Product Review: Knit & Stitch by Bergere de France. Issue 1

Welcome Back

In today’s post I will be reviewing;

Issue 1 of Knit & Sitch magazine by Bergere De France.

Bergere De France: Knit & Stich, Issue 1

Product Details

• Manufacturer/Brand; Bergere De France
• Item number; ISBN: 2049-8004
• RRP at time of writing: 99p

Reason For Buying

Having seen lots of crochet projects online and on TV I really wanted to learn to crochet. I spent so long looking into hooks that might help with my limited dexterity that the Wendy Poole DVD that I was going to buy from C&C sold out. When I saw this magazine on TV with a DVD I jumped at the chance to learn and have some patterns too.

Bergere De France: Knit & Stich, Issue 1

Contents

This first issue is an amazing price and if you want to get started in knitting & crochet GET it quick as it was out last week.

• Issue 1 of Knit & Stitch magazine
• 1 pr 3.5mm metal knitting needles 25cm long
• 2 25g balls of Bergere De France yarn
• Leaflet telling you yarn that will be used in the series
• Details of freebies offered to subscribers
• DVD

DVD run time 26 minutes, this covers the following

• Knitting:

The slip loop, cast on, knit and purl stitches, Basic stitches: Garter Stitch, Stocking Stitch, Reverse Stocking stitch, Moss stitch, Casting off. Tips section covers; Changing ball of yarn/change colour, Pick up dropped stitch, Unravel to correct a mistake.

• Crochet:

Slip knot, chain stitch, Basic Stitches; Single Crochet, Double Crochet, Half Treble, Treble, Double Treble. Increases and Decreases, Finishing.

Pros/Cons

Pros

• The needles are metal so they feel a better quality than usual cheap plastic ones often offered in such kits
• The magazine lists a website that gives lots of information about the series such as number of issues and a preview of the first issue.
• Knit & stitch guide gives details of yarns that will be used across the series and a preview of some of the patterns too
• Different sections for all levels including; Patchwork collection (knitted & crocheted squares to create the throw), Fashion makes, Easy Does it, For the Family, Home Comforts and Know How

DVD

• Run time 26 minutes
• Excellent DVD, showing lots of stitches and get you started techniques
• Clearly explained and filmed from over the shoulder of the demonstrator so easier to learn
• Narrator has a reassuring but not annoying patronising voice as on some DVDs
• No background music to distract you
• Good contrast between demo yarn and surroundings so easy to see how stitches are formed

Cons

• On the DVD  everything is very well explained but from a total novice point of view, had the stitches been shown for the entire row rather than just a couple of times, it would have helped the new skill sink in better. That said, being a DVD I can just replay a particular section over and over again till I get it.

Build Quality

Excellent. The metal needles make for a more quality thought about product than the usual cheap n sometimes nasty plastic ones often found on such magazines. The yarns are sealed in boxes, which keeps them clean and protected.

Value for Money

Excellent

Would I buy it Again?

Yes

Summing up

If you have promised yourself this is the year you want to learn to knit or crochet, get to the shops QUICK, this issue was out last week and issue two is already in store. You don’t want to miss this one as it has the instructional DVD in it. I like these kind of things for the fact that you get practice yarn, some patterns for all levels which inspires you to keep learning so you can make the harder stuff.

This particular magazine covers a range of crafts; Knitting, Crochet, Tapestry, Crewelwork, felting. Over the series it will give you the chance to try out a selection of yarn types and also collect a number of tools for your new hobby.

Will I buy them all, in real honesty, no. This is a weekly publication and although it offers a lot, the regular price will be £4.50 which I just don’t have spare on a weekly basis. Had it been fortnightly, I would have bought more of them. That said it is a wonderful quality product and if you want to try these hobbies grab it while you can, its superb.

Links

Check out the dedicated website to the Knit & Stitch magazine, it has a lot of useful info and a preview of this weeks issue.

• Knit & Stitch Collection website.
• Preview of the magazine
• Frequently asked Questions

I’m very impressed by this publication, they seem to have given a lot of thought to the presentation and the things people want to know upfront. Check out the links for more information from their website.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

Product Review: SAA Lightweight Drawing Board

Welcome Back

In today’s post I will be reviewing; Light Weight Drawing Board from SAA.

SAA Lightweight Drawing Board

Product Details

• Manufacturer/Brand; SAA
• Item number: DBS Quarter Imperial Light Wieght Drawing Board 431 x 330 mm / 17″ x 13″
• RRP at time of writing: £11.99  or £10.75 for SAA members

Reason For Buying

I wanted a light weight drawing board to make it more portable and to use with my table easel.

Pros/Cons

Pros

• Superbly light
• Great size as I tend to work A4/A5 size paper
• Board has a little flex and give to the surface
• Smooth surface – great for pencil drawings
• Good price for good quality board

Cons

• Bit worried about damaging it because it’s so light. So far storing it in the card sleeve it came in. Time will tell how robust it is and I’ll update the review after more use with it.

Build Quality

Great, the drawing surface and edging are super smooth

Value for Money

Excellent

Would I buy it Again?

Yes

Summing up

This board is excellent, much easier to move around being lighter weight. This means it will be used more often than other boards I have. I was initially worried about the flex to the surface but since using it the effect on my pencil drawing is that it evens out my pressure. Sometimes I press harder than intended but the finished sketch using this board came out with much more even pencil coverage and blending than I usually achieve.

Links

• SAA
• Lightweight Drawing board

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

Long Winter Slipper socks

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In today’s post I’d like to share a picture of some LONG slipper socks I recently made. I picked this yarn coz I liked the colour way, I’ve since found out that Tweed is all the rage at the moment. Coo get me, cozy and in fashion, that’s a first! Just in time for the cold snap, weather people say snow is on its way! {Update came down this morning & there is a ducting of snow on the ground and more forcast for this afternoon}

Long winter slipper socks

• Yarn: Sirdar Connemara, Tweed effect chunky, Colour 355 Hornpipe. These slippers took 3 balls total 150g
• Needles: Knit Picks Sunstruck Options; 5.5 mm

The original pattern was Non Felted Slippers from Ravelry by Yuko Nakamura,  which I loved and have made as the pattern suggested before but I get very cold in the winter and have previously added a few rows of 2×2 rib to make them into ankle boots. This time I went OTT and added 50 rows of the 2 x 2 rib to give almost knee-high slipper socks.

Perfect for curling up on sofa in the evening, no more gap between slippers and ends of my trousers

Links

• Sirdar Connemara Colours currently made
• Non-felted Slippers by Yuko Nakamura

How about you, have you had chance to create yet in the new year? What new craft will you be trying in 2013.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

Free Download; Calendar page for February 2013

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Today I would like to share a free download with you. A calendar page for February 2013.

Calendar Page: February 2013

How to Use

• Click on the image to open the calendar picture to full size.
• Click on File, then choose landscape option for paper orientation.
• Click Print

To Change the size of the calendar

• Click on the image to open the calendar picture to full size.
• Right Click and choose ‘Save As’ from the list of options.
• You can print it as, is or open a Word Processing programme and insert the image. (Once it is on your machine.) This will give you more control of the final size of the calendar page.

Feel free to tell your friends about this offer and forward them a link to this site. If you missed this month’s calendar page you can find it on the Calendar Downloads page.

Let me know what you think, of these calendar pages. If comments suggest this is popular…it just might become a regular feature.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

Hand Made diary

Welcome Back

Today I’d like to share a couple of pictures of a diary I made.

Hand made diary: 2013

The layout I created from scratch using Craft Artist software v1, the cover is made from white hammered card. The binding style is Coptic stitch, so that the book lays flat in use.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

PS: Yes I know there aren’t any numbers on it, that was intentional, I’ll write them in, so I can use the same template each year without having to retype so much

Happy New Year & Alternative New Year Resolutions

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We made it through another year, and now a new one is upon us. Regular viewers will know I don’t do New Years resolutions, all that I will, I must, rules rules rules that are more about telling yourself off. It’s no wonder by March most have been long forgotten. In their place, I  make a list of things I’d like to try. New things or things I have in my stash but rarely use, now we all have lots of that right? This is a great way to make it through the early months of the year when funds are so tight too.

So for 2013, here’s my wish list.

Digital Art: I’d like to experiment with digital art. Melting images together, that sort of thing. I have Photoshop and some texture images, I’d like to find out how to bring them together with photos to get more arty with it. Art Journalling plus

Digikits: I have loads of digikits but either I stick to my favorites or I just search out a particular image. When rummaging through my kits the other day,there were loads that had great stuff on that I haven’t tried before. I’m going to challenge myself to create from a particular kit (with some extras) to stretch my digital palette.

Acrylics & mediums: Now that I have a great collection of paints and mediums, I’m going to have fun exploring with them and share my results with you.

Pencils & Drawing: When dexterity allows, I’m going to explore more with pencils in my art. I have gathered some great supplies, a new book and some DVDs that will help.

Altered art: I want to try to get hold of some boxes and the like and experiment with painting techniques.

Textures: I adore textures, I want to get lots of photos of as many as I can, firstly to use with the digital stuff but also to inspire me with paint techniques.

Photography: I have a great little Cannon Ixus camera, I’ll try to find out more about getting the photos I want to take, using it.

Chocolate. I want to explore in the kitchen and learn how to make more food at home, have had to rely on pre prepped stuff due to health issues but it’s not great. When my body allows I want to try to make more food from scratch. I fancy trying to make chocolates too….could get messy!!!

HAD to show you these;

My First presentable mince pies

My first mince pies to come out looking presentable. OK I know the pastry is too thick but its the first time I’ve had any success rolling it out!

How about you, stuff the punishments in New Years Resolutions, what would you REALLY like to do this year. Leave me a comment to let me know your dreams for 2013.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

Embossed Mini Book

Welcome Back

Given the date, this is my last book of 2012! I created a few of these as little gifts that were small enough to put in with Christmas cards for special people this year.

Embossed book with pearlescent cover

• The book cover is made using Centura Pearl Cardstock
• The black card was embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folder
• The embossed card was coloured using Pearlescent paint from Daler Rowney.
• The construction is a pamphlet sewn binding.

Ideal for popping in your pocket/bag for little notes when you don’t want to lug a full size notebook around.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie