Pulp Sushi

The Principles of Knitting :: Book Review

It has been about a year since I first picked up a pair of knitting needles.  Everything I know about knitting I've learned from friends and YouTube.   My stitching has gotten better but I'm still not past the scarf stage.

I love knitting, I knew I would.  I love creating something from scratch and see it's progression.  However I would like to learn other types of stitches and be able to create other kinds of pieces  besides scarves.  In comes The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt, coffee cup not included.

Originally  published in 1988, a revised and updated version is coming out next week  on the 14th - a great gift idea for the knitting love of your life perhaps? :) If you give as a gift, be prepared, this is probably the ULTIMATE How-To knitting book. No frills, straight-forward, almost like a textbook. It's pretty  heavy duty.

Definitely read the Introductions and Knitting Method (Chapter 1). Otherwise, you can jump around. If you're comfortable with the basics and there are techniques you are comfortable with, this is a great book to pick up new stitching techniques. Beginners are welcome too as this revision was written with you in mind, don't be intimidated.  This is the kind of book you will always refer back to and learn from.

Recommended Crafty Reads from Pulp Sushi

I've been sharing some book reviews lately on the blog. I wanted to do a quickie recap of what I've read just for Cyber Monday. I think each of these books would be great gift ideas for the Crafty McCraftster in your life. Perhaps you may want to learn a couple of new skills and want to make your own handmade gifts?  All books are under $18.00! =D

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts 2 :: Read my review

Gourmet Gifts :: Read my review

State of Craft :: Read my review

Embroider Everything Workshop :: Read my review

Embroider Everything Workshop - Book Review

I have another great book to share with you this week. Embroider Everything Workshop: The Beginner's Guide to Embroidery, Cross-Stitch, Needlepoint, Beadwork, Applique, and More

Diana Rupp, founder of Make Workshop in NYC, demonstrates how simple items can be made into something fabulous by just adding a few stitches.   I've tinkered with embroidery and cross-stitching and it's so refreshing to find a tutorial book with pizazz and attitude but still with clear instructions that's great for beginners.  Lots of photo references and diagrams too if you're a visual person like myself. I need to SEE what is being instructed. :)

The book is divided into two parts.  Part 1 is the Basics that introduces you to the embroidery technique from freehand and applique to needlework, smocking, openwork, beadwork, cross-stitch and more.   Part 2  are the Projects.  It has instructions that will put what you learned in Part 1 to use.  Plenty of cool projects like Light-as-a-Feather Doorstop, Needlework Necklace, Kimono Baby Booties and a Peony Jewelry Box.  Also included are 48 Transfer Patterns to use (awesome!).

What's neat about this book is that none of the projects seems like it would be too hard to do.  Once you get the hang of it, maybe develop some callouses on those fingers, you'll be going crazy embroidering everyting, like your skirt!

 

 

*State Of Craft* :: A Pre-Holiday Book Review

The craft revolution of the early 2000s gained early visibility with the renewed popularity of knitting, which in turn revived the dying arts of crochet, embroidery, bricolage and macramé, seeping from the fringes of the culture into its mainstream. In 2005, Victoria Woodcock and Ziggy Hanaor edited Making Stuff, one of the first alternative craft books to hit the shelves and draw the spotlight to this burgeoning movement. With State of Craft , Woodcock and Hanaor shake things up once again, offering a fully illustrated how-to guide for making everything from mobiles to lampshades. State of Craft features interviews and contributions from all the hottest international craft megastars including Tatty Devine, Urban Cross Stitch and DIY Couture. Clearly explained, step-by-step craft ideas range from homemade underwear to pompom necklaces and angle poise lamps made with jars.

I'm taking off a day early from this week's blogging adventures.  I hope everyone has a nice weekend!

What I ♥ :: Gourmet Gifts - Book Review

I love handmade gifts. I love food.  I love food given as gifts.  Nuff said, read on. :)

Edible gifts are dressed to impress with alittle DIY savvy, a craft-enhanced cookbook helps you give your next foodie present in style

The last couple of years there has been a big push for supporting Handmade for the Holidays and that's great! But what if you can't sew/knit/sculpt/letterpress - face it, you don't consider youself a crafter but say you're a foodie with skills in the kitchen, food is still handmade isn't it? 

Dinah Corley has written Gourmet Gifts: 100 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion to Make Yourself and Wrap with Style . You learn about making food gifts for others and a snazzy presentation in packaging. How about Herb-Stuffed Eggs in a Wheat Grass Nest or Pistachio Sugarplums in a Decorative Paper Pyramid? 

A lot of great gift ideas are included in this book and don't think it's just limited for the holidays. It's great for any occassion, even if you're just paying friends a visit for dinner and you don't want to show up empty-handed. I do wish there were a few more pictures in the book, especially considering how gorgeous the photography is in Gourmet Gifts.  Picture time! I took pictures from the actual book so you gotta forgive me. Overall it's a great resource to have that I am sure will come in super handy. :)

 

What I Love:: The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt

I've read a graphic novel or two in my day, but never have I read a Scrapbook Novel before.  Introducing The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures ...

This story takes place in the early 1920s and the entire book is pieced together as a scrapbook by Frankie Pratt, a young woman who dreams of becoming a writer but must forgo a scholarship to Vassar (a school which happens to be less than 30 minutes away from me) to help her widowed mother. But when a mysterious Captain James sweeps her off her feet, her mother finds a way to protect Frankie from the less-than-noble intentions of her unsuitable beau.  We follow her to Paris only to see things for her come full circle.

Author Caroline Preston rummaged through her mother's collection of diaries, letters, clippings, dresses and other weird souvenirs. She soon developed her own collection of vintage greeting cards, scrapbooks and whatever else she could find during her trips to the Antique shop.   After fifteen years as an archivist, I decided I wanted to turn some of the stories I'd uncovered in letters and diaries into novels.

I am not one for scrapbooks but I really enjoyed taking my time looking through each page. It makes for a fun read and adds to a compelling story, my only problem was it was too short!  I wanted more!

BIG ASS CRAFT BOOK GIVEAWAY

Yes this deserves ALL FRIGGIN' CAPS!  Back in 2008 I had the pleasure of reviewing The Big Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano for Venuszine.com and gave it much praise. Fast forward three years and I'm happy to bring you Big Ass Book of Craft VOLUMNE 2! Bigger, Better, Sassier - although I would have gone with Bad Assier, but that's just me.  There are some great craft How To books out there but this is a must have. Look how nice it looks on my bookshelf

Mark's new book continues his visually stimulating acid-trip of over the top funky fresh craft projects with great instruction, photographs and sense of humor.  This book is sure to inspire and tap into one's creativity. Mark encourages readers to let go of their inhibitions and get crazy with a craft project, see where it leads!   The great thing about these projects is they can be made from everyday items.  Big Ass Book of Crafts 2 is full of ways to spice up your home decor, clothing and jewelry with a twist including how to trick out a pair of shoes, elbow length gloves and pinup paperweights.  Don't worry, there's fun for the kiddies too (alligator pillow anyone?)

Another thing I enjoy about Mark's books are his introductions to each project and section.  His writing style is very personable. He has a tale for the inspiration behind everything you see whether it's a trick he learned from his parents or from eating a can of Pringles.  It's a wonderful way to learn more about him. All of the photos are taken from Mark's home which is probably a Crafter's Museum at this point.   It is such a fun book and a must have for DIY lovers.

Win a free copy of Big Ass Book of Crafts 2

Domestic entries to USA only please.

Entering is simple:

-You must leave a comment in this post.  Tell me how much you want it! Or tell me what your must have craft supply is, is it glue? Is it glitter? Is it glitter glue?? Or maybe share a craft-related mishap you had.  I've had many mishaps when I tried to make my own soaps and candles, never again.

EXTRA ENTRIES (more chances to win)

-Tweet about the giveaway and leave an additional comment letting me know. You can cut & paste the following:  I just entered to win @MarkMontano 's book Big Ass Book of Crafts TWO at @pulpsushi blog http://alturl.com/qbcvt

-Follow me on Bloglovin' and leave a comment

-Follow Pulp Sushi on Twitter @pulpsushi

-Like Pulp Sushi on Facebook and leave a comment

The winner will be announced on Monday, October 24th.

What I Love: Keel's Simple Diary

 

My iPhone is great, I love it! But there are just some things I can't do on it even though there are a million apps for senseless function. I can't really use it to to jot down my thoughts and ideas, not on a little gadget. I continue to love journals, planners, and diaries - paper!!! TASCHEN (one of my favorite book publishers EVER) has come out with Volume 2 of The Simple Diary by Philipp Keel.  A nice gift idea for the holidays.

In a world where products are out as soon as they're in, where communicating without wires doesn't come without strings, and even our accessories need accessories, we need simple tools. A book that helps us look inside because we are overloaded outside.

This handy book is for anyone, any age, any occassion. On every page you will discover a taste of philosophy, a pinch of psychology and a twist of insight.It's not just blank pages with a date on top...

 

Simple Diary™ is Keel's response to having too much information and not enough meaning. The diaries are the culmination of his quest to gain insight into who we are, and why we do what we do.  A great tool for when we want to take a step back and really think about how we're utilizing our time and what we make of each day that is given to us.