October - Make a Book: Hearts and Hexagon. Plus Wednesday craft book review

Today's going to be a lengthy post as I'm combining a couple of things.  My self-imposed task for October, namely making different types of simple books, plus my regular Wednesday craft book review.  I think I'll do the book review first, so here goes - 

I've chosen 'Makery' by Kate Smith, first published in 2013.  It's subtitled 'Over 30 projects for the home, to wear and to give', and includes several patterns including ones for a clasp purse, a shoulder bag and a stuffed stag's head.  (No taxidermy involved, I promise.)  

The book's divided into sections - fashion, gifts, home - and the final reference pages which give basic beginner instructions for how to hand stitch, use a sewing machine, knit and crochet.  There are a good mix of projects featured in the book.  A decoupage necklace, a flex frame sunglasses case, hand carved rubber stamps, a felt embroidered cuckoo clock (no, really!), a knitted rug and a lovely patchwork pouffe that I'm definitely going to make one of these days.  

Plus points of 'Makery' are that it's a nicely laid out book, with a crisp clear modern feel to it.  It might sound a minor thing, but I love the font used, which I think is called 'Pluto'.  Each project's given an estimated time to complete, as well as the usual list of materials required and tools needed.  The project instructions seem designed for someone who needs their hand held.  The book's not assuming the reader's already immersed in the crafty world, and doesn't bamboozle the beginner with too technical language or assume the reader has extensive skills already.  

If I was criticizing 'Makery', I'd have a groan about the inevitable knitted wrist cuff and the equally 'seen that before' knitted cup cuff.  There's also a fifties inspired apron that's nice enough, but not the most practical thing as far as pinnies go. 

But overall I'd say it's a great book for anyone who's new to crafting and wants to try out various crafts before settling on one in particular.  Things like the decoupage tins and the decorated tags would be great for kids to try, and might even keep 'em quiet for a few minutes while they're cutting and pasting and getting fingers sticky with PVA.  

As 'Makery' was first published years ago it might well be on your local library's shelves, and is certainly available cut price on second hand book websites.  (I mean, if you're UK based, you could pop into Waterstones and pay £14.99 for a copy, but it's on World of Books for £3.50.  I'm not sponsored by them, but I've used that site before and their customer service is very good.)

Now, before we get to book making I wanted to share a few pictures of an upcycled board book I've been working on.  (Below, this is the front cover.)  

If you haven't come across that type of craftiness before, there are various folk who scour charity shops for babies board books, then happily spend time covering them in drawings, paintings or collage.  (Below, here's the back cover.)  

The chunky board pages are a a lovely surface for working on, and as the board books are usually less than half a dozen pages long they're a quick project to complete.  Meaning you get that feeling of accomplishment, instead of a task dragging out for weeks or months (along with all the other half-finished quilts, cushions, etc ...)

I deliberately went for clashing and thoroughly unsubtle colours with some pages, while others were more muted shades but kind of grungy looking.    I wasn't trying to make something deliberately arty or cutesy or pretty, not intending to create something to appeal to others, but was just having fun.  Trying out weird colour combos.  Not worrying about that inner critical voice that often holds us back.  

 

Right, let's switch to book making, albeit very simple little uns.  I've recently made my first shaped book, which I enjoyed, so followed up promptly with another one.  The first was heart shaped, the second was a hexagon, but both share almost the same process.  

For both books I use my Sissix machine to cut the shapes.  Let's start with the heart.  I cut several hearts from white paper, as well as two hearts from a pink Gelli printed paper.  Your book can be thicker, with more pages if you want, and you could use colourful gift wrap for the cover or hearts cut from vintage postcards, birthday cards, even a scrap of silk.  Also, your book pages don't have to be white.  Use coloured paper if you prefer, stripes, polka dots, whatever! 

Glue the two pink hearts on to two white hearts.  Stack together the white pages, put a cover heart on top of the stack, another on the bottom.  Ensure all the edges of your book line up nicely.  Spread PVA glue down one of the heart's straight edges, holding your book firmly, before using bulldog clips or clover clips to clamp the book together.  

Let that glue dry before adding a second coat of PVA.  Again, let it dry before adding a third coat.  When that's dry, check your book pages are secure by flicking through, opening and closing, making sure you've no loose pages.  To tidy up the book's spine, either glue on a length of ribbon or cover with washi tape or similar.  

You can print someone's name on the outside of the book, or add a personalized message.  Jazz up with a scattering of sequins or glitter.  Anything goes! 

The hexagonal book was basically the same process, except that I cut out two pieces of card instead of paper for the front and back covers.  Then covered each card on one side with decorative paper.  The underside is covered with a white paper hexagon.  

It's a sturdier cover than that on the heart shaped book.  If you want, you can glue on a ribbon to pretty things up.  This gold ribbon adds a nice sparkle.  

One of these hexi books might be a sweet little pressie for a friend who's into English Paper Piecing, a.k.a. handsewn patchwork.  By the way, as I'm still mastering the art of writing instructions, if any of this isn't clear, feel free to let me know.  

Well, that's me done for the day.  I hope some of that was either useful or enjoyable for you.  Bye!