| The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home | 
enlarge | Author: Jane Brocket Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang Category: Book
List Price: $35.00 Buy New: $21.99 You Save: $13.01 (37%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (6 reviews) Sales Rank: 7883
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published) Media: Hardcover Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 288 Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3 Dimensions (in): 9.7 x 7.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 1584797363 Dewey Decimal Number: 640 EAN: 9781584797364 ASIN: 1584797363
Publication Date: September 1, 2008 Release Date: August 15, 2008 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Jane Brocket delights in domesticity. Lively, curious, and creative, she takes inspiration from her surroundings, from art, literature, and nature, and expresses her passion through the gentle arts of needlework, cooking, gardening, and homemaking?and now through her writing. In The Gentle Art of Domesticity Brocket celebrates everything that is, and can be, wonderful about home life. This gorgeous and unusual book, full of whimsy, warmth, and a wealth of stunning photographs, helps us to see domesticity with new eyes. Whether she?s knitting a tea cozy or baking jam tarts, crocheting a blanket or sewing an apron, Brocket fills her home with beauty, color, and fun. She transforms day-to-day domesticity into a realm of possibilities, both practical and imaginative?and encourages us to do the same in our own lives. Rather than categorize readers as quilters or embroiderers, bakers or gardeners, Brocket embraces the idea that they may be all of these, and more. The key to practicing any of the domestic arts, she says, is to recognize the value of homemaking, overlooked skills, and ordinary things. This book?s glorious synthesis of style, DIY projects, and philosophical musings inspires us not only to emulate Brocket?s handmade creations but also to share her enjoyment of the simple pleasures of home.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
  Love this book! October 25, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is wonderful - it's a revelation! The idea of the title, 'The Gentle Art of Domesticity' sounded so boring. But I heard about it from a friend and so got onto the hold list at our library for the book. I LOVE IT! It is an amazing book filled with all sorts of information and it is endlessly interesting! It is a visual feast that lifts your spirits just by browsing the incredibly colorful and cheerful illustrations. There are so many book recommendations in it I hope I live long enough to read them. In the monochromatic taupes, blacks, browns, creams, whites, and stainless steel of the 2000's, it assures me that liking bright cheery colors is okay. Reading it is like sitting down with a friend and being encouraged to look at the world around you and expand your creativity...to see with new eyes. I'm taking this book back to the library and buying my own copy!
  A Love/Hate Review October 20, 2008 11 out of 13 found this review helpful
I bought this book because it was recommended in some of my favorite blogs but I must agree with the 2 star review that the author seems almost secretly embarrassed that she spends her days cooking, knitting, quilting, etc. So coming out to the world with this book she brings up her education credentials constantly. I guess I am trying to express that I found her writing (to emulate her dearth of the common vernacular) grandiloquent. So that is the Hate part of the review. The Love part is that I do like to look into what inspires, moves & drives people to create. I am a list person so an introduction to some new movies, artists, recipes and places kept me reading. I personally do not subscribe to her color theory but the product & photos are beautiful. So my final word is I am happy to have read the book. I feel I got my money's worth but I would recommend skipping her more pretentious passages. I mean, really, when is the last time you used the word ludic?
  Life-enhancing and thought-provoking October 15, 2008 2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Jane Brocket writes beautifully and inspiringly about the simple pleasures in life. This really lovely book will give you a warm glow and lots of creative ideas for enjoying your home. It's also a timely meditation on what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. Gorgeous pictures to feast your eyes on too.
  Inspiring! September 25, 2008 9 out of 11 found this review helpful
I truly enjoyed the multifacetedness of this book. The photos are just so lovely and her thoughts so interesting and the recipes look yummy. There is knitting, quilting crafting and baking. There is every area of domesticity one could want. Jane Brocket is very creative.
I discovered this book by reading the author's blog Yarnstorm. The book is beautiful in every way. My daughter and son-in-law were visiting and kept picking it up and looking through it. I sent them home with it as I could see they appreciated it.
Now I need another one!
  Lovely pictures, a few good recipes.... September 22, 2008 29 out of 35 found this review helpful
I was so excited when this book was released in the US, however I find myself disappointed.
The photos are fantastic and the few (maybe five or so?) recipes that are in this book interest me. Other than that this book falls flat. I find the book MUCH too wordy (and yes, I know books usually do contain many words). She just talked about herself way too much, almost to the point of annoyance. It seems like a collection of favorite stories, quilts (no patterns, just pictures), knitting (once again, just photos), and favorite movies and books. The reader is also constantly reminded of her education throughout the book (MA, MW, shelved PhD).
Long story short- this seems like a personal journal full of fantastic photos. I don't know the author, so I couldn't really care less about her personal prefrences. I feel like this will be a nice book for her children/grandchilren one day. Way too personal. I really don't feel that this should be called a "craft book". This book is more inspirational if anything.
I will keep the book though, only for the photos.
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