“Cool Needle Felting for Kids” book review

Hi! Crafters!

“Cool Needle Felting for Kids” by Alex Kuskowski by Abdo publishing, Co. in 2015. Again this is another book for middle school children and the book suggests eight to ten year old.

Beginning on page 4 “Fun Felting”; then and on page 6 “Tools of the Trade”.

Pages 10 starts “Basic” like the series and page 14 “Starting Up” stitches are discussed.  I thought “felting” was using felt sheets and cutting the sheet and then sew. I was way wrong. The felting needle is like a gun with three needles on the end.  The book shows how the needles are used by making a star using a cookie cutter and roving fabric and foam pad on page 13.

This book has seven projects to make starting on page 14 with “Working of Art”; on page 16 is “Bead Bracelet”; on page 18 is “Hidden Heart Bowl”; on page 20 is “Delectable Cupcake”;  on page 20 is on “Felted Sushi Magnets”; on page 24 is “Snuggly Penguin”; and then on page 28 is “Rub-a-dub Subs”.

Again as yesterday the general tools are need. The addition tools are Roving, felting needle, needle felted foam pad, needle felting tool, and yarn.

Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at sandi_tipple@yahoo.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!

“Cool Embroidery for Kids” book review

Hi! Crafters!

This book is another one in the series from the checkerboard library for kids.  In my opinion it is set for middle school children. The insert states eight to ten year old. This book is set up like crochet book was with five projects toward the end.

“Cool for Kids” by Alex Kuskowski published by Abdo Publishing, Co. in 2015. 

Page 3 starts with Sew Cool then page 6 stares the tools needed tor the embroidery trade. Using an embroidery hoop is talked about on page 10. They come in different sizes; so, an individual will need to figure out what size is best for them to use. 

On pages 12 and the starting on 14 starts basic stitch and the basic stitches that are used. Different project use some or all stitches depends on what is being made or material an individual is stitching on.  

I make a lot of projects using counted cross stitch and back stitches. There are a lot of little easy kits at Walmart that comes with supplies you need. But you have to provide a pair of scissor to cut the thread. On page 18 it shows an individual how to make a cross stitch.

The first project is “Blast off Book Mark” on page 18; page 20 is “Awesome Erasable Notes”; on page 22 is “Out of this World T-shirt”; on page 24 is “Marvelous Monogram”; and on page 26 is the last project “Sew Sweet Frame”.

In “Keep Embroidery” starting on page 30 goes more in depth about embroidery.  The book ends with website one might be interested in taking a look at.

The tools for getting start to embroidery will be ones you might already have or can use with other fiber arts projects. For instance scissors, different sizes of needles, thread especially black and white, measuring tape, pad and pencil, white glue, bag for your project, tapestry needle, safety pins, beads and buttons.  Now you would need embroidery hoop, floss, embroidery needle, fabric which can be felt, linen or cotton, and pattern.

Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at sandi_tipple@yahoo.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Kids Crochet Book Review

Hi! Crafters!

This book 2nd in the blog that I discuss about doing children of different ages. In my opinion this is for middle school age children; which, was my ages group that I taught. However the book stated all ages yet later said “Reading Age”. The projects in my opinion seemed more to middle school age children.

So, here we go the title is “Kids Crochet” by Keith Rondi published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang in 2005. 

It was interested the author began talking about “Lefties” and “Finger Crocheting” On page 30 discussed Texture, rib stitch, front and back loop, This is one reason I thought about middle school age children.

Here is another reason on page 62 in the shape section the in book introduces increasing and decreasing.   Page 70 stars a project which makes a project using increasing by making a triangle into a pillow and a quilt.

In the circular section starting on page 80 they introduce using stitch markers then on page 86 the make a pillows one has a butterfly on it the other has a snail. In my opinion this project was very cute.

Since I try to make different hat for my doctor’s office when I saw this hat on page 92 I was interested in this hat. The author introduces making a hat with a button on it. It was explains about “crown” which they call “flat top” then body of the hat. I liked how he introduced how to make ear flaps and other ways to finish off the hat. Middle school ages children like to wear ear flapped hats from what I saw while teaching.

Page 97 went into making tassels. In my opinion I do not know why thy teach tassels anymore; because, most people do not wear them anymore and I am not seeing them on curtains either.

Shapes are discussed on page 98 by making a juggling ball using dried bean or soybeans. This seems to be like the hacky sack balls kids play with waiting to be let in to the school. On page 104 the project is making a cupcake shaped pincushion. Again, in my opinion I am not getting or seeing a lot of people who sew anymore. It seems to be the lost art. But, knitting seem to be the popular craft now.

Doll friends starting on page 108 would be a great section; because, it would help the child in the future to do amigurumi animals.

Sweaters start on page 116 which is still popular for anyone of every age to want to make.

It was interesting to me to see the author on page 124 to discuss caring, washing and storing of your crochet items.

Starting on page 125 however the book ends with abbreviations; however, throughout the book they never used the abbreviations they spelled out stitch, etc. Unfortunately, they child in my opinion will have a hard time reading a pattern which has abbreviation throughout the pattern, now.  I also do not understating they wait until the end of the book to show an individual how to make the stitches or abbreviation while using them throughout the book. I like book to teach this first and not wait until the end.

Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at sandi_tipple@yahoo.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!