BOOK :: Show Me a Story by Emily K. Neuburger

Show Me a Story
Emily K. Neuburger
Storey
ISBN 978-1-60342-988-7
144 Pages
Review by Monica Mouet

There are forty crafting projects within this darling book that help kids channel their creativity through the art of storytelling, and craft-making. The fun-filled activities nurture the budding imagination of young ones as they are encouraged to explore and express themselves through creativity. The book empowers kids to develop their own unique stories, and instills self-esteem and confidence by guiding them to make their own creative decisions without the judgement of others.

It even comes with a "Show Me a Story" wheel which can set the stage for a new story by simply organizing the "Who?" "Where?" "With?" and "What?". You could end up with a story about a boy at a county fair or one about a rainbow camel who tells a lie. There are many valuable tips and ideas from the book that assist parents in both nourishing their children's creative spirits and helping develop their young minds through use of new literary terms.

Learn more here.

BOOK :: A Year of Pies :: by Ashley English

A Year of Pies
Ashley English
Lark Books
ISBN 978–1–4547–0286–3
176 Pages
Review by Monica Mouet

A Year of Pies is a unique cookbook, that contains enchanting photographs of the ultimate in homemade comfort food—pies. The featured pies in the book correspond to the four seasons of the year, each one more enticing than the next. Some of my personal favorites include: the “Leek and Potato Tart” (Spring), the “Peaches and Cream Crumble-Top Pie” (Summer), the “Cherry and Vanilla Pot Pie” (Summer), the “Rosemary Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie” (Autumn), and the “Mushroom and Chevre Galette” (Winter). Ashley English’s instructions provide valuable tips related to the authentic baking process, which ensures a scrumptious finished product every time. Her organization and presentation of colors, spot-on selection of fruits and vegetables for each season, even her compilation of instruction fonts all work together to remind us of the true beauty of food, and the ever-present passion required to make it not only tasty, but soulful.  

BOOK :: The Art of Instruction by Katrien Van der Schueren

The Art of Instruction
Katrien Van der Schueren
Chronicle Books
ISBN 978-1-4521-0111-8
156 Pages
Review by Jenny Doh

This book is large and heavy. It's one of those coffee table books filled with pages of inspiration. But what makes this book stand out for me is that once I open it, I don't want to put it down. It contains large-scale wall charts with illustrations from nature and animal life that were used as teaching tools in European classrooms, from the late 1800s and 1900s. The illustrations have been reproduced with such magnificence that the most minute details of leaves, flower petals, animal bone, bean pod and more, almost come to life on every page.

From an artist's perspective, this book inspires ideas, color combinations, and the exploration into nature to excavate a most fascinating subject matter for artmaking.

 

BOOK :: Making Fabric Jewelry :: by Marthe Le Van

Makind Fabric Jewelry
by Marthe Le Van
Lark Crafts
ISBN 978-14547-0415-7
144 Pages
Review by Monica Mouet

Marthe Le Van has compiled a fascinating series of essential fabric accessories that provide a wonderful blend of modern, vintage, classic, chic, and earthy styles—ideal for both resourceful crafters and the fabric enthusiasts. The book is centered around over 20 top designers contributing their own innovative projects created with recycled fabrics and textiles. They include step-by-step instructions and tips which inspire readers to explore and experiment with ideas of their own. These projects provide both unique challenges as well as fun adventures for any ambitious sewer because of the book’s emphasis on bridging the gap between the old and the new. This is accomplished through the recycling of old clothes and fabrics in order to turn them into one-of-a-kind accessories. Whether you want to find hot new ways to add your own flair to a cuff or wristlet, a neckpiece or brooch, earrings or bracelet, you are guaranteed to find the desired inspiration in Making Fabric Jewelry.

BOOK :: The Collage Workbook :: by Randel Plowman

The Collage Workbook
by Randel Plowman
Lark Crafts
ISBN978-1-4547-0199-6
132 Pages
Review by Monica Mouet

“Collagists are drawn to the artifacts of time, and how these items – and these people – connect to our lives,” writes the incredible Randel Plowman, in the introduction of his essential guide to all things collaging. The Collage Workbook demonstrates the immense creativity and joy that embodies the world of collaging. It features 50 project prompts alongside breathtaking examples, excellent for any type of collagist with a thirst for inspiration. An image gallery is also provided, filled with engrossing imagery available for the creator to use as he or she wishes without the burden of copyright infringement. The Collage Workbook is ideal for both the rookies and the pros of the medium, as it is also ideal for people who are simply passionate about art and its many forms. It celebrates the bliss that these “artifacts of time” deliver to us once they are assembled in our own matchless and individual way.

BOOK :: The Pulse of Mixed Media by Seth Apter

The Pulse of Mixed Media
by Seth Apter
North Light Books
ISBN-13: 978-1-4403-1070-6
144 Pages
Review by Jenny Doh

The Pulse of Mixed Media is one of the most interesting and engaging books I've encountered in a long while. Seth Apter dives deep into the waters of mixed media to ask intriguing questions to 100 artists who are passionate about making mixed media art. For example, asks Apter, "If your artwork could talk, what would it say?" It's a question that creatively touches upon an artist's intent ... triggering a wide array of thought-provoking spotlighted responses from some of the participating artists. My favorite response is from Lisa Hoffman, who says, "Your mascara's smudged ... again." Funny.

In addition to these types of questions with spotlighted responses, Apter also peppers in statistical breakdowns to questions that he has gathered through questions he has asked the community through his blog. For example, to the question of whether artists worry about running out of ideas, we learn that 58% of respondants to this question say "Not an issue at all" while 32% say "Sometimes crosses my mind" and a smaller 10% say "It is a constant fear." So interseting.

The book is not just words. Because after all, how can 100 artists be part of a book without showing their art? The way Apter has the art of the contributors interspersed is clever. The art complements the questions and responses and in many ways illustrates the insights that we gain from this amazing mixed media community.

Bravo to Seth Apter for authoring a truly delightful book.

BOOK :: Hat Shop by Susanne Woods

Hat Shop
Compiled by Susanne Woods
Stash Books
ISBN978-1-60705-620-1
128 Pages
Review by Monica Mouet

Design Collective’s adorable new installment, Hat Shop is the ideal book for anyone who has ever been interested in creating a one-of-a-kind hat. The book features 25 stellar projects made by designers from around the world, each one including instructions and templates suitable for any eager sewer. There are hats for men, women and children that can range from elegant and chic (like the “linen fascinator” as seen on the cover) to fun and sporty (like the “child’s aviator” or the “singing in the rain hat”). Some of my favorites are: “the chicken little hat,” the “winter flap,” and the “little red riding hat.” Whether you are seeking a cute baby cap or a pretty headband to complete the perfect summer outfit, Hat Shop provides the tools and inspiration needed to create fabulous headwear.   

BOOK :: Japanese Beadwork with Sonoko Nozue

Japanese Beadwork
by Sonoko Nozue
Lark Crafts
ISBN978-1-4547-0278-8
128 Pages
Review by Jenny Doh

Japanese Beadwork is an exquisite book with a stunning cover. The cover features a tremendous beaded necklace called the Sonoko Necklace. On page 109 of the book, The Sonoko Necklace is presented with impressively clear diagrams, copy, and photos. There are 24 additional projects presented in the same manner, where the photos beguile us, and the instructions empower us to embark on creating beyond ordinary. Preceding the projects is a stellar Basics section to get the reader situated with all the details of what is needed and what needs to be understood before embarking on the projects.

Japanese Beadwork is a gorgeous book in every way.

BOOK :: Mod Podge Rocks by Amy Anderson

Mod Podge Rocks
by Amy Anderson
Lark Crafts
ISBN 978-1-4547-0241-2
128 Pages
Review by Jenny Doh

The very first project in Mod Podge Rocks is a rockin' pair of embellished boots, where with just a few simple steps, you turn an ordinary pair of old boots into a totally hot pair. From boots to belt buckles, lampshades, jars, and so much more, Mod Podge Rocks provides 40+ kickin' projects that illustrate how practically anything and everything can become creatively enhanced with a bit of this tested and trusted medium.

Yep. Mod Podge rocks. And so does Mod Podge Rocks.

BOOK :: Mixed-Media Girls by Suzi Blu

Mixed-Media Girls
by Suzi Blu
Quarry Books
ISBN: 978-1-59253-769-3
128 Pages
Review by Jenny Doh

I know a Suzi Blu work when I see it. From a mile away I know it. It's usually filled with an image of a pretty girl that is drawn, painted, and adorned with a style that is uniquely Suzi ... a style that defies pretenses and unabashedly marches to its own drum.

When you open her book, Mixed Media Girls, you get better acquainted with Suzi's style. In addition, you get informed and educated on her methods ... her substance. Yes, Suzi has style because of her substance that she has developed through years of study, observation, practice, and more practice. 

From the detailed explanations of the materials and tools she uses, to how she draws eyes, lips, body, and every other little detail that make up a pretty little girl, she serves it all up through the first half of Mixed-Media Girls. After that, Suzi keeps you moving forward as she shows ways to create interesting and imaginative contexts for the pretty girls through very fun project-based mixed-media methods.

Mixed-Media Girls is written with a voice that is playful and quirky but never glib. It honors art not because of fancy rules or strict schooling, but because it is available for all, and because it is art when we decide to make it and dare to claim it and cherish it as part of who we are.

Bravo to Suzi Blu for authoring Mixed-Media Girls, a book with great style, substance, and depth.