Fun with Stitchables -- Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from Quarto Books USA. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

This week I am sharing another kid's craft book, however before I begin I thought I would share what craft I have been working on. I picked up a project that I started ages ago and haven't worked on in quite awhile. It is a prayer shawl that I am making for myself.

There are many different styles to prayer shawls but basic ones use a pattern of three stitches and then three of a different type. Three of course represents the Trinity. While knitting the knitter prayers for the person the shawl will go. I did the simple knit three, purl three repeated across the row of around 63 stitches. I am using an organic cotton on size 13 needles. My work is full of mistakes, but so is my life, so I think it all works. 

Now onto our book for this week. It is Fun with Stitchables! by Suzy Ultman. This book is to teach kids how to cross-stitch and sew different types of stitches. The book starts with the supplies needed: yarn or embroidery floss, scissors, and needles with the optional needle threader. I wish a needle came with the book, but this is really a minor issue. Next are instructions to thread the needle with a needle threader and how to knot the end. Then there are instructions for the basic stitches: straight stitch, cross-stitch, seed stitch and back stitch. Then there are tips, ideas and such for the projects. Next there are pages with pictures of many of the projects so the stitches can be planned out in color.

Finally there are pages of light cardboard punch-outs that have holes for the sewing. We used some yarn from a crochet kit my mother bought Hazel since we were at my parents house when we started this. The first one we did was the watermelon slice.

Next she did the tea cup. This introduced the straight stitch as well as the cross-stitch.

Next she tried the dog. We actually started trying to plan the plain square, but I realized she needed more experience in the stitches before doing the basic shapes so she could really plan what she wanted to do with them.

She really enjoyed this cross-stitch project. It may be time to pull out some of my cross-stitch supplies for her. I was really into it in high school and college so I have quite a bit of them.

Next she started this girl. I helped her with finishing the circles since she had trouble with the full holes. We should have used embroidery floss for this one!! Oh, well, it worked. Overall we love this book for teaching different stitches. It is more fun than the lacing cards and teaches more. It is a great introduction to various stitches and learning some sewing techniques as well as embroidery stitches and is an easy way to practice them. We recommend this one!!

Thank you to everyone who shared with us at last party!! It was one of our largest Crafty Weekends yet and packed full of beautiful crafts and inspiring ideas! Below are some features from the party, but this is just a small sample of great ideas shared! This week the features are in three groups: Fall, Halloween & More and Other Fun Crafts. 

Also remember for your child-oriented crafts, activities, lessons, etc. Sharing Saturday is going on!! For any cultural related posts (diversity and/or multicultural as well) be sure to share at the month long Creative Kids Creative Blog Hop.

Fall Decor Craft Features

1) From Worthing Court: My 5 Best Tips for Creating a Fabulous Fall Centerpiece

2) From Creatively Homemade: Quick and Easy Fall Wreath Tutorial


3) From Inspirations for Moms: Fall Burlap and Lace Wreath

4) From Oh My! Creative: Fall Wood Pallet Art

5) From  Flamingo Toes: Vintage Pumpkin Fall Pillow

6) From Do More for Less: Easy Fall Farmhouse Vignette

Halloween & More Craft Features

 

1) From Bombshell Bling: The Grinch & Cindy Lou Who Halloween Costumes (and Christmas Card!)

2) From The Scrap Shoppe Blog: Tailgating Mason Jar Cozy

3) From Embellishmints: Halloween Decorations for Glasses 

Other Fun Craft Features

 

1) From Simply {Darr}ling: DIY Waterproof Pet Water Dish Mat

2) From Hello Nature: Greeting Card Binder DIY 
 
3) From Naptime Creations: Kids Adventure Bag Sewing Tutorial

4) From Summery Umbrella: Super Simple Jewelry Organization

Thank you to everyone who shared the last week!! I hope you will share again!! If you are featured here, please feel free to grab a featured button to display proudly on your blog. I would love the help spreading the word about Crafty Weekends!!

Featured Button Code:

<a href="http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/search/label/Crafty%20Weekends" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 0df409eb-5a67-4fc5-86e1-6f3637481035_zpstsg7u5n9.png" border="0" src="http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g424/cpericola/0df409eb-5a67-4fc5-86e1-6f3637481035_zpstsg7u5n9.png" /></a>

 Please share family friendly crafts here. Just crafts and/or patterns--no recipes, lessons, etc. You can share craft product reviews as well. By linking up here you are giving me permission to share your links and to pin your links. Please follow my Crafty Weekends Feature Pinterest Board to see all the features from these fun link parties!

An InLinkz Link-up