Abrams Books sent me a copy of Craft the Rainbow in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and from the heart.
Well our spring buds are taking their sweet time to bloom and I am itching to see some COLOUR. So let’s BRING IT ON! Today I’ve got the first of two new books to share with all kinds of brilliant DIY ideas to invite your favourite hues into your home and your wardrobe.ย Craft the Rainbow: 40 Colorful Paper Projects from The House That Lars Built by Brittany Watson Jepsen (remember herย Flowers and Cactus colouring books?) explores everything colour-related under the sun, from why certain colours work together and how to use them, to fun facts in colour history and quotes from artists and designers who share their favourites. And the projects! Three for each of the pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and white chapters, followed by 16 rainbow crafts for those who love them all. There are party crowns made from drinking straws, tasselled curtain tiebacks made of crepe paper and wooden blocks, paper plants in every colour of the rainbow and shoe clips that turn cupcake liners into works of art. Sounds amazing, right? Just wait ’til you see inside.ย
These oversized magnolias from the pink chapter were inspired by the dozens of giant paper flowers Brittany made for her wedding, including the single poppy for her bouquet. “[The bouquet] is surprisingly simple to assemble,” Brittany says, “and unlike fresh flowers, you can hold on to it forever.” The step-by-step instructions are illustrated with photographs and templates for the petals and the leaves follow at the back of the book.
Just as I want a recipe to tell me how long it’ll take to make, Craft the Rainbow tells you how long you can expect to spend on each project. Only instead of hours and minutes, Brittany’s measured the time by the length of some of her favourite TV shows, movies and podcasts. (For this one budget an afternoon listening to your wedding playlist with the bridal party.)
The balloon arch with paper leaves is another take on one Brittany and a floral designer friend made with balloons and fresh flowers (also the most popular post on Brittany’s blog,ย The House That Lars Built). And it is my dream. I don’t know when I’ll make it or where I’ll put it, but one of these days I’ll have one of my own. What do you think? Do you looooooove?
And Brittany’s brilliant blue sun print is the perfect summer craft to make outside with a pot of iced tea.
“Sun printing involves placing objects on white cyanotype paper and letting the sun make a print; anything not blocked out will turn blue. I chose cyanotype paper that turns a deeper blue, which feels moodier than the bright ultramarine. This classic combination cannot be beat.” — Brittany Watson Jepsen
Brittany’s designs are based on Scandinavian folk patterns, but you could do just about anything — polka dots, a phrase, a mandala — the sky’s the limit!
What do you think? Are you inspired to craft? I hope so, because I’ve got a
GIVEAWAY!
To enter to win a copy of Craft the Rainbow, tell me your favourite colour and why in the comments below. This entry is mandatory.
For an additional entry, visitย try small thingsย onย Facebookย and like (or love!) this post and leave a comment, then tell me you did so and your name on Facebook in the comments below. (Shares arenโt necessary, but you know I really appreciate it!)ย
And feel free to tweet the following once per day and leave the url for your tweet in the comments below (one entry per tweet). Make sure youโreย followingย try small thingsย on Twitterย for your entry to count.
#Win “Craft the Rainbow: 40 Colorful Paper Projects from The House That Lars Built” from @trysmallthings https://wp.me/p4xBed-6FN CAN 5/31 #crafttherainbowbook
The contest is open to Canadian residents 18+ excluding Quebec and ends at 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2018. The potential winner (chosen at random) must respond to prize notification within 48 hours and provide the correct answer to a skill-testing question, otherwise another winner will be selected. (And if it’s you — or you decide to pick up a copy — be sure to print Brittany’s bookplate for inside!)ย
Good luck everybody!
Update June 4, 2018: Congratulations Viv S!
Images 2, 3 and 4 copyright ยฉย 2018 Chauntรฉย Vaughn; cover copyright ยฉย 2018 Abrams. Each shared here with permission from the publisher.ย
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