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Craft Books – Eco Friendly Crafting & Teeny Tiny Crochet

April 20, 2012

Eco-friendly Crafting with KidsEco Friendly Crafting with Kids, Kate Lilley for MiniEco

Well! I am SOOOO excited to hold this wonderful book by Kate from MiniEco in my hands! I have long been a fan of Kate’s website MiniEco – she has great crafts, wonderfully executed and beautifully photographed –  a fabulous combination for any craft blog. Not surprisingly she is hugely popular on pinterest AND has just brought out her very first craft book for kids.

Another of my much favoured Ryland Peters & Small books, this book really pleased me on all levels. Kate chose a wonderful selection  of what I would call “core childhood crafts” – not only are they what every child should make at some point, but they are eco friendly too (a topic close to my heart). She proves that “eco”, does not have to be  boring or ugly. But that it is just as beautiful as anything else. So. Not only do you find the childhood classics (such as homemade playdough, writing with lemon and colouring flowers), but you get treated to what I call MiniEco specials – simple crafts beautifully designed for you to enjoy at home – for example a fabulous cardboard castle, jumping paper beans, a packman mobile or lovely shadow puppets. I really don’t want to sit here and list all the crafts (there would be no surprise for you then). But they really are lovely – and there is always a fantastic Kate twist to them (Kate – I love how you presented the homemade water colours and I will SO be doing them with my kids. Red Ted will love it!). They all look great and make me want to have a go straight away. I have already bookmarked at least 3 of them…

You know what is even better? You get to win your very own copy!!!
All you have to do, is visit MiniEco’s Tutorial page, have a look around and tell me which craft you would have a go at first!

  • Come back, tell me all about it in the comments and you could WIN!
  • Open to the US and UK only (sorry everyone else 🙁 )
  • Closes 1 May 2012. Winner will be selected at random.

 

Teeny Tiny CrochetTeeny Tiny Crochet, by Catherin Hirst

As some of you may know, I am a crochet beginner. Well, I taught myself to crochet probably about 18 months ago and the key to things like crochet and knitting is to keep doing it, so you don’t forget how! So, I do love any new crafty books relating to crochet. And what better than “teeny tiny” crochets? Though smaller projects can be fiddly – you need to increase and decrease loops etc – it is a fantastic way to find your crochet confidence – as you learn quickly AND you get the benefits of the craft quicker – i.e. you can make something in 10 or 20 or 30 minutes, rather than say an “easy” blanket, which can be repetitive and boring and can take hours to make!

I need to get myself a 1.4 and 1.5mm hook so that I can get started.

In the meantime, believe it or not, the book has inspired me to get crafty and I made a whole FIMO tea set for Pip Squeak’s dolls house. The sign of a good craft book for me.. is when you go off and make something. And this book did! Now to get some hooks.

In the meantime, I would love to leave you with this adorable video by the author.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized 77 Comments

Comments

  1. amy (mamascout) says

    April 20, 2012 at 11:08 am

    I would like to make shadow puppets. I love them and do not make nearly as many as I would like!

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    April 20, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    I actually used the shadow puppet tutorial last week with my 4 year old. Great fun for parents and kids! So my next venture would have to be the magnetic fishing game.

    Reply
  3. Leoni says

    April 20, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    I already made some cute mini paper crackers at christmas but I would like to make the recycled crayons, they’re cool 🙂

    Reply
  4. Anna says

    April 20, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    i am going to make the sewing cards today for my 4 year old. So cute, and she has been wanting to join in lately!

    Reply
  5. pam barker says

    April 20, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    Sidewalk chalk is the first craft Presley and I would . Its warm out and we love to draw with sidewalk chalk all over the sidewalk and porch and have drawing contest!! We love to go to our park and me and my 3 kids draw in big areas inspritial things for people to see and read!

    Reply
  6. liveotherwise says

    April 20, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Can’t choose, either macrame with hex nuts or knitted ankle bell thingy!

    Reply
  7. Lisa says

    April 20, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    I love the recycled crayons idea!

    Reply
  8. Courtney says

    April 20, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Since spring is upon us, my 6yo and I would sooo make the bird feeder!

    Reply
  9. Mari valleau says

    April 20, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    I’m a homeschool mom and a nanny, any of the projects on the mini Eco site. But hoot hoot is the one that draws me personally.

    Reply
  10. The fairy and the frog says

    April 20, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    I love the knitted ankle bells- I only learnt how to knit very recently(when I was expecting number 2)and number1 loves to dance and make noise so it would be perfect

    Reply
  11. Karla says

    April 20, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    I follow mini eco already and would love to win the ebook! I’ve done several projects, but want to do the sewn paper garland one of these days.

    Reply
  12. Cerys @ rainy day mum says

    April 20, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    As it’s something I’ve never tried I would love to have a go at the Macrame Owl. It looks so intricate and beautiful. What a fab giveaway

    Reply
  13. Chelle says

    April 20, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    Recycled crayons have been on my pinterest board forever. So that would be first, but I reckon the natural dyes playdough will be a winner too. And the sewing card… To be honest… all of them. I can’t really choose!

    Reply
  14. TheBoyandMe says

    April 20, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    Love the mini-eco site, gorgeous. My favourite one is the pencil crayon jewellery (http://www.minieco.co.uk/pencil-crayon-jewelry-for-designmom/).

    Thanks for a great comp Maggy

    Reply
  15. Tracy Nixon says

    April 20, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    I would want to try them all! I love creating!!! I would choose to look at the Macrame Owl tutorial first though as it look like a little challenge and I love challenges!

    Reply
  16. Rachel Ray says

    April 20, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    Wow! What an amazing website! I’d probably try magic potion #2 first. I can imagine my 3 years olds reaction…we’d be repeating that experiment a lot!

    Reply
  17. HawaiianLibrarian says

    April 21, 2012 at 12:01 am

    I want to try them all but anything w/ recycled crayons sounds great.

    Reply
  18. angela says

    April 21, 2012 at 12:13 am

    i would try the space invaders woven present topper.

    Reply
  19. Geri Johnson says

    April 21, 2012 at 2:07 am

    Hi! I already love the Minieco site also & have pinned many of her ideas for future use. My 3 year old grandson enjoys doing “crafty things” with me & I’ve been looking at her fishing idea called “here fishy fishy”. It’s so bright & colorful and my grandson loves anything to do with water play so he’s sure to love this. Now that Texas is enjoying a few spring like days before the oppressive heat and humidity of summer kicks in, it would be a perfect time to try this one!

    Reply
  20. Aleacia says

    April 21, 2012 at 2:32 am

    I would love to win this book!!! I’m digging the colored pencil jewelry (for me!)

    Reply
  21. Liz says

    April 21, 2012 at 7:58 am

    really like the recycled crayons…fab idea!

    Reply
  22. Gill B says

    April 21, 2012 at 8:34 am

    I would love to try the knitted ankle bells

    Reply
  23. Carrie says

    April 21, 2012 at 8:37 am

    I’ve just seen the pencil crayon jewellery, fantastic idea I’ll be trying that on the next day of April showers (Nothing showery about it, our rain’s aways in for the day)

    Reply
  24. Kelly says

    April 21, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Has to be the twig boat for me – we live by the sea and it would be brilliant in the rock pools 🙂

    Reply
  25. Val Hartley says

    April 21, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I would love to try the “Printable sewing cards” with my grandaughter.

    Reply
  26. Cathy says

    April 21, 2012 at 11:54 am

    I would love to have a go at the Macramé Owl, love all the bright colours

    Reply
  27. Ben Barnard says

    April 21, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Recycled crayons

    Reply
  28. jennie says

    April 21, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    twig boats ,my grandson would love

    Reply
  29. Mrak Barker says

    April 21, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    Macrame would be good

    Reply
  30. Michelle S. says

    April 22, 2012 at 1:37 am

    The macrame hex-nut bracelet.

    Reply
  31. Jennifer E. says

    April 22, 2012 at 3:44 am

    Balloon bongo, rice shaker & güiro! My daughter loves instruments. She would have so much fun making some of her own.

    Reply
  32. jennifer thorpe says

    April 22, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    my children love crafting and we would try the knitted ankle bells first

    Reply
  33. Victoria Boland says

    April 22, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    The recycled crayons look good.

    Reply
  34. Mummy Fever says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:57 am

    Love the look of the stick and drill threading game @MummyFever

    Reply
  35. K DUNN says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    wow love that site! my daughter would love to have a go at the pixalted pop up heart card! wow

    Reply
  36. Solange says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Knitted ankle bells

    Reply
  37. Solange says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Shadow puppets

    Reply
  38. byrney says

    April 23, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    I actually found mini Eco not long ago for the 3d shapes (paper gems) I’ve not got around to them yet so they’ll have to stay top of my list, but there are lots of others I love too…

    Reply
  39. Isil says

    April 23, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    The paper gems look fab,would love to make them.

    Reply
  40. Eilidh says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    Hello, thank you for the giveaway and for your great blog. I’ve already made the string tie envelopes and have pinned lots of other things. I love the look and feel of all Kate’s projects and have her book on my wish list to buy when I go back to work.

    Reply
  41. Anna says

    April 24, 2012 at 12:33 am

    I love MiniEco and am so excited to get this book… I would be even more excited to win it! I have long been a fan of this blog and have tried lots of the tutorials on her list with my daughter and some of the children I care for… We have tried, the Tin Can Drums, we printed out the Lace Up Cards, made our own Fishy Game, Dyed Playdough, and made Shadow Puppets.
    I’ve had those string-tie envelopes on my list for quite some time, I think it’s time to check them off the “to do” and add them to the “have done.”

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  42. tubaboya says

    April 24, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    All of them! but if i had to pick it would be the mini boats my son would love to make them

    Reply
  43. Ana says

    April 24, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    Teady bear toast all the way. Simple idea that makes your day start happy!!

    Reply
  44. Mummy..Mummy..MUM!! says

    April 25, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    The Mini Eco site is just gorgeous! I like the acorn shaker!

    Reply
  45. Viktorija says

    April 25, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    I like garland made from old books… 🙂

    Reply
  46. Stephanie Tsang says

    April 26, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I’d love to try the easter bunny garland.

    Reply
  47. Nancy says

    April 28, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    I have a 2yo boy and another little one on the way so a fantastic resource like this one to have on hand would be fantastic. I’ve been wanting to make the fishy fish game for my little boy, a version that he can play during bath time. Thanks so much for the chance to win.

    Reply
  48. Emma Jackson says

    April 29, 2012 at 9:38 am

    The recycled crayons look great so I’d go for them but I’ve got lots more ideas bookmarked to try from there. thanks 🙂

    Reply
  49. Jodie says

    April 29, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    I would love to try the Bird Feeder , think my chidren would really enjoy the after effects! months of fun!

    Reply
  50. Lisa Wilkinson says

    April 30, 2012 at 5:37 am

    I would try the Galaxy Crayons

    Reply
  51. Cheryl Lovell says

    April 30, 2012 at 7:13 am

    Recycled crayons look fab!

    Reply
  52. katherine grieve says

    April 30, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    I wold try the crackers, would be great for birthdays

    Reply
  53. Lee Johnson says

    April 30, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    I Love the recycled crayons

    Reply
  54. Tracy Dixon says

    April 30, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    I would love to try the paper beads – they are so lovely, bright and sparkly! Perfect for my little girl

    Reply
  55. Jennifer Brown says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    I will be trying the teddy bear toast with my nephew!

    Reply
  56. Heather says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    the recycled crayons look like so much fun!

    Reply
  57. Hayley Fountain says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    i would like to make the paper beads x

    Reply
  58. Helen Aiken says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    I think perhaps we’d try hama bead weaving as my daughter loves making things with hama beads, but so many to choose from – Also love the look of the Paper Diamonds, Paper Gems and crackers.

    Reply
  59. Andrea says

    April 30, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    Galaxy Crayons look great, I have tried making recycled crayons but not with glitter in I will have to give it a go
    @UptonAndrea

    Reply
  60. Sarah Parker says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    sewing cards 🙂

    Reply
  61. Justin says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    puppets

    Reply
  62. Carolina J. says

    April 30, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    I’d love to try everything- from knitting ankle bells to paper garlands.

    Reply
  63. Grace M says

    May 1, 2012 at 9:04 am

    I really LOVE the pop-up cards – we have just made heart pop-ups for Nana – and we have a whole two months of birthdays for big and little boys so the new Space Invaders template is a winner for us!
    I just found MiniEco yesterday and the book looks like a must-have for the summer holidays!
    Good luck everyone and thanks for the chance to enter!
    Gxx

    Reply
  64. Paul Witney says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:10 am

    Wow – so many to choose from. I am sure my daughters will love to have a go at the Pixelated pop up heart.

    Reply
  65. Samantha Wesley says

    May 1, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    I would love to make the 3D paper diamonds, they are so unnusual! @samanthawesley

    Reply
  66. Claire says

    May 1, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    RECYCLE CRAYONS

    Reply
  67. Anne Peyton says

    May 1, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    My grandson would love to make the easter garland. He loves miffy and never goes to sleep without her? 🙂

    Reply
  68. Kate Bristow says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    I love the 12 point origami star. Have bookmarked though as there’s quite a few I like the look of 🙂

    Reply
  69. Suzanne sendell says

    May 5, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    teeny crochet

    Reply
  70. Kristian says

    May 5, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    Shadow puppets, Get the kids making some real toys.

    Reply
  71. Ceril Roberts says

    May 7, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    I love the idea of recycled crayons but also writing with lemons. I am hopeless at coming up with ideas of what to do craft wise andthis book sounds amazing!

    Reply
  72. Antonia Rookley says

    May 8, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    Love the shadow puppets

    Reply
  73. Helen Aiken says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:06 am

    I’d probably try either the paper diamonds or paper gems first with my daughter, though loads of them look really good and I’m sure she’d love to try them all.

    Reply
  74. Anne McCutcheon says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:12 am

    I would love to learn how to crochet.

    Reply
  75. TheBoyandMe says

    May 15, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    Thank you so much for my prize of the book, I love it! And for introducing me to the world of Mini-Eco!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      May 15, 2012 at 5:40 pm

      Hooray! I am so pleased you like it!! And Mini Eco really is a fabulous site!

      Reply
  76. Hamideh gorgij says

    October 4, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    I would love to learn how to crochet.

    Reply

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