Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork ~ Search Press ~ Book Review

Hand Stitched

Crazy Patchwork

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.

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

Fast2Cut

Simple Square Templates

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.

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Take A Tin ~ GMC Publications ~ Book Review

Take A Tin

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.

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

Tear-Perfect Maker Tape

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.

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

Organic Turmeric

& (Curcumin & Bioperine)

The Health Cloud

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.

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