New Books

I really liked this next book, Making Crafts From Your Kids' Art by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader and published by Lark. We all know the wonderful art that children do, and this book shows you how you can take advantage of all the things that are out there to help transform their art into useable items. Enlarge or reduce those pictures that are taking over the refrigerator, transfer them to another surface, translate them into another medium and enjoy them everyday. Knit a sweater, make a pillow, decorate a jar, etc., all with your youngsters' art. If nothing else you'll get the refrigerator door back!

And, of course, we could not ignore the knitting books that are now appearing in great profusion. They have always been out there but never before have so many been directed to our crafting offices and I couldn’t be more pleased. Today's selections included Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects & Ideas written by Melanie Falick and published by Stewart Tabori & Chang. Melanie admits that she doesn't really expect you to knit any of these creations in a weekend but suggests that they are the kind of things you might enjoy working on on a weekend when you feel that you can really relax and get into it. There is a good variety of items that should appeal to knitters of all ages.

Next up was Felted Knits by Beverly Galeskas and published by Interweave Press. If you've not tried felting, which basically is shrinking your knitting, this is a book where you can learn both. Not only does it include a number of patterns to knit, but directions for felting the finished items are also included and it is here that you discover that that means more than just tossing the completed item into the washing machine. Frequently the steps differ a bit depending on the kind of yarn you use and the size of needles used. If you've not tried felting, I found it fun and fascinating. You might use this book as a starter.

Also from Stewart, Tabori and Chang publishers is Suss Cousins book Hollywood Knits. I didn’t ask Suss where the title came from but it could be because her lovely knit shop is located in Hollywood or because she has a number of Hollywood stars as her clients and friends. Here too is a knitting book that includes a wide variety of projects ranging from baby clothes and blankets to cell-phone cases and purses. In addition to some great projects, Suss also demonstrates the Continental style of knitting along with the English/American style that most of us use. It's easy to learn and when you watch Suss knit you'll see that she goes like the wind. And if you are not yet a knitter, there's no time like the present. It's definitely "in."

Resources
Three-dimensional Decoupage
by Hilda Stokes
Guild of Master Craftsman, 2003
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Creating Fantastic Vases
by Suzanne J. E. Tourtillott
Lark, 2003
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Rubber Stamped Jewelry
by Sharilyn Miller
North Light Books, 2003
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Designer Scrapbooks with Mrs. Grossman
by Andrea Grossman
Sterling, 2004
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Making Crafts from Your Kids' Art
by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader
Lark, 2003
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Weekend Knitting
by Melanie Falick
Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2003
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Felted Knits
by Beverly Galeskas
Interweave Press, 2003
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Hollywood Knits
by Suss Cousins
Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2002
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Also in this Episode

Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-1759
•	Underwater Quilling
•	Dichroic Glass Mobiles
•	New Books