Book of the Day ~ Mary Engelbreit's Autumn: Craft Book
Hello members of Travel / Food / Wine Book Reviews and anyone else who stumbles upon this review.
"Autumn wins you best by this its mute appeal to sympathy for its decay."
Robert Browning
I am hopelessly addicted to Mary Engelbreit's style of illustration and home décor, and to honor the first day of autumn, I thought I'd share my obsession with you. Though I am not very crafty myself anymore, I appreciate those people who are. In addition, as a writer, I am always on the lookout for objects that will fit in my stories. Her craft projects give me a lot of ideas for characters who would either do one of these projects or receive something like this for a gift. They also trigger a lot of memories of my mom who was exceedingly crafty.
Structure/Chapters
"Mary Engelbreit's Autumn"was published by Andrews and McMeel in 1996. This small, 5"x6" hardcover book (with dust cover) has 80 heavy glossy pages and is made up of five topical chapters that each contain a variety of illustrations, photographs, recipes, and craft projects. It is full of Mary Engelbreit's childlike illustrations in colored pencil and marker, fresh photographs by Barbara Elliott Martin, and crafty words and projects by Charlotte Lyons. It is part of a series; one volume for each season.
The chapters include (with the craft/recipe):
One: Back to School-School Books, Book Bag, Jean Jacket, Personal Pennant
Two: Halloween-Witches and Goblins, Jack-O'-Lanterns, Luminaria, Garden Witch, Batik, Bat House, Trick-or-Treat Topiaries and Hat, Party Bags, Snacky Mask
Three: Homecoming-Tailgate Picnic, Tortilla Relish, Vegetarian Chili, Letter Pillow, Pennant Rug
Four: Leaf Peepers-Candle Jars, Apple Bread, Canning Labels, Cookies for Birds, Fall Flea Market, Twig Lamp Shade, Fancy Vest
Five: Thanksgiving-Stenciled Apron, Harvest Table, Decoupaged Cake Plate, Purses, Turkey Potpie
Contributors
Index
Who Would Enjoy Mary Engelbreit's Autumn?
I think that anybody who is artsy or crafty, people who like to cook, like autumn holidays would enjoy "Mary Engelbreit's Autumn."Although it's a small book, there are a lot of projects included.
What Kind of Materials are Needed?
A number of the projects have a minimal amount of materials, but there are some like the "Batik" and "Stenciled Apron" that, if you aren't artsy and keep things like paints, sealers, brushes, you'd have to go out of your way to get them.
Several of the items like "Witches and Goblins," or "Trick-or-Treat Topiaries" are really just showing how to decorate with a collection of something. Use it for inspiration. If you don't already have a lot of flower pots, why not use a bowls or baskets?
Are the Projects Hard?
I have to admit that I find it challenging to draw a straight line with a ruler, so I'd never even attempt the Personal Pennant in Mary Engelbreit's style, but I could easily do the Party Bags created by painting paper bags and attaching construction paper cut outs to make various Halloween designs.
Most of the projects entail spiffing up something ordinary to make it special: ribbon trim on a book bag, an appliqué on composition books, nothing too difficult. It's simply getting the idea in the first place. If you're not a proficient artist though, the Garden Witch could be difficult. The writers assume you know how to do basic painting, nailing and decorating without step-by-step instructions.
What I Like
In "Mary Engelbreit's Autumn,"Mary presents fun ways to look at old stuff we probably already have and make it new again. The Pennant Rug uses old pennants stitched together in a half circle.
What I Don't Like
Sigh, alas I am a Mary Engelbreit worshiper. It's hard to find fault while I'm blinded by all the cute stuff. I think my only complaint is that the instructions are minimal and assume you have some knowledge already in order to do them. If you don't know how to decoupage, you'll have to learn in order to do the Cake Plate project.
Final Recommendation
"Mary Engelbreit's Autumn"is a fun little book with some colorful, spring ideas for collections, decor, cooking, crafting and celebrating all the autumn holidays.
If you liked this book review, you might like to read some of my other book reviews which you can find by clicking on this link.
2008 © Susan K Barton
Book Details:
Hardcover: 80 pages
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (August 1, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0836222296
ISBN-13: 978-0836222296
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
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Comments: 16
Lovely article! The book cover is stunningly attractive and invitational for this type of content. You've given her book a very good critique, but I'm in agreement with you regarding the minimal instructions. So many of the craft author's present the how-tos of something in ways that prompt us only to look at their crafts instead of looking and making them.
Really enjoyed this!
Thank you for sharing this timely review.
Paying it forward for you my friend.
PIF!