Mary Englebreit's Home Companion

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Reported by: Martha Bonneau

A couple of months ago I was at the book store looking through the magazine section and one jumped off the shelf and got my attention and then surprised me when I realized what it was, Mary Englebreit's Home Companion . Although I appreciate her style with the cute little illustratons and checkerboards and cherries, I was never head over heals for her stuff. I was intrigued though by what I saw on the current issue's (April/May 2008) cover...trendy colors, fun fabrics and DIY projects relating to papercrafts, sewing and jewelry making.


I realize that this is a magazine that has been around for a while, but I am a relatively new reader (i.e. the past 2 issues) and am centering this review around the current April/May 2008 issue. That being said, I have to say that this is my favorite new source of inspiration as it addresses so many different subjects: crafting, DIY, organizational tips, home decorating from the homeowner/artist's perspective and it is all presented in a fun, funky and stimulating format. Leave your preconceived notions of scotty dogs and cherries behind because this magazine is full of independent artists and their work!

Here is just some of what you will find in the current issue:

* Things We Like-favorite things from the marketplace

* Next-artist Ann Wood is inspired by found and salvaged materials

* Top Stitch-quilter Laura Wasilowski creates stories with cloth

* Noteworthy-seasonal cards and stationary

* Artist's Workshop-Ignatius Creegan and Rod Givens are reviving the lost art of hat making

* Finders Keepers-Little Golden Books are delighting adult collectors

* The Art Of Business-Toni Sikes of The Guild shares her love for decorative detail by connecting customers to artists.

* Out On A Whim-designer Heather Bailey concocts a mother-daughter party

* Behind The Scenes-inside the art world with Nick Clark, director of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

* Pins & Needles-turn felt flowers and sparkly beads into pretty, whimsical jewelry

* Handmade-transform your mirrors with peel and press designs

* Creatures Comfort-caring for our animal friends

* Paper, Scissors, Crop-artist Jenni Bowlin creates a unique memory art project

* Getting The Goods-where to find it page

I just love the variety of techniques and styles that are featured in Home Companion. Although I am primarily a papercrafter, I like to mix it up sometimes with sewing projects and like to try new mediums that I find interesting and this magazine inspires me to do just that. My favorite article in this issue was the one featuring Heather Bailey, I loved getting a glimpse of her studio and some of the things she finds inspiring as well as the fabric and papercrafting projects of hers that were featured, the magazine even includes a pattern for her "Out on a Whim" place card holder. Although the magazine features articles such as the one about Ignatius Creegan's handmade hats which are obviously not a project most readers are equipped to do, it is fascinating to read about traditional forms of crafts that artists are keeping alive.

Home Companion retails for $4.99 and I picked up my issue at Borders. My only complaint is that it only comes out 6 times a year, but be sure to check out the Mary Englebreit's Home Companion website for web only features and projects to keep you inspired until the next issue comes out!