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Twenty-five projects for a crafty afternoon? Yes, please! A rainy afternoon, a bored afternoon, a school holiday afternoon would also suffice, but what kid doesn’t love a crafty half-day, no matter the season nor reason.
Canberran Kathreen Ricketson has collated and edited an adorable and beautifully-presented series in her Kids’ Crafternoon books.
In Papercraft, she offers the projects of twenty-five dedicated crafters, who each share simple yet utterly charming creations from pinwheels to articulated puppets, a paper menangerie, pinatas and divine stitch-bound books.
Creations are carefully chosen to appeal enormously to children – like the paper beads and secret-tucking Confidential Pocket Book (perfect foil for nosy brothers) and decorative window hangings.
The lovely thing about these creations is that not only are they completely do-able by a wide range of ages, they are also creative projects adults would enjoy. The simple miniature bird mobile, for example, is something any new mother would adore (and easily whip up) for her baby’s nursery.
In Sewing, Ricketson has compiled another 25adorable projects from mushroom brooches through, pencil cases, fabric belts, button-eyed dudes for the boys, a fabric checkers board (with button checkers), scarves and bendable bunny ears for your teddy bear.
My absolute favourite is the cloud shaped pillow by Claire Dollan.
Both books feature an introduction, tips and basics, shopping lists, how long each project should take and what level it is suitable for. The books also come with a pocket containing templates and lay-flat spiral binding.
Pages are gorgeously laid out and designed, with whimsical typesetting and images, and the sweetest photography, making these books a joy to wander through.