A "Crafty Mojo" Post !

I have always loved creating handmade items. 😊

Crafting in a variety of mediums has been a part of my life since I was in the single digits, age-wise LOL.

Knitting, painting, jewelry, sewing, embroidery,  eco-crafts....the list goes on and on.

My dear mom, Helen was a very talented seamstress and painter and I think a lot of my creative abilities and interest are thanks to her.
                                                                                                       

We spent many a long day together, creating beautiful things over the years, especially when I was writing a weekly craft column for over 5 years, in one of Canada's major newspapers, The Regina Leader Post. Such good memories that still bring a smile to my face, thinking about those precious hours spent together, creating something unique and beautiful.
                                                                                                                 

With crafts and hobbies on my mind, I thought you might enjoy checking out a few of the craft and hobby books/products/ sites that I have shared here, over the years at My Real Life Reviews. 
                                                                                  

Hopefully, one or more of these will inspire you to create something new and special, in the days ahead. We all need a boost at times to get our "crafty mojo" back. I know I do!
                                                                                     

Right now, I am happily working on my new haiku book but also hope to get back to another knit project, before the end of this week.
                                                                                           

What are you working on right now? 

What is your favorite craft(s)?

                                                                                                              

I have so many fav crafts and hobbies, I wouldn't know how to begin to answer that question!😊

Here goes:

Crafting with Cat Hair (a fun craft book and lots of Mr. Cheddar photos too!)
                                                                       

Homemade (a unique and extensive craft book, filled with all kinds of beautiful ideas)
                                                                                                  

One Yard Wonders (a fun book and sew kit, with all kinds of 1 yard or less, sewing ideas)
                                                                                                             

Knitting Warehouse (my fav online shop for knit and many other types of craft needs)
                                                                         





Lion Brand Recycled Cotton Yarn (one of my fav summer cotton yarns)
                                                    



Down & Dirty (gardening is apparently, the most popular hobby in the world!

Happy Crafting and Creating!!!

How To Knit Socks for Beginners by Sandra Harris

As an avid and long-time knitter, I've looked at a lot of knitting books and Ebooks over the years. When it comes to those specifically created for beginner sock knitters, this is one of the best I've seen, to date.

Author Sandra Harris has done a great job with:

How To Knit Socks for Beginners

The information included is written in an easy to understand way. 

Instructions are clear and concise.

Chapters include:

- The Anatomy of a Sock

-Toe-Up Sock

-Knitting Two Socks at a Time

 -Advanced and Beginner Cuff Down Socks

-Darning and Mending (I learned some tips on that topic!)

and several other pertinent topics, including several sock patterns.

I haven't actually tried any of the patterns in this Ebook yet, but reading through them, they look like they would work just fine! If any of you do try these, let me know how they work out. I'm currently taking a bit of a break from sock knitting myself but I know I'll be back to it, by the fall. It's kind of addictive, after you've made that first pair! LOL

This Ebook is nicely formatted too, with full color photos throughout. As a Kindle author myself, I know how much work goes into formatting an Ebook properly. And it does add a lot to any type of book, when it is done well. 

And speaking of photos, I think they are so much better and easier than diagrams in any kind of yarn-craft book, especially for beginners to follow.

If you've always wanted to knit socks but perhaps thought they were too difficult for a beginner knitter, think again. How To Knit Socks for Beginners, will have you turning out lovely knit socks for yourself and for gifts, in no time.

PS: At the time of posting this, this Ebook is available free over at Amazon, so a great time to get a copy! ;-)

Overall rating for this Ebook: Excellent. 5 out of 5

Critter Knits by Margrit Lohrer

I just noted Critter Knits on the top 100 free ebooks, over at Amazon today.

 

I've just taken a browse through the book so far, haven't made anything yet obviously.

 

But I did want to share this ebook here, while it's still available for free, that's why I'm posting this now. ;<)

 

 

All 4 and 5 star reviews (60) over at Amazon so that sounds like a good start.

 

 The patterns are adorable from what I've checked out so far.

 

I'm thinking the Cat Wrap is a must and Mr. Cheddar, who is sitting on my lap, agrees!

 

Any critter-lovers out there who also knits, will definitely want to give this one a try.

 

Amazon Kindle link for Critter Knits.

 

Happy Knitting!

 

**PS: On a completely different topic, is anyone else having a problem with their link lists on Blogger? I can't add review links to my sidebar now, only text.

 

I checked the Blogger forums and I thought it would be fixed by now. **

 

 

Overall rating for this book: Very Good. 4 out of 5. 

Last Chance to Enter the Spring Yarn Lover's Contest

 

 

If you haven't entered already, click here to read about this month's contest and to enter for a  yarn lover's prize package valued at over $75.

 

Contest closes April 30th.

 

Stop by the first week in May to find out if you're the winner.

 

Good luck everyone! :<)

MRLR September Yarn-Lover's Contest

 

Ah...September has arrived and my favorite season of the year is almost here: Autumn. :<)

And what better time of year to get back to all kinds of creative pursuits, including yarn crafts.

                          

So for September, I've got a wonderful giveaway, especially for all the kniters, crocheters...and yarn-craft wannabes out there.

Here are the four prizes in this month's contest:

A copy of the designer knitting book: The Ohio Knitting Mills Knitting Book. You can read my full review of this fabulous book here.

                                           

 

Prize number two is a feline-fabulous Mr. Cheddar coffee mug created by artist: Teri Casper from Teri's Painted Daisies.

With the inscription: "Okay, Okay. so I dropped a stitch or two" and signed with Mr. Cheddar's name.

 

 

 I'm lovin' this one and of course, so is the Chedster, who is btw, Teri's fav furry feline nephew!!!

 

 

These one of a kind mugs are already available at Teri's Zazzle store.

 

You can order them with or without Mr. Cheddar's name on them (click for ordering details) whatever your preference.

 

I'm planning to order one soon and it will certainly include the Mr. Cheddar signature!!! ;<)

                                       

 

 

 

The third prize is a gift certificate from Knitting Warehouse for $ 25.

 

 

This is a company I love to order from that I also reviewed here. Excellent prices and service for all your yarn craft needs: yarns, books, accessories....

 

I'm so glad I found out about Knitting Warehouse. My first online stop, when I need another yarn-fix! And that's quite often actually. LOL

 

 

 

 

And to stash all your new yarn goodies in, prize number four is a totebag from BuyGreen.com.

 

 

 

 

I like to have a separate tote for each of my current craft projects. I have one of these big, sturdy totes that I use for crafts and shopping too and I just love it.

 

                                                   

 

One lucky winner will win all four prizes, valued at approximately $80!

                                     

 

***
 

 

To enter, leave a comment below including what your favorite yarn-craft is: knitting, crocheting,looming...


If you are a wannabe yarn-crafter at this point, pick the type of craft you are planning to pursue, if you do win the contest.

 

 

Contest is open to Canadian and US residents. Exception: void in Quebec (sorry about this) you can read why I've had to add this to my contests. Provincial laws in Quebec regarding contests are hard to understand but I'm not able to by-pass these restrictions.

 

 

Contest closes September 30th.

 

 

Stop by the first week in October to see if you are the winner.
And another great contest (and this one yummy too) is on the way! Starts the first week in October.

 

 

No anonymous comments please. If possible, please sign in with a Blogger, Google or other blog account.

 

 

Winner will have two weeks to claim their prize. If not claimed within two weeks, another winner will be chosen.

 

 

***

 

 

 Good luck everyone. :<)

 

 Happy Autumn and Happy Crafting!