project & book review // mollie makes woodland friends

Mollie Makes is probably my favorite magazine ever. Despite the super fantastic name, it's not my creation, although from time to time I get to have something published in their pages. And just as exciting is the series of books that they've been making! This is the third title that I've been honored to be a part of (with another coming next year!), and let me tell you...this is my favorite title so far!

Mollie Makes Woodland Friends has just been released, and I'm glad that I get to share it during a Month of Giving. Why? Because it's filled with things you can make for friends and family, plus the book itself would be a perfect gift for any of your crafty friends.

You can find the UK edition here (pictured above), or the US version here.



These acorn shapes show up throughout the book, and here they give you a sneak peek at what's inside. Can you already feel the cute?



The amazing Laura of Bugs & Fishes (Lupin on Etsy) made these sweet animal napkin rings. This might be the first time I've wanted to hug a napkin ring!



And how about this hedgie with leaves? On their own, I love them...as sewing accessories, I could squeal!



I can't wait to make a leaf garland like this. It's so sophisticated and smart.



And I'm extra super happy to see these mug rugs on the back cover...they're one of the projects that I made! In fact, if you look closely, you can see two others that I contributed on the cover. It was so much fun to design all of the things I made, and Collins & Brown (the publisher) has a great group of people that I got to work with.



When I was preparing these book bands, I was asked to send along some notebooks that they would work with. After a trip to the office supply store, I was disheartened because nothing was quite right. Then I had an epiphany! I bought some basic composition books, brought them home, and covered them with the woodgrain Con-Tact paper I have! When I bought this roll awhile ago, I thought I was paying too much for something that I only needed a small amount of, but I find all kinds of good uses...and this time it saved me and made for some cute photos!




If you'd like to make your own woodgrain notebooks, it's really easy. Ready? Let's go!



Here's what you need:

Composition book
Woodgrain Con-Tact paper
Scissors



Here's what you do:

Cut a piece of Con-Tact paper that's a little larger than your book. You'll cut it down later, but it's better to have too much than too little. Also, be sure to take into account which direction you want the grain to be.



If the edge of the roll is nice and smooth, you're set. Mine has been wrinkled a bit, so in this case, cut a straight edge, following one of the markings on the back. Or, use a ruler to mark a straight edge for trimming.



Be sure that the book cover is clean and that there aren't any little bits or crumbs on there. Peel back the paper backing on the Con-Tact paper along the long straight edge. Lay the edge right up against the binding tape on the book.



Slowly peel back the paper with one hand as you smooth out the Con-Tact paper with your other hand. Work from the center toward the edges to remove any air bubbles. For tips on this, follow the instructions on the paper roll.



After the paper is completely smoothed onto the book, trim away the excess paper. I find that you can start cutting with a standard scissors, then slide it along the edge instead of using a cutting motion. Mind the corners so they are nice and neat!



Repeat this for the back cover and you've got a new woodland notebook! All you need now are some sweetly stitched book bands.



Oh, but are you ready for this? Collins & Brown would like to give away a copy of Mollie Makes Woodland Friends to one lucky reader! Anyone can enter using Rafflecopter (below), and I can't wait to see who wins this and what they make!

a Rafflecopter giveaway