Museum of Craft & Folk Art
Friday November 20th, 6-8pm
Celebrate the release of Appliqué Your Way
Wine & Sweets will be served
51 Yerba Buena Lane SF, CA 94103

The Curiosity Shoppe
Saturday November 21st, 1-4pm
Appliqué Workshop with Kayte Terry
Learn how to make Kayte's adorable felt ornaments
855 Valencia Street (between 19th & 20th)

If you are a crafter who loves to sew or are just starting out this book, The Sewing Bible: A Modern Manual of Practical and Decorative Sewing Techniques by Ruth Singer must be in your crafting library! This hard cover book is like a modern sewing encyclopedia with detailed step-by-step instructions and accompanying photos on techniques for hand and machine sewing. The techniques covered in the book are really extensive such as pin tucks, smocking, hems, adding snaps, princess seams, frills and ruffles, quilting, and embroidery. The close-up photos are great and guide you even better on all the steps. Masterclass techniques, such as mitered corners, help refine your sewing skills. The machine-sewing ones are particularly helpful for me personally as I always need to know if I'm using the right presser foot or not. This book is a sewing companion at it's finest!

The Sewing Bible also comes with 20 beautiful sewing projects. I love the Circular Skirt (p.270), Book Bag (p. 111), and Gathered Scarf (p.220) that can be worn in a variety of ways.

Book Giveaway Time!
Three lucky CRAFT readers will each receive a copy of The Sewing Bible. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Monday, November 23rd. The lucky winners will be announced later on the site. Good luck!

As a special treat, we've got this Stripy Apron project for you! It's a cute apron you can sew up by recycling two men's shirts.

Download the Stripy Apron PDF
(right click and download to your computer)

Kristin of Craft Leftovers writes:

This issue marks a new phase of Craft Leftovers Monthly, not only is it larger in size and page count, but we also have guest designers for the first time! And to top that off, subscriptions for the zine will be available for the first time ever. You can now sign up for a half year and full year subscription!

The Craft Leftovers.com shop is celebrating a Grand Opening sale today, everything will be 15% off for today. Also, as a special to CRAFT readers, use the coupon code craftzine to get 20% off your entire order when you buy anything from the Craft Leftovers Monthly category (expires December 15th). Pictured above is the new Box Set , featuring Issues 15-26.

Giveaway Time!
Two random CRAFT readers will each receive a copy of the Craft Leftovers Winter Issue. To enter, leave a comment to this post. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Wednesday, November 18th. The lucky winners will be announced on the site.

Handmade gifts are always meaningful, but infusing your gifts with symbolic meaning takes them to the next level. Enter a wonderful animal-filled resource in the form of Spirit Animals: Unlocking the Secrets of Our Animal Companions by Stephanie Iris Weiss (Chronicle Books). This delightful little 5×7 book is a veritable pocket companion of animal symbolism defined. There are 40 entries altogether, most of them animals with a few insects and reptiles thrown in for good measure. Each entry has a section on Personality, Spiritual Origins, and Guiding Powers. And each has its very own illustration, representing the text, drawn by one of nine talented contributing illustrators. This lends a lot of visual interest to the book since all of their styles are so unique and different from one another. Here's the picture that accompanies the deer, drawn by Lisa Congdon:

I first checked out the book after coming back from a solo backpacking trip during which I was repeatedly visited by a hummingbird. Each animal is given a quick-reference description at top, and the hummingbird is "The Relentless Pleasure-Seeker." Under Personality, Weiss writes, "The only bird that can hover and fly backward, forward, up, or down, the hummingbird is incredibly adaptable. .... This incredible stamina allows the hummingbird to tirelessly seek out nectar from every source. These spritelike creatures are a direct link to pure, unadulterated happiness." Under Spiritual Origins, Weiss shares Mayan views of hummingbirds and also adds, "In Mexican folklore, the hummingbird symbolizes luck in love." And finally, under Guiding Powers, Weiss suggests,

If you're in need of some serious joy, consult with the hummingbird. This creature shows us how to find hidden happiness and to see the best in people. It's the ideal spirit animal for those moments when you're overwhelmed by darkness and focused on the negatives. The hummingbird will show you how to find your sweet spot again. It takes perseverance and ingenuity to find your bliss once you've lost it. The hummingbird has endless stores of both, so if someone you love is feeling blue, call upon the hummingbird to bring back his or her laughter.

Whatever level of importance you choose to give to these words, for me, it was intriguing and entertaining to read them. And incidentally, I do have a friend who is feeling quite blue. I will certainly try and weave a hummingbird or two into the next present I make for her. If you need some inspiration for your crafts, this book is great to get the wheels turning.

Congratulations to Alice in Seattle, Wash., and Laurel in Boulder, Colo., for each winning a copy of Jane Austen's Sewing Box. (That's right, there are two winners; there were so many passionate responses one extra lucky person is getting my ever-so-gently-used review copy.) Thanks to everyone who commented! I loved reading each and every response, and there were an overwhelming number. It warmed the cockles of my heart to think of the impact Miss Austen has had on so many of us.

For those of you who would like your own copy, Jennifer Forest pointed me to the book's listing on Amazon UK, where it seems to be easier to get your hands on it.

And for those of you on the east coast, be sure to check out the Jane Austen exhibit at the Morgan Library in New York City. I wish I could go! A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy sounds like an incredible show for any Austen fan.

As a special preview for MAKE's upcoming Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest, we're giving away two copies of Scorpia and Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz, the fourth and fifth books in the Alex Rider series. Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you or your kid(s) needs one of these books. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (it won't be published). All eligible comments will be closed by Noon PST on Sunday, November 14th. The winners will be announced next week on the site. Good luck!

More:

• Alex Rider's Radio Mouth Brace
• Alex Rider's Smokescreen Bike Pump
• Alex Rider's Geiger Counter Game Console
  
• Alex Rider's High Tensile Yo-Yo
  

The Klutz Book of Balloon Twisting by Karen Phillips
Klutz.com
Ages 8 and up

I went through a serious balloon twisting phase as a kid, somewhere between my obsession with the steel drum and sewing purses. My parents got me a book and kit for making all sorts of things from these long, skinny balloons, but some of them were far too advanced for me. The Klutz Book of Balloon Twisting would have been perfect for me as a kid, since it has eleven kid-friendly projects that would be easy to make at a party or playdate. It comes with 40 balloons and a pump, which makes blowing up the balloons an absolute breeze. The book has hats, wands, swords, and fairy wings, which are perfect for girls and boys. If you're interested in getting your kids started on this fun craft or want to whip up some party toys but have never even made a balloon dog, this book is a perfect place to begin. For some more ideas of models to make, try Balloon Molecules.

Book Giveaway Time!

Three lucky CRAFT readers will each receive a copy of The Klutz Book of Balloon Twisting! Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Friday, November 13th. The lucky winners will be announced later on the site. Good luck!

Also this month, as a special to CRAFT readers, get 25% off all Klutz titles by entering in the promo code CRAFT at checkout!

As a special preview for MAKE's upcoming Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest, we're giving away two copies of Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz, part of the Alex Rider series! Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you or your kid(s) needs one of these books. That's all you need to do to enter! Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (it won't be published). All eligible comments will be closed by Noon PST on Sunday, November 8th. The winners will be announced next week on the site. Good luck! For a sneak peak at Eagle Strike, check out a sample chapter at MAKE.

More:

• Alex Rider's Smokescreen Bike Pump
• Alex Rider's Geiger Counter Game Console
• Alex Rider's High Tensile Yo-Yo
  

Book Giveaway Time!
Three lucky CRAFT readers will each receive a copy of The Shrinky Dinks Book along with Shrinky Dinks - Extra Shrinkable Plastic refills! Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Friday, November 6th. The lucky winners will be announced later on the site. Good luck!

I probably reread at least one of Jane Austen's novels a year, picking the title to suit my mood: Persuasion when I'm feeling pensive on a frosty fall morning, Pride and Prejudice when I need a bit of a pick-me-up, Emma when I have a jones for some juicy gossip. So I was delighted to hear about Jennifer Forest's Jane Austen's Sewing Box, a book that manages to simultaneously be a craft history, literary analysis, and how-to.

It's a seriously nerdy book, in the best possible way. Hefty, with beautiful reproductions of period paintings, furniture and housewares, it starts off grounding the reader in Jane Austen's world, bringing a little background to her work. Forest explains the role of women's "work" in the 19th century (by which was meant needlework, sewing, knitting, painting, etc.) and sprinkles quotes from Austen's novels liberally throughout.

Then we get into the good stuff! There are 18 step-by-step projects for crafts mentioned in the novels. Some are perhaps a little too period (although it's cool to know how to make a gorgeous silk bonnet, I am unlikely to wear it), but most would look as well in a crafty hipster's apartment as in Fanny Price's hands. The beautiful linen pillowcases would add class to any bed, and who doesn't need an embroidered work bag or quilted huswife to hold projects in-progress? The netted purse is perfect for going out, and would look smashing with a faux-fur muff and tippet. And I think cravats should definitely make a comeback for women or men (there's even a handy illustration showing how to tie the most popular Regency styles).

I loved thumbing through this gorgeous book, and if you have even the faintest yearning for bygone days, you probably will, too.

NOTE: I just heard from the author, who pointed me to Amazon in the UK, which has a much better price than the one in the US. Apparently shipping takes about a week. Enjoy!

Book Giveaway Time!
We are giving away a copy of Jane Austen's Sewing Box. Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you want this book. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Wednesday, November 4th. The lucky winner will be announced on the site. Good luck!

Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs by Julie Jackson
Book Site: kittywigs.com

Julie Jackson who brings us Subversive Cross Stitch and Kitty Wigs has reached "eleven" in terms of cuteness with her new book, Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs. The fashionable kitties, photographed by Jill Johnson, are styled in various Kitty Wigs amid scenes of their fashionable life. Hey, it's the world of the supermodel kitties! I love each of the hilarious kitty quotes that go with each photo making it super believable that these kitties are living some kind of extraordinary life that we get a glimpse into.

Book Giveaway Time!
We are giving away 3 copies of Glamourpuss. Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you want this book. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Thursday, October 29th. The lucky winners will be announced on the site. Good luck!

Savory Baking: Warm and Inspiring Recipes for Crisp, Crumbly, Flaky Pastries by Mary Cech, photographs by Noel Barnhurst

As it gets colder this autumn, what could be lovelier than a leisurely weekend day in a warm kitchen? Baking at home is fun and rewarding, but there are only so many cookies and cakes you and your family can take. All that prep time and careful attention should yield a delicious and healthy meal with which to feed your family or guests, not just a guilty pleasure! I don't have a big sweet tooth, but I love to bake, which is why Savory Baking by Mary Cech is the perfect addition to my cookbook collection. The book starts out with an overview of ingredients, equipment, and techniques specific to baking, to ensure your success. More so than stove top dishes, it's important to know what to expect in a baking recipe, so the overview of crepe, souffle, and doughs techniques is empowering.

This book is full of inspiring dishes, broken down more by what type of pastry they use than what course they're for: quick breads, flaky pastry, rustic cobblers and betties, puff pastries, cookies, and, finally, sides and sauces. The gorgeous photos tend to draw focus to those particular recipes, but, really, every dish sounds delicious. Baking can be a time-intensive endeavor, so while I wish the book included time estimates for each recipe, I loved reading through the 75 delectable possibilities for this review.

The best part of reviewing a recipe book is the cooking (and subsequent eating), clearly. I decided to make the Cambozola Pear Cream Tart, and enlisted the help of a foodie friend. Read the full article for the free recipe! Baking is a great team-cooking activity, since there are usually different concurrent tasks to be done. It's a great time of year to make this recipe, since the pears at the market will be close to ripe enough already. We used Gorgonzola dolce instead of the suggested Camembert-Gorgonzola hybrid, Cambozola, since it looked really good at the Italian market, and both of us love the flavor. We used slightly more than the recipe called for, and the flavor came out delicate and subtle. I think next time I might try a little more cheese, even, to balance with the delicious walnut crust. The most challenging part of this recipe is working with the dough, which is crumbly and delicate, making it easy to overwork, and hard to get into the shell. Tarts are forgiving, though, so perfect placement in the pan isn't critical, as patching up cracks and holes is much easier than with a flaky pastry dough. Besides licking the filling-covered spatula afterward, my favorite part of this recipe was laying out the pear slice in the shell in a sunflower pattern. It's like a pretty little secret hidden under the cheesy filling.

This is great for the intermediately skilled home cook looking to expand his/her repertoire of favorites. The tart I made required that I know how to toast walnuts (dry in a pan is how we did it), separate eggs (crack the whole thing into a bowl and pick up the yolk with your fingers), handle fancy cheese (remove the foil but let the food processor handle the rind), and work with delicate dough (I used a big cake mover to transfer it to the tart pan). Many of the recipes in Savory Baking are sure to become family holiday favorites, and this book would make a fantastic gift for the foodie in your life who's looking for a new set of ideas to tackle. It's inspiring because of the clever ingredient combinations and "why didn't I think of that?" touches that really satisfy the itch to make something lovely and delicious. Check out my Flickr set with more pictures from the making of this recipe.

Book Giveaway Time!

Three lucky CRAFT winners will win a copy of this book, Savory Baking! Leave a comment on this post telling us why you want this book. Make sure to enter your email address in the form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed Wednesday, October 28th at noon PDT. The winners will be announced on the CRAFT Twitter feed later this week. Good luck!

And since you are following us, please also follow @ChronicleBooks for all of their awesome news on books, design, and everything else under the sun! Have a great weekend!

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On November 17th, MAKE will be launching the Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest, to coincide with the release of the next chapter in Alex's adventures, Crocodile Tears. The book comes out the same day that MAKE, Volume 20 (the kid-themed issue) hits newsstands! In case you're unaware, Alex Rider is a young spy whose exploits are chronicled in a popular series of teen spy/adventure books. Alex uses all sorts of crazy high tech contraptions, made from things in his school backpack, to get out of sticky situations.

MAKE is teaming up with the Penguin Group to present The Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest.

Attention all adventure-seekers, gadget lovers, and closet inventors. You are invited to join in the fun! If you were Alex Rider, what gadget would you want in the upcoming adventure Crocodile Tears? Design your Alex Rider dream gadget, inspired by an everyday object (i.e. an iPod, a toothpaste tube, a pen). The winning gadget will be built here at MAKE Labs. Send us a schematic, tell us what your gadget is made from, and how it works. Your entry can be a schematic, sketches, and/or an explanation by you. Remember that the winning gadget should be inspired by an everyday object that one could realistically build (as much as we wish we could create a pair of scissors that fly us to the moon)!

MAKE and Penguin are sharing some of Alex's coolest gadgets and excerpts from the books, as well as giving away a pile of books! Get on over to the post on MAKE to leave a comment for your chance to win these for you or a special kid in your life.

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway to win a copy of the new book, Photojojo! Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas by Amit Gupta with Kelly Jensen. Congratulations to our three winners: Jacklyn from Jackson, NJ, Lowrah from Minneapolis, MN, and Billy from Riverside, CA. More giveaways to come soon!

AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher by Vickie Howell and Adrienne Armstrong

Our favorite knitter and crocheter Vickie Howell teams up with fellow knitter and environmentalist Adrienne Armstrong to create a unique book for us stitchers. (Adrienne also a sustainable living shop in Oakland, CA called The Atomic Garden and is wife of Green Day's Billie Joe.) AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher incorporates important facts and tidbits on sustainable living among a showcase of 31 eco-friendly patterns you can make. Their style is fun and conversational; it's not about pushing their ideas on you. It's a way for all of us busy crafters (and moms) to become more informed on the choices we make each day. I actually read this book cover to cover when I received it just to soak up all the informative tidbits! Learn everything about sustainable yarns to the carcinogenic dangers of dry cleaning. The two authors together bring a wonderful perspective on how we can become more green through our love of knitting and crochet.

I got a chance to talk to Vickie and Adrienne about AwareKnits and other fun stuff. Today is also Adrienne's birthday so Happy Birthday! Read on after the jump!

Lee writes:

Game knitting is a concept as opposed to a pattern, which means it can be used to make anything you can knit, as long as it’s a simple enough shape. The book features mostly hats, but there are also examples of scarves, mitts, headbands, and cuffs; knit whatever you love most, as it works out best to game knit an object you are familiar with knitting in the first place. As you can knit any shape, you can also game knit with any yarn/needles/gauge. You could even take it further and use the concept in non-knitting projects!

Ancient wisdom advises not to judge a book by its cover, but in the case of Felties by Nelly Pailloux, the sheer adorableness you see on the cover is very much indicative of what's inside. Squares of felt always invoke images of grade school art class for me, and Pailloux has a way of taking this classic to the next level while still maintaining simplicity and approachability. She clearly has a knack for creating designs that tug at your heartstrings and are all the while modern and stylized.

There are 18 "cute and fuzzy friends" total, each with a personality and charm all its own. The introduction to the book teaches any stitches you'll need in the book, with helpful illustrations. The first page of each project has the template pieces drawn out, and you trace and cut them out to make your pattern. The instructions are clear and simple, with room for personalization. One of my favorite patterns has the be the Polar-roo, pictured on the cover, complete with pouch and baby polar bear. Other favorites include Sleepy Fox, Pensive Rabbit, Sailor Puppy, Mummy Cat, Retro Alien, Pirate Mouse, Mushroom Girl, and of course Hoodie Wolf:

Robyn Devine of A Devine Life just launched the Three-Season Mitts E-Book for sale on Ravelry. The e-book is just $8 and features six unique patterns for hand/arm warmers, each one matching the personality of the friend she was making them for (or the level of warmth needed!). I love all the beautiful details in each pattern. From a subtle cable to a button accent, you'll be keeping your hands warm in style. You also have the option to purchase each pattern separately too. Make them for yourself or start working on your holiday gifts for friends.

As a special to CRAFT readers, Robyn is sharing with us her pattern for these awesome Sarah Mitts!

Download the PDF for the Sarah Mitts Pattern
(Note: If you are having problems viewing the PDF, please right-click on the link to download the file to your desktop.)

The best email newsletter hands down for photography crafts is Photojojo. Thanks to Amit's review one year, I found my Nikon D40 and have been in love with taking photos ever since. Now Amit and Kelly wow us again with their new book, Photojojo! Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas filled with 50 projects so you can do more with all the cool photos you take. It's not just about printing them out and making a photo album. This book shows you how to use your photos to make cool things such as a lampshade or messenger bag (pictured below).The second half of the book is like taking a photography class. You'll learn techniques for taking better photos as well as fun ways you can experiment with different photo techniques. I love the tips on how to do digital color correcting after you've taken your photos. If you love taking photos and want to learn how to do more with them, this book is for you!

Book Giveaway Time!
We are giving away 3 copies of the Photojojo! book.Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you need this book. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Wednesday, September 23rd. The lucky winners will be announced next week on the site. Good luck!

Project: Ginormous Photo Mosaics
Even if you are living in an apartment and can't put holes in your walls, you can still get some great art up. Download the project PDF to make this stunning photo mosaic where you'll be able to see the wonderful memories you have of your friend and family.

(Note: If you are having problems viewing the PDF, please right-click on the link to download the file to your desktop.)

I've been a big fan of Terry Border's Bent Objects for a while now, and featured his Horrific Yarn Sculpture back in February. I've been following his progress on his upcoming book, and can't wait to get my hands on a copy. He's just released a trailer for the book that is hilarious and gives samples of his work as well as a few funny cameos from Border and his ... very limber cat. I laughed out loud throughout the trailer, and the images used are the Bent Objects sculptures that didn't make it in to the book. Looks like I better make my family don some ear plugs when the book arrives. Enjoy!

Related:
Bent Objects Horrific Yarn Sculpture

Kathy Cano-Murillo is a well-known and prolific writer. Her Crafty Chica craft books are hugely popular, and her first novel will be published in March 2010. She shares her tips for writing a proposal for a non-fiction book, and while the amount of work needed to pull together a successful proposal might seem daunting, she offers this pep talk to hopeful writers:

I once had a proposal rejected, so I set it aside. I then pitched a different book to a different publisher, who rejected it but asked if I had any other book ideas. I whipped out that previous proposal and freshened it up. That is what became Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing! And it is my best-selling book to date!

Keep the faith and don't give up!

When I first picked up a copy of Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti (Arsenal Pulp Press), I thought it was going to be a pretty coffee table book filled with colorful images of clever street artists of the yarn persuasion. Being a fan of the subtle but calculated subversiveness of yarn bombing, I would've been happy with that. The pleasant surprise is that this new book by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain offers much more.

When I pick up a new book, I always like to open it to a random page just to get that out-of-context glimpse for starters. I was greeted by a section titled "What if you get caught?" I'm not sure how well "Explain to the officer that you are an artist and that you are creating public work" would serve you, but the "tactics of military snipers" sidebar on the next page offers some great tips on staying unseen. The point is that Yarn Bombing really strives to give a full window into this growing movement. Not only do the authors introduce you to various global yarn bombing crews with interviews and images, but you get how-tos on getting started yarning it up yourself. Equipment, planning, measuring things you want to bomb, and staying stealth are all covered.

Once you get all that down, Yarn Bombing teaches you basic tags and patterns, helps you contemplate the size of your crew, and gets you going writing your yarn bombing manifesto. There's also an entire chapter devoted to knitting and crochet patterns like the Treesweater, Hanging Shoes, and Knitted Poster Frame, to name just a few. There are even a number of patterns for making yourself tagging essentials like Nninja Threads to keep yourself incognito and the Tagging Toolkit Cuff to hold all your gear and be ready on the fly. No stone is left unturned (or without a cozy) in this comprehensive book, including the inevitable "But is it art?" discussion.

Seen below are examples of yarn bombing from the book: the knitted Pink M.24 Chaffee by Marianne Jorgensen and a piece by the Stickkontakt crew from Sweden.

Pick up Yarn Bombing for more knit and crochet graffiti juiciness and check out their blog and Flickr set for inspirational eye candy (a Flickr image search reveals tons more of his movement). World yarn domination, yo!

Believe me, you have no idea how excited I was to receive Amy Karol's second book, Bend the Rules with Fabric. Amy shows you how to personalize your fabric with stencils, stamps, dye, photo transfers, silk screening, and more. There are a great variety of projects for all different levels, including 9 no-sew projects for those that have yet to take the leap. A few of my favorites (pictured below) are the Painted Toile, the Lunch Bag where you print your own fabric, and the Aunt Sarah and Uncle Pete Dolls (how hilarious and fun!). Templates and patterns for the project are in the back of the book. In addition to projects, Amy also goes in depth on techniques. I love these as they are peppered in between projects. They are things that I've always wanted to try out such as printing images on fabric sheets, using Bubble Jet Set to make your own, or screen printing with Photoez, just to name a few. Amy includes a short bullet-list of benefits as well as drawbacks to each technique, so you can keep them in mind as you test them out. I could honestly stare at the pretty project photos all day. This is definitely a book for your craft collection!

Book Giveaway Time!
Three lucky CRAFT winners are going to win a copy of Bend the Rules with Fabric and a box of the Bend the Rules Gift Labels (pictured below). Wowza! Just leave a comment to this post and tell us why you want this book. Make sure you enter in your email address in the form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed on Friday, September 4th at Midnight PST. The winner will be announced next week on CRAFT. Good luck!