Cathe Holden’s Inspired Barn | Creative Lifestyle

CRAFT: Techniques & Projects by DK Book Review and Giveaway!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 by Cathe Holden

When asked to review the book Craft: Techniques & Projects by publishers Dorling Kindersley (DK) I jumped at the chance. 15 years ago, so impressed with this publisher’s work, I actually sold DK books at home parties in order to build my own DK library. I was nuts about DK books for children, but also the great books they published for adults. If you’re not familiar with DK, they are known for their distinctive, highly visual books, ebooks and apps that inform, inspire and entertain readers of all ages covering subjects such as: Arts & Culture ,Business & Computers, Food & Drink, Gardening, Health & Fitness, History, Maps & Atlases, Parenting, Reference, Religion and Spirituality , Science & Nature, Sports & Hobbies and Travel.

As I expected, this DK book did not disappoint. It is one thick and thorough creative resource with 320 pages featuring over 50 projects. Contents include: textile crafts, papercrafts, jewelry, ceramics & glass, candles & soap, even eco crafts!Every chapter has pages of tools and materials descriptions and images. Craft is compiled of projects designed by many expert crafters, all listed with their crafts and blog/website/contact information in the back of the book.

The exciting thing about this book is how current the projects and craft techniques are. There are still so many different types of crafts that I have yet to tackle but am very curious about. Most of those are in this book, with extremely clear instruction and step-by-step photographs. The project I’m very anxious to try is metal clay jewelry. It turns out, based on the instructions and photos, that this isn’t as complicated an undertaking as I’d imagined. You know how I love paper crafts, there are plenty of papercraft projects in Craft, even templates in the back of the book.This project looks simple enough, right? Wait until you see the technique used to keep the cans from bending and buckling while crafting. A super smart idea I would have never thought of! You can actually download the project here!Even upholstery techniques are covered, so you can make something new, or pretty-up a thrift store find.I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a few jewelry making skills under their belt. Knowing the basics not only prompts you to make your own adornments, but allows you to modify many pieces you already own or find on clearance or second-hand, helping you create a fabulous accessory wardrobe.Maybe you’re not up to the challenge of quilting a blanket- I love this cute appliqué throw featured that I’d consider a nice alternative, though as you might expect, quilting is covered in the book as well.I happen to think that this book is also an excellent resource for any craft blogger for reasons you might not think- the layout, clear step photographs and technical writing are all very good models to follow for sharing projects, techniques and images. You’re going to love this book!

THE Craft BOOK GIVEAWAY!

DK is giving their newly released book Craft to TWO lucky JSIM readers! (US residents only.)

TO ENTER: “Like” DK on Facebook to keep up with all things DK-wonderful, then come back here and leave a nice comment on this post. One comment per person. (Please delete any secondary comments altogether to keep things fair, thank you.)

ENTRY DEADLINE: Sunday, October 28 at noon PST. Randomly chosen winners will be notified and announced soon thereafter.

Thanks to all who entered! The giveaway winners are:

#60 Jen B. and #9 Denise M.

91 Comments | Posted in book review, Giveaway, Uncategorized | Tagged Book Review, Craft, DK, Dorliing Kindersley, Giveaway

More Paper Hardware and Free Digital Downloads

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 by Cathe Holden

One of my favorite super-simple projects has come back around, this time in Country Living magazine. It’s paper hardware, crafted from actual photographed hardware.

You can find full instructions on my previous post, or in the November 2012 issue of Country Living (and on the CL website any day now with free paper hardware download,) for adding them to painted wooden boxes.

Special thanks to Ray of Ray’s Trading in Sebastopol, CA for resourcing the perfect padlock hardware for the Country Living project!

You can add paper hardware to virtually anything, but it would be super fun to add to furniture pieces. Check out this beautiful distressed piece I found at Sienna Antiques in Petaluma- gorgeous color inspiration with brass pulls and escutcheons (aka: key holes) that are perfect for dolling up a more moderately priced tallboy.

And here are more examples (created digitally for inspiration) using hardware I photographed at Sienna and other local antique stores. If creating your own hardware image files, always be sure you get the shopkeeper’s permission before snapping images of their goods. And remember, you probably have some cool hardware on a few of your own pieces!Here are a load of free printables to get you started on your own paper hardware projects! Click on an image for a larger file to download and print-to-fit letter-size paper (or full sheet label stock) or size to best fit your project. Trim out hardware, use a neutral color marker around the edges of the trimmed piece to erase the white edge of the paper, and add to furniture, journals, collages, boxes…anything! Feel free to use these also in your digital projects.

18 Comments | Posted in Country Living Magazine, CountryLiving.com, Free digital collage sheets, Free digital downloads, Free Jpgs, Paper Crafts | Tagged Country Living, Mod Podge, paper hardware

Collection, Obsession, Storage: Washi Tape

Friday, October 12, 2012 by Cathe Holden

I have a collection obsession with Washi Tape. I define it as an obsession because I collect it more than I use it. Washi tape, also known as rice paper tape, is a thin masking tape of sorts with a re-positionable adhesive that comes in a multitude of colors, patterns and designs. Also in my collection are other similar decorative paper tapes, tissue tapes, one or two cloth tapes and other similar non-Washi tapes in various widths. Very recently Michaels has been stocking dozens of similar craft tapes in their Recollections line. For true Washi tape, I’ve found that the biggest selection is online. There are sellers on Ebay and Etsy that ship from the US and China, so if buying from the latter, you’ll have to be a little more patient for your shipment for the best price. I received a nice fat parcel yesterday that puffed up my selection of tapes considerably, making my first Washi tape storage solution a bit obsolete, sans the perforation blade.

I have this funky flea market wire Tintex dye box display that I’ve used in the past in my little studio to hold jars of bits and bobbles.

Paired up with a stack of wooden berry baskets that I picked up at an antique store it had even greater potential as a tape organizer.

Now with my Washi tape organized by color in each basket, the wire display is even more spectacular!What to make with all this Washi tape? Start with Washi Tape Flowers. Or, in lieu of crafting with manufactured Washi tape, you could always make your own paper tape from wrapping paper!