The Book Nook

Kick back and relax with a great book—a great craft book that is! Whether seeking a good reference book, planning your next project, or just looking for a little inspiration, you'll enjoy perusing these favorite titles selected by HGTV.com editors.
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Block Magic, Too by Nancy Johnson-Srebro
C&T Publishing
2003
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Quilters who love to piece quilt tops will just have to own this book. The "sequel" to Nancy Johnson-Srebro's Block Magic, this title offers 58 fun new designs pieced from simple fabric rectangles and squares. For pieced designs to incorporate in clothing, wall hangings, quilts, pillows or other home dec, you're certain to find something special among these. Designs include birds, flowers, cars, houses, holiday characters and more.
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The Handcrafted Wedding by Sarah Lugg
Chapelle
2003
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What a beautiful book. Inspiration abounds in 144 colorful pages with ideas for the most special wedding day delights including table markers, gift ideas, tags, cards, flowers, candles and more from the very artistic Sara Lugg. Be sure to check out the fabulous "Feather Wreath" (page 40 with instructions on page 120).
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Patriotic Crafts by Chris Rankin
Lark Books
2002
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Whether you're hosting a 4th of July bash or for red, white and blue home decor, you'll find patriotic projects in this book. Find step-by-step for beading, crocheting, making candles, cards, soap, wearables and more. Complete with nice photography and line art patterns.
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Beautifully Quilted by Alex Anderson
C&T Publishing
2003
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HGTV's own Alex Anderson shares all her knowledge on quilting design in her latest title. Alex's unravels the secrets to beautiful quilting with tips for deciding on quilt design, instructions for drafting your own designs and ideas for customizing commercial patterns. Ready to trace patterns and five classic quilt projects are just icing on the cake!
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Creative Garden Mosaics by Jill MacKay
Lark Books
2003
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An artistic treat for the eyes, author Jill MacKay takes you from the preliminaries (like mosaic base building, tools, glass and tile cutting and more) then follows up with 22 step-by-step projects in 159 pages. Though some of these projects might seem a bit complicated for the beginner, many could definitely be achieved by a novice. Be sure to check out these favorites: "Mosaic Accent Bricks" (page 65), Ashley's Fancy Frogs (page 71) and "Multi-Faceted Gazing Face" (page 116).
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Gooseberry Patch: Country Friends Go Quilting Book 2
Leisure Arts
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An adorable book with cozy quilt projects "sprinkled" with recipes and quick gift ideas, too. Who can resist the applique Dogwood quilt (page 26 with instructions on page 83), the Bee Project Keeper with matching needle case (page 40 with instructions on pages 111 and 112) or the Spiced Apple Butter recipe (page 10)? Not me!
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Wonderful Wire & Bead Crafts by Mickey Baskett
Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
2003
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Packed with projects, this wire and bead book shares some great ideas including cocktail skewers, a daisy choker/sweater necklace, napkin rings, garden lights, frames, a fruit bowl and more. Author Mickey Baskett incorporates jigs, armature wire, and coil makers, as well as spool wire to create these crafty projects. Great photography in 128 pages.
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Creative Curtainmaking Made Easy by Heather Luke
Watson-Guptill Publications
2001
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Delightful window treatments for every room in the house. Find step-by-step instructions punctuated with rich, vivid photography for making shades, sheers, lined and interlined curtains, plus valances. A lovely 159-page book complete with a glossary of terms and an index.
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The Encyclopedia of Craft Projects for the First Time® by Vanessa-Ann, Ann Bensono, Rebecca Carter, Syndee Holt, Carol Scheffler, Linda Orton
Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
2002
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Great for beginners, six "First Time" books worth of projects are bundled into one title featuring crafts that center on beading, candle making, polymer clay, rubber stamping, scrapbooking and soap making. Each topic features an introduction to the craft, a few pages about tools and supplies, and projects with complete step-by-step instructions. More than 500 photographs in 448 pages.
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Rowan Patchwork and Quilting Book Number 4 by Kaffe Fassett, Roberta Horton, Mary Mashuta, Liza Prior Lucy, Kim Hargreaves, Pauline Smith, Sally Davis, Rose Verney, Brandon Mably, Eleanor Yates
Rowan Yarns
2002
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Twenty glorious pages of photography introduce the projects in this title in a lovely gallery fashion. Made from The Kaffe Fassett fabric collection, these patchwork pieces are truly bold (even those with muted fabrics), fun and wonderful. Look for step-by-step instructions for all the featured projects, a short designer profile on Liza Prior Lucy, plus five pages of labeled swatches from Fassett's collection that offer a key to shop for the exact same fabrics seen in the book.
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A Guide To Quilling Flowers by Helen Walter
Sally Milner Publishing Pty. Ltd.
2002
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Everyone remembers quilling, right? The technique of coiling narrow strips of paper into various shapes like teardrops, leaves, triangles, etc.? If you don't know how to do it, not to fear—this book covers the basics, then takes it a step further to show how to build some really amazing flower arrangements that will leave your friends asking, "How'd you do that?" This title featured 112 pages of delicate designs worthy of framing.
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Applique Inside the Lines by Carol Armstrong
C&T Publishing
2003
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Just when you thought you'd mastered every applique trick out there, here's something new! Author Carol Armstrong introduces a wonderful new technique using embroidery to bring even more definition to applique designs. Practice makes perfect and you'll get plenty of that with 12 fantastic designs for getting this skill right. Line art patterns included.
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Encyclopedia of Needlework by Donna Kooler
Leisure Arts
2000
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A comprehensive guide to needlepoint, embroidery and counted thread crafts, find an introduction to tools, materials, stitches, plus a baker's dozen of patterns in this well illustrated volume.
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Felt Wee Folk by Salley Mavor
C&T Publishing
2003
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From the imagination of author Salley Mavor springs the felt Wee Folk—tiny dolls crafted using pipe cleaners, embroidery thread, felt and wooden bead heads adorned with acorn "hats." This delightful book features step-by-step instructions for constructing a whole village of characters, plus more direction for incorporating the tiny dolls into pillows, purses, pins and more.
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Encyclopedia of Crochet by Donna Kooler
Leisure Arts
2002
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Thumb through this resource book for basic techniques, color tutorials, materials advice, plus tapestry and lace instructions. Find 164 stitch patterns and 21 projects in this 240-page volume.
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Great gift wrap books
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Kindred Spirits by Laurel Burch
The Muppet Quilts Gift Wrap by Jim Henson Company (Editors)
Quilt Block Sampler: From the Art of Machine Piecing
by Sally Collins

Even if you're not a reader, you'll enjoy these books filled with tear-out gift wrap sheets from the folks at C&T Publishing. Great for gift giving or paper crafting, each book features four different designs and comes complete with matching, tear-out note cards. Nine other titles available. Visit C&T Publishing from the link under "Resources" below for more information. Title search keyword: gift wrap

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