Book Review The Sketchnote Handbook

Here is the publisher's description:

The Sketchnote Handbook Video Edition: the illustrated guide to visual note taking (includes The Sketchnote Handbook book and access to The Sketchnote Handbook Video) , By Mike Rohde published by Pearson/Peachpit 

This gorgeous, fully illustrated handbook tells the story of sketchnotes--why and how you can use them to capture your thinking visually, remember key information more clearly, and share what you've captured with others. Author Mike Rohde shows you how to incorporate sketchnoting techniques into your note-taking process--regardless of your artistic abilities--to help you better process the information that you are hearing and seeing through drawing, and to actually have fun taking notes. 

This special video edition includes access to 70 minutes of video tutorials where viewers can see the author in action, demonstrating drawing techniques discussed in the book.

The Sketchnote Handbook Video Edition: the illustrated guide to visual note taking (includes The Sketchnote Handbook book and access to The Sketchnote Handbook Video) explains and illustrates practical sketchnote techniques for taking visual notes at your own pace as well as in real time during meetings and events. Rohde also addresses most people's fear of drawing by showing, step-by-step, how to quickly draw people, faces, type, and simple objects for effective and fast sketchnoting. The book looks like a peek into the author's private sketchnote journal, but it functions like a beginner's guide to sketchnoting with easy-to-follow instructions for drawing out your notes that will leave you itching to attend a meeting just so you can draw about it.

(Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I choose to post this review here because I really do recommend this book) 

You can view a sample excerpt here

Here is the video that first caught my eye and made me want to read the book: 

Mike Rohde: The Sketchnoter from size43, LLC on Vimeo.

Here is a video explaining the video series that comes with the book and a little more about the book. 

The Sketchnote Handbook - Video 2 from size43, LLC on Vimeo
My Review: 

I love this book. Even though I have been taking this type of notes for a few years now but I never knew that I had a name until this book came along. 

It is about capturing ideas not about making art. So even if you think you can draw you Can Sketchnote.

There are all different types and styles of Sketchnotes and like everyone is unique so is every Sketchnote unique. I have added a couple examples of the different styles of Sketchnotes that you will get a chance to read in the book. 

You just have to remember that Sketchnotes are not a page filled with words but a page filled with the big ideas and visual cues to help you remember the important things. 

Book Club Thursday With Link Party

This weeks book is not of the crafty genre but of the mystery. I have always loved to read but over the past few years it was more to learn something than just to read for the pleasure of reading. It has been few and far between that I have read any books just to read. So this book was a great one to pick up. I love that it is co-written by one my favorite authors Mindy Starns Clark and  Kim Alexis. Beauty to Die For: A Spa Mystery is a great read if you like a twist and a little romance thrown into it also.

 Here is the cover description:
Juliette Taylor walked away from her career as a supermodel twenty-five years ago. Now approaching fifty – an emotionally complex milestone -- she co-owns a beauty supply company that makes skincare products for salons and spas. Her niche is pampering Christian women who usually spend more time caring for others than for themselves under the slogan: Isn’t it time someone took care of YOU for a change?When Juliette arrives at the Palm Grotto Spa to host a spiritual retreat, she runs into an old modeling colleague, Raven, who had always been disliked in the industry for many reasons. She isn’t there for the retreat; in fact, her presence at the spa is somewhat mysterious.Not long after Raven makes a cryptic threat to Juliette, the unsympathetic back-then beauty is found dead, poisoned by something in the green clay of a chai soy wrap. The following morning, a banner for the retreat has been unceremoniously altered:It’s your turn to be nurtured, to be restored . . . to be murdered.Suspicion is directed at Juliette who has history with Raven and certainly knows how to use beauty products. But for murder?! Now she must find the real killer before the police really take care of her.

If you would like to link up what you are doing this week feel free to link up below:

Rules: 

1. Link to a specific blog post and not your main blog address
2. Link any project that you would like to share. 
3. Have fun and visit the one before you and come back and visit the person who links up after you. Leave a comment and let them know you saw them here. 

Book Club Thursday With Link Party

Book Club Thursday is back again. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have. It is now of my favorite books in my creative library. This book is a great way to learn new lettering styles and is great for either the beginner or the experienced letterer, that wants to add some new style to their lettering. 

Here are a few of my favorite projects from the book. I love the different ways to use letters to add some class to your art journals, cards, scrapbooks and gifts. 

This ornament is really a great way to make a gift with your lettering. 

If you would like to see more you can click either the picture of link below to see a larger preview of the book. 

Creative Lettering: Techniques & Tips from Top Artists

Amazon Book Description

Hand-lettering techniques are a popular and visually dynamic way to add textual elements to crafts, from journals to mixed-media art. Sixteen accomplished contributors—including calligraphers, painters, collagists, card makers, fiber artists, and graphic designers—give their personal perspectives on lettering. They all offer their favorite tools, how they use them, their signature technique with step-by-step instructions and photos, and an alphabet sampler of their own font. Gorgeous gallery images of each contributor's work are also included.

Contributors include:
Andy Ainger   •   Francois Begnez   •   Flora Chang   •   Barbara Close   •   Philippe Debongnie   •  Karyn Denten   •   Aimee Dolich   •   Lisa Engelbrecht   •   Pam Garrison  •   Stine Kaasa   •   Rhianna Lederman   •   Martha Lever   •   Linda Schneider   •   Jessica Swift   •   Madeline Tomkins   •   Lori Vilegen

About the Author

Jenny Doh is the former Editor-in-Chief of Somerset Studio magazine and the President and Founder of crescendoh.com. Jenny serves regularly as keynote speaker across the nation to deliver messages related to creative passion, authentic leadership, effective communication, and focused compassion. For her leadership in publishing and the art and crafting community, Jenny was recognized by Folio magazine as one of the top 40 leaders within the publishing industry. Jenny is the author of several books, including Hand in Hand and We Make Dolls (both Lark). She lives in Santa Ana, CA.

If you would like to link up what you are doing this week feel free to link up below:

Rules: 

1. Link to a specific blog post and not your main blog address
2. Link any project that you would like to share. 
3. Have fun and visit the one before you and come back and visit the person who links up after you. Leave a comment and let them know you saw them here. 

Book Club Thursday

Welcome to week two of Book Club Thursday. Each week I am picking a book off my shelf to let you know what I think about them. They may be a new book or they may be a book that has been around for a while that I think you might find useful.
This week I am reviewing the book Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal: A Guide for Crafters, Artists & Creatives of all Kinds.
I really am trying to work my way through this and glean tips to make my blog a place for your to find inspiration and be able to connect with a broader community of people through it.

Here is the book description from Amazon:

Today’s crafting community is online, connected, and blissfully blogging about their work and ideas. Blogging is hot in this highly creative world—and here is the only how-to book aimed directly at them. Everyone from knitters and beaders to scrapbookers and altered artists will find the practical information and visual inspiration they need to create an artful online journal.

Thanks to hundreds of gorgeous screen grabs from the very best blogs, a thorough introduction to the tools of the trade, and instructions that virtually take you by the hand, even beginners will swiftly go from blank screen to colorful, enticing pages. Those who already have a blog, but want to enhance their presence on the Web, will learn how to add banners and graphics, take the perfect shots, crop and size photos, establish links, and attract an audience of eager readers.

Best of all, readers will meet some of the Web’s most popular creative bloggers, including Alicia Paulson (Posie Gets Cozy), Gabreial Wyatt (Vintage Indie), Emily Martin (Inside A Black Apple), Lidy Baars (Little French Garden House), Heather Bullard (Vintage Inspired Living), and Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards (The Farm Chicks).

I found that this book is full of tips for the beginner blogger as well as the seasoned blogger looking to improve the blog that they already have. I love reading each of the interviews from the various bloggers. I found myself drawn to the art bloggers more because this is where I feel like I fit. I have found some great ideas for updating the design of my blog and I really wish I had this book when I started blogging years ago. It would have really helped me to start off right from the start. If you want to start a blog this is the book for you. If you have a blog and just want to give it a little freshening up then this book is for you too. I hope you take the time to read Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal: A Guide for Crafters, Artists & Creatives of all Kinds .

If you would like to link up your book club post please feel free to do so here. I would love for you to use the button above to let everyone know where they can join in the party.

Book Club Thursdays

Today begins a new series for me. I will be sharing a book that has inspired me. This week I am sharing the book Creative Pilgrimage: An Exploration of Artful Gatherings and Discovery of Innovative Art Techniques
by Jenny Doh. I really have enjoyed this book. I purchased it because I wanted to learn about how different artists teach and what inspired them to teach. I really think that it was well worth the money.
 Here is the Amazon Book Description:

"Join 14 very special artists on a Creative Pilgrimage as they share exciting projects that they teach through the various art retreat venues from across the nation. As they teach their special projects, we experience what it's like to learn from this celebrated cohort of talented artists. Hear their unique perspectives about the importance of teaching—a process where through sharing knowledge, they also gain knowledge and develop community. Featured artists include:
—Alisa Burke
—Julie Haymaker Thompson
—Lisa Kaus
—Mary Beth Shaw
—Maya Donenfeld
—Roxanne Padgett
—Sarah Ahearn Bellemare
—Stephanie Jones Rubiano
—Tracie Lyn Huskamp
—Heather Smith Jones
—Carla Sonheim
—Mati Rose McDonough
—Alma Stoller
—Flora Bowley
Peppered throughout the book are snapshots that give us a glimpse of some of the most amazing art retreats from across the nation. They are:
—Squam Art Workshops
—The Makerie
—Artfest
—An Artful Journey
—Artistic Bliss
—Valley Ridge Art Studio
—Art & Soul
—Silver Bella
You'll get a special behind-the-scenes look at these special gatherings from the unique points of view of the coordinators, students, and instructors alike.
Take a leap of faith into your quest to learn, teach, grow, and create with Creative Pilgrimage!"

I was so excited to read about each of these artist that I could not put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

If you would like to share what you have been reading this week feel free to link up your book club post below. Then come back next week for a new book.

The Rules:

• Please link up your book club post and not your main blog address
• Please link back here so that everyone else can join in the fun. 
• Feel Free to use the button at the beginning on the post for your link back image.