Book Reviews: Stitch London and Hello My Name is Amineko

We have two books for yarn lovers today.

Stitch London by Lauren O'Farrell

With the recent Royal Wedding, and the Olympics and Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee this year, there is a lot of world interest in everything British. If you love the Union Jack, this book has plenty of fun and kooky ways to knit the city and more. It promises that the patterns aren't  "fancy-schmancy" and they don't require you to be a sage of stitching - all you need is a basic knitting knowledge. The projects are perfect for using up those leftover yarns. The book even comes with a kit to knit up a pigeon.

The patterns include: London Landmarks, the Queen, Commuter Book Cosy, Toerag the Tube Mouse, and Plastic Bag Bugs, and many more. The book is quite entertaining to read, and each project includes suggestions on how to change the project for a different look.

Not a knitter? Don't worry, the book also has a helpful how to section to get you started. This book would be the perfect gift for the crazy knitter in your life!


Details:

ISBN: 9780715338674
Format: Paperback
Published: 1st September 2011

Pages: 128

Available in Australia from Can Do Books and Booktopia.

Hello My Name is Amineko by Nekoyama

If crochet is more your style, then Hello My Name is Amineko is a delight. Originally published in Japanese, this book has now been translated into English. The book contains the pattern to make your own Amineko, complete with clothes and accessories. It has some helpful ideas on how to personalise it by using different yarns, different colours, and adding different facial expressions. The rest of the book is devoted to showing the mischief that this adorable cat can get into. It really tells the story of a crafty crochet cat.

I am quite smitten with Amineko and as soon as the weather cools, plan to start crocheting up a tribe of Amineko's.

Details:
ISBN: 9781589235717
Format: Paperback 
Published: 1st September 2010
Pages: 104


Available in Australia from Can Do Books and Booktopia.






Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers.


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Two Hearts

It is the little details that put a smile on my face. Two hearts hanging from the tree on my mantle...

Simple.... but sweet:)

Do you hang out over on Pinterest? Check out all the lovely Valentines Day projects and inspiration we have found and compiled on our Valentines Board. 

Fabric + Ribbon = Tissue Cover

It is my last day of summer holidays today before I head back to work tomorrow. With Christmas, family birthdays, our family holiday etc, I didn't get nearly as much sewing and crafting done as I had hoped. I have so many ideas of projects and quilts I want to make... and this year I am going to make it happen!

I am fighting off a cold at present (don't you hate it on aircraft when you hear the person seated behind you coughing for hours on end!) so a tissue cover was the perfect end of holiday project.

I gathered up some sweet supplies....

...and stitched them together to make acute cover for a personal pack of tissues to pop in my handbag.

Wish me luck! (I think it is the sleep in's and hanging out with my teens that I am going to miss the most).

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Valentine Boxes

Decorating small gift boxes and match boxes with washi tape is a quick way to create a Valentine box -perfect for a special treat or gift.  It also gave me a great excuse to get out some of my red/white Japanese washi tapes.

I found some plain white matchboxes at Riot.  They are the perfect size for little Valentine treats. Simply cover with strips of Japanese washi tape in varying widths, and fill with your favourite Valentine candy. These would be a fun activity for children.

Transorm a ready made gift box by cutting out a heart shape from cardstock, and then decorating it with strips of washi tape. Attach the heart to the lid with foam squares or double sided tape.

Alternatively cover a box with strips of washi tape. I lined up the dots so it looks like a full sheet of washi paper.

Washi tape is the perfect craft supply when gift wrapping and decorating boxes for Valentines. I may have added to my tape collection yesterday at Typo. 

For more washi tape ideas, check out 100+ Washi Tape ideas over at Mel Stampz. There is lots of inspiring ways to be creative with washi tape.

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