View source for Miniature Quilling by Diane Boden Crane

{{infobox1
|title=Miniature Quilling
|author=Diane Boden Crane
|reviewer=Sarah Cooper
|genre=Crafts
|summary=A collection of projects that are enjoyable to complete and are astoundingly beautiful when finished.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=48
|publisher=Search Press Ltd
|date=July 2007
|isbn=978-1844482054
|cover=1844482057
|aznuk=1844482057
|aznus=1844482057
}}
The front cover really drew me in on this book, take a look at the cover and you will understand why. Anyway, if you're lost for inspiration in all things crafty then take a look at this book. This book leads you through the process of how to obtain the most fun you can with a piece of paper - that process is known as quilling. If you're unfamiliar with quilling it's a craft that involves using strips of paper rolled up in various ways to produce outstanding results. The strips of paper are rolled up around a quill and then shaped to form various shapes such as leaves and flowers.

Quilling became popular during the Renaissance period when nuns and monks would use the strips of trimmed gilded paper to form delightful flowers or leaves to embellish the front covers of books. It is thought the craft is now known as 'quilling' because they used a feather quill to wrap the strips around. Since then, the craft has evolved and is now used in various ways such as on scrapbook pages, wedding cards etc. However, if you take a look at this book you will be provided with a host of ideas that you would never think possible. The front page certainly makes your mouth water as the author of the book has created some deliciously realistic looking chocolates out of paper.

Newbies and experienced quillers will be itching to get their hands on this book as it provides so many new and intriguing ideas. The book features five themes: daisies and lavender, autumn leaves, butterflies, chocolates and fairies. I love the way the book gives so many innovative ways to use the quilled items. One particular project idea I loved was the box frame of chocolates; this could be hung in the kitchen or perhaps in your own personal pampering boudoir. If that doesn't take your fancy how about the delicate glass votives embellished with the detailed little quilled butterflies? I was amazed the detail that this author packs in to each and every project and the results show in how realistic every finished piece looks.

I was puzzling what to get my father-in-law for Christmas but when I saw the enticing gift box, which is made to look like a fence with all flowers growing around it, I thought to myself any gardening gift would be made to look exquisite if it was presented in that box.

I put myself in the shoes of a beginner to review this book and found that if I were following the instructions word for word it would be very easy to understand. Every step was photographed and at no point was I left wondering what to do. The book is 48 pages long and covers all the basic instructions and equipment you will need. 

My favourite section of the book was the section on fairies and I am very excited to get cracking on making my own quilled fairy for the top of the Christmas tree this year. I'd strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves quilling or wants to take up a new hobby!

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