Book Review by Jean: Altered You by Karin Buckingham

Altered You!
Alter your Style...
your Stuff...
your Space!

A girl's guide to personal style

by Karin Buckingham


image courtesy Kalmbach books


Do you consider yourself fun, unique and special? If you feel you are, age notwithstanding (although the intended target age for this book is teen), Altered You! by author Karin Buckingham, has projects galore to coax out your expressive and artistic side! You will be able to add that extra personal touch to your clothing, jewelry, surroundings, and the gifts which you give. Frequently, the projects offered in this easy-to-do book can be completed in less than four hours. Now that is a wonderful bonus! We rarely have time to spare these days! Imaginative, quick and varied altering strategies to jazz up our world are just the call.
There is a lot of appeal to the well organized way that Altered You! has been laid out. For example, right after the introduction, there is a list of basic tools and techniques. I like the way the author asks,"what's in your sewing basket?"; "what's in your jewelry box?"; "what's in your craft tote?" This clarifies beforehand what might be required for the many "Style","Stuff", and "Space" projects in the upcoming chapters.
If you had any questions about what you might require for most of these altering projects, you will know right away.

In the introduction, the author has already explained the numerous reasons a person might want to alter an item: to make it more personal, to extend the life of a beloved, but "worn out", item of clothing, or even just to try, in small ways, new techniques without making major commitments to them. I particularly liked that concept because I have made the mistake of overbuying materials and tools for crafting and then never found the time to fully throw myself into learning everything I really should have, for the money I spent.

In Altered You!, you get the opportunity, if you choose, to experience a little of everything. It's great to have a book which offers colorful sewing projects (I love the jeans with a bright band of fabric at the bottom , in "Convert favorite jeans to capris!"). The book also teaches you how to make your own beads out of paper, felt and even polymer clay ("Make your own beads!"). It gives instructions on artfully altered books so that you can store those treasured photos of your friends in your own fantastic facebook ("Friends Facebook"), or fabricate a scrapbook with your own touch ( I loved the "photobooth mini scrapbook" -- so well done and sweet!). A great addition are the variations on many of the projects offered.


So let's say you are older, as I am. What benefits could YOU get out of purchasing this book? I was able to think of three, right off the bat. One is obvious: it makes a great gift for the teen, or teens, in your life.How about an altered arts party for her birthday, with all of her best friends, lots of cast off clothes, scraps, and tools (as listed) in Altered You! ,with this book itself as the centerpiece, plus your supervision (but stay out of it, kind of, please!!!), and a couple of pizzas. You have the makings of a night they will all adore! They each get to go home with a fabulous new altered project [note: I might choose just one project, or two, to lessen the complications of party over excitement. For example, a great project for a party would be"Multitasking Charmer"which can make a belt, a necklace,and a cellphone holder as well as other options--very cute!].
Here is a second way for you to use this book:"Age it up". Make gifts appropriate for yourself and your own friends using the solid precepts behind the projects. Learn something, and have fun! I recommend the extremely pretty "Modern Wall Art" for you to try. I thought that was really great. In that project, the author devises an art piece which is comprised of a series of small canvases you work with individually. Ultimately, a large mosaic style painting is created by you using her clever instructions.
One last way I easily thought of for an older person to use this book well is to choose and make exact projects from it. Then you might wish to give them to all the teens you love for birthdays and holidays! Handcrafting and altering are really "in" right now. They will love what you have created!

Altered You! is truly full of wonderful and fun ideas. As a mother and as a designer, I recommend this lovely, engaging book!