Book Review: The Crafter's Devotional

The Crafter's Devotional: 365 Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Unlocking Your Creative Spirit
Author: Barbara R. Call

This is one of the most fabulous books I've read in a while.  I stumbled across it at Chapters last week, and was drawn to it because of all the journalling tips in it.  There are 52 weeks worth of inspiration in it, with a tip for each weekday and one for the weekend.  Each day of the week covers a specific topic (for example, Mondays are devoted to journalling), and the weekends are devoted to projects or techniques that take longer, such as taking a class to learn something new or collaborating with another artist on a shared project.  I got so many new ideas from this book to help me both in my crafting (or my art creation, as I find myself now referring to it) and in my journalling.  One of the areas where I've really gotten lots of new ideas is in my plastic canvas work.  I've started on a new form of art combining plastic canvas with beads, buttons and items from my scrapbook stash.  Pictures to come soon once I've finished a few more pieces!

I've also been inspired to pick up my journal again.  I've always enjoyed journalling, although to be honest it's been suffering lately, both because I just haven't felt like writing and because writing is getting to be hard on my wrists.  But I've "re-invented" one of my old journals and I'm excited to get back to it again.  I'll be sharing before and after pics of my journal, along with pics of some of my journal pages.  As for the pain, well, I'll just have to deal with it.  Didn't someone once say that all artists have to suffer for their art? :)  I've gotten lots of other ideas, which I'll be sharing in future blog posts.  Next topic: my creative toy box. 

Verdict: If you're in need of inspiration, then this is the book for you!

Until next time,
J.