Thursday 26 May 2016

Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork ~ Search Press ~ Book Review


by Hazel Blomkamp

ISBN: 9781782213482
Publisher: Search Press
Publication Date: 09 March 2016
RRP: £14.99

    

Available direct from Search Press.

I am in love with crazy patchwork.
The only thing is in some ways it scares me.
It's so free and inventive that
I never know where to start.
I know now, you start by reading this book.


Hazel goes into every detail you need to know
to get started.
You have everything from general tips
that will help you start and keep your work beautiful.
She goes through everything including the
tools and materials you will need to get started.


You have a techniques gallery so that you can
go through step by step instructions
into how create a basic panel of crazy patch.
This then takes you onto different designs
to create different looks.


Next is the embroidery stitches you will
need to use to complete the projects.
Each has a beautiful diagram to explain the stitch
and instructions on how to complete the stitch.
This takes up nine pages as there are so many
stitches that are described.
Then it's onto ribbon embroidery stitches.
There are five beautiful pages of the most
effective and amazing stitches.
Then it's onto needle lace.
This begins with general tips and basic knowledge,
moving onto instructions for each of the stitches used.
After 15 pages that are packed full,
you move onto needle weaving.
Another 10 pages on and we move onto
bead embroidery stitches for 16 pages.
Next is simple tatting techniques.
I was especially interested in this section
as tatting is something I am trying to master.
After another six pages you are finally
onto finishing techniques.
As you can see from above it's packed full
of guided stitches and everything you
will need to make the projects.



Now you might think there isn't much
space in the book for anything else,
you would be wrong.
There are five different projects to
get your teeth into and use everything that
you have learnt.


The projects are called;
Gussy Up
Nightshade
Waiting for Santa
Rambling Vine
Savannah Winter


Gussy Up has been designed to fit into
lid of a wooden box.
It's a beautiful mix of everything you have learnt.
The project is broken down into steps
so it isn't quite as daunting.
I would of liked a few more how to pictures
but they are clear pictures of each section.


The Nightshade project is a beautifully
designed black and white project.
This really gets you thinking as
it's not what you usually what you think
of when you think of crazy patchwork.
This project measures 9 7/8" x 7 7/8".
It's also designed for the lid of a box.


Waiting for Santa is a beautifully
designed stocking for Christmas.
Rambling Vine measures 15 1/2" x 15 3/4"
and is designed as a wall hanging.
Savannah Winter measures 9 2/3" x 7 7/8
has been used as a lid to cover a sewing basket.


There is lots to learn in this book
and some beautiful projects to utilize
all of your new skills.

Each of the projects are amazingly detailed
and use so many skills.
You can learn so much from this book.
If you want to learn crazy patchwork,
it's well worth purchasing.


    

Available direct from Search Press.


I received this book to review.
However all opinions expressed are my own.
Affiliate links are included on the post.
No monies were exchanged.




Wednesday 25 May 2016

Fast2Cut ~ Simple Square Templates ~ C & T Publishing ~ Product Review


Fast2Cut
by Judy Gauthier

ISBN:  9781617451737
Publisher: C & T Publishing
Publication Date: 15 April 2016
RRP: £15.99

    

Available direct from Search Press.

They maybe simple but they really do
make cutting so much quicker.
Previously I had only used my ruler,
constantly checking that I am cutting the right size.
There is none of that anymore,
it's just a case of getting out my templates
and cutting everything to the correct size.
It's so much easier to get everything perfect
and straight.


The templates are durable and easy to use.
They are sturdy and of a cut height to
rest your cutter against without it slipping.
I love that you get the all the basic square
sizes that are normally used.


You don't have to just use them for squares,
you can also use them to create rectangles and triangles.


The thing I found most useful was when cutting
scraps, it's so much easier to see what size you
can cut out of the fabric.
No more wasting material because 
you are struggling to cut from it.


You can also use the templates to cut
your precuts so you don't just need
to stick to the size of your precut.


I am a beginner quilter and found the 
square templates so much easier to use.
I found that I could easily cut the size I wanted
and I also found that my cuts were a lot more accurate.


The templates are such good value for money.
They are a well made product that is going to last.
They make cutting so much easier,
accurate and uses up more of your scrap fabric.



    

Available direct from Search Press.



I received this book to review.
However all opinions expressed are my own.
Affiliate links are included on the post.
No monies were exchanged.

Tuesday 24 May 2016

Take A Tin ~ GMC Publications ~ Book Review



By Jemima Schlee

ISBN: 9781784941109
Publisher: Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd 
Publication Date: 7 April 2016
RRP: £12.99

   

Available Direct from GMC Publications.

What a fun book with brilliant ideas.
Who knew the humble tin could be turned
into so many different functional and
beautiful things.


I have already started collecting my fancy
biscuit tins to turn into a sewing tower.
It's just such fun and looks good as well.
Your own sewing supplies cake :-).


Jemima has packed the book with 16 different
projects to make.
The thing I love is once you have learnt her
techniques you can use them to create
even more projects.

The book is broken down into 4 sections;
Storage
Lighting
Decorations
Gifts

Each section has a number of different
designs and techniques
that create some amazing projects.


I love the labelled storage tins,
I bet you could guess as they are crocheted.
My next favorite is the magnetic pinboard.
This is just such a fun practical idea.
I am going to make one for my son
as he always need space to store things
and it looks so good.


At the start of the book you have
clear large pictures of the projects
so you can get a good look at them
before deciding which one you 
want to make.


At the start of each of the tutorials on how
to make the projects, there is the supplies list
including any tools you will need
to make them.
Then you are given step by step instructions
that include easy to follow pictures.
The pictures are very clear and show all
the places you may need some guidance.


There are a number of techniques
that are used in multiple projects.
For this reason there is a 
section at the back of the book.
In this section it teaches you how to use
the tools to create everything.
There are loads more pictures and really
easy to follow instructions.


There are a lot of different tools
that are used in the book so you may
need to purchase some to complete your projects.


There really is so much packed in this book.
A lot of fun, interesting and beautiful projects.
What a brilliant way to use the humble tin.

    

Available Direct from GMC Publications.


I received this book to review.
However all opinions expressed are my own.
Affiliate links are included on the post.
No monies were exchanged.

Tear-Perfect Maker Tape ~ C & T Publishing ~ Product Review


by Judy Gauthier

ISBN: 9781617452895
Publisher: C & T Publishing
Publication Date: 15 April 2016
RRP: £8.99


    

Available Direct from Search Press

Okay if you are a crafter or you have hobbies
you have to purchase some of this tape!
I love it and am adding it to so many of my tools.
All of my quilting rulers and shapes
are covered in the tape as it's fantastic.
The rulers are so much easier to use now you
don't have to worry about them slipping.
The tape grips perfectly and just keeps
them all from slipping and ruining my cutting line.



There is so much you can use this tape for.
The thing I love is it's easy to tear a strip off
and even easier to tear it into smaller pieces
for smaller items.
When you tear it length ways the other brilliant
thing is that is tears in a straight line.


Each package includes two 1" × 10 yard rolls 
for all your taping needs.
So I won't be running out any time soon.


The tape is brilliant when sewing anything
as you can keep the pieces together in place
and then the tape is easy to remove and doesn't
leave residue behind.


Do you have a paper pattern that is torn,
don't worry this tape will soon have it fixed.
Do you have something you have to glue together
but it's very awkward to keep it together
whilst it's drying?
Don't worry the tape can keep it in place
and then be easily removed.



It's not just a tape for crafters,
If you use any type of tool and you want
to keep it from skidding away whilst
you put it down,
then add some tape to the tool and you'll
find it won't skid away anymore.

Water resistant, easy to write on, 
permanent on paper, 
and repositionable on everything else 
(even after an extended time)

What more could you ask from tape?
I'll be ordering more when I finish
this tape as it's just so handy!

    

Available Direct from Search Press


I received this product to review.
However all opinions expressed are my own.
Affiliate links are included on the post.
No monies were exchanged.

Wednesday 11 May 2016

Geco Supplements Organic Turmeric + Curcumin & BioPerine (120 x 500mg Veg Caps) ~ Product Review


Organic Turmeric + Curcumin & BioPerine




For the last three weeks I have been taking
the Organic Turmeric + Curcumin & BioPerine.
The tablets are easy to swallow and
I haven't had any after taste at all.
You can smell the turmeric as soon as you
open the bottle.



Turmeric & Curcumin work together so that
the body can digest them and get to working
as soon as possible.


The tablets promotes digestive system health,
reduce oxidative stress on the body &
reduces inflammation.


Overall I have done very well on these tablets.
Even though I have gallbladder issues they haven't
affected it at all.
In-fact I think since taking them I have suffered a lot less.
I have noticed a difference in my joints and some
of the swelling in my foot has reduced.

I am so happy with these tablets.
I love the fact that they are organic and
that if you are vegetarian or vegan you can still take them.
I am planning on taking them for a lot longer and
seeing if there is even a greater effect in taking
them long term.

The company is very supportive and
are there to help you.
They have other amazing products that
I am sure you'll want to check out.

The Health Cloud

You can also find out more information about
the health benefits of Turmeric on the following post:

15 Health Benefits of Turmeric 
& Why it is Good for Weight Loss





I received this product to review.
However all opinions expressed are my own.
Affiliate links are included on the post.
No monies were exchanged.