Put Your Stamp On It - Book Review

It's been a long time since I've done a blog post. So lets try and get back into the swing of it, by starting with a book review. 

Since entering the world of stamping, I came across this lovely and recent book all about stamping, written by Meagan Lewis, at our local library.

Put Your Stamp On It: Cards, interiors, textiles and stationery

Meagan Lewis

2013 Sally Milner Publishing

ISBN 978-1-86351-444-6

The introductory chapter explains what the basic carving tools and materials are needed, to start your journey.  The reader is given a short explanation about the tools and materials.  This is excellent and informative.

Continuing on then with the subject of cleaning and storing your stamps is covered.  Did you know it’s best to store your ink up-side-down?  It helps keep the sponge moist with the ink.

Then of course we come to the fun part of the book, carving and the projects. Carving is explained well and thoroughly, even to the point of explaining how to carve if you are left-handed. There are around 20 projects for the reader to attempt, ranging from an easy level to a more complicated level of skill.  Projects cover stamping fabric, paper and even magnets.  Each project is illustrated well and helpful hints are also included.

I liked this book; it’s clear, modern and encouraging.  One feels they would be able to attempt their first carving of a stamp. 

Summer Reading & Watching

Hello, been awhile, hasn't it?  That's what happens when school holidays occur.  One gets relaxed, too relaxed in my case.  The days fly by and start to blur and before you know.  Ahhhh 2 weeks till Term 1, must get this ready for shop, must get this ready for son's school.  So of course the relaxation just floats away and one is dragged back to reality.  However saying that, I thought I would share what I have been reading / watching in my summer break.

Reading

Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart   
I discovered Miranda Hart a couple of years ago, with her sitcom, 'Miranda'.  She's fun, quirky and real. I found the book a great pick me up, a laugh out loud kind of book.  I would love to meet Miranda, but seeing I'm so short, I'm afraid she would tower over me. :-)

Paper: An Elegy by Ian Sansom
I fully admit one of the reasons why I purchased this book was because of the cover, it's so tactile. Sansom covers the history of paper from the 7th Century to the e-book.  I am only partly way through it, but enjoying it all the same.

Watching

Who Do You Think You Are?  UK Series 3
As you have read in past posts, I enjoy researching my husbands family tree.  So of course an avid watcher of the WDYTYA series.  I had missed a few of the episodes, so I thought I would catch up on Julia Sawalha and Robert Lindsay.

#reverb12 Day 24 My most important habit

Decided to join Kat's #reverb12 question today.

What is the single most important habit you intend to cultivate in 2013?

So what single most important habit I want to cultivate in 2013?  Well it's going to have to be two things, reading and more creating away from the computer.

I don't read enough I feel, and I fully admit I'm a slow reader too. So I hope to improve the amount of books that I want to read in 2013.


I want to create more in 2013.  When I made my map Christmas wreath, I felt more at ease.  Creating on the computer is fun etc, but actually creating items with your hands, feeling the texture of paper, fabric or wool is just a little more satisfying.  So the habit of creating I want to cultivate in 2013.

Want to see more #reverb12 click here

Image from here

#reverb12 Day 9 My Favourite Book for 2012

I missed yesterday's #reverb12, life gets in the way, especially when we are moving closer to Christmas

Today's question is

What was the best book you read in 2012, and why?

I fully admit, I haven't quite finished this book, but I do know it has been the best book I've read in 2012.  Ellsworth-Jones has written a comprehensive book about the Bristol graffiti artist Banksy.  Banksy identity is a mystery to the world. He has risen from a street graffiti artist to an international artist who's work goes for thousands of pounds. 

I loved this because it's well researched. Not only does one get to read the steady rise of Banksy but also get an insight to what makes a graffiti artist tick. Why do they do it? What does it all mean? Also very interesting to read about the industry of  fake art and the shear amount of money that is made. 

Banksy: The Man behind the wall, is a must to read if you're interested in Banksy, art and political statements. 

This is one of my favourite Banksy pieces. 

Blogtoberfest Day 29 The Real House Husbands

George Ivanoff, a dear friend of mine is in this weeks issue of Woman's Day! With the popularity of the Channel 9's Australian TV show, 'House Husbands'. Woman's Day has published an article on real house husbands, and my friend George and his two children and other house husbands were chosen.

Here you can see George is sitting with the kids with lots of books.  George is also a children's author, he has written such books as 'Gamers' Challenge'.   If you want to know more about George, check out his blog here.  So happy for him to be chosen for this article.

George Ivanoff with the kids (see arrow)

Holiday Reading

School holidays are almost over. In amongst organising activities for my son, I have been doing the odd spot of reading. So I thought I would share once again what treasures I have.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding
LotF has been one of those books I have been meaning to read for years. One hears it referenced to and sometimes joked about it in cartoons.  So when I saw a new edition, in the local library, I snatched it and thought this is the time to read it.  Good so far.


The Boy Who Fell to Earth by Kathy Lette
I can relate to this book immensely.  I have laughed, but there has always been a little bit of sadness behind the laughter. It's a fictional novel about one mothers highs and lows dealing with her son Merlin who has aspergers. A must read.

Around the Corner Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman
What an eye candy book, when it comes to pretty crochet borders. The biggest problem I have is which one do I choose from the 150 borders!?

It's time to crochet!

Not only do I like to design, I also like to crochet.  So it's that time of the year to crochet another rug.  This time for my mum. 

Mum wanted similar colours to the rug I crocheted back in 2010.  OMG I remember that bed spread, it took me forever.  Thankfully, mum just wanted a rug to put over her knees.

I have been using a cool crochet book 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton. The hardest part was deciding which blocks to crochet.

I tried block number 29 - Bobble Stripes, but I felt the bobble's were more annoying.  The final blocks that mum and I decided on were: -

Block 8 - Popcorn Flower
Block 30 Shell Lace
Block 80 Blocks & Shells.

So I have nearly finished.  Once sewn together I will be completing the border, will post on that later.

I Love Stationery - Book Review

It's been far too long since I posted, I think this cold weather just makes me want to hibernate. Well I thought I would start with a book review.

I saw I Love Stationery on this blog and I just had to buy it! Finally a decent book about modern stationery.

I Love Stationery: Inspirational techniques, materials, and practitioners

By Charlotte Rivers

Jacqui Small 2012

ISBN 978-1-906417-69-7

The book is divided into Techniques and Practitioners, for example hand-drawn illustrations to block printing to 3-D stationery.  There is a delicious selection of different stationery artists from around the world. Explaining their style, techniques and a even a description about their business.The illustrations are certainly eye candy for any stationery enthusiast. Presented well and full of inspiration. 

  

To end we are presented with a list of resources, suppliers, blogs and online communities and trade shows.
I wish there had been a chapter on how one can get their work into the retail industry, how to get a rep and any other handy hints. Maybe the next edition could include this.

Overall I loved the book, inspirational and informative, would recommend it to any stationery buff.

School Holiday Reading

Thought I'd share what I'm reading these school holiday's.

The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits Yes it's a 1990 Australian Women's Weekly Classic. Don't you just love that brown!

Real Living Magazine (Oz Version) I've subscribed to this magazine since Issue 1. There have been many changes in this magazine, one noticeably craft / bloggers are being featured in this mag.

The Tomato Book Pretty good book. Didn't realise how many types of tomato's there were.

The Good Life (Complete Series) I have very strong wonderful memories of watching this show with my parents, back in the 1970's. The show is so innocent and refreshing, compared to TV shows that are made now. The topic of 'self-sufficient' is even more relevant today!

Single in the City I don't usually read girly books, but when I saw it was set in London, I thought, why not and give it ago. I'm actually really enjoying it, it's funny and forward. Excellent holiday reading material.

So what are you reading?..................

Book Signing - Northland Shopping Centre, Melbourne

Australian author friend, George Ivanoff is taking part in a booksigning with 11 other Australian authors at Northland Shopping Center in Preston, Melbourne this Saturday. So this is a great chance to meet the authors and buy some books for Christmas and get them signed.

The Fun of Mad Men

Ooo this would be a nice item for
a Mad Men fan for Christmas.



To check out Mad Men: The Illustrated World go here

Blogtoberfest - Day 26 - Web sites to explore

Today I thought I would share some of my friends web sites. They all have some amazing talents. It has certainly been interesting to watch them and their businesses grow.

Literary Clutter - Australian Author, George Ivanoff



Mackenzie Oliphant Media -
Australian Author, Editor - MacKenzie Oliphant



DMFilms - Australian Independant Film Maker - Darren Maxwell



Odds & Ends - Author, Teacher, Editor and much more. - Jan Tully


Australian Fantasy Author - Trudi Canavan

Blogtoberfest - Day 22 - Book Review

Marie Claire Ideas Papercraft: Over 50 designs made with cut, folded, pasted and stitched paper 2008 Eng Version Quadrille ISBN: 978 184400 695 3

I fully admit I purchased this book because of the eye candy images of the papercraft projects. The photography is beautiful and calming. :-)

There are 50 projects, ranging from boxes, stationery, housewares, bags and decorations. The directions are simple. You are given a list of materials and in some cases even measurements are mentioned, almost like a food recipe. To complete the book, there are a selection of templates at the back. You will need access to a photocopier. Overall a lovely book and well worth the $32.99 (Hardback -Aust.) price that I paid.

Blogtoberfest - Day 4 - Book Review

Paper: beautiful ideas for gifts and home decorations
By Claire Richardson, Photography by Polly Wreford
Ryland Peters & Small
ISBN: 1 84172 659 1

For Blogtoberfest I thought over the month I will attempt to do simple book reviews of some of my paper books.

Paper was my first book I ever purchased on the subject of making beautiful things with paper. The images are gorgeous, and there are plenty of ideas of what one could make. There is the usual stationery, books, wrapping etc. But there are a few unique items, like shoes or even a paper dress. It's a lovely book to read while curled up on the sofa, with a cuppa, however there are not many instructions. I have only made one item from the book, the chop sticks paper envelopes. Overall a pleasant book to admire.

Paris or Amsterdam

Do you remember the cute little must have book 'Paris Made by Hand'? Well I noticed recently in a Woodend bookshop, that there is another book by the same author, 'Amsterdam Made by Hand'. Once again beautiful book, but I must admit I will stick with Paris. :-)

Trudi Canavan - Book Signing in Melbourne

If you enjoy reading the books by fantasy author Trudi Canavan. She will be signing books this Saturday at Victoria Gardens Angus & Robertson store from 12 noon to 1:30 pm. in Richmond, Melbourne.

Click here for all the details

Book Signing - Australian Author George Ivanoff

Dear and talented friend, Australian author, George will be signing his novel Gamers' Quest this Saturday. So if your in the area check out his book for teenagers and get it signed. Excellent for a Christmas gift.

Come and meet George Ivanoff —
author of the Chronos Award-winning science fiction novel
for kids and teens, Gamers’ Quest.

Location: Angus & Robertson Ringwood bookstore
(Shop L026a) in Eastland Shopping Centre, Victoria

Date: Saturday 8 May 2010

Time: 11.30am-12.30pm

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Ooo Punky & Me has started a lovely 'What I'm Reading Wednesday' series. So cool. Love discussing books and also have great delight in hearing what are people are reading and why. So here goes my two cents worth.

I picked up Bollywood Crafts: 20 Projects Inspired By Popular Indian Cinema from the local library. A cute and very vibrant coloured book, with an assortment of craft projects accompanied with brief outlines of 10 classic Bollywood films. I am hoping the book will give some inspiration.

Also reading or more like flicking through a non-fiction book about Henry the VIII and his wife's. I'm currently watching Season 2 of 'The Tudors', so I'm brushing up on the history of this fascinating but ruthless man.

A new spin on book cover design

One of my other interests in life is book covers. I just love how designers take a new spin on an old subject. Below is a new artist, Jim Tierney, I just love. I wants these books!!!

Jules Verne cover designs by Jim Tierney from Jim Tierney on Vimeo.

Jim Tierney

Book Binding Course

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a basic book binding course with my friend Trudi at the CAE in Melbourne. I was very excited to learn a new skill and also create something for me.

Our teacher Geraldine is a fabulous teacher, she's funny and interesting. I just wanted to keep learning from her. Also to my surprise Michelle from Crayon Chick turned up for the course as well, small world!

During the day we learnt about signatures, sewing, yes sewing! Me sewing, I know it's a shock but I actually sewed. Admittedly I had to get Trudi to thread my needle, I just couldn't do it! As you can see from the above photo, I pricked myself with the needle and bled onto the paper. I said to T, I bet my sewing friends would be laughing right now if they could see this.

Anyway folding, sewing, taping and glueing was all learn't throughout the day. End product a beautiful book. I still haven't used it, but I have caught the cat sitting on it once, to my horror!

Overall fantastic day, and I would throughly recommend it to anyone.