What I’m reading: Make Your Own Woodland Creatures

A lovely new craft book has landed! Make Your Own Woodland Creatures features 35 simple 3D cardboard projects. Using simple slotting techniques, you can make a whole menagerie using just cardboard, found paper and scissors or a craft knife.

From the crafty fox to the elegant stags, from the cute koala and her baby to the mischievous squirrels, every animal is specially designed by Clare Youngs to require a minimum of effort to put together. The projects are inexpensive, too, as cardboard is so readily available and easy to find, so anyone can have a go at creating a cute creature. You can then use them as highly individual decorations for your home or give them as gifts. Once you start creating, there really is a world of possibility for what you can make for yourself, or give to your friends.

There are 5 sections: Cute and Furry, Big Beasties, Birds of a Feather, Little Critters and Down by the Pond. Each project is well laid out with clear diagrams and there’s a helpful tips and techniques section too if you’re a little nervous about where to start. The book contains 5 pop-out creatures already scored and cut for you – just press them out of the pages and bring them to life.

This is a lovely book which would be great for any crafter. I like the way the animals can be made from your own choice of paper, and think some of the animals, such as the reindeer and partridge, could make a great impact amongst traditional Christmas decorations.

Make Your Own Woodland Creatures by Clare Youngs is published by CICO Books at £14.99, and is available from all good bookshops or call 01256 302699.