DIY Handmade Books: 100+ Creative Binding Techniques & Structures for Journal Making, Scrapbooking & Gift Giving

I found this title through my local library, and checked it out until I exceeded the number of times I could check it out. At that point I knew I had to get my own copy for my home library. I have several other titles on binding books, each with its own reasons to recommend it, and I am not a beginner in making handmade books. The thing I enjoyed so much about this volume is the number of new ways to bind, fold and construct paper into interesting kinds of books. That was something not as present in my other books, and a welcome addition. Some methods require sewing, some need glue, and there are several other methods that need neither! These books could be made by children, but some are brain teasers that are enjoyable to work through and learn, making a book result that's unique.I found the diagrams and photographs to be just what was needed, not overwhelming but with enough information visually to guide me through the instructions. Some things do need to be worked through manually to be totally understood, but I found that interesting and challenging, not a problem.I liked the suggestions for uses that were made for the different forms of books and cards, but expanded on them for some of my own individual projects, which didn't narrow me down to a narrow channel I felt I had to choose.I have made six different design styles of books from this volume so far, and have ideas to keep trying on other forms. Journaling, printmaking, drawing and painting will all find their way into results from this book by Alisa Golden. I find myself re-reading it from the beginning even after finishing the whole volume, and finding new nuggets of useful information the second and third time through. The narratives and stories about the origins of some of the designs make it seem more personal and less like a textbook, and I enjoyed reading them as much as the instructions for the volumes.In short - buy and enjoy this book no matter what your level of knowledge or your plans for creating and you will find your own useful bits to try and interesting things to encourage your creativity. Thank you, Alisa Golden, for the original volumes and for this compiled union of your earlier books, I love it and I know I will continue to enjoy it in the future!