Top of my crafty pile of books is A Year in Crafts by Clare Youngs which contains 52 seasonal projects to make and give. This is a gorgeous book, not only are the projects fun, well laid out and illustrated, but the book itself is a thing of beauty. It’s hard-backed but conceals wire binding so you can actually keep it open whilst crafting. The projects haven’t quite been divided by the seasons but there are 4 handy dividers throughout the book where you can keep your templates, notes or scraps of fabric. There’s also an elastic bookmark to help…
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This weekend I’ve enjoyed finishing The Teashop on the Corner by Milly Johnson, the latest book from the Bahlsen Book Club. I received a copy of the book as well as two packs of delicious chocolatey Bahlsen biscuits. Spring Hill Square is a pretty sanctuary away from the bustle of every day life. And at its centre is Leni Merryman’s Teashop on the Corner, a place where three people will find a friend to lean on: Carla Pride has just discovered that her late husband Martin was not who she thought he was. But now she must learn to put…
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The John Lewis Christmas advert has been aired for the first time which means the countdown to Christmas has begun. Miffy, created by Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna, nearly 60 years ago, is a firm favourite in our house. We were excited to hear that new books and an activity book have been released in time for Christmas. The titles are Miffy in the Snow, Miffy’s Dream and Miffy the Fairy. There is also a Christmas with Miffy Activity book! Activity books are great, my 2 year old practically eats them! Miffy is a lovable little bunny who likes to find…
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‘All the Christmases roll down toward the two-tongued sea, like a cold and headlong moon bundling down the sky that was our street…’ Celebrated poet, Dylan Thomas, recalls his own childhood with wit and magic in this beautiful children’s classic that has become one of his most popular works. Dylan Thomas’s lyrical account of his childhood Christmases in a small Welsh town, featuring wolves, bears, hippos and Mrs Prothero’s cat, has become deservedly famous. This re-designed edition from Orion Children’s Books celebrates the centenary of his birth, and features brand-new artwork from illustrator Peter Bailey. This would make a beautiful…
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These chilly evenings are perfect for curling up with a book. I’m not a huge tv fan so love to have several books and magazines on the go. Bahlsen Biscuits kindly sent me a copy of Me Without You by Kelly Rimmer to read which is the latest Bahlsen Book Club book. They also sent me a couple of packs of biscuits which were perfect to enjoy whilst reading. The premise of Me Without You is as follows: A year ago I met the love of my life. For two people who didn’t believe in love at first sight, we…
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Orion Children’s Books recently sent us a copy of Do You Speak English, Moon? by Francesca Simon and illustrated by Ben Cort. It’s a breathtakingly gorgeous bedtime picture book from the winning team who wrote Horrid Henry and illustrated Aliens Love Underpants. Inquisitive children across the world are fascinated by the moon. Does anyone live on the moon? How far away is it? And most importantly, can the moon speak? This beautiful new picture book asks just this question as a little boy trying to sleep looks up at the moon and wonders whether it can speak English. The book includes…
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I have a lovely book giveaway to share with you today. You may have heard about a little bunny called Martha and her Bunny Brothers. A couple of years ago we reviewed I Heart School and the third book in the picture book series has recently been published – I Heart Holidays. Martha and her Bunny Brothers are back, and they’re going on holiday! Come on a splashy, sunny holiday with Martha and her Bunny Brothers! They’re off to the seaside… but how do you have fun when you have two Bunny Brothers to please? Just ask Martha – she…
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I feel bad writing about Christmas but it’s my blog so I think I’m allowed. Christmas is fun, especially when you have two little children. They’ve been writing their Christmas lists for weeks which means we’ve all been thinking about it perhaps earlier than normal. I love crafting handmade gifts. Every year I say it but I never start early enough but this year I am going to have. As my family read my blog I can’t say too much but I’ve planned a few super cute projects from some of my favourite craft books. First of all I really…
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There are some great craft books coming out at the moment. I’ve found a few extra pennies to purchase a few and have ear-marked a few projects to make as gifts for people this year. One book I received to review was Sewlicious – 35 ways to a handmade world. The author, Kate Haxell, creates 35 stitched and highly original projects. This is a lovely craft book, beautifully photographed with clear instructions. The patterns are a little different from other craft books which is really refreshing. In the introduction Kate Haxell explains that “Sewlicious” is delicious sewing. “That just because…