News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Summer’s just around the corner, and there’s nothing better then a glass of cool homemade lemon cordial on a hot day.  Lucky for me, a friend of mine recently moved into a house with a magnificant lemon tree in the garden.

I took my recipe from Robyn Paterson’s book Tips from your Grandad: you can do it.  Don’t be fooled into thinking this book is just about car maintenance and shining your shoes – it has got heaps of great tips and recipes (we’ve also enjoyed making the sherbert on numerous occasions).

The recipe is called old fashioned citrus cordial and  couldn’t be easier.  I’ve previously made it with a mix of citrus as suggested, but prefer to  use just lemons. I made a batch to give to friends for Christmas and thought I’d make the bottles just that bit fancy by making my own labels.

Print workshop: hand-printing techniques + truly original projects by Christine Schmidt has very do-able printing processes for the  home crafter.  I tried the water-slide decal jar labels for my cordial bottles. The process reminded me of how we soaked the  paper off the back of stamps as kids.  With a little bit of practice and reference to the troubleshooting tips, I managed to produce very cool, rustic labels.  I’d like my labels to be a  bit darker, like the ones in the book, and I think that will come with a little more practice.  I didn’t need any of the optional material suggested for printing, and the labels stuck to the bottle without the use of sealent.  As the  labels are clear, they are best suited to bottles or jars were the contents is a light colour.

Now all I need is a hot day and some sunshine…

Other printing and handy tip books

Tips from your nana: waste not, want not! by Robyn Paterson; photography by Tammy Williams

Mum knows best: exceedingly helpful household hints by M & J Hanks

Queen of crafts: the  modern girls’ guide to knitting, sewing, quilting, baking, preserving and kitchen gardening by Jazz Domino Holly

Lotta prints: how to print with anything from potatoes to linoleum by Lotta Jansdotter photographs by Jenny Hallengren

In need of a new project for those long summer days? Check out some of our great new books! The first one up is knitting hats, and yes I know it is summer, but think – you will actually have a new hat ready by winter! Rather than the alternative. i.e. head gets cold THEN start knitting hat, hat finished by spring……

Weekend hats : 25 knitted caps, berets, cloches, and more / Cecily Glowik MacDonald, Melissa LaBarre.
” Embrace the hottest head-turning fashion accessory: the knitted hat The clever designs of Hats 2.0 will have enthusiastic knitters everywhere rejoicing in year-round hat style. …Inside you’ll find: Expert advice to spark the interests of a variety of skill levels with special attention paid to exploring cables, lace, color, and texture. Twenty-five contemporary designer hat patterns …Tips and tricks on how to maximize the use of specialty yarns and accessories to add a little panache to your designs. … Whether you’re interested in comfort, style, or just knitting enjoyment, Hats 2.0is your all-in-one resource for creating want-to-wear knitted caps. “– Provided by publisher.

The cloth paper scissors book : techniques and inspiration for creating mixed-media art / [edited by] Barbara Delaney.
“Where paint, paper, fabric, metal, and wax all come to play. Uncover the very best articles and projects from Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. ….Explore the exciting worlds of collage, journaling, encaustic, printing, assemblage, and more. … The only rule in this mixed-media guide is that there are no rules. In addition to the tips and techniques, the experts elaborate on their favorite tools and mediums, including …. Perfect for all skill levels,… showcases inspiring projects for both those who are new to the world of mixed media and those who already love mixed media and are looking for exciting new ideas”– Provided by publisher.

Paper wonderland : 32 terribly cute toys ready to cut, fold & build / Michelle Romo.
“This is a collection of super kawaii-like paper toy templates–ready to be cut out, built and played with or displayed. So sweet they make your teeth hurt, Michelle Romo’s cute style can be summed up as Japanese-influenced cuteness with mid-century modern flair. Her characters can be brought into 3D life with only an X-acto knife and some glue. Besides people and animals, the collection also includes an adorable house, a sweetly spooky ghost and moustaches that can be assembled and worn.” (Syndetics summary)

Scandinavian quilt style : over 40 sewing projects for home comfort and style / Trine Bakke. Scandinavian designs often have a flavour and design all of its own. This book is no exception. If you are looking for some different ideas, especially on how to use hard to match fabrics check out this book. (Crafty Librarian)

Goldwork : techniques, projects and pure inspiration / Hazel Everett.
A source of information and inspiration for anyone interested in goldwork embroidery.(Syndetics) This book covers all the basics, but has plenty to keep the expert going too! (Crafty librarian)

Weaving flowers from New Zealand flax / Ali Brown. Great to have a Kiwi book on the blog! This book has all the tips and tricks you need as a well as some great ideas for using the flowers! (Crafty librarian)

After having a great crafting weekend last week, I thought everyone would appreciate some more great ideas for Christmas and more last minute gift ideas! (Well, as last minute as crafters get, at least!) Have a look at these great new books:

Craft / Kirstie Allsopp ; [text editor, Jeannot Hutcheson].
Kirstie Allsopp Craft is an inspiring collection of projects that introduces you to traditional crafting skills in a fresh, modern way. From making your own family scrapbooks and appliqué cushions to jam-making and handmade bunting, Kirstie Allsopp Craft contains 50 practical projects to inspire you to have a go. (Amazon)

Handmade weddings : more than 50 crafts to style and personalize your big day / Eunice Moyle, Sabrina Moyle, and Shana Faust ; photographs by Joseph de Leo.
“Handcrafted details are at the heart of a beautiful wedding adding charm, … and style. …Whether you favor a modern, classic look or retro, you’ll find plenty of crafts and inspiration suited to your taste … At the front of the book you’ll find guidance on … sourcing materials, and working out timelines. … Handmade Weddings is the perfect handbook for the bride looking to style her day her way.” (Syndetics summary)

Tapestry weaving : design and technique / Joanne Soroka.
Tapestries were among the most prestigious of art forms, created for the mightiest in the land and valued for centuries. Despite its illustrious history, tapestry weaving is actually a simple technique that requires little equipment or expenditure, and can be done anywhere. … this lavishly illustrated book gently leads you through the whole process with detailed diagrams and exciting work by contemporary weavers. It will be useful to the absolute beginner, but experienced weavers will also find new ideas and techniques to tempt and inspire them (Amazon)

Techno cozies / Sue Culligan.
Includes 30 knitted, crocheted, sewn and felted projects, varying in complexity. This title covers such projects as cozies for ipods, laptops, computer screens and more. It is suitable for teenagers, busy mums and high-flying executives.(Syndetics summary)

Knitted dinosaurs : a collection of prehistoric pals to knit from scratch / Tina Barrett
Do you know your Stegosaurus from your Velociraptor – or a Diplodocus from a Triceratops? If not, then this fun and fact-filled book of prehistoric projects is a must-have. All dino-obsessed children and grown-ups alike will love these quirky knitted toys and with 15 different patterns to choose from there is no excuse not to get knitting. …Gallery pages show off the dinosaurs from every angle so you can get up close and personal with these prehistoric creatures. (Amazon)

55 Christmas balls to knit : colourful festive ornaments, tree decorations, centrepieces, wreaths, window decorations / Arne & Carlos ; [translation by Carol Huebscher Rhoades].
Who doesn’t love Christmas decorations? They are colorful and festive and bring joy to many both in the making and the decorating. Now Norwegian knitwear design stars Arne and Carlos bring fun-filled holiday crafting to knitters everywhere with their ornamental balls. They are easy to knit, easy to stuff and once you get knitting you won’t want to stop. Inspired by traditional Norwegian patterns each ball is a unique handmade creation ready to become a holiday heirloom. They are ideal for the tree, wreaths, mantels, centerpieces and window dressings, and make perfect gifts for friends and family. This book is bursting with creativity and inspiration, with one set of instructions and 55 patterns pick up your needles and start knitting. (Amazon)

Sorry I am a bit late with the new books! I got distracted thinking it might be summer. Then I stepped outside into the sunshine and froze in the wind…… Sigh.

The new craft books this month are definitely worth waiting for though. Have a browse!

Christmas crafting in no time : 50 step-by-step projects and inspirational ideas / Clare Youngs. “I was very surprised to see Christmas decorations up already. Good reminder that if you are wanting to craft for Christmas you need to get going! Lots of great ideas in this book especially if you have a good stash!” – (Crafty Librarian)

Knits to give : 30 knitted gift ideas / Debbie Bliss ; photography by Penny Wincer. “Yet another excellent book from Debbie Bliss, some of these would make excellent presents for Christmas!” – (Crafty Librarian)

Creative embellishing : easy techniques and over 25 great projects / Kayte Terry. “Really love some of the ideas out of this book. Would also highly recommend if you have a teenage crafter at home!” – (Crafty Librarian)

Modern Shibori / Silke Bosbach. “I only got a quick look at this book as it had been reserved by some lucky customer, but it had some nifty ideas. What really got me was the simple instructions and great photographs. A lot of thought has gone into this book.” – (Crafty Librarian)

Upcycling : create beautiful things with the stuff you already have / by Danny Seo ; photographs by Jennifer Levy.
“Seo proves that one person’s junk is another person’s chic with 100 imaginative ideas for reusing, well, junk: silk flowers, old buttons and wine corks, old paint stirrers. Upcycling fashions disposable odds and ends into a new life of high-style repurpose. …Seo’s directions for projects for decorating, entertaining, giving, are super-simple; one chapter contains kid-friendly projects….Being eco-smart doesn’t mean being dowdy.” – (Publisher Weekly)

My daughter was really keen to make sock puppets during the school holidays.   I’d  also found a book about sock toys at  the library and thought we could make some soft toys from socks and gloves too.

So it was off to the local opportunity shop for socks and gloves only to discover someone had been in earlier in the day and bought all the socks.  Perhaps they had the same school holiday activity in mind?  We did find two non-matching gloves, but  thought that would be OK.     Sock and Glove by Miyako Kanamori is a lovely story about Billy the glove dog and Marcus the sock monkey.  They need some friends, so put lots of gloves and socks on mum’s table and hope she will make them some.  She does, and they have lots of fun together.  Mum even makes them  some clothes.

The patterns are included in the back of the book, and are very easy to follow. I really liked the diagrams of the socks and gloves with cut and stitch lines drawn over each.  The patterns range from very simple (like the fish) to quite complicated (like Marcus the monkey).  We choose something made with two gloves, and something made with socks.  We think our sock bunny is very soft and cute.
Most of the sock animals need the whole sock (or two), so using socks with holes won’t work.  We found some nice stripped socks for the bird, and a coat toggle in the button jar at home for her beak.      Sock Bird and Glove Bunny are the best of friends…just like Billy and Marcus.

Other sock and glove books

Stupid sock creatures: making quirky lovable  figures by John Murphy

Sewing: 25 projects for a crafty afternoon edited by Kathreen Ricketson

Sock Monkey boogie-woogie: a friend is made by Cece Bell (children’s picture book)

Sock Monkey rides again by Cece Bell (children’s picture book)

The stitching is going well! So far there have been no little mishaps which is great. My main problem is choosing between my cross-stitch, my ribbon work or my blackwork! Decisions, decisions….
If you are short of choices check out some of our new books:

Furoshiki : the art of wrapping with fabric / Kumiko Nakayama-Geraerts.
“In Japan, gift wrapping is an art, and furoshiki-traditional Japanese wrapping cloths-are used to wrap gifts and as makeshift bags for carrying everything from books to lunches to a futon. … All of the steps are nicely illustrated, and there’s a full-page photograph of each wrap. Furoshiki is an eco-friendly alternative to consumable wraps such as plastic bags or paper gift wrap,…interest.c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.” (Library Journal)

Countdown calendars : 24 stitched projects to celebrate any date / compiled by Susanne Woods.
“Make every occasion even more special! Today’s top designers share their ideas and techniques on how to commemorate life’s special events. Equal parts inspiration and how-to, this collection of custom-crafted countdown calendars is packed with creative ways to say 3.2.1.it’s here!” (Syndetics summary)

My grandmother’s knitting : family stories and inspired knits from top designers / Larissa Brown ; photographs by Michael Crouser. We all have those jumbers, cardigans and hats that Grandmother’s have knitted. This book pays tribute to all those Grannies with all those needles from a range of great knitwear designers including Ysolda Teague and Anne Hanson. Crafty Librarian.

Countryside softies : 28 handmade wool creatures to stitch / Amy Adams.
“All a crafter needs to bring these adorable critters to life is a little time, a few supplies, and a dash of creativity. Whether it’s a fuzzy rabbit personalized as a gift, or a charming family of birds to display in the home, this playful guide features easy-to-follow patterns, clear instructions and enchanting photography of the creatures in their natural habitats. Best of all, each project is graded according to difficulty (easy, moderate and slightly tricky) so both experienced and beginner sewers can share in the fun.” (Syndetics summary)

Queen of crafts : the modern girls’ guide to knitting, sewing, quilting, baking, preserving & kitchen gardening / Jazz Domino Holly. Never made jam before? Want to try sewing? Here is a great guide for trying all those things you are not sure on. Instructions are clear to follow and use modern techniques. Crafty Librarian.

Cross-stitch and embroidery for babies, toddlers and children / Isabelle Leloup ; photography by Hiroko Mori.
I am generally a little sceptic about combining knitting and embroidery, however this book has some lovely ideas for babies and toddlers without going to over the top. Crafty Librarian.

Yet another debarcle with the knitting (first the hat was to small and now it is too big). I have decided to go back to stiching for a spell. At least if I get something wrong I can just add more stitches!
For your crafting pleasure, a selection of our new craft books……

Beautiful botanicals : 45 appliqué flowers & 14 quilt projects / Deborah Kemball.
“Plant an indoor garden with a bounty of lyrical applique designs. All the project patterns are interchangeable for creating endless combinations of flowers and leaves. See how color-saturated cottons, vibrant silks, and tone-on-tone chintzes breathe new life into botanical applique.” (Syndetics summary)

The knitted home : hand-knitted projects room by room / Sian Brown ; [photography by Tim Clinch].
This is a beautiful book of 30 knitted and crocheted projects for the home. It uses a variety of wools, silk, cotton and bamboo to make tactile and inviting, effortlessly stylish pieces.

Knitting with Peruvian yarns : 25 soft sweaters and accessories in alpaca, llama, merino and silk / Jane Ellison.
“Knitters of all skill levels can create luxurious garments using sumptuous yarns derived from the llama and alpaca herds of the Peruvian highlands with this project book. … The naturally hued, environmentally friendly merino wool, baby alpaca, and pima cotton called for in these patterns lend a palette of plums, blues, browns, ochers, and creams that instill an earthy sensuality to the attractive apparel. ….” (Syndetics summary)

Oilcloth inspirations / Sophie Bester ; with photographs by Fabrice Besse.
“Oilcloth Inspirations features over 25 stylish, practical projects to be made with oilcloth – the ultimate in durable, easy-clean fabric. Readers will learn all essential techniques, including sticking with glue, sewing and maintaining perfect finishes as they discover the fun of working with this inexpensive, yet fashionable fabric. The easy-to-follow instructions are accompanied by simple patterns, ….” (Syndetics summary)

The Library is a welcoming place where people like to come and spend some time, not only for our books or magazines, but also to be part of community life. The Maori collection area on the second floor is a quiet, peaceful area and Weaver Sammy found this was the perfect place to spend a day creating some beautiful flax woven items. I caught a glimpse of him at the end of the day and was amazed to discover the high quality pieces he had produced since the morning.

I try as often as I can to reuse fabrics, buttons, zips and the like when I’m sewing.  I really enjoy coming across new ideas for upcycling or repurposing, and found lots of new ideas in Sewn by Hand by Susan Wasinger.  While the book encourages hand sewing, I used my machine as often as possible.

My favourite idea from the book was the business shirt apron.  Using the front of two shirts, including the button holes and buttons, the shirts are cleverly cut and resewn to make a really neat apron. I used a white striped shirt for the apron bib and a brown shirt for the bottom.  The remainder of the shirts could easily be made into the cafe napkins with built-in napkin rings, also from the book.  My daughter’s jeans are looking very cool as well, thanks to Sewn by Hand.  I’ve patched the holes in the knees with pretty cotton prints and stitched around the patches with embroidery thread.  She can’t wait for more holes to emerge so I can add a few more patches!

My next project is the pilot’s hat.  I haven’t sewn it yet, but I have sourced a couple of ribbed jerseys from the local opportunity shop.  I’ve decided against adding the contrasting trim and fabric flowers, instead keeping it as simple and plain as possible.  I’m keen to get going on that project – it looks so warm!

I’m sewing with Christmas in mind, and have a family member who loves baking cupcakes who I’m sure could use an apron.  I’m also sure a friend who experienced a lot more snow then me last week could use a new hat.  With the remainder of the jersey I’m going to try the felted slippers for another friend with cold toes…just hope they don’t read this post!

Other titles that reuse and repurpose

Eco – Craft by Susan Wasinger

The reclaimers: a complete guide to salvage by Sally Bevan

1000 ideas for creative reuse: remake, restyle, renew by Garth Johnson

The repurposed library: 33 craft projects that give old books new life by Lisa Occhipinti

Alabama studio style: more projects, recipes and stories celebrating sustainable fashion and living by Natalie Chanin

Hopefully everyone is managing to stay warm! I have had a recent knitting debacle; I thought I would try my hand at socks. Very bad idea, I have completed 1, but it has runs down the side! and I now have “leftitist” for those who don’t know, this is when you manage to knit 1 sock but don’t get around to knitting the other! Sigh. Time for another new project I think….Star Wars hat anyone?

The Star wars craft book / Bonnie Burton.
“With this resource, fans of all ages and skill levels can bring the best of the galaxy far, far away right into their own homes. Fully illustrated, this guide features a variety of fun and original projects, from a Chewbacca sock puppet to an Ewok flower vase.” (Syndetics summary)

Vintage craft workshop : fresh takes on twenty-four classic projects from the ’60s and ’70s / Cathy Callahan; photographs by Meiko Takechi Arquillos.
“Macrame, applique, decoupage, and more! …With an eye toward style, not kitsch, superstar contributors including … offer their unique interpretations on 24 vintage projects…. this spirited book makes vintage crafts perfectly stylish for today. Plus, it’s easy to get started with step-by-step instructions, how-to illustrations, perforated template pages, and a handy back pocket. Papiermache never looked so good!” (Syndetics summary)

Sock knitting master class : innovative techniques + patterns from top designers / Ann Budd.
Learn the fundamentals of great sock design with 17 new sock patterns from 15 top knitwear designers. Bonus DVD includes additional tips.

Print! : 25 original projects using hand-printing techniques on fabric and paper / Joy Jolliffe.
“Printing is a simple, effective way to make your mark on a variety of surfaces, from clothes to bedding to bags. Featuring an array of fun techniques-including block, transfer, and open screen printing-this engaging guide offers a multitude of prettily designed projects. Create a Primrose Skirt, a stenciled cushion, holiday wrapping paper and gift tags, personalized scrapbook covers, and more. Plenty of expert tips help guarantee perfect results every time.” (Syndetics summary)

Regretsy : where DIY meets WTF / April Winchell.
“HANDMADE? IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MADE IT WITH YOUR FEET. A chicken poncho. A painting of a corn dog. … Regretsy, a veritable sideshow of handcrafts gone wrong. …Regretsy showcases the best of the worst, ranging from the hilariously absurd to the purely horrifying. Each page of this jaw-dropping volume features the actual seller’s online listing with a light coat of snarky commentary to give it a good shellacking. So join us as we descend into handmade hell and gawk, gasp, and marvel at the disturbingly odd artifacts that Regretsy has collected for your viewing pleasure, …”(Syndetics summary)

Simple knits for easy living / Erika Knight ; photography by John Heseltine.
“This is an excellent book containing a variety of knitting tips and patterns for useful pieces for the home, such as blankets and cushions. It is a worthwhile investment for any knitter interested in creating useful and attractive objects for themselves or as gifts or heirlooms.” (Amazon.com customer’s review)