Handmade gifts say you care. Those flower lovers on your holiday shopping list will treasure creations featuring images of blooms and floral designs. Most any kind of techniques can be used, including photography, beading, computer printer crafts, embroidery, and collage. Here are some books featuring floral projects.

“Collage Unleashed” by Traci Bautista from North Light Books/F & W features all the basics on collage, and offers innovative approaches that can be used to achieve the desired effects. With the author’s free form methods, you can easily create floral-related gifts using fabric, thread, paper, paint, and other basic materials. This includes 40 techniques and projects. There are color illustrated instructions and numerous variations for each project. Among the floral projects are exquisite collage flowers and a journal decorated with flowers and butterflies.

Beading has become increasingly popular in recent years. KP Books/F & W has released a very useful title called “Bead and Wire Art Jewelry” by J. Marsha Michler. Suitable for novice to experienced beaders, this helpful title features over 50 projects with a number of these having special appeal to flower lovers, such as the crystal rose pendant and the trio of hearts. These projects are arranged by skill level from easy to intermediate and advanced. For each project, there are complete, step-by-step instructions and a list of the materials you’ll need. In the introduction, the author gives directions for all of the basic beading techniques.

“Folded Fabric Elegance” by Rami Kim from the American Quilter’s Society features numerous projects that will have special appeal for flower lovers. The author explores a vast array of different folding techniques from traditional American smocking to traditional Korean fabric folding. The projects include a wide assortment of decorative and useful items, such as fine clothing, totes and purses, pillows, floral table runners, and floral wall hangings. Among the floral themes are the lotus blossom and the tulip. There are complete, color illustrated, step-by-step instructions for each technique and project. All in all there are 15 projects.