Cosy Creativity

The Christmas crafting is all done and dusted, and now I am thinking about projects for the new year. I was returning library books for Bob recently, and grabbed a couple of crafting ones, hoping for inspiration.

I had high hopes for this one, Willow Crossley is an established florist/stylist, who has worked with a number of large companies on photographs for their brochures/advertising But I was a little disappointed  

Of the 40 projects, 6 were just variations on the them of 'fabric bag'. 

The projects were divided into 4 categories "decorate, hang, use, nest" There were all the usual things - teacup candles, flower wreaths, chalkboards, covered coathangers etc. But I really don't think "buy a plain panama hat, and fit a new ribbon hatband" merits the title of "a project"

But there was one idea I had not come across before. Decorative Sticks. Let me show you...

...Cornerstones does not have a mantelpiece anywhere. And I don't want sticks on my windowsills. Bob was somewhat scathing about the idea of using my embroidery threads to wrap up twigs!

So sorry Ms Crossley, I  think my ideas and yours don't quite match up! But the book has got some pretty pictures in it, and do I agree that natural fabrics, and real flowers are preferable to plastic trim.

I'll rate this ***

Book Two - "What shall we do today?" by Catherine Woran was a lot more useful. I have looked at CWs other craftbooks before, and they meet my "well explained, clearly illustrated, decent templates" requirements. This has sixty project to do with children aged 3-12

Yes, there were lots of different ideas, and I liked that she had grouped them in seasonal sections - spring included ideas for Valentine's Mothering Sunday, Easter etc, Summer featured sunny, outdoorsy stiff, Autumn had pumpkins and Halloween ideas, and of course Winter was focussed on colder weather and Christmas treats.

I liked her emphasis on natural materials, paper, yarn and fabrics rather than lots of plastic - and many different types of craft to develop skills in little hands. Modelling, painting, cutting, tying, folding, stitching, printing.... And if you scoop out the pumpkin seeds to make a lantern or bird feeder - dry the seeds for a necklace. This would be a good resource book for a young mum [or auntie, granny,  uncle or grandad] who wants to engage children in purposeful crafts. 

And the basic ideas are ripe for development - simplify for younger children, add extra decorations for older ones. Things like bird feeders offer the option of discussions about nature, greetings cards for Mums/Dads can be varied for other friends or family members. I know how to make pointy hats for witches or magicians - but this book has the best instructions for somebody who doesn't know where to start. *****

My top tips for children's crafts - try it yourself first, and be realistic about how long it will take. They get bored very easily - and it is frustrating when things are abandoned half-finished. Consider projects as having three stages - preparing materials / assembling / decorating and finishing. It may make sense to do the prep yourself beforehand. Or if they are going to prepare/collect/sort/cut out themselves, maybe it is a 2-day craft. e.g. We will make it today and paint it tomorrow. 

Last Saturday it was enormous fun watching Rosie , 7½ and Jess 2½, decorating biscuits. One carefully spooning icing on to the cookie, then choosing and positioning the sprinkles. The other happily splashing and flinging  [the Architect and the Raccoon all over again]

When the awful weather outside means we need to stay inside, some cosy creativity can be a good activity for people of any age.  Or just curl up, under a blanket, with a mug of tea and a craft book to read through...