By Kajsa Wikman, Helsinki, Finland
Syko on Flickr - couldn't wait for her book. One of my first Flickr crushes - her work has been tremendously inspiring to me.
Lots of small projects that gave me confidence to try sewing.
In the Intro, she talks about the Online Crafting World
Similar aesthetic to Tilda.
Some of Kajsa's hallmarks:
- Whimsical, fun designs
- Simple Applique with dark outline thread - she shares a tip to use thicker thread in your machine- never thought to do that! 30 wt.
- Birds, which she shares the story of how they came to be - love that!
The patterns are included at 100% size - yippee! who wants to get all dressed and run to the copy store when inspiration strikes? Not me
My favorites
Yule houses - I've already made a whole village of them! Posted on Flickr. On some, I altered the length or width, to add a little diversity. Also making some in holiday themes.
Look great on a shelf, or hanging from tree.
Quilted Baskets - clever assembly using a wire to keep them stable. Patterns for adding pictures of what goes in each - great for entryways to hold mittens, shoes, etc. Toys
More Tea? Pillow - love teapots
Quilted bowl with a lovely bird and nest design
13 Birds mini quilt - a similar project is how I fell in love with Kajsa
Ruska (Autumn Leaf Color) Quilt using appliqued leaves
Book Review: Dare to be Square Quilting by Boo Davis, Published by Potter Craft
This author has an interesting background. She runs a quilt design shop called http://www.quiltsryche.com/ She describes it: "Quiltsryche is my evil quilt studio. I make modern heirloom quilts just like your metal-loving, half-blind grandma would." She works as an art director for the Seattle weekly, and her designs are very modern/retro.
She explains how she spent many hours wrapped up in a quilt made by her grandma, listening to heavy metal. That quilt inspired her to later pick up the craft. Her approach is provide fast, easy, reliable methods to create unique quilts. Not a curve in sight - yippee for me!
Begins with a good overview of quilting basics, in plain English. My favorite part is her information on how to quilt in straight lines, which is something I'm going to try with my next project. She uses painter's tape and a long piece of molding to line up - great idea, as a yard stick usually isn't long enough!
Robot, alarm clock, city skyline, skull, owl quilts. Also a scarf, grocery bag and apron using her block style.
Very fun, modern looking designs. I've got to try the city skyline quilt, and the grocery tote that uses a pattern she calls "gridlock".
You can tell she's a good art director, because the book features great graphics, and illustrations to show how to assemble each project. Although it's all made from squares, the construction can be quite complex. So, all the projects are doable, but you need good instructions, and this book provides just that.
I like the cutting lists she provides - very simple charts that list sizes of the blocks and how many you need of each. Why doesn't every pattern list them that way?
Another book I do recommend. It has unique patterns I've not seen anywhere else, and there's something for everyone. For fun, check out her website too. Great eye candy there!
Book Review: Jil Eaton's Knitting School by Jil Eaton, Published by Potter Craft
19 Lessons, broken into beginner's delights, intermediate charmers and graduate school. Colored coded, too, so you can tell which level the projects fall into. Little boxes with "Jil's tips" throughout - I like those!
Shows how to do cast on and knit stitch, then shows projects where that's all you need. As she demonstrates new techniques, there is a project that uses them. Cool idea.
Beginning projects include several sweaters, and an adorable felted dog coat. I liked this, as many new knitters want to make a sweater, and don't want to have to wait until they've progressed into experienced skills.
There are also patterns for simple socks, a shrug, a shawl, and a sweet little knitted dress for girls.
Teaches cables, buttonholes, stripes, icord and even fair isle. By using the book's instructions, I finally finished my 3 pairs of socks (just the toes) - good description of Kitchener stitch.
My favorite project in the book is the Little Fish hat - cabled hat that only took like 2 nights to make. It matches the Big Fish sweater. So cute, and such a fun knit. I'll definitely be making more of those!
If you're ready to learn how to knit, this is a great resource, and I recommend it. Also good for intermediate knitters who want to improve their skills, or have a good reference book on hand that explains techniques. If you're a more experienced knitter, the project may be a bit too basic for you, but check them out and see if one appeals to you - the patterns are very well done.
Book Review: Craft Hope by Jade Sims, Published by Lark Crafts
An awesome, inspiring book by a successful blogger, Jade Sims. Came from the author's desire to find "more meaning from the mix of crafts and community" So, she launched Crafthope.com
Combines a love of crafting with a desire to help others.
She started by collecting pillowcase dresses, then handcrafted dolls. Soon, she had 405 dolls to donate. Inspired her to do more projects.
Some of the rock stars of the crafting world contributed patterns, such a Amanda Soule from soulemama.com, Vickie Howell from Knitty Gritty and Craft Corps, and Kaari Meng (French General), among others. You'll see popular bloggers represented, too.
This book works on 2 levels. If you just want great patterns, it's a great book, with unique projects. If you're looking for charity projects, it has that, too.
I love that I discovered new worthy charities and projects in the book, new ways to help. Little sidebars by the projects tell about the charity, how the project has been used and appreciated by the charity, and BONUS! A list of other charities that would benefit from the project. So, if you really like making pillowcase dresses, for example, you can see a list of 4 charities that could use them.
Another great thing about this book is that it features a wide variety of crafting projects, not just knitting or sewing. Also, jewelry, seed project and handmade cards.
My favorite projects, some I'll do for charity, others are just great projects:
1. Star Stitch Knit Scarf - orphan foundation of america (red scarfs)- I've already bought the yarn to make at least one of these (Valentine's Day care packages)
2. Fingerless gloves - great project, wonderful pattern
3. Baby Kimonos - these are just lovely!
4. Burp cloths and crib sheets for use in orphanages
5. Flowered purse that is too, too cute! (intended to help those entering the workforce)
6. Pupkins are probably my favorite, by Jenny B. Harris. Sweet little puppies, wearing vintage fabric clothes.
Overview:
- combo of crafty and useful
- Very do-able projects
I like how many of the projects give you dimensions, don't have to use a pattern. Makes it easy to upsize or downsize a project. Also like the bios of the project designers - a little more than you usually see in craft books, makes me want to get to know them more.
Clever construction, included ways to add drink holders, and unusual closures, insulating layers.
Very Eco-Friendly, also fashionable and fun designs.
Lots of fun details to add personality, applique, zippers, drawstrings. You could even mix and match some of the details to come up with your own design!
Some of my favorites:
1. Denise Clark, - talked about how women she saw working in downtown Baltimore had fashionable (and even expensive) handbags and briefcases, but ugly lunch bags. So, she designed one. Executive Insulated Lunch Purse-- Love that! Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thepattypanshop
2. Apple a Go Go, by Shannon Fowler-Wardrapp. Crocheted Apple Cozy - protect your lunch snack from bumps and bruises. So cute! She's also inspired by colors of the 60s and 70s. A throwback to those not needed, but enjoyable crochet items (toilet paper poodles anyone?)
3. Busy Mama's Sandwich Wrap by Janice Kalin - cotton outside, oilcloth inside, with a button closure. Re-useable, wipes clean.
4. Christiana Lane's pattern for a Denim Lunch bag is just adorable - polka dots inside, with pockets for cutlery (i.e. a spoon for yogurt)
5. Even has patterns for making felt food for the little ones! "Sack Lunch"
For only $15.95 MSRP, this one is a definite buy!
1 comments:
Love the book review section of your blog. I am always buying books but now I have a place to check them out before I spend my money.
Nonnie
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