Book Review: Mini Eco

Today I'm reviewing Mini Eco by Kate Lilley. I'd never heard of Kate's blog before I was sent this book to review but it is rather awesome, do make sure you go visit after reading this post :)

Her book contains 31 crafty projects, often with a geometric theme and always with a fresh, modern, minimalist feel to them... but also lots of pops of bright colour. It's great to see designs that are simple but still colourful!

The book's folded-over dustcover with its cut-out lettering looks great - I love when books are thoughtfully designed with individual touches like this so they are nice objects to own and enjoy (especially these days when they're competing against the sea of free content online).

However, the perfectionist in me (or possibly just the bit of me that is turning into my mother?) does worry that the letters might get a bit scruffy looking quite quickly.

The designs in the book include some sewing, stencilling, macrame, woodworking, dyeing, paper crafting and making stuff with Hama beads. 

The skill level needed to complete each project is marked with stars. Some are definitely crafty ideas more than full tutorials, e.g. using an old Spirograph set to make awesome, nostalgic wrapping paper...

 

... and others are much more complex and/or labour intensive, like this Space Invaders piñata...

 

... and this gorgeous origami lampshade.

 

Some of the projects just have text instructions and others have some step by step illustrations. There's also an illustrated guide to how to macrame and lots of useful hints and tips throughout the book, with extra advice for making the projects and suggestions for how to vary the designs. 

The book is quite small in size, so most of the templates need enlarging but there's a link included to where you can download them online.

There are a lot of projects that I want to make in this book. Triangular envelopes? So much fun! 

 

3D paper gems? Awesome!

 

Patchwork snake draught excluder? Yes please!

As you can probably tell, I really like this book! Definitely one to add to your wishlist if you like colourful, contemporary crafts.

Mini Eco is published by Cicada Books. RRP £14.95. It's available from Amazon UK, Amazon USA, The Book Depository and many other bookshops.

[Disclaimer: Cicada Books sent me a free review copy of this book and the Amazon & Book Depository links in this post are affiliate links]