Friday, May 17, 2013

Review: So Pretty! Felt by Amy Palanjian (Book Giveaway)


Chronicle Books (one of my favorite publishing houses for children's books and art books!) sent me a preview of Amy Palanjian's new book, "So Pretty! Felt," which, as you may imagine, includes pretty things you can make with felt. I am such a fan of felt! I had to pull out a stash I've collected to see what colors might work for one of these projects (but I didn't get to the actual project yet given my very crazy month of May...).

I love 100% wool felt (and boiled wool too)--there is just something about it's natural feel, texture, weight and no fraying! The density is so cozy. And it seems Northern European to me (I may have to check this), which has big appeal. It's a bit hard to find, however. Luckily this book includes some resources for wool felt,  and a great blend (which is what I have stacked here), as well as everything else you'll need to make pretty things with this material.


This book is beautifully photographed and the projects are explained clearly so it seems truly possible to make something simple, such as embroidered pennants to top cupcakes, or something more complex, such as a pieced pin cushion. I really need a pin cushion. But I may have to make myself a felt Carnation Corsage first.

In addition to the fun projects, I love the introductions Amy has included for each of the artists contributing them--such a beautiful glimpse into their creative minds. The whole package is inspiring.


Would you like a copy of "So Pretty! Felt"? Chronicle Books is giving away a copy to one of my readers. To enter simply leave a comment on this post. One entry per person.
  • Tell me why you love felt, or what you have recently made with felt, or what you have been dreaming of making?
This giveaway is open until midnight May 24th. Then I'll pick a random winner. Good luck!

56 comments:

Beth said...

Looks like a great book. I have a piece of black felt sitting out to make a cover for the fan in our bedroom. The control lights are just too bright.

kathyinozarks said...

looks like an inspiring book-I love wool, and have been wanting to make my own felt from some roving. I do like wool felt pieces for applique in quilting thanks for the chance to win Kathy

Kay said...

I love felt because it is such a forgiving fabric to work with, no fraying etc. I love to make little felt toadstool houses as pincushions. Thank you for sharing a great giveaway.
ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

Nicole said...

I love felt, especially 100% wool felt - its so classic and high quality. I remember watching the WWI scenes in Downton Abbey with wool uniforms and felt blankets - you could tell the fabrics contributed to the authenticity of the period costuming.

Unknown said...

This book and the projects it contains all seem so beautiful! What a wonderful giveaway.

Unknown said...

I'd like to create baby rattles and soft animal toys using felt for my youngest niece! Thanks for the chance to win a inspiring book!

Unknown said...

I love that you can make so many things with felt. I would love to make that bag! I have made some stuffed foods for my daughter's play kitchen with it and faces for some of my amigurumi. Thanks for the chance to win.

Tammy said...

Looks like a fun book! I have recently made some felt flowers into clips/barrettes for my daughter.

Sally Burch said...

I like felt for adding little extra decorations to things... most recently I've added felt ears to the soft toy ponies I make! :) Thanks for the chance to enter this giveaway!

Faye Hadfield said...

the last thing I made with felt a little doll for my littlest grand daughter - she loves it! And you can tell...thanks for the opportunity to win such a great sounding book xxx

Anonymous said...

I'd LOVE to see and make creative items made from felt... & a chance to win this book, So Pretty FELT. My most recent felt project was creating heart-shaped felt pendants for colorful necklaces for young girls. Ideal VALENTINE'S gifts or birthday presents as well. I bought felt in 13 colors: red, lime, white, pink, hot pink, lavender, purple, yellow, turquoise, lt blue, orange, peach & lt green for 2- & 3-inch pendants. With coordinating orlon & cotton yarns I used the blanket stitch around the edges & stuffed with poly-fil, attached to crocheted yarn chain or gross-grain ribbon tie. VOILA! I've made 39 & given 18 to my grandnieces, friends' girls & granddaughters. And I have supplies to make more! Sarah Helene

Marty Ann said...

Love felt, but I'm finding it hard to find (wool) I'm wanting to make a penny rug for my dining table. Thank-you for the chance to win. Have a GREAT Week-end!

Unknown said...

Felt! Where do I begin to describe my love of felt! The colours, the texture, the adaptability, it doesn't fray,it's malleable and I can even create my own felt if I so desire .... and did I mention It Does Not Fray!!! It can be used for clothes, for toys, for accessories for homewares. Just wonderful stuff!!!

stephanie said...

Felt is forgiving! I taught my daughter to sew with felt! She has made a wallet for her brother and several pennants/banners. I've made flower barrettes and tooth fairy pillows.

Laura | Making Baby Provence said...

I love making barrettes for my girls and broaches for myself with felt! Would love more ideas. Great giveaway! Thank you!!

JLL said...

I dream of having the time to make the felt quiet book I've almost collected all of the materials for. Maybe I'll get to it before my little one turns 3! I love the intense color saturation of felt, and take joy in seeing the pieces all stacked up - though a finished project would be amazing too I'm sure! :)

jeifner said...

The only thing I've made lately with felt was a needle book. That pin cushion looks beautiful.

Fran said...

I love working with felt for cute holiday projects. There is no hemming involved and the pieces hold their shape. I have shared many of my ideas(from teaching days) with my still-working teacher friends. Fran R.




heatherbrown said...

I'd love to read this book!

torchy said...

I took my first needle-felting class last night in Boulder. I adore fiber arts, especially the organic feel of lanolin in wool. Originally, I fell in love with felt doing crafts in Campfire Girls!

annemarie said...

I love felt because it is easy to work with and does not ravel. I love making felt flowers of all types and styles.

tealeaver said...

I love felt because it is so easy to use, and comes in so many beautiful colors. I have long wanted to learn of more ways to use felt. I have made banners, and a few other small items, but this book would give me lots of useful ideas. Thanks for the chance!

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to make a wide headband of felt in a design of leaves, in many shades of greens and browns. Thanks for the chance and great book recommendation!

Debby Bird said...

I made an Advent calendar for my family to enjoy.
http://debbybird.blogspot.com/2011/12/advent-calender.html

Kelly said...

Love felt! I recently made some star wars hand puppets for my boys to play with -- they turned out super cute!

GrayColors said...

Im making "the big book of boo boos" for my daughters birthday using felt, scrapbook paper, and composition books.

Deb said...

So Pretty Felt looks like a wonderful book ~ Thank you for the chance to win a copy ♥ I've made lots of items from felt in the past - one of my best memories is making all the Christmas decorations for our tree as we celebrated our 1st {married} Christmas 30 years ago.

Katherine said...

My most recent felt endeavour was a set of simple little fish for a magnetic fishing game for my toddler. I'd love this book I'm sure! Thanks for the giveaway. From a fellow felt-lover!

Ms. Knitsalot said...

I like working with felt because it's a great medium to use with kids. Thanks for the chance to win the book.

KatieQ said...

I like using felt because it comes in a wide range of colors, doesn't fray, and is readily available at most fabric stores. The last item I made with felt was a pincushion.

RaeLyn said...

I like felt for kids projects, or when crafting with my kids. Yes, the no-fray is awesome!

Julie Romero said...

I love to make felt flowers, of any variety really. Felt is just a fun medium for play...embroidered felt Christmas ornaments are another love of mine...I could go on. This book would be FUN!

Lizzy said...

I would love to make flowers for my little girl's hair out of felt.

Jan said...

So funny - I've been wanting to make flowers to embellish dresses and was just looking at books yesterday for inspiration. I'd love to win this. Thanks.

Colleen said...

Wonderful book. I would love to win the book for my Mother. She likes to make small things (the beautiful pincushion) for her sewing friends.

Choo Choo Family said...

I love felt for its colour and texture. Recently I have made felt flower corsages for a friend's wedding and mickey mouse ears for another friend's baby 1 year old birthday party. With felt, there's just endless possibilities! v(^-^)v

Unknown said...

I love the feel of felt and how versatile it is. The last thing I made from felt was a scattered flowers pincushion from the Softies Kit. See it here: http://pinterest.com/pin/181762534930392419/

Unknown said...

I love it!! So pretty! Just whay I need! :-)

Eleanor said...

My 4 year old wants to learn to sew, so she picked some cute buttons and pretty felt to stitch them to.


practicalpeacesatyahoodotcom

Stella said...

Great giveaway!! I would love to make a sweet mobile using felt. I guess that cliche, but it's always been on my to do list. Either that or a cute pair of slippers!

Jessica said...

I'm a huge fan of felt - I've used it to make e-reader covers, dolls, cushions, costumes... a bit of everything. :)

Thanks for the great giveaway!

Ki Wa said...

We made felted soaps for gifts last Christmas - so much fun. This book looks like it has great ideas!

Liz said...

Oh the book looks so fun. I recently made a pin cushion from felt. It was so cute.

Gill said...

This looks a great book! Felt is so easy to work with and my kids enjoy working with it too!!

Pam Jackson said...

My mother made felt stockings for my and my siblings when we were really young. My sisters and I have continued the tradition, making a stocking for each new family member. Opening the presents in our stockings is the most exiting part of Christmas for us (with the exception of seeing our family). I would love to see what other traditions I could create using felt.

Claire said...

I've been dreaming of making a lovely felt flower bouquet for my october wedding, and two for the bridesmaids. Thinking handstitched details and pinks, blues, turquoise, orange and more.
I'm sure this book can help me make my dreams a reality...

Ellen said...

Please count me in!

Nancy said...

I have a lot of felt that was gifted to me. I had no idea what to do with it. With this book I could use a lot of it up! Thanks for a chance to win!!

beyuk said...

I made felt crowns for 7grandchildren this year. It was fun and I look forward to working with felt again.

Little Ella Lu said...

I love that it doesn't fray and is so colorful and fun!

Framma said...

Love felt ....so easy to work with! Pick me!

Deanna said...

I recently made christmas ornaments but need some new inspiration!

Deanna said...

oops didn't leave my contact info!

srkay said...

looks cute! I've been making felt vegetables recently with my toddler for his play kitchen.

Meghan said...

I've been meanign to make a little picture book for my baby with felt applique pictures.

GroovyMommy said...

Lovely book! I love felt for halloween costumes because it's inexpensive and easy to use. No hemming! I plan on making a peacock costume this Halloween for one daughter and already know that felt is going to figure prominently! Thanks for the opportunity to win such a useful book.

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