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I think 2012 could be named the year of DIY blogger authored books. So many fabulous bloggers have come out with phenomenal books. Young House Love, Miss Mustard Seed, Ana White, and The Handmade Home just to name just a few.
For me this is a dream come true. Finally, the beautiful words and photos of my favorite bloggers are now in book format. Here’s a quick round up of three DIY books I think you’ll enjoy. You’ll surely want to add them to your holiday wishlist!
Inspired You. by Miss Mustard Seed, Marian Parsons
This book is such a treat to hold in your hands. The attention to detail is immediately evident. Linen book cover, with a half book jacket printed on cover stock so it doesn’t curl. The Miss Mustard Seeds graphic inside is a nice touch. (Can you tell I have a background in graphic design? 
)
When I opened the book I was greeted by scrumptious high quality photographs. It makes me think that this is how Miss Mustard Seed should always be read. Perusing blog posts is great, but the detail and image quality can’t compare with a printed photo.
Marian threw her heart and soul into this book and it shows. She included beautiful never seen photos of her home and she shares how although her home may look beautiful, there are angles that the camera doesn’t see. The kids’ crumbs and messes are there as well because she lives a real life just like you and me.
I love this quote from the book: “Throw out the notion that good design is expensive, must be carried out by a professional and can only be bought in a fancy story,” Marian said. “I live in a real home on a thrift store budget and have never taken a design class in my life.”
In addition to a book authorship this year, Miss Mustard Seed introduced her own line of milk paint. This gal is unstoppable!
You’ll find tutorials detailing how she decorated and furnished her home. The main message is that you can easily do the same for yours.
INSPIRED YOU (published by Thomas Nelson is available for $19.99)
Handmade Walls. by Ashley & Jamon Mills
Have you ever struggled with your home? Struggled to make it feel more genuine… more like you? Have you ever felt inhibited from what you really wanted by ‘the rules’? What about your own fears? Have you ever been frustrated by the overpriced, overused selections in big box stores? We’ve all been there and had a desire to explore options beyond the expected. Handmade Walls is a simple, inspiring, and realistically approachable springboard for making your home your own. Everything you see in this book was created with the hope that you’ll learn to shake off those fears and love your sanctuary as you create it. Just for you.
Ashley & Jamin have poured their creative energy into yet another project. This time it is this wonderfully illustrated and designed eBook. One of my favorite quotes from the Mills is: “If it’s something you feel passionate about, you can find a way to make it happen. ” If you need the push to help make it happen, grab your own copy of Handmade Walls.
This ebook contains 22 projects, at over 250 pages chock-full of inspiration, creations, and plans for making it happen in your own homes. It’s a realistic, user-friendly fun approach on creating beautiful handmade pieces for your spaces. It’s available for $9.95 in a simple easy-to-use PDF format. Just click, download, and read. It’s that simple.
Three main sections: Frames, Art, and Functional: Handmade Walls builds on your personal skill level and has an easy learning curve. This means there’s something for everyone in this book. Whether you’re a DIY novice, weekend warrior, or just someone who appreciates a fun read, you’ll enjoy reading this eBook from the first to the last page.
Every plan in this book comes complete with step by step illustrations, photography, tips, and tricks. These are to help with those little known, frequently asked questions. Each one is even complete with a cut and supplies list, price bracket, difficulty level, and time required for each project. So you know exactly what you’re diving into before you even begin.
A note from Ashley & Jamon: “Beautiful homes aren’t purchased in one day. They aren’t bought ‘as a room’, and they aren’t thrown together overnight. They probably aren’t even held in a collective grandiose round of applause, given their one of a kind unique nature based on who put them together. Maybe, one of a kind homes are only appreciated by the creator and those who dwell there. Truly beautiful homes are created over time. They’re crafted carefully by an artist who loves to tweak a canvas. They are an honest, illuminating reflection of those who live there. We hope you feel inspired to create a home of your own, and leave your stamp.”
Click here to purchase your own eBook copy of Handmade Walls for $9.95**
The Handbuilt Home. by Ana White
Ana White is my hero. She has inspired me in so many ways this past year. After meeting her at SNAP and Haven I can honestly say she is one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever met. And she has very similar goals when it comes to empowering others be able to pick up some tools and make their own furniture!
Ana filled The Handbuilt Home with simple and budget-friendly plans for making some amazing furniture for your home. The book is divided into rooms and has all the information you need to get up and building the same day.
This is another book that I love holding in my hands. The color photos peak my desire to make every single project in the book. From Ana’s famous first build, her farmhouse bed:
To this beautifully rustic kitchen island:
The book even has a getting started section to help you learn how to use the tools and some of the terms used in woodworking.
I highly recommend this book to ANYONE who wants beautiful furniture at a fraction of the cost of retail. It is an all-in-one DIY guide for making stylish furniture. The lessons learned can only catapult you to start designing your own personalized pieces for your home.
The Handbuilt Home (Published by Potter Craft, a division of Random House.)
Retail price: $22.99
** Disclosure: The Handbuilt Home and Inspired You were sent to me complimentary to review. I was not compensated for this post, nor was I told what to write. The Handmade Walls link is an affiliate link. I receive a small percentage of any sales from that link.
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Oh my! You are such an inspiration for me! Ana White is in the same league. I have been following her website on You Tube for about a year and she, like you, always makes me feel that I can do anything to make this house I call mine more my own. I would love to receive a gift copy of her book. But if it doesn’t happen this time, then I will simply have to purchase a copy for myself. Keep up the great work and thanks for the constant inspiration.
A BIG fan
Would LOVE,LOVE,LOVE these books! You have a WONDERFUL blog. Thank you for sharing such great info! BTW–when we get to see the after pics from the BOOST YOUR ROOST contest? So excited to see them!
Connie, the reveal videos are live on HouseLogic.com here: http://www.houselogic.com/webisodes/boost-your-roost-accessible-backyard-makeover/week-1/
OH BRITTANY! HOW PRECIOUS!!!! I just watched the videos! You have to feel so overjoyed to have been such a huge part of making that happen for them! THANK YOU–THANK YOU–THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL BLOG! I pray God’s richest blessings on you!
Thanks for the fun giveaway! letters 4 laura at g mail dot com
What great books to add to the wishlist! Thanks for continuing to inspire us along with those gals!! Another big fan
From blog to bling! I can’t wait to see what other knowledge I can bestow on my house. We love all your hard work!
Both books are already on my Christmas wishlist! However, with my birthday quickly approaching (again), these beautiful books would make turning 39 a little less painful. PS- your blog is so inspiring and much appreciated.
Inspiracija je ta koja me tjerala da otkrijem ovaj blog,želja za stavaranjem je sada kreativno tako jaka da nemam drugi izbor nego vikende pretvoriti u stvaranje.pronalazim vrlo sličnih stvari koje sam radila i oduševljena sam da smo istomišljenici a živimo tako daleko,ja u CROATIA-OSIJEK.Voljela bih imati vašu knjigu,ma stavrno bih je voljela jakooo imati,da rođena sam 29.11.969.god.
Pozdravljam Vas sve.Dubravka,Croatia
Loved the book reviews and both books look wonderful.
Great giveaway, thank you! My favorite tutorial of yours is how to remove a popcorn ceiling. Which is exactly what I did to both of my bathrooms last week. It’s so much better now! If only I had the time and energy to do the rest of the house…
Thank you for such a great giveaway! I love reading your blog and learn something from every post. The one post that really helped me, was the one about your laundry room. I have a small laundry room and could not figure out what to do with it. I loved the Flow system that you used and have been working on my own plans. Now that I have finished other parts of the house, the laundry room is next. I plan on using your ideas.
You have been a great source of information and inspiration for me. Recently separated and overwhelmed with taking care of a house by myself, you told me what I needed in my toolbox. I really enjoy your posts, and how fun you make things seem. You have given me the confidence to know that I CAN do it myself! Thanks for being there for all us newbies and for sponsoring this great giveaway.
This giveaway has a lot of meaning for me. My mom passed away this year and left me a small inheritance. My first thought was to buy a dining room table since we don’t have one but they are so expensive. Then I thought that I could make my own from plans on Ana’s blog but I don’t have any tools. So I am using that inheritance money to buy tools and start making my own furniture. When I look at the furniture I create I know I will think of my mom and how a piece of her lives on in my heart and home. I would love both of these books to help me in my journey of making my home my own. Thank you for the giveaway and for everything you share on your blog. It too is helping me in my journey.
Oh how I would love to win these books!! I am becoming a lot more confident with DIY projects and all of you ladies have been a HUGE inspiration to me! Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for the chance to win! These book have been on my wish list! I love all your tutorials! I learn so much. So thankful for bloggers like you who share your little tips and tricks because I am a total DIY’er but just don’t know where to start sometimes!
I love reading your blog. Thank you for the giveaway!
Wow, what a great giveaway!
I’m overwhelmed at how you are dealing with the challenges you have overcome lately with your kitchen problems.
BTW, I found your site via Funky Junk Interiors.
Hi Brittany,
I love all your tutorials! You inspire us to try things ourselves.
I really appreciated the post you wrote which gave us a chance to help out fellow crafter Colleen.
I plan to try painting furniture thanks to you.
I’ve got Miss Mustard Seed’s book on my Amazon Wish List! Thanks for this post letting me know about 2 other great DIY books I’ll have to add
Several months back I came across your blog accidentally… I was desperately seeking an inexpensive, yet permanent fix to a horrendous black fireplace – yes, my husband (during his bachelorhood) painted our beautiful fireplace black – and Google happened to bring me to you! Gladly, I have been addicted to your blog ever since! I have tackled many projects around our house successfully and have done so well – (with your expertise and inspiration of course) that my husband has literally passed all of his tools on to me! The books you mentioned above will serve as further motivation to tackle my newest fascination… furniture!
Thank you, thank you!!!
As a matter of fact, I would like to win! What a generous giveaway! Thanks!
I just discovered your website and I’m really looking forward to following you! Thank you.
Love your website!
Thanks for this offer! I would love any of these books. I especially like your tool tutorials. You’re an inspiration!
Love your tutorials! Would love to win one of your books
You inspire me to go for it! May this be a winning post ; )
I’ve had one of these books in my amazon cart for over a month…..I would love to win both of them!
Love your blog! I’m also a huge fan of both Miss Mustard s Seed AND Ana White ! If I don’t win, I’ll be purchasing those books for sure!
All of you inspiring ladies are something I’M thankful for this year
Rose
Can’t wait to read them! Maybe I can win them….woohoo.
I have the Handmade Walls and it is wonderful. I have followed Miss Mustard Seed for a while and would love her book. She is so inspiring. I ran across Ana through the House of Smiths. My goodness, you girls are so fun to watch run with your talents. Can’t wait to read both books!
oh man! would I love to get this!!! I just adore all your plans…. all of them.
Love love love! Can’t wait to dive into these books!!!
Thanks for all you do! Great blog!
Thank you for the giveaway! I would LOVE to win!
Love your blog. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. I thank all of you bloggers who inspire us daily. Yours is one of the blogs I must read on a daily basis. Love that it has become an income for many and the bonus that now have published some books. Well deserved!
What a fun giveaway! I love the bloggers of the three books you mentioned. And I love your blog too. What you all have in common is that you 1. inspire me and 2. empower me. Thanks for all you do!
It would be great to have these two books in my DIY “library”… Books like these are so handy when you want to do something but have no idea how to go about it.
Me! I love these books and bloggers.
You? I love your website, and it’s one of the earliest I got hooked on. Most recently, I’m in love with your reclaimed wood wall in your craft room. I’ve never been into the rustic look, ( I always thought of my style as more modern?) but I could just curl up in that room and hang for a long time. Fair warning if you ever invite me to visit from VA, I might not leave!
I’d love to win a copy of the handbuilt home. My wife and I just bought our first home and it’s getting expensive!
Thanks for the chance to win! I love crafting new things for my home. My husband and I are moving across the country this summer and we’re getting rid of most of our old furniture (partly because that will cut our moving costs and partly because most of our furniture is stuff we bought from the Salvation Army while in college and it’s falling apart now anyway). I’d love to craft some of the beautiful stuff in Handbuilt Home! Thanks again!
WOW this is an amazing giveaway! I really need some inspiration and would love to get these books. I feel like I’ve lost my DIY mojo.
If I win, I hope its the handbuilt home. I would love to have that book.
I have been wanting Ana’s book since it came out in October. My mom just bought me a Kreg Jig and compound miter saw for my birthday. I would love this book and Miss Mustard Seed’s too. thanks for the giveaway Brittany.
Some fantastic ideas for the less adventurous and experienced diyer amongst us. My wife and I love making items from reclaimed furniture and other items and the local reuse centre.
More ideas and more re-use I say !!!
Adam
Personally, I love your tool tutorials. I would love to win these great books to teach me things to build!
Thank you for the great blog and giveaway.
I just built the ten minute shelf from Ana’s blog and turned it into a mantle on the wall for my Christmas stockings!! I wish I had more room in my home for all the projects I want to accomplish.
would love to win a Miss Mustard Seed book. My daughter [a newlywed] would be thrilled to get it for Christmas! Just discovered your blog! Yey!
HI!!!!!
The books look amazing!! The illustrations are pictured, which always helps as you’re doing projects. DIY is best!! To have people comment on something that you’ve done yourself is so great!! With blogs such as yours and books like this one, we can do projects that we felt we couldn’t do before.
So, I say a big THANK YOU!!
Pam
xox
I still love it when your website opens and I get to see the craft room wall AGAIN…still love it, WANT it in my home…so having one or both of these great books to get me going would be awesome. Also a fan already of Ana White, so pllllllllllllleaaaaaaaase pick my number