Cover Image: A Year of Creativity

A Year of Creativity

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Lots of great ideas for getting together with crafty friends. Along with crafts, the authors have included several recipes. The crafts are mostly on the simpler side, making; perfect for sharing with those less experienced in that craft. Overall, a nice collection of creative ideas for spending time with friends.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful book! The crafts and the book itself are very well designed; it was inspirational! The one caveat is that this book includes a variety of types of projects (crochet, knitting, recipes), so it will best serve crafters that have a variety of interests and some experience (the instructions assume basic knowledge exists already). It would also work well for a group that gets together (such as the group that inspired the book with "craft dates") and can share their different areas of expertise.

Thank you to NetGalley for sharing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book read just like watching an episode of something crafty on tv. With a focus on bringing friends together for an activity and fellowship regardless of skill level, it makes everything approachable. The crafts themselves seemed very simple and vanilla for a seasoned crafter, but it is well suited for a variety of people to work on something together. The crafts also seem yarn heavy, so easy to get supplies. I really like the idea of this book being written together by women with different styles, showing how everything comes together nicely.

Was this review helpful?

As a person who enjoys crafts and creating,, this book is beautifully put together with fresh ideas. The photographs are visually appealing.
This is the type of book you savor for inspiration on furutre products. I have received a free copy of this book and am providing my review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

This book presents a wonderful idea for getting together with friends in the form of "craft Dates". Who wouldn't want to join this club ! The book itself is beautifully designed with colour co-ordinated crafts and inspiration. The photographs are lovely and it really does encourage you to call up your friends and grab your needles. The projects are relatively quick and easy to follow. This would make a wonderful coffee table book, great for dipping into for a bit of visual indulgence. A great book and a fabulous idea.

Was this review helpful?

When did we all become so dependent on others to tell us how to relax? Or how to get together with friends?

This book is great if you have creative friends and you keep saying “We have to get together some day and just do some crafting.” It’s also useful if you are at a place where crafting is encouraged but you are not all super close (for example, the campground I am a seasonal at has a craft club that meets every week, but the members are incredibly varied in backgrounds and craft levels. A book like this would give good structure). If you are crafting with friends, though, while this book may be a great jumping off point, it’s also good for picking and choosing to help get your creative energies flowing, I am not sure it’s completely needed.

It does have great pictures, easy to follow instructions. I just wish it wasn’t as needed as it is these days to help provide structure amongst friends. That isn’t commentary on the book, it’s commentary on contemporary society.

Was this review helpful?

An absolutely gorgeous book that was incredibly intimidating (in a good way). It's an inspiring book that makes me want to have more craft dates in a more organized manner (other than spreading out). Unfortunately, I think I'm just not talented enough for quite a few of the projects (or patient!) -- I think this would be a great book for a true and talented crafter. There's a saying in the book 'if i can't take my yarn i'm not going' -- I think that's a good indication for who would response best to a book like this. I don't have an ounce of yarn in my home :D. There are even recipes (that I can do!) that are beautifully photographed and simple to follow.

Was this review helpful?

This is both a beautiful book and has lots of great craft ideas. The crafts are well written and explained well. This book would make the perfect gift for someone in your life that loves crafting. Also has plenty of ideas for things to do with a group of crafters. Will certainly be purchasing it for the library.

Was this review helpful?

This is one of my most beautiful books about crafting that I have ever seen. I love all of the pictures that were included both of finished products and of the step by step process of making the items. I also loved the different crafts that were in the book, including recipes. This is a beautiful book and I am sure many people will enjoy getting together and crafting with this book.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.


so many great projects! I can't wait to put some to use.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely book of creativity. So much inspiration and set out beautifully. Great idea for getting together with friends and crafting away.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful idea for crafters: get together with friends, have pre-packaged (and, of course, color-coordinated) materials ready for each attendee, and spend time making a craft together. This is a beautiful book with lots of terrific ideas. I especially liked the usefulness and practicality of the crafts featured. All of the crafts can be done in the space of a couple of hours. A few recipes are featured, as well. I hope this idea catches on!

Was this review helpful?

Love this entire book! From the topic itself of craft dates with close friends, to the actual photography and its lovely color pallet and designs. I plan to make sure our library has a copy and hope to find fellow enthusiasts!

Was this review helpful?

"A Year of Creativity" by crafters Petra Hoeksema, Lidy Nooij, Miriam Catshoek, Bregje Konings presents the ideas of "craft dates," getting together with a group of close friends to do something creative with friends and treats. These dates are filled with lots of laughter, deeper connection and everyone gets a lovely creation they made out of it.

The book is chock full of projects, more than 20 different ideas to follow, requiring varying amounts of time with relative degrees of difficulty. Some projects have little instruction and are fairly straightforward, while other are meticulously outlined. The book is full of helpful photos to guide the reader through steps and to capture the "look" the makers intended.

There are even some tasty treats and comfort foods that are sprinkled throughout the book for the craft dates. This is book is perfect for a tight-knit group of crafter friends looking for some new ideas and challenges to tackle together.

I received this eBook free of charge from Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry Books via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

This is everything you want in a craft book- the pictures are brightly coloured and eye catching, the directions are clear and concise plus none of them made me feel intimidated at all. I love the idea of a craft date but would be happy trying any of these projects solo. Like real MVPs the authors have even included delicious recipes. I found plenty of interesting ideas that I never would have considered. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

I am not crafty whatsoever, but if I were and had a lot of crafty friends, I would scoop up this delightful book in a heartbeat, featuring such gorgeous photos and design. It offers 25 fab ideas for creative parties with project ideas and even snack recipes. Invite your friends to make infinity scarves, knit garlands, haberdashery bags, colorful aprons, and more — all while enjoying delicious party dishes. There’s an online instagram community where you can post photos of your creations using hashtag #craftdates. Even suggests inviting Insta-friends you don’t yet know for a “blind date” crafts party to expand your friendship circle and array of creative ideas. A whole new crafty world awaits! 5/5

Pub Date 23 Jul 2019

Thanks to the authors, HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#AYearOfCreativity #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

A nice mix of crochet, sewing and recipes with gorgeous photos. Instructions are clear and easy to follow and the projects range from basic to intermediate skill level, so something for a lot of crafters in there. A few patterns in the crochet are a little repetitive. For example a project basket and a vase cover, essentially the same thing, but different yarns and styles do make them both appealing.

There are definitely a few things in here I’ll be making, more the crochet side of things than the recipes.

Was this review helpful?