Mixed Mania [Paperback]

Debbi Crane (Author), Cheryl Prater (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008

Featuring a wide range of mixed media projects, this outrageously fun craft primer takes a decidedly unstuffy approach to an immense range of art methods. Projects—including art quilts, painting, collage, bookbinding, assemblage, doll making, decoupage, and image transfers—are divided into three main sections: Artistic Appetizers, Creative Main Courses, and Sweet Treats and Special Occasions, with each addressing a different level of time invested and difficulty. Whimsically laid out like recipes, each project includes detailed ingredients (materials), instructions (what to mix and add), and tasting tips (how it should look).

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Crane and Prater dream up every which way to do collage and scrapbooking—plus how to use cloth, paper, scissors, and a variety of coloring implements. The layout resembles a no-white-space-allowed design; every inch is covered with a she-she dialogue introduction, a true cooking recipe, and acres of instructions and illustrations and examples. After a brief overview of the fundamentals, called “The Well-Stocked Pantry,” such as tools, materials, and the elements and principles of art, there’s an ingenious page on substitutes, such as egg cartons used instead of paint palettes. Next are discussions of appetizers, main courses, and sweet treats: a collection of more than 20 projects to keep crafters busy. Try the nouveau form of paper dolls, self-portraits combining photo imagery and collage, board games disguised, and an all-out color-saturated clutch purse. An apron gallery at the end showcases what incredible results mixed media can produce. --Barbara Jacobs

Review

"Crane and Prater dream up every which way to do collage and scrapbooking. . . . Showcases what incredible results mixed media can produce."  —Booklist

"This book is the mixed media version of Mason Dixon Knitting. It's all about going nuts, losing yourself, and creating!"  —CraftLit: A Podcast for Crafters Who Love Books

"This book is a great intro to mixed media, and perfect for anyone you know who's interested in exploring this mode of creating, but doesn’t know where to begin."  —Craftypod.com

"This beautiful book features 20-plus smart and sassy collage and surface-design recipes."  —Decorating Digest Craft & Home Projects

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press; First edition (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680849
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680845
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #683,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cookin' Up Some Creative Projects!, November 26, 2008

By 

U2Kitteh (Gainesville, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Mania (Paperback)

Set up loosely like a cookbook (just for fun), the book begins with easy projects that get a little more sophisticated with each "course". Not to worry though because the instructions are clearly written, have lots of pictures, and use easy to pretty common supplies for artists at least a little familiar with mixed media. Even if you have been doing mixed media for years, I highly recommend reading the instructions to the projects, for neat tricks and advice, and lots of humor. We can always learn something new and if not, we can laugh along knowingly. (Impatient artists know that heat guns are your best friends! Isn't that true?!)

Some of the best things I like about this book is that a variety of mixed media projects are given included paper, fabric and assemblage. Personally, I work only with assemblage and paper, but the beautiful fabric projects seem too tempting not to try! --- I also like that the book is written by two very talented, very funny women with different personalities and art styles and the projects reflect this. There is something for everyone!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for these times, November 13, 2008

By 

D. K. Garey (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mixed Mania (Paperback)

Great book, beautiful pictures and conversation and ideas. What I like best is that so many of the projects draw on what things we save, like old calendars, bits from tag sales, etc. Very inspiring.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars mixed mania, December 12, 2008

By 

K. Hill (siletz OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mixed Mania (Paperback)

A very entertaining and useful book. The basics to creating mixed-media things are clear and include imaginative substitutions made with things people would likely have on hand. Even if the reader doesn't chose to make similar things to the authors', this book has an inspiring feel to it and makes it obvious that we can do whatever we want with our creativity.