Books Feed

free magazines to read on a rainy day

Issuu-MagazinesIt's raining cats and dogs here today but I don't mind. In fact I love rain except when you're caught in it. Without the outside tempting me, I turned on my computer for a quick perusal of online magazines via Issuu. Well a quick perusal turned into several 'bottom getting wider' hours later and my head is spinning with reading so many fab mags for free. If it's raining where you are, you know what you can do....

Food DIY, Hot Rum Cow, Gadchick, Independent Explorer and Glossybox Mag


kids' Crafternoon book blog party and your chance to win a copy of each book!

Susie-Fry-Zakka-Stash-Box-Project

Crafternoon-Book-coversHi and welcome to A Work in Progress blog party to celebrate the release of the next two books in the Kids' Crafternoon series; Felting and Beading. Jam-packed full of simple and creative projects for kids (and parents) to make in an afternoon, you'll be inspired to make something yourself!

If you would like the chance to win a copy of each book, simply leave a comment by 2 December, 2011 with your email address so I can contact you. Restricted to Australian residents only, sorry. You can purchase the books through Amazon or Booktopia in Australia or in leading book shops

As part of the blog tour, my daughter and I made two Zakka Stash Boxes by Suzie Fry (above). We thought it would be cute to stash our felt balls and wool into the little felt boxes (as seen above). So very easy! Previously she made, all by her little self, a Rainy Day Pillow from the Sewing book

Felting-Crafternoon-Book

Zakka-Stash-Box

I was absoutely thrilled that the Editor Kathreen Ricketson from Whip-up blog asked me to contribute again to the Crafternoon series. Here's my two latest projects 'Who Loves Ewe' felt wall-hangings and 'A Seaside Treasury' wall curtain

Cate-Holst-Crafternoon-Book-projects

There's more blogs to visit on the blog party:

15 Nov - soozs big adventure
16 Nov - mmmcrafts
17 Nov - Between the lines
18 Nov - Christine Chitnis
19 Nov - Chez Beeper Bebe
20 Nov - The Happy Zombie
21 Nov - a work in progress
22 Nov - loveinthemummyhood
23 Nov - jcasa handmade
24 Nov - picklebums
25 Nov - modern parents messy kids
26 Nov - little eco footprints
27 Nov - li'l magoolie
28 Nov - ohdeedoh
29 Nov - Simple Kids
30 Nov - sadie and lance


*New* Kids Crafternoon Books: Felting and Beading

Felting-Crafternoon-Books

Beading-Crafternoon-Book

It's so exciting to receive the next two books in the Crafternoon Book series; Felting and Beading (the first two books are Papercraft and Sewing). Aimed at kids 7 to 12, the projects are graded and varied offering lots of choice for creative minds. I'm so thrilled to have a design included in each book, 'Who Loves Ewe' felt wall plaques and 'A Seaside Treasury' door curtain

These fabulous books are edited by Kathreen Ricketson of Whip-Up Blog and published by Hardie Grant can be purchased at Booktopia, Readings or at your local book shop in Australia (I bought extra copies at Costco)

Come along for the Crafternoon blog party to celebrate the release of the books starting with Lisa Tilse at The Red Thread today. Stay tuned here at A Work in Progress on the 21 November as I'm giving away each book to a lucky winner. x Cate

15 Nov - soozs big adventure
16 Nov - mmmcrafts
17 Nov - Between the lines
18 Nov - Christine Chitnis
19 Nov - Chez Beeper Bebe
20 Nov - The Happy Zombie
21 Nov - a work in progress
22 Nov - loveinthemummyhood
23 Nov - jcasa handmade
24 Nov - picklebums
25 Nov - modern parents messy kids
26 Nov - little eco footprints
27 Nov - li'l magoolie
28 Nov - ohdeedoh
29 Nov - Simple Kids
30 Nov - sadie and lance


a rainy day project, making a cloud pillow

Cloud pillow in the sky

How easy is it really for your kid to make a project by themselves from the new Crafternoon Book? My daughter was totally enthralled with the all designs and was desperate to make a cloud pillow (by Claire Dollan) from the Sewing book. She's never embarked on such a big project and spent 2 hours drafting, cutting, sewing and stuffing a cloud made from an old scarf and spare cotton fabric

We broke open a new $50 sewing machine Christmas gift and spent 30 minutes cussing at the dreadful thing as it ate more fabric than it sewed. As you can imagine, it's found its way to the bin. So she ended up hand sewing the edges singing happily to herself. She struggled slightly with the gentle curves of the clouds but none-the-less is totally proud that she did it all herself 

Making-a-cloud-pillow-cropped


interview with the editor of Kids' Crafternoon books, Kathreen Ricketson

We're excited here at the Go Make Me Blog {A Work in Progress} to be part the Crafternoon blog hop party / blog book tour to celebrate the release of the new Kids' Crafternoon Books. We've managed to snag Editor Kathreen Ricketson for a few questions......

 

Hi Kathreen and welcome

Crafternoon-Books 1. As editor to the Crafternoon series (great name by the way), can you give us an overview of the Papercraft and Sewing books? ie What type of projects are included, age level and degree of difficulty etc?
The Papercraft book has a whole bunch of projects for the cut, fold, glue crowd who love to work with paper. There is such a broad range of projects - but because they are aimed at a specific age group they all have something in common. They use only materials that can be easily sourced and the techniques that are used are simple and basic to get a handle on, all of this means that most kids can get crafting without too much effort. A bit of a raid of the craft box and the utility drawer should get most kids on their way. The paper aeroplanes project is a perfect example - who doesn't love to make one of these - and with 3 different designs to choose from - it makes for a fun afternoon with friends. Another really simple projects is the Articulated puppets, these make use of paint colour sample cards - so addictive to collect - and now you have a reason to visit the paint isle at the hardware store. The paper mache owls I think are really genius - because really they are so simple, yet look impressive, just some glue, scissors and paper and you can make these all afternoon

The other main thing about this and the sewing book is that most of the projects are suitable for both boys and girls, with just a little tweaking of colour they can be adjusted to suit anyone. There a few projects aimed at more experienced crafters - teenagers and adults too, but of course with a little help the littlies can make these projects too. I think the Owl cards are very clever - they have a couple of layers of difficulty designed into them - so that beginner crafters can make a basic version and those with more patience and skills can take them to the next level.

The Sewing book is a little different as it focuses on a technique rather than a material. But lucky for the beginner sewers out there of all ages, that the projects don't require anything more difficult than straight sewing on the sewing machine, and perhaps a button or two! I also love how accessible these projects are for a range of ages, with many of the projects making use of recycled materials, making these things is not going to mean a trip to an expensive craft store - you are likely to have most of what you need right at home already. For example the Sassy sock softie is made from a lonesome sock and only requires hand stitching, and the Pocket cushion is made from a pair of jeans and makes use of the pocket that is already there! - so clever. I love the illustrated softy badges, these are just a simple square sewn up and stuffed, then painted and sewn to decorate - they can be as simple or as fancy as you like. And the embroidered keyring I think is really quite cool - it uses faux vinyl offcuts from the hardware with the design stitched on them. A great project to boys sewing too

2. The designs in the books are fabulous! What did you look for when choosing your designers?
I was looking for a range of ideas, designers and makers whose work spoke to me and to my kids was very important. Many of the designers were already making things for kids or with kids or inspired by kids work while others made childlike or fun things for adults but I knew their designs could easily be adjusted and simplified. When it came down to finalising the list - we did have to take into account what projects we had and what gaps needed filling so there were some designs that I would have loved to have seen in the book which just didn't make it in

3. You run a very successful craft blog Whip-up. In your opinion, what makes it so successful?
Thanks Cate. Whipup is about 6 years old now and has evolved over the years - but what remains constant is my passion for craft and I think that is what comes through and what readers keep coming back for over and over again. And over the years I have built up relationships with other crafters and bloggers - I think that is important too - to keep it fresh and interesting but to remain true to yourself. Also I think its really important to always be nice - I try to always answer emails - if only briefly at times, and I also try to give only positive feedback - because I know how much work, love and effort goes into making things and really shooting someone down in flames is just not good karma!

4. Anything that you want to share about your future plans?
My future plans include more books, more Action Packs and a big trip with my family - we plan on taking a gap year and going travelling! 

Go Make Me is the last stop on the blog tour. Check out the other blogs that participated too (there may be a chance to still win a copy of the books especially if you live outside of Australia)
22 July Poppytalk
23 July Picklebums
24 July Little Eco Footprints
25 July Beaspoke quilts
26 July Maya Made
27 July Checkout girl
28 July The red thread
29 July We Wilsons
30 July Maggie Makes
31 July Mmm Crafts
1 August Domesticali
2 August Floating Ink
3 August Elizabeth Abernathy
4 August Mommy Coddle
5 August The Long Thread
6 August Hannah Fletcher
7 August Between the lines
8 August Go Make Me