Crafty Friday: Amigurumi Fairy Tales - Crochet Your Own Enchanted Forest by Tessa van Riet-Ernst

Amigurumi Fairy Tales - Crochet Your Own Enchanted Forest by Tessa van Riet-Ernst was released this year.

As always, pictures speak louder than words when it comes to crafts. You can click on the images below to see them larger.

Book description:

Amigurumi-expert and fairy tale lover Tessa van Riet-Ernst puts numerous world famous fairy tale characters in a new crochet jacket. Of course Tessa put a bit of herself in there as well. The big bad wolf is secretly a softy, but he tries to look more dangerous by wearing a spiky collar. And Prince Charming is still not sure which princess stole his heart: the lovely Snow White or Cinderella. Or maybe Rapunzel, with her beautiful long hair? Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, the seven goats, the ugly duckling and the three little pigs all play a leading role.

This book contains 8 world famous stories and more than 20 new patterns. Projects ranging from beginner to advanced crocheter. Find complete instructions for all basic stitches needed and lots of pictures of each character from all sides.

New Book: Be Your Own Fairy Tale: Working with Storytelling for Positive Life Change by Alison Davies

Be Your Own Fairy Tale: Working with Storytelling for Positive Life Change by Alison Davies is a new release. I admit I don't share many of the self-help titles that use fairy tale themes, but this one caught my eye with it's beautiful cover and interior illustrations which I am sharing below. I think the illustrator is Paul Oakley. I've also provided a screen shot of the list of fairy tales discussed in the book.

Book description:

In this practical and inspiring book, author Alison Davies shows how to use fairy tales to gain confidence, find romance, and discover your own personal yellow brick road. From Sleeping Beauty, symbol of transformation, to the 'rescuer' Prince Charming, to the scary, shapeshifting wolf in Little Red Riding Hood, the characters in these fabulous stories are embedded deep in our imagination and conjure up feelings that we can all identify with on some level. We can use fairy tales to understand what really makes us tick, to access our primal nature and rediscover the latent power within. They can help us to break bad habits, overcome obstacles and emerge from the chrysalis to make our mark in the world.

Working with fairy tales can be as easy as aligning to a character in a tale and then putting a positive spin on it. Sometimes the simple act of 'making it real', by living out the story in your mind, can change the way you think and behave. Davies offers a whole host of tips and practical exercises for working with the symbols, characters and storylines in fairy tales. These include storyboarding your own fairy tale to boost your creativity, devising a quest to build energy and confidence, identifying your inner hero to help with problem solving and learning how to be your own fairy godmother in order to bring the changes you want into your life!

Click on any image to view it larger.

New Book: Sleeping Beauty: Based on the Original Story by the Brothers Grimm by Sarah Gibb

Sleeping Beauty: Based on the Original Story by the Brothers Grimm by Sarah Gibb is a new release. It follows Gibb's previous fairy tale books, Beauty and the Beast and Rapunzel: Based on the Original Story by the Brothers Grimm. Her illustration style reminds me of vintage Little Golden Books, which is a good thing to me.

Book description:

The classic tale of Sleeping Beauty is brought magically to life through Sarah Gibb's extraordinary artwork. The beautiful Princess Rosebud, the evil curse that sends her into a deep sleep, and her rescue by a charming prince are all represented in stunning silhouettes and intricate details. Each elegant illustration perfectly captures the magic of this much-loved tale. Sure to enchant readers of all ages!

New Book: The Perfect Match (The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker) by E. D. Baker

The Perfect Match (The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker) by E. D. Baker is a new October release. It is the sequel to Baker's The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker. It's not very often that we get a novel-length treatment of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I've lost count of Baker's fairy tale novels, but it is always fun to see what she will play with next.

Book description:

Former tooth-fairy-in-training, Cory Feathering, is coming into her skills as a matchmaker more and more each day. But as she hones her skills, she's still doing odd jobs around town in order to help people who need it.

One day as she's house-sitting for the Three Bears, Cory runs into the infamous Goldilocks. The girl with blonde locks wants Cory to help set her up on a date, but typical, no one is quite right for her. Then, Cory has a vision of Goldilocks with a prince who lives far away in a castle. The only problem? He's getting married to someone else. Luckily, the prince is a huge fan of Cory's band and wants them to perform at his ceremony, which means there might still be hope for Goldilocks. Will Cory be able to act fast and match everyone with their rightful love before it's too late?

This fun and joyful follow-up to E.D. Baker's The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker is perfect for fans of fairytale retellings.

New Book: Hansel & Gretel by Hollie Hobby

Hansel & Gretel by Hollie Hobby is a new release and I have to admit one of my favorite illustrated versions of Hansel and Gretel in several years. Just look at the page images I included below. They are scrumptious. Hansel and Gretel is a perfect story for modern Halloween celebrations--witches, candy and some jeopardy. One might think with the Holly Hobbie name this would be overly sweet, but it isn't. The atmosphere is gorgeous and dense.

So a perfect book for this week and I know I will adding this one to my personal collection. It resonates with me. Lovely!

Book description:

Holly Hobbie brings to life a favorite spooky tale from childhood.

When a woodcutter and his scheming wife abandon Hansel and Gretel in the forest, all hope is lost until they come upon a cottage made of tasty sweets. But the owner is not the kindly old woman she pretends to be. Can Gretel save Hansel from the clutches of a hungry witch? Holly Hobbie's masterful watercolors reach new heights in this spine-tingling rendition of the tale, faithful to the beloved classic.

Crafty Friday: Fairy Tale Sewing: 20 Whimsical Toys, Dolls and Softies by Heidi Boyd

Fairy Tale Sewing: 20 Whimsical Toys, Dolls and Softies by Heidi Boyd was released earlier this year.

As always, pictures speak louder than words when it comes to crafts. You can click on the images below to see them larger.

Book description:

Sew your way to happily ever after! Bring story time to life with this collection of imaginative projects. Drawing inspiration from classic fairy tales, author Heidi Boyd adds a modern twist to everything from huggable softies such as the magical Unicorn to interactive toys such as Snow White's Cottage Tote. Sleeping Beauty's Castle Quilt brings sweet dreams to any child's room, and the Rapunzel Pillow is perfect for cuddling and play. Readily available cottons, felts, yarns and embroidery floss plus clear instructions and detailed illustrations make sewing simple and straightforward so you can spend less time sewing and more time enjoying your favorite fairy tales.