LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS: Crafty Books!

Yikes, December 21st! Is it too late in the game to make something special for your crafty loved one? Go for the next best thing - a great DIY book. I know of two you should buy, either as a gift  - or for yourself! These are both new titles and should be on the shelves at your favorite local bookstore.

I was lucky enough to have met both of these wonderful and talented designer/authors throughout my adventures this past year. For both of them, I got super hyped and excited and used my iPhone to record a mini-interview. Well, somehow in the craziness of processing all my photos from the season, I lost these interviews! Bummed!!!

However, I won't let that stop me from sharing their hard work with you!

First up is New Dress a Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide for Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift Store Dont's, by Marisa Lynch (Ballantine Books, $20.00, 240 pages, paperback). This is the ultimate page-turner for all DIY fashionistas! Based on Marisa's popular web site, New Dress a Day, she shows how to take frumpy frocks and transform them into wearable wonders. The projects range from easy to a bit challenging, but they are all fun and innovative!

Marisa Lynch, photo by LaMag.com

Marisa Lynch is a fashion blogger, consultant, and founder of the blog New Dress a Day. A graduate of the University of Southern California, she is a frequent guest on E! Entertainment Television and has appeared on The Early Show and been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Time, and Bust, among other publications. She lives in Los Angeles.

Next is Stitched Gifts: 25 Sweet and Simple Embroidery Projects for Every Occasion, by Jessica Marquez ($19.95, Chronicle Books, 160 pages, paperback). This book is filled with classicly cool designs and projects delivered in a clever way. Lots of hip monograms, flowers and ribbons in earthy colors and styles. A must-have for all embroider enthusiasts!

Jessica Marquez of Miniature Rhino

Jessica Marquez is a Californian girl living in Brooklyn, NY. She is the maker behind Miniature Rhino, her full time creative job and obsession. Her embroideries have graced the pages of InStyle Magazine, Bust Magazine, Daily Candy NY and countless lovely blogs. A self-taught, passionate embroideress, Jessica loves to teach, but when she's not working needle and thread she likes to explore NY, eat vegan treats, bake, rescue street cats, plan her next travel adventure, and of course, craft. 

Note to Marisa and Jessica - I hope you'll forgive me for messing up, I really wanted to post the video interviews, anyhoo, I wish you both much success with your books! Hope to see you again soon!
- Kathy :-)