Ha! I watched Heroes episode 12 last night.  I could have watched it yesterday morning but certain people demand that I wait for them *le sigh*  If you haven’t seen it yet then all I’m going to say is Sylar - lie detector - “there’s cake?”  LMAO  I am so making a banner with his face at that moment lol

Ok a few posts ago I mentioned I had ordered 3m of art deco silk taffeta.  It arrived this morning along with a gazillion other packages - it was better than Christmas.  Anyway after communicating with the seller about various fabric related and boring questions, he told me he didn’t have much left, so of course I then had to order what was left.  It was unavoidable.  I will now have 13 metres of silk taffeta to play with - ideas on the back of a postcard to…

Also arrived today was a big box of books from amazon (go Prime!) but unfortunately one of them is diabolical and has to die be returned.  I just wrote a reasonably scathing review of it on amazon which they may or may not publish but here’s some highlights just in case they don’t.  DO NOT buy this book under any circumstances

Creating Romantic Purses

I saw this book on amazon a few times and read the reviews which made it sound pretty decent.  It’s hard to tell from the cover but the two bags featured on there looked “ok” from a distance. Having now seen inside the book, I think you would have to have a screw loose to want to carry any of them around with you outside in public, let alone make them.  They are completely over the top, over-embellished, overdone and really reminds me of crafts you used to do as a child with lots of leftovers and scrap fabrics.  Truly appalling.  Less is more people, and if you are going to have more, let’s not have them looking like something your granny’s granny might have had stashed away. Lots of lace, fake flowers, buttons, beads, and lots and lots of fringing on everything. Another review mentioned that the authors looked like something from a Jane Austen movie - do not be fooled into thinking that must mean Elizabeth Bennett or Emma - they look like Mrs Bennet or worse Lady Catherine de Burgh (or her granny)  In addition to that, all patterns included in the book have to be enlarged at 335%!!!  They do have a website but it’s full of curtain tassles, fringing, fake flowers etc that really don’t need to be put on a handbag.  Don’t waste your time with this book.

Maybe the title and the cover might have given a clue to how bad it was going to be, but honestly at that small size what was on the cover didn’t look that bad and it got some positive reviews.  I did consider it a few times before and never clicked the “add to basket” button so I need to learn to trust my instincts where crappy books are concerned.  It’s being returned this afternoon :p

crafty photos coming up in the next post…

I like books. A Lot.  I also like craft books.  A Lot.

So I’ve been looking at what’s coming out in the next few months in case there is anything that looks interesting and that I might want to buy.

First up, one to avoid surely.  How interesting that you can make handbags out of fat-quarter quilting fabric - not.  Honestly think about it, do you really want to make a bag that looks like a portable quilt?  I think not.  I haven’t browsed through this book yet as it’s not released until 25th November, but from what I can see, it looks like some pretty standard stuff - the only difference being you can use quilting scraps to make your “stylish” bags.

My advice is don’t bother.  Buy yourself a half or one yard/metre of nice fabric and do it properly.

Now this one does look a little more interesting, but of course that could be deceiving since I haven’t seen the contents yet and I won’t until after 9th December.  It is written by Brigett Artise who is a fashion designer, and a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, so I’m going to assume she knows what she’s talking about for now.  You can also check out her website here

Ok, one more and then I need to get busy on some Christmas projects.

This is a nice book, especially if you are interested in Japan and sewing! Any time I’ve made a kimono I haven’t used a pattern since they are basically a series of squareish shapes sewn together. However, if you are interested in achieving a more authentic look, then maybe this book is for you. Check out ebay also for sales of vintage kimono fabric, you can pick up some real bargains and some really beautiful silk.

Don’t forget to check out the lists of recommended craft and sewing books by clicking on the Buy Stuff tab at the top of the site.

PS  happy birthday to my nephew who is 12 today