they can be creative farm'' - and which produces something which is relaevant to their lives. I was 'encouraged' learned to spin, knit tea cosies as a child. It didnand weave from her mother and her mother't cut the mustard even then..s friend. I think I might have found the answerThis was in her blood.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400885</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Fiona PearceChou_Make|title=Treat PetiteMake and Play: 42 Sweet and Savoury Miniature BakesNativity|author=Joey Chou|rating=4.5|genre=CookeryChildren's Non-Fiction|summary=I know that always feel a slight disappointment for children at Christmas when they're not good for mepresented with a tree to decorate with a box of ornaments and a nativity scene (sometimes quite precious, but I do love cakesso it's Not To Be Played With) which is set up Somewhere Safe. ThereWhere's always so ''the imagination, the creativity, the sense of pride in that? How much'' of them though - and I'm not going better to let them go to wastehave a child create their own nativity scene, am Iwhich they can then play with? I love making them too, but no matter how hard I try they always seem to end up more Little Chef than Masterchef. When I found That's exactly what they get with Joey Chou'Treat Petites '' it seemed that I just might have found the answer to my prayers. ItMake and Play Nativity's a book of forty two recipes for tiny petit fours, little sponge cakes, jewel-like macaroons and gorgeous savouries. They're all mere morsels - just big enough to pop into your mouth.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400982</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Lucinda Ganderton099334030X|title=The Maison Sajou Sewing Book: 20 projects from Can You Draw the famous French haberdasheryDragosaur?|author=Peter Lynas and Charlie Roberts
|rating=4.5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=When I was younger I dreamed of You're going to Paris get a hint of what this book's about very quickly. When you see the title page, you'll find out what the book's called and visiting the fashion housesthat it's been written by Peter Lynas. Now I would love Then we move on to go to visit Maison Sajou, who has done the haberdasher who seems illustration - and there's a gap. ''You'' are going to have everything that someone who works with material could want, so when I saw The Maison Sajou Sewing Book put your name there was no way that I could resist it. It's a confection ''your'' responsibility to provide the pictures for this book about one of twenty projectsthe largest creatures ever to roam the earth. There's some help available, but your name is on the very essence of French chic, with something for everyone.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400850</amazonuk>title page - and you have work to do!
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Susan Beal1635860334|title=Hand-Stitched Home: Projects to Sew with Pendleton and Other Wools|rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|summary=I've had extensive experience of craft teachers - both in person and through books - and they fall into two categories. The first are the ones who want you to be awed by their knowledge and techniques, to know that what they can do easily may well be completely beyond your abilities. The other group are the ones who within minutes have you believing that you can do this, that you're going to find it exciting, rewarding and ''fun''. Fortunately Susan Beal comes firmly into the second group. Just so that you know where I'm coming from, I've been sewing for over half a century, but for some reason I've not strayed far into the realms of woolen materials. There was a reluctance which I couldn't ''quite'' put my finger on.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1621138704</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewWhy We Quilt|author=Beth Sheard|title=Stitch It Simple: 25 Hand Sewn Projects to Make and ShareThomas Knauer|rating=3.54
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Beth Sheard has created twenty five projects I've often wondered about the story that patchwork quilting began as a way for women (and myth would have it that it was always women) to make an extra blanket out of varying degrees material which would otherwise go to waste. This undoubtedly ''did'' happen but when you think about it, you need an awful lot of difficulty ranging from simple makes which could be completed by a child with minimal help and supervision through material to make a quilt which would engaged and the more experienced sewertime could have been better spent if all that was required was bedding. Throughout the book thereLike Thomas Knauer, I's plenty ve come to inspire every stitcher the conclusion that it began as an art and it's all supported by examples made has largely continued down that same road with fluctuations in glorious fabricspopularity over the years.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1627107592</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Susanne Woods (Editor)1419726625|title=Lucky Spool's Essential Guide The Mitten Handbook: Knitting Recipes to Modern Quilt MakingMake Your Own|author=Mary Scott Huff
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=ItI love mittens - they's perhaps re so convenient and much easier to explain this book by starting from what it ''isn't''get onto (and off) cold hands than a pair of fiddly gloves. If youThey're just thinking about making quilts then this is not the place something you regularly see in shops, so I knew that if I wanted new pairs I would have to startknit them myself. Much Well, actually, that's my rationalisation of the book will be completely unintelligible to yousituation: in truth, I love knitting mittens. Even if you They have some experience you might find - as I did - that there are some subjects where you need more basic information just enough technique to make the most them satisfying, plenty of quick work and a pair of what you are being toldwarm mittens in a few days. What Patterns, though - where do you get is a series of ten masterclasses which will move you forward in specific areas and enable you to improve the quilts you produce.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1940655005</amazonuk>them from?
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|title=Outdoor Wonderland|author=Josie Jeffery|rating=4.5|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summaryisbn=When I was growing up we had ‘Why Don’t You’ to inspire us what to do during the summer holidays, but I still don’t understand why a TV show would encourage me to switch off the telly – how am I meant to know what to do? A far more sensible guide for outdoor fun is a book like Josie Jeffery’s ‘Outdoor Wonderland’, an informative book full of interesting things to do outside no matter the weather or time of day.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400826</amazonuk>}}{{newreview1621137775|title=Flowerpot FarmHandbag Workshop: A First Gardening Activity Book|author=Lorraine Harrison|rating=3.5|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summary=With the demand for us to eat seemingly more fruit Design and vegetables every day, the world of grow-your-own is back. Why buy from Sew the supermarket when you can release the kids into the garden to graze like cattle? However, before you do this, perhaps you should pick up a book like ‘Flowerpot Farm’ by Lorraine Harrison and Faye Bradley which will show them how to create their own fruit, veg and flower garden no matter how small a space they have to work with.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400818</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=This Belongs to Me: Cool Ways to Personalize Your StuffPerfect Bag|author=Anna WrayM Mazur
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=I love handbags, but I resent paying the prices demanded by manufacturers of 'good' bags. Additionally, I often find a bag I like but the colour/shape/size/capacity/internal layout isn't ''This Belongs to Mequite'' contains 14 design projects that describe how what I had in mind, so I end up spending rather a lot of money and compromising. The solution is to customise everything from clothing make my own bags and whilst I was confident about sewing fabric bags, I was nervous about using leather, not least because leather isn't very forgiving when it comes to furnituremistakes and it's usually more expensive than fabric. I needed help. Anna Mazur's ''The book encourages people Handbag Workshop'' came to get creative by showing the basic techniques and skills involved me free through NetGalley in return for each project, but leaving the actual creative design up to the personal preferences of the readeran unbiased review.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908005785</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleisbn=Make a Mobile: 12 Cool Designs to Press Out and Hang1632506386|author=Lydia Crook|rating=5|genre=Crafts|summarytitle=''Make a Mobile'' is a delightful crafting book crammed full of projects for parents and children to share. The book contains 12 unique designs that fit together beautifully and are surprisingly easy to make. The perforated pages allow the components of each mobile to be simply pushed out from the page without the need for nimble scissor skills.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908005807</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=Paper Play|author=Lydia Crook|rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|summary=Paper Play is a virtual time machine, taking us back to an era before the PC, tablet and games console, when children had the ability to amuse themselves for hours with a few sheets of paper, some scissors and some glue. Simple papercraft skills were passed down from generation to generation, arming creative minds with a seemingly endless supply of crafting ideas, including paper dress-up dolls, flying contraptions and finger puppets.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0762449578</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Mark Griffiths|title=Woodworking for the Weekend: 20 Projects Using Reclaimed Timber|rating=4.5|genre=Crafts|summary=I realised a long time ago that thereKnitter's a great deal to be said for reclaimed timber. Not only is there virtue in reusing wood (and it's often hardwood) which might otherwise end up on a bonfire or in landfill, it has ''character'', with marks and shadings which speak of its history. Used in the right place it can sing as no completely new piece could ever could Dictionary: Knitting Know- but the trick is in knowing the right place and how How from A to use the wood. Mark Griffiths has come up with twenty projects, most of which are likely to be complete in a weekend and all of which will give pleasure to the woodworker and to the people who use the end results.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400575</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewZ|author=Libby Abadee and Cath Armstrong|title=Craft it Up Around the WorldKate Atherley
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=ItI's a lovely idea: ve been knitting for well over sixty years, following patterns for twenty fairy tale characters and a brief story to go of varying complexity with themsuccess. ThereI's ve knit Aran sweaters, socks by the pleasure of dozen and I'm currently knitting the characters and then of a child playing with them alongside blankets for a story and then being able to use their imaginations charity to built their own storiessell. Best of all, itThere hasn't been an occasion when I've been stuck and people have often come to ''me'' for help when ''they've''s done without a battery or a computer/games console in sightbeen stuck. ItWould a knitter's a winner all rounddictionary really be of any help to me? I was surprised by just how much I got out of it.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908005467</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Savage1440248850|title=Furniture with SoulModern Patchwork Home: Master Woodworkers and Their Craft|rating=5|genre=Crafts|summary=David Savage is a master furniture maker and one of the artists featured in the book, so he is not – as he says himself – a neutral observer and nor can he be neutral in choosing who to include in the book. Having said that, the pictures alone will tell you that he has chosen people who create furniture of great beauty and – often – originality. It's the text that makes the book shine, though – as it seeks not to give a critical appreciation of each man and one woman's work, but to look at what makes them tick, what drives them on and how they have handled the good times as well as the bad. It is, if you like, ten in-depth biographies of artists who work in a common medium Dynamic Quilts and ten shorter pieces about those we should look out Projects for in the future.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>4770031211</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewEvery Room|author=Patricia Wing|title=Creative Parchment Cards: Incorporating Siesta GridsVivika DeNegre (Editor)
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Here at Bookbag we've long admired Patricia Wing's ability not just to produce beautiful handThe problem with a craft which is largely based on traditional designs is that what results from your labours is also traditional, or - depending upon what light you shine on it - old-made cards but to guide us through the process of making themfashioned. We've seen her regularly in 'Crafts Beautiful' magazine, so we know that sheVivika DeNegre has curated a collection of patterns from today's top designers. As a name that word of warning, if you can read ''relyModern Patchwork Magazine'' on. Equally reassuring is the fact you may well find that she came to card making there's nothing new in middle age – giving hope the book, but if you're new to anyone who feels that they have left it too late the magazine this could well prove to learn be a new craft. We know that we're in a safe – and very creative – pair of handsdelightful collection from the back catalogue.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0956951708</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Chris BarnardoPallant_Star|title=Dadcando: Build, Make, Do ... the Best Way to Spend Quality Time with Your KidsStar Wars Millennium Falcon Book and Mega Model|author=Katrina Pallant and Neal Manning|rating=4.5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=The ideas One of the unexpected results of making a rough-and-ready sci-fi film back in this book originated as the 1970s, was that George Lucas left a [http://wwwwhole generation capable of spelling Millennium.dadcando.co.uk/ website] that Chris Barnardo set up In amongst all the iconic inventions for divorced the film, his design team left him – and separated fathers to help them spend quality time us – with their children Now he's written a book very loveable, very fast and very asymmetrical space ship. How is it balanced when the cockpit is stuck out one side? What is that although aimed at single fathers is equally dish-like array doing on what seems to act as useful for married dadsthe top? And where can you get your own? Well, beyond the rarity and mums too or grandparents or carers to inspire crafty ideas great cost of things the Lego model, I can at least provide one answer to make with kidsthose three pertinent questions, and that answer is… here.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0852652011</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jean BaggottMcLelland_Press|title=The Girl on the WallPress Out and Decorate: One Life's Rich Tapestry|rating=4|genre=Autobiography|summary=Jean Baggott is now seventy two and in the final year of her history degree at Warwick University. After almost a lifetime of bending her life to the needs of other people she has decided that now is the time to look after herself – the eleven year old girl whose picture hangs on her wall. She plans to achieve what that girl would want her to achieve and from this she's found great fulfilment.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848311265</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewUnicorns|author=Marion Bataille|title=Abc 3dKate McLelland
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Wow. This is an ABC book with a difference. The publisherIt's notes say itthe weekend and I's "astoundingly beautiful" and it isve been indulging myself. Marion BatailleThere's carefulsomething about a unicorn which appeals to me and a little bit of research into a book of press-out unicorns, ingenious alphabet pops up from clouds and rainbows seemed like the pages ideal way to amaze spend a Saturday morning. You get twenty designs in the book and entrance they're all who decorated with pink foil: even if you don't want to add any further colouring they're still going to look. From Agreat, but because the pages are a proud pyramid on substantial card you have the inside coveropportunity to use crayons, felt tips or even paints to Z, standing on its side at the end, each letter of our alphabet has a personality of its add your ownpersonal touch. E morphs into F, V mirrors itself and becomes W, and U is a cascade of parabolas. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0747595798</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Pamela BrooksV&A_Embroidery|title=How to Research Local HistoryEmbroidery: A Maker's Guide|rating=5|genreauthor=Crafts|summary=Find out all about your house, village or town, the subtitle of this book announces. In my view, it tells you much more than that. For any historian, Victoria and not just in the field of purely local studies, this volume is probably as near to indispensable as they come.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845282760</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Adele Ramet|title=Writing for MagazinesAlbert Museum
|rating=4
|genre=Crafts
|summary=From being an avid reader (In ''Embroidery: A Maker's Guide'' we get a brief introduction to the craft by James Merry, embroidery artist, information on the tools you'll need, materials you can utilise and maybe a passionate book reviewer) guide to writing for magazines yourself is a pretty logical progressionthe stitches you'll be using. Yet like any other competitive field in life, it If you're just thinking about starting embroidery and not certain which type will suit you best or someone who's a very hard experienced in one area but wanting to get into – branch out this book could be an ideal starting point. There are over 230 glorious photographs (of items from the V&A collections) and illustrations covering 15 styles of embroidery and doubtless getting harder giving all the timeinformation and designs you'll need for 15 projects.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845281616</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael OkeV&A_Patchwork|title=Times of Our LivesPatchwork and Quilting: A Maker's Guide|author=Victoria and Albert Museum|rating=34.5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=I am currently writing my autobiography as Patchwork is a magical craft: you can take relatively small pieces of material and turn them into another piece of material with an entirely different pattern. Quilting converts a topper and a backing fabric with some wadding in between into a long-term project fabric of an entirely different weight. Combine the two crafts and you have something more than magical, occasionally fashionable but always deeply satisfying. But where to leave for my childrenstart, when there are so I was interested many different styles of both crafts? One answer is to receive read ''Times of Our LivesPatchwork and Quilting: A Maker's Guide'' by Michael Oke, which is advertised looks - as ''the essential companion for writing your own life storycover says - at styles from Italian trapunto to Korean jogakbo and then delivers fifteen projects inspired by the V&A collections.''|amazonuk=<amazonuk>185703970X</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Judy ReevesBM_Origami|title=A Writer's Book of DaysOrigami, Poems and Pictures|author=The British Museum
|rating=5
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Sometimes you find a delight of a book. On an afternoon when it was unseasonably cold and decidedly wet I have always written really – diaries every day for years, letters, storiesdiscovered ''Origami, poems… Ciao Poems and Dooyoo fitted into this perfectly Pictures'' and increased my confidence, as I received better feedback over timewas transported to Japan. As the title suggests we're looking at three celebrated arts and crafts: the ancient art of paper folding, gaining crowns here haiku poetry and Premium Fund payments on Ciaopainting. I am not a particularly confident person, I have quite low self-esteem at times'll confess that it was the origami which caught my attention, but I love writing and believe it is was surprised by the extent to which the rest of the book caught my one talentimagination. I think everyone has We begin with something they are good very simple: a boat and in case you're worried, all the entries have a degree of difficulty (from 'simple' through to 'tricky') and this one is atthe lowest level. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1577311000</amazonuk>
}}