i'm so happy to have another book review for you guys today!  i'm excited to be part of the kids crafternoon blog party for two new releases "beading" and "felting" from publisher hardie grant books.  both books contain 25 fun and crafty projects that are perfect for an afternoon filled with creative goodness.  both books are edited by the fabulous kathreen ricketson of one of my fave blogs "whipup".  kathreen is also the author of our recently reviewed " little bits quilting bee" and "mini quilts".


both books are very well laid out and organized.  i adore the template pockets in front...so handy for us moms to have.  the ring binding was also a hit in our house.  i love ring binding for craft books when you need the pages to stay open while big and little hands are crafting away.  the colors, instructions and illustrations used throughout the book were clear, concise and very easy to follow.  even though my daughter is only 4 they held her attention.  they both covered techniques, tools, how to's, safety etc in the start of each book.



we had a great time sitting down together on a rainy, gloomy day and flipping through both of these bright, cheerful and imaginative craft books.  to say that we found a few new projects to make would be a lie.
 

i think we would happily make just about every project in both books but the one that caught our eye first was the adorable eraser head from "felting".  here's our version:


isn't she cute?  we love her.  mack named her tessa...lol.  took no time at all to make and mackenzie got to practice her cutting & measuring skills while learning how momma sews buttons on.  she also decided what color felt, buttons and drew the mouth for me to stitch.  we had a lot of fun making one and i see many more in our household :)  each project in these books gives you a time approximation that it would take to make.  i love that.  sometimes even i think something will be quick and it ends up being way too involved for my wee one to sit through so having a timeline is super helpful for us.  this project took us maybe 15 minutes once we had all our supplies gathered.  it's still being played with as i type this.  here's some of our faves from felting:



and we can't forget about beading!  i found more than a few things momma & daughter wanted out of this one...


seriously...how cute are these projects?


we are die hard mario bros fans in our house and these magnets have to be made :)

i also love the frames and skull bag!  so fun!


love it!!!  these books do not disappoint and true to kathreen's impeccable taste and style she's put together two fabulous books filled with what crafting should always be about - imagination and FUN!   thanks so much to hardie grant and kathreen for inviting me along on the tour!  both books will be well used in our homes and with the rainy/winter season upon us this mom thanks you :)

you can find all the kids crafternoon book series here: