The best books for artists and creatives

Why am I passionate about this?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an artist at heart. As a child, I loved to draw and to make all kinds of crafts with my mother. Now, I make a living creating and teaching art. From presenting at conferences and workshops around the country to doing segments on lifestyle shows like Hallmark Home & Family, Good Day PA, Great Day Live Tampa, and more, my favorite things to do are those that allow me to share crafty projects. I have also written five hand lettering books and a guided journal, all with the hope of helping others to discover, explore, and express their own creativity. 


I wrote...

Hand Lettering for Laughter: Gorgeous Art with a Hilarious Twist

By Amy Latta,

Book cover of Hand Lettering for Laughter: Gorgeous Art with a Hilarious Twist

What is my book about?

Get ready to giggle your way through these clever hand lettering designs with bestselling author Amy Latta, back from her books Hand Lettering for Relaxation and Express Yourself: A Hand Lettering Workbook for Kids. Whether you’re lettering for the first time or brushing up on your skills, you’ll be highly entertained as you create your own works of witty, hand-lettered art. Draw, doodle, and dream right in the book on high-quality paper that will make your designs pop.

With tons of ideas for special hand-lettered projects like pillow covers, gift tags, and personalized signs, it’s easy to share the laughter. Be careful: It’s contagious!

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Amazing Furniture Makeovers: Easy DIY Projects to Transform Thrifted Finds Into Beautiful Custom Pieces

Amy Latta Why did I love this book?

If you’ve ever looked at an old piece of furniture and imagined giving it new life, you absolutely need this book! Jen shows step by step how easy it really is to give furniture a whole new look with just a few basic supplies. She shares gorgeous examples of her own furniture transformations, as well as practical tips for how to create your own unique finished pieces. You’ll soon find yourself so inspired that you’re looking for furniture to makeover in every thrift store and yard sale!

By Jen Crider,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Amazing Furniture Makeovers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Transforming old and worn furniture into a gorgeous, modern statement piece can be intimidating, but Jen Crider makes it easy with step-by-step tutorials anyone can do. This book is packed with ingenious, approachable projects to turn old chairs, tables, sofas and more into gorgeous furniture. Jen's style fits right in to today's farmhouse decor, making the book appealing to a wide audience.

Unbelievable before and after photos will blow readers away, especially when they learn how simple it is to create the effects themselves. Beginners can dive right in with quick tricks and techniques like applying stain for a luxury…


Book cover of Sew with Me: 60 Fun & Easy Projects to Make Your Own Fabulous Décor and Accessories

Amy Latta Why did I love this book?

With 60 fun and easy tutorials, this book will have you sewing all kinds of decor and accessories in no time. From felt pincushions to pillows and even stitched accents on cards, there’s something for everyone. These projects are enjoyable for all ages and skill levels, and will give you creative new ideas to stitch!

By Brandy Nelson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sew with Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What is this book about?

Want something your kids can create on their own? Sew With Me teaches kids how to be creative with fabric while honing in a lifelong skill.

Geared towards kids, or kids who might need a little help from mum, you can use both hand sewing and machines with your kids to make fantastic sewing projects that they will enjoy creating and using. Fully customisable, these unique sewing projects will give little ones pride in making something, keep them busy for hours and help them tune their fine motor skills. The best part? They can use them later on or give…


Book cover of Crochet Cute Critters: 26 Easy Amigurumi Patterns

Amy Latta Why did I love this book?

Sarah is a master at creating adorable and very do-able crochet patterns! This book walks you through the steps of crocheting 26 adorable amigurumi animals, including a cat, a giraffe, an elephant, a hippo, a fox, a lamb, a jellyfish, and more. Whether you’re new to crochet or just looking for some cute patterns, this book has something for you.

By Sarah Zimmerman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Crochet Cute Critters as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Make cute and cuddly animals with easy crochet

Create a colorful collection of pillowy plush critters with the magic of crochet! Crochet Cute Critters is packed with simple patterns for creating adorable animals from alligators to zebras. The easy-to-make designs are perfect for beginning crocheters as well as advanced enthusiasts of amigurumi―the art of crocheting stuffed toys. Stitch, detail, and stuff each character to bring these huggable friends to life. Keep them as desk or bookshelf buddies, or gift them to a critter-loving kid!

Beginner-friendly materials―The crochet patterns whip up quickly using a standard hook and common worsted weight yarn,…


Book cover of How to Stitch an American Dream: A Story of Family, Faith and the Power of Giving

Amy Latta Why did I love this book?

There’s no way you won’t be inspired by this autobiography of Jenny Doan, creator of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. Filled with tales of family and faith, it tells about Jenny’s creative journey and the way a quilting company revitalized the small town of Hamilton, Missouri. Not only will you find yourself wanting to sit down and have lunch with Jenny, you just may be inspired to try your hand at quilting too!

By Jenny Louise Doan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Stitch an American Dream as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Faith, family, hard work, and second chances are at the core of every great American story, and Jenny Doan's story is just that.

In her new memoir, How to Stitch an American Dream, readers will discover the behind-the-scenes success story of the Missouri Star Quilt Company and Jenny's remarkable journey to overcome hardship, claim the abundance of family, and ignite the power of giving-all while revitalizing a small town along the way.

Over the last decade, the Doan family business, the Missouri Star Quilt Company in tiny Hamilton, Missouri, has grown from Jenny's corner shop--with one quilting machine and two…


Book cover of Faith & Lettering: An Inspirational Guide to Creative Lettering & Journaling

Amy Latta Why did I love this book?

Faith and creativity come together in this gorgeous, colorful journal by Krystal Whitten. Filled with gorgeous illustrations, tutorials, and spaces for you to create, this journal will inspire you from start to finish. Whether you work in it daily or pick it up when you need some quiet time, you’ll find yourself feeling renewed creatively and spiritually.

By Krystal Whitten,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Faith & Lettering as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Something special happens when you learn to write or draw God's Word. In Faith and Lettering, Krystal Whitten's advice and encouragement will help you draw near to God and pursue a deeper faith by expressing your creativity. You will learn three basic types of letters and variations on them, what tools to use and how to use them, and step-by-step instructions for decorative flourishes and embellishments. Krystal will also show you how to find inspiration and accept grace when mistakes happen. Her inspiring tips, techniques, and ideas will help make your Bibles, journals, and home decor uniquely your own.


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American Flygirl

By Susan Tate Ankeny,

Book cover of American Flygirl

Susan Tate Ankeny Author Of The Girl and the Bombardier: A True Story of Resistance and Rescue in Nazi-Occupied France

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Susan Tate Ankeny left a career in teaching to write the story of her father’s escape from Nazi-occupied France. In 2011, after being led on his path through France by the same Resistance fighters who guided him in 1944, she felt inspired to tell the story of these brave French patriots, especially the 17-year-old- girl who risked her own life to save her father’s. Susan is a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the Air Force Escape and Evasion Society, and the Association des Sauveteurs d’Aviateurs Alliés. 

Susan's book list on women during WW2

What is my book about?

The first and only full-length biography of Hazel Ying Lee, an unrecognized pioneer and unsung World War II hero who fought for a country that actively discriminated against her gender, race, and ambition.

This unique hidden figure defied countless stereotypes to become the first Asian American woman in United States history to earn a pilot's license, and the first female Asian American pilot to fly for the military.

Her achievements, passionate drive, and resistance in the face of oppression as a daughter of Chinese immigrants and a female aviator changed the course of history. Now the remarkable story of a fearless underdog finally surfaces to inspire anyone to reach toward the sky.

American Flygirl

By Susan Tate Ankeny,

What is this book about?

One of WWII’s most uniquely hidden figures, Hazel Ying Lee was the first Asian American woman to earn a pilot’s license, join the WASPs, and fly for the United States military amid widespread anti-Asian sentiment and policies.

Her singular story of patriotism, barrier breaking, and fearless sacrifice is told for the first time in full for readers of The Women with Silver Wings by Katherine Sharp Landdeck, A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell, The Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia, Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown and all Asian American, women’s and WWII history books.…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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