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

On the desk,

...overdue, behind etc etc, are the words this week.  First day the kids are back in school after being off for the last 2 weeks, my first full day to work, and I came back home, felt really sick, and that was that, 2 days more of less wiped out.  

Onwards and upwards...

...something big and secret.  Secret and big.  And also involving lots of checking.

And something that, if I can just get it finished, I'm really quite pleased with.

Back to work, onwards and upwards!

Preparation,

A couple of weeks ago, I very quietly placed a new item for sale on Etsy.  I'm offering the embroidered envelopes as a bespoke, made to order item.  I wasn't sure how this would be received, but am pleased to say one has already sold...,

it's been a while since I've made one of these and preparation is the key!

There are a few other items being prepared here too.  Over the coming week I'm hoping to add a few more new items to Etsy, a little range called 'Autumn'.  There are a few cotton reel pincushions, a couple of Softies and a embroidered pillow, all featuring autumnal fabrics and colours.  There's just a bit more sewing and photography to do first...!

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

Plush You,

Last Friday, At Schmancy in Seattle, the Plush You show opened.  I would have loved to have been there, but it's a little far to travel.  I've already shown a sneak peek of parts of this, so here is the complete Otter.

Disaster struck though at the eleventh hour.  Last Thursday, I had an email from Kate at Nancy (which is next door to Schmancy) to say the stick had broken in transit!!  Oh no, the Otter is in Seattle, I'm in the UK, and it needs repairing.  After a few emails going back and forth, Kate has fixed it, and a new stick has been attached, phew!  There are photo's from the opening night (see if you can spot my Otter!) here on Flickr.

And if you like the Otter, there is more news coming soon regarding him...!

Next on the agenda for me is, fingers crossed, a boiler man visiting tomorrow.  We were away at the weekend and came home to no hot water or heating.  It's beginning to get pretty chilly here now, our house warms up nicely being south facing at the back when the sun is out, but the last 3 days have been grey and overcast.  The kids are starting to moan, and boiling water in the kettle just to wash the dishes is loosing it's charm!