Clare Kelly takes a peep inside new craft book Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
We’re often told not to judge a book by its cover, but when I saw the nostalgia-inspired cover of Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
5o creative ideas
Packed with 50 ideas to inspire you on a chilly wintery day (and throughout the seasons) it’s the perfect gift. Also for treating yourself. Author Sarah Moore is a collector with a particular interest in vintage textiles, papers and crockery, and her enthusiasm is evident in each perfectly put together project – whether it be simple ideas with antique decanters or handmade plush toys.
Sarah writes with real personality and there are lots of creative short cuts. Love her idea to make gloves made from old garments. Handy templates can be found at the back of the book for easy reference. Sarah offers helpful insights and tips to help you source the best vintage pieces for your projects.
This book will keep you busy over the winter months and will definitely appeal to those who love upcycling. If you want to add a little individuality to your home you’ll love these hands-on projects . They include unusual fabric covered notebooks, super cute pet cushions and pretty beaded door hangings.
The photography and styling in the book is gorgeous, inviting you into a real home setting and at once making you feel warm and cosy. Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
INFORMATION
Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
Clare Kelly is a freelance craft writer and author of the blog Pass The Pattern
Feeling inspired? Take a look at the Creative Workshops category in our Directory, where you’ll find a variety of inspiring courses, from art and crafts to fashion and beauty, interiors, cooking and flower & gardening.
If you run a creative course that you think our readers would be interested in reading about, do get in touch by emailing laura@www.frombritainwithlove.com.
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101 Comments
This book is absolutely amazing I would love to try out making plushies and soft toys.
Oooh what a lovely looking book! I think I should like to make 2012 the year I try my hand at crochet or needle felting 🙂
I’d like to make patchwork in 2012
Hi there, I’d really like to try sewing or knitting in 2012. I have so many arts and crafts that I know and do, but I see either of these as an essential crafting skill that I am yet to even try.
I want to try to learn to crochet in 2012. Especially for my doggy’s bed as if I can whip up my own blankets for him it will always look new and fresh and be a little more sustainable. Might try to crochet gifts for next Christmas if I get started early enough! Now I have my target..eek!
I’d love to stop being scared of patchwork and actually give that a go!
Oh this book looks gorgeous!I’m determined to learn how to sew next year as the pennies are going to have to be pinched a bit further but I still want to make lovely gifts and things for the house!
What a lovely looking book! I’d like to try making my own beads in 2012…
Oh I’m a hoarder of vintage sheets so this might be just the book I need. I’d like to try printing, I sew lots and my husband is interested in printing so we might have a go together. thanks for the chance to win
Fabulous book! I would like to learn to crochet in 2012.
The book looks fantastic! In 2012 I think I might try some tapestry work & make some beautiful vintage style cushions.
I would like to try glass blowing! I have seen it done at the Sunderland Glass Museum and it fascinates me! The colours are gorgeous! I would also like to have a go at making coloured glass mosaics xxx
Would love to learn reupholstery to brighten my house without spending a fortune on new, also book binding, My sewing could do with some help too!
Would love to learn reupholstery to brighten my house without spending a fortune on new, also book binding, My sewing could do with some help too!
The book looks wonderful, I love all crafts, but as yet I have not tried my hand at making my own soap, it’s going to be on my new years resolution list for 2012!! Merry Christmas to everyone xx
Did anyone watch Kirstie Allsop’s Craft? I want to make a paper sculpture bird and decorate it with pretty decoupage paper like Kirstie did. I think my six year old wants to join in too, should be fun! Oh yes, and I, like other people would like to learn to crochet, must look for a course for the new year…
this looks like a brilliant book .
i`d like to learn to crochet properly and dig out all my unfinished cross stitch stuff
I would like to try quilting in 2012! The book looks great. Teri-Anne
the book does look lovely! I’ve been thinking about taking up soap making lately, so I may try that!
It looks great, a perfect read for winter.
Leeann
What a wonderful-looking book! I need to dust off my sewing machine and put it to good use in 2012. I’ve had fabric and patterns waiting patiently for me to make them into some nice blouses…
I really want to get into paper crafting. I think it would very easy to get started
This book looks lovely. I want to improve my (as yet rudimentary) crochet skills in 2012.
I’d love to try Needle Felting
I would really love to try making notebooks next year, so bookbinding needs to be learnt
There are so many crafts – where to begin! I’d like to try a patchwork, but I’m a little daunted at the prospect, so might start with needle felting (if Santa has listened to my subtle hints for a felting needle and brush!) Would also like to learn how to use a sewing machine properly.
I’d love to try needle felting, once i’ve learned the basics i want to use it for some sculptural peices. It’s the same with alot of crafts. as you learn there are the standard basic projects you do to get the techniques. I love that once have learned the skill, I can adapt and play with what I make to come up with something unique.
Having just had my first finished my efforts for my first home made Christmas, lots of knitting, chutney making and general cross stitchiness…next year I vow to put to good use a lovely vintage 1930s Singer that my lovely 102 year old friend has passed over to me…go Mrs Hill! xx
I’d like to try patchwork in 2012.
This looks super cute. Ive been cardmaking for a few years now and my creative juices have really started flowing recently due to vintage chic being back on trend. This year I plan to learn felting and will practice sewing at the same time. I often use variations of what I learn to teach children in school when im on my placements. Cant wait till I graduate an have my own class/crafting circle!
I am currently studying art and textiles for GCSE and do both in my spare time too.I love being creative and also love hunting for vintage jewellrey and accsesories then encorperating them into my own projects. This book looks amazing as it includes so many inspiring projects, but of all the many crafts there are to choose from the one that I would most like to learn in 2012 is patchwork 🙂
oh, what a lovely giveaway. the vintage crafting trend is so inspiring and completely practical for a financially skint student, and so in 2012 i really want to make a ‘handmade or secondhand’ pact, where all my gifts for the year are recycled/upcycled or handmade, hopefully this includes plenty of teacup candles, vintage fabric aprons and mastering the art of printing and calligraphy (all done with a cup of sweet tea by my side, of course)
What an inspiring book, I would love to give patchwork a try, i always had this stereotype that is was so old fashioned but now I have come to realise you can make it really modern too. It looks great !!
i would love to start up sewing again and share my ‘skills’ with my daughter
i’d really like to try knitting or crocheting- i used to do it when i was like 10, for my doll:) but i never made anything for me- and since am home, a lot, due to my injury- it is something i can take up and maybe even make a sweater or scarf or something nice:)
I would love to make a patchwork quilt for my little new baby neice. I have always loved fabric and have a little collection ready to use.
What a beautiful book! I would absolutely love to have a go at some of these gorgeous projects 🙂 x
I want to try knitting in 2012, you can make so much once you master the art of it.
As a small girl my Gran taught me how to crochet, I have long since forgotten how to do it and would love to learn again
For me, 2011 was the year of getting back into knitting again – I hadn’t knitted for 20 years! I used to crochet when I was a teenager too, but haven’t for such a long time that crocheting is definitely the challenge for 2012!
This looks like an absolutely gorgeous book. I love the idea of making things out of old garments, whether it’s patchwork, toys or gloves. I think I’d be really inspired by this, here’s to a creative New Year!
Ooh, this is a lovely giveaway! Just the kind of book I would love as I have resolved to learn some crafts next year. In particular, I want to make Christmas ornaments and decorations for a truly homemade Christmas next year.
What a beautiful book and fab giveaway!
I would love to have a go at needlefelting in 2012 and, having finally mastered crochet this year I would love some cute hooking projects too!
I absolutely LOVE making and doing with my 3 children. I’m not saying I’m anywhere near experienced/perfect … but I’ll try my hand at anything….
I’d love nothing more than to learn to use a sewing machine properly. I’d also like to make a patchwork quilt, I’d also like to learn to paint properly.
In an ideal world I’d like to make lots of lovely things and sell them to make money for a charity that helps my son who has profound special needs. I’d like to make toys particularly … That’s it – a New Year’s Resolution for sure … watch this space 🙂
This looks such a gorgeous book! I would love to try candle making or soap making next year – they would make such lovely gifts for people 🙂 And it would make a change from my usual earrings – recently realised one of my friends has about 5 pairs!! I think she would like it if I learnt to make something else…
This book looks amazing. I am going to try to learn crochet again and would love to learn calligraphy so I could write lovely messages in my hand made cards.
Lovely book i hope it can be mine
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY DECOUPAGE AND TO RESTART PATCHWORK, WHICH I USED TO DO AS A CHILD BUT GAVE UP WHEN I LEFT HOME TO WORK AND HAVE A FAMILY
Lots of knitting – perhaps something for me !
A gorgeous looking book! In 2012 I would really love to learn how to make my own jewellery. I love crystals so would love to be able to do something with them 🙂
How can we choose just ONE craft to try? I want to try ALL the crafts I haven’t tried before!
Its always lovely to get inspiration for ideas from a colourful interesting book. This year, I’d love to learn how to make felt, to make interesting patterns and pictures for cushions and bags.
Wow theres a book a have not seen yet and it looks so interesting. Id love to try the ickle bunny, im also going to try needle felting in the new year :0) x
Years ago I was shown how to make notebooks and I would like to get back into that this year, but I’m rusty and want more tips and techniques than I remember.
I’m looking to go back to the crafts of my younger days and polish up my skills eg knitting and sewing. I’d like to learn how to crochet and refresh my knowledge of sewing machines – given the last one I used was over 30 years ago!
As a lover of vintage style crafts, this book looks perfect.
best craft book i have seen lately
I’m planning to turn my hand to a few crafts this year to entertain my 4 year old daughter (and 2 year old son if he’ll keep still). Mind you my past record isn’t fab! Would love to win this book x
I used to make rugs from kits many years ago and would love to get back into rugmaking again
This year I’ve learned soap and candle making. In 2012 I plan to learn paper cutting.
I would love to learn bookbinding in 2012. Also, knitting, crochet and many many others. I love learning new things and trying things out – you never know where it may lead and you meet such wonderful people along the way!
I think I have pretty much tried every craft over the years. I would like to have a go at making paper jewellery.
Would love to win this book and make christmas presents for next year!
I’d love to start (learn again) to knit as I absolutely adore those knitted dogs, and the cushion they are sitting on, in one of the photos above! This year I want to be able to craft, as my heart and soul is in need of nourishment; I believe making items for myself and others will fill a void that even chocolate cannot fill. And much healthier to boot! Happy New Year everyone; may 2012 bring you joy and happiness. xx
This looks a fantastic book! I would like to try knitting and crochet next year – there are so many interesting things to make.
I’m always looking for new ideas – this should be a great source of inspiration!
I might give knitting a whirl in 2012.
Making things is good for the soul and I can just imagine the pleasure in receiving one of these beautiful objects. Winners all round!
Would really like to try any craft using vintage fabrics. I think they are so beautiful.
This book looks fantastic!
I’d very much like to give knitting a go. My Mum tried to teach me when I was a child, but as I’m lefthanded (and my Mum isn’t) I really struggled to ‘reverse copy’ what she was doing and never mastered it.
I’ve more patience these days, and I’ve gotten better at ‘translating’ instructions targeted at right-handers too, so I think I might have more success this time round!
Applique for next Christmas waistcoats
Both my daughter and I would use this books. I love crochet, and my daughter loves all types of handicrafts.
In 2012 I would like to try crochet! I already sew so would love to try some of the ideas in this book!
So many things to learn and this book would certainly help.
I’d love to make the cat and dog cushions ad I have two cats and a dog.
MY DAUGHTER IS INTO CRAFT, SHE WOULD LOVE TO START HER OWN VWENTURE, SO GREAT BOOK THANKS
Most of all, thank you for this giveaway! I like knitting and sewing, and I’d like to learn to make eco soaps or interesting candles. I’d also use this book for new ideas for handmade Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Best wishes for New Year and kind regards,
Ivana
I want to learn to knit! It’s shocking that my mum has always knitted amazingly well and I’ve never learned. 2012 will be the year!
Now that I have a little more time I’d love to go back to needlework projects by dusting off my sewing machine and starting off by making gifts at home with the help of this lovely book.
I’d like to learn to make soaps to generally brighten friends’ days with home-made gifts that say I care. To my mind there’s nothng better than something that somebody’s taken the effort to make!
I would really love to start crocheting. I like the idea of creating something both practical and beautiful. I adore a feminine, vintage style and would hope this book will help give me a push in the right direction!
I want to create small stuffed animals for my nephew Jonathan who is just over a year old. He loves his teddies and I would love to make him his own personal bear!
I’d like to learn to make children’s clothes as I am currently pregnant with my first child and have fond memories of some of the clothes my Mum made for me when I was little.
This looks like a lovely book – full of inspiration. I will be trying tatting in 2012. I have my shuttle ready to go!
Have never tried candle making and as these make lovely personal gifts I would like to try and make my own in 2012
I’d love to try to make my own soaps – never tried it before but I think it would be wonderfully relaxing.
I admire glass and would absolutely LOVE to have a go at lampwork, the making of glass beads. I have seen such intricate delicate designs that I feel they really are miniature works of art which everybody will love.
such a beautiful book i wood love to create some of the items .
I’d love to learn to crochet, I have very fond memory’s of my Nana sitting by the fire making squares to make a bed cover.
I’d love to take up scrapbooking.
I would like to learn a new craft maybe candle making as I hold charity coffee mornings for the children’s heart surgery fund. I have had 2 now and would ike to offer some new crafts thanks
My neighbour knitted an amazing hat and scarf set so I’m inspired to have a go too. Last knitted in primary school and I’m not admitting how long ago that was!
I would love to learn to crochet properly. My 90 yr old Gran tried to teach me this year, but according to my 7 & 5 yr old daughters it looked more like a worm than a square! This book would be fantastic for inspiration, should the crochet still not work out!
I haven’t done embroidery since I was young, such a pretty way to embellish, also applique, anything to brighten up bags and cushions.
I would love to try jewellery making
I am a new granny! so I would like to be able to make some lovely soft toys, so I know they are safe for my Grandson.xxx
Having just rediscovered the joy of knitting this year I would love to learn how to crochet. Both of my daughters are also becoming interested in handmade crafts and we are always on the lookout for new ideas so this book would be excellent!
Would love to try the crazy idea of homemade doggie treats … Not specifically a craft … but the skinny dog and the hairy sausage aint’s arguing! … :^P
I’ve been given a bag full of Alpaca fleece for Christmas…which looks a bit like second hand candy floss to be honest! I’d love to craft it into something wonderful. Happy New Year!
I’m a few hours past the deadline – oops!
I’m hoping to purchase my first house in 2012 and would love to make all my own christmas decorations (and gifts) ready for my first Christmas in my new home!
I would love to master the art of knitting and crochet this year.
Congratulations to Ella from Grantham who won the Homemade Gifts Vintage Style Book… we’d love to see what you make!