Welcome to Great Finds Friday on the Crafts ‘n things Blog! Before we take a look at some fabulous new craft books that have just been released, we want to announce the lucky winner of the Wishy Washi Tape prize package offered on the April 12th blog post. The winner is Ruby Thursday. Ruby told us that she loves to use washi tape to cover her phone case for a unique look she can change whenever she likes. Congratulations, Ruby! Please contact Stacey at tape@wishywashi.com to claim your prize.
Now, here are three new craft titles available in your local book or craft store that will inspire cute ‘n cuddly, warm ‘n fuzzy projects for home, gift-giving, craft fairs, and good causes close to your heart.
Adventures in Pompom Land: 25 Cute Projects Made from Handmade Pompoms by Myko Diann Bocek, Lark Crafts (www.larkcrafts.com), ISBN: 978-1-4547-0386-0.
Welcome to Pompom Land, where handmade wool pompoms are transformed into cute creatures of all kinds. All projects reference basic techniques explained in Pompom Making Essentials, which walk you step-by-step through the pompom-making process, as well as the basics of needle felting. Different textures, small felt details, needle-felted appendages, and the illusion of fluffy feathers, manes, and tails add to the appeal. Projects include precious birds, darling woodland inhabitants, farmyard friends, zoo animals, popular pets, holiday designs, and more. With the author’s guidance and just a few basic materials (wool yarn, wool roving, wool felt, and desired embellishments), you’ll soon be creating personalized, beloved pompom critters for all occasions. Adventures in Pompom Land retails for $17.95.
Crochet One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects from Crocheters Around the World edited by Judith Durant & Edie Eckman, Storey Publishing (www.storey.com), ISBN: 978-1-61212-042-3.
When extra skeins of yarn are left over from knitting and crochet projects, it’s easy to collect quite a yarn stash. Editors Durant and Eckman scoured the crochet community to find the best crochet patterns using only one skein of yarn. The result is 101 gorgeous projects by well-known pattern designers from the U.S. and abroad. Projects hail from a wide variety of contributors, many of whom are bloggers, published designers, yarn shop owners, Etsy shop sellers, authors, and creative-industry professionals. Projects are organized by yarn weight and include scarves, shawls, hats, gloves, socks, bags, purses, jewelry, baby clothes, home décor, and amigurumi (Japanese-style crocheted stuffed toys). The book also includes clear stitch diagrams and a techniques glossary that will help even new crocheters succeed. Crochet One-Skein Wonders retails for $18.95.
Doodle Stitching: Embroidery & Beyond by Aimee Ray, Lark Crafts (www.larkcrafts.com), ISBN: 978-1-4547-0363-1.
In her first two Doodle Stitching books, Aimee Ray proved that doodling isn’t just for paper anymore. Now, she brings her irresistible art to a variety of embroidery techniques in a timeless resource for anyone with a needle and thread. The book’s 20+ projects feature a wide array of techniques beyond basic embroidery, all fresh and accessible and with extra motifs so you can personalize your creations. Techniques include cross stitch, redwork, crewel, sashiko, stumpwork, and more. Designs are delightfully modern and enhance a variety of surfaces including cloth, paper, canvas, and upcycled ready-made clothing. Don’t miss the Flower Hill Zipper Pouch (the perfect quick, creative, colorful accessory), the Butterfly Wrist Cuff (learn to tint fabric with crayons), and the Canvas Cuckoo Clock (the clock really works). Doodle Stitching: Embroidery & Beyond retails for $14.95.
I’d like to send these three beautiful books to three lucky winners! Simply leave a comment that answers this question: “What new-to-you craft do you most want to try?” We’ll announce the randomly-selected winners here on May 10th.
Happy Crafting!
Dawn Gehring, Crafts ‘n things Editorial Staff
