Thrift to Fantasy by Rosemary McLeod. Rosemary McLeod is a New Zealand Journalist of long standing. This book is a collection of hers and others home textile crafts from the 1930's - 1950's. It is full of amazing items and stories of yesteryear craftswomen. The book is 100% eye candy.
I am harbouring a secret desire to learn how to knit and crochet. I'd like a craft I can indulge in while sitting on the sidelines of a rugby or netball practice or just chilling out on the couch. I got out Crochet for Babies and Toddlers by Betty Barnden because it has instructions for all the basic stitches in it and it also has patterns for crochet flowers which I'd love to be able to make for scrapbook pages. While I am not inclined to make any of the clothing items in the book there were a couple of cute hats in there though!
Miniature Scrapbooks by Taylor Hagerty didn't particularly rock it for me. It was published in 2006 and you can really tell. That said there were some cool ideas to springboard off. How about mini albums on:- Celebrations- detailing family traditions around a number of celebrations.
- Personalised direct affirmations/compliments for a child or other loved one.
- A little book of favourite shops and places to visit for when friends and family come to stay.
- Favourite CD's (you could do it through the ages for a twist- or repeat it at intervals)
- Favourite books or mini reviews for books in your own home library.
Ask the Masters! Organizing Your Scrapbooking Supplies Published by Memory Makers. To be honest I wasn't all that impressed by this book. Yes I did get a couple of ideas that I will (already have in one case) actually use. But I don't think that you could really use it to sort out your organising overall- and certainly not if you are constrained to a small space. or have to pack-up your gear at the end of each session. Yes those scrappers are represented in the book but they are in the minority and you won't always find solutions for each problem if you are in that situation.The book is divided into 5 chapters:
- Scrap space
- Tools
- Material
- Digital Supplies
- Masters Gallery.
Yes, you can take bits and pieces from this book and adapt them to your space and your scrap style- but you still need to do the adapting and the figuring and in some situations no matter how much figuring you do there just ain't a solution that will work for your space and your style. (And sometimes it's got nothing to do with organisation and lots to do with energy and enthusiasm or desire).
But compared to 'The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker' this book really doesn't make the grade- because it seems to go more for form than function... and it really give only lip service to personal scrapping style- preferring to give glib answers and pretty pictures.
The hot tip; Ask yourself can I turn it on it's side? If you have a basket or cutlery tray or similar item ask yourself what would happen if you turned it on it's side. What could you store in there now and how?
The verdict... borrow it don't buy it.
This. Book. Rocks.
"Teach Yourself Visually : Collage and Altered Arts" by Roni Johnson was already winging it's way to me via Amazon.com before it was due back at the library and I renewed it anyway so I didn't have to be without it for too long. This book is chocka block with great instructions for a multitude of techniques and projects- around 200 pages of creative goodness.
There are 11 Chapters:
- An Introduction to Collage and Altered Art
- Getting Started
- Aged and Distressed
- Paper Collage Techniques
- Paint, Ink and Rubber Stamping
- Image Transfer Techniques
- Altered Charms
- Fabrics, Fibers, and Trim
- Assemblage Art
- Altered Books
- Inspiration Gallery
Honestly I can't say enough good things about this book. If you are looking for a book to help you learn some new techniques or brush up your skills you can't do better than this one. Buy it I say BUY IT! 10 stars (out of five)
Oh and no she isn't paying me and no I don't have shares in the company.
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