Thursday, December 17, 2015

cozy cocoa reads + makes

It's December and Winter hasn't quite shown up for the party but when it does, I'll be ready, craftily speaking anyway.


Along with hot cocoa, scissors and glue (and maybe a sweet treat or two), courtesy of RPS/CICO Books, I have three new books that are sure to keep me happy as a clam with their inspiring images and enjoyable text. Join me for cups of cocoa and cookies and I'll share some pretty peeks of all three!


Whenever I pick up Winter Living the word sumptuous comes to mind. There are pages that are as lush and luxurious as others are pared-down and simple. Selina Lake's sixth book is an inspirational guide to styling and decorating your home for winter. Sections cover a range of styles, colorways, and sensibilities but they all have her imprint, like the pink candle shown above, which to me is such a Selina-pink.




Once again, Selina has teamed-up with photographer Debi Treloar and the results are stunning. As always, the prolific stylist shares design tips, project ideas, and pleasant musings written in her sitting-right-there-with-you conversational style.


Who else would think to soften metal bistro chairs with faux fur or use sparklers to light up a table in the dark of winter?!

Next ...


If you are as smitten as I am with minty-fresh folkloric patterns, you are sure to enjoy Sew Scandinavian by Kajsa Kinsella. Before you jump into making a Dala horse or lingonberry motif, Kajsa sets the creative stage with tales and stories from her Swedish origins.


Like my first two books, Sew Scandinavian is published by CICO Books and follows a similar format of 35 projects with step-by-step images and snappy text. Even a sew-a-phobe like me is considering digging out a needle and thread for some of the simpler projects like these tiny Matchbox Pets!


Next ...


Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint® Workbook: A Practical Guide to Mixing Color and Making Style Choices is a journal divided into themed chapters. The ASCPWAPGTMCAMSC (aka Workbook) offers a sturdy spiral-bound place to scribble ideas. My favorite part is the pocketed card dividers which are perfect for keeping project clippings, swatches, even receipts, at the ready and organized.


The book also features tips and inspiration pics from Annie. The Workbook is a handy resource that will not only spark ideas but keep the process well-documented.

Winter Living, Selina Lake (RPS); Sew Scandinavian, Kajsa Kinsella; and
Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint Workbook (CICO Books)

Find all of these great titles at all good booksellers.

Okay, time for a hot cocoa refill.

Thank you for reading and happy tinkering!

xo
elyse