Friday, August 29, 2014

Everything Alice: The Wonderland Book of Makes and Bakes

Dear Readers,

Do you ever buy books by its cover?  I sure do.  A lot.  And my most recent one is a craft book: Everything Alice: The Wonderland Book of Makes and Bakes.  There is even an official website for that book!

Not that I needed another coffee table book that I would never truly use, but the cover art was just too tempting to pass.  Plus I love anything wonderland-related theme, whether they are books, dolls, or teapots. 

So I bought this one as soon as I saw it and I am glad because it's out of print from Amazon.com right now (but still available from other sellers).  The book was co-produced by Hannah Read-Baldry and Christine Leech and you can read more about them HERE.

They also have another book under their name: Everything Oz: The Wizard Book of Makes and Bakes.  That would also be an interesting book to get!  It's also available at Barnes and Nobles in case you live in the USA and want to get it.

Back to Alice book now.  It's a very beautiful book full of color pictures and craft ideas.  It's however in paperback only.  I would  have preferred a hardcover or spiral-bound book but that's just me.  Oh well, paperback will have to do.

The book presents many craft and food ideas somewhat related to the Wonderland imagined by Lewis Carroll.  I say "somewhat" because some crafts are rather loosely linked to the book and a few are quite far-fetched (a shoe bag???).  But if you are planning a Wonderland-theme party, this book can be useful. 


Did I like it? I think the author did a good job at explaining each step and showing the finished product in beautiful pictures but there aren't that many cooking recipes and they are rather plain and not inventive or unusual.  The crafts are undeniably gorgeous but again, there is nothing spectacular.   However, the book is filled with awesome photos or drawings on each page.  Everything is in color.  Here below are some of those pages.







The main attraction of the book is the beautiful art it displays: 5 out of 5 stars!  The content only gets 3 out of 5 stars though.  But  it will be a good book for inspiration rather than a book for exact reference.  It also looks great as a coffee table book or on a Wonderland bookshelf!


Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. I was not paid or received gifts to write this or mention any stores or website. You may find a better store in your area.


 

18 comments:

  1. The teapot cozy with bunny ears caught my eye! ;-) Of course the fact that it's a house design doesn't hurt either. ;-) xo Jennifer

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    1. I knew dollhouse enthusiast would notice the teapot cozy ;-) My mom used to sew teapot cozy but never one in the shape of a bunny.

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  2. I've wanted this book since I worked at the bookstore. Never have gotten it. I want the Oz book, too!

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  3. Wow those pictures are gorgeous! It does look like it would make a good coffee table book! :)

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    1. It's a gorgeous book! Though it would be better in hardcover.

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  4. I also often buy books because of their cover. Some of them had a beautiful cover, but the content was so bad :D. But your book is beautiful! And it looks like it has many beautiful projects to make. The teapot cozy is so cute!

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    1. I will probably attempt 3 or 4 crafts for sure. I'll use the others only if I intend to make a tea party!

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  5. It looks like a great book of shots, the party theme would be wonderful and whimsical....I think you would have to rent a acrobat for the party though ;)
    J

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    1. I am sure a tea party would be lovely if I could make all those crafts! The acrobat... yes... I'll skip that unless somebody else can do it LOL

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  6. Hello from Spain: great book. Beautiful illustrations. Keep in touch

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  7. I like all the pictures you selected from the book to show us in this post. You always found good illustration books to introduce us.

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    1. Thanks Chloe. Many of my doll friends love Alice (I wonder why... ) but my real life friends do not like Alice. It's very strange LOL

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    2. Haha, I think most of us, doll friends, also like miniatures to play with dolls. Alice is the perfect story demonstrating a miniature world for dolls. I like Alice because of that. The story is great too I think. :D

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  8. Ce livre a l'air très intéressant, j'aime particulièrement la photo avec le cache théière en forme de "maison lapin"! Tout ce qui parle "d'Alice au pays des merveilles" me plait....c'est un de mes personnages préférés !;)
    Bisous Jane et bonne semaine

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    1. Merci ma belle! J'ai en effet remarqué que tu aimes Alice aussi ^_^

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