Pulp Fiction by Mark Montano review and giveaway.

I always get tickled when Mark Montano releases a new book - if I had to choose a crafting idol, he would be the one.  It's a little like a pre-teen getting the latest issue of Tiger Beat with Justin Bieber on the cover, only there is a lot less obsessing and screaming.  I'm honored to be one of the first to review Pulp Fiction: Perfect Paper Projects by Mark - published by Design Originals.  Mark and I have something big in common: we LOVE paper.  It's my favorite medium too (paired with Mod Podge, of course).  The fun part about this book review was browsing all of the Mod Podge projects.  Nearly all of them use our favorite decoupage glue!  Per usual, Mark's projects are brilliant and I find myself asking "why didn't I think of that."  Here are my five favorite things about this book.

1.  The use of book pages.  I typically forget how fantastic book pages are as a decoupage paper.  They look fabulous in mixed media, on journals, furniture . . . so many uses.  They are so perfect - Mark shows you how to use them to their best potential with decoupage.

2.  Mark's techniques with lace.  I always think of lace as old-fashioned, and I certainly never think of bringing it into my craft projects.  His take on lace is a little different, and I appreciate that.  Let's just say that I'm reconsidering lace.

3.  The budget aspect.  Let's face it, Mark is the budget project king.  This book follows suite with his others in that most of these use household goodies, and if they don't you'll be spending a few pennies to make the project.  They are "cheap" projects that look like a million bucks.

4.  Sewing on paper.  Like using book pages, I ALWAYS forget about sewing on paper.  I love the technique - love, love, love.  There's a project in this book that will really inspire you to bust out your sewing machine and get cracking.  I'm now thinking "what paper can I sew?"

5.  The double print IKEA table.  It's a secret process that is super cool, and no, I can't tell you what it is.  You have to buy the book to learn about my favorite project in it.  The best part is that it's sealed with Mod Podge.  This is why we love Mark.

I hope you'll pick up a copy of this for yourself and your favorite Mod Podger.  Pulp Fiction is just as awesome as  his "Big Ass" series, and the projects are so unique.  A lot of designers tend to find their "schtick" (myself included) and stick with it.  A read through this book may help you start to think outside your comfort zone a little.  It did me.

I'm happy to be giving a copy of Pulp Fiction away, and of course I've got to include a starter pack since most of the projects use Mod Podge.


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1. Comment on THIS blog entry. Say anything you would like!
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Full contest disclosure here.
Winner of last week's Handmade Weddings giveaway was delgadokitty.