A few weeks back, I mentioned my love for crafty cinema. Well, you should know I'm also into "crafty lit" - juicy novels that have characters who paint, bead, knit or sew. I'm the nerdy type who always has a book on me and I utilize every pocket of time to take in a chapter.

These days, I'm toting around The Friday Night Knitting Club, by Kate Jacobs (Putnam Adult, 2007, $22.95 hardback). I'll admit it took a few pages, but now, I'm hooked. Lots o' drama. The book centers on a small New York City knitting shop and the women who meet to knit and share their stories of woe. Look for a film version, starring Julia Roberts, in June 2008. Another crafty lit book I recently finished reading is The Interruption of Everything, by Terry McMillan (Signet, 2006, $9.99 paperback). Often hilarious and sentimental, our protagonist, a 40-something wife and mom, works at a craft store and questions her life decisions. But what she is sure of is her ability to make impressive crafts.

This project is dedicated to book lovers who like to share their finds. These pockets and bookmarks are a fun way to add spice to your library, and keep all the titles in order. If you belong to a book club, think about setting aside a meeting so the members can whip up a batch of these items. Supplies were purchased at Lucky 15 Paper Arts, 4216 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, (602) 466-2736. Other local paper arts stores should have them as well.

Book Lover's Set


Pockets
Book pockets and insert cards (one for each book)
Rubber stamps
Embossing powder and inks
Watercolors
Tape writer and tape
Beads
Yarn
Double-sided adhesive tape

Magnetic bookmarks
Card stock
Paper embellishments
Micromagnets
Adhesive

Directions: To make the pockets, work on a flat open surface. Before you begin to decorate the book pocket, think about the theme of the book, so you can make a card to match. Use the stamps, embossing powder, watercolor paints, beads and anything else that inspires you. Do the same for the card insert, but make sure to list the name of the book, and leave room for the name of the lender. Use the double-sided adhesive tape to affix the pocket to the inside of the book.

To make the magnetic bookmark, cut a piece of card stock measuring 2 inches square. Fold it in half and use a bone folder or other tool to make a sharp crease. Embellish the outside of the card as desired. Use adhesive to apply a magnet to the bottom of each inner flap.

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STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: crafty lit, paper