I bought a book (or two, or three), but I only have a copy for me… So I thought I would tell you all about them, and you can decide for yourself if you want to get a copy.
The first two that I’m going to tell you about are embroidery books. If you don’t like embroidery, then you can skip to the end. A Rainbow of Stitches is arranged by color, and has some really lovely and unique projects. The patterns for the embroidered portion of each project is provided, along with several others, but the directions for the embroidered item – tote bag, baby bib, whatever – are not included. None of the projects are especially difficult, but if you want the directions for how to make them, you won’t find them. On the upside, the embroidery isn’t relegated to the back of the book in favor of pages and pages of how to make a tote bag, and one is free to imagine the embroidery decorating all manner of items.
The other book is Fa-La-La-La Felt, which I have been salivating over ever since it was published. As the title suggests, all of the projects are made of felt, and all are for Christmas. There is less embroidery in this book, but the projects are mostly hand-sewn. I was going to mark all of the projects that I plan to try, but I couldn’t find a project that I didn’t like. The hardest part will be finding a reliable wool felt source! (more on that later)
I haven’t posted any pictures of the books due to copyright issues, which I actually know nothing about, but thought it better to be safe than sorry. However, if you click on one of the book titles, it will take you to Amazon.com, so you can check them out yourself, if you like.
Wool felt: Love. It. Seriously, when you’re accustomed to working only with the icky synthetic stuff they sell at Wal-Mart, working with wool felt is a whole new experience. Last fall, I ordered some multi-color packs from an etsy seller, or maybe an ebay store…. Regardless, I did find a couple of places on-line that I might try. They sell various blends of wool felt, in pieces and by the yard, and the prices seem very reasonable considering that my closest source is Jo Ann Fabrics, 60-some-odd miles away.
Which reminds me…. Huntsville is getting a Jo Ann’s next Spring! You can’t see me, but I had to stop typing so that I could clap my hands in glee, I’m so excited! I even know where the store will be, and it’s less than a mile from work. I don’t know how I’ll be able to stand the wait. I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa.
Which ALSO reminds me…. I have a lot to get done before Christmas! Come back for more book reviews later!
In a Handbasket 