Synopses & Reviews
New from the author of ECO CRAFT: a unique approach to stitchery!
Meet the most creative power tool in a stitcherand#8217;s arsenal: the ordinary sewing machine! Cutting-edge author Susan Wasinger turns it into a source of fun and experimentation with more than 20 innovative projectsand#151;some with surprising variations.
Susan encourages sewers to play with their machines, giving them eye-opening techniques to try: stitch without thread to puncture non-fabric materials; use leather needles to sew through layers of fused felt; reorient seams to transform flat projects into 3-D. and#160;Along with the familiar fabrics and recycled garments, she gets into the spirit of exploration with unexpected materials, from paper and tire tubes to neoprene. And with the skill level set at beginning to intermediate, every crafter can join in!
Projects include:
Bags and Totesand#160;and#160;
Home dand#233;cor and gift itemsand#160;
Wearables, such as hats and other accessories
Review
andldquo;Wasinger (Artful Halloween) loves Christmas, but she freely admits that it can be difficult to find time to create during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. To remedy this problem, the author developed this collection of easy craft projects that require little time, few specialized tools, and simple supplies, many of which can be found around the house. Trees, stars, wreaths, and ornaments abound, but Wasinger also includes ideas for Christmas cards, gift wrap, Advent calendars, and table settings. The overall style is elegant rather than homespunandmdash;you wonandrsquo;t find cutesy country crafts in this volume, which sets it apart from many of the other Christmas craft books on the market. The instructions are easy to follow and plenty of photos are included. VERDICT These easy-yet-elegant projects will appeal to holiday crafters with Neiman Marcus tastes and Target budgets.andrdquo; Library Journal
Review
"Offers a wide range of home dand#233;cor, costume, and party ideas that are faithful to the creepy, eerie Halloween mood without giving up elegance or sophistication...The book not only does a great job of getting you in the Halloween spirit, but also tells you exactly what you need to re-create the ideas and gives easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for the projects. Even if you don't consider yourself to be the most experienced craftista, this book will take your Halloween decorations, parties, and costumes to the next level! --Tori Spelling, actress, author, and host of
Craft Warsand#8220;If you love making Halloween decorations I bet you will love Artful Halloween as much as I do. The projects are, as the title states, elegant but not too fussy or time-consuming, which is just the way I like my holiday crafts.and#8221; --Craft Gossip
Synopsis
Celebrate a merry Christmas in an artfully decorated home! Crafters will feel the joy as they make 30 elegant yet incredibly easy projects out of the most affordable and accessible materials. Deck the halls with a lacy air-dried clay wreath, a stamped muslin bag Advent calendar, festive felt stockings, sparkling paper ornaments, a glittered garland, and other items beautiful and bright.and#160;
Synopsis
For and#8220;Farm Chickand#8221; Serena Thompson, Christmas means a house overflowing with ornaments, lights, and cherished treasures, and the aroma of baking cookies to welcome family and friends. Here, she shows us how to spread the magic of the season, with ideas for entertaining, decorating, tree trimming, charming crafts, and 17 recipes for yummy holiday sweets-plus tips for wrapping food and gifts.
As in The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen, Serena weaves delightful stories of her family and friends throughout the book, calling forth nostalgic smiles that remind us of the importance of tradition at this special time of year.
Synopsis
Part nostalgia, part modern and#147;slow movement,and#8221; Sewn By Hand celebrates the gentle comforts of creating beautiful pieces the old-fashioned way. This contemporary collection allows stitchers to be eco-friendly and mobile, as they carry their projects along with them just as knitters do. And with more than 20 items ranging from fashionable pillows and aprons to practical totes and pincushions, sewers will produce gorgeous results while they experience the simple joys of traditional sewing.
Synopsis
Who knew taking care of the planet could look so good? Eco Craft shows how, with 30 truly beautiful home dand#233;cor projects that elevate environmental consciousness to stylish new heights. Every idea is amazingly clever: who would ever have imagined that plastic six-pack can holders could become a chic Moorish-inspired filigree tri-fold screen? Or that glass baby food jars would make a charming candle chandelier? Every project features at least one beauty shot in a modern home setting, easy-to-follow instructions, and step-by-step color photos, while handy icons spotlight the key techniques, materials, and the estimated time to complete each project.
and#160;
Synopsis
These 30+ costume, pumpkin, and home-decorating ideas are not just beautiful--they are scary beautiful. From unique pumpkin decorations to a and#8220;bloodand#8221;-splashed dinner-party centerpiece to a Yard Specter made from two poles, a string of lights, and torn, draped fabric, these creepy but stylish Halloween projects will give your home a spooky, sophisticated look . . . with gothic flair!
and#160;
Synopsis
'Tis the season to make felt crafts-fa, la la la la! These 45+ festive Christmas projects will bring joy to crafters everywhere. Created by successful online designers from around the world, the adorable items range from a sweet garland of little birds to super-cute matryoshka doll ornaments. All can be made with simple sewing techniques, and there are both no-sew and eco-smart options, too.
Both indie and mainstream crafters will love these fresh new ideas!
Synopsis
Sew simple, sew better, sew by the numbers! With these pure, pattern-free projects, thereand#39;s no need for photocopying, piecing, and taping. Itand#39;s as easy as 1,2,3: just measure and cut a few squares, a couple of rectangles, the odd triangle, and the occasional circleandmdash;and then start stitching them together. Even novices can quickly make sweet sundresses and girlsand#39; pinafores; messenger bags and backpacks; patchwork pillows and a mega-plaid quilt. This is the stress-free way to create exactly what you want!and#160;
About the Author
Susan Wasinger designs houses, products, books, and magazines. Her work has been featured in Metropolitan Home, Stitch, Natural Home, and Piecework magazines as well as on HGTV. She is the author of several books, including Eco Craft, The Feisty Stitcher, Sewn by Hand, and Artful Halloween (all Lark). Susan lives in Boulder, CO.