OhMyGoodness, How exciting is this? I've been shortlisted (along with 4 other super talented people) for the category of 'Creative Idea'. We all go to London on the 11th for the judging. Wish me luck!!
Check out more about the Handmade Awards or view the other catagories and their shortlisters (some really awesome people!). #handmadeawards to tweet or instagram about it! :] It's an honour to be picked!
| | |
|
Hello everyone! If you didn't know already- there's an amazing giveaway at The Amazings. You've still got a chance to get your entry in. :]
They are offering a chance to win a new sewing machine when you sign up to the Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace class.
Competition Details:1. Purchase the Embroider class.2. After purchasing, crafters will receive email with a link to the competition entry. Simply submit your details and you're in with the chance to win.3. Competition closes at 11:59 on Sunday 15th September.4. Winner will be notified by email and invited to choose a sewing machine of up to £300/$4505. Crafters can pin their images onto the 'Gilda & Lara Competition' board on our Pinterest account.6. Entry is available to crafters worldwide.7. Full rules available on the competition webpage.
I've signed up and am just getting my machine fixed- then I can't wait to try it out for myself.
My class review is coming soon. See previous The Amazings reviews on my blog here.
| | |
|
Hello! The lovely people at 'The Amazings' wrote to me about their great project & I've done a little review of their new Video classes.
Here's a little bit about the project:
The Amazings is an online platform where retired and retiring people pass on craft skills through classes and courses. There are now over 200 real life workshops on offer.
Demand for the classes has far outstripped what the individual Amazings can provide, so in order to widen the availability of the courses, they will now be available through a digital platform.
Online classes will be offered in everything from knitting and sewing, to bookbinding and retro-hair dos. They will consist of over 2 hours of video tutorials, commentary, teacher’s notes, and asking the teacher a question. Once enrolled, users will be able watch a class anywhere, anytime, and for as long as they like.
Okay, and here's what I think:
It's wonderfully friendly, like they are sat with you at your craft table. Sometimes video tutorials can feel forced or stiff, these were easy going and fun! Not too 'serious', lots of laughing and 'real'. You don't feel like you're missing out on anything, which I LOVE! It's like being in the front row. And as a bit of a geek when it comes to learning, I love that.
The set up of the video is more like a conversation between student and teacher. If I had any questions they were answered in the video. Very cool. Plus, you've got to love that Depth Of Field filming magic.
Included is written instructions and a description to look back on easily. Doing an online class in a video format is a brilliant idea, it's great for us anxiety-ridden people who want to get involved but are maybe a bit shy- or if you're someone that needs things repeated or explained again (you can just pause and rewind!), you can go at your own pace, and you can even wear your pyjamas while learning!
Below are a concise version of my notes from the two classes:
-Beauty products have always fascinated me. It's one of those mysteries- but not any more! Learning from a 'real person' that really knows what they are talking about has given me much more confidence. Thanks The Amazings!
-Retro Hair Dos! Something I've dabbled in before but never really known how to do it properly. So great to see it being done professionally and explained in a way that's easy to understand. Great step-by-step and fun looks to choose from. Wonder how it would work on different hair lengths... oh wait, he's now giving advice for super long hair! Thought of everything. Perfect.
And some photos of my go at doing my own 'Retro Hair Do'.
Seriously fun! I can't wait to try out more of the classes. Here's a link that (I think) gets you your first online class free. Otherwise go to theAmazings.com to learn more and browse what they've got online. It's such a great idea, learning old skills from the people that know them best!
| | |
|
It's New Holland Publishing Book Review time!
The Big Book Of Weekend Crochet
by Hilary Mackin and Sue Whiting
The Big Book Of Weekend Crochet is full of really timeless pieces, from little boleros to baby jumpers to bedspreads. All of the patterns in here are styled for a contemporary look, but could also be easily made for a more vintage feel- making it a great stockpile of patterns for any budding crocheter. Before we are introduced to making sweaters and tops, the book starts off with great step-by-step instructions for basic stitches, which would help the most beginner to get to grips with this craft. However, as the book progresses, the patterns get more complex, which allows for more experienced crafters to stay excited. As the title suggests, the projects would be great to work on during a weekend, as the book is nice and big, and would go perfectly with a coffee table, a comfy chair and a new ball of wool.
Here's the deal if you'd like to snag a copy of your own from their website... Just enter the discount code: Happy at the checkout to receive 20% discount and free P&P. (Free P&P available to UK residents only!) Offer ends Sep 1st 2011.
| | |
|
It's New Holland Publishers book review time again!Learn to Crochet
By Sue Whiting
This book really is great for beginners- it gives you step-by-step instructions (and photographs too) for simple stitches. It takes you through the supplies and abbreviations. It shows you how diagrams work and eases you into more difficult stitches/motifs/patterns. I'm a self taught 'Chrocheter' and this helped me to smooth out a few questions I had. The patterns are good but are definitely aimed a specific demographic. A lot of yarns and colour choices remind me of 'baby hats' and 'baby blankets' which is great if that's what you like- but it's just a style choice. I'm sure with some funkier colour combos and fresher yarn choices, these could have a place in my home. It won't have you swooning over page layout or photography but it does what it says it does- if you read this book, you will have the building blocks for most of your crochet adventures. (heres a little peek into the step-by-step instructions. sorry i look a little funny, the cat was about to pounce on some of my wool! haha)
Here's the deal if you'd like to snag a copy of your own from their website... Just enter the discount code: Happy at the checkout to receive 20% discount and free P&P. (Free P&P available to UK residents only!) Offer ends Sep 1st 2011.
| | |
|
The second New Holland Publishers Book review on...
The Natural World in Watercolour
By Jean-Claude Chaillou
The techniques seem to be very experimental and exciting but because the focus is on nature, the outcomes are often traditional looking. The focus of the book is on re-creating the paintings shown (playful and calming), which is great but I think the reader could be encouraged to apply the teachings to new images and scenes, perhaps veering away from the literal translation of a realistic strawberry for example. However, for a beginner I think it's great- it goes into detail about the technicalities of things from colour choices to brush strokes to the supplies themselves. There is even a step-by-step of how to stretch your paper. Watercolour is one of the hardest paint mediums to work with in my opinion, and it's nice to be shown just what you can achieve by using certain strategies. It's great to be shown in a straightforward manner, and valuable to see how the paintings 'build up' to the final outcome.
Here's the deal if you'd like to snag a copy of your own from their website... Just enter the discount code: Happy at the checkout to receive 20% discount and free P&P. (Free P&P available to UK residents only!) Offer ends Sep 1st 2011.
| | |
|
Here is my first book review for New Holland Publishers! And it's a... you guessed it... book about knitting! [:Simple Stylish Knits
By Hilary Mackin
As I opened the glossy cover, I was greeted with an affectionate but concise intro. This was welcome as, after flicking through once I thought to myself 'These look too impressive to be 'simple!' (as the title suggests)- but I was pleasantly surprised. Each pattern is skillfully explained and photographed well enough to show you a possible outcome. I feel a lot of the patterns could easily be updated by using different colour combinations, as they are designed for showing off chunky wool. The overall styling is very early 2000's, with friendly 'girl next door' models and slightly unoriginal posing, but it is, no doubt, friendly and adaptable. It's suitable for knitters of many levels, as there is a section in the front to teach you all the basics. There is bound to be a few patterns in here to suit any taste- and I'm looking forward to trying out the cover's weekend cable hoodie.Here's the deal if you'd like to snag a copy of your own from their website... Just enter the discount code: Happy at the checkout to receive 20% discount and free P&P. (Free P&P available to UK residents only!) Offer ends Sep 1st 2011.
I'll be posting more similar reviews in-between our regularly scheduled blogging throughout the week. Books are such a good learning tool for handcrafts. Plus who doesn't like sitting down with a nice cup of hot chocolate (or tea) on a rainy day, under a blanket, learning new techniques? [:
| | |
|
|
|
MY MOTTO:  SEEN HERE: |
