Embroidery "Hip" patterns

Most of this book is made up of black line patterns to transfer.  It does include different transfer methods and shows ideas of how to embellish materials with your own creative handiwork.  The hip patterns include borders, flowers, cars, trucks, and oh yeah Scotty dogs (retro must be hip).  The book is spiral bound with a handy pocket for the patterns once they are removed from the book.  I found the transfer information useful but many of the patterns are very basic, great for someone new to the craft.  Too many of the patterns are the same picture in different sizes.  Rather ho hum.

Scrap booking ideas

If scrapbooking is your passion take a look at The Big Book of Scrapbook Pages.  It is literally full of completed scrapbook pages.  If just looking at a finished project is all the instructions you need your set with this one.  Each completed page list the creator, supplies used and the source of the supplies.  Every third to fourth page has a bit of information called “Inspired Ideas.”  These tidbit include ideas such as sewing bits of lace or fabric to your page to keep it in place.  The book ends with single and double-page layout sketches and a score of product manufactures with phone number and or web addresses.

Repurposed plastic--cheap fun

Save your plastic bags of all size and colors!  Upcycle the plastic that abounds as a leftover in modern life.  With a few basic materials; plastic, parchment paper, scissors, and an iron create over 2 dozen projects. After trying two of the projects in the book all kinds of ideas have bubbled up in my head.

I tried this craft with a group of teens.  They had a great time.  We found that following the techniques to fuse the plastics on pages 12 and 13 helpful.  

Blue book bag made from the plastic sleeves that cover the newspaper each day.  Even the handles are made from several layers of fused plastic, the sides and bottom are sewn.  It's strong and waterproof besides.

One teen designed a bag that will hold a can of soda and ice and doesn't leak.  Instead of sewing she fused  all the seams--sides and bottom.  Viola let your imagination go! 

Crocheting continued

Continuing on a crocheting tangent I found more interesting books to suggest.  Baby Crochet has a basket load of projects for infants that span from easy thru advanced level.  Chucked full of cute baby pictures, the instructions are written out with a list of needed materials at the first of each project.  I personally tucked away the instructions for the sock monkey hat and toddler leg warmers.

I found this fun book at my local library, yahoo!!

Crochet fun

After trying Edie Eckman’s book Beyond the Square I searched out another of her crochet books.  I next discovered Connect the Shapes which demonstrates what to do with my new found pastime of crocheting all kinds of motifs.  The book describes how to connect the shapes voila! 

First I made a small little triangle thing.

Then I made a row of little triangle things all connected together--I feel a scarf coming on.                  

Choices choices...what to do?

The biggest problem I had with Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs is deciding which motif I wanted to try next.  If you’re tired of crocheting squares take a peek at the circles, hexagons, triangles, and unusual shapes patterns offered.  The book includes the usual basics of crocheting and troubleshooting problems with your stitches.  The 144 motif patterns range from beginner easy to more challenging for the experienced.  The motif patterns are written as well as pictured in symbols.  I had a good time trying out a few different patterns.

Some of my experiments.

Embroidery continued....

The book is touted as presenting a modern, experimental and creative approach to embroidery, the creator is known for her artistic style of thread projects.  The book is a collection by the author of various artists’ designs.  I found the ideas interesting, a springboard to projects I would like to try.  To be honest several of the projects in the book were just too weird for my tastes.  On the other hand I loved the idea of creating a design by printing with a stamp and embellishing the design with thread. 

The part titled Transfer Methods 101 lists step-by-step instruction for seven different ways to transfer your design to its intended target.  The book includes the usual introduction of materials required and explains the various types of threads that can be used in embroidery projects. It concludes with templates to recreate the projects in the book, a concise four page stitch guide, contributing artist’s names and websites, and material resources.  Use this book for generating ideas.  To me many of the modernistic ideas looked cheesy.