Weekend Handmade: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Crafting

by Kelly Wilkinson

In Weekend Handmade, author Kelly Wilkinson encourages readers to celebrate the joy of crafting, both for the satisfaction of making something by hand, and because the finished items serve as reminders of time taken to slow down and create – no matter the day of the week.The book is organized into three Make offers projects to wear or decorate with; Grow presents projects inspired by gardens, fields, and farmer’s markets; and Gather spotlights projects that enrich casual get-togethers.With clear, step-by-step instructions, every project in Weekend Handmade —from aprons, tablecloths, and marmalade to a memory box and a chandelier—can be completed in a few hours or over the course of a weekend.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Limeminearia · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book is slightly craycray. I think you should check it out and see if you feel the same. although beautifullly photographed, this put me in mind of the 30 rock episode called the bubble. sometimes if you are very pretty no one will point out that the "chandelier" you made, the one that's just a stick with Xmas balls tied to it, may not merit publication in a craft book. it's charming when you do it because you are so very pretty and possibly rich. but if others make the Christmas ball stick they may get quite a different reaction.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had this on my list of books to buy, then decided to check it out from the library first to make sure I really wanted it. I flipped through it and was a little disappointed.

There wasn't anything I was interested in making, and several of the items were just bad. The Prima Lampshade and Willow Chandelier were both just tacky. Also, I agree with another commenter who pointed out the random couple photos--very random. I can't see most girls' husbands/boyfriends sitting down and saying, "Let's make the Felt Adventure Mat for your niece's birthday."

[La La · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read through the book, basically skimming the projects that looked interesting, and when I got to the end I thought... hmm... there's not 40+ projects in this book, but when the projects glossary popped up and I could click on each project I realized there were only photos for 15, maybe 20, of those projects. She should have included less random photos of herself and her significant other, and more photos of the finished products. The photos were a bit amateurish, too. Which leads us to the lack of "steps" photos and/or drawings.

Also, if you are going to charge $16.99 for a 150- pages of actual craft information (the 99¢ ebook price listed here on Goodreads is not reflected on its Amazon page), instead of adding lifestyle filler fluff, give recipes for using the preserves and the boozy rum fruit, etc, instead of only saying it's good in fruit cakes and cocktails. And then there were the postcards made from store paint color sample strips. To me that's only one step above toilet paper roll crafts.

With this book you are going to get craft projects you can find for free anywhere on the internet. And I've had to say this far too many times... all this is, is a blog put in ebook form. In fact I swear I saw links to the blogs she got these tutorials from in the back of the book.

If it ever is truthfully 99¢, then I say maybe, but paying anything more than a dollar would be a rip-off.

[Stef · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very meh. More of a lifestyle book, full of stories about picnics and tea dates and occasions for apron-wearing or spritzing one's self with cucumber water. The projects are largely impractical or unappealing, too, and the lists of materials needed were way too thorough, to the point where none of the projects seemed simple. I'd assume that crafting something over the weekend would involve using things you might already have on hand, but even just sewing a rectangular pillow is somehow made laborious.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Cute crafts, I could see using some of these projects in a family crafting night. These represent bare bones ideas, though—many seem pretty basic, but you could take them as prompts and run with the projects.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Projects are all over the board so a lot of ideas. I didn't love any of the projects shown.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whoa, did you guys know you can make pillowcases?!??!?

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an okay craft book. I liked the paper lanterns and the paint-chip botanical postcards. Fairly forgettable.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked out two crafting books from the public library, and I'm in the very last semester of grad school. What the heck was I thinking?!? However, I appreciate a thoughtful and meaningful crafting book as much as I love the same in a cookbook. Wilkinson's book is what I hope to create and write someday and hers was inspired by her parents raising her and her siblings in a barn and then constructing everything to make the barn a home--and that was my dream as a teen to do the very same thing. I even thought I could learn the carpentry skills necessary for such an endeavor. These days I would love to apply that idea of re-making to an industrial loft or warehouse or build a modern glass and steel house in the country. In the meantime, one can either sew, construct, bee-keep, can, recycle, or garden a project from Wilkinson's book, and if I were to check this library book out again, I would make the: Pressed Flower Luminaria, Botanical Note Cards, Decorated Planter and Markers, and Paint Chip Postcards.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this person's blog. It was a good book for browsing. There was too much emphasis on packing for me, especially in the "grow" section, and I didn't really understand how a project fell into the category it was in.

My favorite project was the tablecloth on page 110-111. I also liked the plant markers on page 96 and the sun-print napkins on page 100. (I wasn't familiar with light-sensitive fabric, at least I didn't think I was until my friend reminded me of those shirts that were big when I was in middle school that the color changed when you put your hand on it.)

The "game night poetry" on page 125 reminds me of a game I played a lot with my college friends, except ours wasn't poetry and had a pictionary element. But the idea is the same. (Ours was basically pictionary meets telephone and it was hilarious.)

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice book, picked it off the "new book" shelf at the library. Some of the ideas seem easy-peasy and are cute, although I've not tried them yet....the apron, the picnic pouch, the trivets, the sconces made from pressed leaves, flowers, wax paper and Japanese tape...but mostly the book set wheels to turning in my head...some things could be done a little differently with nice results. Some good ideas for gifts that don't cost much or take up much time...in other words, nice little rememberance-type/no-special-reason-type of gifts. All in all a pleasant read with nice pictures.

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

nonfiction; crafts. Most projects were fairly ordinary, but good for a browse--another good one for checking out from the library (but not to purchase). I did like the poetry game (1-3-5-3-1 words per line, pass paper around with only previous line showing); think that would work well as an icebreaker for a teen program (or even adult/family party game, as suggested).

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some fun projects that are simple and can be done in a short time span. I could see how I could take one of the projects and twist it a bit to become my own take on it. I felt like I wanted a couple projects that required more detail but I understand this book is for projects that can be done rather quickly. It's a great book to pick up for gift ideas and fun house projects.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite crafty book. I think the influx of cool blogs and pinterest has really diminished my interest in something like this. There's just too much stuff available that a ho-hum (albeit prettily photographed) craft book doesn't catch my eye like it used too.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were like, two things I'd even consider making in this. Damn you Weekend Edition!

[Andrea]

Cool lantern and terrarium patterns.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

None of these projects seemed very "inspired" to me. I certainly wasn't. I really came away disappointed by this book.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I'm planning to make the Starry Night Garland for my daughter's room. Lots of fun projects/ideas.

[Philip Stagnitto]

[Jocelynne Broderick · Rating 3 out of 5]

One or two things I like in here.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited to check this book out, the photography is beautiful. I wanted to be inspired but ultimately didn't find any projects that I wanted to pursue.