Crafts & DIY Reviews, June 1, 2011
June 1, 2011ART INSTRUCTION
The Complete Digital Photo Manual: Your #1 Guide for Better Photography. Carlton, dist. by Sterling. Jun. 2011. 256p. illus. index. ISBN 9781847327406. $29.95. ART INSTRUCTION
Published in association with the popular Digital Photo magazine, this clear, straightforward photography guide is technically oriented and thoroughly up-to-the-minute. It covers cameras, lenses and other equipment, core camera skills, basic techniques, Photoshop Elements, and RAW imaging. If your library is in the market for an all-purpose digital photography reference manual or if those already in your collection are becoming a little long in the tooth (i.e., more than two years old), this is a good choice. It will appeal most to readers with some previous photography experience.
CRAFTS
Drury, Rebecca & Yvonne Drury (text) & Sophie Drury (photogs.). The Printed Pattern: Techniques and Projects for Inspired Printmaking and Surface Design. Interweave. 2011. 128p. illus. ISBN 9781596683860. pap. $24.95. CRAFTS
Printmaking is an accessible craft that requires little initial investment to achieve eye-catching results. Yvonne and Rebecca Drury, who operate MissPrint, a London-based fabric-printing business, introduce the ins and outs of printmaking in this colorful, charming book. A lot of territory is covered, from simple potato printing to screen printing, and the directions for each type of printing are brief and basic; this is best for beginners. The focus on finding inspiration in the world around you is a nice touch, and beginning and experienced printers will appreciate the beauty of the designs.
Haab, Sheri & Michelle Haab. Jewelry Upcycled!: Techniques and Projects for Reusing Metal, Plastic, Glass, Fiber, and Found Objects. Potter Craft: Crown Pub. Group. 2011. 144p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780823099900. pap. $21.99. CRAFTS
“Upcycling”—turning commonplace items that would normally end up in the trash into something beautiful or useful—continues to be trendy, and mother-daughter authors Sheri and Michelle Haab capitalize on the trend with this fun collection of jewelry. The projects are divided by medium, and some materials (such as fabric) are easier to work with than others, but you’d be hard-pressed to identify the everyday items used in some of the more striking pieces. Some basic instructions are included, but knowledge of jewelry-making techniques and access to jewelry-making supplies are useful for the more complex projects.
DO IT YOURSELF
Carlsen, Spike. Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects: Great Looking Furniture Anyone Can Build. Linden. 2011. 128p. illus. index. ISBN 9781610350044. pap. $19.95. DIY
Carlsen’s (A Splintered History of Wood) delightful sense of humor shines in this easy woodworking project book. Designs, which range from supereasy to somewhat simple, take advantage of prefab materials, such as precut wood, crown molding, and closet doors, and the finished goods include standard shelves and plywood furniture. Scattered throughout are tips and tool techniques, but the focus of this book is not tool use instruction. Each project has a short supplies list but no difficulty ranking. With helpful instructions and illustrations, this beginner-friendly guide goes the extra mile to showcase clever designs and entertaining text. Highly recommended.
FIBER CRAFTS
Fons, Marianne & Liz Porter. Best of Fons & Porter: Scrap Quilts. Leisure Arts. 2011. 176p. illus. ISBN 9781609001100. pap. $24.95. FIBER CRAFTS
Fons and Porter are heads of a quilting empire that includes a television show, a magazine, a quilting-supply company, and a number of books. Their latest, which focuses on scrap quilts, is a collection of patterns previously published in Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting magazine. The patterns range from easy to advanced, and the styles vary from Depression-era retro to modern and geometric. Even if the patterns don’t pique your interest, the expert tips included throughout will help save time and effort. Fons and Porter have name recognition among quilters, and this is a quality collection with wide-ranging appeal.
Sewing 101. rev. ed. Creative Pub: Quayside. 2011. 224p. illus. index. ISBN 9781589235748. pap. $24.99 with DVD. FIBER CRAFTS
This straightforward, no-nonsense revision of the 2002 edition delivers on the cover tagline, “A Workshop in a Book.” The lessons start with basics, such as winding a bobbin and sewing a hem, and grow progressively more complex. Most aspects of sewing, from fabric and pattern selection to finishing, are covered nicely, along with plenty of photographs. Projects include simple garments and home decor. Patterns are not included, but a DVD featuring QuickTime videos of various techniques (playable on both Macs and PCs) is part of the package.
60 Quick Baby Knits: Blankets, Booties, Sweaters & More in Cascade 220 Superwash. Sixth & Spring, dist. by Sterling. 2011. 176p. illus. ISBN 9781936096138. pap. $17.95. FIBER CRAFTS
In this follow-up to 60 Quick Knits, all the designs are knit in Cascade 220 Superwash yarn, a popular, affordable, easy-care yarn with a large color palette to choose from. The garments and accessories are pretty standard as far as baby knits go—socks and booties, sweaters, and blankets make an appearance—but there are fun techniques such as intarsia, stranded color work, and mitered squares. Most of the wearables include a range of sizes from six to 12 months, with a few extended to 18 months. A trompe l’oeil tuxedo sweater illustrates how garments that would be ridiculous on adults can be sigh-inducingly cute on infants.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Litchfield, Michael. In-Laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats: Your Guide to Turning One House into Two Homes. Taunton, dist. by Ingram. 2011. 218p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781600852510. pap. $24.95. INTERIOR DESIGN
Litchfield (Renovation) has designed a comprehensive guide for constructing on one’s property a secondary living space as a rental unit, a guest house, or for a family member. He thoroughly discusses the factors to consider when creating this type of dwelling—such as working with architects, navigating municipal building departments, and selecting space-saving furnishings. Homes throughout the United States and Canada show various options from basement, attic, and garage conversions to stand-alone cottages. These 26 case studies are illustrated with floor plans and color photographs. Recommended for those looking for alternatives to housing aging parents or interested in the extra income of a rental unit.
