These bright heart-shaped ornaments are not just to bring out at Christmas, but to be admired all year long. I made them because they reminded me of the of the retro embroidered hearts from the seventies or sixties. They aren't difficult to make, some simple embroidery and felt cutting is pretty much it. I did the blanket stitch around the edges and then just other fun stuff on the hearts themselves.
To make these you will need: wool felt, embroidery thread and poly-fill stuffing to pooch them out, and a button for each. They could be made in natural colours too if that is more pleasing to you.
The thing that I really enjoy about felt is that it is a lazy woman's fabric since there is no fraying, washing, ironing or hemming needed. I am guessing that that is why it has become extremely popular as of late. It is beautiful and takes less work- what could be the catch!?
I can't seem to stop cutting these little delights out and sewing them for family! It is like doodling to me to mess with them and do the stitches.
Valentine's Day is coming up, these would be perfect for Valentine's Day or Christmas for that special someone. Personally, I think that these are pretty enough to stay out year round! Enjoy.
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe* Coffee or Tea Sleeve Patterns * Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe *
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
This is such a fun idea that kids can do easily. We made them for grandparents as gifts, but now I want them to make me one too so I can have it in my window. All you need for this homemade kids craft is a frame (try thrift stores, they have tons!), some Wacky Glue (or other glue that is strong enough and dries clear) and some of these glass pebbles or whatever they are called.
I picked the colours at the craft store and then just dumped them out on the table after putting glue all over the glass and let the boys work away. This was a great craft for them! Both boys loved it so it works for kids age 3 to 5 for sure :) Enjoy the process and then gift or keep, but be sure to set it in a sunny window to get the full effect.
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe* Coffee or Tea Sleeve Patterns * Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe *
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
Here are my two winners for the homemade lunch bags, each of you will get one lunch bag:
Shelly B from Write for a Reader
Kim from Page after Page
Congrats girls!!!! I hope you love your lunch bags :) I am a little late in announcing, sorry.
click on the contact me button and email me your addresses ladies!!!
There is still time if you'd like a chance to win on copy of the 2 the book Linen, Wool, Cotton books enter here.
Hey kiddos! I am so excited. Since so many of you were interested in this book the publisher has offered to do a giveaway on my blog. So there are two extra copies (as there is no way I am giving mine up, no way)! Two copies to giveaway here on B&b. Did you read my review? Better go do that and then enter in the comments on this post, below.
Here are some very important links you'll need to check out:
Make Good Books: A place for free patterns, and to check out the craft series this book is in. A must see!!!
B&b ex libris review: Linen, Wool, Cotton
This is what I have made so far from these this book, and my husband and boys love their little lunch bags. The boys put theirs on the end of sticks and pretend to be on a long journey. I can't say enough about this book, but for sure you will want to enter.
I am also hosting a giveaway for the above bags, and if you are not crafty and don't even want to try, you should still enter that!
Giveaway details:
This giveaway is for your very own copy of Linen, Wool, Cotton. I will give away 1 book for the first 10 entries, and then once it hits 11 I will add the other book into the mix. I will select winner(s) on the 8th of May- so you have until then to enter.
To enter, each worth one entry:
*Comment on this post
*Tweet about the giveaway (and make sure you comment back on here to let me know!)
This giveaway is open internationally!!!
ps. It is very important that you check back on the 8th, as I do not notify winners via email. If the winner does not respond within 3 days of the winner being announced I will select a new winner. If you want to be very sure you don't miss out, click on the toast (upper left) and subscribe to my feed!!
Patchwork Style
35 Simple Projects for a Cozy and Colorful Life
by Suzuko Koseki
144 pages
Crafting, Patchwork, Quilts & Quilting
Trumpeter Books
14, April 2009
The blending and bonding together of different types of fabric gives a sweet and comfortable appeal to the patterns and designs in Suzuko Koseki's Patchwork Style. Each pattern, charming in its own way, brings together fabrics of solids and prints, designs and florals that will not hesitate to lighten up any room! As comfy and country as your impressions of quilting may be, be warned that although this is a quilting and patchwork book, it is certainly modern in is appeal, not your grandma's quilting. However, the idea of quilting is to embrace the past, the scraps we have left behind and want to incorporate into our future and Patchwork Style does that with a finesse that is truly noteworthy.
As for which patterns are included, there are quilt blanket patterns, patchwork purses, satchels and packs, change purses, pillow covers (which I need to make BADLY!), pot holders, floor mats, lap blankets, curtains and aprons. The lineup is sublime. Each chapter in Patchwork Style is set up by the techniques which are used that section. The chapters are broken up into different quilting methods, as follows: Log Cabin, Applique, Free Stitching and Patchwork Squares, and Square Applique. Each pattern has a picture (or more than one) where you can see what the finished product will look like, and then a page number at the back of the book with detailed instructions on how to create the masterpiece. Each pattern has step by step, along with illustrations on the project to get you through to completion.
I really love Patchwork Style! There is so much to learn. I have been quilting and sewing for a little while, and have family members who have quilted for decades, so I have certainly been around quilts and loved quilts and make patchwork designs of my own. Still the fresh and new patterns in this book are so welcomed, they are brilliant, fun to follow and put together. There are so many in here that I would love to make right now! So yes, I have a high opinion of this book for sure. I give this a double decker two thumbs up, no question about it.
Patchwork Style belongs of the Japanese Crafts Style books also known as Make Good: Crafts + Life, a group of books believing in the goal to simplify life. Another book that I have reviewed and also loved in this series is: Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano
Are you a knitter, quilter, do you sew? If not, would you like to learn?
![[9781590306482.jpg]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RQpMpv-oheg/SdpkuF3IVPI/AAAAAAAAA54/D0NNHfTXACc/s1600/9781590306482.jpg)
Linen, Wool, Cotton
25 simple projects to sew with natural fabrics
by Akiko Mano
112 pages
Craft, Sewing, Simple style
Trumpeter Books
14, April 2009
Akiko Mano's soft and subdued style is simple yet outstanding in quality, approach and design. Linen, Wool, Cotton is a dream for the practical person who enjoys crafts that people will actually use. The simplicity of her patterns is so pretty and speaks though its calmness. Akiko Mano's designs will allow even the insure crafter to create things that many will enjoy. The projects range from wool slippers, aprons, a muffler, lightweight fruit bags, a lingerie case, hot water bottle cover, duvet cover and beyond. Linen, Wool, Cotton is sectioned off into chapters by material choice, beginning with Linen, followed by Wool and finally Cotton. Akiko's patterns are easy to follow and minimalist in their approach, and that is a bonus, since that makes them quick to complete as well, having only an average of 4 steps per pattern.
Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano is part of the Japanese Crafts Style books also known as Make Good: Crafts + Life, a group of books believing in the goal to simplify life. This approach makes it its goal to take pleasure in the beautiful things that are so perfect in their minimalistic appeal.
So how did I like this book? I loved it. I enjoy being crafty, but I want the things I make to be used and not just dusted. This is a book for a person like me, and I am thrilled that there are so many patterns in Linen, Wool, Cotton that are calling my name (quite loudly I might add). I have already dived in, and created the lunch bags, they were just too cool to not make. I was worried at first because usually patterns seem to have way too many impractical steps and I have a hard time wanting to follow along. I had no problem with listening to Akiko at all. The lunch bag pattern (p. 96) was just perfect and simple and had fluff, just the real stuff. I know for sure that I am going to make several other patterns, the Sweets Mat (p. 90) looks like the next one I'll try. And the Fruit Bags (p. 37) made out of cheesecloth would be perfect for veggies at the Saturday Farmer's Market as they don't way anything and are completely reusable! Yeah, so anyway I am hooked. I recommend Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano with no reservations at all.
The Handmade Giveaway:
I spent part of the day making two Lunch Bags (p. 96) from this book for you! I really hope that my work pays off, and that you are as excited as I am about this! I can't wait!
Description:
Tired of bringing your lunch with you in a paper sack or plastic bag? Oh, well when you see these you will be! And remember really cool lunch bags are not just for kids. "The handles are an extension of the main part of this bag, which you can use to easily tie the bag closed. The bag is also reversible" (Linen, Wool, Cotton, p.96) The solid coloured material is a canvas type thick cotton, and the stripped and polka-dotted fabrics are a thin softer cotton. And yes, both bags are completely reversible!
Here are the two lunch bags I made, you can click on each photo to see the bigger picture.
Details:
This giveaway is being hosted on my on my book review blog as well!! I am giving two bags away between the two blogs. To come visit my review blog click here: B&b ex libris
Details:
I will select 2 winners at midnight (PST) on 30th of April!!
I will most certainly ship internationally!!
To enter each of the following will give you an entry:
*Post a comment on this post
*Tweet about my giveaway with a link to this post
*Post about this on your blog with a link to this post
Each time you do one of the above make sure to let me know in the comments in this post so that I can add you again. If you don't let me know in the comments I won't know or be able to count your entry, so make sure and come back and let me know.
PS. I do not notify winners, so make sure you check back on May 1st to see if you won. Each winner has 4 days to get their shipping info to me after that if I don't hear from you I will select a new winner.
Linen, Wool, Cotton
25 simple projects to sew with natural fabrics
by Akiko Mano
112 pages
Craft, Sewing, Simple style
Trumpeter Books
14, April 2009
Akiko Mano's soft and subdued style is simple yet outstanding in quality, approach and design. Linen, Wool, Cotton is a dream for the practical person who enjoys crafts that people will actually use. The simplicity of her patterns is so pretty and speaks though its calmness. Akiko Mano's designs will allow even the insure crafter to create things that many will enjoy. The projects range from wool slippers, aprons, a muffler, lightweight fruit bags, a lingerie case, hot water bottle cover, duvet cover and beyond. Linen, Wool, Cotton is sectioned off into chapters by material choice, beginning with Linen, followed by Wool and finally Cotton. Akiko's patterns are easy to follow and minimalist in their approach, and that is a bonus, since that makes them quick to complete as well, having only an average of 4 steps per pattern.
Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano is part of the Japanese Crafts Style books also known as Make Good: Crafts + Life, a group of books believing in the goal to simplify life. This approach makes it its goal to take pleasure in the beautiful things that are so perfect in their minimalistic appeal.
So how did I like this book? I loved it. I enjoy being crafty, but I want the things I make to be used and not just dusted. This is a book for a person like me, and I am thrilled that there are so many patterns in Linen, Wool, Cotton that are calling my name (quite loudly I might add). I have already dived in, and created the lunch bags, they were just too cool to not make. I was worried at first because usually patterns seem to have way too many impractical steps and I have a hard time wanting to follow along. I had no problem with listening to Akiko at all. The lunch bag pattern (p. 96) was just perfect and simple and had fluff, just the real stuff. I know for sure that I am going to make several other patterns, the Sweets Mat (p. 90) looks like the next one I'll try. And the Fruit Bags (p. 37) made out of cheesecloth would be perfect for veggies at the Saturday Farmer's Market as they don't way anything and are completely reusable! Yeah, so anyway I am hooked. I recommend Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano with no reservations at all.
I spent part of the day making two Lunch Bags (p. 96) from this book for you! I really hope that my work pays off, and that you are as excited as I am about this! I can't wait! Here are the two lunch bags I made, you can click on each photo to see the bigger picture.
