Book review: Meet Me At Mike’s Crafty Journal by Pip Lincolne

This post contains affiliate links.

If you’re looking for the right journal for yourself or another crafty journaler in your life, you may want to check out Meet Me At Mike’s Crafty Journal by Pip Lincolne.  I recently received a review copy from the Independent Publishers Group.

Pip Lincolne is an Australian crafter, blogger, writer, and former shopkeeper at Meet Me at Mike’s.  This is just the type of fun journal you would expect from another crafter.  The journal opens with a welcoming note from Pip, and then jumps right into the first project: beginner instructions for a granny square.  The instructions are written very conversationally, and you have the feeling that you’re sitting next to Pip on a couch while she’s talking you through your first granny.  (The instructions use Australian/UK terminology.)   The book also includes instructions for three other projects: a felt brooch by Anna Laura Blandford, an amigurumi panda crochet pattern by Jess McCaughey (Teddy Bear’s Wednesday), and a recipe for pink lamingtons.  The projects are geared towards a beginner, because while the journal is set up for a crafter, it doesn’t assume you have knowledge of any particular craft.  In the back of the book, there are cute illustrated instructions for basic embroidery, crochet, and knitting stitches.

The book also includes about 150 pages of journal paper, organized into sections with lined paper, pattern making paper, graph paper, and grid paper.

The pages have cute edgings which appear hand drawn, as well as occasional photographs of crafty supplies like buttons, or suggestions like “make greeting cards!”

This would definitely be a fun book to use for keeping track of your creative ideas or for a “regular” journal as well.

The journal ends with a list of crafty website and other “ace places to visit” on the web for creative inspiration and tutorials.  In the back, there is a pocket called Bits and Bobs which includes a poster-sized foldout printed on sturdy paper.  One side is basically a poster of the various illustrations and photographs included in the journal.  The other side, called the Organise My Life Chart, includes sections for important things to do, things to make, books to read, movies to see, places to go, and recipes to try.

Overall, this is a really fun journal for any crafter who likes to have a book for writing down notes, ideas, and sketches.  The range of paper types and the elastic closure make it especially helpful.  The hard cover binding makes it durable enough to survive journeys to your craft group or guild meetings, and, for those of you who need a big visual “to do” list, the Organise My Life Chart would be a big help.

Full disclosure: A free review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. Although I accept free books for review, I do not accept additional compensation from the publisher, nor do I guarantee a positive review.  My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions. This also post contains affiliate links. You can read my affiliate and review disclosures here.