For our next post Wednesday Book Club, we’re back to crafting again. Truly my heart belongs to this side already. It feels so good to share craft books rather than designs, such bias I know, haha.

Couple of days from now, it will be September already and we all know what that means… Christmas is truly near. So what a better way to show-off our crafting skills but of course in the way we wrap our gifts. Gift Wrapping by Lucy Berridge can give that hidden wrapping skills in you.

I think, we all know how to wrap something in someway. From our book covers to simple birthday gifts, we all know the basics. That is if we’re talking about basic shapes.

This book on the otherhand, will not only show the basics but also adding more ways for those that have an unusual shapes like bottles or plants.

Apart from the basic wrapping, using of other materials to embellish the gift can somehow add to it’s overall look right? Just like in food, when it looks good, it must taste good. Same goes with gifts. Ribbons are still classic but gems, keychains, or ornaments are now in.

Yes, some embellishments can be expensive but who said you can’t use recycled materials? Normally, we just use the usual gift wrapping that is just available in our store, Lucy Berridge can assist you with how you can add your creativity with other materials.

What I like about this book is, it’s also categorized according to an occasion. So you can apply different styles according to your event.

And my favorite part in every craft books are the techniques. Like I said, I’m a visual person, so it’s really helpful every time I see photos on how to do this and that.

Honestly, I’m blabbing about this wonderful book but it’s not even mine. My college good friend, Ena, lend me this last weekend and I just have to share it. “Thanks partner for willingly lending me this book.” I’ve been seeing this before in our local shop but I find it quite expensive not knowing I might need it one day.

I’m thinking of hosting a gift wrapping session one of this months, just in time for the holiday season. Nothing fancy just simply chatting, meeting and crafting with fellow crafters just like what Alessa would call as crafternoon. I will still have to plan for it though, but would you join me? Do let me know so I can set a date.

I know the name of the column is Wednesday Book Club but my posts are always 1-day late and I missed two Wednesdays already. My goodness! I’m such a bad blogger. But if we consider the other side of the planet, it’s still Wednesday, lol. And I’ll be doing 2 posts to compensate my absences. Good deal?

Anyway, I normally share craft related books for the past few wednesday, but this time, I tend to choose a different genre, if I may call it. As you may know, I’m a self taught graphic designer. Apart from my awesome mentor in this field, Heintje, I developed my style through visuals. A big part of that was books and great photos. As they say, you must really train your eyes to look at beautiful images so your brain will automatically adopt to it.

Then my love for graphic design books flourished. As much as I hate to accept that they are so expensive, they can truly inspire you. One of which is 1000 Greetings: Creative Correspondence Designed for all Occasions by Peter King and Company. This is published by Rockport. Their collection of books are really great. I have some of their books and it’s quite handy whenever I need some light bulb intervention.

There are few 1000 Greetings versions. But this one focuses on personal expressions, from all types of greetings, invitations and gift cards. It’s only 6x6in in size, so you can bring it anywhere. There’s no more reason for you to feel uninspired.

Nonetheless, if you’re good with graphic design, this can truly encourage you to try different things with your talent. This book can open a lot of possibilities with what you can do with paper and incorporate it with your skills.

If you’re in love with anything to do with paper just like me, then you’ll also love what I’ll be sharing for our Wednesday Book Club. It’s entitled Creating Papercrafts {Stylish ideas and step-by-step projects} by Labeena Ishaque.

This book will teach you different things you can do with paper. A little history of paper opens up more knowledge on what type of paper to use for certain projects.

From the usual gift wrapping and greeting cards, to unusual home decors and party details, this book covers it all. The projects were perfect for different holidays and most specially for everyday use.

Most of the materials used can be found easily and some were already in our homes, especially for the home decoration chapter, which was my favorite. I’m positive you’ll get inspirations on how to re-do some of your decors with this book.

If you’re planning a party, then all the more this book can be helpful, as it caters on how to set your tables and favor boxes for your souvenirs.

And just like any other book, ready templates at the back page was given so you can follow the steps easily.

Although, this book is a bit costly, maybe because it’s a hardbound, it shared a wide array of projects, and it does give you a lot of ideas on what you can do with paper and somehow applied in any occasions or for daily use.

Who would have thought paper can be so versatile in terms of usage, right? Well I hope, this enticed you to go to your local bookstore or online shop and get one of this. Specially now that holidays are fast approaching, this may come handy.

I’m sorry this was not posted last Wednesday. I lost track of the days and I just realized last night. I can’t imagine how I forgot the days. Seemed like it was just Monday and boom! The week is almost end.

Anyway, one of my book reference whenever I need an inspiration is Paper Art Workshop Handmade Gifts {Stylish ideas for Journals, Stationery and more} by Jennifer Francis Bitto, Linda Blinn, Jenn Mason.

Unlike the book I shared last time, that was just for inspirations; this one is a DIY kind of book. It shows photos and instructions on how to make the projects, mainly paper art.

I’m a visual person, so normally, I looked at photos more than reading the instructions, and this book got it right for me, because they showed nice big photos per projects and words that were easily to read. You can even follow by just looking at the photo.

Projects from recycling old clipboards, origami writing sets, paper flowers, garlands and more were all showed in an organized way according to a certain theme like: The Traveler, The Chef, The Giver, etc., so ideas will vary depends on the person your giving it to.

What I like most about this book is, they were using simple materials and at the same time techniques that were easy to follow as well. Apart from that, they showed different designs of the certain project to give you more ideas on how to be creative about it.

Plus they added templates and measurements for the projects to simplify it even more for the crafter.

On the contrary though on the title, for me most of the projects were more about practical ideas for myself rather than as a gift. Although, they categorized the projects to give you an idea to whom you can give it to and also added gift wrapping ideas at the end part, but I think most of them are applicable for myself. On the otherhand, handmade things are one of the best gifts you can give, so nonetheless, you can have a great selection of ideas.

It’s a paper art workshop in some way so if you’re like me who’s crazy about anything to do with paper, then I suggest you get Handmade Gifts as a gift for yourself. Surely, you’ll have fun making all the projects inside.