These ladies know what I’m talking about.

“Crafts? I don’t have time for crafting this summer!” I can already hear you say. “Too many weddings, road trips, camping weekends, BBQs on the beach, and picnics in the park. Who wants to sit around knitting tea cozies out of cat hair when it’s nice out, anyway?” Well, first of all, me, because I hate the outdoors. But, more importantly, YOU, because many of these projects are simple and portable enough to take with you on your summer adventures! Check out these brand-new DIY guides for practical projects that both girls and guys can enjoy.

Wise Craft: Turning Thrift Store Finds, Fabric Scraps, and Natural Objects Into Stuff You Love

Despite their homespun charm, too many crafts require buying a ton of supplies and equipment just to get started. Wise Craft, based on the blog of the same name, takes a different approach, showing you how to modify thrift-store finds and items you already have on hand into inexpensive craft projects. The photography in this book is country-cottage gorgeous, and the finished projects actually look like sophisticated and tasteful things you’d want in your home. The book is organized by season, so you can use it year-round or get a jump start on holiday gifts.

Craft Bookbinding

Here’s an ideal craft for book lovers: bookbinding! Even if you don’t have any experience, this beginner-level guide teaches you how fold, glue, and stitch paper and covers into beautiful handmade books. Make a beautiful guest book for a wedding, create a custom scrapbook for a loved one, or make a blank book for your personal writing.

Bound: 20 Artful Handmade Books 

Another guide to bookbinding by a local author/crafter from Orcas Island, Erica Ekrem. The projects are divided into three categories — Vintage, Nature, and Leather. Ekrem’s creative designs include “books” made from seashells and mason jars, as well as more traditional materials.

Paracord Outdoor Gear Projects: Simple Instructions for Survival Bracelets and Other DIY Projects

Campers, hikers, and apocalypse-shelter enthusiasts will dig this unusual craft book, which shows you how to use parachute cord to make survival bracelets (bracelets that come apart easily to provide you with a long emergency cord), pouches, whistle lanyards, slings, straps, and more. I wouldn’t go camping if my life depended on it, and even I think the woven watch strap and belt projects look cool! Bonus: this is another craft that calls for inexpensive supplies, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get started. Can’t you just imagine sitting around a fire pit this summer weaving some sort of rugged accessory?

Make: Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing 2014

3D printers are awesome — and now they’re getting cheap enough to be a realistic home crafting option. Before you drop serious cash on one, read this guide, which reviews the 3D printers currently available on the market. It also includes tutorials and project ideas, and information about the latest in 3D printer technology and the latest peripherals and services.

Washi Tape: 101+ Ideas for Paper Crafts, Book Arts, Fashion, Decorating, Entertaining, and Party Fun!

Washi tape is like masking tape’s stylish, colorful cousin: it’s just sticky enough to adhere, but won’t shred or leave gluey bits all over your surfaces. And that makes it a perfect material for low-risk, temporary craft projects and embellishments. This book gives you lots of fun ideas for making gift tags and wrap, cupcake decor, greeting cards, and more, plus decorating everything from your iPhone to glass and ceramics. Get yourself a washi tape starter pack and you’ll be ready to tape up everything that can’t run away.

The Exquisite Book of Paper Flowers: A Guide to Making Unbelievably Realistic Paper Blooms

DIY brides and crafty hostesses, take note! You don’t need to spend a ton of money ordering custom fresh flower arrangements for your big event. Fancy-pants paper flower artist to the stars (I guess that’s a thing?) Livia Cetti shows you how to craft 27 beautiful blooms, including peonies, poppies, roses, and hibiscus. Some of the hand-painting techniques seem rather intimidating, but I bet you could knock out some lovely flowers with $15 worth of basic colored tissue paper, wire, and florist’s tape. Surprise a friend with flowers that will last forever!

Stylish Skirts: 23 Simple Designs to Flatter Every Figure

Since I remain deeply skeptical about shorts, skirts and dresses are pretty much my summer uniform. I would happily wear all 23 of the simple and timeless styles featured in this English edition of a Japanese DIY book. You can customize the designs with different fabrics, colors and patterns, and embroidery to make the patterns truly your own.