Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

10/17/2012

Feminine Felidae

Are you a cat lover, or secretly a cat hoarder? Learn the ways of the claw with the fanatically interesting book, Cat Lady Chronicles by Diane Lovejoy. Be engrossed with bold and colorful cat images, featuring fine artists from around the world, while learning about a true story of a wonderful woman, that found a new meaning in life with her rescued cats.


My favorite part of the book is when the author mentions, while realizing she is who she is, that there are more important things in life, than material possessions.

"Who am I?" I still carry the Ferragamo tote bag I bought more than a decade ago and acquire affordable antiques for our historic home. It's hard to resist material temptations. But when it comes to the "It" item in my life, it is the interconnections with Lucius, Lydia, Leo, Linus, L.B., Alvar, Lillie, T.J., Perkins and Miss Tommie. Connectivity means much more to me than a command center for communications, a site for bundling electronic interactions. People, pets, art and books enrich our spirits and fuel our lives." (Lovejoy 152)

In chapter eight, Lovejoy reminds us, "...if you are inclined to feed stray cats on a regular basis, ...buy trousers or shorts with deep pockets,...." She notes that she is, "...prepared to feed a hungry cat anytime." (Lovejoy 113)

Here are some lovely fashion choices that may suit you as well:






Visit the Cat Lady Chronicles Facebook page!

Works cited:

Lovejoy, Diane. "Cat Lady Chronicles." Trans. Array Yarwood Editorial Services. 1st ed. Milan: Officina Libraria srl, 2012. Print.

6/24/2011

Must Have Knitting and Crochet Craft Books for Girls

You may remember when I featured It Girl Knits by Phoenix Bess. Bess's how to guide contains pretty designs for girls between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, but can be worked up and modified for any age. There are a few more books that I would like to bring to your attention today, to add to your craft library: Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies, 20 Yummy Treats to Wear and Cowlgirls: The Neck's Big Thing to Knit by Cathy Carron.

Chan's adorable book features 20 projects for the kawaii lover in your life. Carron's book offers the neck warmer and cowl lover an "ultimate feast" for the eyes and with over 40 projects to last all year long. Get your hands on a copy of these fabulous books. You will wow your friends with your knitting and crochet skills, and fashion sense.

3/02/2011

Book Review: Vogue Knitting Knitopedia


Vogue Knitting Knitopedia, The Ultimate A to Z for Knitters, released this month,  retails for $34.95. This is the book for those that want a quick reference to every knitting term, technique, tool, designer, and fiber or tradition.  The pictures are big and beautiful, and include maps, photographs, technical drawings, schematics, and tables for every curious need. This book is best left at home, however, due to its size and hard cover.

On a more entertaining note, there are essays written by top names in the knitting world, peeking out at you throughout the book, ready for your eyes to devour. If you want to try your hand at design, there is some basic information on how to do that, and how to substitute yarns. The flow of finding what you need is so easy with extensive cross referencing on practically every page. In my opinion, Vogue Knitting Kniopedia would make a great gift for the beginning knitter, and for those that want to learn a lot about knitting in a short amount of time.

8/01/2010

Book Review: Knitting on the Edge by Nicky Epstein



Nicky Epstein's most recent addition to her popular edging series, Knitting on the Edge, contains instruction for decorative cuffs, feather lace ruffles, garter stitch weaves, sea scallop edges, sugar drops, and more for your daring design desires. With 350 border options there is no limit to what you can do, with Epstein's creative approach to edges. In addition to all of that, there are a few sections in the back dedicated to stitches, abbreviations, techniques, and the most desired pattern section featuring each pattern pictured in the book. My favorite section is the part on "Flora" with special plant like stitch patterns, reminiscent of nature.

In addition, discover more of the series by the author:
Knitting Over the Edge
Knitting Beyond the Edge
Crocheting On the Edge

6/09/2010

Book Review: Closet Confidential by Vinona Dimeo-Ediger

Closet Confidential, Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way, written by the author of Daddy Likey, is a melting pot full of information about how to dress, specifically catering to women. Included are fun and helpful tips with quirky yet delightful illustrations, sparking your own insightful outfit combinations for practially every occasion. Closet Confidential is the "do's and don'ts" bible of fashion, in a smart and easy to read, very portable volume. You are sure to laugh and smirk while you learn about everything from jeans to shoes, and bags to shape wear. One of my favorite parts is about dressing for events. Every woman stresses over those! There are also fun anecdotes and side notes that will surely keep your interest. Pick up a copy and enjoy stress free style with a little help from Ms. Dimeo-Ediger.

6/01/2010

Book Review: Vogue Knitting Stichionary 5

If you are a knitter, you probably already know about the Vogue Knitting Stitchionary series. The latest edition, Stitchionary 5, Volume Five Lace Knitting by Carla Scott, will be published in June 2010. It is wisely divided up into seven categories as follows: Easy/Mesh, Allover, Panels, Edgings, Motifs, Combos, and Chevrons. I personally love edgings, because they give added interest to something that is minimal, or to some, boring. The book also features huge images in which you can see great detail, which is much needed for knitting. There are no garment patterns in this book, only the stitch patterns for creating that beautiful and fashionable piece for you to wear for years to come.

Also, don't forget to check out the other series of this collection:
Stitchionary Volume One Knit and Purl
Stitchionary Volume Two Cables
Stitchionary Volume Three Color Knitting
Stitchionary Volume Four Crochet

4/19/2010

Book Review - 60 Quick Knits

Gorgeous and easy knits, all at your fingertips! 60 Quick Knits features 20 bright and colorful patterns to work up, all created with a very popular yarn, Cascade 220. Cascade 220 is made of 100% Peruvian Highland wool. It is worsted weight and is perfect even for felting. It is available in a variety of colors including heathers and tweeds.

To learn more about this book, and to see a preview of the inside pages, check out Sixth & Spring Books.

4/16/2010

Book Review: The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping by Melody Fortier

The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping is a great resource for those wanting to know more about vintage fashion in general, and for those interested in shopping for designer vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories. It also includes expert advice, and shopping links for you to explore online.

What I love most about this book is how it shows you how you can reinvent old, worn out, or what you might think is unstylish designs, into something brand new and unexpected. For example, you can turn a long skirt into a dress or a knee length skirt into a cute top to wear with denim jeans.

Have you ever wondered how old that dress is? Now you can figure it out easier with tips on how to identify and date your new buy.

There's also an interesting short history of styles of different eras, featured in chapter 3. This is perfect for that school project or essay you are working on.

When you are buying, especially online, you need to know some important abbreviations, featured in this book, on page 13!

Did you find that perfect hat at the thrift store only to discover that it terribly needs some tender loving care?This book has some great tips on that specific subject, starting on page 154.

Get more information and purchase your copy from Quirk Books.

7/29/2009

Contests from Vogue Knitting

Enter to win a copy of Knitted Flowers by Nickey Epstien, here:
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/608

Enter to win a copy of Iris Schreier's Reversible Knits, here:
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/607

Angela Hahn's leafy lace puts a new twist on the traditional beret, in rosy "Baby Cashmerino" by Debbie Bliss/KFI. Deadline for entry for this contest is October 1, 2009.
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/605

7/17/2009

Lilly*blossom "Book Bags"



Lilly*blossom designs showcase quality hand made products, created with the best designer fabrics to date. In addition, each book cover has a cute book mark sewn into it, with added bead embellishments. The beads are perfect for added weight to keep the book mark in place, and give it extra pizazz. What better gift than this?!? Any reader in your life will love and appreciate these book covers as a gift. They are so useful, and easy to carry. I love my "Turquoise and Taupe" cover, and use it daily.

"The Paperback covers are so easy to use and they are unique on the web! Simply slip the front and back cover of your favourite paperback into the cover and use the beaded bookmark to keep your place, close the book and you have a bag! I use them for commuting everyday and they are so eye catching, people often ask where I get them from and if they can buy them! We also sell lots for holidays & travelling - no more struggling to the pool or beach, just slip on your arm and have your hands free for those essential items such as sunglasses and cocktail! Keeps your book splash free." -Helen Newton of Lilly*Blossom Designs

You can purchase directly from the website, and on the Lilly*blossom Etsy page.

5/24/2009

Vogue Knitting's New KnitBook!

We all know how stylish and classic Vogue Knitting patterns can be. Now there is a way to get only the patterns that you really want from the company, in one printed book, specialized for you. Vogue Knitting is now offering KnitBook!

"A KnitBook is just like any professionally printed pattern book…with one difference—it’s created by you. You choose the cover design, the title and most importantly, the patterns. Now you can have all of your favorite patterns in one book, printed and shipped right to your door! Books start at $24.95."

This is very interesting and economical because you only get what you really want to make and wear!

3/03/2009

It Girl Knits by Phonex Bess

Phoenix Bess is an amazing person that has been designing knitted garments since the age of 13. She has a knitting pattern line and has published designs in magazines such as Knit Simple, Knitscene, and Creative Knitting. She also sells her knitted pieces online through her online store, and in boutiques. I like how Bess designs what she would wear herself, and how she loves natural fibers.

Her latest publication, "It Girl Knits" is a pattern book filled with the cutest styles for any age, but especially for young women, and girls. It contains 30 unique styles, that are figure flattering and so stylish. The "Designer Carryall" pattern makes up a super chic bag, perfect for any season. There are also very pretty knitted swim suit and bikini patterns for summer!

Overall, this is a feel good book, that has fresh knitting ideas, that you can look at with friends, and admire. Start a new project and have fun with it!

8/05/2008

Fashioning Technology by Syuzi Pakhchyan


Fashioning Technology is a big, beautiful book, covering three main topics: wearables, objects for the home, and interactive toys. The perfect sized color photos offer help and insight. It is for beginners to the more experienced in electronics. The most interesting aspect of these projects is the fact that they change and respond to their environment. This would be a great gift for a guy that is into crafting, and is also perfect for father/daughter do it yourself projects.

Main Chapter Summary:

Materials, Electronics, and Tools - A perfect list with extremely helpful, full color images, to make sure you buy the right things.
Technical Primers - Detailed tutorials on working with tools you may not have used in the past.
Wearables - Projects you can wear for fun and functional fashion statements.
Home Accents - Projects for the home to give your life more pizazz.
Interactive Toys - Projects to create toys that are more an ordinary.

Templates that are used in conjunction with the projects can be found here:

Fashioning Technology is available in bookstores or online at http://oreilly.com/store

10/05/2007

Book Review: Non-functional Knitting


we make money not art posted a great review of KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave, a fun a quirky book about knitting, art and extreme creativity.

7/24/2007

Sex Sells

Sexy knitting book titles to stimulate your knitting desires.

1. "Domiknitrix: Whip Your Knitting into Shape" Author: Jennifer StaffordCost: $19.99
Sample project: Charcoal Snow Devil cap, complete with two horns.




2. "Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt"Author: Megan NicolayCost: $14.95
Sample project: "Bohemian Wrapsody," a flirty wrap skirt created from one T-shirt.




3. "Knitting With Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting f or the Modern Man"Author: Michael del VecchioCost: $20
Sample project: Classy tribal sweater.



4. "Plush-O-Rama: Curious Creatures for Immature Adults"Author: Linda KoppCost: $14.95
Sample project: "Llorie the Bipolar Cloud," a two-faced plush cloud - white and fluffy on one side, gray and gloomy on the other.



5. "Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock, and Goth Knitting Projects"Author: Alyce Benevides and Jaqueline MillesCost: $19.95
Sample project: Union Jack bum flap.



6. "Subversive Cross Stitch"Author: Julie JacksonCost: $14.95
Sample project: A cutesy blue-bordered design with a pink pacifier and the words "Babies suck."



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