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It’s ridiculously hot here in P-Town, and heat-management is getting in the way of normal activities. Like, for example, blogging. (And being detail-oriented — hence, the tacky “Search Inside” arrows that appear below.)
Today, however, I hopped on the train to the downtown library, and spent several hours immersed in air-conditioning and craft books. If you’re local, then definitely make a point to check out the stacks some time — Central branch has just oodles of craft books of all kinds!
Thought I’d share some of the interesting ideas I found there:
-First, Ribbonwork! Not ribbon embroidery, but the art of sculpting silk and taffeta ribbons into all manner of flowers, in a delightful, vintagey way. I looked at this book by Helen Gibb, and you can see more samples at her website.
- This book, by Noreen Crone-Findlay, was interesting. She constructs simple doll forms from crocheted tubes, and then adds all manner of embellishments. The faces and hands are paper, or beads, or carved from avocado pits(!). These are more art-dolls than softies, and no relation to amigurumi. The author’s website unfortunately doesn’t offer any more glimpses into these dolls, but lo and behold, there is lots of stuff there on spool-knitting!
- I was a little captivated by the macrame jewelry made from waxed linen twine in this book, by Jessica Vitkus. I haven’t ever macrame’d this tiny, but I like the delicacy of it — not to mention, how seed-bead friendly it looks.
- This Steve Dodds book has a really cool quilted pillow, pieced from strips of neckties. I must try this! And you must look at this picture of a flippin’ amazing tie-quilt!
Helen Gibb’s ribbonwork book is excellent! I was privileged to take a class from her a few summers ago at the Crazy Quilt retreat in Omaha, NB, and she is so sweet! I’d also recommend getting her CD, which demos the ribbon folding/etc. I have yet to purchase it, but it’s on my want list! Her work is beautiful; she’s a very thorough teacher, and uses high quality supplies and ribbons. I recommend spending the $$ and purchasing from her. And if you have the chance to take a class from her-go for it!
Helen Gibb’s ribbonwork book is excellent! I was privileged to take a class from her a few summers ago at the Crazy Quilt retreat in Omaha, NB, and she is so sweet! I’d also recommend getting her CD, which demos the ribbon folding/etc. I have yet to purchase it, but it’s on my want list! Her work is beautiful; she’s a very thorough teacher, and uses high quality supplies and ribbons. I recommend spending the $$ and purchasing from her. And if you have the chance to take a class from her-go for it!
OK, please stop talking about how hot it is in Portland. You’re the second person who has mentioned this to me in the last 48 hours. We head to Portland in less than two weeks, and we were hoping to ESCAPE the Texas heat. ;)
OK, please stop talking about how hot it is in Portland. You’re the second person who has mentioned this to me in the last 48 hours. We head to Portland in less than two weeks, and we were hoping to ESCAPE the Texas heat. ;)