Giveaway! Kids Crafternoon Felting

I have a few soap boxes. One of those is the pinkification of kids craft kits and anything crafty. Pretty, pink and purple boxes with fairies, flowers and butterflies. Never mind about the boys, some girls don't even like it. Kids craft books are often pinkification offenders too. Craft is not just for girls, nor lovers of pink. Which is why I think the Crafternoon Series of kids craft books, edited by the lovely Kathreen of WhipUp, are great.  

I should fess up and tell you that I have a project in the Felt version of the series. Mine is the robot (you can bend his arms and legs!) but, while I'm chuffed beyond belief to be included, I would still think this book was great regardless.  

The series of books cover, sewing, paper, beads and felt and provide an excellent range of projects, perfect for school aged kids. I also like that the projects are quite cool and sophisticated - not dumbed down just because the book is aimed at kids. 

I especially love Zombie Key Chain monsters by Lisa from The Red Thread:

image from: The Red Thread

The books are available at bookshops and online (Booktopia has them for 15% off at the moment). Or, if you would like to win a copy, leave a comment here telling me who you want the book for and you'll be in the draw. Make sure you leave a link to your blog or twitter account or an email address with your comment. I'll draw a random winner on Monday 5 December. 

And here's some other contributors to the book (hint you can still win a copy of the book on the last couple of blogs):

NOV 14: The Red Thread
NOV 15: Soosz
NOV 16: mmmcrafts
NOV 17: Between the Lines
NOV 18: Christine Chitnis
NOV 19: Chez Beeper Bebe
NOV 20: The Happy Zombie
NOV 21: Go Make Me
NOV 22: Love in the Mommyhood
NOV 23: JCasa Handmade
NOV 24: Picklebums
NOV 25: Modern Parents Messy Kids
NOV 26: Simple Kids
NOV 27: li'l magoolie

NOV 30: Little Eco Footprints
DEC 1: Lisa Siebert on Poppytalk

Edited to add: apologies but this is open only to people with an Australian address. Check some of the other links above if you're overseas and want to win...or keep an eye on www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com in the next day or so...)

Christmas Tree Bunting

It's creeping up on us and I know from looking at the stats that there's quite a few people out there ramping things up in readiness for Christmas. The Christmas Tree Bunting post is the most popular post on this little blog and every year around this time it starts getting a good work out. 

I'm chuffed, I quite like Christmas and I made the bunting on a whim a few years ago when I was starting to add new traditions, decorations and treats to our little family celebrations. It was also the year of our first  advent calendar, which is now a much anticipated annual tradition. 

This year I plan to:

- Make some new bunting

- Making gingerbread houses, again. Love this new tradition

- Making 2 new advent calendars for the nephews

- Finishing most of my Christmas shopping early. Although I will still visit the shops just before Christmas as I usually forget someone or decide I need something extra. Sadistic as it sounds, I like the thrill of a visit to the shops in the last week before Christmas. 

- Lots of baked treats - pudding, cake, gingerbread biscuits, mince pies, neenish tarts, jam, fudge and some new additions yet to be decided

- Making some gifts - softies and other things to play with

Let's see how I go with that list, huh. Got anything I should add to it?

Up The Duff

Yep, up the duff. At the point of writing this I'm 22 weeks.

I have spent a bit of time looking over the posts I wrote when I was up the duff with The Smurf and I've really enjoyed them. It's nice to look at those pictures and read those words and re-experience some of the feelings and thoughts and I don't want to miss that this time round.