Book Review: Made By Yourself by Peter Fehrentz

The lovely people at Aurum Press sent me Made By Yourself by Peter Fehrentz, published by Jacqui Small, a couple of months ago to review, finally I have had the chance to sit down and have a good look at it.

All opinions are my own and honestly it is a great book!

There are a huge variety of projects, 48 in total, each is graded for skill level and cost which is really helpful.

There are projects for everyone, my husband loves this idea :

and I wish I had this book when I made my origami bow last year:

I waited to do the review because I really wanted to make these to show you,

I even bought the plaster, but I have been knee deep in utility room renovation and have not had time...soon!

Thanks again to Aurum Press for sending me the book , it is now officially one of my favourite craft project books!

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Book Review: Mastering the Art of Embroidery

As I said in my last review post, I was contacted a month or so ago by The Aurum Publishing Group asking if I would  be interested in doing a couple of book reviews, this is review number 2, Mastering the Art of Embroidery by Sophie Long.

This book is beautiful, the pictures are gorgeous and it is clearly set out.

The book is split in to two sections, hand embroidery and machine embroidery. The Hand Embroidery section covers loads of different types of embroidery, from surface embroidery to 3D embroidery (including smocking and quilting) and everything in between! The Machine Embroidery section covers Free Motion Embroidery and Digital Embroidery.

Each chapter starts with some pictures of embroidery using the chapter technique with some history of the technique then instructions on each stitch. The instructions are fantastic, an A4 page for each stitch with an extremely clear tutorial.

There are also helpful tips dotted all over the book which are fantastic.

Feeling spurred on by the gorgeous pictures of embroidered things in this book I had a wee go..

Not exactly a masterpiece but I can see how this could become addictive! The next thing I am going to try is the smocking!

This book is really fantastic, I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who already embroider but want to try some fancier techniques!

 If you want a copy then you can order it: 
To order Mastering the Art of Embroidery (9781906417956) for £24.00 including p&p* (RRP: £30.00), telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code JS205. Or send a cheque made payable to: Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3TG. Please quote the offer code JS205 and include your name and address details. *UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Linking to some of these fab linky parties!

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Book Review: Contemporary Upholstery by Hannah Stanton

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by The Aurum Publishing Group asking if I would  be interested in doing a couple of book reviews. Both books looked great so I jumped at the chance and before I knew it 2 gorgeous books arrived!

Now Beavers camp is over (phew) I have finally had a chance to read the first book, Contemporary Upholstery by Hannah Stranton. I currently have 6 dining room chairs, one blanket box type thing and a fancy chair on my re-upholster list. I plan on doing everything except the fancy chair so have a lot of learning to do!

 The first thing to say is that this is a gorgeous looking book, I love the colours and pictures on the cover.

The book is set out in a very logical fashion, it starts with the tools and equipment that may be required, then has a whole section outlining all the different types of fabric and what they are best used for. This was really interesting for a fabric geek like me!

The techniques covered in the book start with basic quick makeover techniques, including re-upholstering a drop in seat cushion and mending tears,

then goes on to complete makeovers explaining how to strip chairs back to the bare bones then rebuild them.

The instructions are fairly comprehensive, the only thing I wasn't sure of was how the diagrams were laid out but I soon got used to it!

Throughout the book there are profiles of professionals with before and after pictures of upstyled furniture they have done. If you are lacking inspiration these profiles are fantastic, it is really amazing what a bit of time, paint and fabric can do!

All in all this is a brilliant book if you are planning any upholstery it is worth a read.

To order Contemporary Upholstery (9781906417918) for £16.00 including p&p* (RRP: £20.00), telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code JS206. Or send a cheque made payable to: Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3TG. Please quote the offer code JS206 and include your name and address details. *UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Now, to attempt to put a cushion on the top of my blanket box, I now know how to make it so the foam has softer edges, hopefully I will have a before and after post soon!

As I said before, I was provided with this book to review but all opinions are my own.

Linking to some of these fab linky parties!

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