Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! Now the winters truly set in
its time to enjoy a few craft and diy projects,
I love this websites for inspiration.
Mollie Makes, website has a daily feed of
tempting, fun crafty,  ideas. Perfect
now that christmas is just around the
corner, and time AGAIN to make a
few pressies. And I  definitely want to try
making these. I hate the rain B U T
it's a good excuse to stay in a get
creative.

Home made Christmas

My thoughts are turning to Christmas -
Christmas gifts to be more precise. Last year
I bought Mollie Makes christmas, I loved and
made the vintage stocking and the I pad cosy.

Both as gifts that were well received
(i think !) and I used the finger puppets
templates to make some hanging Christmas
tree decorations. There are lots
of craft ideas and inspiration in the book.
Also some knitting and crochet projects.

 The book would make a good
gift for someone that likes several
crafts as it has a couple of christmas
projects, for knitting, crochet, embroidery,
paper craft, rather than just sewing
projects, however if you do not knit
or crochet, they would not be enough
in the book the justify the 7.99 price
tag.

 If you are looking for a few Christmas
projects for your home or, to give as
gifts, I would recommend Prima
makes Christmas, which you can pick
up in the supermarket or  at a newsagents.

Priced at 3.99 its got an easy project for everyone,
Christmas stockings, christmas baubles, lots of
wrapping ideas! a guide to making your own
Christmas cards, the lovely crochet bunting
shown above, pop poms, christmas crackers
the list could go on and on. On the plus side
too you get to flick through the magazine
before you buy ! I am going to try the
vintage fairy lights made with transparent
plastic cups.............. I will report back !

Girls Style Book by Yoshiko Tsukiori

After being very impressed with the Japanese sewing books
"Stylist Dress Book" and "Sweet Dress Book", for women
both by the designer Yoshiko Tsukiori,
I eagerley awaited the arrival of"Girls Style book".
I was delighted with the book, page after page
of "treats" to make for girls aged 2 to 10 years.

 Gorgeous simple patterns, with the same clear, easy to follow instructions.

 You trace off your full size pattern from the patterns included with the book.
It is a little fiddly finding your pattern and size (age of child), but very "do-able"

 The graphics used through out the book have a lovely simple vintage feel.
Another bonus with this book is that as you have to trace off the size you need
you are left with all the bigger sizes for years to come, a good buy, and a good
price as all the patterns and sizes are included. I got my copy from amazon

Love Sewing ? Got a baby ?

If you love sewing, and have a baby or you are expecting one,
or your  friend is, or you are a auntie or a granny, this book is great.
Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter, I got my
copy from Amazon.

The book includes full size patterns for each project,
none of that confusing scaling it up by 200%, which I
Personally hate ! Sorry.

Each project comes with clear instructions
and some include illustrations, to explain any instructions
that maybe confusing ! (or new to you)

Most of the projects would be great for a beginner,
little hats, bibs, pants, elastic waist trousers, dribble bid,
girls head scarf, etc, and the book moves on to include simple
dresses and the snuggler, which would be great project
to try as you gain confidence.
Plenty of the  smaller projects only take small amounts of
fabric, fab for using up "leftover" bits of fabric from
previous sewing projects.

 My personal favourite these book ends.

Without exception all the items in the book
would make a thoughtful and creative present for a baby
or toddler.