In this post I am going to give you a sneak peek of this book - it isn't even in the shops yet! I'm also giving it away because I don't have little ones and I know that a family out there would really benefit from having this book in the house :)
I'm sure that a majority of you will know Amanda Blake Soule from her thoughtful blog Soule Mama. I'm also sure that most of you who read her blog will agree that one of the main draws of her family and craft focused blog is her sensitive and meditative style of writing. She manages beautifully to make the make the simplest things compelling and she encourages her readers (in gentle and unpatronising tones) to stop a minute and be truly in the moment. Anyone who enjoys a peaceful mug of tea whilst reading her posts is going to love her up and coming book...
Amanda's new book; The Creative Family. This book is full of suggestions, tutorials, and observations on how the family can better connect with each other and encourage imagination. Amanda talks about how this can be achieved through the mediums of handmade craft, appreciation of nature, play, and thought and ritual. I have to say it only takes a few pages of reading Amanda's warm and gentle writing before the stresses of the day begin to melt away...no really, try it for yourself.
How to turn Dad's old T-shirt into a pair of groovy trousers for kids.
How to stencil T-shirts with the kids. Throughout these projects Amanda gives suggestions on how to involve the children in creating craft.
This is a lovely idea: turn the children's artful sketches in embroidery transfers. How charming is that cushion?
Here's Ezra doing a spot of his own embroidery (with blunt needle in hand); he looks so engrossed in his work.
How to make your own (nicer) knitting needles. The book has a lovely section on how to get the little ones involved with knitting from a young age.
The family's ever changing nature table is a place to exhibit and explore.
Inspiration is everywhere...
Draw Details (please read carefully)
I'll send a copy of The Creative Family to 1 lucky draw winner. AND A BONUS!! I will also include the packed with tutorials Handcrafted Journal too (as it didn't get claimed).
To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:
- Sharing your favourite tutorial/s with us and putting a link to it/them in your comment. It could be anything; a recipe, sewing, knitting, or whatever, the more and the varied the better.
Contest Official-ness :
- I'll randomly draw the winner in a weeks time - 29th March and announce the winner the following day-ish. Good luck!
- I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
- Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement. This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
- Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
- Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)
