Book Review: Doodle-Stitching by Aimee Ray

Full Title: Doodle-Stitching. Fresh and Fun Embroidery for Beginners
Author: Aimee Ray
ISBN: 978-1-60059-061-0
Pages: 128
Language: English
Flickr Search: doodle-stitching aimee ray
Buy it: amazon.co.uk amazon.com play.com

Content: Embroider Your World - Embroidery Essentials - Materials and Tools: getting started - stitch library - sewing essentials - Projects - Patterns - Acknowledgements - About the Author - Notes About Suppliers - Index

In the book:
This book, as many other craft publication, is divided into two main parts: the general introduction to doodle-stitching and project directory.
In the first part, Aimee Ray provides a rather short but still competent and easily understandable description of the art of stitching. Just in case you are a total beginner (just like me), she starts with basic information about materials, tools and tips and tricks you need to start with this craft. The main part of this section, however, consists of the Stitch Library, where embroidery stitches are taught.
Second part of the book contains 29 embroidery projects. From difficult quilts and sawing projects to simple pins and ornaments, everyone will find something for themselves no matter their proficiency level. Aimee starts each project with enummerating what materials and stiches are needed, to complete the work and moves on to point-by-point instructions. Each project is also accompanied by beautiful, colorful images and helpful diagrams.

Strong points:
- 29 projects
- clear descriptions
- many, many beautiful pictures
- great graphic design

Weak points:
- Stitch Library could contain more interesting stiches

Conclusion:
Can you live without this book? Yes, you can. Can you doodle-stitch without this book? Absolutely! Do you want to? No, no, no...no, no. Aimee Ray's book is one of the very special publications that speak to your creative side. The beautiful images and fantastic designs in the book are sure to inspire you to try doodle-stitching on your own. Absolutely recommended.

Book Review: Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs

Full Title: Beyond the Square - Crochet Motifs. 144 Circles, Hexagons, Triangles, Squares, and other Unexpected Shapes.
Author: Edie Eckman
ISBN: 978-1-60342-039-6
Pages: 202
Language: English
Flickr Search: Eckman crochet motifs
Buy it: amazon.co.uk amazon.com play.com

Content: Imagine - Quick Start Guide - Crochet Motif Workshop: A Word About Yarn; Sizing and Gauge; Following Instructions; Reading Charts; Getting Started; Beginning the Round; Ending the Round; Color Considerations; All Those Ends!; Joining Motifs; Principles of Flatness; Taking it to the Next Level; Edgings; Make it Your Own; Designing with Motifs - Circles - Hexagons - Triangles - Squares - Unusual Shapes - Appendix - Index - Stitch Key

How the book is organised:
The book is divided into two main sections: workshop and motifs.

The first part contains a brief introduction to crocheting in general and to stitching motifs in particular. The author provides a wide variety of useful technical tips on matters such as joining blocks, ending or shaping your work. Additionally reader will find inspiring notes on choosing colours and creating your own designs.

The second part of the book focuses on particular motifs: circles, hexagons, squares, and unusual shapes - 144 instructions in total. Each motif gets its own page with the colourful picture, clear graphical diagram and text instruction. Descriptions of motifs are meticulous and very easy to understand.

Strengths of the book:
1. Clear, easy to read instructions
2. Clear page layout
3. Great tips for crocheters

Weaknesses of the book:
1. Not all designs are aesthetically well done
2. Some motifs are repetitive
3. Despite its introductory part, this book is not suitable for beginners
Conclusion:
Edie Eckman's book is one of my favourite crochet compendiums for two reasons. First of all it is a fantastic tool for someone who, like me, loves to design their own creations. You can mix and match your favourite motifs and come up with brilliant ideas, just by browsing the book. It is really inspirational!
And second of all, you have to love a book that contains dedication: For Mom, with Love :)
These, combined with the very good quality of instructions and diagrams results in a fantastic book for intermidate and proficient crocheters.

Reading Meme - Celebrate Books

Today, I read this post by Snowbell and, because I love reading, I decided to do the Reading Meme as well.

Books accompanied me since my first days of life. Before I was old enough to do it myself, my parents took time every evening to read a piece from Tove Jansson's The Exploits of Moominpappa or the fantastic Polish adventure series Pan Samochodzik. My books and reading habits define me as a person and can say a lot about me. So here comes a part of my soul.

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
I don't do that. I am usually too absorbed to even change position when my back starts hurting. I can't even count the times I missed the bus stop...

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I don't have any scruples about marking in books although I mostly only do it to my university texts.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?
I tried to get into the habit of caring a bookmark with me but it never really worked. I can't remember to put it back in after I'm done reading and certainly I can't remember to move it from book to book. Most of the time I simply remember the page number.

Laying the book flat open?
Yes, I do it. Shame on me, I know.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
I think the majority of books I read are fiction. But I also enjoy an occasional history book, or psychology and communications related publications. And one cannot forget all my crafts books.

Hard copy or audiobooks?
Hard copy! My partner has an e-book reader (he reads a lot of big, fat programming manuals and it's better for his back to have them on small e-reader) and I tried to get to like it but no such luck. I like to touch and smell an old paper book.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
It really depends on a book. I remember reading The Horse Whisperer during one night but now, when I am older and have more patience, I take my time savoring books.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
No, unless a word really buggers me and I cannot understand it from the context.

What are you currently reading?
I'm enjoying the fact that I am back in Poland and have easy access to Polish literature. I'm swallowing book after book from Polish fantasy and classics. At the moment I'm reading Widmokrąg by Wojciech Kuczok and Homo bimbrownikus by Andrzej Pilipiuk. Additionally I have a few non-fiction books started, Online Marketing Inside Out by Brandon Eley and Shayne Tilley and Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson

What is the last book you bought?
Widmokrąg by Wojciech Kuczok

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
I guess the answer to this question is two questions up!

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
I always read before falling asleep. Even when I am very tired I like to read at least a few pages (or even sentences). And other than that I love to read during long journeys by train. Nothing better than that!

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
No real preferences here. Although I do tend to buy books of the same authors again and again if I enjoy it.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
I love the early books of Jonathan Carroll. Especially The Marriage of Sticks


How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
Hmm...mostly by genre and language (we have books in Polish, English, French, German and Danish) but we have no strict system here.

Book Review: The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques

I love Amazon. I am crazy about this website even though it eats up loads of my money. This week two more books got purchased and delivered, through no fault of my own...kinda.

Anyway, I want to tell you about The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques. I saw this book in the store the other day and thumped through it. It looked interesting but I wasn't prepared to spend £13 on it. The same day, I browsed Amazon decided to check the price on the book: £6.11! Even with the shipping it is £5 cheaper!!!

The book came yesterday and I have just finished reading it. It is truly great!

The authors, Sara Withers and Stephanie Burnham, go through all the basic techniques that use beads of any kind. From paper embroidery, through knotting, wire knitting and loom beading, to beadweaving. Each page contains clear images and easy descriptions, accompanied by pictures of finised projects - for inspiration!

At the end of the book, there is also a chapter with beaded works of arts. Makes me wanna grab my loom and never stop working :)

I love the book for the variety of techniques it offers, easy-to-follow instructions and the great images. If you are looking for advanced projects in one of the techniques this is probably not the book for you. However if you are just looking to start with beading and jewellery making - that is a perfect publication.

Full title: The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques: A Step-by-Step Visual Guide, with an Inspirational Gallery of Finished Works
Author: Sara Withers and Stephanie Burnham
Published by: Search Press
ISBN: 978-1-84448-047-0
Pages: 160
Language: English
Amazon.co.uk: The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques

Creative process

I got this new crochet book 201 crochet motifs, blocks, projects and ideas and it looks nice and shiny. But to make absolutely sure that it in fact is nice and shiny I have started to crochet one of the patterns - lace summer scarf.

The picture above shows parts of the scarf in "creative chaos"... waiting to be connected. Then comes the finishing part.

So far I can say that the pattern has some flaws but once I'm done with the entire project I will write a full review of the book and post it on hook books so don't forget to check back.

Book review : 100 flowers to knit and crochet

I have recently bought a new pattern book by Lesley Stanfield 100 flowers to knit and crochet and I must say that it is brilliant. It starts out by some basic intro to both knitting and crocheting - very useful for those of us who can't do much more than a scarf with two needles - and goes on to clear and large pictures to all the 100 flowers the title promises. The pattern section is divided into 3 levels of difficulty for each technique and contains clear and comprehensive instructions as well as schematic patterns.

The only weak point of the book is its project section. It includes only 4 ideas that are not very imaginative. But hey, that's where our creativity comes in, right?!

I have tried 3 patterns from the book so far and I they all have been a success! So ladies, it's only £7 on amazon, don't let it wait!

Oh, and I have ordered 201 Crochet Motifs, Blocks, Patterns and Ideas and Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs today so stay tuned for more reviews.