Book Review: The Repurposed Library

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I love this book!  Altered book art has become a very big "thing" in repurposing old materials into new.  I was first introduced into altered book products about ten years ago when the public library where I was working had a program on Altered Books.  It was a program for Young Adults, and we spent our time making old, torn up discarded books into purses.

image: amazon.com

Since that time, Altered Book Art has moved from the fringes into the main stream of the art world.   You can easily find altered books in any Etsy shop, and you can find nifty projects at many craft fairs.

This is a great book for the very crafty people amongst us.  If you are comfortable with scissors, Exacto Knives, glue, hot glue, and a little bit of wood working, you can make some pretty awesome projects out of books that are no longer serviceable.  (I have several college textbooks from 1983-88 that are way out of date - the information is no longer valid.)  Nobody will take these books, not our local used book stores, and not our local Goodwill.  I hate to throw them out - but now I see how I can reuse these tiny little treasures and make them into something else.

There are two projects in particular that I am going to book mark and make later in the year - once I get to the halfway point in crap removal from my house!  1 is the sewing kit made out of a book.  The other you can see on the front cover - the book that is holding a paintbrush.  I also think I'll have enough pages left over to make the rosette wreath from the old pages.

If you're looking for a fun and unique way to be crafty - either in a group, by yourself, or with your favorite teenager, this is a great place to find a project!
  

Book Review: Crafting With Cat Hair

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Well, this is a fun little book.  Seriously fun.  If you have a cat, you have cat hair.  We've joked occasionally about taking the hair from the comb and spinning it into yarn, but have never actually followed through on that weird little thought.  This author decided that she was going to do something fun and unique with her extra cat hair.  She decided to make it into crafts.  What a brilliant idea!

Crafts ranging from cat tote bags, to finger puppets, to fluffy cat toys and picture frames, these unique, environmentally friendly crafts require no special tools beyond patience, cat hair, and a sense of humor.

This awesome little book is a great present for the cat lover in your life! 

Book Review: Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders

image: amazon.com

Durant, Judith.  Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders.  2008.  Story Publishing, North Adams, MA.

Softcover, $18.95.  ISBN: 978-1-60342-079-2.



I picked this book up from the library on a whim.  Someone gave me a bag of mixed yarn.  There is not enough yarn to complete one big project.  She literally gave me a huge bag full of yarn, with one skein each in different colors and weights.

So, when I found this book, I had to grab it and check it out.

As I've mentioned before, I've been knitting for a good long time.  I am an excellent knitter, and I do consider myself to be a cut above beginner.

This resource is fantastic.  These patterns are FUN!  Lace, straight knitting, cable, it's all there!  The patterns range from easy to expert.  Well written and well thought out patterns enable a knitter of any ability level to complete a quick and easy project.

The chapters are divided by yarn weight.  From super fine to extra bulky, you will find projects for those extra skeins of yarn just lying around your house.

I am currently working on a pillow for my daughter to take with her to go to school in the fall.  The thought is for her to have a few pillows to toss on her bed.  The pattern for the Silk - Cashmere Domino pillow is easy to follow, and I have had great success with the repeats of the pattern.  (No mysterious increases or decreases in stitches when I work the patterns.)

Even better for me, I don't have a silk- cashmere yarn to use with this pattern.  Instead, I pulled one of the blends out of the bag and I'm working the pattern with this blend.  It's a medium weight yarn, and I'm not adjusting the gauge on my stitches with this yarn to make the pattern end up the same size.  It's going to be bigger than what the pattern calls for, and that's okay.  It's going to be a toss pillow on her bed in a dorm.  I'm looking for texture and impact to help break up the monotony of a dorm room.

The only problem I have with this book is that I am now in a crafting dilemma.  As you know, I've been working on a quilt for oldest child to take with him when he goes to school in the fall.  I've temporarily put that away until after the graduation parties.  I have the uncut fabric for daughter's quilt sitting on top of my dresser.  The hopeful patterns look at me every time I walk into the room, reminding me that I really would like to have this finished before she goes to school in September.  This too has been put on hold until after the graduation party.  But what do I find time to do?  Knit a pillow with an intricate pattern.  (I can be such an idiot.)