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It was my pleasure to do a quick e-mail interview recently with Kathreen Ricketson (shown here in the garden with kids, Orlando, 9, Otilija, 11 and {the late great} Milo the cat). Kathreen is the craft maven behind WhipUp.net, author of WhipUp Mini Quilts, and recently editor of the new Kids' Crafternoon book series published by Australian publisher Hardie Grant:
Larissa (LH): Kathreen, I was so delighted to be included in the contributors for the Kids' Crafternoon book series, and it was nothing but fun coming up with the owl card design. Can you tell me a bit about how the idea for the Kids' Crafternoon series came about?
Kathreen (KR): The concept for the book is all Hardie Grant's - I think they saw a gap in the market - and I am glad they did! The chose me to curate/edit the books for a few reasons - my experience with kids and craft, and because they loved my Mini Quilts book, and they love WhipUp.net too.
(LH) They made a great choice! What age range would you say is ideal for the books?
(KR) It is most suitable for 7-12 year olds, however I think slightly younger children would love to do many of these projects with their parents and old teens/adults will have a lot of fun with many of these projects too!
(LH) I see quite a few I'd like to do myself. My kids may have a problem getting some time with the books. Did you have some creative influences when you were growing up?
(KR) My Nanna was/is my creative hero. She made all her own clothes (even underwear, suits and gowns), could knit, crochet and sew like a demon, and was a marvelous cook too.
(LH) Can you share a memory of a craft you did as a kid?
(KR) I made a little red and blue squares patchwork cushion when I was about 7 or 8, and my kids like to use it as a comfort pillow when reading. I also used to sew little Kaftan dresses for my dolls.
(LH) That's so cool your kids are now using your handmade pillow! What does the future hold for you and your blog? Can you reveal any future projects?
(KR) Mmm...I am hoping to travel soon with my kids, and expand my Action Packs and maybe even hire an editor for Whipup.net eventually.
(LH) Finally and perhaps most importantly, what are your feelings about coffee?
(KR) mmm Coffee. I love a really good brewed cup of coffee. My hubby used to make me my morning espresso - but he has recently given up drinking it and so now I only have an occasional cafe made coffee - a flat white or double shot latte depending on the need - I also love a shot of espresso with cream - so luxurious. I love my local coffee roast house - Wagonga Coffee.
I just knew you were a kindred coffee spirit. Thanks for the interview, Kathreen! It was great to work with you on the project for the book.
Now let's get better acquainted with the books. Let me tell you I was pret-ty excited to get my copies! I spent a long time looking through them and was just thrilled to my toes. They are so well done and I love the covered spiral binding. The books lay perfectly flat when open, great for quick reference while you are working.
The clever hand-drawn illustrations alongside the instructions give the book an fun, informal vibe and the beautifully lighted and staged photos are just icing on the cake. Here are some images from Sewing:
From top to bottom left to right: pencil pouch by Laura Lynn Wilson, pencil pouch diagram by Rob Shugg, hanging art pouch by Shannon Dréval, lavender birds by Joanna Stott, softie badges by Lisa Tilse, iPod creature cozies by Holly Keller.
The books are packed with a wide range of crafts of varying complexity, enticing the kids to turn off the TV and start creating. The crafts are designed to appeal to both boys and girls, with no project taking longer than an afternoon to complete. Sweet. Here are some images from Papercraft:
From top to bottom left to right: owl cards by Larissa Holland, kirigami snowflake and star by Elod Beregszaszi, paper house by Cate Holst, rolled flowers by Olivia Kanaley, shadow boxes by Lisa Tilse, paper beads by Kathreen Ricketson.
My girls were a bit awed when they saw my owl cards actually in and on the book. "Momma. Those are YOUR owls. Like on real book paper. That's so cool." I'm pretty sure it raised my craft cred a few levels with them.
Would you like to win a free copy of Kids' Crafternoon Papercraft, courtesy of Hardie Grant? Yes, I thought so! Leave me a comment below and you'll be entered in the giveaway. And more entertaining for me by far if you also share a childhood crafting memory. I'll choose a winner Wed, Aug 3rd.
If you miss out on the giveaway, you can still purchase the books via Booktopia, which ships internationally. There are also some sellers available via Amazon.
For more sneak peeks, giveaways, and reviews, you can find the full schedule of blog stops for the Kids' Crafternoon tour on WhipUp.