Edward's Menagerie,

During the summer, I was invited to attend a book launch for the latest title to join Edward's Menagerie...

Birds by Kerry Lord

The launch took place at the Toft Alpaca Farm near Rugby, which is well worth a visit for the wool shop, cafe and a tour of the Alpaca fields.  

 

During the day I was there, Kerry herself gave a number of workshops taking us through the process of making one of the birds from start to finish including stuffing, sewing up, joining limbs and also adding the eyes.

There were other members of staff on hand to instruct crochet for those who were either a beginner or (like me!) had not done any crochet for a very long time.  Everyone there was lovely and very welcoming.

 

Also included, was a tour of the farm and the chance to meet the Alpacas up close.

They are adorable!

While I was there, I bought some Alpaca fleece to do some wet felting with.

As far as the book itself is concerned, the first Edward's Menagerie book was hugely popular so following that with birds is a natural step.  The birds are cute, comical, colourful and bursting with character.   Design wise, they all follow a similar pattern, as in body, legs, head, and wings, the idea being once you have made one, it becomes easier and easier to make more.  The crochet side is well explained and the patterns are graded for difficulty so anyone from beginner to advanced will find a project to suit them.  You can easily alter the scale of your bird by using thicker wool and a larger hook too. 

There are over 40 patterns in the book, making it good value for money, and unlike sewing books where the pattern may need to be traced from the book, these instructions are all in written form, so it is only a matter of preference over print copy or digital.  Although, for me, I prefer to buy in print.  In our house, music and movies are all pretty much digital nowadays, but for books, nothing beats an actual book!.

'Make Hey' and other things...

There are a few, what I call 'core craft bloggers' who I find truly inspirational in a 'I don't know how they do it' kind of a way, and Pip Lincolne is most definitely one of those people.  I was lucky enough to have been offered the chance to interview Pip via the publisher, Hardie Grant about her latest book, 'Make Hey -  while the sun shines'

 

You are on your third, or is it fourth?!, book now (congratulations!), have you found the whole process easier or more of a challenge with each book?

That's such a good question!  Every book is so different!  They are kind of like my children, in a way... I have a lot of input into who they are, and I spend a lot of time with them, yet there's a whole lot of other people who help shape them... and they turn out just the way they should!  I've loved working on Make Hey! with my dear friend Michelle Mackintosh (the book's designer) and my favourite editor, Jane Winning.  It was so much fun to pull it all together and combine everyone's vision into one lovely book!

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I love the layout and graphic design in the books, how much input did you have into the design?  

I have a teensy bit of input, because I really super-trust our designer and my publishing team to make educated choices based on their experience.  I helped to style a lot of the shots, a lot of the props are mine, but in the end Michelle Mack is so great at her job that I don't really need to be second guessing her.  We are a dream team! 
  

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How much research do you do to maintain originality with the projects now that there are so many craft books coming out right now?  

I don't do any research at all!  The internet is such a melting pot of creativity and shared consciousness... I don't want to be swayed by anyone else's work!  I am, however, influenced by  illustrators like Charley Harper and Anna Maria Dahlgren.... and by my own 70s childhood.  I'm also influenced by my own neighborhood, art, fashion and architecture.  All that combines with practical ideas about the kind of things I want to make, and forms the basis of the books!  I don't pay any attention to what other people in the craft world are doing, because I want to fly my own flag.
  

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With all the changes at "Meet me at Mikes', blogging, writing books and now pod-casting, between all that do you find time to sleep?!   

I really do sleep! I try not to stay up late. I get up early. I eat really healthy food and I make time to do happy things every day.  I am really careful to be mindful of having nice times and being the best I can be! I'm such a geek like that!

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What would you be doing if you weren't crafting?, is there a career path that was 'almost, but not quite'?  

I always wanted to write and be published. I have always wanted to talk to people and make a difference to their day... make things nicer for them, too!  I will always find a way to do that, whether it's via craft or food... or other lifestyle tips.  Nice times are paramount!

Thanks to Pip for the crafty chat.  I hope that, even with these days so much being available online, you would still consider buying a craft book.  Books will never totally go out of fashion, and I'm amazed by how many homes I go to nowadays where there are no books to be seen.  We have book shelves in every room in our house, including many from when both myself and Al were kids.  I don't trust people who don't own any books!

'Make Hey - while the sun shines' by Pip Lincolne, (isbn-10 : 1742701310 isbn-13 : 978-1742701318)

Blog tour interview with 'Scandinavian Stitches' author, Kajsa Wikman...

To celebrate the release of 'Scandinavian Stitches', here is a little Q&A interview with the author,  Kajsa...

 

Has it sunk in yet that you have written a book?, a whole book?!

"I think I really got it the day my copy of the book arrived in the mail, before that I had a hard time picturing it.  When I had it in my hands I could see that it was really my book, it looked just like me (well maybe a little more rectangular!).  The amount of e-mails I get today proves it even more and makes me feel a bit overwhelmed to be honest!  So if I didn't respond to your e-mail it's not that I didn't read it or do not care, I just have limited time and secretary skills!"

Fabric or felt?

"Fabric!, especially linen. And quilt cottons.  And felt... I love felt and am planning a collection made from Finnish wool felt.  I want to use more local materials in my work so I can't wait for January, which will bring me some longed for creative time!"

You've already been asked which is your favourite project from the book, but which do you think will be popular amongst crafters who buy the book, are there any forerunners appearing amongst the Flickr group?

"The tomte softies!  When I asked my blog readers a couple of years back which projects they would like to see published they were the winners.  The soft house ornaments seem pretty popular too, they are easy to make and vary"

Hand sewing or machine sewing?

"Machine sewing at work and hand sewing when/if I have some spare time"

Any projects you had planned to do, but that didn't make it into the book? (maybe for the next book, right?!)

"Just a couple, it was challenging enough to gather enough projects for one book...!  Now when I made it I do have ideas for the next book"

Buttons or beads?

"Buttons!" 

Are there any projects which you feel kids could tackle on their own or with a little support?

"The bird ornaments, the houses or the tomte, which is also a nice toy and lovely gift for a little sister or brother"

 Wool or polyester stuffing?

"I use polyester, but would much prefer wool, that would make my products quite expensive though and I want them to be available for 'everyone'.  Especially the tomte softies 'eat' a lot! In my quilts I use cotton batting"
 

How prepared are you for the amazon reviews?

"Eeek!  Can you be prepared for that?  I get so much positive feedback, which I am so grateful for and I find it very strange that whenever I get a negative or just a little critical remark I get totally shaken.  I'm not good at taking negative feedback, never have been.  But I must say that now when I know I have so many people backing me up it is easier to get over it than it was before"

And finally, chocolate or cake?

"Hmmm, Chocolate cake?  Or cheesecake with lime and white chocolate.... Coffee anyone?!"

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A big thank you to Kajsa for visiting my blog.  And now for the giveaway part, the lovely people at C&T Publishing are offering a free copy of the book, and Kajsa herself is also offering a set of gorgeous holiday cards (see below), just leave a comment on this post answering one of the questions I asked Kajsa, ...buttons or beads?, to be included in this 'two chances to win' prize draw.  The draw will close on Friday 26th November at midnight GMT.

Don't forget to visit the 'Scandinavian Stitches' Facebook page and Flickr group, and keep following Kajsa for the rest of the blog tour...
 
Tuesday 23rd : Whip Up

Wednesday 24th : Peikon Poika 

Thursday 25th : Patchwork Pottery

and finishing on Friday 26th : Allsorts

Book review, Pip Lincolne's 'Sew La Tea Do'...

I already have a copy of Pip's first book, so jumped when the opportunity arose for a review copy of the new one.

Pip's blog, 'Meet me at Mike's' is hugely popular, and I would say Pip is one of those people who never seems to run out of either energy or ideas!

 The new book, has 25 craft projects inside, just look at the patterns...

 ...there is a huge pocket at the front containing all the patterns.  They are actual size, a big plus which means you can get started straight away without taking a trip out to a local copy shop, and for the clothing, there are 3 sizes to work from, small, medium and large.  Clever sewist's will be able to size the patterns up or down further and expand the size range if need be.

Now, knowing a little about the publishing world, I am aware of the costs involved in printing the patterns separate like this, which means this book really is value for money in my view.

The other thing that really jumps out about this book is the styling.  I love it.  It's cute, it's quirky, and it's fun.  It's very much like a craft blog in print, and as things change so rapidly in the online blog world as it's constantly evolving, its nice to have a little snapshot captured in a book like this to remember it by as it is right now.

The projects range from dresses, a pillowcase, and quilt to up-cycling an old shirt into a cushion cover.  There's even a biscuit recipe at the back to munch on while you're sewing.

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"Sew, La, Tea, Do' by Pip Lincolne, published by Hardie Grant is out now in Australia (which means if you root around online you may find it through someone who does international delivery), and on wider release February 2011. 

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Don't forget to check back here on Monday for Kajsa's blog tour and big giveaway!

book review, Cath Kidston's 'Stitch!'...

Next on the book review list after Kirstie Allsopp is Cath Kidston's new book, 'Stitch!'.

This is the 3rd book in a series of craft books from the Kidston stable, and sifting through the reviews on Amazon, while it seems that the first, 'Make' had a bit of a mixed reception, those comments have been taken on board and addressed for the proceeding titles.

This book also has some added value as tucked inside there is a free purse kit.

I was very pleased when this book arrived to see it is all about needlepoint and cross stitch (for those who don't know, I used to design cross stitch kits for Coats/Anchor).  These days, so many craft books veer towards the quirky (as do I!), it's a pleasure to see something that returns to the more traditional techniques.

The beginning of the book covers all the basic instructions, and within the cross stitch section, makes use of soluble canvas which allows you to stitch on pretty much any fabric you want.

And while the project instructions include references to DMC threads and yarn, there is a handy colour conversion chart at the back for those who favour Anchor.  There are lots of 'how to' illustrations throughout the book and projects suitable to varying skill levels.  Personally speaking, I find Cath Kidston's style like marmite, you either like it or you don't.  I'm a bit indifferent to it, but still find the book intriguing.  There's enough of Cath in it to please even her biggest fan, but it's also blended into a more universal flavour that it still appeals to someone like me.

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'Stitch!' by Cath Kidston, published by Quadrille, November 2010

book review, 'Kirstie's Homemade Home'...

Over the last few weeks I've been lucky enough to have been sent a couple of new books to review, the first being 'Kirstie's Homemade Home' by Kirstie Allsopp.  For those outside the UK, the book is based on a television series, in which Kirstie visited a variety of craftspeople to learn skills such as glass blowing, wallpaper printing, knitting, sewing and even soap making.  All of this is documented as part of the renovation of Meadowgate, a dilapidated property in north Devon in much need of restoring.

I have to begin by admitting to being a little dubious when any celebrity suddenly turns themselves into a self appointed expert, but in this case, I am swayed by the fact that I like Kirstie, I think she comes across on screen (and on Twitter) as a likeable person.  Kirstie is, in this case, not professing to be an expert here, that's the point, it's all about learning and giving something new a try.  And anyone who manages to bring crafts onto a more mainstream platform is doing a good thing in my view.

(there are cute graphics between sections)

Now, I haven't read the book from cover to cover, but what I have done is to read through the reviews to date which have been posted on Amazon, and refer back to the book in order to address some of the questions raised.

The book itself is split into three sections, the first, being very prettily photographed, skips from room to room in an interior design forté.  The second section is the craft projects and the third is packed with shopping tips and suppliers.  There is quite a lot covered in this book so it doesn't matter if you have seen the television series or not, the book aims to stand alone.  If anything, the book probably covers a bit too much, and is in danger of veering into 'jack of all trades, master of none' territory.  One reviewer says there are only 23 craft projects, I actually think 23 is a fair amount and probably about average for a craft pattern book (as an example for comparison, Anna Maria Horner's 'Seams to Me' has 24).  It is also mentioned that there are no christmas crafts included.  The book does clearly state it is based on the first series, 'Homemade Home', (which another reviewer described as meaning it was out of date, in answer to that, have you any idea how long it takes and the work involved in publishing a book?!).  'Kirstie's Homemade Christmas' was a separate series in itself.  But while there are indeed no specifically Christmas themed projects, there are many which would make suitable gifts.  For me, the true feel of the book is captured within Kirstie's introduction.  It doesn't set itself out to be the complete answer, the aim is more to ask questions and inspire.

The second series of 'Homemade Home' is due on our screens here in the UK soon (and fellow craft bloggers may well recognise one of the craftspeople featured).

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'Kirstie's Homemade Home' by Kirstie Allsopp, published by Hodder & Stoughton, October 2010