For those who avoid the non-fiction

I love to learn new things. Learning crafty things, especially - particularly now, with the new crazes on handmade gifts and items and the amount of craft blogs everywhere. Crafting is cool now, and more than once have I made goals to start 'learning how to _____' - it will probably happen again for this New Years.

I am always looking at the latest craft books, and admiring the handmade quilts on pinterest or being envious of my friend who just recently made her first bar of soap (and not from other soap shavings, like you do in Tech at high school, but with all the fandangled techniques and the big cutty wire thing and lye).

However, though it pains me to admit it, I can't read a non-fiction how-to book to save my life.

Oh, I can read, of course. And I know what the words say. I know what all the words mean, separately, but put together in a string like that, it turns into a jumble of nonsense that makes my head hurt. I have to put the book down and am thus left without a clue how to make a handmade tea cosey.

 
Now, there are ways to get around this, of course. With an abundance of tutorials on almost anything on youtube, there is a video to help get you through whatever you so desire. I bound my very first book (which I made for a friends 21st gift. I was very proud) by watching a very lovely, slow and simple tutorial (this coptic stitch tutorial by Sea Lemon). But even then, sometimes, I just can't stand hearing someone tell me how to do something. I've listened to other tutorials before as well, and half of them just drove me crazy. 

Until I found a perfect little book that was just my speed.

That book was My first crochet book : 35 fun and easy crochet projects for children aged 7+.Using that book, along with my mothers careful instruction and company, I began to crochet. It was amazing - the pictures helped me to understand and it was in such simple language (not that dastardly jargon) that anyone would probably be able to follow the steps. My mind was blown, and before long I had a little bundle of crocheted-something that I was again, very proud of. It's wonky, and missing a few stitches, and overall a general failure as any kind of usable item, but it was my first step into a world of crafts I might actually be able to do.

Since then, some others I've come across include this baking cookbook, and these books about gardening, cooking, embroidery and sewing - so many things I've always wanted to try my hand at but always been put off by intimidating tutorials and books. 

When you have a short attention span like me, I guess it just pays sometimes to be more open-minded about where you get your information from... The important thing is to understand and learn - no matter how you do it or how simple or silly it feels. If one of your New Years Resolutions is to be more crafty or good with your hands, these could help - so get crackin' with these handy dandy kids books (which just happen to be, of course, suitable for actual children as well).

Books and Blogs

The internet is a magical thing. It's easier now than ever before to write to someone on the other side of the world, or even a whole audience, about something that you're passionate about. Or just want to rant about, or want to share with the world. Or share that photo that you think is super cool, and want it to reach more than just your facebook friends.
Welcome to blogging, where you can make a living out of writing about your life, or sharing recipes, or making rugs out of newspaper (to just name a few). It's impressive just how many blogs are out there, and how many one-person blogs have become businesses that support a team of staff. I only recently fell into the 'blogosphere' (mostly craft blogs, myself) and let me tell you - there is definitely something for everyone.

And they're now extending their reach into your local library, with books about what they do and who they are - so with this, I present to you my favourite (so far) bloggers and their books.

Take for instance, Elisabeth Dunker at Fine Little Day. A designer, creator and now with a book to add to her repertoire, Dunker loves collecting things, making knicknacks out of other, smaller, knicknacks (in her book, she made a curtain out of doilies, which I'm particularly fond of) and crafting small beauties with her family... and then posting about it on her popular blog!
Now, even without the internet handy, you can check out her stuff - by checking out her book (also called Fine Little Day) from the library.

Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess, is a popular author with a book published a while ago (Let's Pretend This Never Happened) and another one more recently. I found Furiously Happy while finding my holds on the holdshelf - it was waiting for someone else to pick it up, but I couldn't resist the creepily ecstatic taxidermied raccoon on the front cover (her first book features a mouse in a cape with a fancy hat) and picked it up to have a gander at the first few pages before hastily shoving it back under that lucky persons name on the shelf.
This woman is hilarious. I haven't read those books yet (I have her first, ready for me to read it - and I'm still on the waiting list for the second) but that's why her blog (about her travels and book events, and her, mostly) comes in handy. Chuck Furiously Happy on hold, read her first book and then sit at your desk in love with her blog until that request finally comes for you.

Ebony Bizys is the mind behind Hello Sandwich, a personal, as well as craft and lifestyle (and photography) blog based in Tokyo, Japan. Her new book, Hello Tokyo, is now in the libraries and is packed with an adorable pastel mix of topics, as well as notes about Japan and the culture there (which I am obsessed with).
With a smattering of crafts and how-to's, Bizys creates a guide on the various things she does on and off her blog - examples of favourite zines, how she started her blog, or how she makes an obento (Japanese lunchbox). To top it off, the book is very well designed (most bloggers books are, but this one is a particular favourite of mine) - and reads just like her lovely, modern (but simple) blog.

If you've ever looked eagerly at a craft recipe (tutorial? Hmm.) and then sobbed because the first step is 'Pour your prepared concrete into your previously made mould' or something equally as unrealistic (I love tutorials that assume you're already a pro) and you have no idea how to prepare your concrete or when you supposed to make the darn mould, then Materially Crafted is for you.
Victora Hudgins of A Subtle Revelry starts at the beginning, with the understanding that every crafter has to start somewhere. She explains the right way to spray spraypaint, the difference between cement and concrete, and how to take your first baby steps in a craft where everyone already assumes you know 'the basics'. Her blog is just as clear - super simple steps and easy to follow recipes so that you can get your craft on.

More and more bloggers are publishing books, so if craft or lifestyle (or humor) isn't your thing, no fear - the library will no doubt continue adding to its collection with variations of blogger books. Interested in blogs online but not so much print? It's even easier - finding an awesome blog for you is only a Google away.

Do you guys have a favourite blogger/vlogger?

Geekalicious gifts you can make Mum this Mother's Day!

This Mother's Day, why not make Mum something a little different, something a little geektastic even. I took a wander around our library this afternoon and found an absolute treasure trove of books full of gift ideas that I would be proud to get from my own little mini-geeks this Sunday ;)

1000 steampunk creations. Surely Mum would love a little steampunk goodness in her life, this book is full of inspiration for home design, art and sculpture, fashion, jewellery and more. My personal jewellery collection is chocka with steampunk goodies but could always use some more (hint hint).

Maybe you have some old books you would like to turn into something special for Mum. The repurposed library : 33 craft projects that give old books new life could be just the thing for you! Can we just suggest maybe not using your library books for this one, we have lots of withdrawn books you can buy that would totally do the trick though ;)

Maybe Mum would love something that is a little eco-friendly too. MiniEco: a craft book is full of cool paper craft, macramé and more. Who wouldn't want an awesome pop-up pixel card or an incredible origami lampshade?

Just perfect for the cosplaying Mums out there is 1000 incredible costume & cosplay ideas : a showcase of creative characters from anime, manga, video games, movies, comics, and more! With ideas and inspiration from across a HUGE range of platforms, she'll be all sorted for future Armageddon events and cosplay picnics in no time at all.

If steampunk jewellery isn't Mum's thing, perhaps she'd be keen on some Creative chain mail jewelry. There are some beautiful pieces in this book, from the Bicycle chain bracelet to the chain mail watchband.

If Mum needs a little more adorable in her life (I know, she probably doesn't when she has you already, just humour me here), you can't really go wrong with Felted knit amigurumi : how to knit, felt and create adorable projects. I squee'd my way through the contents page, the book is just crammed full of cuteness :)

Perhaps you'd like to whip up something special for Mum in the kitchen? I picked up Gastrogeek for it's lovely geeky title, but apparently it is just the trick when you are in a hurry, hungry or hard up. I sure wouldn't say no to a batch of Salted peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies, om nom nom!

The feisty stitcher : sewing projects with attitude uses all sorts of cool unexpected materials and top techniques to make Mum loads of home sewn goodies. I'm pretty sure we all need a Hit-the-road backpack and Nip & tuck T-shirt in our lives at some stage.

So these were just an handful (or rather an armful) of fab books I found in our library today - go forth and check out your local branch and make Mum something magical! We all know that Mum really loves something you've made yourself especially for her :) (although wine and chocolates never go astray either, ahem).