| Craft Book Club

175 Easy-To-Do-Easter Crafts

Valentine's Day is behind us, and many crafters have turned their sights towards Easter. I know, I know. We haven't even made our way past St. Patrick's Day, but with all the adorable kid-friendly projects available for the bunny-loving holiday, it's certainly not to early to gather the kiddies around the table and start making some little decorations together.

If you're not quite ready to start making Easter crafts with your children, you should at least peak ahead to decide what you'd like to make together. It gives you some advanced notice to collect any materials you need, and let's face it, start begging your family and friends to collect toilet paper rolls and other reusable essentials that normally get discarded, like milk jugs and cereal boxes.

Big Book of Beautiful Beads

Last week we talked about beading jewelry, but what if you want to take it further. Beautiful beads, whether they're made from stones, gems, glass or crystal, can add a whole new dimension to pillows, curtains, handbags and all kinds of décor. And when you choose the right beads and techniques anything can go from ordinary to stunning.

I was looking over some of my wife's craft books while she was working on a piece of jewelry and I came across Kp Books Big Book of Beautiful Beads: Over 100 Beading Projects You Can Make. As I leafed through, I found a good number of jewelry pieces, from necklaces to earrings, but there were other pieces that were just amazing.

Toilet Paper Crafts For Holidays and Special Occasions

When you think of craft materials, any number of mediums and embellishments can spring to mind. There are the standard bases, like cloth, felt, and cardboard. And of course, when thinking of embellishments, sequins, pipe cleaners and ribbon jump into your head. But, how often do you start feeling crafty and think--gee, I feel like making art with my toilet paper today? I'll bet you dollars to dimes that this doesn't happen on a regular basis.

Well, unless you're Linda Wright. She's the author of Toilet Paper Crafts for Holidays and Special Occasions. When I saw the book on sale I thought the concept was special indeed. How could you possibly decorate with toilet paper outside of tossing rolls into your teammate's tree during homecoming week?

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects

Whenever we're out shopping, my wife always wanders off to the craft department. One of the bins she always checks out are the fabric scraps where she finds a yard of corduroy here and a polka dot cotton print there. She likes to get a variety of fabrics because she uses them for pictures on her blog, but as you know, those odd yards of fabric start to add up. There are a few simple fabrics and patterns that she likes to reuse, but generally the others sit until she winds up selling them at a yard sale or donating them.

It seemed like a waste to me, not just in money but in craft potential. I figured there had to be something she could do with that fabric, rather than letting it sit or giving it away. So, I was looking around and I found the book, One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, on Amazon.com. It's full of different sewing and craft projects that are designed specifically to use one yard of fabric or less.

What impressed me about the book is the versatility of the projects and the time they spend explaining basic techniques for those new to sewing—like my wife. Along with patterns and pictures, there are also explanations of various, useful stitches and techniques that make it easy for newbies to get their bearings and really enjoy the book. Read more about One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects

Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase

One of my wife's resolutions for the year is to redecorate the house as inexpensively as possible. Since having children, many of our household decorations have been put into storage for safe keeping, didn't survive the toddler phase or just aren't our taste anymore. Still, our budget is incredibly tight, so we won't be hiring a decorator or going on shopping sprees in department and home improvement stores. Luckily for me, I married a woman who appreciates the challenge of thrifty shopping and repurposing the old into something spectacularly new, fresh and modern.

In her quest to find ways to freshen up our home without going into debt, she's been collecting ideas from her friends, the Internet and a variety of books on making old things new and exciting again. One of the books she recently picked up was Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott's Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase. Read more about Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase

Crafts To Make In Winter

With the cold winter months comes long days inside the house and the potential for boredom and cabin fever. Having fun and interesting crafts to share with your family can be a lifesaver on days when it's too icy or blustery to play outdoors. I especially enjoy cute crafts that my wife, boys and I can make and enjoy together.

One of my favorite winter craft books for kids is Kathy Ross's Crafts to Make in the Winter. The book is written to be handy in a classroom or group setting, so the instructions are clear, simple and come with good illustrations. Some craft books aren't as detailed or require steps that are complicated for younger crafters. When sitting down with my young sons, these types of crafts wind up being made mostly by me, because they can't carry out the complex instructions on their own. I like this book because I can guide them without having to perform every single step myself.

They have the chance to be more creative and feel greater senses of accomplishment when they do most the work themselves. Plus, I think they just like working alongside their mom and me rather than having us hover over them like craft wardens. Read more about Crafts To Make In Winter

Learn to Use Your Serger

For several years, I have wanted to own a serger. Never mind the fact that I didn’t even own a sewing machine and hadn’t touched one since before I was a teenager. I love the finished edge a serger can give, and the fact that with a serger, I can create my own household cloth items and have them look professional too. Last year, I finally bought one and have more than paid for it in the savings of using cloth instead of disposable rags, wipes and other items. I couldn’t have done any of it without a good serger book, though, and I thought I would share some of the better books on sergers with you. Read more about Learn to Use Your Serger

Sewing For Boys

When it comes to creative sewing for girls, the possibilities are really endless. Patterns, styles and even embellishments can go on and on, and there's plenty of room for creativity. When it comes to little boys, the scope of variety becomes a bit more limited. Beyond changing up fabrics, clothing for boys is pretty straightforward. That doesn't mean making a wardrobe for your little guy has to be totally boring.

Having boys doesn't mean you're doomed to sewing plain slacks and t-shirts. With the right patterns, you can make hip and trendy clothing for the little fellas, too. The problem is usually finding these elusive “cool” patterns. And then, if you find a pattern that excites you, often the instructions are complicated and the final turnout can be disappointing.

That's why my wife really likes Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage's book, Sewing for Boys: 24 Projects to Create a Handmade Wardrobe. The book covers simple, but trendy, patterns for boys from infancy through size 6/7. There are patterns for everything from basic rompers to edgier button downs that, with the right fabric choices, can keep them stylin' for years. Beyond the basic clothing, there are also patterns for hats, jackets, robes, blankets and more. Read more about Sewing For Boys

What are Your Crafting Goals This Year?

The start of a year is resolution time, but it can also be a great time to lay out some goals for other aspects of your life. Many of us crafters have heaps of projects and ideas we want to work on, and there just isn’t enough time in the day to get to them all. I still have a skirt cut out from last winter, ready to sew but unlikely to be finished in this decade. So this year, how about we set some goals to accomplish with our crafting and see how far we can get? Read more about What are Your Crafting Goals This Year?

The Art of Creative Lettering: 50 Amazing Fonts You Can Make for Scrapbooks, Cards, Invitations, and Signs

Have you ever been moved to buy a sign or craft because you were enticed by the gorgeous lettering? Beautiful lettering is an art form in itself, and without the know-how, many skip the fancy or fun fonts or turn to appliques to do the work for them. Not being able to vary your crafts' lettering can limit your creativity or keep a piece from turning out just as you envisioned it.

With The Art of Creative Lettering: 50 Amazing Fonts You Can Make for Scrapbooks, Cards, Invitations, and Signs by Becky Higgins, you can learn to make your own incredible letters without cheating or compromising your vision. Her fonts vary from quirky and mod to traditional and elegant, so you'll be able to find the right lettering for any and every project. Read more about The Art of Creative Lettering: 50 Amazing Fonts You Can Make for Scrapbooks, Cards, Invitations, and Signs

Craft Book Club

How-to books, sewing guides, craft ideas, and gifts for the crafty people on your list

Account