READING || BOOKS ON THE TABLE

you all know i have an addiction to books right? i loooooove books.

before i became a blogger i was a hairdresser. but before i became a hairdresser i worked in bookstores. i love bookstores almost as much as i love books. i worked in all sorts of positions involved in running a bookstore. my favorite was working behind the scenes. getting to choose the new titles being bought for the store, meeting with publishing house sales reps, reading advances, running book clubs - you name it, if it meant being around books i was there.

both of my folks are avid readers and i grew up with a strong passion for books and reading. i was the kid the librarian actually tried to cut off my book borrowing limit. she didn't believe i could read all the books i was checking out and tested me once and low and behold - i did :) yep, and guess who else has the same issues? my girls! i adore it! when we come home from the library we can almost not carry our library bags they are soooo full.

so lately i've been compiling a stack o' books on my desk and thought it was about time i shared some of them with you! keep reading to see which craft books i've recently had added to my library.

first up is the newest release from knitwear designer - hannah fettig! knitbot yoked is stunning. the photos are true to the quince & co signature style and the patterns...swoon! classic and clean patterns (all designed with round yokes knit from the top down) that will be timeless additions to anyones wardrobes! this book just makes you want to jump right into it and whip out your knitting needles. i loved it!

you can find more on knitbot yoked here.

sewing for all seasons is the gorgeous new title released by author susan beal (west coast crafty). susan's awesome. she's so talented and also super sweet. i just looooved the styling of this book. the pictures and projects all work well together and bring together a lovely compilation of patterns to sew throughout the year! she even has all the projects in the book sorted by season with lovely, lovely, lead pages. swoon! i can't wait to get making from this book! the pieced throw below is my absolute fave! i want to reach in and steal it from the page! love it!!!

you can find sewing for all seasons here.

can i just say that when i was a kid i adored flip dolls? so imagine how excited i was to see "flip dolls & other toys" by laura wilson come out? this book is a must have for any sewer looking to make some awesome dolls & toys! i squealed when this book arrived. it's filled to the brim with projects that are all fun, creative and ones you can have as much fun making as your kids will playing with them!

you can find flip dolls & other toys here.

OTHER TITLES ON MY TABLE

:: instacraft by Alison Caporimo and Meera Lee Patel
:: Craft-a-Doodle: 75 Creative Exercises from 18 Artists by Jenny Doh
:: Quick & Easy Baby Knits by Sarah E. White

what books have you been reading? what are your current faves this fall? mmmm...coffee's on and i'd love to chat ♥

Book Review: How to Make Stuffed Animals

how to make stuffed animals by: sian keegan

i recently got the opportunity to review a new book called "how to make stuffed animals: modern, simple patterns + instructions for 18 projects" by sian keegan.  i jumped at the chance.  i mean in all seriousness how cute is this book!  for real.  it's adorable.  it oozes awesomeness.  we all know that normally stuffed animal books are cute, that's a given, but this one is special.  it's modern, clean and the patterns all reflect sian's style as well.  she both illustrated and wrote the book.

the book layout and design speaks for itself.  the illustrations throughout the book and for the patterns themselves are such a great touch and help to carry that modern aesthetic throughout the book.  i literally squealed when i got the book and opened it up and saw the page above.  love.  simple as that.

the book contains 18 fun projects that are simple to make but yield really professional results.  they are all animals and vary from dachshunds, cats, lambs all the way to penguins and grizzly bears.  there's an animal in there for everyone :)

all the projects in this book can be completed with about 1/4 yard of fabric.  hello!  fat quarters! yee haw!  i love when i can find some fun projects to use fat quarters with! that means these projects are modern, simple and fun to make and also don't cost alot!!! woot woot!

sian also shows you throughout the book in both the photography styling and the projects themselves that these stuffed animals can also be used for other things besides just a toy.  They can be used as a cake topper, hanging mobile and even an ornament!  Heck they would look awesome just on a cute shelf in your craft room even! 

sian also has a whole chapter in the book just on "things to know before you make your animals".  it covers materials, techniques, sewing, stuffing and hand stitches. 

i highly recommend this book for anyone looking to have a go at making stuffed animals.  i can't wait to whip one of these up.  i'm thinking they would be great little xmas pressies for the girls or even just for myself :) 

you can read more about sian keegan at the links below. if you pop over check out her stuffed plants! they are amazing!!!  happy stuffie sewing everyone!

website  |  blog  |  shop  |  facebook  |  twitter

do any of you love making stuffed animals?  are you a sucker for a handmade toy?  which animal would you make first?  are you as excited as i am to see some modern patterns for stuffed animals?  c'mon...let's chat :)

make it sew modern book review & giveaway!

you guys in the mood for a giveaway today? i am!  woot woot!  i was so excited and over the moon when i found a while ago that my bloggy pal vanessa christenson of "v and co." had a book coming out!  she was one of the first people i started chatting with in this bloggy world and she was also one of our "moms in the mommyhood" so i am super proud of her and so excited to have her book "make it sew modern" on the blog today as a prize and as a new addition to my own collection!  congrats vanessa!!!



vanessa's new book is filled with eye candy and sewing goodness galore.  staying true to what makes us all love her blog and shop her impeccable sense of style just oozes off the pages.  you can see vanessa everywhere and i just love it when a book stays true to the artist who wrote it.  it's her mojo of sorts.  from the color palette of her projects to the attention to details for each project in the book vanessa has put together a modern and very fresh collection of sewing projects.



the book "make it sew modern" is separated into 4 sections: gather, twist, pleat and texture, and the book covers everything from jewelry, accessories, home decor clothing and bags!  wowsa!  the projects are perfect for every skill level with a budget in mind.  vanessa's signature love of pillows and flowers resonates throughout as well. i love all the pillows vanessa makes and thankfully there are at least 4 pillows in this book my fave being the chic modern pillow.  along with pillows you can find effortless scarves, rings, totes and bracelets!

1. chic modern pillow 2. cascading spring scarf 3. market/beach tote

and let's not forget the quilts!!! i'm just dying over the applique doily quilt shown below! you know how i love me a doily!!!

the book has project geared to every skill level as well so don't be nervous or timid if you are a beginner sewer.  vanessa's instructions and the accompanying illustrations for each project are clear, concise and well laid out.  her section on tips, terms and techniques covers everything from applique stitches, binding, to machine ruffles and gathers, pillow corners and straps.

1. all season scarf  2. picture perfect dress 3. decorative balls 4. throw pillow with frosting

i think "make it sew modern" would be a wonderful addition to any sewers bookshelf that is looking for a variety of projects that are fun, gorgeous and stylish to boot!  you likey?  you ready to win one too?

- one lucky winner will win a coy of "make it sew modern: gather, twist, pleat, texture" by vanessa christenson of v and co. thanks so much vanessa!







- i'm trying out a new way of entering giveaways. i've decided to have you guys enter your name/email in a google doc form instead.  when you enter your info you are designated a number by google doc based on when you enter.  this will be the number i use to correlate to your name when the winner is chosen.  make sense?  if you have any questions just ask me below in the comments.  click below to enter the giveaway:

"make it sew modern" book giveaway

- giveaway is open until february 26th, 2011, midnight PST (pacific standard time).
- you must have a valid email address or you will be disqualified.

flower ring

good luck everyone!  and thanks again to vanessa for the lovely book and the giveaway!  so excited and proud of you!!!! you can find all things vanessa christenson here:

blog  |  book  |  shop |  facebook |  twitter  |  pinterest

are you a fan of vanessa's?  do you love her style?  have you gotten your hands on a copy of "make it sew modern?  what did you think?  what was your fave project in it? let's chat books ladies...i know i'm not the only crafty bookworm out there :)

Book Review - Little Crochet: Modern Designs for Babies and Toddler

have you always wanted to start crocheting? do you crochet but are in need of some inspiration? oh my goodness, just wait till you get a peek at the new book by crafter extraordinaire linda permann - little crochet: modern designs for babies and toddlers! to say that i love this book is an understatement. it will be treasured in my home. i can't stop looking at it and marveling over it's loveliness!

the patterns are modern, fresh, fun and timeless. some of them i even had to look twice at to see if it really was crochet!


linda walks you effortlessly through the tools and pattern essentials needed to crochet. i loved that she even has a section on how to pick/choose yarn for crochet and also how to decipher all the different gauges for knitting to use for crochet. she even includes a handy section on making garments fit for your baby that is invaluable. i learned a lot from this section and her schematics. this alone is well worth reading.


the patterns outlined in the book range from items for the nursery, to clothes and gifts. i cannot even begin to choose a favorite. i want to make the whole book. seriously. not joking here. a friend and i have toyed with making each and every project (rebecca..wink wink). a bit loony, i know, but i just love it that much.


i don't remember the last time i was so inspired to crochet. i feel the need to rethink all garments and imagine them in crochet instead of knit/sewn. it's a wonderful feeling and my hooks are looking a lot more cheerful around these parts.


so what are you waiting for? now is the time to start crocheting ladies. it's fun, fast, EASY and oh so stylish! this ain't your grannies crochet anymore! any mom or child would be lucky to have any gift or item from this book. there are many items in the book that are suitable for either a boy or girl. in fact she was inspired to write this book for her nephew.


a big thank you to linda permann for constantly inspiring me with all her wonderful crafty endeavors and for writing little crochet. it honestly is one of my favorite books. you rock linda! linda has also written one of my other fave crochet books - crochet adorned:reinvent your wardrobe with crocheted accents, embellishments and trim. you can find all things linda permann here...

*website *blog *books *ravelry *facebook *twitter

do you crochet? what's your favorite thing/pattern to crochet? have you always wanted to learn? i hope this book inspires you to try a new craft! let's talk crochet ladies!