Saturday, July 23, 2011

Have Yourself a Lovely Crafternoon with the Kids...

I am smiling as a write this--see:  :-)   
I have some very happy news to share with you--I am in my very first book!   It is one of two books recently published--Kids' Crafternoon Sewing and Kids' Crafternoon Papercraft.  Both books were curated and edited by the lovely Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up and each contains 25 projects designed and created from many talented crafters around the world.  Let me tell you a little bit more about the books...
{Pet Pillows designed by Karen Jester}
{Limby the Button-Eyed Dude designed by Lizette Greco + Grecolaborativo}
Each book features projects that can be completed in an afternoon by kids--most of which are designed to be completed largely independently with limited on-the-scene support from parents or other big people.  While the projects are aimed at the 7-12-year-old set, there are many, many projects in here I know a 14 or 15 or even 16 year old would be interested in making for him or herself.  Oh, and that is the other good bit--the projects are aimed to appeal to both boys and girls.  Nice.
{Illustrated Softy Badges designed by Lisa Tilse}
The books are actually part of a series of craft books, all aimed at kids, of course, that Kathreen put together with Hardie Grant.  Books with projects based around beading and felt will also be released at some point in the future (and I also have projects in each of those, thank you for asking).  
{iPod Creature Cosy by me!}
{Sassy the Sock Softy also designed by me!}
Oh, and here are my two projects in the sewing book: the iPod Creature Cosy (2nd above--made from recycled sweaters and customizable to the size of your own MP3 player needs), and Sassy the Sock Creature with its tongue sticking out of its mouth all sweet and snotty-like (above--made from a stripey sock, can be handsewn too!).
It is a really thoughtfully put together book--clearly designed to make the projects as accessible as possible to kids. Above are the illustrated instructions in the books, just to walk a kid step by step through how to make the projects (Kathreen's husband did the illustrations--personally, I like that--a family effort gives it all more heart). And there is a pocket at the front of the books with the template pieces for easy access.  
Here are just a few of the projects I love in the Kids' Crafternoon Papercraft book...
{Book Invaders Bookmark designed by Elod Beregszaszi}
{Pet Menagerie designed Nancy W Hall}
{Home Sweet Home designed by Cate Holst}
{Sewn Cards designed by Alison Hudson}
Do you like them?  Want to make some of these projects with your own kids?  Curious about the other fantastic projects in the books?  Good--because I have a copy of the Kids' Crafternoon Sewing book and the Kids' Crafternoon Papercraft book to give away--one to each of my readers.  All I ask is that you leave a comment by end of day Tuesday (July 26th) telling me what you like most about these books, or which project you can't wait to make with your kids or just for you (no shame there), or why you think it is awesome Kathreen put together these books in the first place, or whatever comment you choose to leave related to the books--and I will announce the two lucky winners on Wednesday, July 27th right here.  
And if you are not so fortunate as to be one of the lucky winners, there are other options so listen up, people: you can either crash the blog party Kathreen has arranged around blogland (find the sites and dates here), or you can order your very own copies either through Booktopia or Amazon UK.  

Imagine me dancing around all joyful-like with the books in my arms right now, elated as hell to be part of the crafty group represented in the book--because that is what I am doing (or let's be honest--maybe I am just folding some laundry right now but, well, you know what I  mean...)

38 comments:

  1. Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [24 Jul 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

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  2. My DD Sew-Fia would really love either of these books... thanks for the chance xx

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  3. Congratulations! I like the look of the monster softies, but they all look great.

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  4. Congratulations! It must be a fabulous feeling to be in a book.
    My daughter is only 3 years old but she loves to help me sew. I would love to find a project she can help with to make it "hers".

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  5. My 8 year old daughter just talked her grandma into buying her this book and she immediately (and independently) made her sister the monster reading pillow and then today made YOUR ipod cover! It's such a good book, we love it! I bet she'd love the paper craft one too!

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  6. What a super idea! The projects look appealling. Great resources to have on hand for the kids. Congratulations on having a project in the book and thanks for hosting a giveaway.

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  7. Congratulations! The new books look terrific!

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  8. I love the idea of these books. What a great name too. I can't wait to see the paper projects especially home sweet home. My two would love the softies too. More money to find - can't take it with me so I may as well enjoy while I can.

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  9. Congrats! I thin the books look really good, nice clear pictures and pretty projects.

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  10. The book is beautifully laid out. All the projects look fun, I'd love to have this to try out with my kiddos. Great job!

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  11. The Home Sweet Home scene would probably be our first project in the paper craft book. My kids love softies, so they will have quite a time deciding which project to tackle first from the sewing book.

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  12. I like the pet pillows! My oldest daughter is just starting to sew and made her first elastic skirt last week. This would be great for our crafternoons!

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  13. so cool! congratulations on your contributions to the books, what fun to see your work in print.

    and now...to answer one of your questions...because i really want to be in the draw. i love that the projects can be completed in an afternoon...it's so encouraging for a child to be able to complete something from start to finish in one sit-down.

    thanks. fingers crossed.

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  14. Not tryin' to kiss up here, but those iPod cosies are killing me. I must make many. Also love the pet pillows from what I can tell. Congratulations, too, by the way.

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  15. these books are so nicely organized ! I would love to find inspiration for my 4 kids because holydays are so loooong with them !!

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  16. I think what I love most about these books is that they look like grown-up books but are made for kids. My kids like to look through my craft books ... and they say "I want to make this ...", and because my oldest is only 8, projects in "grown-up" craft books are way over their head. This is nice that this looks like it can be a book that would sit on my shelf that they can pick up, and actually make something from it! Way to go! I have all boys, so we would love to make some of you monster cozies!!!

    Congratulations on being in a book ... I hope to someday be featured in some type of publication too ... I can only imagine how excited you must feel. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Sara :)
    www.thesplitstitch.com

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  17. Love these books! My girls and I are just starting to sew more together, so I'm sure we would have a blast with the sewing book! Thanks for the chance! :) (and congrats!!!)

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  18. I have been wanting that ipod cozy since I 1st saw it on your blog!!! I LOVE them! And I would love to make the Home Sweet Home from the paper book with my 6 year old.

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  19. I love the pet pillows! My little guy would just love one on his bed.

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  20. Congrats - I know that feeling of seeing your work in print - it's amazing! The books look super!

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  21. Congratulations! All the projects look awesome. I would love to have the books right now so I have something new to do with my kids while hibernating in the AC during this heat wave.

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  22. Awesome! I'm always looking for new papercraft projects to do with my son.

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  23. this look great! i would use them to do crafts with my homeschool coop. we are a crafty bunch!

    and congratulations!

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  24. I LOVE the iPod creature cozy - may even be able to convince my Teen Wonder to make one for herself!

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  25. These books look great and congrats! I have a 13yo niece who received a sewing machine for her birthday this year so what a great addition one of these books would make for her. Thanks for the giveaway.
    nlczerw(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. congrats! My girls love crafts and my older one would eat either of these books up. thanks for the chance!

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  27. I love that kids can make these mostly by themselves!! Congrats on the book!

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  28. How exciting! And congratulations! You are so creative; I'm glad to see you in print. I would want to make everything in the book. Seriously. Everything you posted is incredibly cute. and cool.

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  29. Congratulations!!! What a nice format. That look great!

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  30. I like the spiral binding. All books with instructions to follow should do that!

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  31. My boys would love to make monster softies or your Ipod cover and i would LOVE to teach them to sew...just to spite my husband ha ha ha, although paper crafts would also be very cool! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  32. I super duper love your creature cozies. They make me smile! Great overview of the books!

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  33. Would love to try your cosy pattern!

    tracyannhong[at]gmail[dot]com

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  34. I teach a crafts class for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders and these books would be terrific! This past year I tried to teach sewing without any resources or help and it was fun, but the projects weren't appealing and I needed simpler directions for the children. The first project I would do with them is the iPod creature cosy.

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  35. These books look fabulous! The projects look great and look like they would be fun to make with kids - Perfect for summertime crafting! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  36. Your creations are so adorable! I actually made 25 mooshy bunnies this past Easter. I love the iPod creatures. They make me smile.

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  37. I know, I already left a comment, but I was back and it's just such a good looking book. Did you ever think about using your skills to illustrate a book?

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  38. Sassy the Sock Softie was meant to be on the New Idea website for download but wasn't there :( I really want to make these for my god-children! Are they easy to make?

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