Thursday 12 May 2016

Pipsqueaks Blog Book Tour - Book Review and Mini Challenge



I am very excited to be a part of a world-wide blog tour for Sally Dixon's new book Pipsqueaks ~itsy-bitsy felt creations to stitch and love.

I am also excited to be able to have a digital copy of the book to give away! Details at the end of this post.

Sally lives in South Australia, and originally trained as an early childhood teacher. As well as having created this book full of tiny patterns, she also makes them to sell in her online Etsy and Madeit stores ~ Sally Dixon Creations.


Some of the adorable little things you can make

Sally set me a challenge to go along with my review (how can you review something without trying it yourself?!) The challenge was to make three items from her book, one from each chapter; Somewhat Pipsqueak, Perfectly Pipsqueak and Utterly Pipsqueak.


Challenge accomplished; Sew cute!!

I actually had fun making these three little fellas. You'll note I said 'actually', as I was concerned that my sewing skills would not be up to the task, however it turns out, they were! If I can make them, it bodes well for anyone to give it a go.


The ice-cream was my favourite!

For this review, I was provided with a digital review copy of the book Pipsqueaks, from C&T Publishing.


The Good

Sally's introduction provides a comprehensive list of all the techniques and items you'll need to make all 30 + of these tiny creations.

Each project is set out step by step with images as well as written instructions. This makes it very easy to follow and complete.

I think there is something for every skill level here, and I'm pretty sure my 10-year-old self would have adored this book during the school holidays!


Little Bunny (actually the bigger little bunny)


The Not So Good

I like a book I can physically get my hands on, especially when it comes to crafting. Getting around an e-book is still a bit New World for me! I did compromise and print out the pages for the ones I made.

(Sally has a hardcopy of the book too, if you prefer physical to digital)


In progress


Things That Would Have Helped Me

Perhaps some alternative suggestions for embellishments when you don't have beads or other bits like mini pom poms on hand. There are a few general ideas in the introduction, however a few gentle reminders or suggestions for each project would have been amazing.

A #hashtag for sharing images of completed creations. I'd love to see what other people have made and how they interpreted the patterns.


Loved working with felt


All Up

Quick to make and super cute! There are lots of things in this book to love. I also feel that it would make a great gift for a crafty youngster (don't forget to throw in some pieces of felt!)


Sally's Elephants, perhaps when I'm a little more
confident with my pipsqueaks!

You can go on tour along with the book too, check out the other blogs that are on the trail;

11th May 2016: C&T Publishing - (Concord, California, U.S.A.)

11th May 2016: We Bloom Here - Margaret Bloom (San Francisco Bay, California, U.S.A.)

12th May 2016: My Handmade Adventure - Karen Wasson (Melbourne, Australia) - You are here!

13th May 2016: 60 Degrees of Inspiration - Joanna Riley (Shetland Isles, Scotland, UK)

14th May 2016: Buttonsy - Anna Day (London, England, UK)

15th May 2016: Madeit - (Lennox Head, Australia)

16th May 2016 Sally Dixon Creations - Sally Dixon (Adelaide, Australia)





Now with thanks to Sally and C&T Publishing, you too can be lost in an itty bitty Pipsqueak world. All you have to do to be in the running to win a digital copy of Pipsqueaks, is leave a comment on this blog post.

Competition closes on Monday 23rd of May 2016 when a winner will be drawn at random.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

20 comments:

  1. So cute....ice creams and rabbit family!

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  2. I think I would make the cupcakes. Here in DC cupcakes are the big thing.

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  3. Ooh. M soo excited. Definitely the slephant

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  4. Some of the food! I'm the same as you, I like the physical copy of the book in my hands, way more fun to flip through pages and put little sticky notes on the ones you want to make. grecomara at gmail dot com

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  5. Everything! But I like the look of the strawberries and elephants most :) x

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  6. I love the elephants...they are so cute!!!

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  7. I love the elephants...they are so cute!!!

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  8. I would make the little bears.

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  9. I would have to make an elephant. I know so many who just love them. They are so cute.

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  10. I love the little door mouse, that's what I'd make first.

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  11. I like the door mouse and elephants.

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  12. An elephant! I've never made tiny things, looks like a fun challenge. And I'm encouraged that you think it's doable for everyone.

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  13. I think I'd make the bunny first. It looks like it will be hard to choose what to make first. I want to make a necklace with that ice cream cone! And I agree about a hashtag.

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  14. I would like to make an elephant first.

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  15. Quite charming little ones & I love the elephants.

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  16. Thanks so much for participating in this blog tour. I find the pipsqueaks to be charming and would try the elephant first.

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  17. Thank you so much to everyone who entered to win a copy of Pipsqueaks by Sally Dixon. The lucky winner was Katy M. I hope you enjoy your prize and would love to see what tiny things you create! Karen x

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  18. Amazing Work.. Out of the World..

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