Crafternoon: A Guide to Getting Artsy and Crafty with Your Friends All Year Long by Maura Madden

Crafternoon: A Guide to Getting Artsy and Crafty with Your Friends All Year Long Reviews

• 
  Maura

  I read this book when I wrote this book,and a couple times since, too.
  
  I rated it as an amazing book because I have a lot of fondness for myself, but also because this book happens to be amazing.
  
  If you enjoy reading, you will enjoy this book.
  
  If you enjoy laughing, you will really enjoy this book.
  
  If you enjoy arts and crafts, you are going to friggin' love this book.
  
  And if you enjoy gathering your friends and family together for inspiring afternoons of crafty good times, you are going to be so psyched about this book that you will think to yourself, "Oh my god, was this book was written for me?" The answer is yes, yes it was written for you. But remember, it was written by me.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Nancy

  I love the name and the idea behind the book! I just recently hosted a crafternoon. I love the author's breezy style and crafty accessibility. What was missing for me was photos and step by step directions. Generally I like to host crafternoons with simple projects that folks can complete while sitting at my dining table or at least get a good start.So while it was a fun read, it didn't actually give me the craft ideas I was hoping for, which made me glad I got it from the library and didn't buy it.
• 
  Kate

  This could have been much more helpful. Some people have said they liked Madden's "breezy" style. I found it cluttered, distracting and annoying. She's a bit too much of the focus of her own book--like a sideshow performer who keeps charging into the center ring of content, saying "look at MEE, MEEE, MEEEE!Here is a bit more CLEVER HUMOROUS WRITING for you to admire!". Next, while I think some of her suggestions are helpful about organizing and creating safe space for crafters to explore their creativity, her actual craft ideas are not that stunningly great.
• 
  Lenore

  I liked the idea of having a "CRAFTERNOON." The crafts, however, didn't appeal to me, seemed a little silly and outdated for what I was hoping to find. I decided that I would probably do better with a specialized get together, like a "knittereve)."
• 
  Kandice

  I love crafting and get-togethers, so a Crafternoon would be the perfect way to spend an afternoon. I was so excited when I came across this book at the library; I couldn’t wait to get home and devour it.
  
  Sadly, the contents were disappointing. Like the tagline indicates, this is a how-to guide on hosting Crafternoons throughout the year, but the publishers failed to mention that it is narrated by the most obnoxious “Crafternooner” who loves to name drop. I think it read more like a blog.
  
  If you’re a parent of a young child, you most likely have piles of crafts from daycare, school, and other programs that have an art component to it. It can be overwhelming wondering what to do with all these projects. How long should I keep this? Where should I store it? Well, if you’re struggling to manage your child’s masterpieces, step away from the majority of projects in this book. They are a collage of junk -- Crappernoon!
  
  However, if you are interested in experimenting with different crafts, mediums etc, then you might like some of the ideas that Madden suggests. If quilted earrings and puffy-painted skivvies are your thing, than this book is right up your alley.
  
• 
  Laura Stiller

  LOVE the idea of a crafternoon. The book had a variety of crafting ideas - not too many that I'd want to do or that were skill-set specific (knitting, knot tying, flower arranging, etc.). But, I think she gives you a jumpstart into creating your own, personalized crafternoon.
  
  "Crafternoon speaks to that space inside all of us that wants to make things and shre the things we make with those we love. . . Crafternoon is all about being aruond friends who support your work, who encourage your growing craftiness, and who inspire and get inspired by you. It's all about getting pleasure out of the process as much as the product. It's about making room for the input of other crafters and allowing yourself to be open to new ideas. It's about the contentment you feel when you are surrounded by happily crafting friends, friends who can see the beauty in imperfection, the pleasure of happy mistakes."
• 
  Tara Carpenter

  I mean no disrespect to Madden, but I was not interested in the content of this book at all. Beyond the introduction of the idea of the crafternoon (getting together with friends for crafting & eating) I was lost to see the allure of the various crafts and recipes that were listed. I'm going to put this down to a complete divergence of personal taste & style between Madden and myself. And naturally my likes do not trump hers, but it means I didn't enjoy the book at all. I would describe her style as more kitschy and retro than mine. But maybe I don't even know how to describe it.
  
  The only absolute thing I can say about the book is that it would have been much better with color photographs than all black & white drawings.
• 
  Theresa F.

  This book gives readers the basics for a number of different types of craft projects. However when I say 'the basics' I mean just that. If you're looking for a book that will teach you how to do certain crafts, you will need to find additional sources dedicated to the specific crafts you're interested in. If on the other hand you'd like to know how to throw a great crafting party, then this is the book for you.
  Did I like it? Yes.
  Would I reread it? Maybe.
  Would I recommend it? I would recommend this book as a useful resource to anyone thinking about organizing a craft themed get together. Unfortunately, I only know two or three people who fit that description.
• 
  Rebecca

  This is such a warm, fun book full of great ideas for gathering people together! I love the idea of crafting and building communities through making stuff. Madden makes this a reality while bringing humor and excitement to this concept. I'm geared up and ready for crafternoon's once I have a little more time (and Lia is old enough to join in :)
• 
  Heidi

  A Christmas present that I was hoping would have more tangible ideas, but is a bit full of just (deliberately) silly writing. I like a book with a bit of attitude, but since it's so short already, I feel a bit cheated.
• 
  Christie

  I love the concept- getting together for crafty fun, but as other people have said, none of the projects really captured my attention. Once I host my own crafternoon I may be happy to have some of Madden's lost cost suggestions, but I feel like the point of lost cost was too much of a priority.
• 
  Lynda Austin

  What a big disappointment-not a single project worth bringing to my annual Mother-Daughter Getaway Weekend . . . and I'm in charge of the craft activity for next year!
• 
  Cami

  I learned how to get together with a bunch of folks and craft for the sake of crafting.
  It wasn't for me. I like more specifically focused craft books, especially ones with glossy photos.
• 
  Julie

  It was ok. Makes a LOT of work for the person hosting the events, though. If someone else wants to read this book and host them, I would totally come! :)
• 
  Aileen

  Cute but not really my thing.
• 
  Laura

  Where has this book been all my life? Watch out ladies, a Crafternoon may be on the horizon.