Loom Band It! - Book Review

If your household is anything like mine, these last few weeks you must like me be finding these colourful loom bands all over the place and in every nook and cranny. It seems the loom band craze is taking over the world and both my children have been a part of it. To be honest, anything craft related and that gets them off their gadgets I'm all for it. I know there has been a little press about making the bands on fingers and it not being ideal so we invested in a loom to make them on, not an official Rainbow Loom® but a decent, budget friendly one and it came with 2000 colourful bands! When the children and I (oh yes I had to get in on this craze too) were on the hunt for some user friendly projects, the opportunity came to review the yet to be published Loom Band It book, created by Kat Roberts, a designer and Tessa Sillars-Powell a professional crafter. With 60 rubber band projects for the budding loomineer, it looked a great book, so we jumped at the chance to give it a whirl! 

As expected, it is a lovely colourful book and as soon as it arrived we couldn't wait to get started on a project. It has a great introduction, with useful topics such as getting to know your loom, equipment and materials needed, and how to set up the loom etc. The book does emphasise it's focus on designs and methods achievable on the Rainbow Loom® so there could be some projects not compatible with our more basic loom, but all the projects we have done so far have been fine on ours. After the children had a little flick through the book and a practice, it was my turn. I really wanted to have a go at the pom pom band. I just loved the look of the pretty little pom poms attached to the chain. The loom was really easy to set up following the instructions and I knew I wanted to use a colourway personalized to me.

It came out really well!

Hmmmm a matching ring would look nice don't you think?

It was made following the Star ring project and again I used my own colour choices. It looks like a lovely pink rose ring. I thought I'd then go on to try out the button ring and again very easy to set up. I had the perfect button in mind I wanted to use.

It looked so sweet when I'd finished it.

As Miss Poppins helped, it was all hers, but I couldn't resist a little try on before giving it away :)

Miss. P then wanted to have a go at her own project and she made this lovely Rainbow. The book is set out in various chapters, and the rainbow is in a chapter made up of 'lucky charm' projects. She'll probably add a key ring and pop it on her school bag. 

I really like the simple Chevron design and we made bands and rings - the children enjoyed using the two different colours to create the chevron pattern. 

I didn't want to get going on something too difficult too soon, but I can't wait to attempt the Corsage design!

As you can see there are clear step by step instructions, diagrams and photographs on how to set up the loom and how to hook that really help - it can get a bit tricky if like me you decide to use different colours as of course the loom diagram shows the colours chosen for the project. I think the more confident you get though, the easier it is to work it all out. The children seem to have mastered the loom very quickly. The youngest member of the household is currently in the middle of making this little fella!

There are often little hints and tips at the end of each project which are really useful too and headed in cool up to date abbreviations that all youngsters must know such as JSYK, FYI, BTW, J4F.

Miss. Poppins is wanting to make this Triple Chain next. 

So, as loom banding has never been so popular, the tutorials in this book will really inspire that creative loomineer in you and we have really enjoyed having a go at some of the projects. Loom Band It is available on pre-order and to be published at the beginning of August.

I can see us using up those 2000 bands very quickly indeed! 

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Disclosure: We were sent a copy of Loom Band It for the purposes of this review blog post, all words and opinions my own. 

Craft-A-Day: 365 Simple Handmade Projects

I really like this handy craft book that was sent for us to have a little play with, and I wanted to share with you what I thought of it. Firstly I really love the punchy design on the front....

CRAfT-A-DAY-365 Simple Handmade Projects really is a super crafty book to have on the bookshelf. It includes daily inspiration with weekly themes. You can learn to make magnets, garlands, cupcake toppers, cards, wall art, and much much more. There are 52 different themes so there are many craft ideas to suit and that would appeal to people....

I especially love the alphabet garland and is on my to do list for a handmade Christmas decoration this year....

The book comes with easy to use templates and has a very easy to follow feel to the directions throughout. The how-to photographs are great, and the book would appeal to people of all ages and who have an interest in craft. In fact this is a really good craft book to enjoy with young ones and many of the creations are ideal for children's hands to get involved in. My children love doing paper crafts and there are plenty of card based projects to get stuck into....

The themes for the week do tend to be around the same main theme, so for example you have Fox Week for January 8-14 and Gnome Week for Jan 15-21. Therefore all crafts for those weeks would be centered around foxes and gnomes. Overall I think there are more than enough crafty projects to keep us going and is a perfect rainy day craft book to get out with the family and get crafty. Here is a little animation, courtesy of  Quirk Books that showcases the many design ideas on offer in the book, which really is one the cutest craft books on my bookshelf.... 

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The Burda Style Sewing Handbook

I love to sew, and shall always be very thankful and grateful to those online in various crafty forums and those in my real life who encouraged me to pick up that needle and thread again after many years of not doing so. Sewing has brought me a much needed creative outlet, and although I have gone on to make a little pocket money from my sewing it ultimately shall always be a hobby I love to do, it kind of works around family life and has given me the confidence to make things I would never normally have thought I could have in my wildest dreams.

 I am certainly no sewing guru and there are far more talented sewing peeps out there than me that I look up to and am inspired by and am always flattered that anything I make is liked by others. I am also passionate about other people having a go and I like to spread the word of how much fun sewing can actually be. The crafting world is a vast one, so many books out there and crafting magazines and in a whirlwind of craftiness, it is sometimes hard to know where to begin. I never ever thought attemting to make my own clothes would be something I could do, although I did attempt this Burda Dress for Miss. Poppins I haven't really done too much clothes making since so was eager to have a flick through this book that was sent by GMC Publications for review.... 

  

It is a real weighty book, in many ways. Chapters on getting started, using patters, starting to sew, making skirts, making blouses, making dresses, coats and even bags. Using patterns really isn't my best subject and I certainly need all the help I can get in that field. The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook has five adaptable sewing patterns for a skirt, coat, blouse, dress and a bag included in the back of the book....

         

It can be very empowering making ones own clothes, and I have so many pretty fabrics I think would make lovely little summer skirts or simple shift dresses, but that confidence thing again, it keeps creeping up and biting me on the bum. This book aims to help the reader understand that creating fashionable clothes is much easier than one thinks. It aims to give you the basic building blocks to begin sewing and the tools you need to move beyond the basics to designing and customising your own wardrobe. I love the way the chapters are easily set out....

In the book you shall also find essential information on setting up a studio, using your sewing machine, working with patterns, and the book claims to be the ultimate guide to sewing with style. The book wants to serve as the new bible for sewing enthusiasts and motivated DIYers. I would say some experience in the world of sewing may be advantageous in attempting the patterns in this book, but would also prove a very worthwhile addition to your bookshelf if you are someone who has always wanted to sew but never took the time to learn. You can use this book to bring your ideas to life and the book does say in its introduction that it contains everything a beginner needs to know, from setting up a sewing place and identifying essential tools to making that first skirt. For more advanced sewers, the book provides insight into great techniques, like circular ruffles and challenges you to design your own pattern variations. Each project is rated by skill level, from one to three buttons. One is beginner friendly, while three is for more experienced sewers.

I have found the community website BurdaStyle which was launched in 2007, and for people who love to sew very inspirational and I just love browsing on there. So, I guess the proof is in the pudding and I have begun to make myself a little Burda Style summer skirt, I am kind of guessing it shall have somewhat of my own take on it but shall certainly use the book as my guide and see how we go. And as for using patterns, eeeeeeek wish me luck, I think I am going to need it....

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Personalised Child's Book....

I was so over the moon with the personalised  book that arrived from Unique Editions As I was reviewing the book I was able to chose the style I preferred and I really liked the look of The Enchanted Garden Personalising the book and uploading images was really straightforward and it didn't take long at all for the book to arrive. I was almost tearful when I took a peek, he shall love it!

In the book your child, ( accompanied by a sister, aunt, or parent etc ) discovers the delights of the garden and all it's flowers, animals and insects....

 
So cute....

And I love the one of his big sister....

Oh, and as for the snail....

And the caterpillar....

In my opinion this is a really high quality personalised book for your child. I have ordered personalised books before when the children were very little and they where nowhere near as lovely and professional looking as this little number. It shall encourage his reading, and is so nice that both himself and his big sister are in there together, with their names too. Hopefully he shall just adore it! I have wrapped it up, and am going to give it to him on a certain day this month ;)  There is also a Facebook page you can visit to keep up to date with all the Unique Editions going's on.

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Tilda Book Review & A Pretty Make....

Not long ago, I was sent the new book from Tonne Finnanger called Tilda's Studio to review, I have had a little play, and here is what I thought if it....

The latest book in the Tilda range, has over 50 design projects including cushions, accessories, home décor, jewellery and bags. There are cute characters such as giraffes, elephants, and of course the infamous Tilda angels to create. The colours are what appealed to me most in this book, ranging from pretty shades of pink and red, right through to splashes of teal green and purple. Very pretty! There is a lovely chapter inspired by Tonne's Grandma's china and the combination of new and old, in the chapter you shall find little cupcake angels and ideas for table arrangements.... 

It of course has to be said Tonne's designs are truly beautiful, inspiring and pretty to look at. I have many of the Tilda Books, and adore the Tilda fabrics and would probably go out and purchase her next book should there be one out in the future....BUT and it is quite a big but for me, I do find those paragraph written instructions on the more complex designs a little difficult to follow/understand when it comes to making up the projects. Of course it could be me, and I am just a numpty, though I am well used to following tutorials for making hand crafted items and there are definitely tutorials that are easier for me to understand and there are those that are not. As someone who enjoys making up her own handmade ideas, I have scrapbooks full of my own VERY simply written projects and I think as a reader of craft books, without wanting to patronise the advanced sewer, the simpler the better is always the way to go. Clearly written pointer step by step instructions along with photographs to accompany the project are always a winner in my eyes. Of course there shall be many who find the Tilda instructions a doddle, and perhaps I am being picky, but for me this is a coffee table book, it looks pretty, has wonderfully inspiring photographs ( if in my opinion a little dark, me being picky again perhaps ) and I think a super book to dip in and out of for craft inspiration. I like to take a bit of that project and little of that and kind of make something my own. I love the bird cage project and shall certainly be having a go at that when time allows....         

And the hats are so cute, Miss. Poppins would love one of these....

As for me, I have fallen in love with this pretty belt, very me....

Of course I had to have a go at a little something and thought I would make my version of a Tilda head band for Miss. Poppins. I love making flowers and to be honest they are quite easy to do, a basic running stitch on a length of folded fabric and then gathered. I really like the leaf detail too....  

I covered one of Miss Poppins many headbands she already has in a pretty fabric and then attached the floral rose to it and voila! I have left it on her bed to find and I love more than anything making little handmade treats for her and hope she likes it....

So for me, a very, very pretty book with lots of inspiration and at a fantastic price, so you do get a lot of inspiration for your money. If you have this book I would love to know what you think of it. At the end of the day I really can't resist a pretty book, and this is certainly one of them!

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SwingBall Pro....

If you are as old as me you shall certainly have fond memories and remember the days of playing swing ball in the back garden. Oh my, I used to love that game, though I always ended up playing against my brother who would always whack the ball SO hard I would practically fall over. The Poppins children and I were sent the new SwingBall Pro to have a play with and see what we all thought.

Now obviously I am not as young as I was in those swingball playing days I remember so fondly, though I know it was indeed a favourite game I used to play as a child, and was pretty confident my own children would love it as much as I did. The pro is aimed at 6+ yrs and a super, ultimate Swingball, which is perfect for older children and adults who enjoy hitting a real tennis ball. The all surface base, which also has markers to enable players to keep score as you play, allows you to play on any surface. Simply fill the base with water or sand and you're ready, literally anywhere. As the swing ball pro packs away neatly in the all surface base with carry handle, we think would be a super duper item to take on holiday, especially in our little retro caravan and where there is water, and sometimes even sand, always on tap.

So, how does SwingBall Pro compare to the classic Swing Ball?

SwingBall Pro is taller and faster....

It has stronger power bats....

It also has a real tennis ball....

And a more stable all surface base....

Well, what can I say, there were four pairs of hands eager to get the swingball pro out of the box. As an old player I kind of got the idea on how to set it up and get playing, though I did have a little read of the simple constructions ( as Master P calls them ) as I went. Although aimed at 6+ I was more than happy for my just turned 5 year old Master Popps to have a gentle go with adult supervision. So we got it set up quick flash and got playing. So some actions shots of the little Poppins....

You can have a lovely browse over at the Mookie Toys website, where you shall find a wonderful world of play. So, even though the weather looks like it needs a little cheering up, am off to play some Swing Ball and get those aging muscles of mine working....

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Whoopie Pie Book, A Giveaway....

Oh my I love sweet things, I love pretty books and I love whoopie Pies!!  Bake Me I'm Yours....Whoopie Pies is just the prettiest, sweetest little book, and I couldn't wait to have a flick through the pages....

If the front cover was anything to go on, I bet I was in for a treat. Whoopie Pies are quite a new thing and I have to admit I hadn't really heard much about them till not long ago. We ( the children and I ) have had an attempt at making whoopie pies at home and I have to say are always delicious. Apologies though as I don't have any newly baked whoopie pies looking perfectly staged, with a delicious prop or too at their side for affect. Oh no, they get eaten far too quickly to faff about taking photographs ;) So, what are whoopie pies? A whoopie pie is a sweet baked item which is a cross between a soft biscuit, a cake and a pie. It is made up of two round pieces of cake-like biscuits, which are sandwiched together with a sweet, creamy filling. Apparently other names given to these sweet delights have included hucklebucks, gobs and BFOs (big fat Oreos). There is no set size, as big or as small as you like.

While they have been around in the USA for a long time, we are all kind of catching on. Traditionally, whoopies are chocolate flavoured with a marshmallow cream filling, but the basic recipe can easily be adapted for a wide variety of other flavours and fillings. Many whoopies previously had all looked the same, no real identity and dare I say rather uninspiring looking. Not so with this cute book, which includes fun ways to create new and exciting looks for whoopies, with each project having a difficulty rating at the side, so you can start with the easy peasy ones, and then move onto the more complex designs as ones confidence grows. Here are some of the designs that really took my fancy.

Country Garden....

Rose In Bloom....

One of my favourite designs, Daisy Chain....

Chocolate Temptation....

Over The Rainbow....

Love Hearts....

Birthday Balloons....

Prima Ballerina....

 
I really do love this book, and even though I have only tried out some of the simple designs am eager to get on with the more complex ones too, especially with one or two birthdays coming up. The peeps at RUCraft have kindly sent a book for me to forward on as a giveaway, so if you would like to be in with a chance of having your very own copy of Bake Me I'm Yours....Whoopie Pies just pop me a little comment on this post. I shall pop you in the hat and pick a winner on Friday, at cake eating time, which normally in the Poppins house is all day, but shall make it about tea time. 
 
So, good luck if you decide to go in the hat, it really is a lovely little book to have.... 
 

 
I have to say this book looks a goodun too.....

EDIT: Thanks for going in the hat, a winner has now be picked :)  
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