Wednesday, April 07, 2010

CRAFT BOOK GIVEAWAY

A little while ago I got an email from Penguin Publishing asking if I would like to review a new book they have published:
Sew Darn Cute 30 Sweet & Simple Designs to Sew & Embellish by Jenny Ryan.

  I suggested we also do a giveaway of the book - which they were happy to do - and its a world wide giveaway so keep reading for details....
The first thing you notice about this book is how girly and pretty it is. Lots of raw linen and pastels and sweet projects to sew. As the title suggest, there are 30 different projects to choose from ranging from simple to difficult, but the instructions are great. Very simple to follow and well laid out.
The tone of the book is very chatty and casual with an emphasis on giving it a go without worrying about how perfect it is- which I loved about it.  You feel like you are chatting with Jenny- and what's not to love about a woman with a pair of scissors tattooed on her wrist!
There are some fantastic appliques which could be used in lots of different ways. The project that stood out for me was the snake made out of felted woollen sweaters/ jumpers/knits.
Jenny is big on upcycling the fabric you already have- for example all those vintage sheets many of us have tucked away and because lots of the projects are small not only can you make them in a couple of hours but you can use what you already have- perfect for when the creative urge strikes.
Some of you will use this book in exactly the way Jenny describes and will do the projects as they are, others will use it as inspiration and may use aspects of the projects in your own way.


all images used with permission
Whichever kind of crafter you are - its really worth taking a look at this book.
To win your very own copy , just make a comment below and don't forget to include an email address if you don't have your own blog. The winner will be drawn with much fanfare on WED 14th April. Yes, the book can be sent world wide.
Feel free to link to this post if you would like to spread the word on your own blog.
 Good luck!!

90 comments:

  1. wow, what a lovely giveaway Cath, it looks like a book filled with gorgeous things to make :)

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  2. It looks like such a lovely book - what a great giveaway!

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  3. hoo - always good to have inspiration!

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  4. Some people get all the good emails...! ;)

    All I've been offered is to giveaway some cleaning products I would nae use in the first place... pfft!

    Looks like an awesome read - as coincidence would have it, I just this moment posted about some crafty books myself!

    *crossing my fingers & my toes, but leaving my eyes out of it*

    Vic

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  5. I am trying very hard to hand-craft all the presents I give, but am just a beginner and in need of more inspiration. This book looks perfect ;-)

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  6. great giveaway cath, how lovely of you! ;)

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  7. ah, the book looks great! I have yet to own a book like it. thank you for the giveaway!

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  8. Ohh! Oooh! Yes please.

    Thanks for having the forethought to mention a giveaway to the publishers. Jolly good of you.

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  9. What a fabulous looking book and great give away! and I have to admit only recently I thought about getting a tattoo of some scissors too!! :)
    lauraandbrendon@internode.on.net

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  10. Nice giveaway! Looks like it's filled with some cute projects! Thanks!

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  11. What a fabulous giveaway, thanks Cath! (wishes luck to self ;) )

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  12. A great review.
    You've convinced me.
    I'll have it!!
    Thanks.
    :-)

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  13. I have got the sewing bug! This book looks fab, would love to see more about that quilt project!

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  14. Oooh, if I had that book, I would never get anything (housework etc) done!

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  15. What a great giveaway! I'd love a copy of this beautiful book xo

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  16. Great giveaway Cath! Looks like a fantastic book.

    http://challencharms.blogspot.com

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  17. wow, looks fabulous!!
    gorgeous giveaway!
    http://www.5starbaby.blogspot.com/

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  18. Wow thirty projects to get the juices flowing..Count me in please ! And thanks !

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  19. It looks good! count me in, I would love a copy!
    Kerry x

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  20. Great giveaway.
    I'm quite impressed by your review.
    Have a lovely week.

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  21. Ohhhhhhhh, I keep looking at this book on bookdepository.co.uk (it's on my wishlist there).

    Me, me, pick me gods and goddesses of random generation!

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  22. wow, Cath, what a great little book, I have been thinking of which book I should begin with...sounds good

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  23. is this 'Jenny Ryan' the same woman who owns "Home Ec Shop" in Silverlake, California?!?!? if so, what a coincidence! i took a trip to the shop about a week ago - she is REALLY cool, very nice and her shop is super cute, so i can imagine the book must be much of the same =-) what luck to be able to review this book! good luck to everyone here for the giveaway!

    i'm actually hoping to teach a class at Home Ec, eventually, if she has room for another instructor =-)

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  24. Hi! I would love a nice, funky and most importantly, simple, sewing book because when it comes to the art of material and thread, I am fairly hopeless. And I would love to be able to say, yep, I sewed that. Heh!

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  25. I DESPERATELY REALLY REALLY WANTS THIS BOOK....SEND TO ME PLEASE,LOL...

    XO.
    aphrodita

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  26. Let me introduce myself - I am a craft book ADDICT and I really really need this one too!

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  27. Would love to own such a gorgeous book -- it looks very enticing.

    Katie
    knygh[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  28. Looks like a fabulous book! Would love to explore it :)

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  29. Looks like a totally ace book, wow, those projects are actually do-able, upsizing rocks & so handy. Love it, nice generous post, fingers crossed, love Posie

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  30. My husband just built me a new bookcase, so I have lots of room for new craft books! Thanks Cath.

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  31. What a lovely giveaway! Love to look at the book and try out some projects :)

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  32. What a gorgeous book! Thanks for the offer :)

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  33. oooh, looks like my kind of thing!

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  34. That looks fantastic, what a great give away! Fingers crossed x

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  35. This book looks like too much fun thank you!

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  36. What a great giveaway and I have also posted about it on my blog.

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  37. The book looks great: would be lovely to actually use some of the vintage sheets tucked away too...

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  38. With a review like that ... how could I not want a copy??? Thanks for having this giveaway x

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  39. Yep, Yep...I'd like a closer look at that there book!! Count me in pleeeeese xx

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  40. I would love to win the book.

    http://imaginationinflightblog.blogspot.com

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  41. Some new projects and inspiration would be great. Thanks for organising such a great give away.

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  42. looks like a nice book for my shelves!
    is it american?
    i'm going to do a link from my blog to yours
    jen x

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  43. This books looks great!Thanks a lot for the chance.
    eli_green22 at yahoo dot com dot br

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  44. Looks like a goody. Thanks for the giveaway. XX

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  45. Love it,love it...exactly what I'm into right now! Love the upcycling angle.I'm a sew-a-holic.

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  46. thanks for giveaway, this looks like a great book!
    shou.milk@gmail.com

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  47. omg I want it!!! I need some simple sewing skills to help me out. I've got bins of fabric that I'm just "collecting". Thanks for the opportunity ♥

    rubyclover@comcast.net

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  48. great give away!
    i have been wanting this book for a while!
    thanks

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  49. oh how generous! The book looks terrific! & some new ideas that I sure could use!

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  50. Count me in!

    fingers and toes are crossed!
    xx Amy

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  51. Oh, I'm such a sucker for a good craft book ....

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  52. Please add me to the draw, this book looks lovely, and it's my birthday on the 11th...wouldn't that be perfect? :0)

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  53. Looks like a great book! Thanks Cath.

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  54. ooh please pic me. It looks like a great book!

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  55. Yippee, a giveaway. Looks like a lovely book. Thanks. xo

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  56. What a lovely looking book, so nice to have some new ideas!

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  57. I looked at this giveaway the other day and thought – no I shouldn’t enter. I don’t need a sewing book; I have enough things on the go. But here I am back and commenting! This could be the start of a whole new tangent!

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  58. Great review and awesome giveaway! Thanks for the chance....I'll be looking at where I can find this book if I'm not lucky enough to win it, I do love crafting books so!

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  59. Count me in please Cath! I'd love to add this book to my collection xox

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  60. Please count me in, I have had my eye on this book for a while, but keep on spending my money at opshops!

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  61. As I was just saying to Miss Muggins - ohhhhhhh, awwwwww. Cute is right! Who doesn't want more cute in their lives? I know I do! :)

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  62. Thanks for the chance to win one of these books.

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  63. oh boy this is a fantastic giveaway, i would LOOOVE to win this book! thank you so much for the opportunity! you ROCK! ;D

    laci
    http://zigzagsthisandthats.blogspot.com/

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  64. love the look of the book -sure to get some inspiration cells firing away!

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  65. What an awesome awesome GIVEAWAY! I hope I win! {found you on an etsy thread}...

    leelynnstock@gmail.com

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  66. hi, thanks for entering me into the contest. looks like a super one!

    j.

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  67. That looks like an amazing book... very cute indeed. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  68. Be nice to sew those lovely things give to charity. Good to feel inspired....peace & love, Rosie ;o)

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  69. What a wonderful book. Penguin are such a great publishing house.

    Thanks for running the giveaway.

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  70. A very generous give away!
    I too rather spend my time being creative, With 3 kids and a hectic busy live would love some time to indulge in a bit of sewing!

    thanks for the give away

    ap6valiant@bbnet.com.au

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  71. oh this book looks like JUST what I would use! Put me in the draw pretty please!

    and PICK MEEEeeeee!

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  72. Thanks for the giveaway Cath, the book looks great.

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  73. This book looks great. I'm still hoping to get a copy of One Yard Wonders, but it looks like I have another wish to add to my wishlist.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

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  74. such a great review! the book sounds so user friendly as well as super cute

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  75. Looks foolproof even for the pattern phobic like myself. Hopefully a good kick starter for rusty crafters who need a little push to get back in there.

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  76. Oooh, that book looks like fun!! Please toss my name in the proverbial hat :o)
    Smiles, Karen

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  77. Damn. I can’t keep up with my life anymore. Made it by the skin of my teeth for this excellent one!

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