~ Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Craft Books ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~
-- A Pair of Books from Capstone Publishing's
Dabble Lab Series --
'Share the Love: Projects You'll Love to Give'
-and-

'Create and Keep: Projects to Hang on To'

by Author Mari Bolte

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ABOUT 'SHARE THE LOVE':  

This colorful book is filled with craft projects designed to be given away to others. The author's tone is warm and welcoming, encouraging the reader to make projects with flair using the provided stepped-out instructions. I appreciated the way in which the author prompted makers to use leftover materials and recycled materials to make their creations. The instructions are excellent and the photography is enlarged so as to show details.

All of the projects are appealing, but I favored the pillowcase pillow where makers will use a white pillowcase, permanent markers, and a mist of rubbing alcohol to give the design a tie-dye effect. Another great and practical pair of projects are the 'Warm Fuzzies' and 'Hot Pies' handwarmers. These discs are hand-stitched together using fabric scraps, an old flannel shirt, or a sweater. The discs are then filled with dried corn, flax, or rice. 

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ABOUT 'CREATE AND KEEP':

This book features crafts makers will want to keep for themselves. In this volume, the author guides readers through how to make personalized projects using 'found objects' that have a bit of history and meaning to the maker. 

I know what you're thinking--you're predicting that since I love to stitch by hand or on my machine I probably like the 'Sweet Stitches' chapter the best. Of course you're correct, but the reason I love the two embroidery projects is because they are sew {sorry, I couldn't resist the pun} awesome. The author encourages stitchers to use coloring pages to embroider a design onto cloth or paper. Instructions for four basic stitches are provided. I think tracing the coloring pages is a great launching point for young stitchers to get in some practice before they begin designing their own embroidery projects.

The 'Delicious Outdoors' birdhouse project is appealing for makers of either gender. The project involves making a birdhouse using a purchased wooden birdhouse and an edible covering the birds will devour. Think bird-friendly gingerbread house. This project involves crafting and cooking--a winning combination for middle-graders. 

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Both of these books are highly-recommended for classroom teachers, parents, grandparents, youth group and scout leaders, and middle-graders who are motivated to work with their hands to create some memorable items.
 
I borrowed these books from our local public library.

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CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Don't forget to check out my Current Giveaways Page to enter a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in PayPal Cash {winner's choice} in a giveaway sponsored by Author Wendi Sotis to celebrate the release of her newest book, 'The Marriage Pact'.

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COMING UP ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

--  Wednesday, March 14th:  Revell Reads Blog Tour Spotlight and Review for romantic suspense novel, 'Beneath the Surface:  Dive Team Invesitgations Book #1', by Author Lynn H. Blackburn.  

-- Thursday, March 15th: Blog Hop Post for Cedar Fort Author's T.J. Amberson's 'Lakewood Med', a New Adult Clean Romance. Tour hosted by Singing Librarian Books.

-- Friday, March 16th: Book Blast for the 'Whitcomb Springs' Series. Includes a $50 Giveaway. Tour hosted by I Am A Reader.

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