Win the *new* Pip Lincolne Book!!...

 Do you know Pip Lincolne? - "Meet Me at Mikes"? Australian Crafty Babe? you must do....

She is awesome.

And i was sent this Book to Review by Hardie Grant AND a copy to giveaway!!!

"Make Hey - while the sun shines"

I know!

 for FREE, to a Blog Reader.

So i nervously opened the book thinking *i hope i bloody like it or i won't want to give a copy to someone*

 Oh, my friends...

This book is pure JOY

I kid you not, it has every element i adore in my crafty books, and every element in beautiful abundance.

I want my Craft Books to be 2 things:

1. Inspirational with beautiful photography

2. Feel and Look so good, i want to keep picking it up.

funnily enough, the projects inside are of lesser importance to me.

 To start with, it wins prizes for having a Spiral Bind - seriously, more books should do this. The page stays open!! and is really pleasing to use because of that.

And the paper is like matt recycled style paper, so you want to stroke and feel the pages.

These things may seem minor, but how many of you also judge practical books by their actual 'practicality'

(it matters!)

 The projects are cute and varied with sewing and crochet and knitting and EVERYTHING :)

It gives you lots of basic tips and steps and it is written with charm and comedy, as if Pip is sat with you or you are part of secret craft club. Again, more books should do this.

 The photography.... well.

I want, want

 to be that lady below, in yellow shoes and floral dress, toting some sewing in a mad vintage case.

This book is own-able for it's awesome vintage photography and style shots alone. Let alone all the cool stuff you can make which is mostly vintage-ish but with a modern edge.

J'Adore x totally.

 When i opened it, i ignored the inside cover envelope and began with the pages themselves...

but when i came to close the book i took a quick peek at the inside pocket at the last.

I AM GLAD I DID !!

I shall not even tell you what is in there.

It is a surprise for you!

but...

 More books should do this.... seriously.

It is a charming and inspirational surprise and it makes me want to produce a whole book in this way alone.

You like my blog maybe? You probably like stuff i like then.

You'll definately love this book then.

And that is that.

 Lucky me has a copy.

But i have a second copy to give away to one happy reader!

It is such a special prize, all Christmassy and Lovely, worth nearly £20.00 RRP my chums,

please tell your friends or link it on your blog / tweet it, whatever!

i'd appreciate it...

And once you have passed this link on to a friend / tweeted / blogged whatever,

pop your name in my comments and why not tell me why you want it (or something like that)?

Love to you all,

Happy Christmas preparations my Lovlies

x x x

Books for your Christmas List? I have a few ideas... and if you love TEA, you'll love this...

 Hello and Welcome to Kirsty's amazing Book Review!

(*like i am on the Telly, wearing glasses that make me look clever*)

This is a gorgeous book newly published by "hardie grant"

 and just in-time for Christmas Lists and Christmas Gifts.

So here is my indepth Tea Discussion...

Do you know what breaks my heart? A Department Store restaurant where i sit, with a nasty white chipped tea pot and stained, thick rimmed tea cup. In the Tea Pot is a stale tasting tea bag on a string, the tea barely strong enough to colour the water...

Is this the end of Tea... TEA as we know it? And all the beauty that goes with it? Has the Costa Coffee generation contributed to the demise of the Tea Shoppe?

 Now Blog Friends - i know you well enough I think...

and if i tell you this book is called TEA & CAKE we need not review it any further as i have the feeling it is SOLD! on the title alone :)

It is though, a lovely book and nobody has paid me to say this to you.

 Seriously, nobody needs a book about Tea and more Recipes for Cake: we know this.

But "Tea& Cake" is really pretty and will totally inspire and indulge anyone who loves their cups of tea, their girly coffee mornings, or the odd Tea Party.

 This has to be my favourite page....

an awesome illustrative explanation to the types of tea we like!

And the illustrations are beautifully and thoughtfully done by Emma Block.

Emma Block likes "Charity Shops, Tea and very sharp pencils" so surely she is a friend of ours?

 I said to Emma: "My Blog readers and I LOVE vintage tea cups, teapots, colourful mugs... do they inspire you too?

And where did you find all the cups involved in your illustrations?"

Emma said to us: "Almost all of the tea cups in the book are mine or my granny’s. I have quite a large vintage teacup collection and I find it really helps to draw from life. I did find a few on etsy though. My grandpa is an antique silver dealer and he is very pleased that my drawings of his silver sugar tongs and caddy spoons are in the book"

 Emma, Has the British ‘Tea’ really turned into “Let’s have a milky brew, made with a bag in a mug, stood at the kitchen work surface”?

Aaah, replies Emma, "I think real tea is coming back. We’ve gotten used to expecting a bit more than a Tetley’s tea bag floating in a mug when we go to a cafe. More often we see ‘posh tea bags’ (Tea Pigs are a good example) and occasionally a loose leaf tea, which all seems to justify the ever increasing price tag of the humble cup of tea"

 I was superbly surprised to find the section on coctails in the book!!

You know i have my bookmark pinned in the page called THE NAUGHTY EARL

so this isn't all about pretty illustrations of Victoria Sponge... there are lots of tea based ideas to keep us fans inspired.

 You will really like this book i think, otherwise i wouldn't be telling you all about it.

I am keeping my copy because i am selfish but i might be buying one for my friend for Christmas (don't tell her) and then you will be itching to put out your thrifted table cloths and best mis-matched china and get the girls over for tea.... invite me won't you?

 And very soon i shall be reviewing the *new* Pip Lincolne Book

AND.....

I have a copy to giveaway to a lucky Blog Friend so keep your eyes on the Blog my cosy wee Tea & Craft Fans

xxx

*slurp*

And a FELT Book....

Obviously, i adore this book too otherwise i would not be selling it.

I only have 2 of these books. It is so inspirational and the book itself is lovely to handle and look at.

Fantastic felted wool projects - recycling and upcycling being the buzz words for this book.

If i had to pull a negative for this book, it would be that the author has alot more access to recycled wool than the average bear (you n me) and some projects will need you becoming a dedicated Finder and Felter of wool.

 But if you do hoarde (like me) and have boxes of wool felt offcuts and felted scarves and sweaters (yep, like me again, guilty) then this book is just the inspiration and direction you need (like i need!)

*must stop thinking people are like me - they probably aren't*!!

 If i am not wearing some kind of recycled sweater dress thing come Winter 2011...

then i'm no Crafter. Awesome stuff.

Also might neeeeeed to make one of those felted wool animal things... grrrrr.

Competition / Giveaway / draw / prize / asking for your input type of thing this coming week.

Stay tooned x

Bows!... i know! love 'em or hate 'em, Kitsch heaven...

I adore these - on every level

Perfect for prettying up a childs cardigan -

awesome use in kitsch and emo-punk jewelery and accessories

they are just a lovely shape and size.

I am about to list them in both the BigFish shop on Etsy and http://www.lovepaperfish.com/

i *think* these will be sold in sets of 8 but they average at around 40p per bow which is actually quite a bargain for these unusual and large buttons.

A pair of each 4 colours = 8 buttons = £3.50 per bag

or 10 of each colour in a bag = 40 buttons = £15.00 which is better value and approx 37p per bow.

 The 3rd of 4 new books in the shop.....

i was not prepared to like this book at all when i picked it up but i was so wrong.

This is inspirational more than instructional. If you work with children / teens / even adult wokshops then this is the best book for you. There are so many cute photographs and ideas to inspire you.

 Awesome sock pigs - i have never wanted to make a sock animal, until i saw these cuties.

These may even work their way into a Summer kids Craft workshop for the holidays...

 Instructions are clear and helpful, but truly... you cannot muck up a sock creature. The more individual they are, the better they look and the more fun you have.

 I have 4 of these still  ThankU MsC - make that 3 now in the shop but once they are gone, they are gone - so if you are keen... this is your moment.

I am elbow high in chocolate cake making today (maFish birthday tomorrow, ssshhhh)

See you later xxx

Books are here....

In an exciting twist to the Blog i am bringing you an entire WEEK of stunning new products

for sale in the http://www.lovepaperfish.com/ shop

Obviously, the benefit of ordering some books to sell is that KirstyFish gets to keep them all, mwahaha

There are 4 new titles listed.

Listen, i know that EVERYBODY gets their books from Amazon - why wouldn't you? they are very efficent and well priced but i hope to introduce the one element that Amazon cannot provide you...

customer service!

Each new book has been handpicked by me and chosen because they have all the qualities i value as a crafter and retailer. Nice weight of paper. Good prints and fonts. Stunning photos, clear instructions. Funky ideas and things you want to make.

This is perhaps my favourite of all the titles and the one most suited to a PaperFish customer.

It is called "Button & Stitch" and is by a Seattle based Crafter called Kristen Rask

http://plushyou.blogspot.com/

Full of  new ways to use buttons in craft. Very lovely ideas and pictures.

I love this pincushion button jar - very easy to make.

Everything in this book is suited to beginners or advanced crafters looking for a new direction.

If you have one or two special / vintage / expensive buttons then this book has ideas for you.

Explanations on what glues to use and how to attach buttons for long lasting use.

Incorporating fabrics and how to expand one idea and technique into many uses.

I have worked with buttons for years and there were many ideas in here i am going to try.

All books are limited to maybe 2 - 5 copies of each. I can re-order popular titles on occasions but as 'Book Selling' is a bit new to me, i thought i wouldn't order in a huge container ship full.... you know.

I have, of course, kept a copy of every book for myself. I find them all full of awesome ideas for my workshops with children.

Keep checking the blog over the next week or so as i will go into detail for each new book.

I also have a COOL competition coming for next week and will be asking regular readers and customers help me choose some new button stock.

yippeeee x

Playing with Christmas Presents...

Child says: "I'm bored Mamma"
Mother replies: "Don't be so silly. Go and play with all those new toys you were given for Christmas"
*child skips off to play*... Mother looks down at her hands and thinks *i'm bored*...

So i decided to play with some of my Christmas Gifts: I haven't 'packed' the Cath Kidston sewing basket yet. I am going to fill it with my travel sewing kit. I spend alot of time between my Parents home, my home, and various child related activities. This basket will have all the items i need so i can pick it up and *know* i will have pieces and essentials to work with on 'the move'.

Cath Kidston's craft books have come under some 'fire' from the dedicated UK Designer / Maker devotees and i can understand why. Her items are far from 'handmade' themselves and she is perhaps riding on the back of a growing current trend. I don't mind though. Her books are colourful and fun and i ask little else of my Craft Books.

The "DK Sewing Book" is something i need. I have never had any training in sewing and i get frustrated at my lack of knowledge. I am not a patient person and i want to be 'GOOD' at something immediately... at least i have this book now that might encourage me to, patiently, try some new things.

**Note to Self** take some time off in March and DO things for MYSELF :)

(feel a bit perkier today. A good camera and craft sessions can do that)

Weekend Thrift-a-rama....

A typically English afternoon - bar one thing... it was sunny!! So, off to the local "Bric-a-Brac" sale in Dodford.
Cute Summer dress = check
Sunnies = check
Rogue Trader style 4x4 truck = check Super sweet vintage style bag = check
SmallFish...... = check... but WAIT a minute!!

Somebody wasn't too keen on a trip out thrifty hunting... "What's up PongoFish?"

"Mama, you forgot my purse and now i can't buy anything"....

Run back inside for the Little Hello Kitty purse = check!

She soon cheered up as we entered the Village Green - they had a full on BAND playing!! Cool! and oh so English. It was dreamy :)

So dreamy, i did forget to photograph all my purchases for you to share.... Herbs, a rug, some books, .... SmallFish's plastic turtle and 'Tigger' Cocktail stirrer....

Tea from a true Utility Wear 'Village Hall' cup and saucer (i wanted a second cup but they didn't sell their tea by the pot, mores the pity)

Dreamy dreamy cake... Victoria Sponge with real strawberries. OH be still my fluttering heart... this cake will make it to the Food Blog sometime, it was delicious.

The Plant Stall with Parasol - this thrift sale spilled out of the Village Hall, over the Village Green and away up the winding village road.

I sat in the sunshine, enjoying the band and swatting the wasps off my cake with this *new* old book (all about English gramar and punctuation - i could do with the tuition)

Oh English-ness, i did enjoy a warm slice of your pomp and circumstance this weekend. Thankyou for your eccentricity and love of Tea, Cake and thriftiness x x x