Three Books.

I love books. I especially love books on art and craft of which I have rather more than I would be comfortable owning up to! (I know that I am not alone in this)  In the past few weeks I have acquired 3 books which I absolutely love and would strongly recommend that everyone have in their collection if at all possible.

I know from bitter experience that buying books without having thoroughly checked them out beforehand can be an expensive mistake so I have taken to browsing the books in Borders before purchasing them online.
The first book I would like to recommend is Homemade by Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson. It has a wide variety of projects which are linked to the seasons and are within everyones capabilities. I love that it covers such a variety of crafts, from providing jam and scone making recipes to showing how to crochet a basic Granny Square, all of which is explained in detail and beautifully photographed - there really is something for everyone.
I love these blanket cushion covers..........

and I would love to make this tea cosy........

It is full of great ideas and inspiration, the sort of book that you could open at random and, for fun,  make whatever you open the page at.
The next book I am really excited about is Uncommon Crochet by Julie Armstrong Holetz. It is packed with great crochet projects using all sorts of alternatives to wool yarn. It is one of the few books that I have that I would like to make practically all the projects contained within it. I am currently sourcing jute twine to make this.......

 

and single ply sisal to make this......

The third book was actually given to me last week for my birthday so was not chosen by me but for me - I absolutely love it! The book is Textiles Now by Drusilla Cole - what can I say? Packed with inspirational work it is divided into 3 sections as follows........

CONSTRUCTED

 

Wool felt Cushion by Anne Kyrro Quinn.

 

Jacquard woven silk by Margo Selby.

DYED, PRINTED and PAINTED.

 

'Roses, Ornaments, Ferrets and Moths' by Brian Barratt.

MIXED MEDIA AND STITCHED TEXTILES.

'Bush Fire' by Mai-Britt Axelsen.

 

'At the Line' by Laura McCafferty (she used bits of old pillowcases and shirts for this!)

Just a very small selection of work contained in the book - it really is fab. The icing on the cake is the bookcover itself - the trunks of the trees are made of flock!

 

Perfect! I hope you have been inspired by these images - I know I have been!

SEW HIP GIVEAWAY - this month goes to Bella Bheag.

Comments

[Bella Bheag]

Are you having a break from making Suzanne? Hope all is going well with your supplies for next week - you'll already have put in your first shift by this time one week today!!!

Nice selection of books - I like the twine and sisal bags too - wonder if the materials would be sore on the hands to knit with?

I've won again - cheers! Belated birthday greetings - hope you had a v nice day. (And yes, I am stressing a bit about Ayr and Edin!)x

[Mau]

Wow, what have you found! I'm drooling your books.

[frances]

Absolute Wow. Those books do seem to be full of inspiring ideas. I will have to give them a look.

Right now I am filled to the gills with inspiration and just slipping from project to project. Knitting, crocheting, drawing, painting ... even cooking. Wish I could find a way to supply more hours to the day ... perhaps I should hop away from this laptop!

xo

[Mai-Britt Axelsen]

Thanks for showing my "Bush Fire" and how sad to know that Elspeth Thompson is no longer with us........

Hope you don't find it too spooky that I reply after such a long time, but somebody just found my blog via yours today!