I have a passion for hands-on activities. Though not an artist, I certainly enjoy baking and a variety of crafting formats. At Peter White Public Library we are constantly introducing new titles covering a wide range of craft-related subjects, perhaps one of these titles will spark your creative flow.

Aran: Recipes and Stories from a Bakery in the Heart of Scotland by Flora Shedden (641.815 SH) is the delightful second book by the author, known to many as a contestant on the Great British Bake Off in 2015. Shedden takes us on a captivating culinary journey through her bakery, Aran, which appropriately means ‘bread’ in Gaelic. Alongside a wonderful collection of recipes, the book offers a glimpse into Shedden’s life and the heartwarming tales of her bakery. The pages are filled with lovely photographs, and the book follows an eating schedule that even a hobbit would approve of. The author encourages her readers to cook from the heart, share meals with friends and neighbors, and find joy in connecting through food. The Peter White Public Library Tasty Reads book group eagerly awaits its return this September, and come December, we’ll be immersing ourselves in the delightful world of Aran. For more information on PWPL book groups, visit our website, pwpl.info/bookgroups/.

Professor Pinchushion’s Beginner Guide to Sewing: Garment Making for Nervous Newbies by Tova Opatrny (646.2 OP) is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to sewing for newcomers. Covering all the basics, from understanding sewing machines to using patterns and working with different fabrics, the book includes beginner-friendly projects with accompanying QR code patterns for easy access. While it may be too simple for experienced stitchers, the website professorpinchusion.com offers a wealth of video tutorials and resources for those looking to expand their sewing skills. Want to add pockets to a favorite skirt, shorten a cuffed sleeve, or replace a zipper? There’s a video for that. For those just getting started, this book is for you!

Macrame: The Power of Knots by Nghi Ho (746.4222 HO) is a captivating exploration of the art of knotting, a craft deeply rooted in history and culture around the world. As someone who has enjoyed macrame for years, I found this book to be a valuable addition to our library collection. It offers comprehensive guidance on essential aspects such as tools, fibers, and most importantly, various knotting techniques and their variations. Additionally, the book features 45 patterns and 12 projects suitable for artists of all abilities. The author has divided these patterns and projects into skill levels beginner, intermediate, and advanced, making it a useful resource to anyone interested in the craft of macrame.

Watercolour Flowers for the Absolute Beginner by Fiona Peart (751.4224 PE) is a fantastic guide for those eager to explore the enchanting world of floral watercolour (watercolor in the US) painting. As a novice, I found this book to be incredibly helpful in understanding the necessary supplies, and I particularly appreciated the author’s inclusion of sample comparisons for different materials, like various types of paper. This information is invaluable for those lacking formal artistic training. The book also offers outlines for various flowers, some of which can be downloaded for free with an account at bookmarkedhub.com. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some prior experience, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the joys of painting beautiful floral scenes.

Happy Crafting!

By Andrea Ingmire

Library Director