books

Book | Blog tour | Taking great photos

by kath_red on February 11, 2012

in Books

Blog tour alert: The Crafter’s Guide to Taking Great Photos is published in the US by Interweave and in Australia by Murdoch. The author is Aussie girl Heidi Adnum who has her own Etsy shop and knows how to take a great product photo to sell her wares. She wrote a series on the Storque a while ago explaining how to take photos for Etsy and just like that she has now written has a book. Yay for her! And yay for crafters!

Taking great photos is really essential for a craft/design blog — as visual people we are drawn to images so it is important as a craft/design blogger that your images are good. But if you are trying to sell your product either on Etsy or via your own website then your images have to be better than good. They have to be clear and bright, they have to tell a story and draw people in — they have to be desirable!

Heidi is a photographer and crafter and etsy seller and offers fellow crafters some of her back-to-basics style advice. Her advice is simple and practical for the home DIY photographer. And the examples throughout the book all come from fellow bloggers and craftspeople.

She starts off with the basics, perfect for photography newbies — light, using it and making the most of it, the book then goes through the other basic areas of photography (aperture, shutter, colour, choosing a camera), before moving on to beyond the basics — like telling a story with your image through composition, props, styling, background etc.

Yes there are some diy tutorials to make a light tent and tripod and other photography equipment. Then each chapter of the book is dedicated to a particular craft — so all crafters are catered for!

24 January - papernstitch
26 January - Rena Tom
27 January - CraftBuds
28 January - SweatShopofLove
31 January - Wiksten
1 February - Jenny N Design
2 February - Rifle Paper Co.
3 February - See How We Sew
4 February - Imagination Kids Toys
7 February - Feeling Stitchy
8 February - UK Handmade
9 February - The Academy
9 February - Frankie Magazine
10 February - WhipUp.net

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What’s new, what’s old

by kath_red on February 9, 2012

in Books, Newsletter

I am excited to bring on this year, not that I want to rush into it, no, I just am glad it’s here.

This coming year for me is going to bring a few new challenges, projects and preparation — more on those aspects later in the year, but for now I want to tell you about a few things that I have been into lately, things that reenergise me and that inspire me and that you too can participate in. 

I am now on Instagram @whipup - huh! how did that happen – I know … another thing to get addicted to. But there you have it … it’s fun — what can I say!

[you can view my images in a few ways: followgram or webstagram or at instagram] [ps. That crochet there is the beginnings of a Scrappy steps afghan (it's Chawnes fault), you can grab the pattern here and watch the how-to videos here.]

Do you twitter? I do and you can follow me here: Twitter @whipup : but I what I want to talk about are the chat groups on twitter – the crafty chat groups on all sorts of topics, they are helpful, fun and energising. There is one in particular that is at a convenient time for me and on a topic that I am immersed in at the moment #talknt is all about quilt talk, it is hosted by @caraquilts and is on somewhere between tuesday night (US time) and wednesday midday (Au time) depending upon your time zone. There is a sponsor each week which is always fun, but more importantly about 50 other quilting enthusiasts join in.

There are many crafty twitter chats and parties … which ones do you host or participate in – I would love to know! Do you know of any yarn/knitting/crochet twitter chats? Here are the few that I know about:

  • #talknt is a weekly quilting chat hosted by @caraquilts
  • #CraftSocial is a monthly chat with a changing topic each time, it is co-hosted by @penguintrax and @sisterdiane. The next one is February 14th from 2-3pm EST and the topic is polymer clay.
  • #crafterminds is a twice weekly craft/business chat (Monday at 4pm EST and 8pm EST) hosted by one Crafterminds.
  • #CraftChat is hosted by Craft Critique and is held every Wednesday at 1pm CST. A list of topics for the month is posted on the blog.
  • #omhg is hosted by @ohmyhandmade. They meet every Thursday from 1-2EST to chat about a monthly theme usually to do with building your business or improving your skills.

What is a twitter chat? A tweet chat or party is an organized group conversation which discusses a specific topic, it makes use of a hashtag (#) so everyone can participate. The chats are hosted by people with an interest in a topic and often pose questions to the group to build up a dialogue.

How to join in on a twitter chat: I use either my iphone or TweetDeck or TweetChat and then just search for the hashtag that the chat is using to keep track of and join in to the conversation – it is pretty easy but does take a bit to get used to the speed that conversation goes at sometimes.

——–

This Week I introduced a new series coming up over the next month here on whipup — and it is about my book  Little Bits Quilting Bee and pre-cut fabric: I’ll be discussing which fabrics you can use to make the quilts in my book and will be showcasing a few of the quilts. I was inspired by Weeks Ringle who has been showing the quilts from her latest book on her blog and discussing the design decisions behind each one.

In last weeks newsletter I introduced you to some dinner ideas – this week I am going introduce you to chocolate sheet cake: — inspired by this but using this recipe – chewy and fudgy at the same time – an instant winner!

And this week at whipup we had some guest posts: Baroque punk embroidery :: Valentines bracelets :: Mushroom love brooch.

I am reading… 

  • The big book of small business is written by a fellow Australian Andrew Griffiths (published by Allen and Unwin) — it claims to be the ‘Silver bullet to give you a competitive edge’, I am not sure there is such a thing — hard work, dedication, building relationships, creativity — those are the silver bullets. However it does have thoughtful, practical and useful guidance  – a checklist for success, and it does help you to ask yourself some hard questions. I am gladdened to read that I am on the right path … it is good to know when to stand firm and when to make changes … some valuable advice.
  • Graham Leslie McCallum has a useful series of books featuring various motifs: Flower & Plant Motifs,  Pattern Motifs, Art Deco Motifs and Japanese Motifs. These books include a CD of motifs and which can be manipulated and adapted for your own projects.
  • Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons in Couture from the Sewing Cafe by Martena Duss and Sissi Holleis (published by Andrews McMeel Publishing 2011). This indie style sewing book is written by the gang from the Paris based social sewing shop: ‘Sweat Shop’, it’s a cafe — a social sewing drop-in centre. The designs featured in the book are unusual and unique, hippy and punk and rock n roll diy — utilising refashioning and deconstruction, knitting and crossstitch, beading, glueing and stitching techniques to make a variety of hip and fashionable clothing and accessories as well as a bunch of playful things too.

[Thanks to publishers and distributors for sending me books to review, I don't get paid to post reviews but I am an amazon affiliate] (Australian’s can purchase craft books online through can do books or booktopia or else browse booko for the best prices.)

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Sorting, discovering, organising: intentional doing

by kath_red on January 18, 2012

in Books, Link Love, Newsletter

Last week I discussed my quest for taking things slowly this year … slowly is not about doin’ nothin’ – in fact quite the opposite. It is about intentional doing (and not doing). Instead of lazing about because you are uncertain about how to proceed with your day — do one important task and then take a break from life and read a book without guilt or anxiety; and instead of running to the shop for a quick fix meal because looking through the pantry and cooking something worthwhile is difficult — take 2 minutes to assess the ingredients on hand and make something simple; and instead of procrastinating on trying that new recipe/idea/project because you didn’t get around to researching it properly yet — make a list and tick one thing off every day. Intentional doing, does not have to be big or difficult – just purposeful.

For example – I have been washing my hair with bi-carb soda and rinsing in vinegar – yep – I have ditched shampoo in favour of something cheaper, easier and better for me and for the environment. However it took me a while to get to this point – I had to research and understand and then have a reason to do it and then I had to justify to myself. But really all I needed to do was just intentionally make a simple change. [There are lots of resources for how-to do this online - simple mom is a good place to start]

For example – for a long time I made my own laundry detergent. Again its easy and cheap and it works perfectly fine. But for some reason a few months ago, when I ran out, I got too busy to make up a new batch, so I bought some and then when that ran out I bought some more. And before you know it I was out of the habit, didn’t have time for this very simple half hour task once a month. Now I am back and realise why I love it so much. [You can google so many recipes - and can make a dry mix or a liquid mix]

Now onto other things:

  • This past week at whipup I wrote a three part series on getting your craft book published – feel free to email me or comment with any questions you might have. Part 1 : Part 2 : Part 3.
  • Also I would love for you to fill in my survey if you have not done so already – a couple of minutes of your time is all I ask – I’ll be posting the results next week.
  • Make sure to go to wikipedia today and read more about PIPA and SOPA

And more cool things: 

I am reading:

[Thanks to publishers and distributors for sending me books to review, I don't get paid to post reviews but I am an amazon affiliate]

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Book: Sew Wild {Plus giveaway}

by kath_red on November 22, 2011

in Books, Paper+Mixed Media

It’s book month at Whipup.net

Sew Wild: Creating With Stitch and Mixed Media By Alissa Burke, Published by Interweave Press; Pap/DVD edition (September 27, 2011).

Alissa Burke has done an outstanding job with this book. I am in love! Sewing, printing, painting, glueing – to create different effects and gorgeous accessories. The main part of the book is the techniques – detailed instructions on various surface design techniques, along with using and understanding colour and pattern make this book very different from your usual project based books. Along with the techniques are examples – yes! fabulous gorgeous samples of colour, pattern, materials and design.

There are projects too – simple and fun – and made to put your new found skills to work – love the obi belt and graffiti pencil case – pictured above.

Plus a bonus project - make a fish mobile – super cute!

Giveaway now closed

Now because I know you want one of these books – Interweave is generously giving TWO whipup readers a chance to win a book – you also will get an eBook to go along with the print addition. So leave a comment here – letting us know your fave mixed media format – you have 48 hours to enter and winners will be chosen at random and contacted via email. Thanks so much! Winners have been chosen via random number generator – they are: #84 Gravy, and #18 Jinty – you have been contacted via email.

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Books: Handmade books + Repurposed library

by kath_red on November 21, 2011

in Books, Paper+Mixed Media

November: Month of books at Whipup.net

At Home with Handmade Books: 28 Extraordinary Bookbinding Projects Made from Ordinary and Repurposed Materials (Make Good: Crafts + Life) By Erin Zamrzla, Published by Roost Books (April 12, 2011). Browse inside.

Erin Zamrzla is a bookbinder and paper artist – her love for her craft is obvious – and her skills and style are showcased in her first book – published through Shambhala in their Roost range of books under the Make Good series – which is ful to the brim of fabulous books – not a dud amongst them: This whole series is simply designed and stylishly photographed – with very easy to follow instructions.

From flutter books and idea files to various methods of Japanese binding and using lots of interesting and unusual materials along the way – including sponges, socks, fabric as well as old books, papers and cards. I love the sweetly themed books – like the secret journal which has a lavender sachet cover so you can keep your journal tucked away with your linens. I love the peek-a-book made for a child and filled with small doors revealing cut out images. A recipe book features an easy wipe cover, and a cleaning book cleverly uses a sponge as the cover. With images at the front and instructions as the back – this book serves as part inspiration and part practical manual.

The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life By Lisa Occhipinti, Published by STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (May 1, 2011).

A very clever book by artist Lisa Occhipinti, beautifully photographed and presented by Melanie Falick Books – they always have stunning photography – this book could easily double as a coffee table / conversation book.

The three images above are some of my favourite projects from the book – but all the projects are clever – with a neat play on words and very creative uses for old books – both the covers and the pages are recycled in various and interesting ways. A sewing book cover is turned into a sewing box, a book with a title “five minute biographies” becomes a mirror, “and tell of time” becomes a clock. Books are turned into book shelves and birdhouses and ornaments. While the pages from old books are folded and collaged in different ways – they become a wreath, a “Novel firescreen”, and a “Literary Lampshade”. The “Pagework quilt” (pictured above) might be my favourite project from the book – I love the faded colours, the use of imagery – and they are actually sewn together. Lots to discover and delight within the pages of this book.

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