D'NALI

source: Random House

I figured since this is a crafty site, at some point, I should review a crafty book for “Blogging For Books”.  Of the ones they had for review, I selected “Little Felted Dogs — Easy Projects For Making Adorable Pups” by Saori Yamazaki.

I’m not going to lie … I tried … I tried to make these absolutely adorable pups.  I kept putting off the review as I tried to make one of these projects look like the dog I was supposed to be making but this turned out to be a case of “it’s really me, not you.”  I’ve had super problems with face shaping.  The bodies turned out fine, but I had to come to accept that face shaping was not my thing.  I just couldn’t get it right!  So since the issue was really me and not the instructions from the author, I decided to do the review anyway using my three basic review criteria for books of this type:

• How easy are the supplies to find?
• How simple or complicated are the instructions?
• Realistically, how many of these projects am I likely to make?

In terms of supplies, because I’m already a fiber lover, I had all the supplies I needed to get the projects started.  The only thing I purchased was a single needle felting pen.  This was a win for me since it meant that I could use my current stash without amassing more tools and fiber to make these projects.

Where the instructions are concerned, in reading them I found them very simple.  The diagrams are clear, the instructions uncomplicated however, because I struggled with proportions in while making the faces, I didn’t complete a project I loved.  That however is more to do with my technique and ability to craft a three dimensional object, not the author’s ability to communicate clearly.  I would agree that the projects are easy to understand for beginners, just as long as these beginners don’t struggle with proportion issues like I do.   Another thing I liked about the instructions was that the author noted details the crafter should pay attention to.

With the purchase or review of any pattern books, now when I buy, I first assess how many of the projects I would make.  With this book, I would make all of them!!!   They are small, adorable, easy to convert into key-chains and would be loved by dog lovers anywhere.  Because I really love all of the projects in the book, I’m gamed to try until I make doggies that I’m happy with.

I’d really planned to do a giveaway for this book, but I’ve since decided to keep it and make my proportion issue one of my summer crafting challenges to conquer. What my challenges have also done is spur me on to practicing my felting with flat objects then moving on to more intricate pieces.  So you’ll see this book again, and most definitely with an adorable doggie or two next to it.

Have any of you tried felting?  Have you done flat pieces or dimensional pieces, or both? Is there a technique that’s been driving you crazy? Are you going to try it again?   Talk to me in the comments!  Happy Sunday!  🙂

disclaimer: this review was done through my affiliation with Blogging For Books.  Although I received a copy for review, the thoughts expressed are entirely my own.