New Books

Fresh Macramé Ideas for Jewelry, Home, and Fashion
by Kat Hartmann

For many of us, the rough plant hangers or friendship bracelets we made in summer camp are the extent of our experience with macramé. Today the craft of decorative knotting is making a huge comeback with several accomplished artists taking the craft to exciting new levels of creativity. Hot Knots explores a variety of macramé techniques—from historical, centuries-old designs, to modern fusion knots—and guides readers through 18 cool and contemporary projects for jewelry, housewares, accessories, and more. Inside you'll find:

• Clearly illustrated, step-by-step tutorials demonstrate a variety of knotting techniques
• More than 200 stunning, full-color images instruct and inspire crafters of all levels
• Added suggestions for each project encourage crafters to take their skills further

Divided into chapters covering jewelry, housewares, fashion, and accessories, Hot Knots is a must-have guide for crafters, artists, fiber and knotting enthusiasts, and creatives of all kinds.

Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005652.html

Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble
by Denise Scicluna

Great uses for rocks: throwing, skipping, kicking…how about painting? Rock painting is one of the oldest forms of artistic expression known to man. The varied surfaces, shapes, and sizes of rocks also make them perfect for crafts. From brooches to bookends, paperweights to place cards, miniature owls to patterned pebbles, you can create just about anything with the right rock and a bit of imagination. In Rock Art!, visual artist Denise Scicluna provides inspiration and advice for rocking our artsy side with:

• Tips for finding and identifying rocks and preparing them for paint
• Techniques for creating the perfect “rock” from polymer clay
• A guide to gathering tools, from paint, pencils, and brushes to wood filler and varnish
• Dozens of projects for bringing pebbles to life with personality and style

Simple, step-by-step instructions, and more than 250 full-color illustrations that practically pop off the page make this fun and unusual book perfect for crafters of all ages.

Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005326.html

Techniques and Creative Inspiration to Style Your Home
Stephanie Jones

Owning one-of-a-kind, bespoke furniture is no longer a privilege of the wealthy or the realm of professional designers. Upstyle Your Furniture shows the rest of us how easy it is to create custom pieces of furniture with a bit of imagination and easy-to-find materials. Why spend a fortune on designer furniture when it’s so easy to simply restyle old or inexpensive pieces? Inside, readers will find everything they need to create a look that complements their unique personality and style, including:

• An introduction to design basics, from tools and materials to understanding how to work with surfaces like wood, glass, fabric, and metal
• Dozens of tutorials for faux painting techniques; refinishing and distressing surfaces; embellishing upholstery with trims, printing, and embroidery; and much more
• Resources for supplies, great websites for extra advice, a glossary of terms, and lots of money- and time-saving tips

An engaging feature of this book lies in its use of “case studies.” These brief profiles explore the challenges faced by non-professionals who tackled a project on their own and achieved great results. More than 300 full color images throughout.

Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005563.html

Materially Crafted

A DIY Primer for the Design-Obsessed

by Victoria Hudgins

 

Design enthusiasts are bombarded with beautiful inspiration at every turn, but many lack the foundation necessary to re-create their dream projects. Materially Crafted is a must-have guide for design mavens seeking to develop their DIY chops, even if they’re embracing their crafty side for the first time. Victoria Hudgins, creator of the popular design blog A Subtle Revelry, uncovers the best and least intimidating ways to work with the most popular crafting materials—from spray paint and concrete to thread, wax, and paper—and presents more than 30 easy projects to get everyone started.
Peppered with Hudgins’s tips for “merrymaking the everyday” (using simple DIY ideas to live life more joyfully) plus inspirational photos of projects created by other prominent bloggers, Materially Crafted is an indispensable guide for a new generation of design enthusiasts looking to DIY their own distinctive style.

Link: http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/Materially_Crafted-9781617691409.html

Shed Decor

by Sally Coulthard

 

From potting sheds to old summerhouses ripe for a makeover, Shed Decor reveals how simple it can be to transform an outdoor building into a private oasis for work, play, or relaxation. Whether you want a rustic hideaway or an urban den, a “salvage chic” office or a quirky creative hub, you'll find hundreds of quick, inexpensive, and clever ideas to design an inviting room.

Link: http://larkcrafts.com/bookstore/?isbn=9781454708896

25 Easy and Enticing Printing Projects to Make at Home
by Christine Leech

You don’t need expensive equipment to create custom printed stationery, clothing, and decorative items. Using the simplest items (think cookie cutters, ribbons, and even sweet potatoes!), Leech provides advice on tools and materials, step-by-step instructions, and plenty of photos to get readers inking and stamping in no time. 

Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005962.html

Tie Dip Dye
Fashion and Lifestyle Projects to Hand-Dye in Your Own Kitchen
by Pepa Martin and Karen Davis

The classic look of tie-dyed fabric is back with new generation styles that are far more subtle and sophisticated than our old groovy T-shirts. Today, the technique can be found on fashion runways, on the wallpaper of the hottest night spots, and mixed into the summer ensembles of A-list celebrities. In Tie Dip Dye, textile artists Pepa Martin and Karen Davis show us how simple it is to create beautiful, bespoke fabric designs with not much more than dye and a few items that most of us already have in our kitchens. Readers will find:

• Tips for getting started, from selecting fabrics to preparing dye to basic folding
• 25 projects including scrunch-dyed curtains, bleached trousers, and a marble scarf set
• Instructions for core techniques such as dip-dyeing, shibori, bleaching, and shape resist
• A pattern directory that demonstrates how to achieve a range of beautiful designs

There is little that can go wrong when tie dying, and simple changes in the way a fabric is pleated or folded can yield beautiful, unexpected results. Tie Dip Dye will inspire crafters of all skill levels to try this versatile technique for the first time or expand on their current dying knowledge. Approximately 140 full-color images throughout.

Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005334.html

Patterns, Tutorials, Tips, and Advice
by Christine Haynes

How many times have you looked at a skirt or dress and thought that it would be perfect if it were only a bit longer, or had sleeves, or was a different fabric? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just make those perfect pieces ourselves? For many, the appeal of sewing their own clothes is huge, but many novice sewers soon learn that finding very simple clothing projects can be next to impossible. This book will change all that. With clear instructions, step-by-step illustrations, and very simple sewing patterns to download, Skirts & Dresses for First Time Sewers is a must-have resource of clothing projects for the new sewer. Inside, readers will find:

• Overviews of each project cover key characteristics, best fabrics, and styling tips
• QR codes provide complete project patterns for quick and easy download
• Simple adaptations for each project offer a variety of looks with a minimum of fuss
• Design and embellishment techniques that help make pieces truly one of a kind

More than 300 full-color images provide inspiration and advice for a range of stylish classics, from maxi and pencil skirts to shift and wrap dresses, all bearing the same difficulty rating…SUPER SIMPLE!
Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005407.html

20 Fresh and Funky Hand-Knit Designs
by Jessica Biscoe

From a delicate maiden braid bracelet and a cute coin purse to cozy ruby slippers and a chic winter cape, there is nothing run-of-the-mill about the 20 dynamic projects in this book. Knitting whiz Jessica Biscoe provides simple instructions, advice on tools and materials, step-by-step photos, and plenty of guidance to get readers going on cool and contemporary knits to wear, share, and decorate their lair. 

Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005970.html

30 Cute Knitted Projects They’ll Love
by Amanda Berry

Babies and animals are a naturally adorable match and this book is bursting with animal-themed knits for little ones ages birth to 36 months. The various sections of the zoo—from jungle and savannah to reptile house and polar region—serve as inspiration for these 30 projects. Whether it’s a hippo-face rattle, bear-paw booties, a tiger-striped onesie, or a penguin bottle carrier, these bright, personality-filled projects will garner roars of approval! Inside, readers will find:

• 30 projects for knitters of all levels, includes items worked in flat and in the round
• An essential guide to basic tools, techniques, and materials
• Notes on safety when knitting for young children
• Guidance for a variety of color work and finishing techniques

Most projects only require one skein of yarn per color to minimize costs and waste. Each project is given a rating based on skill level and time involved. More than 100 full-color illustrations, along with abbreviations, conversion charts, and other handy hints make Animal Knits for Kids a must-have addition to any knitter’s library.


Link: http://barronseduc.stores.yahoo.net/1438005318.html