Book Review: Tape It & Make It- 101 Duct Tape Activities by Richela Fabian Morgan; Barron’s Publishing

Always a useful item in every household toolbox, duct tape has now taken on a second life as a medium for hobbyists of all ages. This fun-filled book presents dozens of creative ideas and easy-to-follow instructions for using versatile duct tape to make everything from coin purses to neckties, from elegant artificial flowers and highly original Halloween costumes to a duct tape yoga mat!

 

Discover how to fashion more than 100 different items from duct tape, including;

• Wallets and purses
• artificial flowers
• accessories
• aprons, superhero capes, and more.

 

History of Duct Tape: From the INTRO of Tape it & Make it- 101 Duct Tape Activities

Duct tape has been around since the 1940s, when it was originally developed as an adhesive for ammunition cases in World War II. Because of it’s water resistant qualities, the military also used it for quick fixes on jeeps and firearms. It eventually found it’s way into hardware stores, where plumbers and builders gave it it’s current name.

Nowadays, duct tape is ubiquitous. Besides a hardware store, you can find a roll of the good stuff in the office supply shop, an arts’ and crafts store, a grocery store, even a pharmacy- all places that one would certainly not associate with malfunctioning ducts. So why are these places stocking up on duct tape?

The answer is that duct tape is the new black- and not just in the fashion sense. You can make just about anything with it, from accessories to home decoration.

My Review

I had seen the duct tape wallets and certain accessories on random blogs. I thought they looked pretty cool, but I wasn’t for certain that playing with duct tape was my thing. For one, it’s messy—it’s very sticky and very unforgiving.

For instance, if I miss a stitch in crochet- all I have to do is untangle the other stitches and make sure I include it this time. I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend the money on duct tape so I could get it twisted and tangled up everywhere.

BUT- this book shows exactly how to work with duct tape to prevent it from sticking everywhere, all over everything. It shows (with pictures) how to square the duct tape up so that you create a “fabric” with it—so it’s easier to maintain.

After reading through the book, I wasn’t so hesitant that I could screw this up BIG TIME, I now know how to prevent the bubbles and make the different “fabrics”

There’s the one sided, double-sided, and woven. It’s pretty simple after the first couple of times. Just make sure your working on a flat wood surface so there isn’t any room for the duct tape to slide.

The reason I was drawn into “crafting” anyway was all the different colors, and I love creating something out of nothing. When I had a chance to flip though the book, I was amazed at how MANY things could be made with just duct tape.

I thought maybe wallets and some other little things, but Richela (the author) is a duct tape GENIUS if I must say so myself. There are headbands with duct tape feathers, bracelets, fingerless gloves, aprons, hats, and vests. That’s just in the first chapter.

The second chapter is Housewares which includes coin holders, decorative wall hanging letters, picture frames, table runners, a plastic bag dispenser, vase, placemat and more.

I love that in the second chapter she devotes two entire pages to just showing us how to “paint” with duct tape. Which is like silhouettes.. you cut out the “design” such as a tree or a bird (or whatever you choose) and place it on whatever your making.

This spices things up a bit. You can create whatever you want with just this design tip. Out of the hundreds of items that can be made from duct tape JUST in this book, you can add your own flair and design to it with choosing a different color tape and adding the “paint” method which is what I thought was the most AWESOME!

Chapter 3 is nothing but pillows, pads, cushions, and mats. Making a seat cushion, pillow, or a mat out of duct tape never occurred to me. When I got into this book, thoughts started swirling my mind about all the different things I could make with the tape (that wasn’t in the book).  All of a sudden, everything in life becomes a canvas for duct taping!

Chapter 4 shows how to further your knowledge of making stuff out of duct tape by making “STICKERS”. These are stickers that you can put on your different “projects” to also help make them stand out to be YOURS.

They show you how to make a butterfly, crow, apple. sports car, peace sign, surfing wave, pirate, earth, a bridge, and more..

Chapter 5 is where it gets very interesting with the bags, holders, and wallets. I don’t know why but I am a collector of all things bags, totes, wallets, and laptop cases. I have 1 laptop and 10 cases—don’t ask me why.. lol.

They have some awesome clutches, totes, and even full sized beach bags in this book. Lunch totes, id holders, and cell phone case. You can of course, change up the colors so that you have every type of bag in every color,, YAY

This is a cheap, easy, and convienient way to make everybody Christmas presents on your lists. It doesn’t take long, the instructions are very simple, and the duct tape will NEVER wear down. If something spills inside their “beach bag” all they have to do is wipe it out with a washcloth.

It will never stain, tear, or break. The only way to dissemble the duct tape is to of course- CUT IT! This would be a perfect present for even young kids (as long as you cut the tape for them). They can then make birthday presents, Christmas presents, and even mother and fathers’ day presents by hand.

Chapter 6 devotes itself to making different flowers. Wouldn’t mom just love flowers that never died in her vase for the front room table? Of course she would. There are some beauties in here; Calla Lily, Red Rose, Sunflower, Cherry Blossom Branch (my favorites), Hot pink Hibiscus, and more!  By this point, you could make MOM and GRANDMA an entire garden for their house! LOL

Chapter 7 is toys; so it’s about checker/chess boards, dolls, and masks. Oh what fun the kids could have making their OWN toys! AND it wouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg!

Chapter 8 is more fun and play for the kids with Costumes, Disguises, and Props. What kid doesn’t like a little imaginative play every now and then? With this you can create beards, superhero capes, pirate hats. knight sword and shield, and more.

Chapter 9 is seasonal; ornaments, wreaths, bows, banners, and baskets. Nothing says “KIDS live here” like handmade ornaments and baskets. This would be something fun to do together and keep as keepsakes..

This whole book is nothing but fun! Go to walmart, get the duct tape, buy this book, and have some family time making stuff. Not only will they remember the time you spent with them, when you bring out the stuff they made when they’re older—they will have a blast remembering making it!

About the Author

 

When she's not picking through her neighbor's trash for crafty treasures, Richela Fabian Morgan teaches eco crafting at the Sheldrake Environmental Center.
Ms. Morgan lives with her husband and two children in Larchmont, New York. You can learn more about her crafts, her cooking, and her domestic follies on her website: http://www.richelafabianmorgan.com

 

Buy It: $8.64 & Free Shipping with orders over $25

Tape It & Make It: 101 Duct Tape Activities

 

 

Jessica Renee

Book Review: Singer Simple Sewing by Beth Baumgartel; Creative Publishing

This comprehensive at-your-fingertips reference is an essential addition to every sewer’s library. With more than 1,000 detailed illustrations, SINGER Simple Sewing covers all the need-to-know basics for garment construction and home décor. There’s also an entire section on mending and repair to help you recycle your favorite items with quick and reliable fixes.

No matter what type of sewing project you’re working on, SINGER Simple Sewing will help you sharpen your skills and find smart solutions to make each of your projects the very best.

I began learning to sew in high school home economics class. I learned how to make pillows, blankets, and even a pair of pajamas. I didn’t own my own sewing machine back then though, so when I finally did get mine I was a little rusty.

Being able to review the Singer Simple Sewing Reference book has been amazing. Even though I’ve been sewing (with my own machine) for close to 4 years now, there were still parts of sewing that had me stuck in a rut.

Mostly I just made whatever came into mind when I pulled out the fabric. I was very limited in selection though. I could only make small items such as purses, laptop bags, and random items.

I couldn’t put a piece of clothing together or do anything hard because following patterns was difficult for me. There were other things such as the different machine feet ((I wasn’t sure what was necessary to buy and what I could wait to purchase later).

I love that this book comes with it’s own DVD. You can insert it into your computer or DVD player and see the video’s that accompany the chapters in this book. It shows how to start with your machine, getting ready to start sewing, how to change presser feet, and more. It makes it a lot easier to understand (especially if you’re a beginner.)

Looking through the book was amazing.. they cover anything and everything that has to do with sewing. This is the perfect book for a beginner, but even if you aren’t *like me* there is something to be learned.

The beginning of the book consists of everything there is to know about different parts of the sewing machine and the tools that are needed to begin sewing. The tools contain everything from machine & hand needles, interfacing fusibles, pressing, cutting, & marking tools, to lining.

The detailed illustrations that come with each page make it that much easier to see what you need to do or what is what in sewing tools. The best thing about it that it doesn’t just describe what these things are, it actually tells you how to use the items.

There when I began sewing the differences between fusibles, interfacing, and stabilizers had me confused. This book is amazing because it breaks down what each one is, what they are used best with (i.e. heavyweight interfacing is best for toys, crafts, and accessories), and how to apply them.

The part that helped me best was the “Working with Patterns” part. Taking a pattern and making it your own is quite difficult to begin if you don’t understand HOW to work with the pattern. This part of the book breaks down why there are  different sizes on the pattern and how to make sure that you cut and sew them so that they fit YOU. They even show you how to measure yourself so that you know WHICH of the several patterns is more to your body type.

It breaks down each and every notch, dotted line, solid lines, and everything in between. This made me feel more confident just looking at a pattern. It helps to feel like you can accomplish and tackle something before you ever even try. If you’re frazzled before you begin, it won’t take long for something to go wrong.

No matter what you’re trying to accomplish or learn, you can do it with this book. Making ribbons & tassels & bias binding, forming gathers & adding darts, inserting elastic into a casing, pleats, ruffles, and hems.

If you look at a piece and think you might skip it overall because it tells you that you have to do something that you’re scared of, be scared no more my friend! I used to think that shortening a zipper would break my machine needles, so I didn’t even give it a try. This book firmly and efficiently shows how to shorten  a zipper so that it functions after you’ve shortened it to size!  And it even shows how to insert it if you are stuck on that part too. Amazing!

There is a whole chapter dedicated to showing how to sew up home décor items. This shows how to choose the right fabric and go about sewing shower curtains, bedding, napkins, regular curtains, tablecloths, placemats, and so much more! You’ll be sewing you’re heart away in no time!

The last part of the book is completely about mending and repair. This shows you how to examine a piece and thoroughly decide whether it’s able to be mended or thrown out. Whether it be stressed seams, holes in clothing, patching pockets, adding decorative trim, adding buttons/snaps/zippers that have popped off, repairing lining, or adding extra fabric to clothing that’s gotten too tight- this book nails it right on the head.

Whether you’re a beginner, want to become handy around the house, start your own seamstress business, or know someone who does—this is the perfect book for them or you!! If you buy it for someone else, they will thank you until the end of their days! It is a very helpful book! I love it!

BUY IT: You can buy Singer Simple Sewing: The Complete Illustrated Machine-side Reference of Tips and Techniques for $18.97

 

Jessica Renee

Craft 4 Less

Better Homes and Gardens has a new webpage:

Craft For Less.

It shows you how to make some beautiful things on the cheap. Who said beautiful had to be pricey?

Here are a few of the pictures they showcased. Click {here} to see their webpage.

Hop on Over and save some money while crafting. & don’t forget to share what you make {if you decide to}..

♥Jess

Top Tips for Crafters

I love Better Homes & Garden, they have tons of information that could teach you tons.

Although they have tons and tons of information, today I want to share with  you their top tips for crafters.

1.Pens & marker storage

2.Organizing your craft tools

3.Scissors or Shears

4.Inspiration Notebook

5.Creative Craft Supply Holder

6.Share Craft Supplies

7.Keep Thread Organized

8.Test Drive Craft Tools

9.Craft Supply Stash

10.Thread Problems

To read about the posts you can head on over {here}

My favorite tip?

*Tip 2- Craft Tool Organizer. When I finally take a picture of my newly organized craft space you will see more than a couple of these organizers. It makes everything easier to find.

Head on over {here} to read more about it and see the rest of these awesome craft tips.

♥Jess