The Complete Book Of Chalk Lettering: Book Review

Finally, my letter-loving lovelies, a slightly different take on the idea of Modern Calligraphy: Chalk Lettering. And where better to start than the last of the books I have to share with you: The Complete Book Of Chalk Lettering by Valerie McKeehan (published by Workman).

The author has her own Etsy shop, after she transformed an old picture frame into her own bespoke chalkboard and was completely hit by the creative bug. The Complete Book Of Chalk Lettering takes you through the entire experience from the basic letterforms in the first section....

....to eye-catching fonts, flourishes and borders in the second section called Taking Your Designs To The Next Level...

...and then in Putting It All Together, Valerie McKeehan shares some her favourite (and very gorgeous) projects....

It's definitely worth saying that, although the techniques look beautiful in chalk, there's also plenty of scope for carrying the ideas through to any kind of hand lettering ideas that you have.

There is a cool fold-out chalkboard in the back cover, complete with instructions on how to get the very most from using it, which is a lovely creative touch.

But this isn't book of gimmicks, no, siree: solid yet inspiring advice fills every single page - and at 172 pages, this is a delightfully chunky tome.

If hand-lettering is your thang, The Complete Book Of Chalk Lettering should find its place in your home...and heart. 

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Book Review: Giftwrapped by Jane Means

I'm a late developer when it comes to the art of gift-wrapping. Yes, I was always wowed if I received presents that were exquisitely presented but it's only in the passed few years that I've realised how achievable it is, with a little thought and a well-stocked craft cupboard, to add significant zhush to your bestowing. And that's why, just in time for that Christmas wrapping bonanza, today's post is a book review of Giftwrapped: Practical and Inventive Ideas for All Occasions and Celebrations by Jane Means.

Jane Means is a wrapping guru extraordinaire. She raises the presentation bar by a few hundred feet but somehow manages to convey her obvious talent in a way that is both inspiring and encouraging.

Published by Jacqui Small, Giftwrapped takes you through the whole range of packaging problems (bottles, clothes, circular tins)...with fantastic and gorgeous solutions.

Jane means teaches gift-wrapping (as well as selling an enormous range of want-it-now ribbons and papers) for a living, and her skill at demonstrating a variety of techniques (bow-tying, pleating, bouquet-encasing) shines throughout the book.

You'll be relieved to know that Giftwrapped is not a plea to spend hundreds of pounds on fancy extras...plenty of the ideas here are free...for example, adding little sprigs of rosemary to your ribbons. These little touches, alongside your new-found wrapping prowess will make you feel like Modern Country crafting royalty!

Covering everything from baby shower presents to making the perfect labels, Giftwrapped has the power (with a little help from you!) to transform so-so offerings to breathtaking beauties.

{Get your copy of Giftwrapped by Jane Means here.}

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Book Review: Jan Constantine's Love Stitching

Hey peeperettes,

I've had a lovely, lovely morning, 

planning out my Christmas crafts for the next few weeks. 

Will I be sharing them with you? 

Is Santa's belly big?

Of course!! 

{We're besties, right?!}

I've got an utterly gorgeous book to tempt you this Christmas. 

I only ever review books that I own and use and adore myself....

Published by Jacqui Small and written by Jan Constantine, 

Love Stitching is a gorgeous mix of handicrafts that YOU CAN DO!

Do you remember my Jan Constantine Union Jack cushion from our dining room? 

I bought it a couple of years ago and it's STILL one of my absolute favourites. 

Well, my pretties, Love Stitching is choc-a-block full of similarly divine projects dreamed up by Jan Constantine herself. If you love the look of that cushion then you will L:O:V:E this book

I am in lust with her skill, her designs and her attention to detail.  

It's a collection of 25 appliqued and hand-embroidery designs 

....and includes the Union Jack cushion - waahhhey!

Divided into four chapters: 

Love and Hearts, 

In The Country, 

Flying the Flag 

Beside the Sea...... 

....with luscious projects to match each theme.

There are some easy-peasy crafts and one or two that are way up there in the difficulty stakes...but you somehow know that they'd be treasured heirlooms forever.

The instructions are written by Jan who completely knows her crafts inside out, which makes them a pleasure to read (and follow!).

I can't wait to share my first Christmas project of the season with you - complete with tutorial - inspired by Love Stitching! 

You'll be drooling, I tell you. D.r..o.o.l.i.n.g.

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Home-Made Vintage: Box File

In Which I Am Once Again Let Loose

In Cabbages and Roses Heaven.

Remember my book review of Hand Made Vintage
by Cabbages and Roses' Christina Strutt?
Remember I said I was going to make a couple of the
projects from in there to put it through it's paces?

Here's the bit I love.

The bit where I put the book I reviewed,

Home-Made Vintage,

through the wringer.

As you know,

books can so easily lure you in,

all seductive and saucy,

but I want to know is there substance

behind the sirenic sweetness?

Can it rock the rumba?

Or will it fudge the foxtrot?

These are some of life's big questions, I know,

 and I'm prepared to take them on on your behalf.

In the name of human decency, you understand.

{I know what you're thinking: I'm nothing but a giver.....}

And here's the thing.

The only way a book can be reeeeeeeeeally

tested thoroughly is by actually

making the projects in the book.

Agreed?

So my second project for your viewing pleasure is this:

A delicious fabric-covered box file.

To have my very own would be

scaling the dizzy heights of

sophistication in my eyes.

So my first step, as always, 

was to pick out the fabrics I wanted to use. 

 And, oh me, oh my,

Cabbages and Roses

let me pick out

some of their

g o r g e o u s

linens.

Um. Yes, pleeeeeease!

I chose the utterly romantic 

French Toile in Raspberry.

Perfect for Modern Country Style.

Now let's get down to the nitty-gritty.

How did the making of the box file go?

 

Step 1: The Measuring

All measuring was simple because of its boxy shape.

If you want to increase your crafty-confidence and get to grips with textiles,

without venturing down the sewing path then this project is for you.

Step 2: Cutting out the pieces.

There was, mercifully, no photocopying to 200% for this project. I bought a box file and use its measurements to cut out the required fabric. 

Step 2: Gluing

Getting spray adhesive in your eye stings like billy-o.

Ummmm, yeah.

But still, that stuff is magic, man.

Spray adhesive is officially my new best friend.

  

Step 3: The ribbon

I picked out some pretty blue-grey ribbon, with cream stitching to tie in with the cream of the fabric. Both the ribbon and the Raspberry French Toile have a beautiful Modern Country feel - gorgeous without being fussy.

  

Step 4: Adding the Mount

I wouldn't have thought of doing this but it's details like this that bring Home-Made Vintage to the top of my crafting list.

It takes the look from provincial to pro.

The verdict.....

Having my own box file covered with such

lusciousness makes me feel like a

Domestic Goddess

every time I set my eyes on it.

Surprisingly easy to produce

a really fabulous end product.

Now, what to store in my snazzy new box file?

I'm thinking French.

I'm thinking antique.

Boogie on by on Friday and see what I mean...  

Images 4 and 5 Cabbages and Roses, otherwise mine.

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Home-Made Vintage: Bucket Bag

 In Which I Am Let Loose In Cabbages and Roses heaven.

Hey peeps,

Here's the part I've been super-looking forward to.

The bit where I put the book I reviewed on Monday,

Home-Made Vintage,

through its paces.

It's all very well a book looking all

wanton and foxy and tempting,

but does it deliver the goods?

Can it hit the high notes?

Will it dance the fandago?

Big questions for any craft book.

And here's the thing.

I reckon they can only be thoroughly answered by actually

making the projects in the book.

The only way.

So that's what I propose to do.

I've picked a few of the crafts

from Home-Made Vintage

and I'll be sharing them here.

Yes, just for you.

The first project I've picked out is this:

The Bucket Bag.

(photo from Vintage Home)

I've been enchanted with its

beautiful bucket-y loveliness.

Simple. Elegant. Classy.

{Umm, yeah, no brainer, I'll make it.}

Now, the most important thing with any project is fabric.

Fabric. Fabric. Fabric.

So important.

 And, guess what?

Cabbages and Roses

let me pick out

some of their

g o r g e o u s

linens.

*huge squeal of delight*

After a lot of umming and aahing,

like a little girl let loose in a sweet shop,

I chose the utterly romantic 

Hatley Linen Cerise

for the outer

...and the echo-of-a-deckchair 

Jolly Stripe linen

for the lining.

Both perfect for English Modern Country Style.

Now let's get down to the nitty-gritty.

How did the making of the bag go?

Step 1: Cutting out the pieces.

Once I'd got over the significant hurdle of photocopying

the pattern to 200% larger, it was plain sailing.

Lovely easy shapes to get snippy with.

Step 2: Pinning.

To be honest, I was so in love with the fabrics,

that even this was a joy.

{Am I the only one who's bored stiff by pinning?}

  

Step 3: Sewing.

Once the pins were all in place, this was really easy.

Like beginner-beginner easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy easy.

Are you getting how simple this would be for you to make?

As long as you take extra care

when matching seams, it'll all be hunky dory.

  

Step 4: Pressing.

Your iron truly-ruly is your best friend when it

comes to getting a good finish on projects.

 Pressing makes a gimungous difference.

Even fairly basic sewing can be made to look

Harrods-best with a bit of pressing.

The verdict.....

True bag love.

It's perfection.

I'm thrilled with

the shape

and style

and look

and feel

of My Bucket Bag.

It's even reversible,

which the pattern doesn't let on.

It was like a delicious secret

waiting to be discovered

as a reward for finishing.

So I can have a Hatley bag, with a Jolly Stripe lining.

Or a Jolly Stripe bag, with a Hatley lining.

Even Mr Modern Country approves.

And that's really something.

Bags aren't his bag,

if you know what I'm saying.

 

My Bucket Bag is gorgeous for a few bits and bobs

to pop down to the Farmers Market on my bike,

but equally as gorgeous with a lippy, purse 

and phone for a night out with the girlies.

That's Modern Country Style!

But my favourite use of all?

Well, you'll have to wait until Friday for the big reveal.

Let's just leave it at this for now...

  

I'll be linking with my favourite parties in the sidebar...

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