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Thursday, March 20, 2014

wise craft- a review and giveaway!

I have exceptionally high standards when it comes to craft books. I was particular before I authored my own, and now even more so. There are a lot to choose from, and rarely do I get excited. But I am today, as I share Blair Stocker's newly published WISE CRAFT, named after her equally wonderful blog. It's the first book in so long that has me bookmarking page after page of things that I can't wait to try. She offers 60 cross-crafting projects organized by seasons. That's a lot of inspiration packed into one beautifully designed manual of how-to's. Did I mention that the materials are all thrifted or natural objects? Yes, this book totally speaks to me... 

And therefore- I'm fairly certain it will speak to you!
 I always enjoy finding uses for all of the little leather scraps I save. This pan (above) handle cover caught my eye immediately, and so off I went to my sewing machine. It took only 15 minutes and I'm kind of in love with its beautiful simplicity. It can also be made with wool. I want to dress up all of my pan handles now. (See mine below.)
 Here's the other leather project I'm itching to try...
 As I said, 60 projects all designed with Blair's talented eye and edgy, modern/retro, classic aesthetic. You can see lots more pics and read about the behind the scenes right here...
And she's offering an extra copy to one of you! Please leave your name and link/email in the comment section before Sunday at 5pm. I'll announce the randomly selected winner on Monday morning! Good luck! Congratulations Blair, it's phenomenal!
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84 comments:

  1. Amanda PedroMarch 20, 2014 at 8:03 AM

    I'm excited to see it too and hope that different projects are shown whenever someone shows it. Last time I went to the city, it wasn't in yet. Looking forward to discovering what else is in the pages.
    thanks for sharing.

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  2. beaMarch 20, 2014 at 8:13 AM

    nice! nice project! working with natural elements, and textile , something for me !

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  3. annetteMarch 20, 2014 at 8:36 AM

    Looks like an interesting mix of techniques and materials! I'd love to see it. ahkraus at hotmail dot com

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  4. Tracey ~ CloverMarch 20, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    Something I would love!
    1tims at embarqmail dot com
    Thanks so much.

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  5. KristineMarch 20, 2014 at 9:04 AM

    The book looks amazing! krissymharris at gmail dot com
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  6. pixiewear (ravelry name)March 20, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    what a gorgeous book!

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  7. AriadneMarch 20, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    Oh this sounds like a really good book! I'd love to join in if it is international. ariadnesky(at)hotmail(dot)com
    AriadnefromGreece!

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  8. Özge BaşağaçMarch 20, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    This certainly looks beautiful and thoughtful.Thank you for the giveaway.

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  9. mjbMarch 20, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    I love the breadth of patterns here

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  10. KirbeeLeeMarch 20, 2014 at 10:11 AM

    This book looks lovely! I especially like the mix of materials. Not many craft books delve into leather. If I don't win the giveaway, I'll be asking/demanding our library get a copy :)

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  11. lucky13March 20, 2014 at 10:13 AM

    Ooooh! Fun, fun! Love thrift shops as much as I love crafting. Fingers crossed!

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  12. ~HeatherMarch 20, 2014 at 10:35 AM

    Blair certainly makes pretty things.

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  13. UnknownMarch 20, 2014 at 10:36 AM

    What fun! Looks like a great book. :)

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  14. sloeginfizzMarch 20, 2014 at 10:39 AM

    So many good finds in just this little sneak peek … can't wait to read this!!

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  15. JoeyMarch 20, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    Oh yes! This one has my name written all over it! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
    ~ joey ~

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  16. UnknownMarch 20, 2014 at 10:54 AM

    What a great looking book - love recycle projects! paw52(at)verizon(dot)net

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  17. KatieMarch 20, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    Ooo, looks like my kind of book!

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  18. mcMarch 20, 2014 at 11:09 AM

    I love Blair's work so much, and would love a copy of this book!

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  19. Tonya GunnMarch 20, 2014 at 11:43 AM

    This book sounds wonderful! Thank you for the opportunity.

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  20. HollyMarch 20, 2014 at 11:51 AM

    I love the title and focus of this book and would love to win a copy!

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  21. helenMarch 20, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    oh, this book just look superb. i've read her blog for years and have always, but always, been inspired! thanks!

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  22. laura dodsonMarch 20, 2014 at 12:08 PM

    Ooooh, lovely! I've read her blog forever it seems...love all she puts her hands to.

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  23. JillMarch 20, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    I would love to put this on my
    shelf next to your book and craft till my hearts content.

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  24. UnknownMarch 20, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    Looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance...

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  25. SueMarch 20, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    Thanks for the review. I know this book rocks and would live a copy of my own. Thank you!!

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  26. MHMarch 20, 2014 at 1:58 PM

    Looks like a great book!

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  27. Susan J.March 20, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    Looks like it has a lot of great ideas. I'd love to win it!

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  28. Kim WMarch 20, 2014 at 2:28 PM

    Looks like a lot of fun to be had in that book! I'm kimberlywiggin (at) sbcglobal.net

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  29. Fräulein RucksackMarch 20, 2014 at 3:03 PM

    I'd love to win, too. Thank you for introducing the book. I'm no author but to many books are disappointing me, too. Not much content, nothing new or just a few nice pictures but no details. I'm off to read her blog...

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  30. HeatherMarch 20, 2014 at 3:33 PM

    This looks like a great book. I hate having to feel like I've got to go out and buy a bunch of stuff just to try a new craft.

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  31. Vinnie and IMarch 20, 2014 at 3:48 PM

    Oooh, this book looks awesome! ginadrummond at gmail dot com

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  32. elizabethMarch 20, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    well of course i'd love to win! :) it looks like it's beautifully styled and chock-full of good ideas!

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  33. JennyMarch 20, 2014 at 4:11 PM

    This looks fantastic! I won a copy of YOUR book in a giveaway once on another blog, so I'm crossing my fingers! :)

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  34. Erik and ChristineMarch 20, 2014 at 4:15 PM

    This looks lovely and like a delightful addition to my books!

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  35. Dana TMMarch 20, 2014 at 4:32 PM

    Looks great! Thanks for the chance!

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    Replies
    1. Dana TMMarch 20, 2014 at 4:34 PM

      I forgot my contact: it is danainalaska at wahoo make that yahoo.

      Delete
  36. alliMarch 20, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    Looks like a lot of good crafty fun! Thanks for sharing.

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  37. GillMarch 20, 2014 at 4:54 PM

    This looks a great book!
    I'm off to check out Blair's blog!

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  38. rosesmamaMarch 20, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    What a lovely book. Thanks.

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  39. AnonymousMarch 20, 2014 at 5:09 PM

    Lovely book....
    naomil1@verizon.net

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  40. BonnieMarch 20, 2014 at 5:30 PM

    This looks like a treasure trove of fun and useful projects!

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  41. aubergineMarch 20, 2014 at 5:41 PM

    Wow -- what a great book. Would love to add it to my collection

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  42. Jessica JoMarch 20, 2014 at 6:05 PM

    This looks like such a fun book! Wow! I would write tons more but there is a 2 year old on my lap and man, doing anything in this position is like 121 times harder than it should be.

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  43. StephinieMarch 20, 2014 at 6:12 PM

    This looks great!

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  44. OonaMarch 20, 2014 at 6:51 PM

    Looks like lots of exciting projects to use up those little bits of stuff that we hate to throw away! Awesome.

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  45. AnonymousMarch 20, 2014 at 8:38 PM

    I agree -- the leather project looks fun. I'd love to read the whole book! nancywalters44@hotmail.com

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  46. Erin SipesMarch 20, 2014 at 8:43 PM

    I'm also always on the look out for truly good craft books, thanks for the recommendation!

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  47. Laura A.March 20, 2014 at 9:28 PM

    Ohh! Lovely. I'd love a copy. Perfect for inspiration!
    Lshin116 at hotmail.com

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  48. Brienne MoodyMarch 20, 2014 at 9:40 PM

    Oh, this is way cool. I love the Wise Craft blog. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  49. C.E.R.March 20, 2014 at 10:45 PM

    Looks like so much fun!

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  50. Falafel and the BeeMarch 20, 2014 at 11:42 PM

    This looks like an amazing craft book!
    Thanks for the chance to win it!
    ~Michelle

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  51. sukieMarch 20, 2014 at 11:49 PM

    lotsa simple project but nice :) thanks for reviewing it :)
    *greets from a silent reader from Jakarta Indonesia :)

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  52. AvitalMarch 21, 2014 at 12:11 AM

    oh! This looks like a book right up my alley...I love repurposing thrift store finds!

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  53. Marcela : Naturally Fun DaysMarch 21, 2014 at 1:03 AM

    It looks amazing and so much fun! Thanks for the chance.

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  54. Anne B.March 21, 2014 at 1:21 AM

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    abackman66 at hotmail.com

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  55. MarieMarch 21, 2014 at 2:03 AM

    Looks like an awesome book!

    ootiemama@gmail.com

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  56. Sonia / COZY MEMORIESMarch 21, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    Beautiful book indeed ! Congratulations to Blair !
    Thank you Blair & Maya for the opportunity to win one !
    My email is cozy memories AT orange DOT fr (minus the spaces etc ...)
    ox

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  57. borsooMarch 21, 2014 at 5:59 AM

    Great book! Thank you for the opportunity, Maya and Blair!
    Orsolya Balogh-Rehák
    borsoo(dot)post(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. cococitaMarch 21, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    Thank you for sharing Maya! As I am participating in Stephanie Levy's Creative Courageous Year where we (among other things) commit to little creative projects, following the seasons, as I honour the motto 'the beauty of simplicity' and love the idea of recycling (that's why I love your book so much as well), I would love to add this book to my collection. Happy weekend to you and thank you for the review! estudiosdecococita at gmail dot com

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  59. AnonymousMarch 21, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    This books looks awesome! Inspiring! Thanks for introducing it to us.-Kat
    katcoons99 at yahoo dot com

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  60. kristinMarch 21, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    Looks like a great source of inspiration! kmarcher420@yahoo.com

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  61. bethMarch 21, 2014 at 9:14 AM

    This book looks wonderful!
    ebenezerstories@gmail.com

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  62. NinaMarch 21, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    I love DIY and by the look of photos in this book, I think I'd get excited about all the projects in there, like you :) Thank you for the opportunity!
    madebynini at gmail dot com

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  63. purpleMarch 21, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    It looks amazing!
    Wonderful design as well. I wish I could be the lucky one!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    **rita

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  64. AlisonMarch 21, 2014 at 10:10 AM

    makes me want to get my fabrics out...

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  65. rdpolin@gmail.comMarch 21, 2014 at 10:24 AM

    So inpirational! Thanks for the chance!

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  66. thwartedcheekychimpMarch 21, 2014 at 10:45 AM

    Oh wow... very generous giveaway thank you for the opportunity :) Would love to try the projects out.

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  67. UnknownMarch 21, 2014 at 12:11 PM

    Looks awesome! Catladyerika@gmail.com

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  68. AnonymousMarch 21, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    Oh, I love Blair's blog and I would love to win this beautiful book! Thanks for the chance!

    Fine

    keejah (at) gmx (dot) de

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  69. UnknownMarch 21, 2014 at 1:56 PM

    Looks like a wonderful book : ) thank you for the opportunity to win this treasure :)

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  70. AnonymousMarch 21, 2014 at 2:08 PM

    This book looks gorgeous and perfect! I'm at industrialgrace (at) gmail (dot) com

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  71. Melissa RMarch 21, 2014 at 4:01 PM

    Pan handle covers! Great idea!

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  72. BirnersKatrinMarch 21, 2014 at 4:02 PM

    this looks so interesting! thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    katrin

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  73. AnonymousMarch 21, 2014 at 8:00 PM

    Thanks for the introduction to a new (to me) blog. Looks like a wonderful book full of inspiration - thanks for the opportunity to win a copy, Maya.
    Lynda
    (lejaros@gmail.com)

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  74. LisMarch 21, 2014 at 8:53 PM

    Ooo! Looks fantastic! Can't wait to check this out. Thanx Maya :)

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  75. AlisaLeabonMarch 22, 2014 at 6:39 AM

    Gorgeous book!

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  76. AnonymousMarch 22, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Can't wait to be inspired! Thank you for sharing!
    megankrumholz@yahoo.com

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  77. Susan @ A Slice of My LifeMarch 22, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    What a great book judging from that little peek you've shown us! I'd love to win this, thanks for giving one of us the opportunity.

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  78. LBMarch 22, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    I've had my eye on that book!

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  79. AnonymousMarch 22, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    This book looks like it would be a lot of fun. Thanks for the review.
    Shannon

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  80. melonkelliMarch 22, 2014 at 4:37 PM

    Lovely!

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  81. AllisonMarch 22, 2014 at 11:41 PM

    I'd love to check out this book. It looks like it has a lot of great projects!

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  82. Beth KMarch 23, 2014 at 3:31 AM

    Great book! Thanks for the giveaway

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  83. Holly UMarch 23, 2014 at 8:27 AM

    Those pan handle covers are brilliant! My felted wool stash will soon protect our hands from the hot handles of our cast iron pans. Love it, thanks!

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