Did you make the 1st Simple Kitchen Crafts project? Perhaps you missed that post and the companion pattern? You'll find it HERE
This month my Simple Kitchen Craft is a recipe book cover with bookmark.
I was going to share a lot of my recipes with you this week, all in one file to download, but this is going to take far more time than I imagined so it might be a couple of months before that's ready - however, as I turned page after page of my own recipe file, I could see the loose pages are very stained and torn and forlorn...and of course, that gave me the idea for a fresh, bound and covered recipe book.
I wanted something bright for the kitchen shelf, as well as the opportunity to use up some recycled lemon linen and a piece of fabric which has languished in my stash for far too long. The right choice of thread colours brought both linen and fabric together nicely.
Can you see the little hole in the centre of the jug? It's made the same way as the hole in the String Bag stitchery last month, because I was a bit absent minded when I stitched this pretty jug and thought it was for another string bag. So, if you want another string dispenser bag you could stitch the jug for it, okay?!
I bought a good quality journal for this project, one with sewn in pages so that it could stand the test of time...especially if it's going to be passed down. The pattern has full instructions for the stitcheries and also for making the recipe book cover. I especially like having the bookmark sewn into the cover.
It is sewn into the back cover...
...and folds over onto the page you're using.
I thought that if I write just one recipe a day into my newly covered book, that's a task which could be easily accomplished. To imagine writing more than that - well, it just wouldn't happen. Best to set a goal that is manageable, not one which overwhelms you. Besides, with the issues I have with nerves in my right thumb, I would only manage a single recipe at a time anyhow, and I want it all to be neat. Did I ever tell you that I received an award for "The Neatest Books in 6th Grade" when I was young? Sadly, my handwriting has gotten a tad sloppy since typing took over in life. Sigh.
Use the link below to download the pattern. And would you mind pinning it to Pinterest for me?
DOWNLOAD Simple Kitchen Crafts Recipe Book Cover pattern
My Pinterest 'P' has disappeared from my blog photos since the latest blog-makeover, and I haven't had time to fix it. Again, sigh. Eventually I'll catch up with things, but I really am enjoying having hubby home right now, so time with him is a priority for the next fortnight.
Now, a giveaway!!
My friend Xanthe, of Wife-Made, is a very clever quilt designer who also dabbles with a variety of other patterns for her shop. I absolutely love this younger sister-in-Christ, who is married with four children, and works her design magic from home, for she has the funniest sense of humour and is the kind of woman who puts you at ease immediately.
Well, recently Xanthe offered me one of her brand new oven mitts, made from recycled woollen blankets and gorgeous fabric linings. Bless her heart, I said yes please...and it's in the mail and on the way to me now. Squeal of delight!
But Xanthe also offered to give me one of her oven mitt kits for a giveaway here on Elefantz!
The kit will not be the same as the oven mitt in the photo above, because all of her kits are unique and made from different woollen blankets and fabrics. In fact here's some pics of the oven mitts designs she has...
Xanthe sells KITS and PATTERNS for her Oven Mitts in her shop so if you'd like to jump in and start sewing now, use the link below.
But let me show you a few more of her patterns, because if you're not into oven mitts you just might like to sew a set of beautiful wings for that special little girl in your life...
...or start piecing an Espalier quilt?!
You can follow Xanthe HERE on Instagram or use @wifemade
Okay - the giveaway...all you need do is leave a comment on today's blog post (the one you're reading right now) and be sure to leave an email address if you're anonymous or don't have an email attached to your usual comment profile.
I'll draw the winner on Tuesday May 17th (Australian time) and if your name is drawn out but I cannot contact you, then I will do a redraw - so please leave contact details.
The winner will receive one of Xanthe's Wife-Made Oven Mitt kids, and the giveaway is open internationally.
Now why don't you pop over HERE to her blog for a visit?
Bless you all, I'm actually a bit under the weather today with a sore throat and achy all over so sitting here typing all this up was much easier than washing all the floors. I mean, they'll be there tomorrow, right? But today, feet up and lots of lemon balm, honey and ginger tea...and maybe an afternoon nap.
Hugs
