March 2023 MBR The Needlecraft Shelf

The Needlecraft Shelf

Tiny Felt Cuties & Creatures
Delilah Iris
www.Delilahiris.com
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
https://walterfoster.com
www.quartoknows.com
9780760380529, $21.99, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Cuties-Creatures-step-step/dp/076038052X

Synopsis: From self-taught artist Delilah Iris, Sew Cute!: Tiny Felt Cuties & Creatures includes more than a dozen patterns for making tiny animals, dolls, dollhouses, props, adorable gifts, and miniature play sets. The projects can be created as stand-alone finished works, but they can also be used to complement each other in a complete set for use in a tiny miniature world!

If you have been looking for new crafting techniques to learn at home, and don't want to buy a lot of tools and materials, creating felt miniatures is the perfect choice. Felting does not require a sewing machine and can be done using simple hand stitches and embroidery, both of which are demonstrated in the book along with stylized photo tutorials. Also included are detailed doll patterns, suggestions for materials to have on hand, and much more.

Critique: "Sew Cute!: Tiny Felt Cuties & Creatures" is comprised of DIY instructions for creating twelve adorable, trendy felt miniatures with the help of step-by-step tutorials and projects featuring beautiful photos that illustrate easy felting techniques. Basically offering a master class in the machine free art of crafting animals, dolls, fairy houses, and so much more, "Sew Cute!: Tiny Felt Cuties & Creatures" is a unique and valued addition to personal, professional, and community library DIY felt-based crafting collections. It should be noted that "Sew Cute!: Tiny Felt Cuties & Creatures" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).

Editorial Note: Delilah Iris (www.Delilahiris.com) is a self-taught felt and fiber artist with an extensive background in graphic design and print, media, and content creation. Her works include a line of felt sewing patterns and DIY craft kits found in craft stores across the United States and Canada. She is a constant creative dabbling in mixed-media art and even ceramic pottery from her studio in Maine. Delilah can be followed on Instagram @delilahiris

Cross Stitch Celebrations: Graduation
Mollie Johanson
www.molliejohanson.com
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
https://walterfoster.com
www.quartoknows.com
9780760380505, $19.99, PB, 96pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Stitch-Celebrations-graduation-themed-announcements/dp/0760380503

Synopsis: Whether you are an absolute beginner in cross stitch or a seasoned pro, "Cross Stitch Celebrations: Graduation" shows you how to create highly giftable personalized keepsakes for the accomplished students in your life.

This DIY step-by-step guide includes all of the basic instruction you need to learn the art of cross stitch. Following a brief introduction to tools and materials and an overview of basic cross stitch techniques, you will be treated to: 30+ charming patterns; A range of mix-and-match fonts, border designs, color schemes, and education-themed motifs; Techniques on how to compose a DIY design; Tips for framing and displaying finished projects .

The more than 30 patterns include a variety of border designs, alphabets, and color schemes to choose from and combine to make a truly special gift for any educational accomplishment. Just some of the things you can cross stitch are a wall hanging, mortarboard, pennant, and greeting card, complete with a message and themed motifs, such as a trophy, music notes, paint palette, beaker, stethoscope, and more. Whether it is for a graduation, winning a spelling bee, or the first day of kindergarten, you can create the perfect personalized gift for every student in your life.

Critique: Profusely and informatively illustrated throughout, "Cross Stitch Celebrations: Graduations is the ideal introduction to the manifold needlecraft possibilities of the art of the cross-stitch in creating gifts and home decorations celebrating a graduation. While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections, it should be noted that "Cross Stitch Celebrations: Graduations" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Mollie Johanson (www.molliejohanson.com) has loved creating and crafting cute things for as long as she can remember. She is the author of Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small and a regular contributor to stitching and sewing magazines.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review