Crafty Gift-Giving

As promised in my last post, I’m going to do a show-and-tell of some of the Christmas presents I made for people this year.

Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to make quite as many gifts as I did last year (being in hospital for the last two weeks before going home for the holidays threw lots of spanners into the Christmas-planning-works).  It was a good job I’d started on most of my planned gift-making projects super-early!

Here are the ones I managed to finish on time.....

[a hot water bottle cover for my mom]

[a make-up case and brooch for my brother-in-law's girlfriend]

[a make-up case for my mother-in-law]

[a bag for my friend]

[a button necklace and matching bracelet for my sister]

I made a few more things that I didn't manage to photograph:

• I made another make-up bag (for my sister).....
• ..... and ANOTHER for my cousin's wife
• I made a phone case with a neck-strap for my nan (she likes to carry her phone around the house with her)
• I decorated a plain notebook for my mom (I cut up pretty spotty and stripy papers to make a little house and garden on the cover)
• I made a beaded Christmas tree bauble for my nan

Simon contributed to the Christmas crafting cause this year too!  He made all the men in our families jars of DELICIOUS apple chutney and tomato relish.

Do you remember my post from aaages ago about my sister's first sewing project?  Well, I decided to set her up for future projects by getting her these for Christmas:  

[a little bundle of fabrics and other essential bits and bobs]

[my all-time favourite sewing project book]

[the world's cutest, pinkest sewing machine]

She was SO excited on Christmas day, when she opened the sewing machine.  I can't WAIT for her to get started on some projects. And.....  I can't wait to have a go on her machine!!!  ;-)

Have a fantastic weekend!

Carly

x

Crafty Book Review – Cath Kidston’s ‘Sew!’

Like all obsessive crafters, I’m building up quite a collection of crafty books and magazines.  Try as I might, I CANNOT walk away from Smiths or Hobbycraft (or ‘click’ away from Amazon) without buying a new one to add to my library! 

I thought it might be a nice idea to review some of my book purchases (and presents) on the blog.  If you have any crafty book recommendations, I would love to hear about them (it’s never too early to start your Christmas wish list, after all)! 

For my first review, I decided to tell you about my very first sewing book – Cath Kidston’s beautiful ‘Sew!’.  I received the book as a Christmas present, along with my sewing machine, a year and a half ago.  And it remains one of my favourites!

I LOVE the fact that the book comes with everything you need (fabric, buttons and an ‘official’ Cath Kidston label) to make the gorgeous bag on the front cover.  I spent most of Boxing Day cooped up in my parents’ spare room and, under the supervision of my ever-supportive mom, made my very first bag!  For a first attempt, I don’t think it was bad! 

The instructions were relatively straightforward to follow (even for a complete beginner), and the diagrams helped a lot! 

Also very useful were the frequent referrals back to the ‘Sew! Basics’ section at the beginning of the book.  These pages provide a great introduction for beginner sewers, and include information on equipment, terminology and basic techniques. 

The subsequent pages contain 41 projects – soooo many pretty things to make!  These include cushions, useful kitchen-y things (like aprons, oven gloves and a tablecloth), quilts, bits and pieces for wee ones, and bags and cases for every occasion!  The book’s beautiful photos, colourful and clear design, and step-by-step instructions and diagrams make the creative process painless and fun.  And I really like the fact that each project is given a ‘skill level’ rating – making it easy to pick out a suitable project!  

I think my next 'Sew!' project will be the tablecloth design.  I love the colours and the cute little birdies (and their little button eyes)!!! 

I'd make most of the things in this book for myself (or my home).  But I think it’s particularly brilliant as a source of inspiration for creating special handmade gifts for friends and family!             

If this review has tempted you to get your own copy of ‘Sew!’, Amazon is selling it for £7.49..... enjoy!!!